With the big arc over, Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #22 has a quick one-shot prelude into the big crossover arc (with sister-title Robots In Disguise). I haven’t been to happy with these in the past but here.. things are different.

The official description from IDW:

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: THE MOVIE! When the Autobots set off on their mission to find the Knights of Cybertron, RODIMUS gave REWIND a simple instruction: film everything. The result is a documentary that will forever change your perception of life on board the Lost Light. Discover RUNG’s secret! Meet the greatest Autobot of all time! And learn what SKIDS really got up to on Hedonia!

Honestly, where to start? This issue is nothing but rewarding. Fans who have read most of the issues will get the most out of this but even then, this is just well put together. There’s very little action – if any on-screen at all – but that was never the point. This is one of those issues where the creative team just shows off their understanding of the characters and setting. Is it a little corny at the end? Maybe, but that’s part of the charm. More Than Meets The Eye shouldn’t take itself too seriously, but this issue still has a backbone.

In terms of writing, James Roberts still gets plenty of credit – his understanding of each character defines the issue much, much more than most people would bother to work with. The sense of personality adds depth and charm in this issue. Not least of all is its setting in the time-frame – the main cast has changed a little sense so seeing older members again adds that daunting feeling to the issue through its depictions of ‘typical life’ aboard The Lost Light.

Likewise, the art takes a different direction here which, again, works. This issue represents a home movie of sorts, so the use of a regular grid system adds to that. Some of the frames show little besides faces which – again – gets the point across. What helps the most, arguably, is the deep shading and colors of Josh Burcham over James Raiz. It adds that home-movie element without going all stock-footage and film-grainy. The last panel is a little cheesy but it’s really there for the long-time readers – a last chance to see the old cast.

All of this combines to form a great prelude without being obvious. In fact, it doesn’t even mention the upcoming arc or hint at anything. The simple ‘calm before the storm’ aspect is nailed down flawlessly.

4.5/5