Customer Reviews

Revelations (The Transformers: Spotlight)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Long time Transformer scribe Simon Furman was allowed his own take on IDW's reboot of the Transformers "Generation 1" franchise. This collection, "Revelation", follows up on 3 previous volumes, as well as several Spotlight issues. The proper reading order would be: Infiltration, Escalation, Devastation, Revelation, and Maximum Dinobots. To help fill out some gaps, there are 3 volumes of Spotlights as well. I only give it 4 stars instead of 5 due to its truncated nature, but that was mandated by publisher IDW. Revelation was originally to be a 6-issue set, to be followed by other 6-issue set called "Expansion". IDW wanted to move the Transformers in a new direction with their All Hail Megatron series, so they gave Furman only 4 issues for Revelation, as well as "Maximum Dinobots" to tie up some loose ends.

I picked up Revelations mainly for the more professional, less comic book style art not realizing it had such a disjointed alternate universe storyline. I have read many of the "classic" series but I am not a fan of traditional boxy comic art or the latest "slam, bang" in the face art style. I like solid writing and quality art. Granted this is a series that is continued in another volume but for me the Transformers Universe is confusing enough as it is so this volume seemed a little disjointed and out of sync.

Generation One fans may have trouble with the plot. I don't mind the use of humans, the kids in this story are smart and capable, but the storyline is poorly written in my opinion. One thing in this issue I really do not like is how Sideswipe is being spotlighted, or rather what he was turned into. Unless you read the whole series you really don't know what the deal is with Sunstreaker's capture either. They definitely do not seem like brothers here. And Hound is featured as uncharacteristically bossy and loud. There are really not a lot of good Gen 1 stories out there (next to zero with good art) so hence my disappointment.

I do like the artwork which is very much like the way I think transformers should look. Hot Rod is in unusual form and refreshingly acting more like an adult in this version. And I also liked the addition of the Decepticon mad scientist, Thunderwing in this story arc. Beyond that I am happy to see Optimus Prime featured quite a bit in this volume. And in a angst filled role but thankfully not one where he is mega suicidal or killed off for the umpteenth time for no reason.

I would recommend this for a Gen 1 Transformers fan, but be prepared when you read it. Its not a keeper for a casual reader but still a good edition for any fan collection. If you are new to transformers or the comic this would only confuse you and it is not a good introduction to the characters because many of them are completely unlike the "real" Gen 1 and Gen 2 bots we know and love from the TV series.

Overall 3 stars for the disjointed story and angry, out of character take on some of my favorite mechs.

It is very fitting that what seems to be the end of the first major story arc in IDW's series is called 'Revelation' and not 'Resolution'. Told as a collection of Spotlights, this installment of the story arc seems to forget that there are Decepticons, humans, and several other standing issues on the Autobot's plate.

Considering the threat being dealt with, the characters could be forgiven for brushing these issues aside, but the writers ignoring them is different. I was enjoying the slow build up in Infiltration, Escalation, and Devastation, but the finale leaves something to be desired.

When a TV series is cancelled abruptly they either get no resolution or a really rushed ending to tie up some loose ends and usually leave the fans wanting more.
That's exactly what happened with Revalations.
IDW decided after several years of awesome world building stories crafted from scratch by Transformers scribe Simon Furman that they wanted to change direction and make Simon wrap up all his story arcs in a 4 issue series of spotlights.
Although the individual issues are not that bad, it's frustrating to see a story with such potential get squeezed and condensed into 4 issues. While the over all plot carries fine the individual character arcs going on suffer greatly. Things like seeing Arcee tracking down Banzai-tron, The birth of the Autobot Pretenders, or How the Dead Universe occupents obtained Bludgeon's corpse. All these things get little or no "screen time".
All to make room for the incredibly lack luster "All Hail Megatron".
So where I can't fault this book or even Transformers: Maximum Dinobots overall , I can't give them higher ratings in good concience cause I know they could have been better if it wasn't for interference from the man in charge.

I love multiple story arcs, especially when they all come together. This approach by IDW is perfect for me. The continuing story lines from Infiltration on, coupled with the various Spotlights makes this Transformers universe one of the best ever. That being said, I was really excited when they combined the Spotlight series into the last chapter of the "-tion" series. While it was a great read and wrapped up several smaller arcs from other Spotlight series, the individual books themselves weren't really Spotlights in the same respect. Each character was indeed the main focal point for their respective Spotlight, just as in the other Spotlights. However, so much is going on elsewhere in the cosmos that the featured characters just end up being part of the story. In a 20 page Spotlight, there's 20 pages about the featured character and what he (or she) is doing. In revelations, there's about 10 pages about the featured character, and 10 pages of other going-ons. I'm not necessarily complaining (like I said, I love the story arcs), but to call them Spotlights, may be a small stretch. Nevertheless, I absolutely enjoyed reading Revelations and I highly recommend it for anyone that has been following the IDW universe of Transformers!

This product, among many others, is a great addition. This paperback's storyline is essential. If you is a big transformers fan look into this series, you will be higghly impressed.

This book was...good, but not great. The spotlights were interesting to read but I feel that, with the exception of Double Dealer's spotlight, they could have been better. The artwork, as usual, was superb but the "flow" seemed a bit off to me at times. This book ties in with AHM (from what I've read) and to Infiltration, Escalation and Devastation. If you wanna get a full sense of what happens in AHM, it is best to read this one along with the other comics. I...guess I would recommend this.

Really not IDW'shinning star of the series. It's a cheap quicky ending to wrap up lose ends from the rest of it's story. I thought I might get to see Sideswipe in action since his spotlight is in here. I did,for one page. It's unexciting, boring,and confusing at times. It feels like the writter is jamming dozens of jigsaw pieces in your face at once. Most characters G1 fans like (Starscream, Jazz, Soundwave,etc.) arent in here at all. Prime plays a limited part taking a back seat to minor characters that were more important in either the UK run or G2 comics (or... Headmasters...pffft) Only pick this up if you are a completist collector. You are better off bumming this off a buddy for a one time read. And only read this if you hav read Infiltraton, Escalation, Devastation, Spotlights 1, 2 and 3.If you havent don't bother.

Bottom line: Skip this and pick up the trade of "All Hail Megatron Vol 1"

I've been reading Transformers, every issue, since the beginning - yes, I stuck around till the end with Marvel and bought G2. Until the IDW run, author Simon Furman could do no wrong. Something happened. Maybe he was just given too much leeway or too much encouragement to create a sprawling epic, but his IDW issues were convoluted and boring. He tried to do too much, and nowhere is that clearer than this TPB. Nemesis Prime, the dead universe, Banzaitron, the Reavers, meh. I recognize Furman created a deep universe with an even deeper history - but he was unable to make me care about any of it.

I can handle complicated plotlines, but this one wasn't just complicated, it was a snoozer. Want proof? Pick up All Hail Megatron, which was a much-needed breath of fresh air that focused on a finite set of characters and dug into them in interesting ways. With the exception of a couple of the spotlight issues contained elsewhere, no stories in the entire IDW run stand out as moving or exciting, they just plod along and then they end.