The Transformers - Escalation #3

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The Transformers - Escalation #3
By Hervé St-Louis
February 12, 2007 - 23:33

IDW Publishing
Writer(s): Simon Furman
Penciller(s): E.J. Su
Cover Artist(s): Klaus Scherwinski

Megatron, Skywarp and Blitzwing are plotting a violent outbreak between Russia and a small republic called Brasnya. The Autobots discover the energy signature of Megatron who can now transform into a small gun. As Optimus Prime, Prowl, Wheeljack and Jazz teleport to Russia to prevent a worldwide war, Blitzwing and Skywarp have the Autobots in their shooting range. Can the Autobots getaway before it’s too late?

Furman must be congratulated for writing a smart Autobot story that has aged with the readers who used to read his simpler tales decades ago. Here he mixes world politic, albeit in the form of a fictional country, to great effect. It could really happen. He also shows that the Autobots, while respectful of Optimus Prime, may be annoyed by Prowl’s second in command act. It’s actually fun to see the Autobots from another angle. More Autobots seem to be on their way, although many of the earlier ones like Hound, Mirage and Bluestreak are still nowhere to be seen.

The artwork is improving and the storytelling makes for a gripping tale. The inking is still too thin for the Transformers, but Su makes them look dynamic, well except Optimus Prime.

7/10