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Review: ‘Transformers Prime: Rage of The Dinobots’ #1

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As a child of the 80s, my favorite part of watching “The Transformers” television show was The Dinobots. Any episode they showed up, I knew there was going to be some awesome Decepticons smashing. I confess, I never understood why Optimus Prime and The Autobots didn’t just send them into every battle and mop the floor with their enemies. I always wished they would somehow merge into some gigantic robot and destroy that punk Devastator…sorry, cartoon flashbacks.

Ahem. Where was I?

Oh yes, Transformers Prime: Rage of The Dinobots #1 showcases the new version of the Dinobots, and they’re not the ones I grew up with.

WRITTEN BY: Mike Johnson and Mairghread Scott
ART BY: Agustin Padilla
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: November 28th, 2012

From the start, this version of the Dinobots seems smarter than the ones I grew up with on TV. All the ‘bots are here: Grimlock, Sludge, Snarl, Slag (not Slug), and Swoop. Basically, the Dinobots are a team of Hulks that can also turn into giant dinosaurs. They like fighting and smashing enemies and bragging to each other how strong they are. Wow, they really are like the Green Goliath, aren’t they? They are cooler because they are robots and shoot lasers and have swords. Also they all have job titles now for some reason.

The story takes place during the evacuation of Cybertron. We get a glimpse of another classic character that the Dinobots have to rescue from the Forged, the Predacons and their master, Shockwave. I don’t know who the Forged are except that many of them have bolted-on eye patches. Seeing Agustin Padilla’s art on display here really gives the Dinobots some heft and weight. They are big beasts and Padilla makes them look thicker, armed-to-the-teeth. The story starts as an exodus and turns into a quest to save one of their own. Although some of the Dinobots don’t feel like part of the bigger Autobot family, Grimlock rallies his men to fight and prove to others that they are.

Questions are raised about their identities and if these alien dinosaur forms define them now. Are they more animal than machine now? This is deeper than I thought The Transformers could ever get. I personally don’t think it’s necessary for this story. All I want to see is Dinobots transform and destroy! Bring on Devastator! I hope this series is more fun than serious in the future.

Score: 2.5 / 5 Skulls

Reviewed by: Your Friendly Neighborhood Brady

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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