Eye to Eye, Volume One

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Volume 1

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I've been curious about the current run that IDW has been publishing, so this seemed like a ridiculously good deal to me. I read the first volume of each series and actually thought they were pretty good. The whole idea between both volumes is that the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons has finally ended with the Autobots in charge of Cybertron a Cybertron that has changed as a result of something that happened just prior to the beginning of these two stories, and something that I'm not at all familiar with. Since the war, more and more Transformers who had fled Cybertron in the wake of the war are now returning, and see no need to have either faction on the planet anymore, as both Autobots and Decepticons are equally seen as responsible for the destruction of the planet.

However, the Autobots don't see it this way and want to set up a new government to try to keep another from happening. Optimus Prime sees himself as the most visible sign of the war, so relinquishes his title as Prime, returns to calling himself Orion Pax, and exiles himself from Cybertron, leaving Bumblebee in charge. Meanwhile, Rodimus sees no point in giving up their heritage and starting over so decides to travel from Cybertron in search of the Knights of Cybertron.

This is where the series splits into two. More Than Meets The Eye follows Rodimus and his crew in search of the Knight of Cybertron, while Robots in Disguise deals with Bumblebee trying to reestablish something of a government on Cybertron and dealing with the disillusionment felt by just about everyone over this, especially the newly returned, unaligned Transformers.

I've read about the More Than Meets the Eye title from several sources around the internets, and it turns out that they weren't wrong about the title. It combines a pretty decent story with some great character development and just enough wit to make something that's actually fun to read. Robots in Disguise is intriguing as well, given the way the series is dealing with the repercussions and aftereffects of the war. Overall, both series are surprisingly good I think it would be easy for most people to write off Transformers as a whole, but these are legitimately good comics , but I did find that I enjoyed More Than Meets The Eye more.

I'm really glad I bought into this most recent Humble Bundle and will be gladly reading the rest of the volumes. Feb 05, Mark B rated it it was amazing Shelves: Well, that was fun! Still, I held on tight, enjoyed the ride and came out on the other side wanting more.

And more I shall have! I'm sure there's far more here to enjoy for longtime fans but newcomers should be assured that it is well worth the effort to put your trust in the writers and just jump straight in. The characterisation of the differ Well, that was fun! The characterisation of the different Transformers is rich enough that backstory and continuity aren't really necessary to sink your teeth into the here-and-now of the story.

I never thought that comics based on licensed properties could be this good. Good comics are good comics, and this comic was damn good. Jun 12, Joshua rated it liked it Shelves: The first part of this volume The Death of Optimus Prime was better than the later part, mostly because the later part was more reliant on humor that took the edges off in places where they should have been left like Whirl's weirdly homicidal character or how no one can remember Rung or tell Ore and Shock apart and then they are tragically dealt with.

Still the jokes were generally funny. As a side note, I got a kick out of reading reviews for this because there were a couple negative reviews from people who knew nothing about Transformers in general and therefore thought this book was bad. Oct 18, Dave Versace rated it really liked it. Uh, wow this comic about robots who turn into cars is charged with political philosophy and nuanced character development and I'm a bit stunned, really.

But in case you are worried there is this great bit where a monster-robot totally kills some other robots and it's rad as hell. Plus spaceships and explosions. Jun 13, Christopher rated it liked it. From a pure nostalgic perspective, a very enjoyable book where you get several of your Generation 1 Transformers in big splashy colors. The plot, however, is a bit slow-going as the Autobots led by Bumblebee? So if you like giant robots discussing fair housing, this book is awesome. If you were hoping for something a bit more Aug 19, Michael Church rated it really liked it Shelves: That was really OK.

This is sort of a new era for Transformers and clearly meant as some level of jumping on point for new readers. There are solid introductions to these characters and a good amount of exposition. The obvious decades or centuries, in continuity of history with these characters makes them more interesting to me.

I was a little disappointed with how death was handled. The art is really cool, though. Nick Roche has a great animated style. It feels like something from a cartoon and manages to convey a real sense of motion at times. Alex Milne does a good job of picking up the book with issue 2 without it being a jarring transition.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Volume 1

Enough to get readers interesting and laying plenty of groundwork for some interesting stories in the future. Feb 05, Seth rated it really liked it. I really dug this story and I came to appreciate the uncharacteristic cast of Bots used to make it up. The story centers around Rodimus Prime and his expedition to uncover the true story behind the Knights of Cybertron.

The real fun of the story is the unreal sequence of events that take place, and some of the comedic timing of some of Rodimus's crew. There is a sense of humor that I have come to appreciate in the dialogue of this book. Jun 22, James rated it really liked it. Beautifully drawn with some really dark illustrations for Transformers, perfect for the older reader and nostalgic fan. I can't quite work out what goes before this as it states volume one, though I'm clearly missing something. Feb 09, Jesse Slater rated it really liked it. Originally read this a few years ago, but finally getting back to reading the series and needed a refresher.

The setup gives a plot hook for many characters, giving some puzzling mysteries that you just have to keep reading to find out the truth about. Characterization reminds me of a motley crew story such as The Usual Suspects. Excited to finally continue this series. Sep 06, Alta Hatcher rated it it was amazing. A solid start to an amazing series, MTMTE weaves distinctive characters, witty and sharp writing, and an engrossing story to create a must-read for any Transformers fan.

Sep 01, jacobi rated it it was amazing. Mar 12, Tamera rated it it was amazing Shelves: This, without a doubt, the best Transformers media that exists.

Forget what you know about 'Bayformers' and get ready for an epic 57 issue adventure. I've read comics all my life but nothing has compared to the depth and soul that Roberts fuses into the story. I'm avoiding all spoilers but let new say this- if you haven't read any recent IDW TF titles, don't worry. Just give it time. There is so much story to build and plot set up that you won't realize these details until much later. Give the st This, without a doubt, the best Transformers media that exists. Give the story time.

Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Volume 1

Volume 3 and issues are some of the most well conceived comics I've encountered. You don't even need to be a TF fan to enjoy this- you just need a love of sci-fi and an open mind. Mar 04, Woowott rated it it was amazing. Yeah, rereading now that I OWN it. Obviously, I liked it if I'm buying it. Oct 31, Patty rated it it was amazing. I decided to give an overview here at the first volume, because I'm afraid if I review all of them I may let serious spoilers leak!

If you're not a Transformers fan but you like soap opera level drama and sitcom laughs, do yourself a favor and read this series. By all rights and methods something so often ridiculously overdramatic should not be so Nor should it be applied to certain giant robots I decided to give an overview here at the first volume, because I'm afraid if I review all of them Nor should it be applied to certain giant robots us 80's kids grew up with. James Roberts writer--who has actually won awards for this series now!

Bestselling Series

But Roberts and the artists infused a bunch of general unknowns with wild, crazy and even lovable personalities. From seeing the evolution of Cyclonus and Tailgate's relationship to Whirl's self-absorbed monologue where he refers to himself in the third person very often There are many Cybertronians here to love and grow attached to over the 5 years of the book 10 whole volumes, with some stories in the side volumes of "Dark Cybertron" and "Titans Return".

The graphic novel collection includes the alternate covers, sketches and even some chapters of Roberts' prose which fills in a few unseen gaps in story in pretty much every volume. If you can shell out the money, buy the boxed sets And if that's not enough Hasbro has even shown great interest in supporting IDWs various comic book series, not just putting out toys for large story-arcs I totally attached those stickers to my Megatron! Jun 27, Safraz rated it really liked it. If you like the Transformers but always thought it kind of sucked that they had to be saddled with a few token humans and their whole war had to revolve around Earth, James Roberts and Alex Milne have the perfect TF series for you.

Rodimus formerly Hot Rod decides the answer lies with Cybertron's ancient past: So Rodimus grabs a ship, the Lost Light, and opens it to any Autobots who want to join in his quest. A whole lot do; the cast list for the series is technically in the hundreds, although there are really maybe a dozen main characters.

Still a lot, but far more manageable. Most are relative unknowns, although Roberts made sure to include enough fan-favorites--Rodimus, Ratchet, Ultra Magnus, Perceptor, Blaster--to give anyone with a bit of Transformers knowledge some familiar touchstones. But the real strength of the series is Roberts' unparalleled ability to flawlessly weave together world-building lore and interpersonal drama. More Than Meets the Eye is a window into how Cybertronian society works, but in front of that window is a set of engaging people; robotic people who turn into cars and jets, but people nonetheless, complete with hopes, dreams, love, grudges, and all the rest.

It's a testament to Roberts' skill that I now not only care about a waste disposal robot I'd never heard of before, but I care about him more than almost any other fictional character I've encountered. Mar 05, J. Lantern rated it it was amazing. I love this book, unabashedly. It's easy to write off Transformers. The original cartoon left us all with a weird taste in our mouths, from the paternalistic overtones of Optimus Prime to the Cold War-type energy wars underneath the entirety of the show to Megatron riding a Griffin, there is a lot to poke at.

Recent incarnations haven't exactly left the world on fire critically speaking, anyway. Of course they've made tons of money , and it's telling that within a rather-fervent fanbase of robo I love this book, unabashedly. Of course they've made tons of money , and it's telling that within a rather-fervent fanbase of robots-turning-into-vehicles-and-back that the fiction most commonly seen as the best of the lot has robots turning into animals instead.

There is a lot discussed about how wonderful the characterization is in this book, and about how wonderful it is to get away from the dregs of the millions-years long war between Autobots and Decepticons. This is all true. What happens to the personalities of individuals after lifetimes of constant war and paranoia?

As people become harder to kill and imprison, what are the options that a tyrannical government has left in order to leave their mark? What sorts of societies begin to form when we start to dictate status by function, and how does violence and greed shape the revolutionaries who started out with so many lofty ideals?

These are not particularly new questions, nor questions that apply only to nigh-immortal transforming robots. Like any good science fiction, MTMTE does its best to give us a new lens through which to examine ourselves. Fantastic start of a new saga; dialogues sparkling with life, interesting characters, beginnings full of surprises. The very first comic I finished in What a good omen for this year!

I can't believe I discovered Transformers only one month before. ETA after reading for the 2nd time: I still think it's not as good as most of the following volumes, but now I can appreciate it more, based on how perfect it is as an introduction to the series. Every character gets their little scene, a spotlight Fantastic start of a new saga; dialogues sparkling with life, interesting characters, beginnings full of surprises.

Every character gets their little scene, a spotlight showing perfectly who they are and what they desire. A most difficult task, as most of the characters were not well known before and some are new, but Roberts and Milne really got it done. Nov 06, Diane Murray rated it really liked it Shelves: The Transformers series has some pretty high barriers to entry: But it's absolutely worth the trouble for this series--after getting into MTMTE I completely understand why the franchise has such a dedicated fanbase.

I never truly knew the depth of feeling I could have for these darling mech babies until I started reading. This series tries to b The Transformers series has some pretty high barriers to entry: This series tries to be accessible to a new reader, but folks unfamiliar with the Transformers universe are likely to falter a bit or need multiple reads to make sense of things.

I recommend having an in-the-know friend on call, and making serious use of the list of characters in the back of the book. From a critical standpoint: But it sure is delightful. Jan 18, Keith Irwin rated it liked it. I went into this book not having read any Transformers comics for a very long time. It had been since the days of Marvel publishing Transformers, so I didn't really know what to expect. I feel a little lost, but this still seems like an okay starting point. This comic was well written and well illustrated.

The dialogue was compelling and, at times, complex. The writer really tried to bring emotional depth to the characters and have their actions reflect their experiences. It was a little overwhe I went into this book not having read any Transformers comics for a very long time. It was a little overwhelming in terms of the number of characters in the beginning, but as it progressed it focussed on a more manageable set.

I found the colors and the line work of the art very attractive. There was a point or two where the mood lighting made it a little tough to quickly figure out who was who, but it was never a big problem. The action sequences were also a little harder to follow than I would have liked, but not too bad. In the overall, I liked this book, but didn't love it.

Aug 22, Scott Lochmoeller rated it it was amazing Shelves: As a long time Transformers fan, this series is one of the most satisfyingly original takes on the franchise that I have ever seen. By conciously utilizing different and less well known characters, as well as a different story structure, it quickly gets us away from the Autobots vs Decepticons, Optimus Prime vs Megatron ghetto that so much of the rest of Transformers fiction finds itself in.

That said, it does smartly comment on those more well known aspects of the franchise. Optimus Prime, for As a long time Transformers fan, this series is one of the most satisfyingly original takes on the franchise that I have ever seen. Optimus Prime, for instance, makes a shocking but wonderfully in character decision for the good of his homeworld Cybertron. All that said, it is better as a character piece than it is for its plot. The threats the crew runs into do seem rather arbitrary and disjointed.

Though if you do follow the series some of these points are picked back up later. But again, it's all about the characters. From Swerve's ambition to start an illegal bar to Cyclonus and Tailgate's odd relationship, it's a joy to read. I have been horrified for days for a few different reasons. I'm glad I looked up things online, since I don't make it to comic shops to get single issues, or I'd be devastated.

I'm still really upset by the deaths of Ravage and Skids. Did they or did they not? Jun 27, Patrick rated it it was amazing. Things were tough for them boys but it's good to see none of my favorites died Jan 06, Woowott rated it it was amazing. If anything, the deaths get worse this time around! Ahh, and the bittersweet reunion of Drift and Roddy. Yep, it's even better this time through. I have read this arc several times now.

It is one of the most powerful and intense comic arcs I have ever read. If you're thinking- yeah, okay, but it's Transformers You have no idea. This is not G1, this is an entirely new experience with a depth that you won't believe until you experience.

I have never felt so emotionally connected to a series of comic book characters as the ones that James Roberts has breathed new life into. There are ca I have read this arc several times now. There are cannon gay robots, complex issues like PTSD are dealt with More Than Meets The Eye is just that And this arc is something to be reckoned with.

It's totally fine if you know nothing about Transformers- it's okay if you've never seen the movies lucky you!!

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It will feel confusing and overwhelming at first but every detail is explained in time. I cannot recommend this series enough. And don't even get me started on the line up of amazing artists who work on this series or I will describe the vivid imagery for days. Just do yourself a favor and read it, I've yet to introduce it to someone who didn't love the series. Mar 12, Tamera rated it it was amazing Shelves: Dec 03, Andy Luke rated it it was amazing. I never 5-star but the classics; this time it's for attention. For many literati will never regard a Transformers comic in the same way they do a Joyce, Durrell or an Austen.

However author Roberts is fully exploring issues of class, race, gender and sexuality in MTMTE and this a last volume? Beat after beat I never 5-star but the classics; this time it's for attention. Beat after beat, Roberts pulls out astonishing story revelations: MTMTE has won many industry awards.

If this was a superhero comic, it would be on Bookseller's top 10 lists. Or if it had boy magicians, reviewed in broadsheets. Or if it was set in our world of political realism, quoted from by academics for decades later. It won't though, because this is a Transformers comic, the embodiment of comics - cultivated literature rarely recognised for it's wealth of assets.

It's intellectual, thrilling, funny and wonderfully observant and as incredible as most of the stuff on your bookcase. Oct 26, Rob Queen rated it it was amazing. Not the most perfect ending, especially as it is a bomb-setter. Not a cliff-hanger, but The greatest thing about this book is the oddball shocks and twists that have been set up so nicely, and are finally delivered with some excellent sleight-of-hand. Very solid stuff in both set-up and delivery. The art is super-duper fun, too, and the boys and girls in the art department know how to bring these beloved and loveable characters alive.

Dec 29, Gerky rated it really liked it. More Than Meets the Eye is arguably the finest piece of Transformers literature on existence and this volume here is a lovely end cap to years of stories. Unique in the franchise, with a confident voice you should pick this up whether you like Transformers, robots, adventure, ensemble casts, humour, action, mechanical design, space or comics.

Jan 12, Peter rated it really liked it. I need to stop reading these with such long breaks in between because there was a lot I had to reacquaint myself with but nonetheless it was a great read! James Roberts has been doing a great job of handling so many characters and mixing storylines but it has been so much better than a cartoon could ever be. Great Collection IDW is amazing with the creative way in which they present our beloved characters in new stories.

The collection is particularly good, with Megatron confronting more of his old evils and coming full circle. Tim Owen rated it it was amazing Dec 26, Moof Kenubi rated it really liked it Jun 17, Olivia rated it it was amazing Feb 22, Caitlin rated it it was amazing Sep 16, Dave Relph rated it it was amazing Oct 29, Justin rated it it was amazing Jan 20, Mrbrain rated it it was amazing Nov 03, Kirry rated it liked it Oct 20, Jennifer rated it it was amazing May 05, Adelaide Metzger rated it it was amazing Sep 17, Rafi Rodriguez rated it it was amazing Dec 03, Brian rated it really liked it Nov 02, Matthew Burbridge rated it really liked it May 02, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

Other books in the series. More Than Meets the Eye 10 books. Books by James Roberts.

• The Foundation For Success-Love
• Commercializing New Technologies : Getting from Mind to Market
• God and Me
• When the Bottom Drops Out: Finding Grace in the Depths of Disappointment
• A Dog Named Rockie
• Jesus and the Seven Angels