Transformers: The War Within

Rating:
Summary: Good But Not True G1
Review: Beginning in late 2001, a huge wave of 1980s nostalgia has been sweeping the country. One product of this is a new comic book series based on the 1980s hit cartoon series, "The Transformers". It's a story about giant robots from the planet Cybertron engaged in a millions-years-old civil war, which has been brought to Earth. The war is fought by the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons. These robots can transform into things such as cars, tanks, jets, and guns. There were 98 episodes of the cartoon series. At the same time, Marvel had published a comic book series that ran for 80 issues (plus some crossovers in "G.I. Joe"). Then there was a 12-issue "Transformers: Generation 2" sequel series. These series occured in a different universe than the cartoon series and did the story their own way. In 2002, a new company called Dreamwave published a 6-issue "Transformers: Generation One" miniseries. Then they created a 6-issue prequel series called "Transformers: The War Within". The entire story arc is reprinted here in this trade paperback. So, how good is it? Well, it's pretty good. It occurs millions of years ago - before the Autobots and Decepticons crash-landed on Earth. The robot artwork is inconsistent. Dreamwave isn't sticking to the cartoon continuity or the Marvel continuity. They rewrote the origin of Optimus Prime, ignoring his former identity of Orion Pax. There's no mention of his friend Elita-1 or his mentor Alpha Trion. They also put Grimlock on Cybertron millions of years ago - before he was created by Wheeljack on Earth in the cartoon series. He behaves like the Marvel Grimlock. Dreamwave is pretending that the flashbacks shown in Season 2's "War Dawn" never happened, which is annoying. On the positive side, the new backstory is interesting. Optimus Prime's internal struggle over what to do about the Decepticons (the war within) is good, and they got rid of the grill on his chest, which logically shouldn't be there. The use of the word "within" to describe locations on Cybertron is neat, too. The story was written by Simon Furman, who has contributed more to Transformers mythology than any other single person. It's definitely better than the first "Transformers: Generation One" miniseries. So, is this trade paperback worth getting? Considering that Hasbro has recently taken away the Transformers license from Dreamwave and given it to Devil's Due (of the current "G.I. Joe" series), I'd say no. This is going to end up being a small, new Transformers universe. Even if you're a big Transformers fan, it's not essential, but it's up to you.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recomended!!
Review: Dreamwave with Simon Furman (writer on the Marvel Transformer comics) redefine the backstory to the Transformers. Dreamwave's comics do not follow the marvel comics or the cartoon so you have to let go what took place in those mediums. The War Within tells of how Optimus Prime came to be and what Megatron real reasons for starting a war with the Autobots. The story takes place millions of years ago at the beginning of the war on cybertron. The art is fantastic and shows the war in a realistic fashion with robots being blown left and right (no major characters get killed don't worry). We also get to see Grimlock commanding his own personal platoon (not the dinobots sorry). We also see the development of Grimlock's contempt/respect relationship with Optimus Prime through out the story.

the "Good but not G1" review was wrong about the Transformers licence moving to Devil's Due (GI Joe). Dreamwave has many new transformers products on the way including a Generation 1 On-going series and the War Within sequel coming this October so don't be afraid and give this book a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recomended!!
Review: Dreamwave with Simon Furman (writer on the Marvel Transformer comics) redefine the backstory to the Transformers. Dreamwave's comics do not follow the marvel comics or the cartoon so you have to let go what took place in those mediums. The War Within tells of how Optimus Prime came to be and what Megatron real reasons for starting a war with the Autobots. The story takes place millions of years ago at the beginning of the war on cybertron. The art is fantastic and shows the war in a realistic fashion with robots being blown left and right (no major characters get killed don't worry). We also get to see Grimlock commanding his own personal platoon (not the dinobots sorry). We also see the development of Grimlock's contempt/respect relationship with Optimus Prime through out the story.

the "Good but not G1" review was wrong about the Transformers licence moving to Devil's Due (GI Joe). Dreamwave has many new transformers products on the way including a Generation 1 On-going series and the War Within sequel coming this October so don't be afraid and give this book a good read.

Rating:
Summary: transformers are back and ready to rumble
Review: I love this story first of all I feel that simon kept tradition from his classic uyk, and us versions I always figured grimlock had a connection to the decepticons remember when he led the autobots in the 80's and starscream was excellent with skywarp telling old screamer he's grown too fond of the pain and megs and starscream fight like a married couple starscream loves pissing megs off so megs can hit him and screamer loves the pain that's why megs kept bringing him back to life he love abusing starscream.

love seeing megs and prime battle this story rocks from the the first page to the last tf fans should get this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good price for a must have
Review: If you are a true fan of the original Transformers line of the mid-eighties, this is an absolute must have. The story & art are are really that fantastic, and nothing beats a complete package.

Not to mention this is an absolute steal at [money amount]...

Rating:
Summary: Cool Storyline, Sweet Characters, Amazing Drawings,!
Review: The series got off to a fantastic start, but it let me down in the end. The art was top notch and the redesigns were great. Still worth reading for any Transformer fan.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but also disappointing.
Review: The series got off to a fantastic start, but it let me down in the end. The art was top notch and the redesigns were great. Still worth reading for any Transformer fan.

Rating:
Summary: The Beginning of the Great war, and origin of a hero
Review: This Saga, Was Simon Furmons Triumphant return to Writing Transformers Regularly. Soon after the series became popular, Dreamwaave Drafted Furmon into writing The *Then* Sagging Transformers: Armada storyline, which has since Improved Greatly (mostly due to his Removing the *MUCH* hated Children from the storyline and focusing on developing the Armada Mythos).

War Within Is the Story which Starts Shortly after the Beginning of the "Great War" On the first page, Sentinnal Prime is dead. Who was the current autobot leader. A new leader is needed, one with strength, determination, courage, charisma, honor, one that can lead the beleagured autobots into fighting back against the new decepticon menace. The choosen Autobot leader is.... A FILE CLERK NAMED OPTIMUS?!?! Yep, The great and respected Autobot leader, the Icon Transformer fans have grown up with, Was a file clerk who spent his days logging and filing data. Even he Suggested someone more Battle hardened Might be a suitible choice for leader. But the matrix Made its Choice known, Being the powerful psychic entity it was, it choose well, and after a ceremony steeped in mysticisim, Optimus takes the matrix of leadership, and is physically transformed into, Optimus Prime. his first two acts as leader, Fights off an Asassination attempt, then orders all Autobots to evacuate cybertron, So that the war will end.

Okay, so he wasnt The Great Leader All Us Transformer Fans Remember. What I described takes place in the first 30 Pages, there are 300 left, which show how Optimus Prime Matured, and grew through a trial of fire and battle and hardship. It is his story, We see the war through his eyes, and are given a glimpse into his psyche. It was a pretty interesting, powerful, and enjoyable ride. In the story we see his first real Taste of combat, As he is lured into a gauntlet of decepticon warriors, and if he survives that, A Powerful evil known as megatron is waiting to take the matrix from him, to use for his own power hungry pursuits.

Okay, enough spoilers. I got carried away, But this was a thoroughly compelling read, The story may not have shown how the War REALLY began, but it threw readers into the aftershocks of its beginning. All i can say is that all fans should pick up this story if they havnt. and non fans might enjoy it as well. The Art is Superb, colourful, and imaginative. It really was interesting seeing what popular autobots and decepticons Looked like before adopting Earth Forms. And as I said Before, Simon furman, Who Literally MADE all the 80's comics worth reading, put out another fine piece of transformers Mythos. Being one that collected the Transformers Comics during the 80's, I already knew how much Furman enjoy's writing Transformers literature. He seems to concider it a Mythology that is so rich in story telling potential, and he rarely ceases to tap that potential which he envisions. In the Short lived, but Awesome (His personal TF best in my humble opinion) Generation 2 Transformers Storyline, he stated how much he missed writing for the saga (which was written 4 years after the original TF comic Ended) and wouild miss it again after The G2 storyline ended. I wonder if he is as happy to have returned as much as the fans are to have him writing transformers again. This time writing for Up and coming Canadian producer Dreamwave (Go Canuckleheads). In the Generation 1 Comic, Dreamwave showed they can write good transformers story, while producing pheonominal Artwork, Now with Furmans imagination on tap, They are producing even better stories, and the artwork just seems to improve with each new series.

On a final note, a previous reviewer stated that Hasbro took the transformers liscense out of Dreamwaves hands, and handed over to Devils Due. This Is Completely untrue. Hasbro simply gave Devils due permission to do a Transformers/GI Joe Crossover, while Giving dreamwave permission to do a seperate, more grittier and adult themed Crossover. This Im sure is wishful thinking of all fanboys who consider the G1 Transformers TV show Holy and the pinnicle of Transformers Storytelling. However, I for one, Freely admit that Most affection for the 80's transformers TV series, was based the shallow thrill of seeing a cool toy line animated and given a voice. In all honesty, the TV series just was mostly cheesy at best, and often just plain bad. With few episodes TRULY producing Quality storytelling. Im Glad Dreamwave Is basing continuity More on Furmans Previous comic series, then on the TV show. It makes for Superior Story telling, And as a person that has grown up appreciating the coolness of the Transformers Storyline, That is what will keep The transformers Mythos alive and in comics and TV shows another 20 years from now.

Happy 20th Birthday transformers. Thanks for the memories, and Im sure there are more to come. Without you, I would have missed out on some truly great storytelling, and even after getting a life, the 8 year old in me, is still reading after all these years.

Now, if only I can get my GF to understand why I still read comics... Some battles will never be won I guess. ^_^'

Rating:
Summary: The Beginning of the Great war, and origin of a hero
Review: This Saga, Was Simon Furmons Triumphant return to Writing Transformers Regularly. Soon after the series became popular, Dreamwaave Drafted Furmon into writing The *Then* Sagging Transformers: Armada storyline, which has since Improved Greatly (mostly due to his Removing the *MUCH* hated Children from the storyline and focusing on developing the Armada Mythos).

War Within Is the Story which Starts Shortly after the Beginning of the "Great War" On the first page, Sentinnal Prime is dead. Who was the current autobot leader. A new leader is needed, one with strength, determination, courage, charisma, honor, one that can lead the beleagured autobots into fighting back against the new decepticon menace. The choosen Autobot leader is.... A FILE CLERK NAMED OPTIMUS?!?! Yep, The great and respected Autobot leader, the Icon Transformer fans have grown up with, Was a file clerk who spent his days logging and filing data. Even he Suggested someone more Battle hardened Might be a suitible choice for leader. But the matrix Made its Choice known, Being the powerful psychic entity it was, it choose well, and after a ceremony steeped in mysticisim, Optimus takes the matrix of leadership, and is physically transformed into, Optimus Prime. his first two acts as leader, Fights off an Asassination attempt, then orders all Autobots to evacuate cybertron, So that the war will end.

Okay, so he wasnt The Great Leader All Us Transformer Fans Remember. What I described takes place in the first 30 Pages, there are 300 left, which show how Optimus Prime Matured, and grew through a trial of fire and battle and hardship. It is his story, We see the war through his eyes, and are given a glimpse into his psyche. It was a pretty interesting, powerful, and enjoyable ride. In the story we see his first real Taste of combat, As he is lured into a gauntlet of decepticon warriors, and if he survives that, A Powerful evil known as megatron is waiting to take the matrix from him, to use for his own power hungry pursuits.

Okay, enough spoilers. I got carried away, But this was a thoroughly compelling read, The story may not have shown how the War REALLY began, but it threw readers into the aftershocks of its beginning. All i can say is that all fans should pick up this story if they havnt. and non fans might enjoy it as well. The Art is Superb, colourful, and imaginative. It really was interesting seeing what popular autobots and decepticons Looked like before adopting Earth Forms. And as I said Before, Simon furman, Who Literally MADE all the 80's comics worth reading, put out another fine piece of transformers Mythos. Being one that collected the Transformers Comics during the 80's, I already knew how much Furman enjoy's writing Transformers literature. He seems to concider it a Mythology that is so rich in story telling potential, and he rarely ceases to tap that potential which he envisions. In the Short lived, but Awesome (His personal TF best in my humble opinion) Generation 2 Transformers Storyline, he stated how much he missed writing for the saga (which was written 4 years after the original TF comic Ended) and wouild miss it again after The G2 storyline ended. I wonder if he is as happy to have returned as much as the fans are to have him writing transformers again. This time writing for Up and coming Canadian producer Dreamwave (Go Canuckleheads). In the Generation 1 Comic, Dreamwave showed they can write good transformers story, while producing pheonominal Artwork, Now with Furmans imagination on tap, They are producing even better stories, and the artwork just seems to improve with each new series.

On a final note, a previous reviewer stated that Hasbro took the transformers liscense out of Dreamwaves hands, and handed over to Devils Due. This Is Completely untrue. Hasbro simply gave Devils due permission to do a Transformers/GI Joe Crossover, while Giving dreamwave permission to do a seperate, more grittier and adult themed Crossover. This Im sure is wishful thinking of all fanboys who consider the G1 Transformers TV show Holy and the pinnicle of Transformers Storytelling. However, I for one, Freely admit that Most affection for the 80's transformers TV series, was based the shallow thrill of seeing a cool toy line animated and given a voice. In all honesty, the TV series just was mostly cheesy at best, and often just plain bad. With few episodes TRULY producing Quality storytelling. Im Glad Dreamwave Is basing continuity More on Furmans Previous comic series, then on the TV show. It makes for Superior Story telling, And as a person that has grown up appreciating the coolness of the Transformers Storyline, That is what will keep The transformers Mythos alive and in comics and TV shows another 20 years from now.

Happy 20th Birthday transformers. Thanks for the memories, and Im sure there are more to come. Without you, I would have missed out on some truly great storytelling, and even after getting a life, the 8 year old in me, is still reading after all these years.

Now, if only I can get my GF to understand why I still read comics... Some battles will never be won I guess. ^_^'

Rating:
Summary: Review of War Within
Review: This takes place after G1 Vol 1 and before G1 Vol 2. This story begins on Cybertron in the early years prior to the transformers becoming stranded on earth. A file clerk named Optimus becomes the new Prime (leader) after his predecessor is killed by Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. The story centers around what Cybertron really is and what Megatron wants to do with it. The artwork is wonderful and story holds together well. If your interested in the "early years" of Cybertron I recommend you pick this up.