IDW Transformers: Lost Light #4 Alex Milne / Josh Perez Variant Cover Art
Friday, March 3rd, 2017 2:08AM CST
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Posted by Big Grim on March 3rd, 2017 @ 6:12am CST
Posted by snavej on March 3rd, 2017 @ 2:52pm CST
Posted by ebo716 on March 3rd, 2017 @ 3:30pm CST
Posted by Sigma Magnus on March 3rd, 2017 @ 3:32pm CST
ebo716 wrote:One thing I have never been a fan of on megatron's design is the chest hair/ swirly things on his chest
Yeah, same, but it kinda works with this design. Still, where did that start?
Posted by deliciouspeter on March 3rd, 2017 @ 3:32pm CST
Posted by ebo716 on March 3rd, 2017 @ 3:35pm CST
Sigma Magnus wrote:ebo716 wrote:One thing I have never been a fan of on megatron's design is the chest hair/ swirly things on his chest
Yeah, same, but it kinda works with this design. Still, where did that start?
It looks like it started on the g1 toy
Posted by Sigma Magnus on March 3rd, 2017 @ 3:40pm CST
ebo716 wrote:Sigma Magnus wrote:ebo716 wrote:One thing I have never been a fan of on megatron's design is the chest hair/ swirly things on his chest
Yeah, same, but it kinda works with this design. Still, where did that start?
It looks like it started on the g1 toy
Ah, right, forgot about that. I'm assuming those were meant for the gun mode. If so, I wonder why those guns had that pattern...
Posted by Nexus Knight on March 3rd, 2017 @ 3:49pm CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 3rd, 2017 @ 10:17pm CST
Posted by Kurona on March 4th, 2017 @ 2:56am CST
Posted by WreckerJack on March 4th, 2017 @ 4:02am CST
Sigma Magnus wrote:ebo716 wrote:Sigma Magnus wrote:ebo716 wrote:One thing I have never been a fan of on megatron's design is the chest hair/ swirly things on his chest
Yeah, same, but it kinda works with this design. Still, where did that start?
It looks like it started on the g1 toy
Ah, right, forgot about that. I'm assuming those were meant for the gun mode. If so, I wonder why those guns had that pattern...
Megatron is a Walther P38. While I can't find any pics of the Walther P38 done with those designs (or really any with designs) I do know that some Walther PPK models do feature some etching.
https://thearmsguide.com/5941/guns-movies-walther-ppk/
From what I know about the Walther P38 it was a gun used by the Germans in WWII. I think the designers wanted to make it look more interesting instead of just a flat metallic. Plus the fact that it does not feature a scope or stock like the cartoon does I think they were just trying to make it look cool and perhaps a touch unrealistic.
I wasn't around in the 80's but I do remember people in the 90's getting upset about toy cap guns. (I had a whole collection but I remember my Dad lecturing me about not pointing them at people and never to bring them to school.) Maybe it's fair to say that the sticker and etching makes Megatron look a little more like a toy in gun mode.
Posted by MrBlack on March 4th, 2017 @ 5:14am CST
WreckerJack wrote:Sigma Magnus wrote:ebo716 wrote:Sigma Magnus wrote:ebo716 wrote:One thing I have never been a fan of on megatron's design is the chest hair/ swirly things on his chest
Yeah, same, but it kinda works with this design. Still, where did that start?
It looks like it started on the g1 toy
Ah, right, forgot about that. I'm assuming those were meant for the gun mode. If so, I wonder why those guns had that pattern...
Megatron is a Walther P38. While I can't find any pics of the Walther P38 done with those designs (or really any with designs) I do know that some Walther PPK models do feature some etching.
https://thearmsguide.com/5941/guns-movies-walther-ppk/
From what I know about the Walther P38 it was a gun used by the Germans in WWII. I think the designers wanted to make it look more interesting instead of just a flat metallic. Plus the fact that it does not feature a scope or stock like the cartoon does I think they were just trying to make it look cool and perhaps a touch unrealistic.
I wasn't around in the 80's but I do remember people in the 90's getting upset about toy cap guns. (I had a whole collection but I remember my Dad lecturing me about not pointing them at people and never to bring them to school.) Maybe it's fair to say that the sticker and etching makes Megatron look a little more like a toy in gun mode.
The reason for the additional accessories is because the toy was based on the gun from The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 4th, 2017 @ 3:24pm CST
Kurona wrote:Anyone else starting to get the theory that the main universe's Matrix will stay with Optimus and that the Functionist Universe's Matrix will choose Megatron?
Would've made sense had he won the fan vote thingamabob.
It's possible... but not likely to me.
Posted by Va'al on March 6th, 2017 @ 5:41am CST
RODIMUS, MEGATRON and the exiled crew of the Lost Light realise that there's only one thing they need to do before they can resume their quest. Unfortunately, that thing is "save the world." Can the AUTOBOTS overcome the odds and save the day? To be honest, probably not.
Posted by BumbIebee on March 6th, 2017 @ 1:57pm CST
Posted by Big Grim on March 7th, 2017 @ 5:23am CST
Posted by Kurona on March 7th, 2017 @ 5:41am CST
Only real problem is how the cover looks without the context of the other ongoing. Prime's arm just coming out of nowhere off-screen with the express intent of choking Megsy
Big Grim wrote:That is a nice updated look there. The fella seems to have come on leaps and bounds in the god knows how many years IDW TF comics have been on the go now.
Over 10 years. It makes me really happy to know that IDW just beats out the movies as the longest ongoing, active fiction the franchise has ever had, even if that does include AHM and the Costa era.
Posted by Big Grim on March 7th, 2017 @ 6:59am CST
Kurona wrote:Over 10 years. It makes me really happy to know that IDW just beats out the movies as the longest ongoing, active fiction the franchise has ever had, even if that does include AHM and the Costa era.
Over 10 years. Good grief Charlie Brown. I know I'm getting old but that is kinda nuts! (Peanuts?)
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the IDW Vs Movie ongoing record. Not all of it has been great but in my opinion, with the three ongoings we have now, we really are in something of a Golden Age of TF comics.
Posted by Kurona on March 7th, 2017 @ 7:10am CST
Big Grim wrote:Kurona wrote:Over 10 years. It makes me really happy to know that IDW just beats out the movies as the longest ongoing, active fiction the franchise has ever had, even if that does include AHM and the Costa era.
Over 10 years. Good grief Charlie Brown. I know I'm getting old but that is kinda nuts! (Peanuts?)
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the IDW Vs Movie ongoing record. Not all of it has been great but in my opinion, with the three ongoings we have now, we really are in something of a Golden Age of TF comics.
Definitely. I know a lot of people'll disagree; but in my opinion, DOOP-onwards IDW is the apex of Transformers fiction. It's certainly had some bumps - especially the crossovers; dear lord Revolution - but I simply find modern IDW the best Transformers has ever been. And hey, doesn't hurt that Furman gave the continuity a solid foundation for the most part.
Posted by Va'al on March 7th, 2017 @ 7:53am CST
Kurona wrote:Big Grim wrote:Kurona wrote:Over 10 years. It makes me really happy to know that IDW just beats out the movies as the longest ongoing, active fiction the franchise has ever had, even if that does include AHM and the Costa era.
Over 10 years. Good grief Charlie Brown. I know I'm getting old but that is kinda nuts! (Peanuts?)
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the IDW Vs Movie ongoing record. Not all of it has been great but in my opinion, with the three ongoings we have now, we really are in something of a Golden Age of TF comics.
Definitely. I know a lot of people'll disagree; but in my opinion, DOOP-onwards IDW is the apex of Transformers fiction. It's certainly had some bumps - especially the crossovers; dear lord Revolution - but I simply find modern IDW the best Transformers has ever been. And hey, doesn't hurt that Furman gave the continuity a solid foundation for the most part.
Y'know, I need to get back to that Revisit-ation piece I started years ago..
Posted by Big Grim on March 7th, 2017 @ 7:54am CST
Kurona wrote:Definitely. I know a lot of people'll disagree; but in my opinion, DOOP-onwards IDW is the apex of Transformers fiction. It's certainly had some bumps - especially the crossovers; dear lord Revolution - but I simply find modern IDW the best Transformers has ever been. And hey, doesn't hurt that Furman gave the continuity a solid foundation for the most part.
Again, 100% agree. Speedbumps would certainly be Revolution (what a mess.) and Dark Cybertron but on average there's even been good bits in those. MTMTE Revolution was a glorious piece of work! So good! I admit MTMTE (now Lost Light) is my fave outta the three ongoings but I'm surprised to say I think that TAAO has edged out RID/OP for second place. It's been great since the Bruticus arc and only been getting better!
Posted by WreckerJack on March 7th, 2017 @ 10:58pm CST
Speaking of movies, it would be amazing if we could have a TF movie based on the comics much like the marvel movies. Dunno how possible that would be without them getting messed up though.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 10th, 2017 @ 10:37pm CST
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 17th, 2017 @ 3:16pm CDT
RODIMUS, MEGATRON and the exiled crew of the Lost Light realise that there's only one thing they need to do before they can resume their quest. Unfortunately, that thing is "save the world." Can the AUTOBOTS overcome the odds and save the day? To be honest, probably not.
Posted by Quint on March 17th, 2017 @ 6:52pm CDT
Or is this too pedantic? I don't know anymore. Finding choices by the author to quibble at, despite him being the very person who reignited my interest in this world, seems to be my primary concern since 'season 2' started.
Posted by SureShot18 on March 17th, 2017 @ 8:21pm CDT
Posted by ebo716 on March 17th, 2017 @ 9:35pm CDT
SureShot18 wrote:Is it just me or do the panels with Cybertron look rather Unicron-y? I may just be listening to Scotty too much.
Luna 2 also kinda sorta almost looks like Cybertron Primus albeit without the ten billion guns mounted on him
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 25th, 2017 @ 3:19pm CDT
Posted by ebo716 on March 25th, 2017 @ 9:05pm CDT
Posted by ricemazter on March 26th, 2017 @ 3:44pm CDT
While the mutiny and main quest are hanging over our heads, we're trapped in the functionist universe. At the same time, there's Anode, who has her dark past exposed by Velocity, which is actually just a cover for her real dark secret. Skids death has caused some of our characters to turn to drugs. But never mind that, Killmaster's back, and he might have killed Swerve and Ten. Except, no, they've just been transported somewhere else entirely. Then, Tailgaite's going nuts somewhere in the background, causing him to mutilate Cyclonus. It's all so exhausting.
Also, I have to wonder, how it is that Killmaster's arm is even able to be cut off by a sword. Aren't the Warriors Elite supposed to have unutrium coated endo-skeletons, making them virtually indestructible? Overlord was exploded from the inside out and later blasted with an asteroid shattering laser. He was left largely intact.
Posted by ScottyP on March 29th, 2017 @ 6:21am CDT
A Review of Transformers: Lost Light #4
As spoiler-free as I can make it. Probably. I tried.
The next mission begins!
The latest chapter of the massive, sweeping Transformers ongoing comics arrive this week, with two very different stories gracing shelves. One is Till All Are One #8, which judging from sales numbers is the best Transformers comic that Transformers fans don't read and you should feel bad about that. The other is the subject of this review, Lost Light #4. We're in the middle of a story arc that's six issues deep, and now we're past the halfway point. How are things shaping up with our heroes scattered about and in various states of misadventure?
Simultaneously, situations improve and decline across the three main plots of this issue. There's "Team Rodimus", stranded on Functionist Cybertron to take up one of these main plot lines, and with the agonizing cliffhanger of issue 3 get ready for, well, another cliffhanger. It's in the best of ways though if I'm honest about it. Anyone that watches Game of Thrones knows that sometimes an ending that leaves you unsatisfied for now, where you want to know more and see more and figure out what might happen next, can be a good ending. It means that you're wrapped up in something compelling, and when the attention of the book turns to this plot my eyes are glued to the page in anticipation and wonderment.
Back on Necroworld, which may or may not be in the "main" universe of the Transformers and Hasbro Universe books, there are two plot threads running through this issue. One of them is action packed and oozing with plot progression and character moments, and that's the one featuring Cyclonus, Whirl, Tailgate, and a recently awakened nemesis in Killmaster. This also ends on a cliffhanger - a good, effective one that leaves me wanting to read more. While it's not certain, it definitely seems that things aren't going to end well here, but then again, Cyclonus told us so in February of 2012 in the pages of More Than Meets The Eye #2, didn't he?
Then there's the argument in my head over whether or not the argument above really needed to happen here. After taking time and pursuing a more thoughtful analysis, it does. The visual storytelling in surrounding panels justifies the space, not to mention it makes sense for the characters involved. It progresses some long running plots in various ways, and is called back to effectively later in the issue.
Then there's the third small plot that's moved along in this issue, involving Anode and Lug. I've been a defender of these characters' inclusion and development for this arc, but their purpose is now fuzzy whereas it didn't feel that way earlier. The additional backstory is nice, and building up new characters is great, but something about the three pages given to these two newer arrivals missed the mark. The point is clear, the event that happened to end the scene is sure to be relevant later, and there is genuine purpose to all the words. None of that's really critical, of course, so what gives? It certainly wasn't the visuals, which were handled wonderfully by Jack Lawrence and Joana Lafuente's always sublime Necroworld color palette.
What it may be is a very purposeful usage of too many words. If you look at the roughly one-third of a page shown above, it doesn't have many words by the end, yet so much is said. The "new" Megatron, defined.
Were Lug's actions supposed to be ours?
Aside from the already mentioned Lawrence and Lafuente, there's the return of Tom B. Long on letter work. As usual, Long's work is fantastic and I don't have enough superlatives to describe it. Nick Roche and Josh Burcham again provide an outstanding cover fitting thematically with their other variant covers from the series so far, but a special mention needs to go to Alex Milne and Josh Perez's cover featuring Megatron and Terminus. This right here is frame-worthy.
As always, you can find full credits and covers in our database entry for Lost Light #4, along with a list of characters that appear in the issue (sometimes pretty early on release day depending on my alarm clock) so do be aware of possible spoilers.
Scores don't feel fair to big multi-part works. The more this goes on, the more it's clearly intended to be read all together as a six issue story. To be fair, Mr. Roberts has more-or-less directly pointed this out, or that's at least how I took it. That element holds this issue back a bit, but only a bit. Be sure to pick this one up and head back here to speculate about the future here on our forums by replying to this post.
Bonus! James Roberts' soundtrack suggestions for this issue:
- Nils Frahm - "You"
- The New Pornographers - "The Bleeding Heart"
- Interpol - "Next Exit (Stay)"
Encore Bonus! Uniclock Update:
I'm going to be reviewing this series for the site for a while, and some of you can guess why this is. I'm moving our Lost Light/Hasbro Comics Universe Doomsday Clock, the Uniclock, ahead one minute. After reading the issue you may think this is a bit over-conservative, but at least for right now, well, in John Barber I'll choose to trust and assume the slow burn will remain slow for awhile longer as stated in the linked Twincast interview with him. We'll see how long though. Another issue with this many signs and it's going to start to look like we'll find out the answer to the question "Where do you go?"
Posted by Randomhero on March 29th, 2017 @ 6:33am CDT
I really enjoyed the issue a lot. It has some positives, some negatives. The art is lovely, I think both stories are very interesting sadly it's waaaaaaay too talky even for Roberts. Especially since some of the conversations have happened in previous issues and entire pages are spent revealing something 1. People have already figured out or 2. Just didn't need an entire page to relay. Seriously the Megatron/Rodimus argument is almost 2 full pages and is something we've already read once or twice.
Again, not all bad but for me the bads are pretty heavy when they come on.
Posted by ScottyP on March 29th, 2017 @ 7:33am CDT
Liege Maximo is one of the big reasons I moved that thing up despite what Barber told me. The stuff in this issue of LL could just be foreshadowing/tongue in cheek, though that also seems unlikely.Randomhero wrote:I love the watchmen clock but this is not the series for it. What just happened in TAAO justifies a doomsday clock even more because HOLY SH**!!!
I really enjoyed the issue a lot. It has some positives, some negatives. The art is lovely, I think both stories are very interesting sadly it's waaaaaaay too talky even for Roberts. Especially since some of the conversations have happened in previous issues and entire pages are spent revealing something 1. People have already figured out or 2. Just didn't need an entire page to relay. Seriously the Megatron/Rodimus argument is almost 2 full pages and is something we've already read once or twice.
Again, not all bad but for me the bads are pretty heavy when they come on.
I was of the same mind on the Megs/Rodimus scuffle over the weekend (when we get our review copies) but after a couple other slow, careful re-reads I changed my tune. The point, to me, was that they're taking way too much time they don't have for a silly repetitive argument, and the slow build of the blue light around them gives that sense of "hey, HEY dudes, stop!" If you imagine it as a TV scene maybe it works better?
Alternately, I talked myself into liking it.
Posted by Randomhero on March 29th, 2017 @ 7:49am CDT
ScottyP wrote:Liege Maximo is one of the big reasons I moved that thing up despite what Barber told me. The stuff in this issue of LL could just be foreshadowing/tongue in cheek, though that also seems unlikely.Randomhero wrote:I love the watchmen clock but this is not the series for it. What just happened in TAAO justifies a doomsday clock even more because HOLY SH**!!!
I really enjoyed the issue a lot. It has some positives, some negatives. The art is lovely, I think both stories are very interesting sadly it's waaaaaaay too talky even for Roberts. Especially since some of the conversations have happened in previous issues and entire pages are spent revealing something 1. People have already figured out or 2. Just didn't need an entire page to relay. Seriously the Megatron/Rodimus argument is almost 2 full pages and is something we've already read once or twice.
Again, not all bad but for me the bads are pretty heavy when they come on.
I was of the same mind on the Megs/Rodimus scuffle over the weekend (when we get our review copies) but after a couple other slow, careful re-reads I changed my tune. The point, to me, was that they're taking way too much time they don't have for a silly repetitive argument, and the slow build of the blue light around them gives that sense of "hey, HEY dudes, stop!" If you imagine it as a TV scene maybe it works better?
Alternately, I talked myself into liking it.
I get that with the clock. Threw me off with being on here
I didn't hate the conversation, it just went on way too long and just said stuff megs has already been accused of and everything.
Still confused lug
I guess she was the spark that died and Anode created her in her mind out of guilt but man if that's it okay but , it's not very original especially since we have that relationship with starscream and bumblebee in TAAO and it's been done way better in other comic books.
Posted by Kurona on March 29th, 2017 @ 7:53am CDT
And I think you also summed up my feelings on Anode and Lug. I love these two to death, but something about their inclusion felt out-of-place and separate compared to everything else going on at the moment.
... god, I feel weird being this critical of my favourite series and an issue I actually liked. Someone give me some cute Chromedome and Rewind art
Posted by Randomhero on March 29th, 2017 @ 8:12am CDT
Megatron is just doing what's right and I like Magnus's line in the comic after the argument when Megatron is laying out strategies.
Posted by ScottyP on March 29th, 2017 @ 8:26am CDT
I really want to keep talking comics but responsible adult things are calling (work), but I can do this at least:Kurona wrote: Someone give me some cute Chromedome and Rewind art
Posted by Kurona on March 29th, 2017 @ 8:46am CDT
ScottyP wrote:I really want to keep talking comics but responsible adult things are calling (work), but I can do this at least:Kurona wrote: Someone give me some cute Chromedome and Rewind art
Extremely good. Keep this up and Va'al may just have competition for my favourite.
Posted by Va'al on March 29th, 2017 @ 12:32pm CDT
Kurona wrote:ScottyP wrote:I really want to keep talking comics but responsible adult things are calling (work), but I can do this at least:Kurona wrote: Someone give me some cute Chromedome and Rewind art
Extremely good. Keep this up and Va'al may just have competition for my favourite.
TFA Anode.
Posted by SureShot18 on March 29th, 2017 @ 1:41pm CDT
Posted by Randomhero on March 29th, 2017 @ 2:25pm CDT
SureShot18 wrote:I love how Anode's alt mode is a Cybertronian biplane.
As if Minimus Ambus's mustache wasn't hipster enough
Posted by Va'al on March 30th, 2017 @ 2:34am CDT
Posted by Burn on March 30th, 2017 @ 2:43am CDT
I still hate you all.
I need to get me a new Whirl.
Posted by Va'al on March 30th, 2017 @ 3:25am CDT
Burn wrote:I need to get me a new Whirl.
You're replacing me?!
Posted by Burn on March 30th, 2017 @ 3:43am CDT
Va'al wrote:Burn wrote:I need to get me a new Whirl.
You're replacing me?!
Are you made of plastic and smell bad?
Posted by Va'al on March 30th, 2017 @ 4:06am CDT
Burn wrote:Va'al wrote:Burn wrote:I need to get me a new Whirl.
You're replacing me?!
Are you made of plastic and smell bad?
...definitely not.
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 30th, 2017 @ 8:01am CDT
Va'al wrote:Burn wrote:Va'al wrote:Burn wrote:I need to get me a new Whirl.
You're replacing me?!
Are you made of plastic and smell bad?
...definitely not.
That's... probably up for debate.
The problem is: the forum admin is right. I can totally see that style of relationship between you 2.
Also Burn: Pretty sure my target still has some Whirls, or at least they still did 2 weeks ago. I can get you a plastic replacement that smells better and doesn't have a sarcastic-laden voice
Posted by bodrock on March 30th, 2017 @ 4:39pm CDT
ScottyP wrote:I really want to keep talking comics but responsible adult things are calling (work), but I can do this at least:Kurona wrote: Someone give me some cute Chromedome and Rewind art
LOVE DIS
I'm trying to catch-up to Lost Light as fast as I can to avoid spoilers here....but honestly, I did "read" MTME on tfwiki prior to buying all the TPBs! So now, seeing the great art and the events play out on the page is easier to follow along, even if it has been slightly spoiled.
Speaking of Whirl though, I still only have his G1 incarnation -- I wish I had gone Generations for an update. I'm also considering that Henkei classics set of Tailgate & Swerve....
Posted by Burn on March 30th, 2017 @ 4:43pm CDT
D-Maximus_Prime wrote:Also Burn: Pretty sure my target still has some Whirls, or at least they still did 2 weeks ago. I can get you a plastic replacement that smells better and doesn't have a sarcastic-laden voice
Found a very good priced one on E-Bay and snapped him up (Thanks though).
What can I say, every time I read Whirl in Lost Light I'm reminded of Stinky times and that I really need to get a Whirl that could be kept inside.
Posted by WreckerJack on April 5th, 2017 @ 2:53am CDT
"The first few drafts of the script are usually in longhand – I have a tower of notebooks full of my barely legible handwriting. I refine the dialog when typing everything up, and then edit it all again by hand" - James Roberts
The article also touches on the characters and stories along with James Robert's thoughts. It is an interesting read because you get a feel for how deep the story is. He also shares his ideas about some of the characters in both MTMTE and Lost Light.
"Anode, being a totally new character – and someone who was unfamiliar with our regulars and their backstory ... I wanted a driven, funny, independent, ebullient, cheeky new character, with a unique set of skills.” - James Roberts
If you enjoy Transformers: Lost Light, make sure you check out our archive!