Comic Review – Transformers: Regeneration One #94

We’re getting close to the end, folks.  There’s only six issues left to go in the series — well, technically seven, since we’re getting Regeneration One #0 next month — so we should savor this look back to the bygone era of Transformers storytelling, because soon we won’t have it any more.  Good thing there’s a big-ol’ Ultra Magnus vs. Galvatron fight in this issue, just like the old days of Marvel UK.

For those who don’t remember, Simon Furman wrote some masterful epics in the UK version of Transformers before he did the same in the US.  In Target: 2006, he laid the groundwork for over 150 issues of narrative, much of it due to the machinations of Galvatron timejumping from 2006 to the present day (well, the present day being 1986, 1987, etc.).  Ultra Magnus and Galvatron had more than one meeting, and their fights were stuff of legend.

Now it’s 2013, and while Regeneration One doesn’t include Marvel UK in its backstory, Simon certainly teases us who remember it with sly references here and there.  We hear Magnus speak about deja vu, which is obviously Simon referring to those 25 year old stories.  It’s great to see Magnus and Galvatron go toe-to-toe again, purely from a nostalgic value.  As far as the actual story, we get to see exactly how powerful Galvatron is, surviving damage that would have certainly put other Transformers down for the count.

While those two duke it out, Hot Rod has encountered the essence of Primus who has possessed Grimlock.  It appears that Primus didn’t die in Transformers #75, but in fact, is a multiversal constant.  Primus tells Hot Rod he has a destiny as a Prime, and opens a portal to somewhere, forcing Hot Rod to enter, and then leaving Grimlock alone.

If that wasn’t enough, we have Bludgeon and the War World attacking Cybertron.  Bludgeon is controlling drones with the ability to constantly change and evolve, making them darn near indestructable.  Thankfully, Perceptor deduces that the drones are controlled by a single source aboard the War World, so everyone’s favorite jerk, er, tactical analyst Prowl sends Kup and the Wreckers to shut it down.  In the meantime, he awakens the giant — Omega Supreme.  Omega assumes “Armageddon Attack Mode” while Soundwave sends Monstructor to battle him.  For ever move the Autobots make, the Decepticons counter.

Again, while all this is going on, Magnus and Galvatron continue their scuffle.  Magnus ends up with Galvatron on his roof and in an attempt to shake him, blows up the road in front of him, then brakes hard, tossing Galvatron to the ground below.  Except Galvatron grabs old of Magnus and brings him down, too.  That’s when Bludgeon decides to take out Magnus with one of the Warworld’s weapons — with the bonus of taking out Galvatron as well.

Except, Magnus proves he’s one of the toughest Autobots out there and emerges from the fire, pushing Galvatron in front of him….

This was a great issue.  You can see that Simon is positioning the pieces on the chessboard, gearing up for the final play.  If this were a music piece, we’re getting close to the final movement, the loudest crescendo.

One of the most enjoyable parts of Regeneration One has been Guido Guidi’s retro-styled cover art, and since taking over for Andrew Wildman on interior art, we get to see more of it as well.  Guido and Stephen Baskerville work as well together as Andrew and Stephen did, bringing a 90’s comic look to the story.

I’m curious where Regneration One #0 is headed next month; looks like we might see some old friends from long ago….