Transformers #23 - Mobile Edition

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Transformers #23
By Hervé St-Louis
August 17, 2011 - 08:19

IDW Publishing
Writer(s): James Roberts
Penciller(s): Alex Milne
Inker(s): Alex Milne
Colourist(s): Joana Lafuente
Letterer(s): Shawn Lee
Cover Artist(s): Alex Milne, Josh Perez
$3.99 US

While Optimus Prime is escorting Megatron back to Cybertron so he can be judged, the story is mixed with flashbacks about what motivated the creation of the Decepticons and how Optimus Prime reacted following his first meeting with Megatron. Megatron’s core philosophy about freedom, apparently influenced Optimus Prime’s own world view.

This is the type of stories that have made Transformers more than the 1980s cartoon we all grew up with. Here We see how one seed from Megatron influenced Optimus Prime. Originally, both sought the same ideals, but their tactics veered off. While Megaron focused on hate and revenge, Optimus Prime focused on hope and redemption and real freedom. At the cost of his own stature and rank, Optimus Prime defied the senators that ruled Cybertron and professed his ideology.

This issue also deals with the moral dilemma felt by Optimus Prime in regards to the Matrix. He doesn’t know if his moral compass originates through the Matrix or trough himself. These are great questions. I’m not sure where this story is going, but I really hope it’s not abandoned for the Galvatron storyline which seems annoying to me. I’m far more interested in knowing about the early Autobots and Decepticons and their warring philosophies than read another story about some unknown world threat that will devastate the universe.

Milne is good, and I like that he continues to work on this series, providing it with visual continuity. His Transfomers’ faces have more human qualities, than robotic ones, but I don’t mind that.
Rating: 10/10