Comic Review: Transformers Spotlights (2012 - 2013)

[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

[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.

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.

-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.