Main Cover Art for IDW Transformers: Lost Light #8

Ah bland girl and three nobodies can't wait for these next few issues I'm trembling with anticipation.



Ha ha ha

Has anyone else found it odd that the standard scale of most alien species in the IDW verse is giant?

What the blue bots name?

Broadside27 wrote:What the blue bots name?

That's Velocity; Camien medic and consistently concerned for everyone

ricemazter wrote:Has anyone else found it odd that the standard scale of most alien species in the IDW verse is giant?

No, I just assume that humans are the odd, tiny ones in the universe.

Thank you!

lowman_x wrote:

ricemazter wrote:Has anyone else found it odd that the standard scale of most alien species in the IDW verse is giant?

No, I just assume that humans are the odd, tiny ones in the universe.

There have been others. Nebulons have shown up, the blue people from Spotlight Cliffjumper, the pig people from spotlight thundercracker and little aliens had were scattered around the bar in RID #6.

It's honestly just James's books that make them the same size.

Randomhero wrote:It's honestly just James's books that make them the same size.

Because he writes witty British characters, personal politics and tv show references first and Transformers second.

Deadput wrote:

Randomhero wrote:It's honestly just James's books that make them the same size.

Because he writes witty British characters, personal politics and tv show references first and Transformers second.

Good thing artists exist too, to do the artisty bit of doing the art.

Someone on one of my Discords pointed this out to me and I can't stop laughing.

This could be somewhat unrelated, but whatever.

Does anyone else want to see the infernocons in the IDW universe? I know right now they are movie-only characters, but I thought they were kinda cool and they have a nice name. (Infernocus just sounds great out loud to me) They could be minions of liege maximo or something like that.

I mean if they can make RID Megatron into Gigatron and add a bunch of Unicron trilogy character designs into backgrounds, maybe they can make infernocus a thing? (Also, Mohawk in the background would be a nice nod) Didn't they integrate barricade's design into one of the comics at some point?

breacher wrote:This could be somewhat unrelated, but whatever.

Does anyone else want to see the infernocons in the IDW universe? I know right now they are movie-only characters, but I thought they were kinda cool and they have a nice name. (Infernocus just sounds great out loud to me) They could be minions of liege maximo or something like that.

I mean if they can make RID Megatron into Gigatron and add a bunch of Unicron trilogy character designs into backgrounds, maybe they can make infernocus a thing? (Also, Mohawk in the background would be a nice nod) Didn't they integrate barricade's design into one of the comics at some point?

Infernocus would be cool to see in a different way like as you said maybe a servant of Maximo or maybe Unicron if he is ever in the comics one day since they have devil horns like him.

I think they reused Barricade's WFC design which in itself is based on the G1 micromaster body but with movie colors and alt mode.

Who is the bot in the foreground with the red eyes?

Broadside27 wrote:Who is the bot in the foreground with the red eyes?

I've been trying to work that out myself. The colour scheme matches Roller, but nothing else does...

Who is the full manifesto of everyone aboard the Skip Light anyway? Rodimus, Magnus, Whirl, Cyclonus, Drift, Velocity, Chromedome, Rewind, Lug, Anode, Nautica... I don't remember the other 9. I think Roller's on it?

Kurona wrote:

Broadside27 wrote:Who is the bot in the foreground with the red eyes?

I've been trying to work that out myself. The colour scheme matches Roller, but nothing else does...

Who is the full manifesto of everyone aboard the Skip Light anyway? Rodimus, Magnus, Whirl, Cyclonus, Drift, Velocity, Chromedome, Rewind, Lug, Anode, Nautica... I don't remember the other 9. I think Roller's on it?

Roller is definitely on it. Everyone else sees a group of four when I definitely see a group of five. I hope it's Roller, he is one of my personal favorites.

Broadside27 wrote:

Kurona wrote:

Broadside27 wrote:Who is the bot in the foreground with the red eyes?

I've been trying to work that out myself. The colour scheme matches Roller, but nothing else does...

Who is the full manifesto of everyone aboard the Skip Light anyway? Rodimus, Magnus, Whirl, Cyclonus, Drift, Velocity, Chromedome, Rewind, Lug, Anode, Nautica... I don't remember the other 9. I think Roller's on it?

Roller is definitely on it. Everyone else sees a group of four when I definitely see a group of five. I hope it's Roller, he is one of my personal favorites.

I wanna see more of him because he seems to be the third new main character after Anode and Lug -- but he unfortunately didn't get a lot of focus. Even without that though you already get a good idea of who he is; a big friendly fun-loving dork. I love him.

Deadput wrote:

Randomhero wrote:It's honestly just James's books that make them the same size.

Because he writes witty British characters, personal politics and tv show references first and Transformers second.

And that's a big reason why he is not a good TF writer.

Rodimus Prime wrote:And that's a big reason why he is not a good TF writer.

He did have a good balance back during season 1 of mtmte but then he dropped the ball probably due to how good of a reception and fan following the comic got then let it get to his head and misinterpreted that people only loved the witty jokes and not the well story and concepts also the awe and wow factor from something new disappeared MTMTE had to live up to it's reception.

Seems like Roberts thought that just because people loved Drift and Rung meant that people wanted more original characters instead of good written characters so we got more characters and now the comic is bloated and were not getting focus switched around.


Rodimus is also the worse character by far now in the comic.

Deadput wrote:

Rodimus Prime wrote:And that's a big reason why he is not a good TF writer.

He did have a good balance back during season 1 of mtmte but then he dropped the ball probably due to how good of a reception and fan following the comic got then let it get to his head and misinterpreted that people only loved the witty jokes and not the well story and concepts also the awe and wow factor from something new disappeared MTMTE had to live up to it's reception.

I more or less agree especially with it going to his head. I did like MTMTE for the most part, but Dying of the Light was a disappointing mess and from what I read here it hasn't gotten better.

Rodimus is also the worse character by far now in the comic.

I disagree with him being the worst (Rung is the worst IMO), but he definitely hasn't been developed further. It's a waste of a great character and space on the page.

With the eight issue of Lost Light due out at the end of the month, a 3-page preview has been released on iTunes! Featuring a lot more backstory for Nautica and Velocity, check out the blurb and the three pages below and be sure to tell us what you think in the forums!



THE HUNT IS ON! Ever lost something and spent forever looking for it? Try visiting Troja Major, the lost property capital of the universe. Just bear in mind that it's better known by another name: the Howling Town. And the Autobots are about to find out why.

Those first two pages? In my opinion, hands down the best two pages of Lost Light so far. I already loved Nautica but I'm loving Velocity so much more now

I like how the fountain is dilapidated with slightly wilted plants to show how Caminus was energy deficient- good job with the lore on Lawrence's art. Also, can anyone translate the writing on the third venue going up on the bottom right?

Not even sure what language that is, but in looking at that panel... usually I'd brush it off as coincidence, but knowing Roberts; the fact there's like 3 coffins in that street is gonna be significant, isn't it?

Finally getting to see more character from Velocity

Also, I honestly didn't register it was Tramontano's art until I saw the credits.

Coffins or life support escape pods? I agree, I'm liking this more than anything I read early on in LL.

Do you think if the crew of The Lost Light was smaller, the stories in MTMTE and now LL would have been better (faster pace and more streamlined)? Or since the stories focus only on a select few characters at a time, aside from the main guys, it doesn't matter?

On that contrary, personally I've found MTMTE to be proof that a fairly large cast of characters can not only be done but can be done very, very well. I can't think of a single story bar maybe Dissolution that would have benefited from a smaller cast.

The whole dissonance of coffins being sold in a cheery market is I think going to be very much a reflection of how this story will play out. Bear in mind that the preview for the TPB called Troja Major a planet where grief is used as currency, and there's plenty of that going around...
What I'm more interested in though is Nautica's eyepatch. I'd not really clocked till now why I find it so weird, but with the flashback panel on the same page it's more obvious. At the end of MTMTE, despite the facial injuries she still had two eyes. Now, it seems the cosmetic damage has been fixed but she's got a patch over the eye? Perhaps just a permanent reminder of what she went through, or perhaps there's more than meets the eye? eh? anyone? to it than we think.

ArmadaPrime wrote:The whole dissonance of coffins being sold in a cheery market is I think going to be very much a reflection of how this story will play out. Bear in mind that the preview for the TPB called Troja Major a planet where grief is used as currency, and there's plenty of that going around...

Suddenly the TPB's cover of Nautica with a spectral image of Skids behind her makes a lot more sense...

I have come to really like Tramonato's art and I can't wait to see the full issue

Does anyone else think that the entire "Lost Light" series has been boring lately? I'm kind of just getting tired of reading it. (spoilers ahead if you aren't caught up) They freakin killed skids. My favorite character. They locked Tailgate into a tube for 6 million years. WTF. Why? An aside from their escapades on functionalist cybertron, there really hasnt been much action other than a few exceptions.

Months before the return of both characters in Issue #10 of IDW's Lost Light, series artist Jack Lawrence has taken to his Twitter and posted a couple of sketches for the Autobots First Aid and Getaway! Check 'em out below and tell us what you think of Lawrence's depiction of the two in the forums.

Like em. First Aid's foot and calf area look huge but eh. He's a robot. Generally speaking, I dig Lawrence's art style. It started good and has improved over time as well.

Hmmm. So that is what First Aid would look like as a titan master.

Well, Getaway looks almost perfect, which I'm surprised at, considering that's the first time I've thought that about any of Lawrence's art. On the other hand, First Aid's proportions are beyond ridiculous. I've always disliked the more animated styles, but a 'bot's feet and calves should not be the size of the rest of his body put together. It's a shame, too, being as the rest of First Aid's detail looks pretty good.

Oh golly am I glad to have First Aid back in town, I sure have missed my boy. I do share apprehensions about the amount of LEG but then again, he also won't have a giant disembodied head nor will Getaway have an invisible elbow (...probably), it could just be Lawrence getting some practice of the detail by blowing it up a bit. Equally, could be a slight redesign, will have to wait till we see it on page.
Thinking about it, aren't all the protectobots en route to the LL? I don't think they ended up losing the ability to combine, so there just might be hope for a truly righteous beatdown on Getaway.

So, then. Rodimus Prime is pretty much front and centre of the next Transformers toy range later this year; in fact there appears to be several versions of him planned for release across 3 waves.

Despite Roberts' frustrations with his players being dragged into enforced cross overs, the Protectobots still contrived to join the Combiner Wars (from which they're still to return).

With all this in mind - is it nailed-on certain that IDW Rodders will be getting an upgrade? And if so, will he be leaving the Lost Light (comic) in order to effect this?

As we first reported here, current IDW Publishing artist on Transformers: Lost Light Jack Lawrence has created his own series 'bible' to aid in references, designs and the such on the comics ongoing series. And now, you can own that same 40-page compendium too! According to Lawrence, the first batch should be available at TFNation next month, but stay tuned for more updates.

Quint wrote:So, then. Rodimus Prime is pretty much front and centre of the next Transformers toy range later this year; in fact there appears to be several versions of him planned for release across 3 waves.

Despite Roberts' frustrations with his players being dragged into enforced cross overs, the Protectobots still contrived to join the Combiner Wars (from which they're still to return).

With all this in mind - is it nailed-on certain that IDW Rodders will be getting an upgrade? And if so, will he be leaving the Lost Light (comic) in order to effect this?

I don't think it's certain by any means. I'd go so far as to say it's unlikely. Outside of a very short arc with Sentinel and a one-shot with Trypticon, what impact did the Titans Return toy line have on IDW? Some token Mindwipe appearances in AHO?

ScottyP wrote: Outside of a very short arc with Sentinel and a one-shot with Trypticon, what impact did the Titans Return toy line have on IDW? Some token Mindwipe appearances in AHO?

A fun little arc with Fort Max and a fantastic new take on Cerebros that we probably wouldn't have gotten otherwise (Part of the Sentinel arc granted, but my point is that it did more good than harm)

I'd really hate for Rodimus to get his POTP design. A unique, character-reflecting excellent design thrown out the window for the sake of geewun. Not my cup of tea

Quint wrote:So, then. Rodimus Prime is pretty much front and centre of the next Transformers toy range later this year; in fact there appears to be several versions of him planned for release across 3 waves.

Despite Roberts' frustrations with his players being dragged into enforced cross overs, the Protectobots still contrived to join the Combiner Wars (from which they're still to return).

With all this in mind - is it nailed-on certain that IDW Rodders will be getting an upgrade? And if so, will he be leaving the Lost Light (comic) in order to effect this?

My fear is that this version of Hot Rod will actually become a prime. I really can't stand him, and I think the best possible thing would be for someone to give him a blow to his ego, preferably by someone else becoming a prime instead of him. Heck, by this point Drift probably deserves the distinction more than Hot Rod.

Directly from IDW Publishing, we have the full preview of this week's comics releases for the Hasbro Universe! Next up is a look at Wednesday's Transformers: Lost Light #8, with some new story material, as we follow Nautica, Anode, Lug and more to a new planet. Check it out below, and head back to Seibertron.com for our review later this week!

Transformers: Lost Light #8
James Roberts (w) • Jack Lawrence (a & c)
THE HUNT IS ON! Ever lost something and spent forever looking for it? Try visiting Troja Major, the lost property capital of the universe. Just bear in mind that it's better known by another name: the Howling Town. And the Autobots are about to find out why.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
Don’t miss the Megatron cover by Mondo artist Tom Whalen, part of our Tom Whalen Cover Month!
Variant cover by Alex Milne!

Nautica: I'd like everyone to meet my friend, The Collecto- I mean The Curator! Yes! The Curator! Absolutely not the collector!

Wait, does that imply that Cyclonus is rich? How does anyone in this series make money when all they do is hang around a ship? Are they getting paid for being crew members? How much is Hot Rod making as captain compared to everyone else? I'll bet it's a lot.

ricemazter wrote:Wait, does that imply that Cyclonus is rich? How does anyone in this series make money when all they do is hang around a ship? Are they getting paid for being crew members? How much is Hot Rod making as captain compared to everyone else? I'll bet it's a lot.

Issue 13 MTMTE, tailgate said cyclonus is a billionaire because he owned real-estate before leaving on the Ark 6 million years ago.

I am interested to read this issue. I did wonder about Velocity and Nautica. I think I am behind an issue or two to be honest, there were a few lack luster ones so my friends have been less hyped. My GF will usually get exited when she gets them from iTunes but I have not heard a peep from her about Lost Light in a while.

Synopsis
THE HUNT IS ON! Ever lost something and spent forever looking for it? Try visiting Troja Major, the lost property capital of the universe. Just bear in mind that it's better known by another name: the Howling Town. And the Autobots are about to find out why.



Story

I was reminded by other comics staff that we've had a number of voices already on reviews this far, for the new iteration of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, but mine was not the one that has appeared yet for Lost Light. It's probably time then, right? Back to the story?



One of the issues I've had with the series, much like its predecessor, is the use of the medium of comics as a serialised narrative - they read really well as a collected trade (read volume 1 in one sitting, believe me), but sometimes take odd steps as single issues. This book, however, does not do that, and in fact plays the field extremely well as a morsel of a wider story yet to happen, and previous ones being closed or at least addressed.



As we know, James Roberts takes his time on the series to get to know the characters, and characters here are a very important part of the plot: what we discover about Nautica and Velocity, their interactions prior to the Lost Light, wouldn't have made sense while Megatron was still in the picture - but what he does well here is to not sacrifice plot for character development, at all.



And in terms of highlights, this book has fallen into the category of what Transformers comics can do now, from a socio-political perspective, in terms of identity, representation, and delving further into human issues while using sad gay (can we finally change this to queer?) robots in space. And yes, I'm talking about Anode and Lug, and what we learn about both of them.


Art

After a full arc and a breather, we see a different artist taking charge of a very important issue, plot wise among the rest, and Priscilla Tramontano has some excellent leads in terms of visual continuity with Lawrence's art, while still keeping very much to her own style and approach to the characters.



With a change from the usual, Joana Lafuente joins Tramontano on colours, perhaps also aiding in the continuity, but also providing an extremely vibrant and diverse cast of organic presences on Troja Major, taking the best pages out of Lucas' books and making the marketplace as cantina-esque (but well lit) as she can.



In a universe where several characters are identifiable by their speech patters, and those speech patterns are to be made visible, a letterer like Tom B. Long makes sure that we can glean more from the page that you might read at first glance, while also enjoying the sounds of the new setting! Meanwhile, the cover for this review's thumbnail is the variant art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez, very much about the grief aspect of it all, but also more pertaining to the plot of the issue than you might think... All other covers can be found in our database entry right here, including Roche/Burcham, Tom Whalen, and the main Lawrence/Lafuente

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

What do you know? We're back looking for the Knights of Cybertron! For real! As I said above, the overarching plot is not sidelined for the characters or subplots, but rather the two work well together in the issue, and we get to find out more about The Quest that started all those 50+ issues ago under another title altogether - but what we find may not be what we were looking for, especially if it was answers.



That said, my allusions towards the scene featuring Anode and Lug warrants a couple extra words here, while still wanting to leave it to readers to appreciate: it has some nice callbacks to the last Optimus Prime issue, and Sideswipe's understanding of the new reality; it has a well-developed approach to the issue at hand, sign of good research on the team's behalf; it helps sediment

I love the new/old character that Lug and Anode meet! Even if Anode still does rub me the wrong way. And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't this issue feature more fembots than male 'bots? At least until the last few pages?