Transformers: King Grimlock #2 continues the Transformer lost in a world of fantasy concept with an issue that features a lot of good and some very frustrating aspects. In the issue, Grimlock sets off to find his place in this strange new world but finds himself in the maw of a beast big enough to swallow a Dinobot!

Steve Orlando has set up an interesting second issue that focuses in on Grimlock having to make decisions as to what he stands for. We get a sense by the end of where his lines are and it leaves us with a frustrating protagonist. We can guess by the end he’ll have learned some solid lessons but we’re at a point where you just want to slap the character.

Transformers: King Grimlock #2 does a solid job of continuing to set up the world as Grimlock must face multiple obstacles in his journey. Giant creatures able to swallow him. Wood robots to battle. The fantasy setting still works even though at its center is a giant robot that can transform into a dinosaur.

It helps that Orlando keeps the focus on the characters. You get the frustration as Arko must deal with Grimlock. This is a person who has been summoned to save a people and he’s not just rejecting the role but showing a very self-centered aspect to it all. It makes for an interesting, but frustrating, time.

What’s really frustrating about the comic is the art by Agustin Padilla. It might be the fact I read it on a tablet but there’s numerous moments I can’t tell what’s going on. The panels are too close to the action and the storytelling would have been helped by pulling back a bit to give a better view as to what’s going on. But, Padilla’s art is solid when it’s clear. Joined by Jeremy Colwell on color and Jake M. Wood on lettering the characters and world really pop and look great. There’s just a few too many panels and sequences that are hard to make out exactly what’s going on.

Transformers: King Grimlock #2 continues an interesting series. This is one that’ll be really judged when all five issues wrap up but so far it’s teasing some interesting things to come. With a nice focus on Grimlock and adding in some interesting back and forth with Arko, the issue delivers a sword and sorcery concept with a main character that’s a little different than expected.

Story: Steve Orlando Art: Agustin Padilla
Color: Jeremy Colwell Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Story: 7.95 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.45 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW