TRANSFORMERS VS G.I. JOE #1 Review


Transformers vs G.I Joe 1 AltThere are some titles that hold mass appeal, while others appeal to niche audiences. As for Transformers vs G.I Joe #1. it’s hard to tell where this is aiming.

The official description from IDW:

SPACE WAR I! Earth makes contact with an alien race—and G.I. JOE is on the front lines of first contact! But when the TRANSFORMERS arrive—their version of “peace” does not match our own…

Straight away, this title is appealing to audiences looking for a retro nostalgia hit. From the art style to the method of story telling, this is a quick, fun romp through both Transformers and G.I Joe. Well, it would be if it wasn’t for all the problems: the art is hard to decipher, the text hard to read and a dozen more issues that make this title feel dated, not nostalgic.

In terms of writing, there are a few challenges that this title does overcome, more or less. Tom Scioli and John Barber do their best, but this title is really an excuse to push two popular franchises together for fun. That said, the script is very dialogue heavy – something that gets in the way when looking at the finished article – and doesn’t feel fluid or dynamic. It is slow, thanks to the constant talking and set-ups, with little in the way of pay-off.

Visually, there are similar problems. Even when speech bubbles aren’t blocking half the panels, the art work is dry, plain and faded. I get that Scioli is implying an old-school art style reminiscent of G.I Joe and Transformers, but there is a reason comics have moved forward since that point. It’s not easy to look at and it doesn’t scream out to new readers. If you’re a fan of one franchise, but not the other, this method will not be enough to tempt you over.

All in all, this really depends on the reader. If you’re looking for a strong retro vibe, feel free to pick this up, otherwise you may just find this old and bland.

OUR RATING
3.5
  • + It's Transformers with G.I Joe!
  • - The retro-attempt just looks outdated
  • - Clunky writing
  • - Less than satisfying reading experience.

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