Here we go again...
I was never a big "Robots in Disguise" fan, but there have been times when I enjoyed some of the various Transformers comics that have been released over the past couple of decades. IDW wisely opts to start from square one instead of throwing readers neck-deep in a pool full of past stories and continuity. New characters are introduced to serve as our gateway into this re-imagined world, and it makes for an accessible read. But the question... is it any good? The answer is yes, yes it is. Furman's script is far from the most original, but it's entertaining and clear, taking a less is more approach initially. E.J. Su's art shines. When action finally breaks out in the latter pages of this introductory, promotional issue, it's explosive and grabs the reader right away. Su makes a big-screen action movie come to life in static two dimensions.
Verity Carlo is a young woman on the run, surviving by her wits and her skills, which are both technical and criminal in nature. She spots opportunities aplenty at a bus station and on a trip west to Los Angeles, she "frees" a powerful hand-held computer from a fellow passenger while he catches some shuteye. Little does she know that the hand-held unit is much more than it seems, and there are forces -- impossible and powerful forces -- that will stop at nothing to retrieve it.
Su's art, clearly influenced by a lighter, less extreme approach to manga storytelling, reminds me a bit of Takeshi (Runaways, Mary Jane) Miyazama's style. The slightly sketchy yet soft line art really makes the characters seem real and vulnerable. Just as impressive as the grounded visuals are the explosive entrances of two of the title characters. The convincing portrayal the devastating effect of an enemy jet's weapons makes the danger seem real and brings tension to the story as well. The double page splash of the jet screaming over two characters' heads also conveys the larger scope upon which the action will unfold.
Kudos to IDW for publishing a low-pric entry point for its new Transformers line. Even with the multiple covers, the book remains more than affordable. The page count is lower, yes, but there's plenty of story to satisfy the reader, especially at a 99-cent cover price. Supplemental material is provided as well, which should delight the die-hard TF fans. The creators have also managed to craft a comic that can appeal to readers of all ages.
Though the book is about giant robots, Furman has wisely opted to start things off small. Only two Transformers play active roles in this issue -- one Autobot, and one Dcepticon -- and it keeps the opening chapter in this new TF epic from being overwhelming. I also appreciate the fact that the "robots in disguise" aspect of the property is being emphasized. When the original Transformers comic series launched from Marvel in the 1980s, the robots were kept a secret from the world at large, and that approach is returning again. Furman has taken that idea and run with it, exploring the notion that the Transformers have been around for a couple of years and have become an urban legend, one that attracts the attention of conspiracy theorists and the like. 7/10
