TFW2005 is proud to provide a second early Transformers comic review today! We review Last Stand of the Wreckers #4! Last Stand of the Wreckers #4 is out tomorrow – Wednesday, April 21st – from IDW Publishing. Check out the review and a few new images from the issue by reading on. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4
Credits
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Written by: Nick Roche & James Roberts
Pencils: Nick Roche & Guido Guidi
Inks : Guido Guidi & Andrew Griffith
Colors by: Josh Burcham
Letters by: Chris Mowry
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Associate Editor: Denton J. Tipton
Covers
Cover A – Art by Nick Roche and Colors by Josh Burcham
Cover B – Art by Trevor Hutchison
Retailer Incentive – Art by Trevor Hutchison
Review
When IDW Publishing announced the Last Stand of the Wreckers mini-series, fans immediately noticed the ominous phrase in the title and realized that the story would be very dark. The mini-series has continued to meet all of those expectations thus far and then some. Last Stand of the Wreckers #4 continues to build upon the excitement from the first three issues, but stands as something even more. The ante has been upped: More non-stop action, multiple deaths on all sides, secrets revealed, and a look back at some more familiar faces!
As Issue #3 ended, Perceptor, Topspin, Pyro, Ironfist, and Verity have found Aequitas while Kup and Guzzle head into the depths of Garrus-9 to find a non-specified prisoner. Twin Twist was being tortured by Stalker, with Impactor and Springer bound and looking on in horror. Issue #4 picks up right where we left off as the identity of Aequitas is revealed as is the name of the prisoner that Kup and Guzzle were looking for. Stalker, meanwhile, continues his torture session.
By now, readers have been brought back up to speed on many of the Wreckers and their history. In Issue #4, Roche and Roberts delve deeper into the past and purposes of Pyro and Ironfist. Ironfist’s back story then becomes very important in the story. Beyond the back story, the writers have done a nice job at keeping the readers guessing. The storylines appeared to indicate certain revelations and characters were to be introduced, but the end result was different than expected. Although readers were keen on identify what the word “Aequitas” stands for, almost all predictions on the identity were incorrect. Many readers have correctly guessed the identity of the prisoner that Kup and Guzzle were headed towards, but what they found there was not what they expected to find. A flashback also features some more familiar faces from the Wreckers team as well as gives a small storyline to some of the most obscure characters in Transformers comic history.
As the mini-series is headed towards an end, the writers’ managing of the story has been top-notch. While keeping up the action that has intrigued readers, the story is headed towards an ending with revelation of key storyline points and the identity of Overlord’s mission. Although there is still much yet to come in the final issue, you can already feel like the story is starting to wrap up into the neat bow.
Like with the last issue, there were many contributors to the art in the issue. Guido Guidi assisted Nick Roche with the pencils, while both Guido and Andrew Griffith were on inks. On the colors end, Josh Burcham was back to solo duty. Regardless of the multiple hands involved in art duties, they managed to again pull off an issue that contained art that was visually consistent. Panels containing action sequences tend to be cluttered, but the job on inks and colors make those details clearly distinguishable. And you want larger panel money-shots? They’re back, after being absent in Issue #3.
The staff on this mini-series keep doing it. With every issue, they have topped the effort made beforehand. As the Wreckers make their last stand in the fifth and final issue, almost as intriguing is if Roche and Roberts can make the last issue of Last Stand their best effort in a stellar mini-series.
levyshahar
That's what I thought but I looked for it and couldn't find it
Starscream Gaga
It was in Bullets.
Primal Sabbath
I honestly think that's part of the tongue in cheek humor/sarcasm the TFWiki uses in most of their articles.
Though that part in particular may have been in Bullets?
And no problem
levyshahar
Thanks Primal_sabbath
I don't see that it says that skyfall doesn't correct him "only out of respect for Prime's image" – but I'm almost sure I read it somewhere besides tfwiki, just cant figure out where
Primal Sabbath
At first I thought it was this page in #4 where Ironfist is reflecting on his past. You see him giving Prime the Ion Blaster, although there was nothing stating the facts there, as I'm sure Optimus is prone to dropping things and random bots are prone to handing them to him.
But then I forgot about Ironfist's profile which IIRC was printed at the end of issue #4 (my LSOTW single issues are packed away, but I always have the hardcover on hand to read when I fancy)
And anyways, there it is
levyshahar
sorry for the necro bump but I've got a question about this issue: tfwiki cites this issue when it says that skyfall never corrected the misconception regarding prime's ion blaster actually being built by ironfist "only out of respect for Prime's image". where exactly do we see that? couldn't find it #4 or in bullets
BB Shockwave
I loved the Duocons… Sadly Battletrap didn't get much to do anywhere, other then being the first casuality of the Time Wars (oddly enough, he got repaired and since then survived Unicron, demons, the Cybertronian empire and even the swarm). Flywheels had a nice story in the whole "Night of the living dead" stories. I loved Battletrap's comic design a lot, and he could be reimagined as an interesting character, imho.
Speaking of Wreckers, what I still don't get is why did they need to sacrifice anyone when Perceptor said they need one of the Garrus-9 crew to access Aequitas, and they had Fort Max there? Comatose as he was, the computer should have recognized his spark signature.
BB Shockwave
I loved the Duocons… Sadly Battletrap didn't get much to do anywhere, other then being the first casuality of the Time Wars (oddly enough, he got repaired and since then survived Unicron, demons, the Cybertronian empire and even the swarm). Flywheels had a nice story in the whole "Night of the living dead" stories. I loved Battletrap's comic design a lot, and he could be reimagined as an interesting character, imho.
Speaking of Wreckers, what I still don't get is why did they need to sacrifice anyone when Perceptor said they need one of the Garrus-9 crew to access Aequitas, and they had Fort Max there? Comatose as he was, the computer should have recognized his spark signature.
Infosaur
Hey wait a minute now. I've always liked BattleTrap.
He's one of those TF's that even though he has almost no screentime, a weak toy, and little fan intrest, I like.
I like his box art more than the toy actually.
Anyway the 'Copter chest. The missle launchers under his winglets (also on his chest) the 'copter turbines on his back, the chopper blades hanging on his back like a Samurai sword, and the cannons on his shoulder. For some reason I loved to draw this guy. I even had drawn pics of him "evolving" from a Seeker-type to his "Duocon" style (well Shockwave DID experiment on him)For a while I was doing character study's of his face.
Too bad I don't still have those pics.
"I'm FIRED!"
SharkyMcShark
That was Brainstorm though.
Foster
If anyone can, it would be Jetfire and the Technobots. I love how they've been made science miracle workers in IDW. Hell, Kup was restored to active duty.
Beastbot X
I know, right? Everyone knows Twin Twist sucks, so by removing his jaw, Stalker had removed his ability TO suck. Decepticon was doing the poor guy a FAVOR, and then Topspin just goes out and sacrifices them both? Pshaw.
McBradders
Revived as those stupid Duocons
Gingerchris
Maybe IDW will retcon him back to life in the future. Or perhaps the justice computer thingy returns a donated TF's spark after use and the Jumpstarters can be revived. Probably not, but I'm just trying to give you a little hope.
McBradders
I can't believe they killed off Twin Twist
Overhaulimus
Just finished reading this issue,and it sucks that the next issue is the last,I really enjoyed this storyline.
Gingerchris
In Ironfist's profile, are 'The Wreckers' Lightning Strike' and 'Wreckers at the Pole' nods to the old Ladybird books 'Autobots' Lightning Strike' and 'Decepticons at the Pole'?
Coeloptera
Hmm…Springer, Kup, Ironfist. Those are my guesses as to who lives.
The rest, up in the air.
– Coeloptera
BB Shockwave
Then go Here! – and join the discussion! We at Transfans are anticipating 4 survivors only. My money is on at least one of the new recruits surviving, perhaps the most unlikely one at that (like in 7 samurai).
Also, Transfans' "overlord" Best First has been teasing IDW writers for years about a Spotlight Guzzle and just how important Guzzle is, guess they listened…
Infosaur
I'd like to think of this as "If Tarantino did a TF story" Because it is bloody, brutal, and awsome. It sucks that so many TF's have to die but it just makes it so much more interesting and you have real drama.
I know most of the Wreckers, as constituted, are nobodys. Still the Jumpstarters buying it was a shock. And frankly now I'm not ever sure Springer and Kup will survive. (seriously we need some sort of Wreckers Deadpool so we can run odds on who will die next.)
BTW I just moved and one of the first boxes of TF's I opened (full of my cast offs and old weapons too, not the box I was looking for alas) but it had Guzzle! So "Mr. I-Ain't-Overcompensating-For-Shit", is now proudly standing vigil over my cell phone charger.
Also I was 2-weeks late in getting this book since it sold out at my local shop.
Still worth the wait.