5 Page Preview for Transformers: Lost Light 25

It was Ratchet?





Also I've only ever read 2 comics:The one with centuritron "Into the Abyss"
and the one that came packaged with nightbeat " IDK "

So at least Prowl, Windblade, and Earth survive Unicron. If this is years after Unicron 6 and Op25, shouldn’t it have been released last?

Stormshot_Prime wrote:So at least Prowl, Windblade, and Earth survive Unicron. If this is years after Unicron 6 and Op25, shouldn’t it have been released last?

It was always intended to be released first and we still don’t know the entire issue so don’t let this let you draw to conclusions just yet. It is Roberts and he always subverts expectations. If this comic was to ruin the end of OP and unicron than it wouldn’t be first.

"We achieved something" Yeah, turning a beloved franchise into an SJW circle jerk. Good. Riddance.

Maverick69429 wrote:"We achieved something" Yeah, turning a beloved franchise into an SJW circle jerk. Good. Riddance.

Overall, that aspect wasn't too bad. It gave some extra layers to characters, even if it humanized them, thus taking away from the mystique of being alien shape-shifting robots. It was heavy-handed at times, but that's not due to the nature of the subject, but rather the inadequate talent of the writer. I got tired of Chromedome and Rewind pretty quickly, but I thought Cyclonus and Tailgate fit together well. I was a bit surprised by Ratchet and Drift, but I shouldn't have been. They spent most of the story together. I don't care about the rest. I do think that by the time the issue (and the story) comes to a close, Rodimus and Megatron will become at least conjunx amicae, if not more. As much as I was disappointed in the end of MTMTE, the overall story of the crew of the Lost Light has been pretty good. It won't beat the original Marvel comics, but it's better than what we had between 2006 and 2012. Just my opinion, of course.

Randomhero wrote:

Stormshot_Prime wrote:So at least Prowl, Windblade, and Earth survive Unicron. If this is years after Unicron 6 and Op25, shouldn’t it have been released last?

It was always intended to be released first and we still don’t know the entire issue so don’t let this let you draw to conclusions just yet. It is Roberts and he always subverts expectations. If this comic was to ruin the end of OP and unicron than it wouldn’t be first.

You have a good point, but I remember back during First Strike there was a lot of weirdness with releases. For example we were spoiled that the villain of Revolutionaries was Joe Colton, before the pentultimate issue of that came out. I’m hoping you’re right, but the schedule has been modified so much at this point who knows.

Stormshot_Prime wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

Stormshot_Prime wrote:So at least Prowl, Windblade, and Earth survive Unicron. If this is years after Unicron 6 and Op25, shouldn’t it have been released last?

It was always intended to be released first and we still don’t know the entire issue so don’t let this let you draw to conclusions just yet. It is Roberts and he always subverts expectations. If this comic was to ruin the end of OP and unicron than it wouldn’t be first.

You have a good point, but I remember back during First Strike there was a lot of weirdness with releases. For example we were spoiled that the villain of Revolutionaries was Joe Colton, before the pentultimate issue of that came out. I’m hoping you’re right, but the schedule has been modified so much at this point who knows.

That was due to revolutionaries being delayed so much which ruined that surprise but this was always intended to be released first or the same week as Unicron but I know for sure it was never last and moved due to delays.

So, (possibly) YEARS into the future, and Prowl STILL hasn't gotten his eye fixed?

Bounti76 wrote:So, (possibly) YEARS into the future, and Prowl STILL hasn't gotten his eye fixed?

Look at the corner of those panels. It’s says much earlier. The scene of Rodimus prowl and megatron are flashbacks

Sometimes I find the best way to start saying "goodbye" is to get straight to business.

For this review, sharing some context for this final issue of Lost Light may be an appropriate starting point. For those keeping up with the series you'll know that issue 24 left us with most of the series' main plots resolved. This finale serves as a way to put a bow on some other points of unfinished business while also providing a coda to show just where things go once the dust has settled. The biggest questions still to be answered are addressed for the most part, and even some yet-to-come events in IDW's other stories are alluded to in a telling way without venturing far into spoiler territory. That latter point is not the book's fault, but rather due to the chaotic release scheduling we've all come to be familiar with.


The primary story is set in the far flung future, where everyone that has survived to that point is older and sadder. It's just like real life, only with robots that turn into cars and stuff, and that allows the story to deliver some of the emotional beats the series has become so well known for.

The sincere, dedicated following this series has earned stems from that ability to present a narrative that allows for an escape into another world that retains a connectivity to its readers by examining, among many things, our relationships to others. Interpersonal, romantic, platonic, professional, friendly, or just plain casual, the Lost Light crew forged various bonds through their journey. What those are, were, could be, and could have been form the backbone of this finale, sparing no remorse for your feelings along the way.


There's little left to really wrap up, and the biggest question on the minds of most readers probably has to do with how exactly this story might tie in to things going on elsewhere. This is answered early and allows the story to keep going, and ends up leaving some wonder in my mind anyhow about whether or not that question is actually addressed - but that's just me and it almost definitely was in its entirety.

The other one has to do with one of the central figures of the story since "Season 2" of More Than Meets The Eye began. A great deal of nuance is present in the approach to this plot, and unfortunately it crosses into the point of ambiguity. This may have been on purpose, or it could be that I just plain missed something. If that's the case, I'm happy to eat crow later because it's my only real critique of this issue, and even then it's more critical of the content than the delivery.


This is an ending that manages to do exactly what it needs to do, and it does so in a way that only this story with these characters at this moment could do. There's just enough of a twist to it to make you wonder "is it really over?" This occurs almost immediately after reaching the point of the issue where it appears that it truly is - goodbyes are said, farewells are made, and characters have again gone their separate ways. The mood received is comparable to one that might be felt on the last day of school, or at the last meeting at a soon-to-be-departed job, or even while writing the last review about your favorite comic book series of all time.

It's the end and it's ok to be a little sad, but it's better to be glad that it happened.


Jack Lawrence returns for the finale, a fitting assignment as this lands him at 16 issues of the series' 25 on primary line art duties. The output does not disappoint, with his signature adeptness with expressions allowing many character moments to come through precisely as they were intended. Joana Lafuente's colors are a wonderful complement as usual, with special attention and praise in order for the subtle but impossible to miss difference in palette between scenes set in the future and those occurring in the "present". Tom B. Long takes the dense script and places every bubble of text with care, creating a full package between art, color, and text which ensures these unique characters keep their voice. Peaks and valleys help even Swerve convey speech that hits more at home with its realism than a Swerve line ever possibly could otherwise.

The covers available are the "A" cover, featured in this review's news story thumbnail, with art by Lawrence and colors by Lafuente. Nick Roche's art and Josh Burcham's colors take up the traditional "B" cover spot, with editor David Mariotte making the spelling assist that will be forever appreciated turn into a reality. MTMTE regular Alex Milne provides an appropriately decorated RI cover with Josh Perez's colors shining as they always do. You can find images of all of those covers and full credits for the issue in our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers: Lost Light #25, but please note it contains a character appearance list which may accidentally deliver spoilers.


I've taken great care here to not spoil much. If you've been reading the series, you'll read this issue, and I think you'll be satisfied. There's always a desire to want more of a good thing, and while you might be left with a lingering question or two that won't ever be answered, there's always that faint chance that one day Simon Furman's old adage "it never ends" might apply here as well. Transformers was kept alive in part by the passion of its fans even after the Marvel comic ceased publication - twice, counting G2 - so every back issue, collected version, trade paperback, and fancy hardcover omnibus set (please?) you buy in the future helps keep the possibility of Team Rodimus having some future adventures alive.

"Chances of this actually working?" "Oh, astronomically slim." But with the backup content of Roberts' retrospective teasing at just enough as it relates to the murdered word, and considering other strange goings on such as the initially solicited 40 page, $4.99 sized issue not happening, it feels like there's something in a distant tomorrow. Maybe one day the Crusadercons will quip their way into our hearts all over again, and this reader would welcome that with open arms.

Right, a score. 5/5 if there were numbers, but no numbers are needed this time.

To James Roberts, Jack Lawrence, Joana Lafuente, Alex Milne, Nick Roche, Josh Burcham, Brendan Cahill, Casey Coller, E.J. Su, Priscilla Tramontano, Tom B. Long, Carlos Guzman, David Mariotte, Sara Pitre-Durocher, Andrew Griffith, John Barber, Hayato Sakamoto, Brian Shearer, JP Bove, Agustin Padilla, Jose Aviles, and the huge list of other creators that worked on Lost Light and More Than Meets The Eye that I'll kick myself for forgetting to mention here -



So is it really over? Yes.

Haven't read this issue and I miss the series already....

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Maverick69429 wrote:"We achieved something" Yeah, turning a beloved franchise into an SJW circle jerk. Good. Riddance.

Overall, that aspect wasn't too bad. It gave some extra layers to characters, even if it humanized them, thus taking away from the mystique of being alien shape-shifting robots. It was heavy-handed at times, but that's not due to the nature of the subject, but rather the inadequate talent of the writer. I got tired of Chromedome and Rewind pretty quickly, but I thought Cyclonus and Tailgate fit together well. I was a bit surprised by Ratchet and Drift, but I shouldn't have been. They spent most of the story together. I don't care about the rest. I do think that by the time the issue (and the story) comes to a close, Rodimus and Megatron will become at least conjunx amicae, if not more. As much as I was disappointed in the end of MTMTE, the overall story of the crew of the Lost Light has been pretty good. It won't beat the original Marvel comics, but it's better than what we had between 2006 and 2012. Just my opinion, of course.

I pretty much got used to Chromedome and Rewind. The way it was written for them in MTMTE was pretty good and established that I eventually became quite fine with them.

Then from reconstruction onwards, these stuff became rampant. Cyclonus and Tailgate, Anode and Lug, Blast-Off and Onslaught, Arcee and Aileron and now, Drift and Ratchet. I just find it so weird and personally it's really hard to get used to and I don't think I ever will.

Anode with Lug, Arcee with Aileron and the Two Combaticons I can look past. But Cyclonus, Tailgate and Drift, Ratchet? That would be a big NO from me. I liked them better during the time of MTMTE when they were just close buddies (with the exception of Chromedome and Rewind). Those kinds of stuffs was moderate back then.

Sorry, I don't normally want to do this but since this current universe/continuity is ending, might as well put my thoughts on what I feel about this subject. Just my two cents there.

A great review Scotty, I'm really sad that this is coming to an end.

Obligatory follow-up given the review's contents - Mr. Roberts clarifies something for me, spoilers at link so be careful: https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/ ... 24768?s=19

YoungPrime wrote:Haven't read this issue and I miss the series already....

Curious to hear what you think after you've read it

ZeroWolf wrote:A great review Scotty, I'm really sad that this is coming to an end.

Thanks!

I won't miss this comic but i'm happy others did enjoy it.

Though some arcs were rushed for the sake of ending the universe, this is probably one of the best stories we’ll ever get. It’s not often we get some fiction with actual depth and thought put into its deep universe. I just feel like the next comic series will lack so much of what made any of the IDW stories so great, that depth will be replaced with toy selling. We saw how unnatural that sat in continuity with their attempts to tie in Combiner Wars and Titans Return.

At least there’s two more issues in the IDWverse to tide us over for the year.

Here’s to the Crusadercons.

I wasn’t very happy with this ending. Highlights were ratchets funeral and bits with Megatron. I was not happy with Rung being completely forgotten. I understand the reason but there’s photos of him! Wouldn’t Nautica remember him? Is this really a case of “we saved the universe! We don’t remember how though...”

Some things just left me bitter. Roller, Grimlock just leaving with the Scavengers, nickel being there is a total “alright we’re just gonna ignore this cold blooded killer.” The organics from Mederi, nightbeat. Nightbeats death that came was totally forgotten was something that irked me.

This final story and arc of this 7 year series just a giant let down for me.

I understand that they're in different books, but the writers of both should have found a way to reunite Grimlock and the Dinobots. And I'm glad Rung is forgotten, I never liked the character.

I'm going to be the minority here, but I don't like this issue for one tiny but very important detail: EVERYTHING HAPPENED OFF PANEL.

Ratchet died? Off Panel.

Megatron's Sentancing? Off Panel. (although we can infer, I guess.)

And I realize that they can't risk spoiling the ends of OP and Unicron I guess, though that didn't stop Unicron., but I was sorta hoping for something that showed the pieces going together rather than telling. I was expecting more of something happening on New Cybertron though than just telling us about flashbacks.

It occurs to me though that the Warren flung them into the far flung future, so there really isn't any way for the LL to interact with present day Earth.

I dont hate it, once yuo gwet past all the stuff that we were told happened, this issue does put a nice bow on the important things. I'm gonna miss MTMTE for its willingness to be something different than a Transformers Book and doing it well. It blazed a new trail and had fun with itself while doing it. That's not always rthe easiest thing to do. I can't wait for what IDW does next but it won't be Lost Light, and frankly I am hoping they don't try to make it so.

I pointed it out when we saw the cover that ratchet was holding the Energon flowers from Necroworld. And noromally one cannot infer anyrthing from COvers, but good god the one time Roberts put it right there in front of ud and we go "Yeah, don't read into that too much."

Megatron's glowing eyes string down Prowl at the end as Prowl twists the knife in Rodimus' back more and more was a nice touch. "I'll go willlingly, but leave my Friends alone"

Too many awesome moments int he BAr Scene to mentiont hem all. Defiantely good for a studdy Misfire under the table with FM's Leg Guns, Ten's models, Bluestreak (didn't they blow him up to prove a point?) Whirl's shirt as a nod tot he Marvel Comic's Mockingbird fallout.

Poor Hot Rod, he starts off alone in the IDW verse forced to kill his City. Loses his team to a Traitor, now has to watch his ship, his home, be reclaimed as all of his friends drive off, leaving him alone.

Fitting to his story, I guess, but I can't believe they forgot ol' whats his name. Rhymes with Eyebrows... RIng? Ladder? Nice to see bits and pieces of him in the Luna 1 bots.

Whirl and Cyclonus, starts with a hug, emds with a hug.

zfogshooterz wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Maverick69429 wrote:"We achieved something" Yeah, turning a beloved franchise into an SJW circle jerk. Good. Riddance.

Overall, that aspect wasn't too bad. It gave some extra layers to characters, even if it humanized them, thus taking away from the mystique of being alien shape-shifting robots. It was heavy-handed at times, but that's not due to the nature of the subject, but rather the inadequate talent of the writer. I got tired of Chromedome and Rewind pretty quickly, but I thought Cyclonus and Tailgate fit together well. I was a bit surprised by Ratchet and Drift, but I shouldn't have been. They spent most of the story together. I don't care about the rest. I do think that by the time the issue (and the story) comes to a close, Rodimus and Megatron will become at least conjunx amicae, if not more. As much as I was disappointed in the end of MTMTE, the overall story of the crew of the Lost Light has been pretty good. It won't beat the original Marvel comics, but it's better than what we had between 2006 and 2012. Just my opinion, of course.

I pretty much got used to Chromedome and Rewind. The way it was written for them in MTMTE was pretty good and established that I eventually became quite fine with them.

Then from reconstruction onwards, these stuff became rampant. Cyclonus and Tailgate, Anode and Lug, Blast-Off and Onslaught, Arcee and Aileron and now, Drift and Ratchet. I just find it so weird and personally it's really hard to get used to and I don't think I ever will.

Anode with Lug, Arcee with Aileron and the Two Combaticons I can look past. But Cyclonus, Tailgate and Drift, Ratchet? That would be a big NO from me. I liked them better during the time of MTMTE when they were just close buddies (with the exception of Chromedome and Rewind). Those kinds of stuffs was moderate back then.

Sorry, I don't normally want to do this but since this current universe/continuity is ending, might as well put my thoughts on what I feel about this subject. Just my two cents there.

In general, I agree with your sentiments here not just on IDW but in most stories and tv shows.When I first Saw Drift/Ratchet it got a big NO from me too, and I said as much. But the pieces were there all the way back to "How to say Goodbye" when Ratchet makes a figure of Drift for Ten's Display and says something to the effect of "We all miss him. Some of us didn't realize just how much" and it underline that those two' banter and bicker about Science vs. Religion in MTMTE, LL, and the Drift series betrayed a deeper truth of respect. They didn't agree with each other, on anything. But they appreciated each other's convictions. That's an important lesson even in friendship, but romantic stories have been built on less.

For Cyclonus and Tailgate, the only real wrinkle I see is that these are two characters who never interacted in previous Media. But they built both characters stpries so thoroughly, and they both brought out great arcs in the other that I wouldnt have it any other way.

Anode and Lug sorta bothers me in a different way, but they were introduced together as a Couple, even if one of them was a hallucination or memory, so that's just what they are.

Rodimus Prime wrote:I understand that they're in different books, but the writers of both should have found a way to reunite Grimlock and the Dinobots. And I'm glad Rung is forgotten, I never liked the character.

If I remember right though, the last time the Dinobots saw Grimlock, they were not his biggest fans. Though I am reasonably confident in saying I think they might work past that, because Grimlock is still a Dinobot.

The way this issue jumped all over the place made it hard for me to understand what the hell was going on. I kept wondering if I'd missed the previous issue, which it turns out I hadn't.

One minute a character is dead, the next he's alive ... another has forgotten how to transform and then a few pages later he's up and about in robot mode, promises were made, then not carried through.

I expected it all to end as some dream sequence, but it didn't. Instead, rather than this being the total end of the universe, they found a way to bring them back if they choose to.

There were things I didn't like, and even Roberts addressed that in his "Author's Note" admits to seeding plots that wouldn't play out for five years. And that's been my biggest annoyance with this big, expecting to remember some tiny little thing from five years ago.

I enjoyed it for it's humour. I enjoyed it for Ultra Magnus, for Whirl, for how much characterisation was given to so many characters.

The entire story of Megatron, rising up against injustice, his fight turning into full scale war that lasted millions of years, losing his way only to realise how far he had fallen, and then rising again to find redemption in another universe. Some may find his turn hard to swallow, and hey, I was right there with them, but when you play it out from beginning to end, it's a fantastic tale.

To me, the series had it's problems, but it also had some amazing moments, and you simply cannot ignore the fact this is the longest running Transformers series, more so in an era where the big two constantly reboot their books nearly every year, it's longevity is a testament to how well the books were received by the fans.

It will be hard to top.

Flashwave wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:I understand that they're in different books, but the writers of both should have found a way to reunite Grimlock and the Dinobots. And I'm glad Rung is forgotten, I never liked the character.

If I remember right though, the last time the Dinobots saw Grimlock, they were not his biggest fans. Though I am reasonably confident in saying I think they might work past that, because Grimlock is still a Dinobot.

They ended on good terms. Their was a lot of tension but by the end of Maximun dinobots they understood their bonds were stronger than the problems they had and forgave Grimlock and Grimlock took full responsibility for their alleged abandonment of the autobots

The one thing that’s really left unanswered is: how the hell did scorponok lose the Magnificance and it wound up on Troja Major?

I'm going to miss the hell out of it. Yeah, there were things that happened off panel, but... those things don't really matter. What matters is the "other" ship. The one that gets away. The one that is off exploring. They are having their adventures still. That was a different Ratchett, a different Rodimus, and a different Megatron.

One ship is destroyed and the pieces put to use to make other ships (a bit of a metaphor for what will happen to the comic as a whole if you think about it). But the second ship... it's still out there, having adventures. That's the real ending.

Loved the issue though it was a bit tough to follow. Them forgetting Rung sucks after his message to them last issue.

All in all though, I'm gonna mess the bejeesus outta this comic and this crew.

I liked Autobot Megatron at the time but have grown to dislike it and the entire IDW Origin of Megatron.

I'll just throw out there that this is the one comic I read full series. The one I bought every issue for. Not always the day they came out - there were some dry spells there in the run - but no other comics have been able to maintain that suspense and interest for me.

I love characters - and I think most of us who liked Transformers and GI Joe liked them because there were so many different types of characters.

In this series, and curiously, only since the caricatured portrayals in the original cartoon, the dynamics between all those different types of characters were explored and had fun with. Not just how their personalities impact plot - but how they impact each other, and that alone is often amusing and engaging.

I'll thank Roberts for getting me to like Rodimus, for creating Tarn, for awesome awesome Whirl, Nautica, Skids, Megatron, Ravage, Spinister.

I'll thank Roberts for planting details that always eventually meant something. Even if rushed and somewhat incomprehensible without tfwiki, the bits and pieces almost always added up to something, and when you actually recognize that callback to something 30 issues ago, it's a fun feeling.

I was able to read this series with my 10-yr-old, now 12 son for the past two years, and loved being able to talk about the twists and try to make sense of things with him.

The series was not without risks or turns that backfired into groans or disinterest, but the characters were the glue, and the references to real life, the ability to present the same things we deal with today in a fun way that still enables me to see things differently was really masterful. Even the last issue - I didn't put together how meta it was - I couldn't really follow what was going on - but then, getting to reread it is rewarding. Comics have to be a bit like poetry - condense a lot using a few word clouds and images. So, going back to reread them, you kind of have to. Which is also great.

Burn wrote:
The entire story of Megatron, rising up against injustice, his fight turning into full scale war that lasted millions of years, losing his way only to realize how far he had fallen, and then rising again to find redemption in another universe. Some may find his turn hard to swallow, and hey, I was right there with them, but when you play it out from beginning to end, it's a fantastic tale.

I started reading MTMTE at the start of this story line. I had more or less ignored the comics since the end of Dreamwave, and this was my jumping back in point. I had issues with it at first, but those issues were because I was starting to like Megatron, and the real world in me said that was wrong.

But it wasn't, because in the fantasy land of comics, redemption from anything is possible, and that is an amazing thing.

After falling for MTMTE, I quickly went back, and got caught up on all of IDWverse, as confusing as it could be, it helped to be taking it in all at once. The IDWverse, with MTMTE at its front, has since become my all time favorite Transformers continuity.

All because of the MTMTE/LL stories.

This final issue was, to me, perfect. I liked how we got to see the two different endings: one happy, one not so much. It symbolized what comics are to me: an escape from reality. Our Crusadercons escaped the ho-hum life by making a duplicate and continuing on a never ending adventure. Goddamn, it doesn't get much better than that.

Question: do the duplicate crew know that they're a duplicate? I mean, it doesn't make them any less real, but do they have the memories they had before the quantum jump? This may have been explained previously, and just don't remember it.

I forgot to mention this last time, but I was glad to see the Protectobots alive and well.

Coptur wrote:I liked Autobot Megatron at the time but have grown to dislike it and the entire IDW Origin of Megatron.

Out of curiosity, why don't you like the IDW origin of him? I think it's fantastic and shows his good intentions twisted. He's much more three dimensional then any other megs we've seen.

ZeroWolf wrote:

Coptur wrote:I liked Autobot Megatron at the time but have grown to dislike it and the entire IDW Origin of Megatron.

Out of curiosity, why don't you like the IDW origin of him? I think it's fantastic and shows his good intentions twisted. He's much more three dimensional then any other megs we've seen.

I like it but I feel we are still missing a major gap in between him wanting liberation and then thinking that peace could only be achieved through tyranny.

Maverick69429 wrote:"We achieved something" Yeah, turning a beloved franchise into an SJW circle jerk. Good. Riddance.

I come onto the forums to read others opinions and post my own (long time member but posting much less of late) and see this as the first post to sum up the final issue and the series as a whole.

I have to say I find myself thinking the same, even if I am trying to be more forgiving.

The book had some good high points and some very good plot twists but what attracted me to Transformers as a child and good comic books overall is a science fiction themed action adventure plot but by the end of this book it has turned into something akin to Sex and The City or Friends being left wing hippy sitcom with all sense of gravitas about the characters removed with lovely touchy feely writing that just doesn't leave me feeling connected or bothered about the characters.

I am not saying this book did not have a place for such stuff but it ended up taking over the whole book and if you compare the current plot to say something like Marvel's Edge of Extinction with Unicron, this just doesn't generate the same compelling read as it reads as all a joke with some stupid comment being made, in much the same way if something serious was to happen in an episode of Friends, you would not be upset but rather waiting for the next laugh which in turns cheapens the emotional message.

On a bit of different note looking back at Lost Light as a whole, this title is where it really feels that Roberts lost it and used the book as his own personal soapbox ahead of delivering quality writing, especially when compared to MTMTE in it's early days. The political and social references were as subtle as some ageing slag off the old kent road. It is the prerogative of a writer to weave in his own agenda to whatever narrative he writes, a better and wiser writer makes such things subtle and there to see to those in the know, but when you are counting the number of real life references throughout a single issue that are delivered in a derogatory and patronising way with the impression given that "I the writer do not agree with this and thus anyone who does is clearly uneducated and/or a bigot" it comes across as puerile and nothing more than virtue signalling.

Please do get me wrong in thinking I did not enjoy the book for the most part nor that I disagree with putting subtle messages in the stories, I did enjoy the book and enjoy seeing world references, but when these appear to be all that is being published with the story just being a convenient delivery method it takes away any enjoyment of the fiction element of the book, as let's be honest this is why we all read it no?

Something we may never find out is if Roberts is a 1 trick pony in the same way that many writers are, Furman likes big apocalypse settings with myriad interwoven mythos and stories before killing everyone. Roberts weakness was for set ups with cliches and twists (some very good) and then plot devices that undo everyone he ever kills, the result being you can see the same events happening again and again.

The book was good and overall I think has had the best run and reception of ANY Transformers title for the entire run but I also feel that it could have been so much more so yes while I am sad this title has ended it totally feels right that we end rather than dragging out the death for another 5 years and lose all of the readership.

I truly think that anything James Roberts has had a hand in (aside from Dark Cybertron) is the best Transformers fiction we have ever gotten, period. It was fun, with new scenarios but yet with all the duality and oposing sides we want. I know it sounds sacriligious, but I much preffer the writing to Simon Furman's. That said, I did feel that certan things were out of place, when looking at the bigger picture. I didnt care for Lug and Anode, at all. I didnt need more time spent with them, especially at the expense of other characters. And those two seem like obvious poster children for gender related issues. It was just too much in your face with those two with a lot of time dedicated to them and their gender issues with no relation to the story nor any plot development. So I can see where some people can get annoyed. But then again, growing up in an accepting society means a lot of messages feel forced since I have already accepted everything being presented.
We can compare that to Chromedome and Rewind and its like night and day. We get great character development there, fueling amazing stories with an emotional core.

Been giving the ending some thoughts, and it's kinda hard to think about it. I'm kinda really bummed about how it's split between the "present" with regards to Earth, and the future with all these characters having sort of suffered really. There is new Cybertronian life, but only those living here beforehand and those from the Lost Light live here. That is kinda hard to take.

I was hoping for something more upbeat and fun for an ending, not a class reunion brought about by a death where everything is said in conversation. It feels a bit weak.

I feel bummed about not knowing if Megs is forever imprisoned or dead though. He was a major highlight, and his Autobot self was the best overall thing about Season 2 of MTMTE into LL. I will miss that Megatron.

I did really like the quantum duplicate trick though, along with Perceptor and Brainstorm sharing that moment. That was the best part of the issue for me, knowing that their adventures will forever continue, and it will not truly end.

The quantum trick...how many times could that be pulled off? Is James setting up a miniseries in a few years time where the characters are living peacefully till an armada of lost lights come home?

ZeroWolf wrote:The quantum trick...how many times could that be pulled off? Is James setting up a miniseries in a few years time where the characters are living peacefully till an armada of lost lights come home?

It was pulled off once, but in reality, this is a case where there could be an infinite number that will never run into each other and thus cancel one out, so people can make their own futures for the crew that last as long as they want.

It's really clever really, and I love it.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:The quantum trick...how many times could that be pulled off? Is James setting up a miniseries in a few years time where the characters are living peacefully till an armada of lost lights come home?

It was pulled off once, but in reality, this is a case where there could be an infinite number that will never run into each other and thus cancel one out, so people can make their own futures for the crew that last as long as they want.

It's really clever really, and I love it.

If I remember right, back in the first couple of issues of the book they mentioned that with a jump went through there was a significant drain on fuel resources. I'm not sure if it was stated to be 50% or not, but in theory the number of times they could jump could be limited to the number of times that the fuel supply could be halved and still have the engine run.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Question: do the duplicate crew know that they're a duplicate? I mean, it doesn't make them any less real, but do they have the memories they had before the quantum jump? This may have been explained previously, and just don't remember it.

I forgot to mention this last time, but I was glad to see the Protectobots alive and well.

I seem to recall back in the "The Path Not Taken" arc when Nautica worked out the mystery of the 2 Lost Lights she mentioned one was as real as they other. So up until the actual point of the jump both sets of characters would hold the same type of memories.

From what Rewind, from the other Lost Light, and what Nightbeat mentioned it sounded like everything was the exact same until the jump was initiated. Two Lost Lights, same backgrounds, sane crews, separate experiences.

DarkEnergon wrote:I'll just throw out there that this is the one comic I read full series. The one I bought every issue for. Not always the day they came out - there were some dry spells there in the run - but no other comics have been able to maintain that suspense and interest for me...

While not buying every issue of MtMtE/LL it was the only series of the IDW Transformers universe I invested in as well -- post Ongoing & its predecessors of course. (Some of the Spotlights and the Wrecker's trilogy includes.) I also liked the way how, for the most part, it was separate from the rest of the Transformers storyline. Tie-ins can get costly. And The entire Revolution introduction left aa rather bad taste in my mouth.

It did have some things I can't agree with and found rather illogical (in or out of the context of the content. But went over that elsewhere here on the boards and to do so again would be beating a dead horse,) But for the most part loved the stories as well as the interactions of the characters.

Some of my favorite issues are from MtMtE:

#6 -- Loved how Max answers Rung's question regarding if he remembered G9. "Of course I know. Everybody knows. Even Tailgate. And someone had to draw him a picture of Optimus Prime the other day."
-- also loved the scene in the book when Max breaks down after Rewind throws him off with his projection. -That- was classic, Rung.

The Shadowplay trilogy was another favorite of mine.

#40 -- Ratchet finally goes off in search of Drift. Not to mention how Ratchet reaches out to Ten and sees there's "Much More Than Meets the Eye". (Yeah...I know. *groan*)

#45 & # 46 -- Shows how the Scavangers are in the midst of growing as a team. As well developing past the idea they're all in it for themselves.
(Finding the roboids having a distinct like Max was cute too.)

Also enjoyed issues #48 & #49 between Rung's "reunion" with his rival as well as how Skid's past was explored. Man, was Sundar rather...disturbing!

Thanks to a multitude of sources, we have word that the ending of IDW's Transformers: Lost Light has garnered some major attention.

BBC News, a fairly well known news outlet, has published a story about Lost Light and how it broke down so many barriers in the Transformers fandom, particularly the gender barrier. In the article, much is discussed related to how the representation of women attending Transformers conventions and getting involved in the fandom has grown massively in the past few years, and More Than Meets The Eye / Lost Light has been the reason for much of this change.

The article of course features James Roberts, the writer behind MTMTE/LL, and he talks about how is comic was meant to be something completely different, something new, and based on the critical acclaim and the fandom's response to the many years of Robert's ongoing, it has been a success.

You can check out some sections of the article below, and follow the above link to read the whole story!

ransformers started out as a boy's toy. The robot characters, which could be quickly reconfigured into guns and cars - tapped into the young male zeitgeist of 1984.

Those children have grown into today's adult collectors. But thanks to a cult comic, the franchise's male-dominated audience has crossed the gender divide.

At Europe's largest Transformers convention this year, TFNation, women accounted for almost half of attendees aged 21 to 31. It caps a three-year trend in which female attendance grew by a third. Taking the credit is the comic Lost Light.

.....

Responsible for much of this is the comic's author, James Roberts, who penned all 80-odd issues.

Although the stories are infused with a British sci-fi humour - BBC TV comedy Red Dwarf was a major influence - his ambition for the publication, which tackled topics such as same-sex relationships, freedom and self-determination, was "unashamedly political".

"Misfits and also-rans, in an enclosed space with a pitch-able quest - it's a good way into a story," says Roberts. "This is the difference between American and British sci-fi and comics, and TV shows like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and the new Doctor Who - their love of language, puns, banter.

"You can get away with more swear words if they're British."

.....

The publisher wanted the comic "to speak to Transformers fans and beyond," he says.

Roberts was given the freedom to look beyond the A-list of characters. And with that came the opportunity to take more chances.

An initial positive reception emboldened Roberts, leading to his favourite moment - issue 16, the "declaration of love" between two same-sex Transformers characters, Chromedome and Rewind. It was "a first".

"In the nicest possible way, it became normalised. The world didn't come to an end. That reaction gave me and others the confidence to tell more stories like this," says Roberts.

There was some concern about what Hasbro, a toy maker with a long history and a wholesome, family-friendly image, would make of this turn of events. But head office appeared remarkably unruffled, says John Barber, Lost Light's publisher.

"The company's vice-president of global publishing said something to the effect of: 'I asked you guys to make the characters human and you have'," recalls Barber.

And where's the BBC article about the boys/men that love MLP? oh right they did't get one they just get mocked and under represented within MLP.

James is a nice guy in person but LL was part of the reason I turned away from IDW comics.

Coptur wrote:And where's the BBC article about the boys/men that love MLP? oh right they did't get one they just get mocked and under represented within MLP.

James is a nice guy in person but LL was part of the reason I turned away from IDW comics.

To be fair, mlp didn't have a long running comic that's ending, hence the article.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Thanks to a multitude of sources, we have word that the ending of IDW's Transformers: Lost Light has garnered some major attention.

BBC News

Hasbro may have wanted what they call a "more human" comic. But Transformers themselves are living alien robotic lifeforms. Not organic. Inserting LGBTQ issues were rather out of place, a glaring inconsistent destraction, and took away from exploring various other aspects of the mythos that could have more enhanced tales.

I didn't buy the entire run and, as was my choice, preformed personal editing. Little was missed IMHO.

In relation to the BBC article will only say stating the series promoted gay characters as if that was it's sole achievement was saddening to read. There were many of the stories that were character driven that stood on their own varied merits.

I found the article offensive as if there were little to no females of the fandom beforehand. Some of us gals have been hanging around since the mid80s when TFs were introduced alongside G.I. Joe & Jem.

Sagitta wrote:Hasbro may have wanted what they call a "more human" comic. But Transformers themselves are living alien robotic lifeforms. Not organic. Inserting LGBTQ issues were rather out of place, a glaring inconsistent destraction, and took away from exploring various other aspects of the mythos that could have more enhanced tales.

This has been a point I've been stressing, they're alien robots, but we're applying human traits to them.

That being said, LGBTQ issues are important, and have been for a number of years. While I personally felt they weren't needed in the book, I can't deny or fault what it meant for the LGBTQ community as they had characters they could relate to.

It was either that, or try to be a fan of Iceman, and no one wants to admit to liking Iceman.

In relation to the BBC article will only say stating the series promoted gay characters as if that was it's sole achievement was saddening to read. There were many of the stories that were character driven that stood on their own varied merits.

That's what these forums are for, for us to discuss all the other aspects that made up the run.

Burn wrote:This has been a point I've been stressing, they're alien robots, but we're applying human traits to them.

That being said, LGBTQ issues are important, and have been for a number of years. While I personally felt they weren't needed in the book, I can't deny or fault what it meant for the LGBTQ community as they had characters they could relate to.

While not getting behind the concept, I will say it was poorly executed. There were two series which formed the foundation for MtmtE & RiD in which the concept was nonexistent. When MtMtE & RiD begin they not only seemed to exist but were not exactly as rare as one of the authors of the series had claimed.

The writers could have introduced the topics at some point during )or more than likely after) Dark Cybertron when the Cybertonians were first learning of the outside colonies. Or even further back in RiD's beginning when the planet's citizen population was returning. (I at least have 1 trade paperback of the first few issues.) The civilians would have had dealings with outsiders certainly. But neither happened.

Thus, the existence of that and other attempts to "make the Transformers more human" or rather "lets make them more current for today's society" goes unexplained within the comic. Hence little reason for the sudden appearance.

It was either that, or try to be a fan of Iceman, and no one wants to admit to liking Iceman.

Awww, what;s wrong with Bobby...other then him giving a cold shoulder?

That's what these forums are for, for us to discuss all the other aspects that made up the run.

Wouldn't be as interesting otherwise.

Sagitta wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:Question: do the duplicate crew know that they're a duplicate? I mean, it doesn't make them any less real, but do they have the memories they had before the quantum jump? This may have been explained previously, and just don't remember it.

I forgot to mention this last time, but I was glad to see the Protectobots alive and well.

I seem to recall back in the "The Path Not Taken" arc when Nautica worked out the mystery of the 2 Lost Lights she mentioned one was as real as they other. So up until the actual point of the jump both sets of characters would hold the same type of memories.

From what Rewind, from the other Lost Light, and what Nightbeat mentioned it sounded like everything was the exact same until the jump was initiated. Two Lost Lights, same backgrounds, sane crews, separate experiences.

So then the crew in space can't really be called the "duplicate crew," because who's to say that the crew that was there before the quantum jump isn't the one in space? Or at least they think they are the original.

And I agree with you and Burn on the LGBT aspect.

Rodimus Prime wrote:So then the crew in space can't really be called the "duplicate crew," because who's to say that the crew that was there before the quantum jump isn't the one in space? Or at least they think they are the original...

Quantum mechanics. No one said it wasn't confusing.

Did they ever explain what point was of a Deception baby hiding in the chest of a giant robot dinosaur, or did I miss that bit?

DeadCaL wrote:Did they ever explain what point was of a Deception baby hiding in the chest of a giant robot dinosaur, or did I miss that bit?

Scorponok wanted to remove the sparks of Cybertronians and put them in organic bodies so they could reproduce, and once numbers were high enough, remove the sparks from all the organics to make a new larger force of Cybertronians.

It was a bit strange.

this question is regsrding the issue from Mtmte when fort max took rung hostage : why did it take 3 years for the autobots to respond to one of their main prisons (the one with Impactor and a Magnificence wearing Grimlock were held no less) being taken over by the Decepticons?

Also was the magnificence epistomus or an Omega guardian? I dont think i ever read the actual amswer.