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popculturebuffet · 2 years ago

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Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Retrospective: Annual #1: Ultra Magnus, What A Joke (Patreon Review For Brotoman.EXE)

Hello all you happy autobots and after a long side trip for beetlemania, we're back on the lost light!

In full too as for the next few months at least, we're back to the main story. Kinda. This story takes place BEFORE Shadowplay, our last covered one, but was put here so it could be paired with avengers annual #10 patreon review wise, but other than Rung still being headless it's not so out of synch that it coudln't be moved around.

Thankfully after this it's a straight shot to the end of season 1 with just three arcs to go, which teneatively will be covered in novemeber and december, with another break for a specail halloween suprise in october. After that we have the big crossover Dark Cybertron, which while serving as the end of Season 1 of this era of transformers, feels more like a big finale movie. It still has ramificatoins for both.. but both sides also had a proper finale before this.

So before things get explosive we have a character piece here.. and like with Shadowplay my general view was

The art didn't help. . As I said in another review of a great comic's less than well done annual, I TRY to be positive and for the most part the art on this book is great, but the art for this annual is pretty bleh. It's this weird mix of very 90's faces and very bland coloring that just dosen't not work.

The story itself however is pure setup for the finale, setting up a mystery to be solved there, some character growth with dire consequences for Magnus, while also, as tends to be standard for Roberts, setting up a plot point for much later in the story. So let's take a close look at MTMTE Annual #1 under the cut and see some smiles, some beaurcary and a giant robot man.

We open with an action set piece that dosen't do a lot for me. The art just isn't fluid enough and it's especially a downgrade from the regular artists, making it even more noticeable. It dosen't help the microcons their fighting look more like live action transformers,

And you can see the dullness I mean too. Our heroes still have their designs.. but the colors try to make them more realistic. Concidentally this scene is set in ultra magnus' mouth as some nanocons a decpitcon shot him with long ago have awakened and threaten to combine and kill him and then the ship, so our heroes have been shrunk down to deal with it. The only way to stop this realistic scenario that happens to everyone all the time is for Magnus to smile, destroying the generators in the pistons he uses for that.

This opening is a great example of just.. how much fun James Roberts has with MTMTE. While at it's core MTMTE is the kind of high concept sci fi you'd find in say Star Trek or Fantastic Four, he also doesn't forget he's writing giant colorful merchandisable battle robots that can turn into those nitro burning funny cars, vroom vroom! Besides the various jokes on the toys, he's not afraid to just go balls out silly.. while still having lots of nice genuinely deep sci fi couched within. It's essentially what i've heard Star Trek Lower Decks is before that existed: taking the piss out of a stored decades long franchise.. while still staying UTTERLY loyal to that franchise and why people love it.

Magnus tries to do his normal grumbly telling people ot straighten their badges and such , but everyone mocks him, something he takes with grace dignity and plans to resign as soon as possible.

First we get some smaller character stuff as everyone prepares for Tailgate's cermony, but it's all good: Rewind worries about Chromedome who is having a flash of ptsd... someone else's ptsd from the memories he's absorbed, Tailgate tries to get Cyclonus to attend but he's still being a mopey puss about it and Swerve passes by shock and or ore.. only for them to speak.

We'll table that problem for now as Drift's forced to have an invtervention for Hot Rod. He's been wearing a giant foam cowboy hat for 8 months now. He can take it off any time he wants he just dosen't want to, so they instead pivot to another problem: He's been saying "Till All Are One" every five minutes. Rodimus deflects it.. and i've noticed as i've re-read season 1 that it's a pattern with him, and one that carries till the final arc of the series: Rodimus prefers to dance a little side step instead of face most of his problems. Just put it off to the side and let it sort itself out or let someone else handle it. And when he does tackle an issue, he usually handles it recklessly, impuslviely and half assedly

It's not that he's lacking any talent, his improvisations often work as seen with the very first issue, or that he's a terrible person: he loves his crew, as seen both with the red alert incident during shadow play and in this issue as when Magnus comes barging in demanding a new crew.. he explains that it's their way of showing affection. I mean granted i'm sure some of those are just jabs at his humilation, Magnus is a fun character but not exactly someone people like and he liked it that way, but his point is clear: it's okay for Magnus to be a person and not just the duly appointed enforcer of the tyrest accord. It's that humanity, for lack of a better term, that makes Rodimus likeable even when he's being a whinybabyasshatbot. He simply wants to be loved and respected, and this quest is more about personal validation by the universe than it is real enlightnment. He just wanted to do something big and showy to show he really earned having the matrix for a time and he really is worthy of being a prime. He just wants to be loved and can't accept that maybe.. he's just not the big sweeping hero go. A big sweeing hero guy sure, but he's not optimus and that's okay.

While Magnus stews on this advice, we also find out our heroes next stop: The Crystal City, home of the circle of light. Something that confused me as whlie this book is good at expositoin normally they kinda dropped the ball explaning these guys in a way that made sense if you hadn't read the drift mini.

The Circle of Light is a group of cybertroninan ninja monks who preach non violence and live in a walled off city, having largely skipped the war. They took in Drift at his lowest and the kind treatment and mentorship of their leader, Dai Atlas, convinced Drift to turn face and the circle in turn backed him when he needed their help.

This series recontecutlaizes them as having been avid followers of the knights of cybertron, a nice little addition, and thus seeing them, while also a homecoming of sorts for Drift, is important as if they can get them to join, they have all the help they'll need. The only problem is... Magnus can't raise them on coms and while Drift is assured given their badassery their fine.. as we'll soon see Magnus was right to be worried.

The ceremony itself goes off the rails: not only does Hot Rod fail to not use some form of till all are one, but Tailgate dosen't get to do his speech.. and his autobrand turns out as anceient cybertronian. Something is channeling through Hot Rod, and the bots who fell out of the airlock as we find out via an expesition dump during the ceremony.

Our heroes have even better concerns as the galactic council shows up.

While they explain it after this scene, i'll go ahead and filll any newcomers in, as Magnus does for Tailgate. It's a great part of having tailgate around: it allows Roberts to do worldbuilding without having to work too hard for it , as most of the cast would know this. Their essentially this universe's federation, a group of higher order plaents bound together to protect each other. They've recently taken on more policing, a red flag if their ever was one, and aren't fans of the cybertronians due to their war, having blacklisted them and being right dicks to Rodimus, having anxexed this territory as the Crystal City is abandoned. That itself.. is a dick move as they didn't bother informing cybertron, and the war's been long over enough, of any of this so they could investigate, instaed scavanging. It's some nice show don't tell: it shows that while these guys DO do some good and claim to be benevloent.. their really beucractic wankphesants who blame a whole race for the war.

Luckily the Lost Light has a secret weapon...

After Mags has finished hermes conradding this guy into a corner, in part because he's the only person here M Bison IN SPACE respects, we find out the deal: one hour to investigate for "religious reasons", which both sides know is basically bullshit but they need to look into this.

We get a brief interlude with Swerve, who has a heart to heart wtih Shock.. and also lies that he's pipe as like most people Swerve didn't make the best first impression. He confesses about the shooting of rung if from a third person and agrees with Shock's assetment he's a scumbag. It also explains WHY Swerve's so willing to help the next arc: he feels deep guilt for it and while it was on orders.. that makes it worse. Swerve admit she was more scared about loosing his bar than doing what's right. Later on drift further muses about feeling... a lack of purpose. That the war ending was supposed to be awesome and everything resolved.. but it really isn't. There's no real ending to life after all and as Shock puts it he's lucky to be alive if nothing else.

On the surface we get an away team consisting of most of our main cast but notably lacking Magnus, who we'll get to in a moment. They find the crystal city but..

Drift naturally mentally wigs out a bit: his people are missing, the city is ransacked and their biggest lead is now a massive dead end. It's only Rewind suggesting that he uses his sword to try and commune with the city that snaps him out of it... and only punching a mocking Whirl that fully gets him on mission. Instead of getting any graet message stabbing his sword into the city instead makes autobots go down the holeeeeeeee

We then find out where Magnus is: turns out the Council abducted him.. so they could ask thim to join him, having found him just over these decades of wars and never wavering. Essentially it's everything UM could ask for: defined rules, structure, order and respect. and metro titans are their ancient cousins, apparently created by the knights of cybertron, they can touch into other realms and such. So they decide to learn more about this thing to go on a BRAIN QUEST!

Six minutes later the brainquest is over and they found it. Great joke. And at the center... Cyclonus is in reverent awe as he used to worship at th efeet of metrotitans and gives his own version of the cybertronian creation myth, with Rewind naturally recording it since he dosen't have this version in his archives.

So once upon a time there was primus

Who found cybertron and some sparks and wanting to give it life, split himself into five gods

But like most media portrays mythical death gods, Mortilus eventually rebelled, wanting to conquer and war were declared. While our heroes won they were left in bad straights, each dying but becoming part of cybertron itself: Primus became Vector Sigma, the computer at the heart of cybertron and the source of sparks, Solmus became the Matrix of Leadership, and Epistemus and Adaptus the model for brain moduels and transformation cogs. And out of them came a new generation of Cybertronians to spread peace: The Knights of Cybertron. All of this will naturally be very important later.

For now though Ratchet is doing his usual over the top athetist schtick and Drift calls him out for being a dick: Being an Athiest? Fine. Mocking someone else's beliefs simply because he doesn't think their true. Not okay. Ratchet further digs himself deeper by outright stating Drift is so religious because he wants absolution for everyone he killed as a decpticon.. and nearly gets a sword in him for it. Not the best way of showing your not a murderer anymore, but well warranted. It's okay not to be religious, especially given how much harm some religions do. But it's not okay to mock someone when their beliefs aren't harming anyone.

So naturally Rodimus' next move .. is to have Chromedome try to braintap the giant... and it goes as well as you'd expect.. heavy feedback.. and the titan waking up screaming, rumbling the planet and leading M. Bison IN SPACE to assume this was all a trap.

So he plans to burn the lost light and EVERYONE on board in retaliation, and is leeching off their warp drive so they can't escape

Magnus has rejoined them, having turned down the offer , we'll find out why later and giving Rodimus a fond farewell, telling him to say hi to the knights of cybertron for him while Rodimus ORDERS him not to die, begging him. Their one hope is activating the drive.. but that involves swerve telling Shock the truth.. and he simply.. can't. And while this could come off as dickish.. the why is as heartbreaking as it is glorious

It's a hard choice.. but it was his. And inspired by this... Rodimus chooses to set the titan free instead of having him shrunk for his knoweldge. And it calls back to something Drift said earlier I glossed over: that when the right time came, Rodimus would save them all. And.. he does. By doing the right thing, the Titan warped everyone out of there and since he was linked up to Ore, it also freed the lost light.. and Ore is gone. Why? No one knows. But our heroes are safe and for once Rodimus has an actual plan, having relalized from this experince his winging it... has consequences.

So with our course for the next arc set, we end on the Council.. and just WHY Mags turned down his dream job

Naturally for this comic, M. Bison IN SPACE will be back. For now though it's the last part that's important: that despite not wanting to change, despite his inflexiblity.. magnus sees that .. maybe inflexiblity isn't a strength. That not accepting any change, not changing will only make him tyrants like the council. It's being faced with everything he could want and everything he could become.. that gets him to evolve past what he's been... and smile.

This issue, as you can probably wager is excellent. The art is.. not good and I won't slag it further, and it does drag the issue down slightly.. but the character work, from Swerve's chats with Shock and or ore, to Rodimus' desperation at the end, to Magnus growth is phenominal and this one issue spotlights the series at it's best: introspective, engaging and reallyf ucking weird

Next time: Tick tick tick....

#transformers #ultra magnus #hot rod #drift #chromedome #rewind #space #space opera #sci fi #transformers more than meets the eye

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snehalblog · 5 months ago

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Latent TB Testing Market: Key Developments Shaping the Future of Tuberculosis Diagnosis

According to a new report by UnivDatos Market Insights, The Latent TB Testing Market was valued at approximately USD 1.4 Billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR of around 7.8% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Latent TB Testing determines individuals with asymptomatic Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection who are likely to develop overt TB. Screening tests include the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) and Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs), which identify a body’s reaction to the bacteria. These tests are important in the prevention of TB epidemics among multiple risk groups such as the immunocompromised as well as the healthcare givers. This is mainly due to the increasing rates of tuberculosis across the world increasing the need to detect latent TB to prevent active TB. Also, improvements in diagnostic tools like IGRAs increase the effectiveness and utilization in high-risk groups. In addition, TB control campaigns supported by the government and compulsory screening norms also contribute to the growth of the market.

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On November 25 2023, Revvity, a global company that leverages innovation in Diagnostics and Life Sciences announced the country launch of its T-SPOT.TB test for latent TB screening, at MICROCON in Lucknow.

In March 2022, PerkinElmer, Inc., (NYSE: PKI) a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, announced that the Company has completed its previously announced acquisition of Oxford Immunotec Global PLC (Oxford Immunotec). PerkinElmer originally announced its intent to acquire Oxford Immunotec on January 7, 2021.

Segments that transform the industry

· Based on application, the market is segmented into household contacts (HHC) of tuberculosis (TB) patients, people living with HIV (PLHIV), and others. People living with HIV are expected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2032). The PLHIV segment is one of the primary consumers in the latent TB testing market because such patients have a higher risk of developing active TB and, therefore, require regular and accurate tests. The recent expansion of tuberculosis diagnostics in HIV care programs worldwide has boosted the need for gender-precise and accurate tests such as IGRAs. Companies adopt by developing partnerships with HIV clinics and NGOs to deliver specific test solutions and by providing affordable easy-to-scale testing solutions to this risky group.

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According to the report, the impact of Latent TB Testing has been identified to be high for the Asia-Pacific area. Some of how this impact has been felt include:

As per the World Health Organization, In 2022, eight countries accounted for more than two-thirds of global TB cases: India (27%), Indonesia (10%), China (7.1%), the Philippines (7.0%), Pakistan (5.7%), Nigeria (4.5%), Bangladesh (3.6%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.0%).

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2032). This is due to a high tuberculosis incidence rate, improved understanding of the disease, and national efforts to eliminate the disease. Adding to this, large-scale screening is being carried out in countries such as India and China with the help of international organizations. Examples include offering low-cost diagnostic solutions, forming alliances with government organizations, and increasing market coverage to areas that have limited access to the products. A shift from conventional TSTs to advanced IGRAs within the urban regions also supports the growth of the market.

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maximuswolf · 6 months ago

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Controller help: GC to PS5 Controller Converter? Smaller controller?

Controller help: GC to PS5 Controller Converter? Smaller controller? Hey there, I was wondering if anyone could help me answer a question I've been trying to search up tonight without a resolution. I don't even know if it's possible, but there is a Madcatz controller for GameCube and it was my favorite controller, The Microcon I think? I loved it because it fit my small hands really well. It was just SO COMFY. Is there any way at all possible to buy an adapter that can work on PS5? Or maybe you know a controller that is fit for small hands? I want something light and small so so bad.TL:DR: Any way to use a Gamecube controller on a PS5? Do you know of a PS5 controller that is for small hands or at least a lot lighter? Thanks! Submitted December 24, 2024 at 03:56PM by princessmisery https://ift.tt/fSw7x1R via /r/gaming

#reddit

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usedcarheaven · 1 year ago

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Leaders from 29 Tiny "Micro Nations" around the world converged on Las Vegas for MicroCon 2022. Hosted by Westartica.

Grand Duke Travis I of Westarctica (left) receives an award from Emir Charles of Raphania at the 2022 MicroCon in Las Vegas.

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blueskywater-happiness · 2 years ago

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Trivia for the new micronation

While Stomaria was initially held in high esteem by the greater micronational community, its reputation suffered after Stott released a series of videos on YouTube criticising the attendees and organizers of MicroCon 2023 and MicroCon in general. This has led some to ponder whether or not to label Stomaria a "joke" micronation intent on trolling other micronations through social media.

On 27 September 2022, Emperor Andrew posted a 23-minute video announcing that he had been invited to attend MicroCon EU 2023, but he declined the invitation because attending such an event would not benefit Stomaria in any way. He then went on to disparage most of the micronations which have attended previous MicroCons, including the Republic of Molossia, Westarctica, and Slowjamastan, among others. The overwhelming response to this video was outrage at his statements, tone, and attitude.

The following day, the Sultan of Slowjamastan released a music video remixing Emperor Andrew's speech called "Friends Without Benefits." This video was met with widespread acclaim. On 3 October 2022, Emperor Andrew posted a lengthy reply video addressing the outrage and ridicule. During this speech, he further insulted many prominent members of the micronational community, calling out anyone he felt had criticized and mocked him, including at least two individuals who had not weighed in on the matter publicly. Emperor Andrew was further derided for his second video.

After researching Andrew Stott's background, Grand Duke Travis directed top Westarctican government officials to cease diplomatic contact with any states affiliated with Stomaria. Andrew himself was declared persona non grata shortly after.

As the events of MicroCon EU 2023 were underway, Andrew launched a hate-laden YouTube tirade directed toward the attendees which lasted for a staggering 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Tldr he is a black sheep of Miros now :v Arthur, come and control yo child, no wonder why Peter is annoyed at his brother and why in the Google translate did Slowjamastan said about making a video about him and how he is unforgivable.

#hetalia #aph #hetalia world stars #hws #hetalia Stomaria #aph stomaria #hws stomaria #aph slowjamastan #hws slowjamastan #hetalia slowjamastan

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sepublic · 2 years ago

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Ok ok listen. Soundwave would love Bakugan, they’re just like his cassettes. The whole gimmick of the same 3-D shape, but different versions unfurl into different animals and creatures that have to work within the limitations of that universal template. Sometimes they talk, sometimes they don’t. He thinks it’s the best thing ever and is enraged Bakugan aren’t more popular.

Soundwave commissions Shockwave to make Cybertronians just like these and we get the Microcons. Soundwave insists he take it a step further and add as many variations to Microcons as possible, Shockwave agrees. Soundwave just continues saying

His autism loves it. Some human gets swarmed to death and in their final moments realizes the Microcons look suspiciously like their favorite plastic orb toys from Japan...

#maccadam #transformers #Soundwave #bakugan #cassettes #microcon

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agentsquirrelsgotrobots · 2 years ago

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It was time for Tarn's favorite chore involving his little microcon.

Voice box maintenance.

Darkmount's outlier ability caused strain on his voice box, causing little aches and pains to pop up in his neck, back, and intake. Tarn made it a habit to devote a day to spoiling his tiny student with both holistic and medicinal remedies whenever he thought Darkmount was getting cranky or was having issues keeping up his clear, optic shattering high notes.

Tarn noticed that on his last hunt, not only had Darkmount gone ahead of him and killed a victim without his permission, his voice was raspy after. Scratchy, even.

That wouldn't do, especially considering that the Peaceful Tyranny would be crossing paths with the Nemesis, and he suspected that Soundwave would request Darkmount be dropped off for a playdate with Datamine, the human convert that Soundwave adopted and modded to look like himself. Datamine was going to be about Nickel's size when he was finished growing, too big to dock on his Sire, but still only measuring up to Tarn's knees.

Then again, Soundwave only barely is up to Tarn's chest plates, so maybe he wasn't the best judgment of height.

Tarn scooped up Darkmount, who was playing with a large assortment of very finely crafted dolls that he had taken at a good discount as a bribe to ignore some autobot propaganda commissioned from a fine craftsman when strolling through a craft market on a planet populated by Nickel sized organics between hunts.

They were all works of art on their own, the artist's attention to detail unparalleled. They were all made to stand the test of time, easily taken apart and repaired.

He had included an Optimus Prime, with chest plates that could open to reveal an attached Matrix, a slot in the middle to slid a miniature dark saber, attached to a string and hidden just inside Optimus's chest. There was a Bumblebee with sliding mechanism where Darkmount could push up a piece of kibble on the neck to reveal an impressively detailed mangled voice box. A similar mechanism spilt into two panels that folded away under Bumblebee's armpits, showed off a gaping wound made by Megatron's blaster, the shot that won the Decepticons the war.

He had, on Tarn's request, included four Megatrons, two in ceremonial garb, their faces serene, one in his flyer alt mode, and one painted with the grime of battle, bubblegum pink energon speckling his plating and brown paint on his feet. His face was frozen in the middle of barking orders, his cannon painted as if primed to shoot.

This was Darkmount's favorite to play with, though he would often recharge with a haphazardly stitched, poorly made fabric Megatron that Kaon made for him, the professionally made version, donated to the temple of Megatronus in the newly restored New Kaon (Formerly Iacon) by a master seamster. Darkmount had slept with it for a night, accidentally beheaded the doll by cutting open the seam with one of his kickstands, and freaked out, demanding that Nickel fix it and making Tarn put it on the altar.

He hadn't played with it since, and Tarn saw him put a little bandage on the toy's neck.

There was a Soundwave thrown in there, but Darkmount had given it to Datamine.

First, a quick check up from Nickel to check for any repairable damage.

Then, bathtime and an evening of pampering before bed.

Darkmount grumped through his check up, snapping at Nickel's fingers.

"No damage Tarn. The little scraplet is just sore. I would recommend warm liquids for the rest of day."

Tarn smiled. "Just as I thought. Darkmount, how about a evening of just you and me?"

Darkmount nodded, and Tarn brought him back to his room.

Tarn took out a oil tub for Darkmount, and set it to warm while he cleaned up Darkmount's toys. He gave him his copy of Towards Peace while he pulled out the brushes and polishes he would need to clean him.

The tub dinged, and Tarn played the Empyrean Suite and dumped Darkmount into the tub. Tarn wasted no time getting Darkmount cleaned and polished, his plating shiny and gleaming.

The music ended as Tarn put two cubes into the warmer and pulled out a datapad with the List, Darkmount curled up against his chest as he rubbed his shoulders and neck.

"Hmm. I think we should put work aside for the night. The energon should be ready now." He set the datapad down and took out both cubes and set them on the counter. "Well then, tell me if it's a bit too hot."

Darkmount sipped his cube gingerly, sighing as the heat soothed away the scratchy feeling in his throat. He finished it quickly, and Tarn finished his too.

Predictably, Darkmount fell asleep soon after he finished the cube.

Tarn smiled, and curled up on the berth with him.

He loved watching his little pet sleep.

#The Gods have found us (Megatron help us all)#tfrb cody #transformers rescue bots #rescue bots #transformers djd #tarn is not winning the pet owner/parent of the year award #mtmte tarn #Darkmount au

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