Comic Review: Transformers Spotlights (2012 - 2013)

[griffin]

(Please post comments or even a fully comprehensive review - these are just brief details)

Comic review - Spotlights (2012 - 2013)
Creators - various
Publisher - IDW
Retail Price - AU$4.50 (approx) per issue (US$3.99)
Page count per issue - 22 pages

Issues
- Orion Pax (19th December 2012) James Roberts & Steve Kurth
- Thundercracker (January 2013) John Barber & Chee
- Megatron (February 2013) Nick Roche (writer & artist)
- Bumblebee (March 2013) John Barber & David Daza
- Trailcutter (April 2013) James Roberts & Matt Frank
- Hoist (May 2013) James Roberts & Agustin Padilla

(Release details here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Transformers:_Spotlight)... tfwiki doesn't seem to have this info on the Spotlights)

[i_amtrunks]

Thanks for setting this up Griff.

Due to an uploading/digital error, I believe I have read Spotlight Thundercracker a week early.

Won't spoil anything, but it is a big improvement over Orion Pax, it ties into the overall continuity and was a good read. Highly recommend picking it up to those who were uncertain following Pax.

[i_amtrunks]

So the issue is out proper today.

A nice stand alone story that has vague ties to recent events. Also good to see Nightbeat again, I guess IDW really like him but cannot use him in the present stories due to his death.

Well we now know that Metroplex is holding/hiding something from the prewar/ early war days, so it cannot be the Magnificence or anything else from the Furman penned stories. It could be as simple as Metroplex is keeping his warp drive technology safe. I wonder if a future Spotlight will show when Alpha Trion catches up with Metroplex, perhaps even shed some more light (read: fix) a few more issues from the AHM sections of IDW history.

Art was decent, a few bots looked strange due to the angle of shots, Nightbeat copping the worst of it. The Fleshlings (have we seen this race in the Drift mini in the spaceport? In the Spaceport from the Pax stories? I feel that I have seen them before).

A much better issue than the Pax one, a more enjoyable story, better art and a cameo from everyone's favourite flying scrap insect.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Thanks for setting this up Griff.

Due to an uploading/digital error, I believe I have read Spotlight Thundercracker a week early.

Won't spoil anything, but it is a big improvement over Orion Pax, it ties into the overall continuity and was a good read. Highly recommend picking it up to those who were uncertain following Pax.

I actually quite liked the Orion Pax spotlight. I thought it was a cool little adventure, thought the humor with Wheeljack was nice and the James Bond style 'tied to a rocket' thing was suitably super-hero-over-the-top-ish.

Then I may be biased. It came out 5 days before our son Orion was born so I got 3 copies - 1 for my collection, 1 to read with him that he can destroy in due time and 1 (the cover with young Orion in the front and Optimus in the background) to put in a frame and hang on the wall of his nursery ;)

Must admit, I am looking forward to reading the Thundercracker one though, as a Decepticon with a conscience who is not totally sure of their cause he is one of the more in-depth Con characters and makes for an interesting read. And I loved the Spotlights they used to bring out years ago. I think the only one I wasn't keen on was the Sideswipe issue, as it was too 'big story' focused and just happened to have him in it with a bit of internal dialogue about his feelings about Sunstreaker, rather than focusing on him as a character.

[Ploughmans Lunch]

Can't say I overly enjoyed this one. Even looking beyond the fairly unimpressive art, it just really failed to tell a story that was particularly engaging or interesting. Sure, it might tie in to things as IDW G1 comics progress, but anything new it offers could be pretty easily summarised in a later, more worthwhile story. As a supposedly stand-alone comic it just wasn't worth the price of admission and didn't really add anything new to the overall story (though again, I could be wrong).

[BigTransformerTrev]

Issues
- Orion Pax (19th December 2012) James Roberts & Steve Kurth
- Thundercracker (January 2013) John Barber & Chee
- Megatron (February 2013) Nick Roche (writer & artist)
- Bumblebee (March 2013) John Barber & David Daza

(Release details here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Transformers:_Spotlight)... tfwiki doesn't seem to have this info on the Spotlights)

This begs the question: Will we ever see a Spotlight: Searchlight? :p

[i_amtrunks]

Sure, it might tie in to things as IDW G1 comics progress, but anything new it offers could be pretty easily summarised in a later, more worthwhile story. As a supposedly stand-alone comic it just wasn't worth the price of admission and didn't really add anything new to the overall story (though again, I could be wrong).

Nothing "new" in this one as such. It seems that these spotlights are being used by Barber to tie the Furmanverse/AHM/Ongoing stories into this Autocracy/RID/MtMtE. Also they may all relate to one another (based around Metroplex/the Titans.)

Pax was all about having a silly story that also happened to show why Orion Pax changed bodies between Autocracy, Spotlight Blurr and later flashbacks such as Shadowplay.

Thundercracker was about showing the beginning of the feelings he displayed during the ongoing, as well as shedding a little more light on Bludgeon was up to in the early days of the war, keeping him in the peripheral knowledge of readers since he will no doubt be featured in future stories. Perhaps even a little more showing who is Bumblebee, and why he was, in retrospect such a terrible choice to lead the Autobots. I expect that Bumblebee's own spotlight (after that awful miniseries) may shed further light on this.

Personally, I am really looking forward to Spotlight Megatron, Nick Roche is the man responsible for my favourite spotlight and series (Kup and Last Stand) as well as paving the way for IDW's Prowl to become the bot he is now. Can't wait to see his twist on the big bad, especially if it is a truly stand alone story set in the past with vague ties or links to today's stories.

[Paulbot]

I'm going to wait for a collection or at least a price drop (except maybe the Roche Megatron one) but I would like to know if there's a reason given for leaving out Ransack (in place of the out of place cameo). I don't recall an existing canon reason Ransack wouldn't be present if they are going to put the rest of the team together.

It also doesn't make a lot of sense for there to be Insecticons separate to and long before the swarms of Insecticons on Cybertron. I miss the days when they'd get pre-Earth modes instead if they were used (like Barrage had in Stormbringer).

[i_amtrunks]

Wasn't Ransack with the terrorcons in spotlight Sixshot?

And after reading the blurb for SL Megatron, it seems it will only delve a little ways back to something that I was surprised was skipped over when it happened; Megatrons return after Starscreams leadership run. With Roche writing, it could be very entertaining.

[Paulbot]

Wasn't Ransack with the terrorcons in spotlight Sixshot?
Maybe? Not that I recall. TF Wiki has been down every time I've gone to look up the deluxe Insecticons in IDW.

[i_amtrunks]

Maybe? Not that I recall. TF Wiki has been down every time I've gone to look up the deluxe Insecticons in IDW.

It's been bad all week. Just went through the comic, he is on the spacestation at the beginning of Spotlight Sixshot. Why he couldn't have also been part of TC mission, I do not know. Maybe Barber wanted to just have a laugh with ol' Waspy?

[Sharky]

Wasn't Ransack with the terrorcons in spotlight Sixshot?

And after reading the blurb for SL Megatron, it seems it will only delve a little ways back to something that I was surprised was skipped over when it happened; Megatrons return after Starscreams leadership run. With Roche writing, it could be very entertaining.

Maybe? Not that I recall. TF Wiki has been down every time I've gone to look up the deluxe Insecticons in IDW.

ahh this is why i like digital versions,

open app

scroll to spotlights

open sixshot

swipe to page 7

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/image_zpsa750d122.png

now i am not sure what has happened to anyone that was on that outpost or where they have appeared in since but i believe the clone was seen in RID recently!!

[Paulbot]

There he is. I saw that recent Spotlight sale but didn't feel the need to buy them again (Having the original issue, Premiere Hardcovers, and IDW Collection were enough for me :) ). Still with different time periods etc no reason Ransack couldn't have been on Bludgeons ship the same way Barrage ends up on Razorclaw's.

I prefer it when IDW assembles random crews/squads like in that pic above and the recent Con group in MTMTE rather than sticking to toy release subgroups and schedules. (Except were the team is there as a single unit). Putting the deluxe Insecticons together in the past and throwing in a Beast Wars character seems lazy to me. Its like they almost did it (Thundercracker, Blitzwing, Waspinator, Chop Shop) but ruined it by putting two more Deluxe Bugs in the mix.

[Sharky]

There he is. I saw that recent Spotlight sale but didn't feel the need to buy them again (Having the original issue, Premiere Hardcovers, and IDW Collection were enough for me :) ).

SOUNDS LIKE MY LIBRARY,

i picked up a few spotlights in that sale, i was only missing ten from the release, what suprised me tho was that spotlight orion pax was included in that sale, considering it was a "new release"

i think it is high time IDW include digital copies with the purchase of the paper copy, comic, trade etc etc. i remeber them talking about doing this but that was years ago..

[BigTransformerTrev]

ahh this is why i like digital versions,

open app

scroll to spotlights

open sixshot

swipe to page 7

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/Sharkysparky/image_zpsa750d122.png

now i am not sure what has happened to anyone that was on that outpost or where they have appeared in since but i believe the clone was seen in RID recently!!

If you are talking about the outpost shown in that particular shot - Treadshot was shot by Impactor on the raid of Garrulus 9 (I think that was it's name - LSOTR comics anyway), and Squalkbox was one of the Decepticons that was happy to try and sit out the riots in Blurr's bar

[SuspectimusPrime]

I prefer it when IDW assembles random crews/squads like in that pic above and the recent Con group in MTMTE rather than sticking to toy release subgroups and schedules. (Except were the team is there as a single unit). Putting the deluxe Insecticons together in the past and throwing in a Beast Wars character seems lazy to me. Its like they almost did it (Thundercracker, Blitzwing, Waspinator, Chop Shop) but ruined it by putting two more Deluxe Bugs in the mix.

Or at least give the Deluxe Insecticons some dialogue to flesh our their characters, but perhaps Barber just wanted an organised unit under the control of Bludgeon to further back up his rank. I would have liked to see some more Pretenders under Bludgeon's command before they ultimately go insane and all occult with him - to follow your commander to those depths, they must have been pretty loyal, and that loyalty should show some roots.

[Paulbot]

I haven't read the issue yet, but that's a bit disappointing that it sounds like the Deluxe Insecticons didn't get their characters fleshed out a bit. They've never appeared much in fiction and never got much to say or do. I guess it's Thundercracker's tale, but when you see what Roberts could do with Misfire, Flywheels, Krok and co, it's a shame.

A Bludgeon spotlight, with some of the other "pretenders", would be an interesting read. I can't recall if we've ever been told hold Bludgeon lost the bottom of his face have we? There must be a tale there. (I guess it might come up in the time travelling stuff in RID?)

[SuspectimusPrime]

I haven't read the issue yet, but that's a bit disappointing that it sounds like the Deluxe Insecticons didn't get their characters fleshed out a bit. They've never appeared much in fiction and never got much to say or do. I guess it's Thundercracker's tale, but when you see what Roberts could do with Misfire, Flywheels, Krok and co, it's a shame.

A Bludgeon spotlight, with some of the other "pretenders", would be an interesting read. I can't recall if we've ever been told hold Bludgeon lost the bottom of his face have we? There must be a tale there. (I guess it might come up in the time travelling stuff in RID?)

Really liked what Roberts did with Krok, he instantly became one of my favourite characters in Marvel US when Furman featured Bludgeon asking Krok for military/political advice.

Don't believe we've seen the story of Bludgeon's bottom jaw. His design was first featured in SL Shockwave, since Furman was the writer, and because Furman explictly chose a robot design based off Bludgeon's pretender shell rather than his inner robot form like in the Dreameave comics, perhaps he initially had something planned for that story. Guess we'll not know for the foreseeable future?

Do like Barber revealing Bludgeon's pre-Pretender alt mode - I wouldn't mind a tank/plane hybrid toy :)

[BigTransformerTrev]

Really liked what Roberts did with Krok, he instantly became one of my favourite characters in Marvel US when Furman featured Bludgeon asking Krok for military/political advice.




Just ordered a Krok from ebay, in part as he was the only guy from the Scavengers in the MTMTE comics that I didn't own and thought that was a great little story of them vs the DJD :D

[i_amtrunks]

Spotlight Megatron is a marvel.

While it lacks the impact and constant one liners of MtMtE, this is one very well written and constructed spotlight. The characters pop from the pages, the dialogue is true to the characters, the art is stunning in the detail and destruction. Len O'Grady has done a masterful job colouring Roche's stylised inks.

This is what we should have had the entire time since the Furman penned stories were concluded, this one issues gives us more Megatron than the 16 AHM stories, not only does it give us detail into his inner machinations, but it ties in seamlessly with Autocracy, AHM, Ongoing and gives us some foreshadowing for events yet to occur in RiD. It is obvious Roche loves his IDW transformers fiction and has done his homework.

While the issue itself revolves around Megatron and Starscream and their interesting and convoluted relationship, the best lines refer to Soundwave, Shockwave and the best line from the entire issue belongs to Skywarp. He gets one line and Roche nails his character.

This is a must read, even if you have read nothing of the IDW run before the RiD MtMtE split, or if you are interested in catching up with the back catalog. This is the IDW Megatron. He keeps his house clean.

[i_amtrunks]

Hate to take over the thread, but this is funny:

Creator commentary (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440857985984401.96847.146805978722938&type=1).

Roche writes as the writer and artist.

[Paulbot]

A couple of things in that commentary stand out more now in light of the Toyfair announcements:


IDW and Hasbro were looking for a Megatron SPOTLIGHT to feature the same body that the character currently sports in the TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ongoing series.

...Because they were making this series of Spotlights specifically to go with the new toys.


... there is some Editorially-mandated content. The through-line between this current batch of Spotlights is a connection to Metroplex and the Space Bridge technology he possesses.

And the reason all the Spotlights have some connection to Metroplex is because that's the huge toy they want to sell. (They probably could reprint Spotlight Metroplex with that toy too.)

I'm glad to read there's been some good tales too in this lot, but clearly Hasbro is having a bit more to say in the IDW patch at the moment.Of course if any other Spotlight is announced we'll be expecting a toy.

[i_amtrunks]

Bumblebee is an odd Spotlight.

Art is not great, and inconsistent with the ongoing anyway. Prowl is nigh unidentifiable, the protectobots and other backing characters are very blurry/ill formed in most panels. I know art is not the be all and end all of an issue, but to be so jarring made it harder to get into this slow issue.

Lots of Thundercracker again, I must say I am getting tired of him, he could be used to a much greater purpose, he is truly becoming a one trick pony.

It's a decent hole filling catch up story that helps to explain (again) the holes and weirdness that was Chaos. Still no more clues on how Megatron got the technology, but it explains how the Cons got back to Cybertron from Earth.

Im not sold on this comic, it is far from good, but it does an okay job of being some back filler.

So far the return of these spotlights has been underwhelming, here is hoping that Trailbreakers can break out of the rut. Since it ties into MtMtE, it has a better chance than any! It is sad that Costa and Chaos did such a terrible job that at least 3 extra comics had to be made to help clear up the confusion... seems almost like a trend for IDW books until the last creative shakeup. :rolleyes:

-edit-
And why is half of Omega still on earth? Did he not have to transform to get into rocket mode to return to Cybertron?

[Bidoofdude]

Well, on the bright side, it looks like I won't have to buy Spotlight TC afterall, as he comes with his upcoming Generations Spotlight (FOC mould) toy. Hope he's a sky blue kind of colour. The comic would make an excellent backdrop.:cool:;)

[BigTransformerTrev]

Bumblebee is an odd Spotlight.

Art is not great, and inconsistent with the ongoing anyway. Prowl is nigh unidentifiable, the protectobots and other backing characters are very blurry/ill formed in most panels.

I didn't like the art in this either. And it really bugs me when they just make all the characters the same height (like in ReGeneration with Rumble as tall as everyone else). I mean Hot Spot turns into a Fire Truck and Groove into a police motorcycle - why the hell are they pretty much the same size!? :mad: I always find that lazy.


Well, on the bright side, it looks like I won't have to buy Spotlight TC afterall, as he comes with his upcoming Generations Spotlight (FOC mould) toy.

I considered not buying the spotlights because they will come with the toys but just couldn't wait that long :D. Haven't really enjoyed the Thundercracker or Bumblebee ones :( - but LOVED the Megatron one, it was an awesome read! :D :D

[i_amtrunks]

Spotlight Trailcutter preview (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-spotlight-trailcutter-preview/26994/).

This is the light hearted issue for MtMtE I think we need. From the preview it is awhile bag of laughs, cutting off just before the meaty stuff begins. Some funny gags in this one.

Seems like it is continuing the trend of recent spotlights to almost have 2 main protagonists, Whirl gets more lines than Trailbreaker in the preview pages.

Not sure how it ties into the other 3 and their relationship with Metroplex and the Titans. However that hook on one of the covers sure does make me think we are going to get a MtMtE version of Lockdown! :D

[Sharky]

Ha good ol tailgate. I never put any thought into it before but his comment Your all heads I realized all the standard Autobot headmaster names refer to heads hardHEAD BRAINstorm HighBROW chromeDOME......

[bassbot]

I read the reviews on Bad Haven and other places and I'm pumped for this one. The humour with Whirl is fantastic, he's very awesome. (SPOILERS) I know from a review there are links to the Metrotitan's in there and a link to Spotlight: Hoist apparently.

[i_amtrunks]

For some reason phantomzone parramatta said this weeks shipment will only be in on Friday, so you may want to ring your local beforehand if you make special trips in to your local store. Guessing the public holidays may have something to do with it.

[bassbot]

Yeah I saw that for parra as well.

[i_amtrunks]

Spotlight Trailbreaker/cutter is fantastic.

A true spotlight issue that has some great ties to the ongoing MtMtE story and to Metroplex and the Titans. Art is great, far more detailed and fluent than his work on the Mars Attacks cross over.

Really funny and enjoyable comic with great writing once again, Whirl was a highlight, but Rodimus and Sweve get a line or two. Even introduces Hoist, some Armada characters (Landmine and I thought it was Hotshot flinging his arm infront of first Aid, turns out it was Dipstick) as well as Lockdown and Lugnutz in very animated style bodies. Makes sense since the Insecticons were previously part of Thundercracker's team long ago.

Be nice to get a story following their exploits at some point.

Spotlight Hoist sounds interesting too, it might be the mission mentioned in Trailcutter, but it's the who he meets while on the mission intrigues me.

[i_amtrunks]

Spotlight Hoist preview (http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-spotlight-hoist-sneak-peek/27110/).

And we finally get to see who we've been expecting to visit the Lost Light for a while now.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Spotlight Trailbreaker/cutter is fantastic.

A true spotlight issue that has some great ties to the ongoing MtMtE story and to Metroplex and the Titans. Art is great. Really funny and enjoyable comic with great writing once again, Whirl was a highlight, but Rodimus and Sweve get a line or two. Even introduces Hoist, some Armada characters (Landmine and I thought it was Hotshot flinging his arm infront of first Aid, turns out it was Dipstick) as well as Lockdown and Lugnutz in very animated style bodies. Makes sense since the Insecticons were previously part of Thundercracker's team long ago.


Not sure I can add much here - I agree with everything above :D

Well spotted it was Hot Shot, I missed that.

Did Trailbreaker/cutter always have Magnawheels? I know it's not in the original tech specs. Has he ever demonstrated them in any genre of fiction before? Or did he just get them for the purposes of this comic?

[GoktimusPrime]

Did Trailbreaker/cutter always have Magnawheels? I know it's not in the original tech specs. Has he ever demonstrated them in any genre of fiction before? Or did he just get them for the purposes of this comic?
It's a new thing. In original G1 Afterburner's the Autobot who can drive up sheer surfaces, although it wasn't because of magnetics, but rather because his tyres can secret a special adhesive. Plus he looks like a Tron bike, which is hell awesome. :D

[i_amtrunks]

What can I say about Spotlight Hoist?

It's a true standalone issue that barely has much focus on the spotlighted character. It's gives more screen time to Swerve and Sunstreaker, who rightly have their characters fleshed out more. At one point Hoist laments/revels in his neutrality, unamazeingness and general background character traits, and even in his own spotlight he fades into the background.

Perceptor is the strange addition to the crew, but he is mostly there for exposition and sciencey stuff that propels the (rather silly) plot forward. His circumstances are funny and different. He seems to be one of the characters that never seem to catch a break.

One thing that this spotlight does bring is the chuckles. Swerve is the main reason, his jibe at Cons always wanting to merge is a great gentle jibe at Chaos and RiD both. His imagination with Sunstreakers "death", vanity and pet are all pretty amusing too.

The link to Metroplex is tenuous at best, the concept behind the story is good, but overall is feels a little like a cop-out, easy way out way to make a spotlight one shot. It reminds me more of Mirage than anything else. I felt this was a poor spotlight for hoist, would have made a great MtMtE side story issue.
It has also made me want more Sunstreaker stories, I know he was a main focus from Maximum Dinobots through to AHM, but it feels like there is a corner turned from his whiny self. Roberts could do some nice work with the sloppy treatment and finish he received at the hands of previous authors.

The art is by Padilla who has done much better work in this issue than the lesser quality Prime Dinobots story. Other than Sunstreaker the characters look great, Sunstreaker is some weird twist of his Maximum Dinobots Headmaster look and he looks out of place with the other characters in this issue. Some other Decepticon "big wigs" look weird and undetailed in some panels. The artwork is a little inconsistent and is disappointing because of it.
Lafuente does an amazing job on the colours, the bots looks scuffed and beaten, but their eyes light up. Between Burcham and Lafuente, Idw have all the colourists they need.

[GoktimusPrime]

Bob shines in this issue. :p

I'm still not a huge fan of Padilla's art, but I will admit that it's better here than in Rage of the Dinobots (<shudder>). I like his inking... but his actual 'core art' strikes me as being mediocre at best. The ship's meant to be upside down, but the doorway looks "right way up"... which means that when this ship was upright, people would've constantly tripped over when entering that door! I can see that he's made an effort to make the ceiling look like a floor... but then he somehow forgot to make the door look topsy turvy too! :rolleyes: The gestalt was... disappointing. It was just a big generic looking robot w/ a Decepticon badge rather than being a mish-mashed assembly of the Decepticons that formed him.

[bassbot]

Kinda just emphasized his normal-nothingness huh

[BigTransformerTrev]

Other than Sunstreaker the characters look great, Sunstreaker is some weird twist of his Maximum Dinobots Headmaster look and he looks out of place with the other characters in this issue.


I'm still not a huge fan of Padilla's art

Yeah, I thought it was ironic when Sunstreaker said "This may not be the time but damn we look good!" I was thinking 'no, no you don't'

[Bidoofdude]

Spotlight Trailbreaker/cutter is fantastic.

A true spotlight issue that has some great ties to the ongoing MtMtE story and to Metroplex and the Titans. Art is great, far more detailed and fluent than his work on the Mars Attacks cross over.

Really funny and enjoyable comic with great writing once again, Whirl was a highlight, but Rodimus and Sweve get a line or two. Even introduces Hoist, some Armada characters (Landmine and I thought it was Hotshot flinging his arm infront of first Aid, turns out it was Dipstick) as well as Lockdown and Lugnutz in very animated style bodies. Makes sense since the Insecticons were previously part of Thundercracker's team long ago.

Be nice to get a story following their exploits at some point.

Spotlight Hoist sounds interesting too, it might be the mission mentioned in Trailcutter, but it's the who he meets while on the mission intrigues me.

I also absolutely loved this comic. I felt so much for Trailbreaker and it really felt in the moment and it was quite humorous at the same time, which was good. Whirl was pretty hilarious too.

[Sinnertwin]

I also absolutely loved this comic. I felt so much for Trailbreaker and it really felt in the moment and it was quite humorous at the same time, which was good. Whirl was pretty hilarious too.

Indeed. Even Moist went one better than his Rodimus Star :D :D

[BigTransformerTrev]

Did anyone else notice that the Spotlight: Trailcutter that came with the toy is different than the one that came out in comic stores? :confused::confused::confused:

In the one with the toy he is called Trailcutter instead of Trailbreaker from page one, and the bit with him and Whirl discussing his name change has gone completely!

[GoktimusPrime]

Would you be so kind as to scan and post said panels? Thanks. :)

[Paulbot]

From TFwiki (http://tfwiki.net/wiki/The_Reluctant_Specialist#Trivia) FYI:
In the version of the issue packed in with Trailcutter's Generations Thrilling 30 toy, several edits to the script are made:
Any reference to the name 'Trailbreaker' is removed. The dialogue on page 6 regarding his name change is cut, and any prior uses of his original name are changed to 'Trailcutter'.
Mentions of guns and killing are replaced with blasters and destroying/hurting/etc.
Overt references to alcohol consumption are removed, such as Trailcutter's offer to share a bottle of Nightmare Fuel, and his resolution to "get fendered" at the end of the issue.
Some less explicable changes to the narration, such as moving the narration from page 8, panel 5 one panel earlier, and omitting the entirely harmless first narration box on page 9, panel 4.

[griffin]

Sounds like there are some required or perceived target-age standards with toys' content, in which the toys are aimed at a lower age demographic than comics at a comic store... so the standards have to be more G-rated with anything packed with the toy, unlike comics at a comic shop, that could be any rating they want.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Possible Spoiler


Read at own possible risk :D




In the sneak peak of MTMTE 25, it shows Swerve battling alongside Crosscut, with Swerve talking about how ‘everyone knows who Crosscut is’. What are the chances they put him in this comic so that said comic can get packaged with the upcoming Generations toy in a few months :rolleyes:

[Paulbot]

Oh for sure. Its gotta be. But I think it's a poor choice of placement for that character in terms of the overall MTMTE story.

Because: "Hey Skids, you know how you couldn't remember anything before we found you on the planet. Well guess what, we forgot to tell you there's a guy down on deck 4 who was a senator and has the exact same body as you. Even the extra built in weapons. We probably should have introduced you." :rolleyes: It would have been better if he was on Cybertron.

[BigTransformerTrev]

What's the odds that if Rhinox was a deluxe instead of a Voyager, we'd suddenly see him cropping up on either Cybertron or the Lost Light so he could have a comic too :p:rolleyes:

[GoktimusPrime]

Heheh, yeah. the whole Slag-Slug thing feels forced too, especially when Slug's telling Swoop that he's decided to change his name in the present, but then we see Swoop calling him "Slug" in a flashback! :rolleyes: I suspect that Hasbro might've mandated that he only be called Slug to avoid confusing kids when they pack the comic with the toy. But I don't see why IDW couldn't have just called him Slag in the flashback scene in the regular version, then when it's reprinted for the toy then change it to Slug or reword it to just avoid calling him by name. :confused:

Although... I'm not aware of any news about a Generations Slug toy being in the works, so maybe this is a sign? Otherwise it's feels like a rather intrusive mandate from Hasbro for no particular reason if they're not going to attach it with an upcoming product. :( *sigh* Another reason why I prefer Transformers to be toy-first... :rolleyes:

[Bidoofdude]

Heheh, yeah. the whole Slag-Slug thing feels forced too, especially when Slug's telling Swoop that he's decided to change his name in the present, but then we see Swoop calling him "Slug" in a flashback! :rolleyes: I suspect that Hasbro might've mandated that he only be called Slug to avoid confusing kids when they pack the comic with the toy. But I don't see why IDW couldn't have just called him Slag in the flashback scene in the regular version, then when it's reprinted for the toy then change it to Slug or reword it to just avoid calling him by name. :confused:

Although... I'm not aware of any news about a Generations Slug toy being in the works, so maybe this is a sign? Otherwise it's feels like a rather intrusive mandate from Hasbro for no particular reason if they're not going to attach it with an upcoming product. :( *sigh* Another reason why I prefer Transformers to be toy-first... :rolleyes:

Slug would be a dream come true as a toy, but it probably is nothing.