Transformers Revolution 1-shot NM Blank Sketch Cover IDW John Barber Thundercrac

Description

Transformers Revolution #1 Cover C Variant Blank Cover

IDW Publishing
Written by John Barber
Art by Andrew Griffith

THUNDERCRACKER AND BUSTER SAVE THE WORLD!

A DECEPTICON who wants to be a screenwriter. A dog who wants to, I don’t know, eat stuff and chase squirrels or whatever dogs want to do. A White House under siege by DIRE WRAITHS. And the phone call that brings them all together.

Just because OPTIMUS PRIME and SOUNDWAVE are leading the REVOLUTION doesn’t mean the rest of the TRANSFORMERS aren’t keeping busy!

John Barber is a writer and editor with a fair amount of experience on Transformers. He also worked as a writer and editor at Marvel. His credits include Marvel Ultimates, X-Force X-Men: Nation X, Wolverine, and Old Man Logan. He worked on Strange Tales and Kick-Ass.

Andrew Griffith has a lot of experience with Transformers, having worked on the comic prequel to the “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” movie. He has worked on Transformers with John Barber before, so this is the continuation of a good working relationship. He also worked on the “Last Stand of the Wreckers” miniseries. In addition to Transformers, he has worked on Star Wars, GI Joe and Vampirella.

This is a one-shot that is part of IDW’s current “Revolution” crossover event, uniting GI Joe, ROM: Spaceknight, Transformers, M.A.S.K., Micronauts and Action Man.

Thundercracker is an interesting choice for a main character in this story. Unlike Dinbot (Remember “Code of Hero”) who was a warrior bound by a rigid code of honor, Thundercracker is an eccentric transformer. He is a former elite seeker, a couch potato/tv junkie and an aspiring (but not very good) screenwriter who dotes on his dog, Buster. His dreams of writing are unrealistic; he narrates his conversations in dialogue unworthy of the worst fanfic (Susan Journeyer and Josh Boyfriend.) He is accompanied by his two robotic sidekicks/pets, BOB and D.O.C. BOB looks like a small Transformer, and D.O.C. bares a slight resemblance to a flying egg or “VINCENT from the Black Hole” (a Disney Sci-Fi trivia reference dropped by one of the characters in the story.)

Despite all of this, when the former head of the Earth Defense Command finds herself in a white House infiltrated by the Dire Wraiths – she calls out for the only person she trusts – Thundercracker. When Tundercracker, accompanied by Buster, BOB and D.O.C. arrive, they are immediately thrust into the action.

Barber has a great sense for eccentric characters, and Thundercracker is a right up his alley. Although he is an eccentric character, the former Decepticon has a serious side, and a level of self-awareness that prevents him from being a caricature. The internal dialogue is at its best when readers are given a glimpse into Thundercracker’s mindset – he is tired of fighting and by pretending –even to himself – that he has something better to do, he can live a more ‘normal’ life.

Barber uses the action in the story to provide a character study of a being who years for peace and uses frivolousness as a mask to hide both a warrior’s pain and his deepest yearnings – peace and an ordinary life.

Griffith’s artwork is strong; it has to be to capture so many different details – from the slime of the protean Dire Wraiths to the high-tech bodies of the Transformers, Griffith is on his game. He uses a lot of unconventional panel arrangements including a great full-page splash to move the plot ahead at a frenetic pace and to slow it down when needed.

This one-shot is a great chance for readers to watch an experienced team of storytellers give insight into a fascinating character.

Near mint, 1st print. Bagged & Boarded.