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Transformers IDW #36
Transformers: Monstrosity
In the early days of the war on Cybertron, Optimus Prime puts everything on the line to unify the planet — but not everyone agrees that this new Prime should be in charge! Meanwhile, the fallen Decepticon leader, Megatron, begins a journey that will change everything!
112 pages, Paperback
First published December 24, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 12, 2017
The sequel to Autocracy, the story picked from where it ended, with an Autobot victory and with Optimus Prime in charge of a population wary of the abuses of past Primes. The former soldier is finding it harder to keep the peace than fighting a war. Meanwhile, Megatron had a number done on him by the Matrix-powered Optimus. Though he's heavily damaged, he reminds Starscream and would be usurpers that he still functions, not that it mattered to Scorponok, he still gets tossed off Astrotrain.
I'm loving the references to the 1986 animated movie and they are aplenty. A few of my favorites: the aforementioned Megatron tossed off Astrotrain, A Quintesson and the planet Junkion, and Optimus replacing Ultra Magnus trying to access the power of the Matrix but got stomped by a giant Decepticon. These abundance of 1986 movie shout-outs are not an accident. As in Autocracy, writer Flint Dille is putting a revisionist pen on the the venerable tale. He's a;ready redeeemed Hot Rod, so I'm giving him a lot of lee way.
As much as Autocracy was Optimus' triumph, Monstrosity belonged to Megatron. He was beaten near death but still he thrives and it is Optimus that suffered the greatest loss as this was the start of the great Cybertronian diaspora. This sets up the need for a rubber match and that I would like to read.
I'm loving the references to the 1986 animated movie and they are aplenty. A few of my favorites: the aforementioned Megatron tossed off Astrotrain, A Quintesson and the planet Junkion, and Optimus replacing Ultra Magnus trying to access the power of the Matrix but got stomped by a giant Decepticon. These abundance of 1986 movie shout-outs are not an accident. As in Autocracy, writer Flint Dille is putting a revisionist pen on the the venerable tale. He's a;ready redeeemed Hot Rod, so I'm giving him a lot of lee way.
As much as Autocracy was Optimus' triumph, Monstrosity belonged to Megatron. He was beaten near death but still he thrives and it is Optimus that suffered the greatest loss as this was the start of the great Cybertronian diaspora. This sets up the need for a rubber match and that I would like to read.
December 29, 2013
Optimus has only recently become Prime, but unfortunately it is the rulership of a dying Cybertron. Having fought off the last vestiges of the old leadership he is left with a fractured and decaying council who have decided that the only chance they have for survival is to flee this broken planet. On the other side of the divide the Decepticons are in no better state. Megatron was left broken by Prime and Scorponok has decided that death is too good for him; throwing him out of Astrotrain into exile on Junkion. The comic then follows both Prime and Megatron as they fight for control over their respective sides and as an ancient evil within the heart of Cybertron seeks to break to the surface.
This comic has more than a passing resemblance to the 1980’s movie. In fact the story behind the facade is pretty much identical, but replaces certain characters with others. It is not just the story, but actually the dialogue as it steals some of the best lines from that film in their entirety. If I had seen the film more recently than perhaps 15 years ago I would probably have picked up even more but the comic starts with Megatron being thrown out of Astrotrain with the parting line of ‘Wait… I… Still Function;’ which is exactly what he says when Starscream throws him out after his defeat by Prime about half way through the film. I wonder if I had read the preceding series ‘Autocracy’ if it would have also stolen scenes in the same way from the first half of the film.
At first I thought the ‘borrowing’ of lines would annoy me, much the same as it annoyed me in Star Wars when the prequel films did exactly the same thing to the original three. However this is done over a full twelve issue series and it chooses the perfect lines to borrow.
http://cmro.travis-starnes.com/blog/2013/12/transformers-monstrosity/
This comic has more than a passing resemblance to the 1980’s movie. In fact the story behind the facade is pretty much identical, but replaces certain characters with others. It is not just the story, but actually the dialogue as it steals some of the best lines from that film in their entirety. If I had seen the film more recently than perhaps 15 years ago I would probably have picked up even more but the comic starts with Megatron being thrown out of Astrotrain with the parting line of ‘Wait… I… Still Function;’ which is exactly what he says when Starscream throws him out after his defeat by Prime about half way through the film. I wonder if I had read the preceding series ‘Autocracy’ if it would have also stolen scenes in the same way from the first half of the film.
At first I thought the ‘borrowing’ of lines would annoy me, much the same as it annoyed me in Star Wars when the prequel films did exactly the same thing to the original three. However this is done over a full twelve issue series and it chooses the perfect lines to borrow.
http://cmro.travis-starnes.com/blog/2013/12/transformers-monstrosity/
January 27, 2014
Optimus has found himself the new Prime of a dying planet. With energy shortages, and factions out to stop progress, he's got a fight on his hand. Add to this the Dynobots, the Decepticons, the Terrorbots and a threat named Scorponok and it all adds up to a very epic story. It does have a few flaws though.
There are a lot of characters and a lot of locations. While it's easy enough to keep track of the characters, the story shifts locations every page or so. This kind of shuffling felt a little jarring to me after a few dozen pages. The art is done in a widescreen format (and it's gorgeous), but it makes the action feel a bit cut off at times, kind of like when movie directors choose to shoot action scenes too close. The art is so good, I wanted fuller panels instead of the chopped versions that run throughout the book.
But the art by Livio Ramondelli is spectacular. Each chapter starts with a full page illustration that is suitable for framing. All in all, I liked the story, and it's an interesting world, so it kept me engaged throughout.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
There are a lot of characters and a lot of locations. While it's easy enough to keep track of the characters, the story shifts locations every page or so. This kind of shuffling felt a little jarring to me after a few dozen pages. The art is done in a widescreen format (and it's gorgeous), but it makes the action feel a bit cut off at times, kind of like when movie directors choose to shoot action scenes too close. The art is so good, I wanted fuller panels instead of the chopped versions that run throughout the book.
But the art by Livio Ramondelli is spectacular. Each chapter starts with a full page illustration that is suitable for framing. All in all, I liked the story, and it's an interesting world, so it kept me engaged throughout.
I was given a review copy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for letting me review this graphic novel.
June 13, 2016
A great sequel to "Autocracy" and Ramondelli's art is awesome, but the story of the fall and rise of Megatron is just not as epic as Optimus'previous ones.
Liked a lot again all the references and homages to "Transformers: the movie" (1986): damaged Megatron thrown off Astrotrain again was a blast!
And his battered scavenger look is the same of Bay's "Transformers: Dark of the moon" movie :D
Liked a lot again all the references and homages to "Transformers: the movie" (1986): damaged Megatron thrown off Astrotrain again was a blast!
And his battered scavenger look is the same of Bay's "Transformers: Dark of the moon" movie :D
December 29, 2015
Really good sequel to 'Autocracy'. As Orion Pax transitions into Optimus Prime, he struggles with the burden of instilling confidence in the remaining bots after his former allegiance led to the imminent scarcity of Cybertron energy resources. Doubting himself throughout this arc has added a lot of heart to this saga. The divisiveness among the Autobots AND the Decepticons is riveting and it's really hard not to root for Megatron to return for the sake of the planet. Love the mystery of origin surrounding the Dynobots. Again, there are moments where I can't quite make out everything in the action panels. Otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.
May 24, 2016
Great story about the Dinobots and Trypticon, which has IMO the best version of Grimlock
October 11, 2021
While not as good / surprising as "Autocracy", it certainly delivers.
Megatron arc - supposedly darkest part of this tome - is good, albeit a bit too short/shallow (for a book - yes, we are talking about a comic which SHOULD be made into a book :)
Cybertron arc is imho better/more "realistic" (bear with me) - it's great storytelling about falling system and dying planet. Dynobots origin is just an added bonus - so is (a bit far fetched) Trypticon which does not bring too much here.
Not sure I'm a fan of drawing - it's dark, climatic and even unique, but it certainly does not help in trying to understand what is happening - but like I said, to me it's more about the story.
A must-read for any Transformers fan!
Megatron arc - supposedly darkest part of this tome - is good, albeit a bit too short/shallow (for a book - yes, we are talking about a comic which SHOULD be made into a book :)
Cybertron arc is imho better/more "realistic" (bear with me) - it's great storytelling about falling system and dying planet. Dynobots origin is just an added bonus - so is (a bit far fetched) Trypticon which does not bring too much here.
Not sure I'm a fan of drawing - it's dark, climatic and even unique, but it certainly does not help in trying to understand what is happening - but like I said, to me it's more about the story.
A must-read for any Transformers fan!
March 14, 2025
I read this comic on and off. Distractions and life events prevented me from reading it all in one sitting. Thus, I was a bit confused on events at times. But the art is gorgeous, the characterization of the dinobots, megatron, and the autobots is excellent, and the story, though it has a lot going on, is riveting. One problem I have is Skorpnok. He seems a tad silly in a comic run that emphasizes that the decepticons are not cartoon villains, but fighting for a just cause in the worst possible way. Other than that, I loved it.
March 22, 2022
I loves me a good Dinobot story.
Continuing from the events of “Transformers: Autocracy”, this volume tests Megatron’s leadership, introduces Optimus Prime’s style of leadership, and reveals the true nature of Scorponok’s motives.
The artwork and storytelling have improved considerably from the previous volume resulting is a darn entertaining read starring Grimlock and his crew.
3.5/5
Continuing from the events of “Transformers: Autocracy”, this volume tests Megatron’s leadership, introduces Optimus Prime’s style of leadership, and reveals the true nature of Scorponok’s motives.
The artwork and storytelling have improved considerably from the previous volume resulting is a darn entertaining read starring Grimlock and his crew.
3.5/5
August 2, 2017
This would have been four stars if not for how ineffectual it makes Optimus Prime seem. There's struggling with being the new Prime, and then there's consistently being the dumbest person in the room. Otherwise, the other story elements hold up pretty well until a rather anti-climactic ending.
September 2, 2020
A good mind-break from reading real novels. Great art - spectacular. But hard to follow during action sequences which mostly consist of giant KA-KROOM or BA-BOOMs.
The plot felt thin with the exception of MegaTron's plotline.
I will read the next in the series.
The plot felt thin with the exception of MegaTron's plotline.
I will read the next in the series.
February 7, 2017
It's good until the last issue where the ending is a bit underwhelming. That's made up for in the sequel, Primacy, which has the battles royale you'd be hoping for in this.
December 17, 2019
I get it, critiquing the status quo is a gateway to murderous megalomania.
December 28, 2024
Megatron otra vez robandose el protagonismo (no es una queja). Me gusta que en este comic lo muestren a Optimus por momentos inseguro de su capacidad para liderar a los autobots.
Algo que también me gustó fue que demuestren que dentro de todo lo malo que tiene Megatron, por lo menos él no quiere la total destrucción de su planeta, a diferencia de Scorponok
Algo que también me gustó fue que demuestren que dentro de todo lo malo que tiene Megatron, por lo menos él no quiere la total destrucción de su planeta, a diferencia de Scorponok
April 12, 2016
Picking up where
Transformers: Autocracy
left off, this continues its darker take on the Transformers' history. Lots of good stuff in here, including Megatron's exile to another planet; Scorponok as Decepticon leader; the events that led many Transformers to abandon Cybertron; and the introduction of the Dynobots. Plus a climax straight out of a Godzilla movie. Mind, the story doesn't quite jibe with some of IDW's previous TF canon (though it can be rationalized). Also, like Autocracy, the authors (or maybe just one of them) include gratuitous nods to the animated movie... though they're much better about it this time. Overall, however, this surpasses Autocracy, with more intensity and more surprises. Definitely recommended for Transformers fans. (A-)
November 19, 2016
If I were the sort to entitle my reviews, this one would be "Dark and Darker." When I first saw the promotions for this volume, I wondered how they were going to work in those bestial Transformers into this earlier time in the continuity. The creative has done so skillfully, if not entirely flawlessly.
The scenes of Megatron's exile are equal parts amazing and head-scratching. The depiction of the politics of Optimus assuming leadership after the events in Autocracy are surprisingly are so well done you can actually feel the character's frustrations at how hard things are.
The action is brutal and the mood is dark. At times this is almost a horror story. It has all the bleakness of a second act of a three act play.
Livio Ramondelli's artwork is, of course, stunning.
The scenes of Megatron's exile are equal parts amazing and head-scratching. The depiction of the politics of Optimus assuming leadership after the events in Autocracy are surprisingly are so well done you can actually feel the character's frustrations at how hard things are.
The action is brutal and the mood is dark. At times this is almost a horror story. It has all the bleakness of a second act of a three act play.
Livio Ramondelli's artwork is, of course, stunning.
February 5, 2017
Fantastic
This is a really great Transformers story. I especially like the callbacks here and there to the animated movie. But it is totally separate from that, a story of Autobots, Decepticons, and Dynobots early in the timeline of Transformers history, long before they came to Earth. It does a good job of making Cybertron show the believable effects of being war-torn and drained of energy. Grimlock, Optimus Prime, and Megatron are awesome in this. The story of Megatron stranded on Junkion with a Quintesson was really great. And the artwork in this is top-notch. It's one of the best Transformers series that I've read. Highly recommended!
This is a really great Transformers story. I especially like the callbacks here and there to the animated movie. But it is totally separate from that, a story of Autobots, Decepticons, and Dynobots early in the timeline of Transformers history, long before they came to Earth. It does a good job of making Cybertron show the believable effects of being war-torn and drained of energy. Grimlock, Optimus Prime, and Megatron are awesome in this. The story of Megatron stranded on Junkion with a Quintesson was really great. And the artwork in this is top-notch. It's one of the best Transformers series that I've read. Highly recommended!
December 13, 2013
Find my full review on my blog, The Itinerant Librarian. Click or copy/paste the link on your browser to read.
Link to review: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...
Link to review: http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.co...
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December 19, 2013Awesome comic.
March 19, 2015
Half-decent, but the structure and flow of the whole piece are sub-par. Perhaps a case of something to be read gradually, in its component parts, instead of collected as a whole?
April 9, 2017
Great continuation of the Chris Metzen series.
I especially liked seeing Megatron's time on Junkitron.
I especially liked seeing Megatron's time on Junkitron.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews