IDW Publishing 2016
Written by Mairghread Scott
Illustrated by Naoto Tsushima
Coloured by DAI-XT
Lettered by Tom B. Long
WINDBLADE ON EARTH! The mysterious link between METROTITAN and MICROSPACE threatens to tear two universes apart, and only WINDBLADE has a chance to heal the Titan… and there she learns a terrifying secret that changes the stakes of the REVOLUTION.
Oh my goodness this was all kinds of great. I’ll fully admit i’m not up on anything Transformers and this whole Revolution story arc is really my true introduction to them. However Mairghread’s writing, dialogue and characterisation here is absolutely spectacular. I mean it’s full of interesting moments, great revelations and finally we get to see them know of and recognise the Microverse.
Naoto and DAI-XT do some truly remarkable work on the interiors here. The attention to detail is utterly astonishing. The buildings are astonishing to see and the characters are wonderfully done. I love that Winblade resembles the technology that those in the Microverse use so there’s a solid connection to them. I also really like the way the whole thing looks like this high class cartoon movie it really helps to get the reader into this. There’s a high end feel that is appealing. The use of page layouts with angles, perspective and backgrounds control the flow of the story beautifully.
I think the biggest part of this story that I liked was getting to know Optimus Prime better. It was unexpected this kind of characterisation and Windblade’s new way of seeing him. Also I have this appreciation and respect for Windblade. She’s a great character and her commitment to everything she does and her passion for what she believes in is extremely well portrayed here. Also that she will speak her mind without fear of retribution says a lot about her.
I like that this does a lot to get the Transformers in the know about the Microverse and it’s connection to Micronus Prime. With another Prime still alive and Optimus’ thoughts on that seem like a huge contradiction to me and possibly he feels threatened that a Prime older than he who created his own universe still lives. I mean how often have there been more than one Prime alive at the same time? This opens up a whole new level of intrigue, problems and storylines that I’m actually looking forward to seeing explored.
If these directions are what we can expect from the future of the Transformers than I have to admit that this will be something i’ll happily be on board with. The characterisation, the dialogue the premise all of it conspire to make them so much more interesting than I could have possibly imagined them being. Who knew there was this kind of complexity among them. Plus I really want to see what Windblade does next because I know what she wants to do and I think she totally should.