Review of Transformers Versus G.I.Joe #13 - Armageddon- The final issue
Wednesday, June 29th, 2016 1:29PM CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, ReviewsPosted by: Tigertrack Views: 31,110
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Official Synopsis:
THE END IS NIGH! Final battle erupts—the forces of G.I. JOE and the AUTOBOTS head-to-head (or head-to-toe, depending on the size difference) with the DECEPTICOBRA alliance! The fate of the universe hangs on every decision!
Lots of contributors listed for this issue:
Welcome friends and board mates, readers and lurkers. Today we celebrate the series that was Transformers Versus G.I. Joe. With issue number 13, this out-of-the-box, discussion causing series, has come to its final Earthly conclusion.
My name is Tigertack, I’ve read Transformers and G.I. Joe fiction (and a lot of other comic book and narrative book fiction as well) since I was but a young lad, borrowing comic books from my cousin Dan’s vast collections when 4-H had ended, and from the libraries that my mother worked at for one of her many jobs. Many of you know me from Seibertron as a former newsie, news admin, and Botcon attendee, sometime podcaster and reviewer.
After TF #54, this is not what I expected under the mask to look like.
Transformers Versus G.I. Joe was a series assigned to me review, mainly I think because Va’al thought that I needed to be tortured, maybe because no one else would do it…but more likely he wanted to challenge me, and as ‘the-resident-active-staff-member-who-is-also-involved-with-comics-and-enjoys-G.I.Joe-too’ it fell to me to try to relate to anyone reading these reviews about the latest iteration of a series that historically has never been what was really desired, but could be relied upon to be very different from the last version.
White haired and short-buzz cut...Race Bannon?
And so we have this interation, written, drawn, lettered, and colored by Tom Scioli all by himself, with John Barber editing and offering advice here and there. A dream come true for a creator who loves both franchises and their toys and comics… and it shows!
The next Billy figure to need an FSS version. Or maybe they could make a whole Scioli inspired set.
The series though, immediately caused a lot of water cooler talk, tweets and posts, as it looked and read like no previous TFvsGIJOE story ever really had. It was Tom’s universe and he was making it what he wanted, all the while paying homage to the people who came before him like Larry Hama, Simon Furman, and Bob Budiansky, and using other media influences that ranged from comics like Watchmen, Kirby drawn and written materials like New Gods and other works, to movies like Rocky and Firestarter.
And what a world it was: Decepticobra alliances, GI JOE and Autobots fighting then working together, Earth getting eaten by Seibertron (har!), Scarlett and Snake Eyes becoming headmasters, Megatron getting a taste for human flesh, drug addicted Autobots, greenery added to Cybertron, robot invasions and government reactions, a general who never wears his cap straight, Cobra La, the Death of Optimus Prime, and Megatron wishing to dissolve the sun for its energy. ENERGY is a fantastic way to describe the series, as there was always something new thing different, something alive about the series, and it always brought a nervous, excited energy to the reader.
I always found it hard to write about this series because most of the time, I felt as many did…there was this imaginary line drawn and you were usually either on one side or the other of it as far as this series was concerned: you liked the creativity, newness and energy involved with the series, or it had the polar opposite effect on you, and you simply hated it. The side I started on was the side that hated it, the art being the biggest turn off to me as a former artist in training, I knew I could do better and it irked me. But as the series progressed it was not enough to just complain about the art and the ‘weirdness’ that was happening. I had to look for something to appreciate, a way to enjoy it. And I did. I liked it for its differences, its surprises, its always making its own way, and telling its own story while paying homage to so many great influences.
"Always in the eye of the beholder, this series has been."
And so, in conclusion, we celebrate the life of this series, and its final issue…which even though it is the final issue, still manages to pack in surprises and homages as it is ending. It’s a double issue and its packed until the very last page. I know many of you either read it and enjoyed its Lord of the Rings ending, its creative use of G.I. Joe Retaliation and Transformers movie references, the use of previous classic Joe and TF comic panels, and its downright original Atlas (it ain’t Unicron!), the always perfect hair of Billy, the use of Ultra Magnus and his white cab, and the marriage that you just could not have predicted. In all its wild ENERGY laden pages it never-stopped, until it had to stop.
This was one of my favorite pages...ever!
Movie Megs ultimate combiner
With these last words, I say that we celebrate the passing of this iteration of Transformers Versus G.I. Joe, and laud its creator and collaborators, its inspirations and its ENERGY. We can truly say that there never was a series like this, and there most likely will never be a series like this again (except in 2025 when we see ‘Shipwreck Space Pirate’). Kudos Mr. Scioli and Mr. Barber.
For the next installment of Transformers and G.I.Joe action we'll see what the new 'Revolution' has for us. Thanks for reading.
’Til All Are One! Yo Joe!
Revolution?
Some random images I had wanted to use until the review went a different way.
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Posted by DaRonin on June 29th, 2016 @ 11:07pm CDT
One thing the book has never been was boring. It's been gripping and interesting from the word go. I cannot ever remember a comic like this. It's been it's own beast, it's own creation, it's own look, feel, and status quo, from issue 0. There is no book that could get away with the sheer insanity this book has, and still get another issue. So yes, I salute this book, I salute it's ambition, its grandeur, it's vision, it's style. It didn't cater or pander or change itself to appease the critics. To paraphrase Sinatra "It did what it had to do, and saw it through without exemption."
And yeah, that wedding invite that so shamelessly aped from the 80's wolverine mini. Yeah, if ever there was a book that could get away with so many types of crazy in one panel, it was this one.
Here's to the Jotobot alliance. Yo Joe and roll out.
Posted by Sigma Magnus on June 29th, 2016 @ 11:11pm CDT
Posted by RevTibe on July 3rd, 2016 @ 11:22pm CDT
(They advertise 50% off, but when I applied it I got 55% off. Neato.)
Posted by Va'al on July 4th, 2016 @ 2:55am CDT
RevTibe wrote:Submitted this as news, but probably best to also post it since it's time sensitive; Transformers vs. GI Joe's got a 50%(ish) discount on Comixology until the 5th! Just enter JOE at checkout. You can get the entire series for a bit less than $15, great opportunity to jump in if you've been on the fence.
(They advertise 50% off, but when I applied it I got 55% off. Neato.)
Posted by RevTibe on July 4th, 2016 @ 11:33am CDT
(If you're picking up the series, you'll also want to grab the Free Comic Book Day issue of Robots in Disguise - don't worry, it's still free. It includes a one-page strip that slots between Transformers vs. GI Joe issues 6 and 7. Introduces a minor character in an entertainingly quirky manner.)
It's absolutely criminal they aren't calling this the "Fourth of Joe-ly" sale.
Posted by Va'al on September 29th, 2016 @ 1:53am CDT
Earth makes contact with an alien race–and G.I. JOE is on the front lines! But, when the Transformers arrive–well, let’s just say you’ve never seen Transformers vs G.I. JOE like this! This oversized deluxe hardcover collects all 13 issues, including commentary and extras by creators Tom Scioli and John Barber!
Posted by Microraptor on September 29th, 2016 @ 6:45am CDT
Posted by zodconvoy on September 29th, 2016 @ 6:58am CDT
Posted by jogunwarrior on September 29th, 2016 @ 8:14am CDT
Posted by Va'al on October 7th, 2016 @ 2:01am CDT
Posted by Va'al on February 3rd, 2017 @ 12:47pm CST
Posted by Va'al on February 3rd, 2017 @ 12:50pm CST
Posted by o.supreme on February 3rd, 2017 @ 1:21pm CST
Posted by Va'al on February 3rd, 2017 @ 1:29pm CST
o.supreme wrote:No fanrage
Aw.
Posted by Ironhidensh on February 3rd, 2017 @ 1:39pm CST
I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?
Posted by Va'al on February 3rd, 2017 @ 2:13pm CST
Ironhidensh wrote:I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.
I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?
Faking sucks all the fun out of it.
I have chosen all my words intentionally.
Posted by Ironhidensh on February 3rd, 2017 @ 3:00pm CST
Va'al wrote:Ironhidensh wrote:I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.
I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?
Faking sucks all the fun out of it.
I have chosen all my words intentionally.
My stimulation is indistinguishable from reality.
Posted by Va'al on February 3rd, 2017 @ 3:47pm CST
Ironhidensh wrote:Va'al wrote:Ironhidensh wrote:I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.
I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?
Faking sucks all the fun out of it.
I have chosen all my words intentionally.
My stimulation is indistinguishable from reality.
Good placing of that T.
Posted by Cobotron on February 3rd, 2017 @ 6:45pm CST
The greatest comic book experience I've had in years! And now it's a MOVIE!
But not really a movie, but a comic book adaptation of a movie about a comic that really is about a movie that never was.
Didja get all that?
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on February 4th, 2017 @ 12:31am CST
Posted by shauyaun on February 4th, 2017 @ 9:49am CST
Va'al wrote:IDW Publishing have started promoting some of their upcoming books, and caught in said promotion is the new project by visionary comics creator Tom Scioli, of the Transformers vs G.I. Joe limited series: the comic book adaptation of a movie that never was - Transformers vs G.I. Joe The Movie! The Comic Book Adaptation of a Movie Version of a Comic Book (Seriously) You Never Knew You Needed will be out in March 2017.
Ok so it's a comic book?
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on February 4th, 2017 @ 1:32pm CST
I'm still not sure how I felt about reading that series. It was... unique... interesting... but I don't know if I enjoyed it. I respect that it exists and that's that I suppose.
Posted by Va'al on February 18th, 2017 @ 3:29am CST
TRANSFORMERS VS GI JOE MOVIE ADAPTATION
(W) Tom Scioli (A) Tom Scioli (CA) Robb Waters
Imagine a world where the greatest comic book crossover of all time inspires a movie adaptation... and that movie adaptation inspires its own comic book! Visionary writer-artist Tom Scioli returns to the weird world of Transformers vs. G.I. Joe and brings an even weirder twist to this new story: what would the comic book adaptation of the movie version of the comic book look like? It's time to find out in the most epic, scintillating, off-the-wall, exciting comic of 2017!
Posted by triKlops on February 18th, 2017 @ 11:37am CST
Posted by Kurona on March 9th, 2017 @ 9:52am CST
I am really not sure how I feel about it. It's very obviously tongue-and-cheek and just a load of fun and ridiculousness for the heck of it; and I love that, but... I do wonder if it goes a bit far? Like, to the point I'm just so extremely confused I can't quite get into it. There were moments I was in love, moments I was confused, but most of the time I was stuck in a limbo where I didn't know which one I should be. It was an experience, I can say that much.
Also, for some reason these two panels are absolutely hilarious to me. I'm not even gonna try explaining how, I just can't help laughing whenever I look at them.
Posted by ScottyP on March 18th, 2017 @ 4:01pm CDT
We've mirrored an image of the exclusive cover below for your viewing pleasure.
Let your fellow Seibertronians know how excited you are for this book (of course you are, right?) by replying to this post, and keep it here on Seibertron.com for continuing coverage of anything you need to know from the 2017 NC Comicon.
Posted by Cobotron on March 18th, 2017 @ 8:37pm CDT
And the MOVIE!
Posted by Supreme Convoy on March 19th, 2017 @ 1:44am CDT
Posted by ScottyP on March 19th, 2017 @ 10:46am CDT
Posted by Va'al on March 20th, 2017 @ 12:05am CDT
Posted by Supreme Convoy on March 20th, 2017 @ 1:50am CDT
Va'al wrote:This month was supposed to see the release of the hardcover collection of the Tom Scioli series Transformers vs G.I. Joe, dubbed 'the quintessential collection' and covered by us here. After yesterday's news of the Movie Adaption release, however, we've also learned that the whole book will be delayed to include the one-shot issue too! We have yet to find out how long the delay will actually be, but stay tuned for more information as we receive it here at Seibertron.com, and whet your appetite on our database entry here.
I'm totally okay with this because having the Movie Adaptation in the Quintessential Collection makes total sense.
It would drive me crazy to have it separate.
Posted by dragons on March 20th, 2017 @ 6:24am CDT
Posted by Rodimus Knight on March 20th, 2017 @ 12:39pm CDT
Posted by Cobotron on March 20th, 2017 @ 12:46pm CDT
How that plays into the story in this one-off is yet to be determined.
Until Wednesday at least.
Posted by Supreme Convoy on March 23rd, 2017 @ 11:49pm CDT
If you thought Transformers Vs. GI Joe was bananas, Tom Scioli dials it up to 11. Not a literal literal adaptation of the comic series, but it touches upon the highlights of the run and gives them a cool twist.
You can almost imagine music from the GI Joe and Transformers animated movies while reading it. And for anyone that grew up reading comic movie adaptations, this is a loving tribute to those as well. Those comics tend to also touch upon the highlights of a movie within a short amount of pages.
Also, I'm a big fan of this homage to The Right Stuff.
Highly recommended for anyone that loved the Transformers Vs. GI Joe comic.
Posted by Cobotron on March 28th, 2017 @ 12:08am CDT
Tom Scioli
Chris Mowry
Carlos Guzman
Ted Adams
Hopefully by now we all know that there is no actual movie, but what there is is a fantastic one-off romp through Scioli's mad-capped mash-up of some of our favorite Hasbroites. This book is certainly meant to be a one time adventure, and redelivers on all the weird and crazy story telling wrapped in the warped artistic package fans of the series have come to expect. It does not disappoint.
The story line is almost new, touching on and rehashing some of the more prevalent themes from the original series, but condensing them down into a more cohesive "screen play", if you will.
-Story
The story opens with the age old notion that Cybertronian's and Earthling's fates have been intertwined through out the annals of time.
The tale is told more through the narrative of the Joes. Scioli covers a lot of ground quickly through "A Letter to Sis" as written by Snake eyes.
And primarily through that of Scarlet. Like other live action Transformers movies, it relies heavily on the "human element".
The story delves deeply into the minds and emotions of our favorite sentient heroes. Unbreakable bonds of love. The comradery of war hardened allies. The essence of the evils that threaten the very fabric of our cosmos. The trials and tribulations of family.
But it leaves plenty of room for some hard hitting, Cobra stomping, Con slagging action!
The book reads fast and furious which adds to the fun. It does feel a tad rushed, and perhaps merely an avenue to get some of the better ideas left on the cutting room floor from the original series, back into the pages of a comic.
But it still manages to make for an action-packed smash hit blockbuster thrill-ride of the summer!
-Art
A point of contention for many who have tried Scioli's works. But it's important to note that he knows exactly what he's doing. A great teacher once told me, "You can't break the rules, unless you know what the rules are. Otherwise you are just making a mess".
While Scioli's art appears at first glance to be juvenile, and an amateur mess, he knows exactly what he's doing. He knows the rules well, and he is breaking them with grace and style. Each panel is laid out in a composition that keeps the eye moving all around the frame. He does so even in his line work. At times I found myself re-reading the text several times because my brain was to busy keeping up with my roving eye. His use of color also adds to the musical mayhem of each panel using almost annoyingly florescent hues to garner focus on the subject, again leading the eye back and forth around the composition. Even his placement of the word bubbles and the text within them adds to this element of composition. Concreting him as a true wizard in the art of comic books.
Of course one of the best parts of Scioli's art are the sight gags!
One thing I did feel was missing, and probably my favorite thing about the original series, were the two-page Where's Waldo-esque spreads that one could spend hours poring over always finding some new hidden surprise tucked into the the intricacies of the drawing.
-Low Down
Over all the book is a good fun read, packed with all the silliness and splendor we got from the series. It was just nice to have one more jaunt through Scioli's childhood world of imaginary fantasies. If you enjoyed the series, there's no reason why you shouldn't enjoy this film/not a film.
Oh! And don't forget, the DVD comes packed with bonus features. Including cast interviews and making of featurettes!
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on March 29th, 2017 @ 3:44am CDT
I read it. Well.. I dunno if that's the right word. I...experienced it? I dunno why as I wasn't a big fan of the miniseries but the curiosity of 'movie' got me. It's different and it probably appeals to some folk.
Posted by Kurona on March 29th, 2017 @ 8:17am CDT
While I don't really want to remind everyone of it, my feelings on the intent behind IDW's Revolution remain the same - that there's clearly a lot of heart and love that went into it and there certainly feels to be some sort of passion project in there, but it just ends up falling apart at the seams. And that might be how I feel about this. There's a lot of love in there, the creative team is obviously having a ball, I get what they're going for... but I just cannot decide if it delivers or not.
One definite positive I can say though is that I really like how they treated the whole movie adaption thing. The changes made and the things left intact and the things added in really do feel like something a movie adaption would do to a comic series like this, so I can definitely applaud the comic in that sense at least.
Posted by cruizerdave on March 29th, 2017 @ 10:27am CDT
It's like the holdouts who still claim that Miller's DK2 was brilliant, and if you didn't like it, that's just because you don't get it ... No, it was just awful.
Same with this. Yes, I know it's all intentional, but it's gone so far that it's not a parody of GI Joe or Transformers, it's just making fun of the people who like this stuff.
Of course there are many TF fans who defend Michael Bay's films, so maybe they deserve it.
Posted by Va'al on March 29th, 2017 @ 11:13am CDT
cruizerdave wrote:Wrong. I swear, people give this a pass and act like its brilliant because they're fan boys of Scioli and the other guy. Yes, I know, the art is intentionally bad, the story is intentionally stupid, the pacing is intentionally disjointed. However, just because someone intentionally does a bad job doesn't mean they've actually done a good job.
It's like the holdouts who still claim that Miller's DK2 was brilliant, and if you didn't like it, that's just because you don't get it ... No, it was just awful.
Same with this. Yes, I know it's all intentional, but it's gone so far that it's not a parody of GI Joe or Transformers, it's just making fun of the people who like this stuff.
Of course there are many TF fans who defend Michael Bay's films, so maybe they deserve it.
*pat-pat*
Posted by galvatron00 on March 29th, 2017 @ 3:23pm CDT
I never read the other TF vs G.I. Joe, the art just put me off.
This, as a standalone one time deal, was fun. Flippin' Transformers and Joes. Fun stuff.
Posted by no-one on March 29th, 2017 @ 3:29pm CDT
That's pretty much how I feel when I read the GI Joe vs the Transformers. I enjoy the wacky art that is either so bad it's good or so good it's bad perfect. The panels seem self indulgently told in the way we used to make up stories on the playground; from the view point of an unjaded child. These comics are best enjoyed with a big cup of "suspension of disbelief", which is pretty much how I like to enjoy all my media.
Posted by no-one on March 29th, 2017 @ 3:32pm CDT
Totally worth checking out. Wait for another 50% sale at comixologyitscramtastic wrote:Well written Cobotron!!
I never read the other TF vs G.I. Joe, the art just put me off.
This, as a standalone one time deal, was fun. Flippin' Transformers and Joes. Fun stuff.
Posted by Supreme Convoy on April 7th, 2017 @ 3:30pm CDT
OR conversely...
Posted by Va'al on April 8th, 2017 @ 2:38am CDT
Supreme Convoy wrote:Re-reading Transformers Vs. GI Joe: The Movie Adaptation. This is all I think when I get to that last page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtCFrGlGmLU
OR conversely...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUTjLmxmPW0
Edit: Looks like I couldn't embed videos? I thought we could.
You can! You need that code after V= in between [youtube] tags. Like so:
- Code: Select all
[youtube]BUTjLmxmPW0[/youtube]
Posted by Supreme Convoy on April 8th, 2017 @ 11:33pm CDT
Va'al wrote:
You can! You need that code after V= in between [youtube] tags. Like so:
- Code: Select all
[youtube]BUTjLmxmPW0[/youtube]
Thanks for the tip! Fix the previous post.
Posted by Va'al on December 26th, 2017 @ 3:57am CST
Bringing together the entire run of the series, plus the one-shot titled The Movie Adaptation (no movie was ever made, before you ask), the book can be viewed below with its new production and specific art style and writing. Check it out, and let us know if you'll finally dip into the cosmic swirls of the clashing worlds Scioli.
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Quintessential Collection
Tom Scioli, John Barber (w) • Tom Scioli (a & c)
Earth makes contact with an alien race—and G.I. JOE is on the front lines! But, when the Transformers arrive—well, let's just say you've never seen Transformers vs G.I. JOE like this! Presenting the entire 13-issue Transformers vs G.I. JOE series—full of Kirby crackle and the relentless fun of Scioli's vision—plus the all-new Transformers vs G.I. JOE: The Movie Adaptation one-shot in one unforgettable edition. Travel from Earth to Cybertron and back again as comic book luminary Tom Scioli turns his imagination loose on Hasbro's beloved toys! This oversized deluxe hardcover also includes commentary and extras by creators Tom Scioli and John Barber!
HC • FC • $49.99 • 420 pages • 7” x 11” • ISBN: 978-1-63140-860-1
Bullet points:
"Instead of trying to take '80s toy nostalgia and make it sexy and modern, Tom Scioli and John Barber have made a comic that feels like playing with action figures in your backyard..."—Vice
Posted by no-one on December 27th, 2017 @ 3:45pm CST
Va'al wrote:
Well this is the most awesome image I've seen in a while - guess who just got a new wallpaper for their phone
I do really enjoy this series. Lots of fun with clearly no fucks given... ever!
Shame I already have them all digitally, but I could talk myself into a hard copy. I do love the so bad it's good art style.
Posted by zodconvoy on December 28th, 2017 @ 12:14pm CST
Posted by Va'al on February 2nd, 2018 @ 2:55am CST
Read on below for the full press release for this past week's Quintessential collection edition of the series, including a bunch of endorsements from various sources, and head here for our database entry on the series!
Tom Scioli’s Acclaimed Transformers vs. G.I. Joe Series Gets Deluxe Package!
“Reading this book is the best possible reminder of how much fun it was to play with your toys as a kid.” – IGN
San Diego, CA (February 1, 2018) – The fan-favorite mashup of toy box essentials, Hasbro’s TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE were given a unique, critically acclaimed comic book series published by IDW that took readers by surprise. In a series unlike anything that had come before it, Tom Scioli’s unique storytelling brought the elaborate settings and battles of childhood imaginations to the comic page. Now, at last, the complete series is available in a deluxe hardcover collection; Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Quintessential Collection.
Heavily influenced by the “king of comics,” Jack Kirby, Scioli’s sense of design and aesthetic along with Transformers veteran co-writer John Barber won over critics and fans alike; with CBR calling it “Truly unlike anything else on stands right now, Barber and Scioli have made Transformers vs. G.I. Joe one of the most fascinating books on shelves today.”
Collecting all 13 issues of the maxi-series along with the debut #0 issue appearing on Free Comic Book Day 2015, plus the bonkers Transformers vs. G.I. Joe The Movie Adaptation, this hardcover collection has it all. Back matter includes page-by-page commentary by Scioli and Barber for each issue, along with a complete cover gallery!
“It's the hardest I've ever worked,” says Scioli. “There's blood on those pages. I gave everything I had to give. Go from T.H.E. P.I.T. to Cybertron and back again. Read the comic that inspired the movie! I'm already nostalgic for it and you will be, too!”
Transformers vs. G.I. Joe: The Quintessential Collection is available now using ISBN: 978-1631408601.
“Tom Scioli is a master in visual storytelling and it’s never been more apparent here.” – Multiversity Comics
“It’s one of those comics that overwhelms with the sheer creative energy on the page” – The A.V. Club
“Whether you're a Transformers fan, a G.I. Joe fan, or just a fan of retro goodness, this is one for you.” –Comic Book Therapy
“If you asked me to pick my favorite comics of the year, there's not even a question about it: Transformers vs. G.I. Joe would be at the top of the list.” – Comics Alliance