Variant Covers for IDW Transformers: Lost Light #10

Okay, I seriously adore that Lawrence cove. Are we up to... 4 now? Season one with Rod, season two with Megs, Swearth and this one?

Also, for anyone (myself included) worried about Thunderclash's moral scrupulousness and whether he'd actually go along with the mutiny? As Scotty highlights, I think cover 2 gives you your answer

All of those covers are great!

Those covers look great especially the group one. I'm just disappointed Bluestreak and Hound would go along with the mutiny. Along with Trailbreaker, they were always the nice bots of the G1 Ark crew.

Of course, as I type this I remember Bluestreak's tech spec motto, "I never met a Decepticon I didn't dislike".

Every one of those covers are really sweet!

Alex Milne is synonymous with the Lost Light crew, the team of Transformers found in the IDW More than Meets the Eye and Lost Light series. Even Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus is based on his designs. While he left when the book changed its name to Lost Light, James Roberts, the author, has now revealed that Alex Milne will be drawing this team again in Lost Light number 13. After that, he come back at a later date for a longer run on the book.

Here are the tweets from Roberts:

At last it can be revealed! @markerguru makes his Lost Light debut (interiors) with issue #13!

Just for this standalone issue, but he'll be back for a longer run.

Alex Milne is awesome and I am so glad he is returning. I wish we had more of the crew from MTMTE.

So that's #12,13 - unless the listing for #12 was wrong

Sweet! Milne's art is fantastic and it's been my phone wallpaper many times. However I hope this isn't just because of what people (myself included, albeit to a lesser extent) have been saying about Lawrence's art.

I personally can't wait to see Anode and Lug drawn by Milne

Kurona wrote:I personally can't wait to see Anode and Lug drawn by Milne

No need to wait! They're between Rodimus' right arm and leg, unless Milne didn't draw that cover.

Bounti76 wrote:

Kurona wrote:I personally can't wait to see Anode and Lug drawn by Milne

No need to wait! They're between Rodimus' right arm and leg, unless Milne didn't draw that cover.

True, but as a part of the story

Windsweeper wrote:Those covers look great especially the group one. I'm just disappointed Bluestreak and Hound would go along with the mutiny. Along with Trailbreaker, they were always the nice bots of the G1 Ark crew.

Of course, as I type this I remember Bluestreak's tech spec motto, "I never met a Decepticon I didn't dislike".

This ain't G1, there was never an Ark crew in IDW and 95 percent of the Autobots are edgy douche bags so personality means nothing unless their sarcastic or snarky meme spewing or Ratchet.

Ooh, Milne's back, excellent.

I'll actually give this series another shot and start buying it again if they make his return permanent.

Hopefully Slim Jim has realised what's best for the comic now.

Yknow much as in excited for Milne on LL, I think it was really for the best that we switched. Not only have I grown to love Lawrence's art but it's well known that Robert's style of very detailed scripts doesn't gel well with Milne's desire for creative freedom. I don't think for a minute there's any bad blood between the two, but I feel a break can have only been a good thing.
Also agreed windsweeper (though about different characters, riptide I kinda expected but percy?), though in gonna assume that all is not sunshine and rainbows aboard the LL. By these covers thunders clearly ain't too keen, and First Aid almost certainly won't be either- I wonder who else is gonna be on their side when push comes to shove. It might be we have a full fledged mutiny...iny. Mutinutiny? Hmmmm, I don't wanna go for the obvious "mutinception" but nothing else works quite as well

I'd really like to see him continue to do things other than Lost Light. You can tell he's having alot of fun on Shining Armour

I love the cover!

Never thought in 4 million years you could make a 'bot like Hoist look mean lol

And finally, in our iTunes previews of upcoming IDW Publishing comics today, we have the first three pages of the series featuring the actual ship after which the series itself is titled: Lost Light #10, and the return of Getaway's crew (for three issues at least)! Check it out below, and head back here in a couple of weeks for more.

HOMECOMING! FIRST AID, the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer, returns to the Lost Light to find that everything has changed: the ship is now under the command of the treacherous GETAWAY, half of his closest friends are missing, and—most shocking of all—the crew is actually making progress...

wait, I thought Defensor was still combined.....also, Groove!

D R E W wrote:wait, I thought Defensor was still combined.....also, Groove!

And in one corner, Rook!

Defensor separated at the conclusion of Combiner Wars, when Mirage and the other Protectobots took their shuttle back to the Lost Light.

Oh yes, this is gonna be a good arc.

Hi Rook your a person now...hopefully you don't befall the fate of Alpha Bravo and Offroad by barely being characters.

Deadput wrote:Hi Rook your a person now...hopefully you don't befall the fate of Alpha Bravo and Offroad by barely being characters.

Someone didn’t read the Club fiction.

Daniel Adkins wrote:Someone didn’t read the Club fiction.

I'm talking pure idw fiction only.

I'm a fan of that club story though...much better then some of the stuff that's been coming out lately from idw.

Anyways why the hell does everyone in the book keep talking like Rodimus or like an internet person.

Deadput wrote:

Daniel Adkins wrote:Someone didn’t read the Club fiction.

I'm talking pure idw fiction only.

I'm a fan of that club story though...much better then some of the stuff that's been coming out lately from idw.

There's non-cringey recent TFCC fiction!? Gonna have to check that out. Last thing I tried was a story about Go Bots that read like a 7th grader's creative writing assignment.

Great to the forgotten crewmembers of the Lost Light.

Be nice to see Pointblank, Twinferno or Boss get some characterisation.

Any of them really. So tired of Tailgate and the main cast.

One question, who is the Autobot at the back with the black and white face and bat/dragon wings. Looks kind of feminine.

Windsweeper wrote:Great to the forgotten crewmembers of the Lost Light.

Be nice to see Pointblank, Twinferno or Boss get some characterisation.

Any of them really. So tired of Tailgate and the main cast.

One question, who is the Autobot at the back with the black and white face and bat/dragon wings. Looks kind of feminine.

Grotusque. Funnily enough, his Titans Return Deluxe just got revealed today.

ScottyP wrote:

Deadput wrote:

Daniel Adkins wrote:Someone didn’t read the Club fiction.

I'm talking pure idw fiction only.

I'm a fan of that club story though...much better then some of the stuff that's been coming out lately from idw.

There's non-cringey recent TFCC fiction!? Gonna have to check that out. Last thing I tried was a story about Go Bots that read like a 7th grader's creative writing assignment.

You're missing out, man. Beast Wars Uprising is some of the best TF fiction ever made.

Now we are finally where I wanted to be. I am excited for the arc, which is funny cause so far Scorponok has been the only exciting thing about LL so far.

Also, yay for Rook!!! finally!

Windsweeper wrote:So tired of Tailgate

Um, uh... hmm. Phrasing is difficult, but here goes.

I'll just say that if you get caught up you'll like where this is going in that regard.

Rodimus Prime wrote:

ScottyP wrote:

Windsweeper wrote:So tired of Tailgate

Um, uh... hmm. Phrasing is difficult, but here goes.

I'll just say that if you get caught up you'll like where this is going in that regard.

Didn't Tailgate get buried by Fangry without anyone else knowing, thus relegating him to the same fate he was subjected to before he made it onto the Lost Light?

Yep!

Here is to hoping Cyclonus will come to rescue the little fella.

The first of several previews for comics released this week from IDW Publishing comes via Newsarama, and features the crew of the Lost Light - the Mutineers, as we now know them - plus First Aid and the Protectobots (including quintessential character Rook). Check it out below!

Transformers: Lost Light #10
James Roberts (w) • Jack Lawrence (a & c)
HOMECOMING! FIRST AID, the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer, returns to the Lost Light to find that everything has changed: the ship is now under the command of the treacherous GETAWAY, half of his closest friends are missing, and—most shocking of all—the crew is actually making progress…
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

I'm exited that First Aid is getting some screen time. I am also interested in Rook because I haven't seen much about him. Plus I dig all things fire and rescue so I am stoked when any character related to those fields gets some of the spotlight.

WreckerJack wrote:I'm exited that First Aid is getting some screen time.

Likewise! I'd almost forgotten how much I love the dude. Couldn't even tell you why I'm so fond of him, I think he's just... very genuine. And him taking ratchet to task over the whole retiring/being stuck at second best kinda really struck a chord with me. Powerful stuff that I think is too often forgotten been people talk about mtmte highlights.

Does anyone know when the first Lost Light trade will be out? I've been dying to read how this whole thing starts.

Optimutt wrote:Does anyone know when the first Lost Light trade will be out? I've been dying to read how this whole thing starts.

According to Amazon, Nov. 7th

https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Los ... 1631409921?tag=seibertron07-20&

I would note though -- this only compiles #1 - #6 of Lost Light. That is the length of the whole first arc, but #7 which isn't included is largely an epilogue of that arc so you might miss out a little.

I'm glad First Aid is finally back, and we are finally getting to the mutineers. This is the story I'e been wanting!

I feel this issue's ending went on a bit too long. I get the idea but I feel it was accomplished by the time you hit the half-point of said ending. I would've preferred that be handled a little better and the other pages be devoted towards other stuff perhaps related to exploring the ship more or focusing on one of the more surprising mutineers like Hound or Xaaron.

Otherwise? This issue was FRIGGIN' BRILLIANT.

Kurona wrote:I feel this issue's ending went on a bit too long. I get the idea but I feel it was accomplished by the time you hit the half-point of said ending. I would've preferred that be handled a little better and the other pages be devoted towards other stuff perhaps related to exploring the ship more or focusing on one of the more surprising mutineers like Hound or Xaaron.

Otherwise? This issue was FRIGGIN' BRILLIANT.

I disagree on the conclusion, as the review going up shortly will try and point out.

Synopsis
HOMECOMING! FIRST AID, the Autobots' Chief Medical Officer, returns to the Lost Light to find that everything has changed: the ship is now under the command of the treacherous GETAWAY, half of his closest friends are missing, and-most shocking of all-the crew is actually making progress...



Story

It's been a really long while since we last saw the Lost Light (ship) in its titular series, at least for more than a corner of a panel shot of the outside, and this issue has been expected by a lot of readers in generally two large camps of positive and negative apprehension. How did it fare? I find myself squarely between both.



James Roberts' script brings First Aid and the Protectobots - and makes a running gag out of Rook's presence too that will sound familiar to the fandom (at least in the opening paragraph, if not the issue itself) - in a way that will please readers that wanted to see more of First Aid, that is most definitely a given. Along with him, and I'm thinking of Riptide and Mirage in particular, bring very much plenty of their core characteristics to a plotting that needs anchors.



On the other side, there are two major points I disagree with in the issue: the twisting of the plot - which is an extremely gigantic spoiler to talk about here, so see below - and the disparity of treatment of character between Getaway and Megatron. Namely: how do you turn a character (Getaway) that has had legitimate motives for action, while terrible morals in doing said action, I am not disputing that and never have, into the Worst Character Ever by playing with issues of narcissism, despotry and manipulation - points he entirely 'redeemed' in the actual despot (Megatron) said character was going against?



There are obviously two more issues to make the writing work, including the frustrating take on Getaway so far that may be more justified (or at least explained, somehow), but I come away from this book with a feeling that The Twist has reduced that space significantly - and without good reason - and limit some character work that could've otherwise intervened. More below.


Art

In terms of the visual work, however, I believe this to be one of the best displays of patient and careful work by Jack Lawrence, who has a nowhere-near-easy job of laying out scenes and panels in such a way that can hint at what might be actually taking place without revealing anything until it actually is. But take a close look at the crowd scenes, on a second read, and compare to the individual shots.



What I also really appreciate, in the same way as that last point about the lineart, is how Joana Lafuente manages to bring a really quite dark tone overall by juxtaposing dull grey and brown palettes from the backgrounds with the otherwise brighter coloured characters and scenes - you know something just isn't quite right by just looking at it.



As a result, Tom B. Long work on letters doesn't have as much scope to include big fancy games, but the subtle plays with font sizes do lend themselves to the same effect as both art and colours. And he still manages to squeeze in some satisfying soundwords, too. I chose the Alex Milne and Josh Perez cover for the review thumbnail as a spotlighting reminder of the factions, but you can find all of the covers for the book right here, in our database entry.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

I was disappointed, as you may have been able to tell through the review. I was disappointed not because of the entirely made-up feud between #TeamRodimus and #GetawayDidNothingWrong (that neither side takes seriously except when people step in and think they both do), but at how perceptions of what makes a villain have worrying ramifications since Megatron's redemption and Getaway's first introduction. Yes, the series is character-driven for the most part, or at least latches on to the characters to drive its plot, but I feel there's something missing from a bigger ethical, moral picture. Is Getaway a lying populist riding a wave of actual malcontent? Yes. Does that mean that everyone who is following him is exactly the same? No. Are we in danger of equating the two? Yes. Was Megatron given the same damning treatment during and after a genocide trial..? Why are we so clearly manipulated as readers by the narrative?



Some of the characters are well written, well pitted against or with each other, but there are enough that are brought to the limit of their bio tag-line instead of using that as a core to make me not enjoy what the script might be trying to do with that comment. And I feel it detracts a lot from the space that the visual side of the story - for a recurring theme seen in all of TAAO for example - has to expand on how to deal with manipulation and the type of sequence that closes the book.

Yeah I agree with a lot of your thoughts. I haven’t been shy to say Lost Light and a lot of MTMTE hasn’t worked for me as a comic reader becuase Roberts writes this series like a TV show and not a comic a lot and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.

Yes not everyone may know of what horifficic things Getaway is doing but we don’t know yet. There’s a lot of guys in this memeory loop that are there and lying and are aware of what’s going on and like I said with issue 50 I’m not happy with a lot of these beloved characters being okay with this stuff. It feels wrong and it is wrong. People like Perceptor, Inferno, Hoist, and Xarron. Xarron who is established as someone in charge of the judicial system in IDW is lyingin this issue and is fine with what’s going on. And I don’t want anyone jumping on with “well we can’t trust what we’re seeing becuase it’s a memeory look” it’s a loop not shadow play. The way it’s fully explained is their minds are manipulated to go with what’s going on but are stuck in a situation that goes in circles. It’s not altered in a sense to sway them one way or another. It’s not mneumosurgeon changing facts.

Oh don't get me wrong: Getaway is a piece of shit. Always has been since introduction in IDWverse.

So was Megatron. A genocidal piece of shit. And he was redeemed, made charismatic, and endeared to the reader.

I am frustrated by how the two are being used by the narrative in almost opposite ways, to condemn one while shrugging away the other. While both being pieces of shit.

I think he’s just a terrible character. He’s willing to murder innocent autobots(tailgate) to what? Get revenge on Megatron? Okay? At what cost? If this was a Prowl thing becuase let’s be honest this is something Prowl would do. Put his own agents in the ship to benefit his own means-something he’s done before- and get rid of Megatron but we know from both point of views-getaway’s(#50)and Prowl’s(Titans Return story)- they’re not working together. I’m left asking “why are you an autobot? you don’t believe in the cause”

I think Getaway is just a poorly made character. his goal is to find the knights but why? He’s a war born cold constructed autobot. He didn’t live on cybertron before the war and he’s never lived in peace times so what’s his motivation? To be better than Rodimus? Congrats. You kinda already won

My somewhat cluttered thoughts on my least favorite issue of the entire run...

All this, must be taken with three caveats:
1. Subsequent issues may make my complaints irrelevant. But if we're going to play with false memories and timelines, then it's a criticism the author has to accept the possibility of.
2. Jokes about Getaway aside. My dislike of the issue isn't a defense of the character or the running gag we've had with him.
3. I love the MtMtE series. I really do. I don't think that it's above criticism though and I would put heavy emphasis on blaming the editorial process for a lack of creative control here.


On to my points:
1. Getaway and Megatron's perceived villainy by the author is a major issue. The scope of Megatron's crimes is so broad, so absurdly horrid, that there is a moral vacuum left by embracing his redemption arc while villainous the actions of the characters who are forced to deal with it under an uncertain command structure are not put in context or rationally explained to the reader.

Going back to when the mutiny happened, a lot of otherwise sensible people were standing with (literally) Getaway in support. It doesn't line up with him being manically evil in a need to cover up what he's doing. Rationally, the crew only needs to explain to the Protectabots that they sent the Galactic Authority to collect Megatron because he was "corrupting" the crew.

The crew purposely let Getaway out to deal with a situation they saw as untenable. They can be wrong. They can be misguided. However they made a rational decision. They made a decision that could not have been made if someone like Perceptor sensed at all that Getaway was manically evil or villainous.

Parts don't fit.

2. I feel like the failure here is one of editing. The Mutineer's trilogy is 1/3rd over with an almost wasted issue. If these things ACTUALLY happened, it may matter. If the reality of the following events is different, a whole book was used to basically say: Getaway is a sleazy Prowl, which is something we already knew and is wasted effort. Proper editing or reigning in the author would have better regulated page real estate.

So either these things in the story happened and the character arcs and premise of rational behavior is in question or they didn't happen and the issue is a $3.99 red herring, which does not provide proper answers for the investment of the reader's time.

3. Characters are edging towards displaying the extreme parts of their personalities or are being written to represent an ideal character trait (for good or worse) rather than have a core guiding principle that their actions cue off of. In a way, it's kind of like how Roberts has turned Rodimus from a cavalier, but clever leader into a charismatic Homer Simpson, who while dramatically immature, still makes things happen. I began to think that it was all purposeful, that he was writing a deeply clever Rodimus, but I think that's in doubt now. There needs to be a pay off, the kind that the earlier MtMtE books did so well with characters like Swerve, Minimus, Whirl, or Cyclonus showing a depth to their personality quirks that puts context to their actions.

I love the series, but I really feel like the team that is supposed to guide the story parameters is allowing the author to do whatever on a monthly basis instead of taking a structured view of the series and keep the worth of each issue and character decision in context of the larger book.

Now, hopefully I'll be wrong and hopefully my take is limited by the serial nature of the comics. Lost Light has been a lost opportunity in my opinion so far. It's doing too much stuff and not doing enough to ground the book around its own beginning premise.

The Lost Light is getting to be a proper name in a way. The guiding light and direction of this character centric book is dimming.

For me, this issue is a out of

If subsequent issues put a better context on the plot devices employed here, I might view it in a more positive light.

Well you’re wrong on creative control. Roberts has the most creative control out of all the writers. He’s admitted that several times and it shows with MTMTE/LL’s extremely minimal or no contribution to the event books. He’s allowed to do what he wants for the most part.

My way too brief comment (on lunch break, at work, on phone) is that I quite enjoyed it. Just wanted to put that out there since the comments here so far are completely bumming me out.

That said, negative bend aside, there are some very well thought points here I plan to come back to this evening. Agreed with some of the critique, uncertain about some other points.

Well I’m not go lie and say “it’s good becuase it’s lost Light/MTMTE and it’s james Roberts”. There’s been enough of that blind praise for years now and I know I’ll get flack for that but we all know it’s around and again I’ll say this and I’ll get flack for it; the absence of Alex Milne has shown some that this book has flaws in the storytelling. The fact that some people who have quit reading Lost Ligjt and now say they will be coming back for that one issue becuase “the band is back together” shows that. People who claim they haven’t read anything in over a year will buy it becuase Alex. That’s ridiculous.

Va'al wrote:I am frustrated by how the two are being used by the narrative in almost opposite ways, to condemn one while shrugging away the other. While both being pieces of ****.

I really feel its due to the scope at play and the legacy o the characters. Getaway is a whipping boy, I dont really have a better way to say that. His actions are more on a micro level and easier to see him as a piece of shit.

Megatron is a piece of shit on a grand scale to the point where its harder to judge by comparison. The cause was greater, the stakes were higher, the result was a devastation of their world from both sides.

I feel its like comparing a politician vs some guy who bumped into you on the subway, making you spill your coffee on yourself and not saying sorry while just walking away. That politician probably does some stuff you really dont agree with which could lead to devastating circumstances (ie: removing subvention of social programs to finance more war efforts) but come on, that guy on the subway was a real asshole, he didnt even say sorry, WTF!?!?!

Getaway ain’t a whipping boy or just some guy. He’s a member of Prowls secret intelligence and police. That’s pretty high up on a threat level.