Full Preview of IDW Transformers: Lost Light #5

Jack Lawrence has been improving considerably through this arc, and these pages looks really great. Really looking forward to this issue.

Anyone else notice the large amount of FoC Shockwave alt modes?

God I hate when the story focuses on Rung. He's such an intrusive OC.

Diaboragon wrote:God I hate when the story focuses on Rung. He's such an intrusive OC.

Agreed. Rung sux.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Diaboragon wrote:God I hate when the story focuses on Rung. He's such an intrusive OC.

Agreed. Rung sux.

I think you'll find you're all wrung.

ScottyP wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:G2. Always a good decision.

So the 1st story arc of Lost Light is about to come to a close. Has it met your expectations?

It's written as a trade and that'd be more OK with me if Dying of the Light, Titans Return, All Hail Optimus, and New Cybertron weren't also the same way. I'm kinda looking forward to the upcoming stretches of standalone stories and two parters/etc. Those are the bricks that make it all work and let creativity really flourish when it comes time to unveil the house that they've built, and right now this parade of homes is starting to get too long.

I love having three good ongoings but when they're all in full-on trade paperback epic longer form story arc mode for 12 months+, it starts to make you miss, say, Spotlights.

I came to say this basically. Now I don't need to! Awesome! While there has been gold (like the aforementioned squeeing of Brainstorm and Nightbeat. And the fact we see Nightbeat driving around the walls in his excitement!) I'm ready for a few smaller arcs. I enjoyed the issues of dancing and personality parasites, the Scavengers and the like. Fun little breathers. And yes, I wanna know what's happening on the Lost Light.


The preview looks good and I daresay that's Megatron co-ordinating the attack and being a military genius. And Rung rocks.

People don't like Rung?

Apparently so. News to me too!

Kurona wrote:People don't like Rung?

There are people who do and people who don't, just like any character. I for one really like Rung because he's one of the characters I can most identify with. Plus I love his design and the whole mystery surrounding his alt mode is something I've really enjoyed in the comic.

Kurona wrote:People don't like Rung?

It's just that I'm constantly reminded he's someone's special OC insert. What with the mysterious alt-mode that wrecks an entire government, a super-powered spark that attracts a sparkeater, and being a timeline constant who's met every other important character in history. On top of related to Vector Sigma as the story's direction seems to be taking.

Diaboragon wrote:

Kurona wrote:People don't like Rung?

It's just that I'm constantly reminded he's someone's special OC insert. What with the mysterious alt-mode that wrecks an entire government, a super-powered spark that attracts a sparkeater, and being a timeline constant who's met every other important character in history. On top of related to Vector Sigma as the story's direction seems to be taking.

You'll probably want to read this issue then.

Here we are on part 5 of 6, "Modes of Production", the latest chapter of author James Roberts' massive Transformers tale. With just forty pages to go when you start Lost Light #5, you may be wondering just how much will end up resolved by the end of "Dissolution". After all, there are several plots all running concurrently: a whole crew of characters from the book's namesake ship that have been displaced twice-over to the point of finding themselves in another reality, a new duo of characters that fans have been trying to figure out, tension between former Decepticons and parts of "Team Rodimus", a Whirl/Tailgate/Cyclonus soap opera side-plot, Nightbeat and Rung's ongoing conversations, Megatron and Terminus' interrupted reunion, the return of Roller to action, mysteries of the Functionist Council, more clarification to get to on Rung, and then finally there's the whole part where the alternate Cybertron our heroes are on is slowly being torn apart by a Luna 2 that's been converted into some sort of gigantic galactic recycling unit.

Phew. I've probably missed something.


With Mr. Roberts clearly going for some kind of plot-juggling world record, it falls to this review to try and decide how it's working out (that is the point of these, right?) It took some careful reflection and multiple reads, but to be completely honest, it's just impossible to know how good this issue is without being able to read issue 6.

Before you accuse yours truly of going for the review-cop-out world record, hear me out. Is the pacing of this issue justified, where very dense pages jump from point to point interspersing some of the main focus with secondary stories where needed, sometimes tangentially in Roller's case? Are the interludes, including one heavy exposition dump with respect to Rung, worth the space they're taking up in a book with so much going on? To repeat a question one can find in spades over both our own Energon Pub Forums and out there online: Is the space given to Anode and Lug in this arc deserving of its inclusion? I don't know because I don't know what they're for yet. "Knowing what someone turns into is not the same as knowing what someone's for", indeed.


While the paragraph above wasn't directly critical, it does bring up a point that I'll just come out and say explicitly: "Dissolution" feels written as a trade paperback and the month-to-month reading cycle is suffering for it. I felt this way before during "Elegant Chaos", and that turned out quite amazingly well in the end. This issue has a healthy amount of effective, meaningful, and downright quality material that gives hope that everything is, indeed, fine.


One of these highlights involves an A-Lister of the Transformers franchise. Megatron and Terminus are one of the more fascinating duos in an issue/series/meta-series/universe of sometimes-robo-monogamy (platonic and otherwise) that Roberts has created. In this issue we see things progress logically, with some moments including Roller that are simply fantastic. Morality, peril, specters of the past, and peace through the tyranny of choice are all examined when these two are on the page. In a book with a big cast this is the kind of material that serves as an anchor, especially in this case as we're reminded of the ultimate reason that Megatron is caught up in all of this to begin with. Even readers jaded with this story - you know who you are and it's ok to have opinions - will have a hard time not wanting more of these two in my opinion.


Then there's this. Quite possibly the biggest mystery in Transformers comics of the past five-plus years is beginning to be brought into the light. Will this issue tell you what Rung does? Yes, and you'll need to read it to find out whether or not the answer is "Drilling! Takara Tomy loves drill tanks after all." Lost Light #5 stops just barely short of giving the total 360° answer about what Rung is for. If you've read the issue, you might take pause at that statement, because there was a very great deal explained. However, when reflecting on the last scene of the book I began to wonder if, perhaps, there are more to Functionist Universe Rung's present desires than... there appear to be.

What? What happened?


Comics are a visual medium and I've said little about that side of this issue so far. This is probably worthy of at least a night in Fan Jail because it's almost perfect to me from this standpoint. Artist Jack Lawrence's characters continue to evolve visually in this issue in a pleasing way. In some cases, this evolution brings characters closer to looks established by Alex Milne while in others, Lawrence continues to put his own touch on the series. The line work, aided by Joana Lafuente's tonally appropriate color palettes and Tom B. Long's usual lettering masterwork, gives a book that is by my count 96% pure eye candy.

The 4% that's not? The final panel. I think this needed either a big splash spread or perhaps some different posing by one of the characters involved. The point is still made and wow, what a moment! That is a thing that has been built up since 2012! Unfortunately, the visual delivery came across somewhat underwhelming. Of course, maybe that is the real point and I don't truly grasp it, but that's the kind of fun chatter we can get to in course when you reply to this post to debate, opine, and converse in our Energon Pub Forums.

Returning to the good stuff, there are four really and truly outstanding covers available for this issue, including another installment in Nick Roche and Josh Burcham's beautiful series of character vignettes that you'll see in this review's News Story thumbnail. As always, you can find full credits and covers in our database entry for Lost Light #5, along with a list of characters that appear in the issue so do be aware of possible spoilers.


When reviewing Lost Light #4, I said that scores don't feel fair to big multi-part works. I stand by this even moreso for #5 as a standalone work. Taken as part of the whole, it's quite good, but with so much going on and the finish line so close, it ends up being partially victimized by its purpose and by the need for some of the resolutions occurring. The Anode interlude stops the pace dead for a reveal that, rather unfortunately for involved fans like myself, was guessed by the fandom at large two months ago. Brainstorm somehow became a wisecracking parody of himself at some point and I find myself missing the brutally clever scientist we used to know. There's more I could pick out for criticism but it wouldn't change the point, that being that despite all the good stuff in here, there's also just enough that feels off the mark to drag down the finished product.

This needs #6 and it needs it soon. Very possibly, this is an inappropriate score to give something that deserves much, much higher, and in moments it really genuinely does. However, without knowing what everything here was for this is all I can commit to from a strictly critical perspective. I will freely admit if this was too low in #6's review. For now and with a dose of hesitation -



Bonus! James Roberts' soundtrack suggestions for this issue:

• Orlando - "Just For A Second"
• Pedro The Lion - "Of Up And Coming Monarchs"
• Tarwater - "All Of The Ants Left Paris"

Encore Bonus? Uniclock Update? Unfortunately, actual real world scary things and warmongering would make it a bit insensitive and tone deaf for me to continue including this little feature, which was intended to be a fun and possibly self-deprecating bit of humor. If that doesn't make sense to you, please do realize this was not inspired by 'Watchmen'.

It certainly is a story of convienient coincidences. Stuck in a altnernate universe by a weapon designed by Killmaster, Killmaster is conveniently and coincidently on the necroworld with his wand that shares similar tech and can take them home. Rung revealing he can make constructed cold sparks with his body with Alternate Rung explaining the same thing the exact moment across the galaxy to those who arnt with the normal Rung. Anode being introduced for the first time conviently and coincidently as her functionist counterpart being introduced as the second in command to a rebellion.


This is lazy.

Wish the reveal of Lug was more of a surprise but a lot of people figured out what was up with her by issue one and more by issue two.

Randomhero wrote:It certainly is a story of convienient coincidences. Stuck in a altnernate universe by a weapon designed by Killmaster, Killmaster is conveniently and coincidently on the necroworld with his wand that shares similar tech and can take them home. Rung revealing he can make constructed cold sparks with his body with Alternate Rung explaining the same thing the exact moment across the galaxy to those who arnt with the normal Rung. Anode being introduced for the first time conviently and coincidently as her functionist counterpart being introduced as the second in command to a rebellion.


This is lazy.

Lazy? Have you ever actually written for a living? I do it as a hobby and it isn't easy. If you're going for something with some sort of sense, it isn't very simple to think of a unique way of doing so. Roberts has to try to get his characters back to where they belong without seeming to pull out of his rear, so setting up Killmaster's tech as the way to do so is pretty smart. We know that Killmaster was supposedly killed by Whirl (who isn't reliable for good intel on the account of being y'know INSANE), so his lying about it isn't too far-fetched and thus making KIllmaster's inclusion of being part of the Disappeared rescued by Necrobot plausible.

Next, they never say when exactly Rung has this talk with Nightbeat (unless they did and I wasn't paying attention). Even so, I don't see how to the two versions giving to same information at the same time is being lazy. Maybe one of them could've been cut, but it was a character building moment for "our" Rung, so it is far from lazy.

Finally, Anode. If Roberts was tasked to try and pull new readers in with Lost Light, her inclusion could be his trying to do so. It doesn't feel like he meant for MTMTE was supposed to end there at issue 55 (I'm referring to the Lost Light's storyline), so I'm sure Roberts was scrambling to try and do so and launch a new book. My point? Having both Anode on Necroworld with her problems and a version of her with the AVL was probably his way to help his new readers understand the different universes better with giving them a character they've known since her conception.

To end this rant, I'm not a comic expert and a lot of that is pure speculation. I do, however, consider myself an amateur writer and feel that work from a good writer should be defended if it feels justified, as I believe so in this case.

Nexus Knight wrote:

Randomhero wrote:It certainly is a story of convienient coincidences. Stuck in a altnernate universe by a weapon designed by Killmaster, Killmaster is conveniently and coincidently on the necroworld with his wand that shares similar tech and can take them home. Rung revealing he can make constructed cold sparks with his body with Alternate Rung explaining the same thing the exact moment across the galaxy to those who arnt with the normal Rung. Anode being introduced for the first time conviently and coincidently as her functionist counterpart being introduced as the second in command to a rebellion.


This is lazy.

Lazy? Have you ever actually written for a living? I do it as a hobby and it isn't easy. If you're going for something with some sort of sense, it isn't very simple to think of a unique way of doing so. Roberts has to try to get his characters back to where they belong without seeming to pull out of his rear, so setting up Killmaster's tech as the way to do so is pretty smart. We know that Killmaster was supposedly killed by Whirl (who isn't reliable for good intel on the account of being y'know INSANE), so his lying about it isn't too far-fetched and thus making KIllmaster's inclusion of being part of the Disappeared rescued by Necrobot plausible.

Next, they never say when exactly Rung has this talk with Nightbeat (unless they did and I wasn't paying attention). Even so, I don't see how to the two versions giving to same information at the same time is being lazy. Maybe one of them could've been cut, but it was a character building moment for "our" Rung, so it is far from lazy.

Finally, Anode. If Roberts was tasked to try and pull new readers in with Lost Light, her inclusion could be his trying to do so. It doesn't feel like he meant for MTMTE was supposed to end there at issue 55 (I'm referring to the Lost Light's storyline), so I'm sure Roberts was scrambling to try and do so and launch a new book. My point? Having both Anode on Necroworld with her problems and a version of her with the AVL was probably his way to help his new readers understand the different universes better with giving them a character they've known since her conception.

To end this rant, I'm not a comic expert and a lot of that is pure speculation. I do, however, consider myself an amateur writer and feel that work from a good writer should be defended if it feels justified, as I believe so in this case.

Yes I do write. I've said on here before I am artist that writes and draw comics and publish them. I've been reading comics since I was 5 and I've been creating comics for 14 years and have been publishing my own comics and going to comic conventions since 2012 with my other friends who also create their own comics and we sell and promote them at tables. Even been on a couple podcasts and been on a couple Q n As at conventions telling people about being a content creator and how to start it. So I kinda know a thing or two about comics.

In my opinion this is utterly lazy. Having Rung explain to nightbeat what has happened to him while his alternate version also explaning it at the exact same time is lazy. Having the crew sent to an alternate universe by technology created by someone who just so happens to be there and then him having a weapon that can solve it all is lazy.

Randomhero wrote:

Nexus Knight wrote:

Randomhero wrote:It certainly is a story of convienient coincidences. Stuck in a altnernate universe by a weapon designed by Killmaster, Killmaster is conveniently and coincidently on the necroworld with his wand that shares similar tech and can take them home. Rung revealing he can make constructed cold sparks with his body with Alternate Rung explaining the same thing the exact moment across the galaxy to those who arnt with the normal Rung. Anode being introduced for the first time conviently and coincidently as her functionist counterpart being introduced as the second in command to a rebellion.


This is lazy.

Lazy? Have you ever actually written for a living? I do it as a hobby and it isn't easy. If you're going for something with some sort of sense, it isn't very simple to think of a unique way of doing so. Roberts has to try to get his characters back to where they belong without seeming to pull out of his rear, so setting up Killmaster's tech as the way to do so is pretty smart. We know that Killmaster was supposedly killed by Whirl (who isn't reliable for good intel on the account of being y'know INSANE), so his lying about it isn't too far-fetched and thus making KIllmaster's inclusion of being part of the Disappeared rescued by Necrobot plausible.

Next, they never say when exactly Rung has this talk with Nightbeat (unless they did and I wasn't paying attention). Even so, I don't see how to the two versions giving to same information at the same time is being lazy. Maybe one of them could've been cut, but it was a character building moment for "our" Rung, so it is far from lazy.

Finally, Anode. If Roberts was tasked to try and pull new readers in with Lost Light, her inclusion could be his trying to do so. It doesn't feel like he meant for MTMTE was supposed to end there at issue 55 (I'm referring to the Lost Light's storyline), so I'm sure Roberts was scrambling to try and do so and launch a new book. My point? Having both Anode on Necroworld with her problems and a version of her with the AVL was probably his way to help his new readers understand the different universes better with giving them a character they've known since her conception.

To end this rant, I'm not a comic expert and a lot of that is pure speculation. I do, however, consider myself an amateur writer and feel that work from a good writer should be defended if it feels justified, as I believe so in this case.

Yes I do write. I've said on here before I am artist that writes and draw comics and publish them. I've been reading comics since I was 5 and I've been creating comics for 14 years and have been publishing my own comics and going to comic conventions since 2012 with my other friends who also create their own comics and we sell and promote them at tables. Even been on a couple podcasts and been on a couple Q n As at conventions telling people about being a content creator and how to start it. So I kinda know a thing or two about comics.

In my opinion this is utterly lazy. Having Rung explain to nightbeat what has happened to him while his alternate version also explaning it at the exact same time is lazy. Having the crew sent to an alternate universe by technology created by someone who just so happens to be there and then him having a weapon that can solve it all is lazy.

A). I'm sorry, I overreacted and haven't been around much to know much about anyone here. So, ignorance on my part and I apologize for this.

B). I didn't notice that Killmaster had made the tech. And I still stand beside the explanation I give about Rung. However, I will say it to be my own opinion now and apologize again for heavily criticizing yours.

Killmaster is the creator of the Geobomb which was the weapon used by the Galactic Council at the end of mtmte that trapped everyone in this universe. And it just so happens he was on th necroword and it just so happens his wand is also based on similar technology. It's a convenient coincidence on top of a convenient coincidence with a macguffin as a cherry on top. I'm sorry I find that lazy

Randomhero wrote:Killmaster is the creator of the Geobomb which was the weapon used by the Galactic Council at the end of mtmte that trapped everyone in this universe. And it just so happens he was on th necroword and it just so happens his wand is also based on similar technology. It's a convenient coincidence on top of a convenient coincidence with a macguffin as a cherry on top. I'm sorry I find that lazy

Nothing to apologize for. To each his (or her) own. I do think MTMTE, ahem, the Lost Light is the type of series to have a goofy coincidence like that, but as I said, to each his own.

Also, if you do writing, could you direct me (via PMs) to some of your work? I'd actually be interested in reading it.

One of my issues with Killmaster is that it seemed so forced to bring him into the story. Whirl talked so much about how they were arch enemies, making up amazing stories of their rivalry and then admitting he killed him in his sleep. Jump 4 years later and Killmaster shows up and Whirl admits he never killed him or really fought him. Here's my problem, why would Whirl say he killed him by simply sneaking into a decepticons base and crushing his brain if he Killmaster just disappeared. Whirl is all about himself and if Killmaster just vanished he would have made up a story of his heroic victory of defeating Killmaster and no one could call him out on it. This honestly feels like whirl did kill him and James needed a way to do this story and decided to bring him back and write that whirl just lied.

Nexus Knight wrote:I do, however, consider myself an amateur writer and feel that work from a good writer should be defended if it feels justified, as I believe so in this case.

This is where I disagree. I don't think James Roberts is a good writer. I like MTMTE generally, but it could have been so much better. It feels too cluttered, though not as bad as ReGeneration One was. If Roberts was truly worth his salt, he would have tidied up the story and maybe gotten more out of the pages he was allotted. Having said that, I still do plan on picking up the TPB of Lost Light, so I guess in the end that's all that matters.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Nexus Knight wrote:I do, however, consider myself an amateur writer and feel that work from a good writer should be defended if it feels justified, as I believe so in this case.

This is where I disagree. I don't think James Roberts is a good writer. I like MTMTE generally, but it could have been so much better. It feels too cluttered, though not as bad as ReGeneration One was. If Roberts was truly worth his salt, he would have tidied up the story and maybe gotten more out of the pages he was allotted. Having said that, I still do plan on picking up the TPB of Lost Light, so I guess in the end that's all that matters.

I think he's a phenomenal writer. He can turn a phrase into magic, create genuine, relatable characters, and the long term plotting at play is very well planned.

I think Barber at his peak of being involved/invested as an editor helped the final presentation of Roberts' words in way we haven't seen in a long time now. Don't underestimate editorial's role in what we see. Also consider IDW has a shortage of labor in that department causing some of the delays reeally plaguing some of their other titles.

I kinda wish I had an editor for all my board posts and articles here. They'd be much better!

I hate anode, and every panel on her has been wasted.

Whole arc should have been four issues.

Lawrence's art ... Nope. Zama and Pitre smoke him on every level. It's not very good, it doesn't fit the story, and detracts. I can only imagine everything would be reading better with Milne at the helm.

It's just fine. I don't know. I'm not totally down on lost light. It just doesn't seem to be on the level of mtmte. Not even close. Every month is at least vaguely disappointing.

There's good stuff. There really is. But it feels like every issue has me trying to justify the good in the face of the bad.

Fuck anode.

The art is the one thing I love. I think jack is knocking it out of the park with his story telling and layouts.

Well, I just gotta say I'm enjoying the hell outta Lost Light.

Well, I just gotta say I'm enjoying the hell outta Lost Light.

The first few issues were a bit slow, and Jack Lawrence was still not up to speed, but Lost Light really started to feel like MTMTE as of last issue, at least for me. Lawrence has really improved since issue #1, and while I don't think he's quite there with Alex Milne in terms of storytelling and detail, he's getting there. Milne has had more than a few clunky, overly detailed panels, and at least I never fail to understand what's going on when Lawrence draws. The style is different, but it works for me.

Storywise, it's back on track for me. I like the stuff with Rung, I'm beginning to enjoy Anode, and all the character building is on point. The Killmaster stuff bothers me a bit, but I'm willing to let that slide a bit since it is still building off previously established continuity. The "coincidence" with Rung doesn't bother me, as it's really only a storytelling technique. Functionist Rung has known what he could do for months, and we, the reader, are only just learning it now. The original Rung only just found out, and for an established story reason. It's coincidence, but only in how it's presented to the reader, rather than being something unbelievable from a story perspective.

To me, I think certain characters have become caricatures of themselves, namely Brainstorm. Quirky is fine, but I have limits.

ScottyP wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:

Nexus Knight wrote:I do, however, consider myself an amateur writer and feel that work from a good writer should be defended if it feels justified, as I believe so in this case.

This is where I disagree. I don't think James Roberts is a good writer. I like MTMTE generally, but it could have been so much better. It feels too cluttered, though not as bad as ReGeneration One was. If Roberts was truly worth his salt, he would have tidied up the story and maybe gotten more out of the pages he was allotted. Having said that, I still do plan on picking up the TPB of Lost Light, so I guess in the end that's all that matters.

I think he's a phenomenal writer. He can turn a phrase into magic, create genuine, relatable characters, and the long term plotting at play is very well planned.

I think Barber at his peak of being involved/invested as an editor helped the final presentation of Roberts' words in way we haven't seen in a long time now. Don't underestimate editorial's role in what we see. Also consider IDW has a shortage of labor in that department causing some of the delays reeally plaguing some of their other titles.

I kinda wish I had an editor for all my board posts and articles here. They'd be much better!

Wanted to comment on this last night, but was too tired and had too early a morning. And too late a day. I like Roberts and I do think he is a really good writer. One of the best in the IDW series really. His specialty is the character development, making us care for his characters rather than seeing them as mostly generic fodder with a name.

That being said:

RNSrobot wrote:I hate anode, and every panel on her has been wasted.

Whole arc should have been four issues.

Lawrence's art ... Nope. Zama and Pitre smoke him on every level. It's not very good, it doesn't fit the story, and detracts. I can only imagine everything would be reading better with Milne at the helm.

It's just fine. I don't know. I'm not totally down on lost light. It just doesn't seem to be on the level of mtmte. Not even close. Every month is at least vaguely disappointing.

There's good stuff. There really is. But it feels like every issue has me trying to justify the good in the face of the bad.

**** anode.

DeadCaL wrote:To me, I think certain characters have become caricatures of themselves, namely Brainstorm. Quirky is fine, but I have limits.

I agree to some levels with both of these posts, and both bring up the main things I have had issues with in Lost Light. While I understand the purpose of bringing on a new character from which to see the perspective of the new story, he couldn't have picked a worse character for this job. Despite what Scotty says, and I do really respect what you say Scotty with all your storytelling stuff, I really hate Anode. Still do. She has yet to do anything that makes me like her or find interest in her in any way. Unless she is an ancient Cybertronian (which she isn't), there is no way she should work in the 2 different locations. One is on Cybertron as a fighter, while the other was born on Caminus or whatever and became an adventurer after being in the wrong job. That doesn't work for me and really brings me down. I actually get a slight twinge when I see Kurona post because I see her face

Brings me to the 2nd point: I completely agree with DeadCaL: quirky is one thing, but Brainstorm feels too exaggerated in LL so far. Just enough to bug me, and he is in my top 3 favorites of all time character wise.

Finally, despite warming some to Lawrence's art, I still don't like it too much. It irritates me some reading the comic and is part of the reason I don't read LL that much after the first read. I was ridiculed some for my LL#2 review for saying I did not like the art at all, but I can't like it yet. Just can't. Part of the reason I am excited for Rom v. TF's in July is because of Milne and Barber teaming up. And I have really enjoyed the other 2 ongoings because I like the art. Zama grew on me after about 2 issues and I have come to enjoy her art, just needing to adjust from Griffith. And Pitre-Durocher is excellent in TAAO. Lawrence just feels a step or 3 behind them yet though, which is disappointing as MTMTE was my favorite of the ongoings.

But then Revolution was also a killer. It basically killed Seibs comic vibe, and it has somewhat reduced mine. And with more crossover stuff coming, I feel more annoyed than enjoyed with comics honestly.

OK, here's a question. As someone who mainly just reads the comics and just enjoys them without keeping up with every twitter thing and IDW this and that, what is the current set up with the writing/editing on TF comics at the mo?

A friend and I were discussing it over the phone. The subject of 'oversight' came up, cos if I were writing something I was super enthusiastic about, with very little managerial input, I'd probably go nuts and just fill it with fank wank.

I really like James's style, but bits here and there seem like the kind of stuff I'd expect an editor to tighten up on.

DeadCaL wrote:OK, here's a question. As someone who mainly just reads the comics and just enjoys them without keeping up with every twitter thing and IDW this and that, what is the current set up with the writing/editing on TF comics at the mo?

A friend and I were discussing it over the phone. The subject of 'oversight' came up, cos if I were writing something I was super enthusiastic about, with very little managerial input, I'd probably go nuts and just fill it with fank wank.

I really like James's style, but bits here and there seem like the kind of stuff I'd expect an editor to tighten up on.

With Barber focused on writing now (has some Marvel gigs now so stepped out of his editorial role), Carlos Guzman is editing most of the TF books. Guzman edited RiD/TF for Barber, and I never felt that way about those for the most part. That said, was told by EIC David Hedgecock in our last interview with him a couple months back that they're a little thin on the editorial side and that's why some of the books keep getting delayed, so maybe that's not helping matters. I don't think it's having any huge impact but there are a couple spots that seem weird - but then again, Guzman would know where this story is going so I'll trust the decisions for now as things that help the greater story unknown to the rest of us.

What I came here to share was some Alex Milne art from Twitter. He drew Rung from Rodimus' perspective at the end of LL 5 and it's fantastic:

I remember Roberts saying that the plan for the MTMTE story (now the LL story) was 100 issues. Is this still the case?

Rodimus Prime wrote:I remember Roberts saying that the plan for the MTMTE story (now the LL story) was 100 issues. Is this still the case?

He's certainly hoping to get there according to his Twitter.

Also according to his Twitter, he's really enjoying writing Issue 10 with the mutineers...

Kurona wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:I remember Roberts saying that the plan for the MTMTE story (now the LL story) was 100 issues. Is this still the case?

He's certainly hoping to get there according to his Twitter.

Also according to his Twitter, he's really enjoying writing Issue 10 with the mutineers...

I seem to recall the initial high-level idea was about 100, though he and Barber were only given the go ahead to actually plan out 12 issues each at the start. Gotta wonder if Dark Cybertron and Megatron's arrival really bumped it out into a longer thing, or if the Hasbro U makes what was the intended finish line difficult. Never do know what changes have occurred even recently with a movie coming up that we're oblivious to!

We've seen two variant covers, by Nick Roche/Josh Burcham and Alex Milne/Josh Perez, for IDW Publishing's Transformers: Lost Light #6 - but now, thanks to IDW directly, we have the main Jack Lawrence (with Joana Lafuente? credits, IDW, please) artwork too. And it features a very determined Megatron. Check it out below!

Honestly, this cover is perfect. For the same sort of reason just a single fist works as a cover; despite the simplicity, the single action represented and focused on means a lot. I'm really excited to see Megatron kick ass this issue

Kurona wrote:Honestly, this cover is perfect. For the same sort of reason just a single fist works as a cover; despite the simplicity, the single action represented and focused on means a lot. I'm really excited to see Megatron kick ass this issue

Yeah that's what everyone was certainly expecting in dying of the light and he certainly did shoot a fusion cannon for 2 pages and used black magic to rip up the DJD to nothingness. Let's not kid ourselves. He's not going to throw any punches in this issue.

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:Honestly, this cover is perfect. For the same sort of reason just a single fist works as a cover; despite the simplicity, the single action represented and focused on means a lot. I'm really excited to see Megatron kick ass this issue

Yeah that's what everyone was certainly expecting in dying of the light and he certainly did shoot a fusion cannon for 2 pages and used black magic to rip up the DJD to nothingness. Let's not kid ourselves. He's not going to throw any punches in this issue.

Well, I didn't mean literally kick ass, just... kick ass at being a great character.

Does anyone see a problem with the preview?

(Jus havin' a chuckle till they fix it)

WreckerJack wrote:Does anyone see a problem with the preview?

(Jus havin' a chuckle till they fix it)

A bold new direction, and look, for the Lost Light crew!
Who knew the Functionist universe would lead to this..?

Randomhero wrote:

Kurona wrote:Honestly, this cover is perfect. For the same sort of reason just a single fist works as a cover; despite the simplicity, the single action represented and focused on means a lot. I'm really excited to see Megatron kick ass this issue

Yeah that's what everyone was certainly expecting in dying of the light and he certainly did shoot a fusion cannon for 2 pages and used black magic to rip up the DJD to nothingness. Let's not kid ourselves. He's not going to throw any punches in this issue.

Yeah, I wish he had laid down a little more carnage with the cannon, but I thought it was a clever way how he trapped Tarn inside the force field, even if their actual showdown was lackluster. It kinda gave Trailbreaker a bit of redemption though.

Joining the roster of covers for Transformers: Lost Light #6 is the ten copy retailer incentive cover by Marcelo Matere. This cover was posted by IDW Publishing onto their official site's page for Lost Light #6. It features Rung, one of the central characters in the "Dissolution" arc, adjusting his glasses while reading a data pad. Just like Rung, this is probably totally innocent behavior that readers should certainly not look into too deeply.

Check it out below, and speculate away by replying to this post on our Energon Pub Forums.



As of this writing, Transformers: Lost Light #6 is expected to be released on June 7th, 2017.

This is more about MTMTE than Lost light, but knew I would reach the same people by posting here without resurrecting an older thread.

I read a good part of MTMTE but got really burned by Dark Cybertron. I dont even know if I read it all. I got back into MTMTE with issue 50 and read steadily since but of course there is a gap in between I have been slowly getting though. Was reading the arc with Megatron's trial (which is still topical because now I know who Terminus is and they keep speaking of the Trial in LL) and I saw this dude:




Who in the world is that? I remember Swerve said there shouldnt be people on the Lost Light who remind him of Prowl (as a joke sure, but I still thought that meant there werent any). UNless it is indeed bluestreak. Was that the bot who Swerve was joking to? He seemed to be blue, not grey.

william-james88 wrote:This is more about MTMTE than Lost light, but knew I would reach the same people by posting here without resurrecting an older thread.

I read a good part of MTMTE but got really burned by Dark Cybertron. I dont even know if I read it all. I got back into MTMTE with issue 50 and read steadily since but of course there is a gap in between I have been slowly getting though. Was reading the arc with Megatron's trial (which is still topical because now I know who Terminus is and they keep speaking of the Trial in LL) and I saw this dude:




Who in the world is that? I remember Swerve said there shouldnt be people on the Lost Light who remind him of Prowl (as a joke sure, but I still thought that meant there werent any). UNless it is indeed bluestreak. Was that the bot who Swerve was joking to? He seemed to be blue, not grey.

That's Bluestreak. He's a secondary character who shows up a bit more in other stories pre-50.

His colour scheme in this is a bit weird though - like they're trying to combine the original with some actual blue. I dig it, mind.

As a general rule, Swerve says anything to be a dick. Love him.

Kurona wrote:

william-james88 wrote:This is more about MTMTE than Lost light, but knew I would reach the same people by posting here without resurrecting an older thread.

I read a good part of MTMTE but got really burned by Dark Cybertron. I dont even know if I read it all. I got back into MTMTE with issue 50 and read steadily since but of course there is a gap in between I have been slowly getting though. Was reading the arc with Megatron's trial (which is still topical because now I know who Terminus is and they keep speaking of the Trial in LL) and I saw this dude:




Who in the world is that? I remember Swerve said there shouldnt be people on the Lost Light who remind him of Prowl (as a joke sure, but I still thought that meant there werent any). UNless it is indeed bluestreak. Was that the bot who Swerve was joking to? He seemed to be blue, not grey.

That's Bluestreak. He's a secondary character who shows up a bit more in other stories pre-50.

His colour scheme in this is a bit weird though - like they're trying to combine the original with some actual blue. I dig it, mind.

As a general rule, Swerve says anything to be a dick. Love him.

Thanks. the colours looked very different than just the previous issue where we saw him like this:




So I was confused.

IDW is about as consistent with colors and designs as Sunbow was in the 80s. They're better lately, to be fair.

ScottyP wrote:IDW is about as consistent with colors and designs as Sunbow was in the 80s.

Dude... those words are hurtful words.

To be fair, around issue 28/29 of MTMTE was when there was a colorist change, and there were several notable changes in colorings, such as Bluestreak's paint work and Magnus' thighs

ScottyP wrote:IDW is about as consistent with colors and designs as Sunbow was in the 80s. They're better lately, to be fair.

Hey now, I don't ever remember seeing two Starscreams in the same panel.

Yeah I guess that's fair. Colors and designs have been wonky at times, but that is sort of the nature of a comic book, I guess. Different artists and colorists throughout a run, and all.

Kurona wrote:

ScottyP wrote:IDW is about as consistent with colors and designs as Sunbow was in the 80s.

Dude... those words are hurtful words.

I lived through Phase 1. One issue at a time. For every awesome moment like Stormbringer, there were times like New Avengers vs. Transformers. For every greatly cultivated continuity payoff like Devastation, there was a Spotlight: Blaster.

There were also at least 85.3 regular artists working under a laissez faire editorial reign. This is greatly exaggerated, of course, but by that last year in 2011 there was 0 consistency anywhere.

ScottyP wrote:

Kurona wrote:

ScottyP wrote:IDW is about as consistent with colors and designs as Sunbow was in the 80s.

Dude... those words are hurtful words.

I lived through Phase 1. One issue at a time. For every awesome moment like Stormbringer, there were times like New Avengers vs. Transformers. For every greatly cultivated continuity payoff like Devastation, there was a Spotlight: Blaster.

There were also at least 85.3 regular artists working under a laissez faire editorial reign. This is greatly exaggerated, of course, but by that last year in 2011 there was 0 consistency anywhere.

Aww, man, now I have to defend my favourite Spotlight? You wound me. You wound me.

But you also said New Avengers vs. Transformers was bad, so it's only skin-deep! Wheeeee~