Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Transformers: Reign of Starscream #2 of 4
IDW Comics
Mowry, Ryall, Milne & Perez

The second issue brings us a solid story. Finally, the plot starts to become clear. Starscream fights to find Frenzy. The humans want Starscream. The Autobots and Decepticons lurk about. The issue is very fast and shows us a lot of the large scale elements we saw in the movie.

The issue begins with Starscream confronting the humans at the Hoover Dam. He figures out the humans will and can fight him. He is weak on energy and heads into the Dam, rather than fight. Then Starscream has to slink his way through the corridors to find a crumpled up Frenzy. It appears Starscream has Wolverine’s claws as well.

Starscream tries to bust out and flea back to Mars, but the humans confront him again. Starscream snags one as a prisoner for some information. Eventually, he finds his way back to Decepticon base. He learns the humans have a Transformer of their own. Oh, and the Autobot reserves are closing in on the Decepticons.

The issue obviously showcases Starscream. However, this actually really works. He has plenty of monologue that really adds to the story and to his character. He doesn’t come across as the whiner from the cartoon. He actually became an interesting character in this one issue.

The artwork really came into its own in this issue. Last issue was so confusing with all the space scenes and the non-descript robots. This issue has tons of details with the humans, the bases, the tunnels and the battles. It’s really solid work and fits this issue nicely.

Finally, this issue doesn’t try to add in tons of plot as if it were a movie. It keeps the focus on the task at hand. One step at a time, like a comic book should do. The piece from the movie that it does add in is the grand scale. Starscream is huge compared to the humans. The humans have a large arsenal of weapons of various sizes. The bases on Mars are equally as elaborate. If you saw the movie I think you know what kind of picture you would want for this comic and I think you get it here.

The issue brings up some interesting ideas, such as the humans having their own Transformer. This series could really shape up to be a great one with a solid close here. I liked this issue so much more than the last. However, there is still room for perfection.

4 out of 5 geek goggles


Transformers Movie Sequel Reign Of Starscream #2 (Cover A)