Tumbleweed vs. The Magic of Cybertron #1! · 5:43pm Apr 28th, 2021
Well, hello!
It is known that I am BEST AT PONIES-- but were you aware I'm also PRETTY GOOD AT ROBOTS?
(I used to be BEST AT ROBOTS but I haven't been following the new shows/comics/etc that much).
Thusly, it is only logical that I give a rundown of IDW's new Transformers/MLP mashup, The Magic of Cybertron. The first issue just dropped, so I figured I'd weigh in with you guys. And thus far, the issue is ... okay?
It's formatted similar to the last crossover thing-- each issue's broken up into two short stories. The first one in the series sets up the premise-- basically, Megatron abducts a bunch of ponies and space-bridges them to Cybertron, at which point Sombra gets released and winds up mind-controlling a bunch of Decepticons and also Ponies. As ya do.
This is fine.
There is also the obligatory Unicron/Unicorn joke.
It's interesting to note that, again, the writers/artists are working with a grab-bag of characters here. Most of the robots seen so far are the standard G1 cast: Optimus Prime, Megatron, Shockwave, Arcee, Starscream, etc. However, there are quite a few latter-era G1 dudes running around like Spinister and Skullcruncher, as well as Cyberverse characters like Shadow Striker and Arachnaid-- though what really throws me off is Prime-style Breakdown running around instead of the Stunticon version. Though research on TFwiki shows me that IDW's used that version of Breakdown before, but ... well, it's a grab-bag of characters, I gotta say.
The second story in the issue isn't nearly as entertaining, however. It's basically "Scootaloo's Aunties team up with Arcee and Greenlight to fight a Decepticon." And, uh, that's it. Of all the various background ponies to base a story on, I'm not quite sure if those two are really the ones that people were clamoring to read about.
Really, the inclusion of Scootaloo's two aunts (whose names I honestly can't remember and I am too lazy to open the comic again to check) is mostly there so the writers can draw a parallel between those two and Arcee and Greenlight, who are apparently a couple in IDW's current continuity. I guess I kind of find it somewhat ironic that the most prominent female transformer (but not the first one!) for decades is a lesbian now. It's not BAD, by any means, but it's interesting to see the evolution of the character. Like I'm reminded of She-Ra, for whatever reason.
Still, if Sam Maggs, the writer, wanted to go all in on the "lesbians!" angle, I dare say using Bon Bon & Lyra would've been more fitting. For one, Bon Bon has the monster-hunter spy thing going on, in addition to the fact that the two of them are a lot more prominent in the show/fandom. Buuuut, that's just me being a horrible nitpicky nerd who can't be pleased by anything.
So yeah. Cybertron is Magic isn't going to change anybody's life anytime soon. And, y'know, I could be a little shit and say "man, I could do a better crossover than that," but at the same time I never finished the second TF/Pony crossover story I started on awhile back.
Will I get around to finishing said story? That's a good question. I'm inclined to say "probably not," but now that I'm typing this I'm getting a few ideas. Then again, I've got quite a bit on my plate as is, and it's looking like things are going to be even busier in a couple of weeks.
Still, if nothing else, I'll try to keep you posted about the rest of the series as it continues. Also might post a general writing/brainstorming blog in a couple days if I'm feeling the right combination of "ambitious enough to do SOMETHING" and "not ambitious enough to do something PRODUCTIVE."
So stay tuned for that.
Sounds like more of the previous crossover, which ranged from "This is great!" to "This is great and all, but why?" I'm not due to read this issue until next month at the earliest given my review schedule, so this is a nice glimpse at what I'll be working with.
Lyra and bonbon would have been a much better choice
Rumble is supposed to be slightly bigger than a human so ponies must be larger than we thought.
I appreciate the review. Not sure whether I'll get around to picking this up, so it's helpful to have a general idea.