“Movie Prequel”

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Things like “prequels” and “adaptations” always bring out my cynical side. Usually such things reek of cash-ins, adding dead weight to overburdened bandwagons. But over the last year or so, the creative teams at IDW have done good things with Transformers so I saw no harm in checking out their “Movie Prequel”. And you know what? I am very glad I did.

Chris Ryall joins veteran scribe Simon Furman to turn in a fast-paced script with considered depth. In some places it’s clear that their hands were tied with what the film scriptwriters had already come up with, but it’s an admirable job nonetheless. My biggest complaint about the Transformers (2007) film is that many details are glossed over without much thought. But here, Ryall and Furman turn the situation to their advantage.

With the new film comes a new Transformers reboot, and so everything about Cybertron, its technology and its inhabitants become fair game once again and there’s a chance to flex creative muscle.

Certain aspects to the film which could be described as a bit silly are here given gravitas and careful consideration. Characterisation of the Autobots and Decepticons are spot on for the likes of Bumblebee and Starscream, and Blackout and Barricade are given pleasing, yet subtle, introductions. Megatron is written very well. He reminds me a lot of Furman’s portrayal of Thunderwing from the halcyon days of his time at Marvel.

One small disappointment is that the other stars of the film are absent. I think there’s some room in the prequel to feature a sub-plot or two following Jazz, Ratchet and Ironhide. As it stands, the story of the prequel is a story in its own right and much more than a shallow prelude of things to come.

Don Figueroa is usually very good at drawing Transformers, but it looks like he’s having some trouble translating the hyperreal Transformers designs from the film to the comic page. In the first chapter, especially, it’s very difficult to make out who’s who in the thick of the action. Don’s portrayal of human beings since his days at Dreamwave has improved leaps and bounds. The scenes of Megatron’s literal fall from grace are the highlight of the book, augmented by the deft colouring of Josh Burcham.

The “Movie Prequel” makes for an excellent springboard into Michael Bay’s bold new Transformers universe.

Verdict: three stars out of five.