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Transformers IDW #44
Transformers: Windblade
In the aftermath of Dark Cybertron, Windblade takes the planet by storm! But where did she come from - and what does her secret mean to the future of the Transformers?
104 pages, Paperback
First published April 16, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 29, 2016
The publisher of the Transformers comics is really pushing this new fan-created character to succeed; comic books featuring Windblade a female Transformer with an interesting link to the city-sized Metroplex.
I struggled a little with rating this story; it's more than three: I love Sarah Stone's expressive art and it suited quite well to the character. (Stone and Scott as team are the first all-female creative team on a Transformers book, ever.) The story has an interesting start, Windblade and her bodyguard Chromis investigate mysterious blackouts plaguing Metroplex. Windblade is a city-speaker, a Transformers with the ability to communicate with titanic city-bots like Metroplex. Windblade also needs to contend with the ruler of Cybertron, Starscream, who is always up to no good.
It had a great start but sputtered at the end. There's no actual resolution to the story. If I rate the first two chapters, it's am easy four but overall, I would still give it more than a three because of Stone's art. 3.6 stars
I struggled a little with rating this story; it's more than three: I love Sarah Stone's expressive art and it suited quite well to the character. (Stone and Scott as team are the first all-female creative team on a Transformers book, ever.) The story has an interesting start, Windblade and her bodyguard Chromis investigate mysterious blackouts plaguing Metroplex. Windblade is a city-speaker, a Transformers with the ability to communicate with titanic city-bots like Metroplex. Windblade also needs to contend with the ruler of Cybertron, Starscream, who is always up to no good.
It had a great start but sputtered at the end. There's no actual resolution to the story. If I rate the first two chapters, it's am easy four but overall, I would still give it more than a three because of Stone's art. 3.6 stars
December 7, 2022
This was fine, but I can already tell Windblade is going to be annoying. She was introduced in Dark Cybertron in the comics at least and "Windblade is the first "fan-built bot" ever" according to Wikipedia so that is already a bad sign.
The art was basically like if you took a manga and fully colored it. It was fine to me I wouldn't really complain about it too much since it was pretty clean but I could see why some people wouldn't like it. I do like the art in the More than Meets the Eye comics more though since that feels more like what Transformers art should be.
My main problem is that Windblade already seems too central to the plot and this comic specifically completely changes the status quo of the story.
I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I'll just settle with a 2.5/3 since I don't know if I can truly give it a 2. I mean no humans were involved so that is already a +1 in my book.
The art was basically like if you took a manga and fully colored it. It was fine to me I wouldn't really complain about it too much since it was pretty clean but I could see why some people wouldn't like it. I do like the art in the More than Meets the Eye comics more though since that feels more like what Transformers art should be.
My main problem is that Windblade already seems too central to the plot and this comic specifically completely changes the status quo of the story.
I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. I'll just settle with a 2.5/3 since I don't know if I can truly give it a 2. I mean no humans were involved so that is already a +1 in my book.
November 26, 2023
Scott is such an excellent writer. And the art was stunning. Colours to die for..
September 2, 2015
I have been trying to start this 4-issue mini-series since it was published right after Dark Cybertron, but my comic book store didn’t have all the issues. I finally bought the volume and can’t believe what I was missing out on.
Behind the Scenes Research
My first experience with Windblade was when she popped up out of nowhere in Dark Cybertron and I just figured she was a revived, obscure character from the older comics, which I haven’t delved into yet. I finished this volume before I finally did some research on Windblade and was blown away with what I discovered. First surprise was that Windblade was recently created by fans during a Hasbro poll in 2013 and voted newest, official character by the fans as well, so when she debuted in Dark Cybertron, it meant all the more that a character generated by fans had made it into the universe and was here to stay depending on her popularity. I looked up writer Mairghread Scott and found that she has written a few episodes of Transformers: Prime, Transformers: Rescue Bots, and helped with an episode of the Robots in Disguise television series. I also found out that she penned the Rage of the Dinobots and Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters comics that ran parallel with the final season of Transformers Prime. Wow! You go, girl!! Mairghread Scott went to independent artist Sarah Stone and personally asked her if she would do the art for this Windblade series. Lettering was done by Chris Mowry, assistant editor was Rebecca Huard, and collection designer was Claudia Chong. All that interesting info results into the very first ALL female creative team for a Transformers series—ever! YEAH!!! GIRL POWER!! STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!! John Barber was the series editor, but he was only there to make sure Scott and the team flourished while keeping continuity with ongoing, previous, and future Transformers comic series (so he doesn’t count even though he’s one of THE main TF writers today).
Knowing that, I appreciate this volume so much more than I did just for the story and characters.
Plot
This was a fresh character and a whole new angle on the Transformers series. Windblade is a Cityspeaker which means she’s assigned to a titan Transformer that can turn into a city; in this case it’s Metroplex who was severely injured in Dark Cybertron. Windblade has to deal with the great weight of responsibility in speaking for Metroplex as well as try and figure out how to heal him before he dies—but if that isn’t enough Starscream, now leader of Cybertron, is blaming her for a bunch of blackouts in the Metroplex and accusing her of trying to undermine his authority, making it clear that he’d rather have her dead and also making it clear that he’s prejudice toward “aliens.”
This was something I thought very interesting. Windblade is not Cybertronian—she is the introduction to a new Transformer race known as Camiens, being that there creator was a titan called Caminus. He colonized the planet where Windblade grew up and then something happened that isn’t explained in which Caminus sacrificed his body to save his people. Imagine there’s a parallel dimension to Earth where the Transformers series started out without ever knowing Cybertron and we began on Caminus with Windblade taking our Optimus Prime roll. Kids in the ‘80’s would grow up looking up to a strong female character instead of fatherly figure Optimus Prime and the world and characters of the planet Caminus would resonate all the way up to the current blockbuster films, (making a female the main lead, the movies would be quite different than they are now and I’m not quite sure if Michael Bay would be the director). My point is that this volume broke open a whole new universe of possibilities if Hasbro or IDW run out of ideas for the Transformers series, and Windblade is now the lead character for this timeline.
Characters
Windblade herself is a strong character but she comes across as almost a juvenile, like she doesn’t have a lot of experience, but she’s far from immature. They didn’t touch on her past very much in this volume but I expect them to make many more Windblade themed comics so we got plenty of room to explore when it comes to that point—I just hope that Mairghread Scott is the one to continue with this character. Another interesting thing for Windblade is her connection with Metroplex. Metroplex didn’t really have that much of a personality in the G1 TV series (those kind of feels went to Omega Supreme), so when he started to sympathize with Windblade during their short chats in this volume I found it kind of touching. He doesn’t know her very well but he cares for her and wants to make sure she’s alright, while at the same time he has more of a technical side to his personality with its own goals. He has a massive computer system that relays the technological problems and damages to Windblade but in the middle of all that is his individualism as a living being. In the climax, when Windblade sees him for the first time, there’s this moment where he reassures her that she’s never alone. What I got from that was he was telling her he will always be with her, or Caminus is always with both of them because he’s the one who created her. I’d prefer the prior explanation because in that moment I realized that Metroplex was kind of like Windblade’s Optimus Prime—I definitely got that vibe from him in the end.
Besides Windblade and Metroplex, Starscream continues to amaze me as his character portrayal is taken another notch up. Since he became leader of Cybertron in Robots in Disguise he’s become more vain than ever, completely idolizing himself as “the chosen one” as said in the prophecy. Starscream has to be the new menace and if he leans more toward the dark side of this threatening persona it may turn to evil, therefore making him the new ultimate Transformer villain. There’s another amazing possibility: Starscream as the new Megatron—still the egotistical sycophant we all know and love, but with all the frightening badassery of the “peace through tyranny,” Decepticon Megatron we all knew. If Starscream isn’t killed off soon, he will end up taking one of three paths: 1). Remain this powerful leader of Cybertron with the aggravated but intelligent personality that lets him enjoy the decision he makes so he can get what he wants, 2). Turn a new leaf later down the line from being influenced by Windblade (or another Autobot) and become a complete good guy whether he continues to rule Cybertron or not (maybe even sacrificing himself for Cybertron like he did in the Armada series—since that’s his current design), or 3). The little touch of menace we see in him during this volume’s climax ruminates into evil and his addiction for self-idolatry and power turns him into an intelligent monster that seeks to rule not only Cybertron but the entire universe—it wouldn’t be Autobot vs. Decepticon, it would be Everyone vs. Starscream.
Overall, I devoured Sarah Stone’s beautiful art with my eyes and was totally into Mairghread’s take on Windblade. I won’t hesitate if someone else takes on the character’s story but I would absolutely love it if Scott was Windblade’s lead writer for future projects. She definitely loves her Transformers and understands how to craft a story with them. I’d also like to see more full female creative teams for Transformers projects, it really gets me hyped-up. I loved this so much—now I just wonder if any of my theories will come true.
Behind the Scenes Research
My first experience with Windblade was when she popped up out of nowhere in Dark Cybertron and I just figured she was a revived, obscure character from the older comics, which I haven’t delved into yet. I finished this volume before I finally did some research on Windblade and was blown away with what I discovered. First surprise was that Windblade was recently created by fans during a Hasbro poll in 2013 and voted newest, official character by the fans as well, so when she debuted in Dark Cybertron, it meant all the more that a character generated by fans had made it into the universe and was here to stay depending on her popularity. I looked up writer Mairghread Scott and found that she has written a few episodes of Transformers: Prime, Transformers: Rescue Bots, and helped with an episode of the Robots in Disguise television series. I also found out that she penned the Rage of the Dinobots and Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters comics that ran parallel with the final season of Transformers Prime. Wow! You go, girl!! Mairghread Scott went to independent artist Sarah Stone and personally asked her if she would do the art for this Windblade series. Lettering was done by Chris Mowry, assistant editor was Rebecca Huard, and collection designer was Claudia Chong. All that interesting info results into the very first ALL female creative team for a Transformers series—ever! YEAH!!! GIRL POWER!! STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!! John Barber was the series editor, but he was only there to make sure Scott and the team flourished while keeping continuity with ongoing, previous, and future Transformers comic series (so he doesn’t count even though he’s one of THE main TF writers today).
Knowing that, I appreciate this volume so much more than I did just for the story and characters.
Plot
This was a fresh character and a whole new angle on the Transformers series. Windblade is a Cityspeaker which means she’s assigned to a titan Transformer that can turn into a city; in this case it’s Metroplex who was severely injured in Dark Cybertron. Windblade has to deal with the great weight of responsibility in speaking for Metroplex as well as try and figure out how to heal him before he dies—but if that isn’t enough Starscream, now leader of Cybertron, is blaming her for a bunch of blackouts in the Metroplex and accusing her of trying to undermine his authority, making it clear that he’d rather have her dead and also making it clear that he’s prejudice toward “aliens.”
This was something I thought very interesting. Windblade is not Cybertronian—she is the introduction to a new Transformer race known as Camiens, being that there creator was a titan called Caminus. He colonized the planet where Windblade grew up and then something happened that isn’t explained in which Caminus sacrificed his body to save his people. Imagine there’s a parallel dimension to Earth where the Transformers series started out without ever knowing Cybertron and we began on Caminus with Windblade taking our Optimus Prime roll. Kids in the ‘80’s would grow up looking up to a strong female character instead of fatherly figure Optimus Prime and the world and characters of the planet Caminus would resonate all the way up to the current blockbuster films, (making a female the main lead, the movies would be quite different than they are now and I’m not quite sure if Michael Bay would be the director). My point is that this volume broke open a whole new universe of possibilities if Hasbro or IDW run out of ideas for the Transformers series, and Windblade is now the lead character for this timeline.
Characters
Windblade herself is a strong character but she comes across as almost a juvenile, like she doesn’t have a lot of experience, but she’s far from immature. They didn’t touch on her past very much in this volume but I expect them to make many more Windblade themed comics so we got plenty of room to explore when it comes to that point—I just hope that Mairghread Scott is the one to continue with this character. Another interesting thing for Windblade is her connection with Metroplex. Metroplex didn’t really have that much of a personality in the G1 TV series (those kind of feels went to Omega Supreme), so when he started to sympathize with Windblade during their short chats in this volume I found it kind of touching. He doesn’t know her very well but he cares for her and wants to make sure she’s alright, while at the same time he has more of a technical side to his personality with its own goals. He has a massive computer system that relays the technological problems and damages to Windblade but in the middle of all that is his individualism as a living being. In the climax, when Windblade sees him for the first time, there’s this moment where he reassures her that she’s never alone. What I got from that was he was telling her he will always be with her, or Caminus is always with both of them because he’s the one who created her. I’d prefer the prior explanation because in that moment I realized that Metroplex was kind of like Windblade’s Optimus Prime—I definitely got that vibe from him in the end.
Besides Windblade and Metroplex, Starscream continues to amaze me as his character portrayal is taken another notch up. Since he became leader of Cybertron in Robots in Disguise he’s become more vain than ever, completely idolizing himself as “the chosen one” as said in the prophecy. Starscream has to be the new menace and if he leans more toward the dark side of this threatening persona it may turn to evil, therefore making him the new ultimate Transformer villain. There’s another amazing possibility: Starscream as the new Megatron—still the egotistical sycophant we all know and love, but with all the frightening badassery of the “peace through tyranny,” Decepticon Megatron we all knew. If Starscream isn’t killed off soon, he will end up taking one of three paths: 1). Remain this powerful leader of Cybertron with the aggravated but intelligent personality that lets him enjoy the decision he makes so he can get what he wants, 2). Turn a new leaf later down the line from being influenced by Windblade (or another Autobot) and become a complete good guy whether he continues to rule Cybertron or not (maybe even sacrificing himself for Cybertron like he did in the Armada series—since that’s his current design), or 3). The little touch of menace we see in him during this volume’s climax ruminates into evil and his addiction for self-idolatry and power turns him into an intelligent monster that seeks to rule not only Cybertron but the entire universe—it wouldn’t be Autobot vs. Decepticon, it would be Everyone vs. Starscream.
Overall, I devoured Sarah Stone’s beautiful art with my eyes and was totally into Mairghread’s take on Windblade. I won’t hesitate if someone else takes on the character’s story but I would absolutely love it if Scott was Windblade’s lead writer for future projects. She definitely loves her Transformers and understands how to craft a story with them. I’d also like to see more full female creative teams for Transformers projects, it really gets me hyped-up. I loved this so much—now I just wonder if any of my theories will come true.
October 30, 2014
'Transformers: Windblade' takes place after the events in Dark Cybertron. It's more of a mystery story than a straight up action story, but it wasn't too bad.
Uneasy allies now reside on the badly injured Titan Metroplex. Metroplex is damaged to the point of not communicating so Windblade is designated as the speaker for the massive city. Decpticon Starscream is in charge of the city, but Windblade doesn't trust him. When a tragedy strikes the city, Windblade goes in search of answers and to expose the traitor in their midst. Her journey will take her into the heart of Metroplex and she'll have to make some hard decisions before she learns the truth.
It's not a bad story, but the art by Sarah Stone is what kept me turning the pages. The story itself wasn't bad and the Windblade character is interesting, but I think I like the more familiar characters in the lead roles. It's only 4 issues, so it's a bit short, but I still enjoyed reading it. Especially for that art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Uneasy allies now reside on the badly injured Titan Metroplex. Metroplex is damaged to the point of not communicating so Windblade is designated as the speaker for the massive city. Decpticon Starscream is in charge of the city, but Windblade doesn't trust him. When a tragedy strikes the city, Windblade goes in search of answers and to expose the traitor in their midst. Her journey will take her into the heart of Metroplex and she'll have to make some hard decisions before she learns the truth.
It's not a bad story, but the art by Sarah Stone is what kept me turning the pages. The story itself wasn't bad and the Windblade character is interesting, but I think I like the more familiar characters in the lead roles. It's only 4 issues, so it's a bit short, but I still enjoyed reading it. Especially for that art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, IDW Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
October 26, 2014
Hmmm... do I think this is a good read? Well when it sent me to sleep twice, all within a hundred pages, I think you know the answer. Deep into the series of the most unenjoyable anthropomorphised-robots-who-still-think-changing-form-is-cool-and-and-so-hi-tech-they-use-speech-for-efficiency series out there, comes this hippyish episode, where a nursebot to an entire city's entity protects it in the face of terrorism. The faces are human, the robots are just dull robots, the action scenes are drawn so it's impossible to see what on earth has happened to whom, and the whole thing is written with an impossibly bad attempt at disembodied voice-over intercutting the action and dialogue in a way that's supposed to be intelligent but is just yawnsome. I certainly didn't hope for that much, but I thought to get something out of this. Nope, nada – only extra sleep.
September 7, 2019
Interesting
I'm not a huge fan of "new" Transformers. There are so many characters already, it hardly seems necessary to create new ones. This story was okay though. The plot twist doesn't make any sense to me, and I don't like the art. But it's an okay read.
I'm not a huge fan of "new" Transformers. There are so many characters already, it hardly seems necessary to create new ones. This story was okay though. The plot twist doesn't make any sense to me, and I don't like the art. But it's an okay read.
January 16, 2020
One of the more interesting single-character-focused arcs, but it suffers from some of the same messiness issues as the rest of the IDW Transformers stuff.
August 10, 2018
Transformers: Windblade starts with a bang and continues on from there with a blazing artwork style that really leaps off the page and really enhances the script! :D The elements all combine to creating a great insight into the character of Windblade! :D
Throughout we did into her origins oh her and her planet Caminus! :D This really gives the book a world building quality that serves brilliantly with the overall tone of the book! :D Windblade herself finds herself running the repairs on the Titan Metroplex! :D Things are not going as well as they should though so she investigates! :D This sets of course set off the main plot of the book with it turning into a detective action packed theme! :D At every step though Transformers: Windblade throws spanners in the works of every plot you reckon is happening so it does brilliantly from start to finish at keeping you guessing as to what is happening and who is behind the events that are taking place! :D
Windblade herself work excellently with the other character both old and new! :D Her interactions come across as perfectly natural with the bots as curious with her as she is with them! :D The newness of everything to the character and her interactions as well also add to the mystery of the book as you never new which way the character may jump! :D Not to point out her companion Chromia who is also developed! :D She is seen as a kind of advisor in this and does a great job of keeping Windblade in perspective! :D Her interactions with Metroplex are well are cleverly done her her youth contrasting with all that Metroplex has done and seen! :D
Starscream as well vies for equal page time as well as he is super sinister with his quest for power! :D In many ways Starscream makes Megatron come off as the better choice in terms of politics as you never know when he is going to stick someone in the back and this nefarious nature comes across brilliantly! :D You can see how he has started in this one to subvert people to his cause and this really starts to rearrange not only the military spectrum but also the political one as well in ways that will surprise you and are completely unpredictable! :D
Transformers: Windblade does a great job of bulking out the characters of Windblade and Chromia! :D We get to see more of an insight as well into the great galaxy that is out there as well with real exploration in on form of another of both Caminus but also the other cultures out there! :D The possibility of the other colonies is also broached which neatly dovetails into other plots! :D Transformers: Windblade also does a brilliant job of rearranging the statues quo that has existed on Cybertron for millions of years! :D The change is subtle but as you read it, like with other books like Leviathan Wakes, Pandora's Star, etc you get to see a gradual seismic shift in both the character and the people around them! :D Transformers: Windblade is unpredictable throughout and you will never guess which way the plot is going but at the same time though it does a brilliant job of setting up future plot and rearranging existing one! :D It is full of vivid art that really is epic, great character development – Windblade and Starscream etc are really developed in different way, heroics, ambiguous characters, and cut-throat politics that really shake things up! :D Brilliant stuff, highly recommended! :D Crisp High Five! :D Make sure you have the next one! :D
Throughout we did into her origins oh her and her planet Caminus! :D This really gives the book a world building quality that serves brilliantly with the overall tone of the book! :D Windblade herself finds herself running the repairs on the Titan Metroplex! :D Things are not going as well as they should though so she investigates! :D This sets of course set off the main plot of the book with it turning into a detective action packed theme! :D At every step though Transformers: Windblade throws spanners in the works of every plot you reckon is happening so it does brilliantly from start to finish at keeping you guessing as to what is happening and who is behind the events that are taking place! :D
Windblade herself work excellently with the other character both old and new! :D Her interactions come across as perfectly natural with the bots as curious with her as she is with them! :D The newness of everything to the character and her interactions as well also add to the mystery of the book as you never new which way the character may jump! :D Not to point out her companion Chromia who is also developed! :D She is seen as a kind of advisor in this and does a great job of keeping Windblade in perspective! :D Her interactions with Metroplex are well are cleverly done her her youth contrasting with all that Metroplex has done and seen! :D
Starscream as well vies for equal page time as well as he is super sinister with his quest for power! :D In many ways Starscream makes Megatron come off as the better choice in terms of politics as you never know when he is going to stick someone in the back and this nefarious nature comes across brilliantly! :D You can see how he has started in this one to subvert people to his cause and this really starts to rearrange not only the military spectrum but also the political one as well in ways that will surprise you and are completely unpredictable! :D
Transformers: Windblade does a great job of bulking out the characters of Windblade and Chromia! :D We get to see more of an insight as well into the great galaxy that is out there as well with real exploration in on form of another of both Caminus but also the other cultures out there! :D The possibility of the other colonies is also broached which neatly dovetails into other plots! :D Transformers: Windblade also does a brilliant job of rearranging the statues quo that has existed on Cybertron for millions of years! :D The change is subtle but as you read it, like with other books like Leviathan Wakes, Pandora's Star, etc you get to see a gradual seismic shift in both the character and the people around them! :D Transformers: Windblade is unpredictable throughout and you will never guess which way the plot is going but at the same time though it does a brilliant job of setting up future plot and rearranging existing one! :D It is full of vivid art that really is epic, great character development – Windblade and Starscream etc are really developed in different way, heroics, ambiguous characters, and cut-throat politics that really shake things up! :D Brilliant stuff, highly recommended! :D Crisp High Five! :D Make sure you have the next one! :D
November 18, 2017
Following the events of the epic "Dark Cybertron" story-arc, IDW basically broke their "Robots in Disguise" title into two other titles--with "More Than Meets the Eye" continuing as usual (though with the addition of Megatron to the crew). The events on Cybertron continued on in the Windblade/Till All Are One series, while Optimus took some Autobots to Earth to follow Galvatron and his new Decepticons in the simply retitled "Transformers" (later "Optimus Prime") series.
The Cybertronian events grew into a political and emotional story, which makes a good setting for a female Transformer--this series has Windblade "growing up", as such. Her evolution from an innocent Cityspeaker to being able to stand up against the politically ruthless and intelligent Starscream has made this series a good read. But Windblade and her ever-evolving relationship with a Starscream, who's becoming a pretty good leader on Cybertron, is a fantastic read.
This first arc is basically a set up for what happens with the series overall.......and seems set to conclude with the "Till All Are One" annual due out in December. It's a worthwhile read, to see Cybertronian politics in action......to see Windblade and Starscream evolve.......and to see lesser known Transformers gain a spotlight in a well-written and beautifully illustrated series.
The Cybertronian events grew into a political and emotional story, which makes a good setting for a female Transformer--this series has Windblade "growing up", as such. Her evolution from an innocent Cityspeaker to being able to stand up against the politically ruthless and intelligent Starscream has made this series a good read. But Windblade and her ever-evolving relationship with a Starscream, who's becoming a pretty good leader on Cybertron, is a fantastic read.
This first arc is basically a set up for what happens with the series overall.......and seems set to conclude with the "Till All Are One" annual due out in December. It's a worthwhile read, to see Cybertronian politics in action......to see Windblade and Starscream evolve.......and to see lesser known Transformers gain a spotlight in a well-written and beautifully illustrated series.
February 27, 2020
It initially feels like a peaceful break from the intense series IDW Phase 2 series...but who wants a peaceful break when it’s been that amazing so far? The story sorta seems to be going somewhere but there’s a lot of back and forth, and confusing action scenes that make it kinda hard to tell what’s going on. But the WORST part, is that nobody seemed to tell the author that it is a general rule to avoid narration as much as possible. Windblade (the narrator) is incredibly annoying and just won’t shut up. I want to read what is going but she has something to say in between almost every bubble of dialogue. Awful...AWFUL writing. Even the character seem very unlike themselves almost as if the author didn’t bother reading the rest of the series to build on character.
October 12, 2017
A solid side-story spinning out of the Dark Cybertron storyline and the Robots in Disguise series. They do a great job getting us to like Windblade as a character. There's a decent mystery and nice characterizations for her supporting cast as well. I feel like our hero was much too kind to the plotter at the end, though... (B+)
November 20, 2019
This one works a lot better than the other Transformers I comic I finished better, if only because it focuses on one character. The art is a lot cleaner and easier to follow, too. I don’t think I’ll continue reading anything else from the Transformers line, but this was fine enough.
August 9, 2022
The artwork was a little flat and cartoony, but the story is interesting enough to make me want to know more about this Windblade character and how her introduction to the series will expand on the lore and history of the Transformers universe.
A satisfactory,
3/5
A satisfactory,
3/5
February 9, 2018
The story is solid but nothing more, though I love the art and the characterizations (Windblade, Starscream).
August 13, 2020
Gorgeous art, intriguing plot, and fascinating characters.
September 16, 2020
Sarah Stone's art is amazing. I wish she did more comics.
February 21, 2022
I am not familiar with the backstory but I think it works well without. It is a good SF political thriller, with amazing art from Sarah Stone. Great stuff!
March 5, 2024
Ame el estilo de arte y a windblade. Me parece interesante y bueno que le den más protagonismo a un personaje femenino ☝️
August 6, 2016
Aaaah so much goodness in Windblade! A lot of it is the art, which is so different from the usual stuff floating around in action-heavy comics – very very beautiful and incredibly expressive. An art style as pretty and ethereal as Sarah Stone’s might not immediately seem suited to battle and combat (which Windblade does not lack), but the fight scenes in this comic are breathtaking – elegant and brutal and full of movement.
Of course, there is a chance that at least a part of my love for the fights are a reflection of my bias towards aerial bots. Because if there’s one thing Windblade confirmed, it’s that damn I love the designs of aerial bots.
The Windblade miniseries picks up after the events of the Dark Cybertron crossover event. It’s a story of politics and intrigue and identity, and it manages to pack a lot of fantastic world-building and a race-against-time plot into its four issues. Also just – so many characters and things I love, all in one place. Female bots? Check. Macaddams, and some excellent bar scenes? Check. Starscream? So many good Starscream moments. But it’s Windblade herself that really made the series for me. I liked seeing Cybertron from the perspective of an outsider. I liked this earnest, self-conscious protagonist who believes so much in service and wants so badly to be home. Her dynamics with other characters were all so interesting to see unfold. Windblade’s selfless need to serve placed in contrast to her friend Chromia’s more selfish need to serve. Windblade’s unique and complicated dialogue with the city and Titan Metroplex. Windblade’s respect and diplomacy clashing with Starscream’s scheming and ambition. Even with Waspinator – I have honestly never felt so moved by poor Waspinator as I did reading his interactions with Windblade.
Basically: it’s a series with great characters, magnificent artwork and an engaging plotline. What more could anyone want from their comic books?
Of course, there is a chance that at least a part of my love for the fights are a reflection of my bias towards aerial bots. Because if there’s one thing Windblade confirmed, it’s that damn I love the designs of aerial bots.
The Windblade miniseries picks up after the events of the Dark Cybertron crossover event. It’s a story of politics and intrigue and identity, and it manages to pack a lot of fantastic world-building and a race-against-time plot into its four issues. Also just – so many characters and things I love, all in one place. Female bots? Check. Macaddams, and some excellent bar scenes? Check. Starscream? So many good Starscream moments. But it’s Windblade herself that really made the series for me. I liked seeing Cybertron from the perspective of an outsider. I liked this earnest, self-conscious protagonist who believes so much in service and wants so badly to be home. Her dynamics with other characters were all so interesting to see unfold. Windblade’s selfless need to serve placed in contrast to her friend Chromia’s more selfish need to serve. Windblade’s unique and complicated dialogue with the city and Titan Metroplex. Windblade’s respect and diplomacy clashing with Starscream’s scheming and ambition. Even with Waspinator – I have honestly never felt so moved by poor Waspinator as I did reading his interactions with Windblade.
Basically: it’s a series with great characters, magnificent artwork and an engaging plotline. What more could anyone want from their comic books?
August 15, 2016
I hereby profess my undying crush on Windblade. Hey, I'm not ashamed of it. The Transformers universe is already amazing. The politics, the friendships, the loyalties, it's all just pulled me in and kept me reading. Windblade far exceeds all of that though. She, herself, is a force to be reckoned with. Strong, fierce, and full of the kind of compassion that just makes you want to hug her. I'm addicted, and I don't care who knows it.
First off, let me gush about Sarah Stone's art. I already thought that Windblade's character was pretty, but Sarah Stone makes her look stunning. Windblade is almost ethereal in this comic. She's my... spirit transformer? Her facial expressions are spot on, and Stone makes it so that you can feel every emotion that Windblade feels. It makes the whole premise of this story that much more effective. Who do you trust, when you're not sure that anyone at all is on your side?
Plus, well, Chromia is also all kinds of awesome. Stone captures her fire and her snark perfectly. These two are like night and day, but that's what I love about them. Is it okay to admit that I secretly hope they'll be together forever? Because I do. I'd miss one without the other.
Love to the ends of the earth! I need more Windblade in my life, obviously. However this also makes me want more TF Universe and much MUCH more Sarah Stone illustrations.
First off, let me gush about Sarah Stone's art. I already thought that Windblade's character was pretty, but Sarah Stone makes her look stunning. Windblade is almost ethereal in this comic. She's my... spirit transformer? Her facial expressions are spot on, and Stone makes it so that you can feel every emotion that Windblade feels. It makes the whole premise of this story that much more effective. Who do you trust, when you're not sure that anyone at all is on your side?
Plus, well, Chromia is also all kinds of awesome. Stone captures her fire and her snark perfectly. These two are like night and day, but that's what I love about them. Is it okay to admit that I secretly hope they'll be together forever? Because I do. I'd miss one without the other.
Love to the ends of the earth! I need more Windblade in my life, obviously. However this also makes me want more TF Universe and much MUCH more Sarah Stone illustrations.
December 22, 2020
Nice art, bad writing. Characters actions and motivations don't make sense, and the (generic YA-style) main character's internal monologue interrupts every single scene - we do not need to hear your thoughts on everything anyone says to you.
August 4, 2015
i am currently keeping up with the "more than meets the eye" comics and decided to read windblade while waiting for issue #44, first and foremost because of the stunning art. while this volume was definitely interesting, and windblade's narration very compelling and evocative, the story itself seemed to be a bit rushed, not as fleshed out as it could be, and too easily wrapped up. as this this is a sort of introduction or opening for a new arc, i suppose that's to be expected; i will admit, though, that i'd have rated this only 3 stars if the art hadn't been as good as it was.
December 25, 2016
Sarah Stone's artwork is something of ultimate beauty, the sure serenity of alien worlds and foreign constellations. It's graceful and lavish and a joy to look at. Mairghread Scott has a handle on writing characters, but some of their interaction is confusing and might gel better with Stone, particularly where plot clarity is concerned. Yes, I felt this a bit lacklustre. This hasn't put me off her work. Scott's contribution to the TF Holiday Special left a good effort by James Roberts a mile behind, and that's a badge of a highly talented individual.
August 25, 2015
I love love LOVE this miniseries. The writing, the art, it just came together to create something beautiful that instantly appealed to me. The character introduction made me smile already and i kept up throughout. I will use this to introduce people to the Transformers.
January 9, 2015
One word: Awesome! Two more words: F-ing Fantastic!! Definitely need to get into more of this series.
December 22, 2016
Wonderful art, terrible writing
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