“Pretender to the Throne” attempts two things: a, to lay the foundations of Optimus Prime’s much-awaited return and b, to introduce the Pretenders. It succeeded, yes. It wasn’t a good story, no.

Even when faced with introducing a large batch of new Transformers characters, Bob Budiansky can do a lot better. When Hasbro forced the Headmasters upon the comic, Budiansky came up with a rousing and rounded mini-epic with which to introduce them. This time, prising yet more characters into his weakening grip on a decent Transformers series proved creatively fatal.

Optimus Prime, a once heroic, noble and perfectly acceptable role-model, is reduced to computer-generated comic relief. When Budiansky shows his sense of humour it really shines, but here there’s nothing registering anything brighter than plain dull.

The Pretender characters, all twelve of them, are devoid of any personality. Or common sense for that matter. Apparently with Decepticons firing at them within range and armed to the (synthoplastic) teeth, the Autobot Pretenders have no idea what to do without orders from Prime. Certainly, Optimus Prime should be depicted as an inspiration but not to wipe the arses of the Autobots’ new human-like shells.

Yomtov’s lazy colouring reaches an all time low, and with Delbo/Hunt’s as-usual artwork a reader uninitiated to the characters will have a hard time telling apart who’s who. Here’s one checklist hint, however: Bomb-Burst is the one whose bare backside is shown in all its gratuitous furryness.

At least the story’s title is apt, as it’s where these twenty-two pages should be used and flushed.

Category: Marvel USA
Tags: Bob Budiansky | Jose Delbo

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