Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #32 – Review

By: James Roberts (writer), Alex Milne (art), Joana Lafuente (colors)

The Story: The crew investigates a familiar shipwreck, only to find that things aren’t quite how they left them. Think of it like a director’s cut…with a rusty blade.

The Review: Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye has always been about the past. From the presence of living fossils like Cyclonus and Tailgate to the influence of Chromedome’s previous relationships to the desperate nostalgia that’s fueled Rodimus and then Megatron’s hunt for the Knights of Cybertron, the crew of the Lost Light has consistently been driven and ruined by past events. This issue we find ourselves on unsteady ground as characters are forced to consider the future in more ways than one.

Pretty immediately upon entering the wrecked Lost Light the crew realize that something’s not right, sending them on desperate searches to determine what happened, if there are any survivors, and if this fate can be avoided. The absence of MTMTE staples proves just how skillful a writer James Roberts is, as he provides the same high level of character work without any of his familiar favorites or missing a beat.

Standouts, as ever, include Megatron and Nautica, but there are some solid moments with Getaway and newcomer Ravage as well. There’s plenty more discussion of Megatron’s defection, but the subject gets a shot in the arm in the form of an actual Decepticon for Megatron to stare down. It’s still amazing how real Roberts makes this transition and anyone who’s escaped from a self-destructive friendship will be able to see a little bit of themselves in the former tyrant. Likewise, it’s great to see the Autobots admit how difficult it can be to hold a grudge.

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #30 – Review

By: James Roberts (writer), Alex Milne (art), Joana Lafuente (colors)

The Story: “You’re out of order! You’re out of order! The whole trial’s out of order!”

The Review: As Megatron’s trial comes to an end, James Roberts takes the opportunity to make it something to remember. It’s pretty impressive when a Seacon invasion is the least interesting part of a trial!

Punctuated with cruel cliffhangers that are all rewarding enough to justify themselves, the flashbacks in MTMTE #30 will keep you on the edge of your seat. Megatron is a natural star and you’ll find it hard not to sympathize with Cybertron’s imperialist mass murderer. Far from the cowardly conqueror of the 1980s or the cackling madness of G1 Galvatron, Roberts writes an intense, Byronic Megatron. Tortured without seeming self-indulgent, Megatron’s inability to accept a failed life presents all kinds of fascinating ideas and propels the story forward, taking him from masterful manipulator to broken old warrior for justice and more in the span of half an issue.

Likewise, Roberts brings the best out of Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime. With a splash of humor and an appropriately straight face, each of the truckformers act as a voice of reason, even as their actions inspire a fist pump or two. Optimus is especially interesting. The mythic connection between Prime and Megatron is strong and you can feel Optimus, almost desperately, trying to nurture what he sees growing in Megatron’s spark.

While every scene in the book could probably be described as character-driven, Roberts really shows off how strongly he can structure an interaction. Exposition, character, and comedy are woven throughout the entire script and moments like Ratchet’s final line to Rodimus hit you like a punch to the gut.