Luke Owen looks at the first issue of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters…
BEAST HUNTERS! They were there when CYBERTRON fell—but what happened to the DINOBOTS for the past few thousand years? Here’s a hint—GRIMLOCK and company haven’t been sitting around and relaxing! The time is now—the place is now.
For those who read my coverage of Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots (both the single issues and the recently released trade paperback), you will know that I was very much looking forward to this series. The same team are behind this project and I couldn’t wait to see the perfect mix of great dialogue, intriguing plot and beautiful artwork once again.
Sadly, this first issue didn’t quite hit the mark.
Well, that might be unfair to say. Perhaps Beast Hunters just didn’t meet the expectations I’d set it. But I would argue that it is nowhere near as strong an opener as Rage of the Dinobots.
The story sees the Dinobots, led by King Grimlock, doing what they can with what little Energon they have left. Several people come to see Grimlock and his Dinobot council to ask for their help but often they are turned away – never more so than when Firestar from Last Spark asks for the Dinobot’s help in investigating a series of murders. Due to Grimlock’s hot headed history with the Last Spark, Firestar is turned away, however Sludge and Snarl go against their leaders wishes in order to help Firestar and his group of survivors.
Mairghread Scott and Mike Johnson’s writing is clearly evident in the series as a lot of it is very good and the characterisation of Grimlock is fantastic. I love him being this bitter, jaded leader that blows his lid whenever he goes into Dinobot mode. I also love how they don’t drag deep into his background to always leave the audience guessing (if a little in the dark). However, I don’t think the issue is interesting enough to back up the good dialogue. It’s not that it’s boring, it’s just not that fun to read. When you’re reading nothing but exposition, it often feels like a drag and Scott and Johnson break the golden rule of comics – every comic is someone’s first comic.
I get that they’re appealing to the Transformers hardcore with this title, but the dark and dingy artwork from Agustin Padilla doesn’t lend itself to character reginition – especially when a lot of the characters are new. All it needs is a little reminder box just to clue the reader in a little. It won’t offend the hardcore base and it helps new readers come on board.
While I didn’t overly like the pacing and story in general, I do feel like Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters has done its job in making me want to read further issues. Whether that is down to my love of Rage of the Dinobots or the final page tease was quite enticing, but I’m curious to see where this goes.
Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters #1 is a mixed bag for me. It often shows flashes of brilliance but at times it just feels like a waste of time. I do think it’ll get better don’t get me wrong, but this is not their best foot forward.
Luke Owen is one of Flickering Myth’s co-editors and the host of the Month in Review show for Flickering Myth’s Podcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LukeWritesStuff.
