Seattle is barely hanging on. It has become the epicenter for the Decepticon Civil War. Starscream and his forces are taking the battle to Soundwave’s crew. Caught in the middle are innocent humans. Optimus Prime is doing all he can to help. The odds are truly stacked against him. Can he find some way to survive the crossfire?
TRANSFORMERS #18 by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON, JORGE CORONA, MIKE SPICER AND RUS WOOTEN (Credit: Image Comics via Skybound Entertainment) brings a close to the latest arc.
Let’s take a closer look at where events play out now.
TRANSFORMERS #18 by DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON, JORGE CORONA, MIKE SPICER AND RUS WOOTEN (Credit: Image Comics via Skybound Entertainment)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Johnson brings the house down with this latest chapter. The Cybertron portion debuts the latest Autobot in grand fashion. Shredhead’s injection lifts up the scenario. The panels are all big action. It establishes him as a true threat to the Decepticons. The writing gives them a sorely needed win in comparison to the rest of the chapter.
Ultra Magnus’s portion reflects more on the deep emotional wounds he has suffered. The bonding with Carly helps to start healing. Johnson gives these little fleeting spots before throwing more weight on the constant battle.
All of these plots take a back seat to the main event. The Battle of Seattle devlivers on all accounts. Readers watch as the best shots are taken from all sides. Optimus is helplessly watching this brawl take place. No one is ready for the new combatant to enter the field. It is a long awaited return that sends shivers up the audience spines. The fallout launches a new era into effect for the Energon Universe. All bets are off on who will be standing in its wake.
Corona and Spicer put a Hollywood monster fight for the latetr half of this issue. Before that arrives, they give Shredhead a large statement. The action panels leave little doubt about his impact. Case in point is the half page image where someone is shredded. The Ultra Magnus portion is a wide range of fractured responses through healing. Both will connect with readers. They both are shown up by the Seattle brawl.
The art team make this whole sequence feel like a Godzilla-King Kong showdown. Each sides’ Combiner makes a claim for a throne. One stands tall through A TWO PAGE SPLASH CUTTER! The wrestling fan in me marked out seeing this! Starscream and Soundwave’s fight is as vicious as it needs to be. It stops on a dime when a certain return happens via a haunting two page spread. This leads to a striking final image. The darkest hour appears to be setting on the Autobots. Brace for impact.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.8
The war between Soundwave and Starscream ends with a thunderous conclusion. Johnson adds in much emotion with the intense fighting. Corona, Spicer and Wooten construct a devasting melee that shows no mercy. There’s never a doubt at the high level of quality with this series.
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