Comic Review: Transformers: Autocracy #2

The Geek Bits
Title: Transformers: Autocracy
Issue #: 2
Title: Chapter 2: Parasites
Price: $0.99 US – Digital Only
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Publisher: IDW Publishing via ComiXology.com
Written by: Chris Metzen & Flint Dille
Art by: Livio Ramondelli
Letters by: Robbie Robbins
Editor: John Barber & Carlos Guzman
Worth the price? Once again, it’s worth your $0.99 and more.

IDW’s digital-only Transformers: Autocracy enters its second chapter. After a strong opening issue, we need to delve more into the actual storyline this time around. Do Chris Metzen and Flint Dille succeed?

The Synopsis

The story takes place shortly after Chapter 1. Swindle has been captured and interrogated, but he reveals nothing to his Autobot captors. In the Iacon Citadel’s Primacy Auditorium, Zeta Prime is speaking to the Senators, saying that he will take care of Megatron and the Decepticons with a new weapon — the Vamparc Ribbon. The Senator from Nyon feels that Zeta has done nothing but oppress the Cybertronians, a fact that can hardly be disputed thanks to the events which transpired last issue. Zeta, however, feels he is being naive to think that nothing but might can stop Megatron. Before Zeta can demonstrate the Ribbon, Delegate Starscream appears to record the proceedings. After a verbal standoff, Zeta brings Swindle out, to demonstrate the effectiveness of his new weapon.

Elsewhere, Orion Pax and Ultra Magnus are having a sparring session, and Orion cuts loose on his fighting partner. He is angered by what’s going on, doubting his own abilities, and also confused as to which side is truly right. Later, he gathers his team to be ready to depart on the new Prime’s orders.

Back at the Auditorium, Swindle is the first victim of the Vamparc Ribbon, as his own lifeforce/energy is sucked out by the weapon. The energy powers the weapon but makes it unstable, meaning Zeta has to discharge the weapon before it explodes. Zeta sees it as a perfect circle — the weapon requires energy, the combantants provide the energy, the weapon is used to destroy more combatants. It is such the perfect tool that larger versions are already installed on the Omega Destructors.

Once again, the Senator from Nyon protests, claiming that the Energon shortage will prevent the Omega Destructors from being used. So, Zeta says that they’ll just take Energon from the Cybertronians forcefully, starting with the inhabitants from Nyon. Starscream eagerly approves this idea, much to Zeta’s surprise, but the Seeker almost lets too much information out of his mouth. As a distraction, Starscream points out that there’s a Decepticon spy in the room — Soundwave! But… didn’t Starscream bring Soundwave?

As Soundwave tries to leave, Zeta tries to fire the Vamparc Ribbon, but it has overheated. Orion and his Autobot team arrive just in time to see Soundwave escape. Orion now knows he has a new mission — find Soundwave at any cost.

To Be Continued

Thoughts

Once again, this issue packs a lot of story into a small amount of space. What I like about this story is that we are still in the age where the roles of the Autobots and Decepticons are not truly defined. The Autobots are basically under Zeta Prime’s rule; he tells them where to go and what to do, and nobody questions it. At least, they don’t question it in public. But Orion is starting to wonder what exactly is going on, which is interesting given how he acted at Nyon, when it was his way or the highway.

Zeta Prime has shown to be just as much a dictator as Megatron will be come. He’s definitely an “ends justify the means” robot, even if not all of the Senators agree with him. The coolest thing? Zeta just doesn’t care. He knows his way is right, and that’s it. He’s cool, if not cold, and dispassionate.

And what’s Starscream doing? We think he’s on the side of the Decepticons — having brought Soundwave in — but is he playing both sides to see what will benefit him most?

Flit Dille and Chris Metzen have planted the seeds of an interesting story here, both on a political front as well as an action story. We know what the end game will be, but it’s interesting to see how we’re going to get there. Livio’s artwork is as good as it was in issue 2, although I could stand to use a bit less blue/grey in some areas. It may set the mood, but it does hurt some clarity.

The Final Rewind

Once again, it’s hard to say no to a comic that’s only a buck. I’m definitely interested in what happens from here.

Support your local comic shop! If they have a digital storefront, buy through them. If they don’t, ask them to get one! If you don’t know, find out.

If your local shop doesn’t have a digital store, may I recommend buying through my local store, Neptune Comics? They do not pay me for this mention; I just like them a lot.

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