The Miners oppose the government.
Summary
The Transformers: Megatron Origin is a four-part comic series (also available as a graphic novel) from IDW Publishing, written by Eric Holmes with art by Alex Milne and Marcelo Matere. It tells the tale of Megatron’s rise to power from a humble energon miner, to an outlaw gladiator to the beginnings of the Deceipticon army.
I enjoyed this comic imensely. Not only do we get to see the real motivations behind Megatron and the birth of the Decepticons, but it gives us more depth to see just how far he falls from his original goals. It’s an odd place Origin, if only because during this time and this continutity – the Autobots are essentially the ones in the wrong.
The hard working miners find themselves being replaced by automated, thought-less machines and they rather don’t like being out of work. In a rage, Megatron ends up killing a guard and from there, the miners revolt and cause an upheaval. However they are quickly put down and Megatron goes into hiding (accompanied by Rumble and Frenzy, no less.) It is at this point that Megatron starts to see potenial for more and starts building his army to strike back.
Starscream Blushes at Megatron
The Love
There are two things I enjoyed most about Megatron Origin: The Artwork. The Writing.
The art of this comic is gritty, detailed and just plain gorgeous. I’ve reread it many a time just to take in all of the detail and structure. In all honesty, there isn’t much I can describe to do the artwork justice. (Well, aside from noting this is the most attractive/sexy I’ve ever seen the Transformers drawn on paper.) The faces are particularl well done, though my favorite is how he draws the energon. The splashes are thick and more remenescent of blood than I’ve seen yet. It drips and clings in a brutal, sensual manner.
A splash of Energon
I’m also quite fond of how he draws their mouths and teeth with accented canines to reinforce the raw, more animalistic nature of the Transformers featured in this comic. It’s quite the treat.
Though, I believe comics are where art and writing need to shine together – and Eric Holmes pulls through with moving, and real dialogue. Instead of going into it too much, I think instead I’ll finish off this little rave over Megatron Origin with some of my favorite quotes from the book.
Quotes
“Looks like these guys got no respect for industrial equipment.” -Frenzy, pg.18
“Heh…you [Starscream] can fly?” -Megatron, pg.50
“So…what if the badge never came off?” -Megatron, pg.62
“Heh. Nobody’s perfect.” -Starscream, pg.70
“Wake up, cybertron. Your era is ending.” -Megatron, pg.75
Megatron the Miner
“I’ve heard it said that we only gain wisdom through suffering. And tonight, I intend to make you very wise.” -Megatron, pg.88
Conclusion
If you enjoy Transformers, particularly if you are like me and love the Decepticons, you should take a chance and pick up this book. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
