Death happens all around us. A co-worker, a friend, or a loved one can be stricken down unexpectedly leaving us at a loss. Death even happens to giant metal beings from outer space, but how does a near immortal race deal with death. It turns out that they deal with it a lot like we do. Tailgate is in denial, not believing the ever so strong and powerful Ultra Magnus can die. Ratchet sees it all from a more clinical view, having been a doctor during a war lasting millions of years has hardened him to death. Rodimus deals with it with violence, destroying his office, but that is cover for more personal and unpleasant emotions he has. Chromedome, however, is the focus of the issue, and it is with his mourning that the comic really transcends the genre of ‘giant robot action’ and becomes very touching and bittersweet. Chromedome lost his loved one, his soulmate, his ‘conjunx endura’ as they call it in the comic, in Rewind. At first he seems to not be grieving, apparently ready to move on instantly. With the help of Brainstorm we learn though that this isn’t the first time he has lost a loved one and he goes through the some routine every time. He disposes of their things and injects himself, erasing all memories of them from his system. It is a deeply emotional and personal look at grief. Who hasn’t wanted to just wish away the pain, guilt and grief over having lost a loved one with a flick of a switch or, in this case, an injection? But then, is it worth it to have that pain just go away, but lose all of the memories of that loved one, all of the experiences shared? Chromedome seems to think so until he watches one last recording from Rewind, a farewell message. It a message that comes from the heart and it’s only something that a true soulmate could say and it’s beautiful. I’m not lying when I say I got a bit choked up reading it. The artwork in this issue was not up to its usual standards as Agustin Padilla is brought in as a fill in artist. Scenes with more then 2 characters seem off, with few details and scaling problems. Fortunately the art work shines in the numerous, more personal scenes with just 1 or 2 characters. The colors are fittingly subdued and a bit faded, a reflection of the mood of the issue. All in all this was a stand out issue of what has become my favorite comic series being published today. For anyone who scoffs at a comic based on a 80s cartoon featuring giant robots I would ask them to read this issue. If it doesn’t change their minds then they must have hearts of stone.