“The Hanging Sword/The Impossible Knot/The Gift Horse/Wings of Wax” (88 pp) was originally published by IDW Publishing in Transformers: Bumblebee #1-4 (December 2009-March 2010)

In many a young Transformers fan’s imagination, Bumblebee, at some point, has been promoted to Autobot leader. The smallest and cheapest Autobot, part of everyone’s collection, has been the epitome of the underdog: the nervous and shy type destined for greater things. It’s David and Goliath for today’s changing robot. And so, some 25 years later, IDW Publishing turns this platitude into a 4-issue mini-series called “Transformers: Bumblebee”.

Writer Zander Cannon takes the events of IDW’s Transformers Ongoing series and contrives a storyline in which Bumblebee can get a turn as Autobot leader.

The script is an interesting exploration of the title character’s naivity and how he deals with pressures from all sides as he strives to do the right thing.

Despite this character-work, however compelling, the plot feels forced and there’s a sub-soap opera intelligence that pervades the story and its cast. Certain ideas and entire scenes stretch credibility and the saccharine sentimentality is cause for much eye-rolling.

Chee’s artwork, brooding and evocative, is this comic’s main strength. Every panel is its own mood, whether showing the Autobots’ claustrophobic hiding places or the free flowing action scenes. Admittedly, it’s not for all tastes.

Chee ignores the character designs already established by previous IDW comics, instead opting for full throttle nostalgia in the look of the Autobots and Decepticons.

“The Impossible Knot” et al is limited in its appeal. While most comic books can still win over readers with a good script if the artwork is not to their tastes, Transformers: Bumblebee doesn’t quite have that to offer.

Bumblebee is one of the Transformers brand’s most popular characters and he certainly has a lot of story potential, but this series is just shy of properly living up to it.

Category: IDW
Tags: Chee | Zander Cannon

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