Robots In Disguise
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise from IDW begins another chapter for the form changing robots from another planet. When this series opens the war between the Autobots and Decepticons has ended. The Autobots return to their home world of Cybertron where they place themselves as the governing force over the Decepticons and other non-affiliated Transformers that have come back to Cybertron.
Bumblebee, who claims the top spot in the new government, takes a page from the Suicide Squad and fits the Decepticons with inhibitor devices that keep them from transforming, and also carry explosives that Bee can detonate if they fall out of line. Naturally this causes a great deal of tension between the Autobots and Decepticons, and in defiance some of the Decepticons have been able to deactivate the devices and are planning counter manuevers against the Autobots in secret. However, this isn’t the only problem brewing on Cybertron. The non-affiliated Transformers are looked down on. They are labeled with the derogatory label of Nails, Non-Affiliated Indigenous Life-Forms, and are seen to be below the Autobots and Decepticons.
While the Autobots are trying to force order on the world, the Decepticons make plans to eliminate Bumblebee. This presents an opportunity for Starscream. While he has no love for Bumblebee or the Auotbots, he is very displeased with his low rank in the Decepticons. Starscream is scheming and manipulating to rise in the ranks of the new Cybertron government, even if it means taking out a Decepticon leader. On the surface he seems to be operating for the betterment of all, but their is still something untrustworthy and suspicious about his motivations. His true intentions aren’t totally known. And his actions add to the distrust that the decepticons and non-affiliates have for the new Autobot order. There is even dissension in the Autobot ranks as many question Bumblebee and lack confidence in what he is doing is the right thing.
In addition to the class battles amongst the Transformers, there are problems arising with the structure of the planet. Jump starting the planet on the Autobots return has caused destructive reactions on the planet. This along with other problems with the infrastructure of keeping the planet running has lead to poor living conditions for the Transformers. And the planet’s reactions have become volatile enough to claims lives.
The Transformers: Robots In Disguise is off to a great start. The story by John Barber adds political intrigue, class issues, and inter group unrest to a series that hadn’t touched on these subjects in the past. Issues #2-3 add new wrinkles to the long running Transformers story that keeps things interesting and brings something new to the mythos. The series features exceptional artwork from Andrew Griffith, with Josh Perez coloring the issues, and Shawn Lee handling the letters. The comic looks great and the art team brings life to the many different characters that inhabit Cybertron.
Scheming, backstabbing, positioning, and action are mixed with great art to make this one of the most entertaining comic books being published.
