Chris MetzenRecensioni
Autore di WarCraft Archive
Recensioni
Of Blood and Honor (WarCraft) di Chris Metzen
Link to review: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2013/12/booknote-transformers-monstrosity...
I was surprised at how much I liked Monstrosity. Similarly, I was surprised at how much I did not like Primacy. I didn't dislike it; I just didn't find much particularly likeable about it. While the first two parts of this trilogy, Autocracy and Monstrosity, captured some of that prequel energy, making you excited to see those raw, early moments in Transformers history, Primacy feels too much like the kind of Transformers stories you've seen a million times. Megatron has an evil plan, Optimus Prime angsts about something but wins anyway, rinse, repeat. This is set millions of years before the majority of IDW's work, but would slot into it just fine, which is disappointing. A prequel should capture something different about an ongoing story, but Primacy is too much of the same old thing.
The Transformers by IDW: « Previous in sequence | Next in sequence »
Autocracy, the book to which this is a sequel, was the very first IDW Transformers comic I ever read. Monstrosity picks up right where Autocracy ends, with the beginning of the millions-year-long Autobot/Decepticon war underway. I found Autocracy a little difficult to follow, but over two years later, I've read another fifty-one(!) volumes of IDW Transformers comics... so you might say I have a bit more understanding and context now.
Monstrosity might take place at the beginning of the continuity, but it actually is nice to read it later on, because I can see the seeds for much of what's followed. Monstrosity shows the great exodus of nonaligned Transformers from Cybetrons (those who would be called "NAILs" when they returned in More than Meets the Eye, Volume 1); one key character is Dai Atlas, leader of the Circle of Light (the group the Lost Light was seeking until More than Meets the Eye, Volume 5); and we see the beginning of Cyberton's ecological devastation (discussed in Infiltration and All Hail Megatron, among others).
The story deals with various kinds of monstrosity: the Dinobots (called "Dynobots" here because they aren't dinosaurs yet) have alt modes that threaten to overwhelm them, there's a monster buried under the surface of Cybertron, the people of Cybetron themselves begin to turn ugly, and Megatron continues his transformation from principled zealot to genocidal maniac.
When reading a synopsis ahead of time, I was skeptical of these parts all fitting together (particularly the Dinobots), but to my surprise, they did. I particularly liked the sense of tragedy to the whole thing. Optimus Prime might be Cybetron's greatest hero, and the first Prime to carry the Matrix in many centuries (millennia?), but that's not enough to save his planet or his people. With crushing inevitability, everything falls apart. In addition, Megatron is pretty badass here, tearing up Junkion (the Planet of Junk) to reclaim leadership of the Decepticons, and willing to do whatever it takes to depose the Autobots and lay claim to control of Cybertron.
Though sometimes his action scenes are hard to follow as they occasionally are, and the art's murkiness makes identifying characters difficult, Livio Ramondelli has really defined this period of Cybetronian history. His art is good at capturing the era's mythic nature and its violence. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, an appropriate story to finally experience as IDW's Transformers universe winds itself down.
The Transformers by IDW: « Previous in sequence | Next in sequence »
This is the chronologically earliest story in the IDW Transformers Humble Bundle, taking place millions of years in the past, before the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons took off-- because there had only just become such a thing as Autobots (Cybertronian cops) and Decepticons (resistance fighters). Orion Pax-- the future Optimus Prime-- is a young but passionate cop trying to defend a system that he knows isn't entirely pure, but does believe is the best hope for peace. But Megatron believes that the system can't be saved from within; only by burning it down, can something more just come into existence. But both have to contend with Zeta Prime, embodiment of the old order who will hold onto his power by any means necessary.
It's the moments between these two characters, where they debate the right course of action, and where you see how they could have been colleagues in different circumstances, where this comic really shines. It's not sophisticated stuff, but it's brimming with potential. On the other hand, while Livio Ramondelli's art is good at light and gloom and drama, I found the action sequences incredibly difficult to follow much of the time, and most of the Autobots-- as is almost always the case in the comics-- blended together as interchangeable robots. I did really like the depiction of Hot Rod as a beleaguered leader of an oppressed community, on no side but that of his people's. This is possibly the first time Hot Rod has ever been interesting to me.
Of course, Megatron goes all tinpot dictator himself, and Orion discovers the long-lost Matrix and becomes Optimus Prime, and the story loses some of its nuance. But this is more interesting than I expected a Transformers comic to be, and hopefully future IDW stories build on its foundations.
The Transformers by IDW: Next in sequence »
Power struggles in both the Decepticon and Autobot factions are played out, as Dai Atlas invites distrust of the new Prime, without really meaning to. He doesn't help, although not out of any ill will. Dai Atlas simply doesn't trust that the new Prime - Optimus - has the strength needed to lead, and to bring peace to Cybertron. It's fair, I think, because Prime makes mistakes in this graphic novel, and stumbles, as he learns how to be a leader. However, he also has the best interest of Cybertron at heart. Given that the Matrix chooses someone to become a Prime, someone who may not have experience in leadership, but who it deems worthy... I can't really fault Prime. He agonizes over his missteps, and he tries to deal justice with a fair hand. He tries not to fight if possible, but is willing to raise arms in defense of Cybertornians. He *is* worthy.
The Decepticons, on the other hand, cut each other down. Scorponok unseats Megatron and leaves him for scrap on Junkion. They squabble, they backstab each other, and while there are occasional elements of honor shown - Megatron respecting the dead of those who fought for him, and refusing to let his Decepticons go into battle when he's sure they'll die for example - it's not a pretty picture of this faction. Not at all.
Between all this, the energon supplies are at a low point. The world is not able to sustain it's inhabitants, and this is simply causing more and more tension. Add that to the political going ons, and peace is unsustainable.
However, the Monstrosity in the title - who it refers to is debatable. A Quintesson on Junkion tells Megatron he has to become monstrous to survive that world, and Prime calls him a monster in the end. The Dynobots are portrayed as monstrous, and even Grimlock reminds the readers of this. More than once he says he has a monster in him, as does the rest of his team. They're dangerous and trying to get off world to protect everyone else from their monsters. Trypticon is monstrous, and is called on it moire than once. I would argue that Megatron learns to be more monstrous than before on Junkion, and that this is a tale of redemption for the Dynobots - they go from having a monster in them to starting to be able to control that monster, and becoming as honorable as they had been before their last mission under Nominus.
Trypticon? Trypticon is just a tragedy. He's been infected by the same energon that has turned the Dynobots into the monsters they see in themselves. It's raw energon that Prime hopes to use to restore the world, at least until he sees what it's done to the Dynobots. (Think Hulk-like rage. Their savage/beast modes are explained by their medic, Skar, who was using adaptable alt-modes to fight creatures who were savage, and dragon like - and who were infected by that same raw energon.) Trypticon has been feeing off it for Primus knows how long. I see him as neutral, as rage given form, who lashed out and devours everything. He tramples on Autobots and Decepticons alike.
All in all? There are just too many subplots, and themes, to go over in one review. This is a highly complex graphic novel that not only gives insight into Cybertron's past, but sheds light on the IDW version of the Dynobots. It's got brilliant art, and I loved the writing even more the second time around. I loved the graphic novel in general the second time around. Highly suggested.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Me
Transformers: Autocracy is the origin story of Orion Pax, or as he is better known, Optimus Prime. In the first six issues which were available on NetGalley for review, we learn of Prime’s history as a leader of a counter-terror strike team who were tasked with several mission in order to thwart dissident Decpticons. With each mission, Orion Pax discovers new information on the true agenda of the Autobot leader, Zeta Prime and the Autocracy. In the end, it is Orion Pax who has to decide which faction, Autocracy or Dissident, is truly worth fighting for.
I really enjoyed Transformers: Autocracy. For anyone who follows the Transformers lore, you already know it a vast universe that spans decades through cartoons, movies, video games, and action figures. One of the most fascinating parts of the universe is learning about Cybertron, the wars the Transformers had to endure, and of course how our characters became the totally awesome robots in disguise they are today. Who was Optimus before he was a Prime? Were he and Megatron once Allies fighting for the same cause? All this and more will be revealed in Autocracy. And yes my friends, it’s a turbulent adventure no true Transformers fan will want to miss!
Some of our favorite Transformers make an appearance throughout the story, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Soundwave, Prowl, Ratbat, Starscream are just few. I was definitely feeling nostalgic from seeing their faces inked onto the pages and hearing Ironhide’s sarcastic comments. From time to time I could feel myself screaming, “I had that action figure. Oh and that one too!” Transformers: Autocracy is very reminiscent of the original Transformers from 80’s, from the tone in their voices to the intricately way they were drawn. I loved, loved, LOVED every minute of it!
Overall, if you are a fan of the esteemed series then Transformers: Autocracy is definitely for you. Generations old and young will love the action, destruction, and mayhem in this comic. For those of you who missed the Transformers boat don’t worry. Autocracy is easy to follow and gives you just enough information so don’t feel overwhelmed by the limitless universe.
The writing is also on par with most of the fan fiction I can read online. In fact I have read better online. I've spent hours of my day glued to my chair reading some anonymous author spinning a tale of such magic that immediately after I rush to the game, trying to grasp some of that wonder for myself. The stories in this book did none of that for me. I actually became less interested in some of the biggest names in the game, like Thrall, who was humble, honorable, and strong without fail for a hundred something pages.
Since each of the four stories were written by different authors, they all had their own unique faults.
Day of the Dragon might as well have been an Adventure Fantasy mad lib. Characters that did not previously exist in canon popped up, which is itself no great sin, but they added nothing to the lore and were about as dull as can be.
Lord of the Clans was decent enough, but felt constricted by the fact that the main character, Thrall, is one of the biggest characters in the game. It's like reading a book knowing that they guy is going to get the girl in the end and realizing that in this case it -isn't- the voyage that matters. There was constant re-establishment of character, but no real crisis. This makes sense, since the big stuff belongs in the game, but it still means as a stand alone work it is lacking.
The Last Guardian was the most interesting plot wise. There was some mystery, a little bit of pity drawn out for poor Medivh, and the characters had some personality to them. The writing however was the worst out of the four stories in the anthology. A thesaurus was badly abused in its writing. I could not get into it because the words did not flow at all. The choice of point of view was also unfortunate. The most interesting aspect of The Last Guardian is Medivh's struggle with the demon that inhabits his body, and the reader is exposed to none of it. Instead we follow an apprentice as he wonders wtf is up with this crazy guy for 90% of the plot.
Of Blood and Honor is Metzen's offering to the collection, and is the most readable of all of them. It is the only book in where there is internal conflict on the part of the main character. It is the only story where there is any sense of loss, or any difficult decision to be made. It is also the only story that left me more interested in a lore character after I finished it. Metzen's writing skills are not epic, but they are passable, and unlike some of his peers he does not sprain a brain trying to do literary acrobatics that are far beyond him, and so saves himself the embarrassment of falling flat on his face for all to see.
Still, I think I will stick to online fan fic for my Warcraft fix from now on.
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bokai | 3 altre recensioni | Dec 14, 2009 |
bokai | 3 altre recensioni | Dec 14, 2009 | I approached this with some trepidation. It's the first Warcraft book I've read, and I was expecting it to be woeful. It wasn't woeful at all, I'm happy to say -- in terms of quality, a pretty average novelization-type book. I dearly wish that it had been about characters I care more about (I knew nothing about Falstad, Rhonin, and Vereesa Windrunner going in, and had only a marginal familiarity with the dragons), but on the other hand, it certainly makes seeing those characters in WoW more meaningful! Of course, there was a harried, rushed, love-at-first-sight relationship (why why WHY does every relationship in every book have to look like that? Why?), but I think ultimately the rest of the book made up for it. The dragons were wonderful, dynamic characters, and it was super-cool to see Malygos in his batshit crazy insane days. Perhaps I didn't read closely enough, but I do wonder about those eggs Deathwing was trying to steal. Are those who I think they are?
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