Review - Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Revolution #1 (@IDWPublishing)

"Stay back Crankcase. He mentioned a crossover. I don't know what that is, but it sounds intimate."

Autobots and Decepticons are as sure to be enemies as the sun is to rise and set everyday. There are some on each side who blur the lines a bit when it comes to how much they're really invested in that ongoing struggle and the Scavengers don't really want to be that involved. They'd rather be involved in their own lives as they are in Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Revolution #1 from IDW Publishing. The issue is written by Nick Roche and James Roberts, illustrated by Alex Milne and colored by Joana Lafuente.

After years of doing very little, Krok, Crankcase, Fulcrum, Spinister, and Misfire think they can wriggle out of anything-but not even they can avoid a heavily-promoted multi-franchise crossover. It's the Scavengers Versus Your Childhood in a story that exposes all other art for the sham it is.

To say that there's a lot going on Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Revolution #1 would be an understatement. The Scavengers are definitely a motley crew of Decepticons whose irreverence seems to know no bounds as highlighted by the ridiculously entertaining dialogue offered by Roche and Roberts. The entire book seems to be one long running gag as the characters interact with one another in ways that demonstrates a mix of social courtesies and just flat-out burns. There's even some Fourth Wall breaking in the issue that embraces its part of a larger crossover, adding even more entertainment value to the script. Roche and Roberts clearly wanted to be as outlandish as possible with their tie-in and it shows.

Milne's artwork in the issue is just as frenetic as the script's take on the characters. Milne illustrates all the Scavengers with a humanistic approach--more so than fans of Transformers will even expect. Each page is jam-packed with panels that showcase the Scavengers interacting with one another in almost slapstick-like way while non-Transformer characters are expressive in ways that scream comic relief. And this is part of IDW's larger Revolution crossover, which means that the G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. representation is also done well, capturing the memories of the properties as most readers will likely remember them. The colors by Lafuente are rich and bold, popping off the page and ensuring that Decepticon laser cannons pop appropriately.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Revolution #1 is tremendously enjoyable and a romp honestly. The Scavengers know they're not the cream of the crop, but their approach to life is still nothing short of acting like they own the place. Roche and Roberts are a great duo as their script is rife with plenty of great jokes and madcap mayhem befitting of the Scavengers themselves. Milne's artwork is clean and gets right in the thick of things. Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Revolution #1 is a lot of fun and should be checked by everyone--regardless of whether or not you're following along with IDW's broader crossover.

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Revolution #1 is available now.