Via graphicpolicy.com we have the full preview of IDW Optimus Prime #21 for your viewing pleasure.
As we can see from the 5-page preview, a lot of events are happening on this issue. While Victorion is facing Devastator, Pyra Magna shares some memories about the first time she saw Optimus Prime and Victorion’s origin. A wounded Jetfire and Aileron have to face an unexpected…. danger or help??? It seems it’s time for Optimus Prime to come back once again.
You can check the mirrored images (including Covers A, B and Retailer Incentive) after the jump, featuring art from Kei Zama, Sara Pitre-Durocher, and Livio Ramondelli.
RazorclawX
What, you think him throwing Optimus into the singularity only to want him back out right away was an accident?
This looks like it's solving the whole 'half of the Matrix' issue.
Purple Heart
So Optimus and Bumblebee are Digimon now?
Omegashark18
Fortunately, it appears that this issue is the only one with multiple artists on it.
Going by the solicitations of the following issues thus far.
rikkomba
hahahaha
Fallout
it all leads back into the reveal that shockwave is the one directing the bumblebee movie!
CleverNamePendingatron
It always annoys me when they use multiple artists, especially when they’ve each got such distinct art styles like Zama and Ramondelli. I’m fine when it fits with the narrative, like if one style is for flashbacks only, but this is just jarring. Can’t they use multiple artists with more “generic” styles so it’s not as noticeable? I understand it was probably necessary to keep up with the faster schedule, but it’s still going to annoy me.
Transformers 101: If a villain’s goal is unclear, just assume they’re after the Matrix until told otherwise.
RazorclawX
I think he's after the Matrix of Leadership.
Wheeljack_Prime
Could divvied up the pages better. Yikes, how crucial was it for IDW to rush this thing out?
Omegashark18
I think in order to get this out quickly, they had to call in multiple artists for this. With one third of the comic each divided between Livio, Zama, and SPR.
Wheeljack_Prime
Using Ramondeli for the initial flashbacks I could deal with, but then giving him 2 pages of the main narrative before jumping back to something more…colorful just took me out of it.
Coffee
The fuck is Shockwave even doing now, lmao
Jalaguy
FYI, GraphicPolicy isn't the "original source" – IDW makes five-page previews available to everyone on their press list the day before release. Both Seibertron and GraphicPolicy will have received the preview direct from IDW.
DOTM Bumblebee
John, I like your work, but did you intend for Pyra Magna to be completely unlikable? In any case, I'm curious as to why Shockwave now wants Optimus back out, and I expect that he's also recalled Bumblebee from the singularity in doing this.
Lionheart
"No more than a computer program would be." Oh Jetfire you silly, silly aircraft. Unless he means to say that Cybertronian computer programs are for some reason extremely rebellious and capable of taking direct action against their own computer domain.
rikkomba
I would gladly pay $3.99 for 20 pages of Pyra Magna dying. They could call it "TFandom holiday special"
Pichomp
Now remember, Unicron, when eating Pyra Magna, make sure you chew thoroughly. A properly digested Pyra Magna is the key to good health.
rikkomba
AAAAAAAAAAARGH
Issy543
The power of friendship.
Also, I’m rooting for Devastator to win, but I doubt that very much (given what Transformers:Unicron implies). If he loses, be better go out like a champ.
Mattymo
I’d say it has more to do with the matrix
He’s also no longer referring to Optimus as Orion Pax
ProtectronPrime
Bumblebee is the Grand Architect confirmed.