Comic Review: Transformers (2019-) #2

Transformers #2

IDW

Writer: Brian Ruckley

Artists: Angel Hernandez & Cachét Whitman

IDW’s all new but still familiar take on Cybertron has an uncertain future ahead, even if Transformers has only had two issues so far. Writer Brian Ruckley creates a compelling image of the Transformers’ lives before the war. But so did the comics that came before this one. And while this series still needs time to develop, I’m starting to question if this new book can produce something as nuanced or engaging as IDW’s previous offerings. To Ruckley’s credit, there’s still a lot of unknowns in Transformers. Aside from the mysteries, he’s keeping the “big picture” of what’s happening on Cybertron close to his chest. Transformers is decent enough but it’s definitely taking its time.

This issue addresses and promptly brushes off the previous installment’s cliffhanger surprisingly quickly. While the circumstances are still largely unknown, the story quickly turns back to Rubble’s day to day life. Brainstorm’s situation isn’t as substantial as I expected it to be but it at least offers some strong hooks. In a nicely executed scene, Bumblebee desperately assures Rubble that this sort of senseless violence isn’t the norm on Cybertron. That promise is appropriately ironic and foreboding. Rubble’s subsequent exploration of his new world works well enough. I will say it’s still a little too vague and it lacks the complex social dynamics and institutions found in previous versions.

The Ascenticons are further developed upon, along with their militant offshoot, the Rise. The Megatron led movement claims that the Cybertron’s rulers needlessly limit the full potential of their civilization. As usual, the book is sparse on detail and it’s difficult to tell how justified they might be. While Transformers should have a chance to stand on its own, it exists within a long-standing, respected, and deceptively well-developed franchise. The book’s pacing definitely suits Ruckley’s writing. But it also means that it’s taking a while to see just how different his Cybertron is going to be. Transformers certainly isn’t dull but it hasn’t given the reader a whole lot to work with.

The more I see of Angel Hernandez’s work in Transformers, the more I feel that he’s unsuited for this title. In this issue, it becomes evident that he struggles with the more complex bot designs. Prowl and even Optimus Prime have very awkward proportions. It’s especially concerning when you consider that they aren’t exactly the most challenging looking Transformers. Hernandez’s interpretation of Iacon is much more sterile than his otherworldly, memorable interpretation of Cybertron’s “nature.” Even if that’s intentional, it’s not that interesting to look at. Cachét Whitman’s contributions aren’t particularly outstanding but her art is still preferable. She captures the determined energy of Megatron as both a leader and a warrior, conveying the essentials of his look without being too derivative of previous versions. Transformers is far from the fast lane but the franchise has enough low points that I can give Ruckley a chance to tell his story.