Full Preview for IDW Transformers: Lost Light #14

Much like a lot of LL pay offs lately the Shockwave conclusion just seems like a “OH WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WE GOTTA MOVE ON!”

Shame

Randomhero wrote:Much like a lot of LL pay offs lately the Shockwave conclusion just seems like a “OH WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WE GOTTA MOVE ON!”

Shame

It's a flashback. Thats it. The whole point was to show how Skorpinock got off Garrus 9.

I think it did it's job well, what more do you want?

Ironhidensh wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Much like a lot of LL pay offs lately the Shockwave conclusion just seems like a “OH WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WE GOTTA MOVE ON!”

Shame

It's a flashback. Thats it. The whole point was to show how Skorpinock got off Garrus 9.

I think it did it's job well, what more do you want?

There's a portion of MTMTE readership that just won't ever be satisfied with the story again, no matter what gets written or drawn. I don't know how it got here, been too busy enjoying myself reading these comics.

Ironhidensh wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Much like a lot of LL pay offs lately the Shockwave conclusion just seems like a “OH WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WE GOTTA MOVE ON!”

Shame

It's a flashback. Thats it. The whole point was to show how Skorpinock got off Garrus 9.

I think it did it's job well, what more do you want?

Considering Shockwave has always been 50 steps ahead of everyone and had a plan to literally destroy the universe that he spent 9 million years in the works you’d think he’d have a contingency plan on dealing with one of his former pupils other than shooting the phone.For god sake he probably had a hand(hehe) in upgrading the Djd into who they all are

Because I read comics. All kinds of comics. Not just “James Roberts who can do no wrong’s next masterpiece of comics”

Take off the rose tinted glasses he’s not that great of a story teller.

ScottyP wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Much like a lot of LL pay offs lately the Shockwave conclusion just seems like a “OH WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WRAP IT UP WE GOTTA MOVE ON!”

Shame

It's a flashback. Thats it. The whole point was to show how Skorpinock got off Garrus 9.

I think it did it's job well, what more do you want?

There's a portion of MTMTE readership that just won't ever be satisfied with the story again, no matter what gets written or drawn. I don't know how it got here, been too busy enjoying myself reading these comics.

Really, you don't know how it got here. People have been telling you on these forums for the last few years and all they get is BS like" be respectful" "you're biased". Blah Blah Blah.

Deflecting, and projection isn't going to make me buy these books. They're too far gone.

Pick up a copy of Dark Knights Metal and compare it to any IDW TF book. The difference in the quality of plot and storytelling is the wasted potential for Transformers comics.


5749 and dropping.

I have a couple theories on these recent issues. 1. Tailgate definitely isn't dead. He told FM to tell Rodimus that so Cyclonus wouldn't come back for him. 2. Skids is coming out of the smelting pool.

Or maybe you guys just don't like the story choices for some reason? Maybe this series isn't for you anymore and you should just part amicably, remember the good times as you seek pastures new.

Also comparing dark knights metal to tf is unfair as IDW would have to spend money they didn't have to get first tier marvel and DC writers and I bet that a lot of them would turn their noses up at the idea of writing transformers.

Everyone is so quick to judge the newer issues but honestly we're lucky to have them... I know very few people in real life who like transformers and until I found seibertron I honestly thought the fandom was dying... the fact that people out there pour time and effort into creating these comics for the fandom is nothing short of fantastic.. you can have your opinion but you don't have to tear each other down over them... either enjoy the series or don't but don't have a conniption if someone disagrees (not that anyone in the current comments has but I see that as a running trend online these days).

Personally I think the recent stories are hokey, but what says the series needs a serious tone at all times, I love that the characters can be explored in depth in a media type that allows time for these things... it's just fun.

Randomhero wrote:Because I read comics. All kinds of comics. Not just “James Roberts who can do no wrong’s next masterpiece of comics”

Same here.

And I enjoyed this issue.

Take off the rose tinted glasses he’s not that great of a story teller.

You don't need them to recognise that Roberts is a good writer. Great writer? Not necessarily. Good? Definitely so.



Maybe let's all stop flinging negativity around where no negativity is needed? Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it. I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

Va'al wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Because I read comics. All kinds of comics. Not just “James Roberts who can do no wrong’s next masterpiece of comics”

Same here.

And I enjoyed this issue.

Take off the rose tinted glasses he’s not that great of a story teller.

You don't need them to recognise that Roberts is a good writer. Great writer? Not necessarily. Good? Definitely so.



Maybe let's all stop flinging negativity around where no negativity is needed? Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it. I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

There's negativity and nitpicking, like people getting mad at a preview while it sets up an obvious joke about a 2nd head in a rear end, and then there's actual criticism.

I'm actually back in on this series after a choppy but good issue 13, but I think it's worth noting that this book has some pretty big flaws.

I'm going to reserve final judgement until I read the issue Wednesday night, but it is a little anticlimactic to have 3 of the scariest Decepticons in the IDW universe in a confrontation only to have them chat for a bit and leave.

Shockwave and Yarn, one at each other's throats after the latter escapes prison? How will Shockwave, master strategist survive the encouter? You could have an entire story arc about this, but Shockwave just shoots a phone and leaves.

How did Scorponok, who we haven't seen in a decade, make his escape from Garrus 9? Eh, Shockwave just sort of picked him up as a destraction and he toddled out an airlock.

If all that's going to happen is dangling these interesting chess pieces in front of us, why not have an exciting prison break or something along with Flame, who might have an interesting part to play in any escape since he's an Autobot whose crimes have been covered up by high command..

Like the ending to the mutineers trilogy, it just feels rushed to get wherever this plot is ultimately going at the cost of interesting ideas.

Va'al wrote:Roberts is a good writer. Great writer? Not necessarily. Good? Definitely so.

Wholly a matter of opinion.

Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it.

Each reader has his/her own opinion. If that reader dislikes it enough to give that reaction, that reader can do so. Personally, I think it's because this has gone on for so long. MTMTE started fairly well, had a few low points, but overall stayed interesting. Roberts gave us a good start. Then, the last 3rd of that book went downhill, for whatever reason he lost control of the story. Or maybe he never had control, and whoever did, stopped supervising him. And thus Dying of the Light was a very anticlimactic end to a decent story. And Lost Light was supposed to be a reboot of sorts, but it never got better. Eventually, most readers get tired of being disappointed over and over again.

I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

It's the same thing with the movies, except those stories went down the drain a lot quicker. The first film was decent, and the rest seemed to nosedive in quality. But that's a tired discussion going on 9 years now, and it belongs in the movie forum.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Va'al wrote:Roberts is a good writer. Great writer? Not necessarily. Good? Definitely so.

Wholly a matter of opinion.

Sure. That's not what I'm taking issue with.

Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it.

Each reader has his/her own opinion. If that reader dislikes it enough to give that reaction, that reader can do so. Personally, I think it's because this has gone on for so long. MTMTE started fairly well, had a few low points, but overall stayed interesting. Roberts gave us a good start. Then, the last 3rd of that book went downhill, for whatever reason he lost control of the story. Or maybe he never had control, and whoever did, stopped supervising him. And thus Dying of the Light was a very anticlimactic end to a decent story. And Lost Light was supposed to be a reboot of sorts, but it never got better. Eventually, most readers get tired of being disappointed over and over again.

It's a preview. People are calling other people biased and rose-tinted and stanning because the latter people enjoyed a fucking preview. That is my issue.

You don't have to like it. You are more than welcome, and entitled to, disagree, even strongly. But can we stop implying that there's something wrong with readers who do like what they're reading, even if it's the third coming of Twilight?

I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

It's the same thing with the movies, except those stories went down the drain a lot quicker. The first film was decent, and the rest seemed to nosedive in quality. But that's a tired discussion going on 9 years now, and it belongs in the movie forum.

And this is a tired discussion that belongs in this section.

ricemazter wrote:

Va'al wrote:

Randomhero wrote:Because I read comics. All kinds of comics. Not just “James Roberts who can do no wrong’s next masterpiece of comics”

Same here.

And I enjoyed this issue.

Take off the rose tinted glasses he’s not that great of a story teller.

You don't need them to recognise that Roberts is a good writer. Great writer? Not necessarily. Good? Definitely so.



Maybe let's all stop flinging negativity around where no negativity is needed? Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it. I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

There's negativity and nitpicking, like people getting mad at a preview while it sets up an obvious joke about a 2nd head in a rear end, and then there's actual criticism.

I'm actually back in on this series after a choppy but good issue 13, but I think it's worth noting that this book has some pretty big flaws.

I'm going to reserve final judgement until I read the issue Wednesday night, but it is a little anticlimactic to have 3 of the scariest Decepticons in the IDW universe in a confrontation only to have them chat for a bit and leave.

Shockwave and Yarn, one at each other's throats after the latter escapes prison? How will Shockwave, master strategist survive the encouter? You could have an entire story arc about this, but Shockwave just shoots a phone and leaves.

How did Scorponok, who we haven't seen in a decade, make his escape from Garrus 9? Eh, Shockwave just sort of picked him up as a destraction and he toddled out an airlock.

If all that's going to happen is dangling these interesting chess pieces in front of us, why not have an exciting prison break or something along with Flame, who might have an interesting part to play in any escape since he's an Autobot whose crimes have been covered up by high command..

Like the ending to the mutineers trilogy, it just feels rushed to get wherever this plot is ultimately going at the cost of interesting ideas.

I'm different though and the choice of actions here didn't bother me, the events played out as they should, instead of dragging out what is simply an explanation of how characters got to where they should be. I also liked how shockwave dealt with Tarn as it was simple and efficient otherwise Tarn would of ended up dead which would screw up the continuity worse then a simple error.

I can see Rodimus Primes view that people should be able to voice criticisms about a series they once liked, but I can certainly see Va'al's take on this. You can critise the work just not the author or the people who like it. Also spare a thought about how you critise it, think "if someone said this about a work in like, how would I react?"

End of the day all we are dealing with here is opinions

To be honest, it's been an interesting ride for the entire IDW Transformers series. Lots of changes, especially the whole Hasbro Universe thing...it made things confusing to me IMO. But LL seems isolated from all that, so it maintained its course. I have never been able to judge if a writer is good or bad, or if a director is good or bad...I find it to be out of my scope. What I can judge or communicate is how I experienced it. And so far, Lost Light has been good average but fast. The books don't focus at the moments you want them to focus on. It's like someone flipping the channels, and you see something you like but they don't go back to it. That's the feeling I've been having. Being familiar with Robert's stories, like MTME, he's pulling our legs, there is a buildup and we know it'll hit us soon.

As for the negativity, it has always been the case. The Transformers fandom specifically has been known for being toxic.

I always thought I'd be up for a good ol' Paramount movie bashing any time of day. but I learned that's not what people necessarily want to hear. Fans are trying to enjoy the content and accept it with its flaws.

Disappointment and let down is sometimes hard to deal with. It sometimes feels like a bit of betrayal. This book, felt like a little too much going too fast - for me. Love the characters, love the art, the story seemed a bit fast paced.

Now going back to my opening statement - I try to be open minded. I attempt to give many things the benefit of the doubt. I have to admit, about 40% of the time I am rather confused with this series. I need to go back and read it all again, one after another to make sure I get the picture. Although this next statement is more or less directed at another series, I have never felt ire or aggravation (maybe extreme dislike) for a series outside of visionaries - that said, I am giving it the benefit of the doubt (it made me stupidly angry - and I don't like that). I am of the mindset that everyone is entitled to their feelings, and expression of their feelings, providing their feelings (and opinions) is not forced upon others. I am confused as to why people would give opinions on something not yet experienced (I cannot give my opinion on Marvel outside of not fond of the artwork.)

I value va'als reviews because he echo's a lot of my own sentiment when he does them. I try not to view them until I have had a read over first. (although sometimes I read them and get eager to go out and get that book)

As for the transformers fandom being toxic. I have spoken to moderators I work with on another forum, and it is my understanding is that every fandom has its toxic people. I was told the Rick and Morty fans were quite hostile. The fans of the forum I moderate at are quite colourful at times. I would not expect anything less than division in a fandom with a series as diverse as transformers. Its up there with Doctor Who (the Series that is your series is usually the series that drew you in (for the record, my heart lies with the 4th doctor.) People have such intense passion for their specific series that they will defend it viciously. For some its G1 (me) others Bay Movies, or Beastwars maybe Even TFprime or Rescue Bots (just to name a few). What seems forgotten across all fandoms, not just transformers, is to respect that other people will have different reason for enjoying a series.

I enjoy the Transformers Series for Starscream - don't ask why I adore him so much, but I do. I will defend him viciously - I have. People have said but... Prime is better, Megatron is better, Ironhide is better... why do you like that whiny piece of junk? My answer will always be, is Love cannot ever be fully explained and answered but its a emotion, passion, and soul rolled into one.

We are not only toxic, but passionate.

ZeroWolf wrote:I can see Rodimus Primes view that people should be able to voice criticisms about a series they once liked, but I can certainly see Va'al's take on this. You can critise the work just not the author or the people who like it. Also spare a thought about how you critise it, think "if someone said this about a work in like, how would I react?"

End of the day all we are dealing with here is opinions

Thank you. Nowhere will I ever say that anyone is not allowed to post their negative take on a piece of work or toy or media. But I am getting extremely tired, to the point of not really bothering participating in the discussion, of the 'you like this so you're wrong'.

Criticism - again - is encouraged. I encourage it with every preview and review I make sure gets posted. I encourage it with questions in the news posts. I encourage it in the discussion threads where I have time to post. It's the manner in which flinging thinly-veiled tantrums is covered up as criticism that has gotten exhausting.

Sunstar wrote:I value va'als reviews because he echo's a lot of my own sentiment when he does them. I try not to view them until I have had a read over first. (although sometimes I read them and get eager to go out and get that book)

Thank you, I appreciate these words.

We are not only toxic, but passionate.

budmaloney wrote:As for the negativity, it has always been the case. The Transformers fandom specifically has been known for being toxic.

Then it's time to grow up and drop the toxicity. I'm not the only one who's exhausted and actively disheartened from participating in fandom discussions because of this attitude, and I've had enough of the 'ignore it and move on' approach.

Maybe let's all stop flinging negativity around where no negativity is needed? Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it. I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

Sounds like you're just refusing to accept the criticisms as legitimate.

misfire19d wrote:

Maybe let's all stop flinging negativity around where no negativity is needed? Again, I GET people who DISLIKE the series or the issues. I do not get, at all, why it's we've reached this level of just spitting on it. I don't get it with Paramount movies, I don't get it with these comics. I really don't.

Sounds like you're just refusing to accept the criticisms as legitimate.

Sounds like you don't read my reviews, in which I've criticised almost every single issue so far.

Sounds like you're just refusing to accept the criticisms as legitimate.

Sounds like you don't read my reviews, in which I've criticised almost every single issue so far.

See what I mean? You just did what I said you do.

misfire19d wrote:

Sounds like you're just refusing to accept the criticisms as legitimate.

Sounds like you don't read my reviews, in which I've criticised almost every single issue so far.

See what I mean? You just did what I said you do.

Nope, please do explain. I'm fucking tired of allusions, implications, and suggestions: what is the problem, what is the criticism, and what is it that you say I do?

you just did what I said you do. You refused to accept my critique as legitimate.

I win.

misfire19d wrote:you just did what I said you do. You refused to accept my critique as legitimate.

I win.

Sure thing, darling. Well done on winning! Have a Rodimus Badge for Achieving Something Today.

Va'al wrote:

misfire19d wrote:you just did what I said you do. You refused to accept my critique as legitimate.

I win.

Sure thing, darling. Well done on winning! Have a Rodimus Badge for Achieving Something Today.

I had to laugh there just now. People are so preoccupied with being right! I knew what you meant Va'al, the other guy didn't comprehend and was locked in his thoughts

Va'al wrote:You are more than welcome, and entitled to, disagree, even strongly. But can we stop implying that there's something wrong with readers who do like what they're reading, even if it's the third coming of Twilight?

People can like whatever they want. I never once said or even implied there something wrong with them for liking something that I don't.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Va'al wrote:You are more than welcome, and entitled to, disagree, even strongly. But can we stop implying that there's something wrong with readers who do like what they're reading, even if it's the third coming of Twilight?

People can like whatever they want. I never once said or even implied there something wrong with them for liking something that I don't.

Wasn't talking about you, dear.

ZeroWolf wrote:I can see Rodimus Primes view that people should be able to voice criticisms about a series they once liked, but I can certainly see Va'al's take on this. You can critise the work just not the author

You mean personally, or as an author? An artist of any type should be criticized based on his/her work. If someone constantly (or at least regularly) produces substandard work, that artist deserves criticism. Having said that, I do understand that 'substandard' is a matter of point of view. Something I may think of as substandard (most of Roberts' work of the last few years), someone else might hold in high regard. That's fine. But just because I don't like something and I say so, and others disagree, doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to say it just because it's "negativity."

Also give a thought about how you critise it, think "if someone said this about a work in like, how would I react?"

First I would ask why that someone has that opinion. If I am given valid reason, then I would see how I can improve on the work.

End of the day all we are dealing with here is opinions

Exactly. And if someone else has an opinion opposite of mine, I wouldn't tell him/her that s/he can't say it, just because it's "negative." The way I look at it is my criticism of Roberts's work is positive, because it may contribute to his effort to improve. If he disregards it, that's fine as well. (I'm speaking in general, I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this thread. Or if he does, he doesn't consider the comments directed at him. If he did, the quality of the story in LL would have improved by now.)

Va'al wrote:Wasn't talking about you, dear.

I didn't think so, but considering the comment was made in response to a comment of mine that you quoted, I just wanted to clarify.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:I can see Rodimus Primes view that people should be able to voice criticisms about a series they once liked, but I can certainly see Va'al's take on this. You can critise the work just not the author

You mean personally, or as an author? An artist of any type should be criticized based on his/her work. If someone constantly (or at least regularly) produces substandard work, that artist deserves criticism. Having said that, I do understand that 'substandard' is a matter of point of view. Something I may think of as substandard (most of Roberts' work of the last few years), someone else might hold in high regard. That's fine. But just because I don't like something and I say so, and others disagree, doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to say it just because it's "negativity."

'I do not like the standard of this creator's output, it's put me off the work altogether and that is disappointing me' is not the same as 'take off your rose tinted glasses, you're being swindled by a hack'. I'm here using Exaggeration to try getting my point across, again, one more time, as I don't seem to be making it through.


Am I really being that hard to understand..? More than once I've had to just give up on discussing a piece of work in this thread because of the HOW DARE HE AND ALSO IT WAS GOOD AND NOW IT'S CRAP AND MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER WOULD NOT DO THAT - and I can understand disappointment, I do, I've been critical (negatively) of most of the Lost Light run so far, narrative wise. But why do we have to, every time, fall into 'he's a hack, go read better comics'?

Why not, as you suggest, point out the technical parts that fail in the creation of the story or thread or narrative? And then discuss those?

Not taking away a simple 'I don't like it', that's also obviously fine! - but why does it become 'I don't like it, and you are being tricked into liking it because you don't know better'? Why the superiority?

---

In other news, I'm working on the review for this issue, and as I said above, I enjoyed it overall - despite all my misgivings on the series so far, and some things that didn't work for me.

Have some Sara Pitre Durocher lineart.

Rodimus Prime wrote: First I would ask why that someone has that opinion. If I am given valid reason, then I would see how I can improve on the work.

for my stuff, I generally want constructive criticism. In order to improve, I value input. I value input that can effect a positive change on my work. People saying this work sucks, and doesn't express how it could be changed, preferably in a civilised manner, are not worth my time. If a person says, "you know your work is good, but your grammar is off, missing oxford commas and the like and then may offer some assistance or point out where the errors are. - I have no issue with that. I have seen budding artists lose heart because of some jerk making some unnecessarily cruel remark regarding their work, and I have seen artists blossom with helpful guidance. So not all negative criticism is inherently bad - most constructive crit is wonderful.

Its the destructive crit that's bad. It sucks because I don't like you or your art - I may be of a minority here, but I was told if you don't have anything nice or useful to say, its generally best to keep ones maw closed.

So Rodimus, perfect answer <3 I still miss TAAO *sosb*

Rodimus Prime wrote:

ZeroWolf wrote:I can see Rodimus Primes view that people should be able to voice criticisms about a series they once liked, but I can certainly see Va'al's take on this. You can critise the work just not the author

You mean personally, or as an author? An artist of any type should be criticized based on his/her work. If someone constantly (or at least regularly) produces substandard work, that artist deserves criticism. Having said that, I do understand that 'substandard' is a matter of point of view. Something I may think of as substandard (most of Roberts' work of the last few years), someone else might hold in high regard. That's fine. But just because I don't like something and I say so, and others disagree, doesn't mean I shouldn't be allowed to say it just because it's "negativity."

Also give a thought about how you critise it, think "if someone said this about a work in like, how would I react?"

First I would ask why that someone has that opinion. If I am given valid reason, then I would see how I can improve on the work.

End of the day all we are dealing with here is opinions

Exactly. And if someone else has an opinion opposite of mine, I wouldn't tell him/her that s/he can't say it, just because it's "negative." The way I look at it is my criticism of Roberts's work is positive, because it may contribute to his effort to improve. If he disregards it, that's fine as well. (I'm speaking in general, I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this thread. Or if he does, he doesn't consider the comments directed at him. If he did, the quality of the story in LL would have improved by now.)

Oh I meant don't attack the author personally, constructive criticism is encouraged as long as it's genuine and isn't an attempt to insult (and trying to get it through by passing it off as criticism)

Though my part about if the shoe was on the other foot was more about people who were just attacking without having any constructive criticism.
EDIT: Sunstar me and you have the same taste in doctors from doctor who apparently...

Va'al wrote:

misfire19d wrote:you just did what I said you do. You refused to accept my critique as legitimate.

I win.

Sure thing, darling. Well done on winning! Have a Rodimus Badge for Achieving Something Today.

Hehe, darling... I like to use "cupcake" myself.

Can we get back onto the topic of Lost Light.
Fuck asking nicely.

There's plenty of space in the rest of the forums where you can start your own thread about the etiquettes of posting positively or negatively.

Burn wrote:Can we get back onto the topic of Lost Light.
**** asking nicely.

There's plenty of space in the rest of the forums where you can start your own thread about the etiquettes of posting positively or negatively.

Fair point. So, thoughts on the last panel of 'LL #13? I'm definitely intrigued.

Lore Keeper wrote:So, thoughts on the last panel of 'LL #13? I'm definitely intrigued.

Intriguing yes, here's hoping it has a good pay off.

I'd hope for more stories involving Ten, but it'll just end up taking away the mystique of the character.

Burn wrote:

Lore Keeper wrote:So, thoughts on the last panel of 'LL #13? I'm definitely intrigued.

Intriguing yes, here's hoping it has a good pay off.

I'd hope for more stories involving Ten, but it'll just end up taking away the mystique of the character.

He's been an enigma since his introduction. The Legislators are supposedly sparkless drones, but we know that many of them were built from the remains of the slaughtered Circle of Light. I've long suspected that Ten is one of these, and that there is somehow some remnant of his original self in there. The ending of this issue makes me more convinced of this. Now I'm just trying to figure out who he used to be.

Lore Keeper wrote:

Burn wrote:

Lore Keeper wrote:So, thoughts on the last panel of 'LL #13? I'm definitely intrigued.

Intriguing yes, here's hoping it has a good pay off.

I'd hope for more stories involving Ten, but it'll just end up taking away the mystique of the character.

He's been an enigma since his introduction. The Legislators are supposedly sparkless drones, but we know that many of them were built from the remains of the slaughtered Circle of Light. I've long suspected that Ten is one of these, and that there is somehow some remnant of his original self in there. The ending of this issue makes me more convinced of this. Now I'm just trying to figure out who he used to be.

I side with Burn (I think) on this one.

Ten has been a really interesting character to see develop without having to go the same route as current Grimlock - except for this issue, as you'll see - for 'further layers', which in my opinion are entirely unnecessary at this stage. Setting up a really interesting character only to weave it into a pattern that wasn't really there to begin with can get tiresome after the ..fourth time?

Neil Gaiman has used it as his go-to trope for most of his writing, and I'd like to not see more 'not who you really think they are' characters keep appearing all across the universe. I get the spin on the 'in Disguise' bit, but it can easily get overdone!

The Ten thing is intriguing, and personally I'm not expecting it to be a big reveal about some secret he's been keeping. He's been shown to be very intelligent and skilled before (forcefield on the necroworld, his sculptures and other artwork), I figure that maybe whatever is causing Everything To Go Nuts has also reversed the limitation on his voice box?
As for the preview, I really enjoyed it! Tarn was a treat, nickel and the scavengers sounds like fun dynamic, and the Shockwave thing? I saw it as shock blasting his own audio receptor off, which most would hesitate to do but shocks would find to be a perfectly logical solution. I'll check the panel again, maybe I'm projecting my own ideas onto it!

Lore Keeper wrote:[ The Legislators are supposedly sparkless drones, but we know that many of them were built from the remains of the slaughtered Circle of Light. I've long suspected that Ten is one of these, and that there is somehow some remnant of his original self in there. The ending of this issue makes me more convinced of this. Now I'm just trying to figure out who he used to be.

Good idea, let me spin this even further: everyone is somehow reverting to an earlier state.

Edit: due to "threadbare space", I mean.

Skp shrinks down.
Ratchets hands belong to a dead mech, and so they turn dead.
Rewind is supposed to be dead in this universe, and so he is on the verge of expiring.
Cyclonus used to be a lot angrier before.
Whirl just might have been a lot more compassionate and insightful before empurata.
Ten... well, becomes whoever he used to be.

Did I miss someone?

Synopsis
MACGUFFIN QUEST! The Scavengers have never had it so good. The war is a receding memory, their patchy service records have been forgotten, and the five of them can roam the galaxy as they please. All’s well that ends well? Not quite. Because unbeknownst to Krok and Co., their next adventure… will be their last.



Story

It's been a surprisingly short time since the last issue of Transformers: Lost Light, and we may be finally catching up not only on releases, but also with the story and the various threads (bare?) running through the series up to this point - though in an entirely different direction this month! How so? Read on below.



First off, I want to say that I really enjoyed this issue in spite of/despite all my misgivings for the run so far, and I can find no discernible reason why that may be the case. I have two major points to address in terms of execution, but overall, issue #14 is enjoyable, extremely important from a plot perspective, and does some very good work with an established cast.



My issue then: the pacing. There is a lot going on in the issue, and that is an entirely welcome development for the series, as I said above, as it feels more like we're catching up to speed with where the rest of the universe is. But, that said, some of it feels a little too fast, even with the lynchpins of Nickel and Grimlock serving to anchor the threads in the book.



On the flip side, those very same story plot threads are incredibly entertaining, and develop some mysteries that are not entirely out of left field but tie up with some of the more established lore so far, while also providing answers to some old and running questions. And to top it all off, the Scavengers' chemistry is a joy to read.


Art

Let me be quite direct here: Sara Pitre-Durocher and Brendan Cahill do some amazing work, each in their own part of the book, and taken alone, they work perfectly fine - I did, however, find a jarring shift between their styles as the books switches. Which is a real shame, as Cahill's chins and panel layouts for some of the more action-based scenes, and Pitre-Durocher's enjoyful villainy at the start and page layouts overall are gorgeous.



I was wondering if it was, after all, a lack of cohesion in the colouring, by Joana Lafuente puts in some masterful levels of efforts and work in finding the tones and hues that do indeed bring consistency between the styles (different setting also helps) but there's still something clashing between the two takes of the same cast, in my view.



The lettering, and I know I say this a lot with Tom B. Long, but it is - is just amazing. The sound effects at times take over the soundscape of panels in such a way that makes the action or the silence work perfectly, and they work so well with the colours and lineart.

We've seen the majority of the covers in previous news coverage, from the main Lawrence/Lafuente piece to the variants by Nick Roche and Josh Burcham, and the thumbnailed Cahill/Lafuente one - so you really have a choice of Grimlocks to pick from this week - to check them all out again, head to our database!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

I really enjoyed this chapter in the story, even with the issues I've highlighted above. Discussin it with other staff it feels like the rushed pacing has definitely had a different impression on different readers, so it may very well indeed be more to your speed - and it definitely is good plot propelling and enough of a combing of knots to prepare for what's to come.



And even with the unfortunate speed bump in art - by no fault I think of the artistic teams, but rather an odd choice of pairing (not the first time this has happened of recent, actually) - catching up with the Scavengers also gives us a really, really intriguing development, with an initial hook (Shockwave and DJD) that has already annoyed a lot of readers I've seen comment; but given that it was, indeed, a hook, it was mischievously well played.

Always good to see grimlock back in action, as for the initial hook, people read the previews...they should of known it was just setup

I still don’t understand the Magnificance. So Scorponok had it? Then he lost it and it wound up on Troja Major?

Also Grimlock. His chest is unopenable but it’s not?

And I’m sorry but I’m gonna say it again. That opening was just a let down. It did nothing that couldn’t have been said in one sentence of Scorponoks explanation near the end. “Flame and I left with a shockwave when he left Garrus-9 and later we came back and picked up Grimlock.”

It was just a let down and I’m sorry if people wanted to see it and enjoyed it but it didn’t do anything. And yes people will say “it showed how Scorponok got off Garrus-9” we already knew that shockwave took him with. While not confirmed, it was always something that was just put together by people. It wasn’t really a mystery.

There's so much to enjoy in this one I don't know where to start. It's a very rewarding experience as an old-timer with this 12+ year continuity.

I have actual work at hand and should come back later when more have had a chance to read it, but that said, to start with: I took Scorponok's lines about Aequitas to imply that there is/was much more under there than just the Magnificence, does that sound right or is it wishful thinking?

ScottyP wrote:There's so much to enjoy in this one I don't know where to start. It's a very rewarding experience as an old-timer with this 12+ year continuity.

I have actual work at hand and should come back later when more have had a chance to read it, but that said, to start with: I took Scorponok's lines about Aequitas to imply that there is/was much more under there than just the Magnificence, does that sound right or is it wishful thinking?

Because that’s actually a continuity error. When first revealed something was underneath Aquitus overlord said aquitus was built to hide something and it was built way before the Autobot a took possession of the Magnificance.

There’s a a lot of continuity errors in this issue.

I'm calling it now, Grimlock didn't dismember the rest of the scavengers, Spinster did, in a way that keeps them all alive and easily repairable for an escape attempt.

Why else would they focus on him being a surgeon?

Randomhero wrote:

ScottyP wrote:There's so much to enjoy in this one I don't know where to start. It's a very rewarding experience as an old-timer with this 12+ year continuity.

I have actual work at hand and should come back later when more have had a chance to read it, but that said, to start with: I took Scorponok's lines about Aequitas to imply that there is/was much more under there than just the Magnificence, does that sound right or is it wishful thinking?

Because that’s actually a continuity error. When first revealed something was underneath Aquitus overlord said aquitus was built to hide something and it was built way before the Autobot a took possession of the Magnificance.

There’s a a lot of continuity errors in this issue.

I know the wiki guys posit that it's a continuity error but I don't think the dialogue is unambiguous enough to make that a certainty.

TF-fan kev777 wrote:I'm calling it now, Grimlock didn't dismember the rest of the scavengers, Spinster did, in a way that keeps them all alive and easily repairable for an escape attempt.

Why else would they focus on him being a surgeon?

Ooh, I like this idea. Why else would there be such a time gap between events like there is? Although with Spinister losing an arm that makes this a little less likely - but I still like the thought!

ScottyP wrote:

Randomhero wrote:

ScottyP wrote:There's so much to enjoy in this one I don't know where to start. It's a very rewarding experience as an old-timer with this 12+ year continuity.

I have actual work at hand and should come back later when more have had a chance to read it, but that said, to start with: I took Scorponok's lines about Aequitas to imply that there is/was much more under there than just the Magnificence, does that sound right or is it wishful thinking?

Because that’s actually a continuity error. When first revealed something was underneath Aquitus overlord said aquitus was built to hide something and it was built way before the Autobot a took possession of the Magnificance.

There’s a a lot of continuity errors in this issue.

I know the wiki guys posit that it's a continuity error but I don't think the dialogue is unambiguous enough to make that a certainty.

It’s pretty certain. Overlord states 6 years ago it was built to hide something and here it’s the Magnificance. Something that wasn’t in Autobot possession at the time of aquitus.

There’s nothing unambiguous about it. I’m sure James has already been asked about it and yet another fix for the trade like usual.

Randomhero wrote:I still don’t understand the Magnificance. So Scorponok had it? Then he lost it and it wound up on Troja Major?

Also Grimlock. His chest is unopenable but it’s not?

And I’m sorry but I’m gonna day it again. That opening was just a let down. It did nothing that couldn’t have been said in one sentence of Scorponoks explanation near the end. “Flame and I left with a shockwave when he left Garrus-9 and later we came back and picked up Grimlock.”

It was just a let down and I’m sorry if people wanted to see it and enjoyed it but it didn’t do anything. And yes people will say “it showed how Scorponok got off Garrus-9” we already knew that shockwave took him with. While not confirmed, it was always something that was just put together by people. It wasn’t really a mystery.

Sorry to be a bugbear but if it was enjoyed then it did do something. Comics are meant to be entertainment, they tell a tale that is all, if we find that enjoyment then they have done their purpose. As a writer I would be overjoyed if even just one person liked my work, the silver lining on a cloud of disappointment.