Customer Reviews

The Transformers: Spotlight, Vol. 1

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

 

 

Ask yourself this question before buying this book:

1) Are you a fan of Simon Furman?
If yes, buy the book; nothing I say will change your mind.
If not, ask yourself this:

2) Do you care about Shockwave, Nightbeat, Hot Rod, DoubleDealer, Scorponok, and the Dyno-bots (yes, DYNO-BOTS)?
If yes, go ahead and buy it; you probably appreciate the more obscure corners of the G1 universe.
If not, ask yourself this:

3) Do I want a book composed of complete, self contained stories?
If not, then I suppose you've already read Infiltration, Stormbringer, Escalation, and Devastation, and you've probably bought this book already.

If yes- DON'T BUY THIS BOOK. All of the stories are connected to the greater IDW universe and make little sense as stand-alones. There's an overall sense of half-completion, as if every story is merely a prequel to something momentous, exciting, and entirely off-camera. Perhaps that was the point

As a Transfan, I'd have to say this is an awesome little series that IDW came out with. I don't think it's a "must read" for the main series they've got going, but I think it adds to the story by giving additional background on some of the characters that I assume will show up sooner or later.
I actually do not own this specific item, but all five comics seperatly, collected as they came out, so I am able to comment on those individual issues.
Shockwaves' issue probably is the best of the series, with the story not only following Shockwave, but the Dinobots as well. It tells of Shockwaves' plans to look forward and plan for the future of his race, while Grimlock is seeking revenge for some encounter he had with Shockwave awhile back.
Then there's Nightbeat's issue, whick tells of his quest for a piece of Cybertronian history, and he winds up with an encounter with some sinister agents of Cybertronian decent.
SixShots' issue tells of how his search for the Terrorcons, the closest thing he could possibly call "friends", and Hotrod's issue tells of his past leading a small Autobot unit on an ill-fated mission, where the only other survivor was captured by Decepticons, and then of how Hotrod rescues him.
And last, Ultra Magnus's issue paints him as more of an inter-galictic law enforcement agent, tracking down Scorponock of Nebulous.
Like I said, I don't think it's required reading, but it's great to get some back info on some characters who may or may not be known as major players in the Transformer universe.

This is a collection of short stories, that more or less explain some parts of the main transformers collection, beginning with the "Infiltration" comic book.

The first story, and the finest one, explains the origin of the Dinobots as we knew them in the G1 comic book collection. However, there is no ark in the story, though it is mentioned as a mythical legend in another of the stories included.

A must have if you've purchased, or are planning to purchase the "Infiltration-Escalation-Devastation" series.

My first exposure to Transformers comics came a few years ago, with Dreamwave's G1 series, but I've been a fan since I was 8. I have basically the entire line of RiD figures, as well as a healthy smattering of Armada, Energon, and Cybertron figures.

Anyway, I've gotten back into comics in a big way over this last year, and IDW's TF series has been a big reason for that. I LOVED Infiltration and the storylines that followed, but the Spotlights made me a little hesitant. I mean, these were stories written about characters I knew, like Ultra Magnus, and Hot Rod, I got that, but then there's Nightbeat. I mean, who the heck IS that, I thought to myself. That, and the fact that these looked like they were just random stories, and all the research I did didn't reveal anything about where they fell chronologically.

But, all my fears were assauged upon opening up this nice little TPB, because it works. Everything about it works. The plots, the scripts, the dialogue, the artwork, it all works. It ties in nicely with what I've read of the IDW-verse so far, and it didn't make me feel confused at all and wondering what the point of that was, unlike certain things I've read. *Koff* She-Hulk World War Hulk tie-in! *Koff*

Each story is solidly done, and you can tell Furman has fun with each of these=the Nightbeat story in particular is pretty evident. Furman just loads that story with narrative tension. Overall, this is a good trade, and it's worth getting along with the rest of IDW's line.

Simon Furman is once again given creative control of the transformers comics, this time over a larger spanning storyarc. Here he focuses on a number of individual characters, linking them all into the main continuity of the new IDW Transverse. Here's a breakdown of the individual comics.

Shockwave: a sort of retelling of the old comic story of Shockwave. The decepticon scientist devises a way to cultivate energy in the coming energon crisis he knows is about to happen. However, his plans are foiled by the Dyno-bots who show up with new, organic forms to battle Shockwave. Elements from the past comics where the Dinobots battled Shockwave on a prehistoric Earth as well as Beast Wars where the characters had to reformat with organic forms to tolerate the high energon levels. The ending is somewhat predictable, leading to the same senerio as the old comics.

Nightbeat: this is a story that's somewhat confusing by itself. An Autobot investigater is off to check up on a case of murder and stolen property, only to end up way over his head. He's kidnapped, only to be released with no memory of the event (apparently). What actually happened will become clear in future Spotlights.

Hot Rod: Finally his name is correct! Anyway, in this continuity Hot Rod is a loner, and we find out why during his mission. It introduces a number of important elements for future issues, but it's also a decent stand alone Hot Rod comic. You get to see him in action for two missions at once!

Sixshot: He likes to blow stuff up, lots of it. Here he does. What else could you want? It's a total stand alone issue, having little to nothing to do with the main series or other Spotlights. My only complaint is about the ending which could've been written a bit better. Sixshot turns down the opportunity to dessert the decepticons. He said he stayed out of loyalty but he should've said he stayed to propogate the war, as opposed to joining the other side who sought to end the conflict.

Ultra Magnus: He's kicking rear axels and takin names all over the galaxy. He sets one Decepticon free to track down another, more powerful one. This comic introduces Scorpinok and his new crazy scheme, which will become important again later on. Also, it's got lots of Ultra Magnus kicking series mecha-but. Nice.

That sums this collection up. Nice stuff!

this is a good read. it is the story of 5 different transformers and there short adventures in the transformers universe. the storys branch out into different comic books and if you wander how someone got there or why they did what they did, this is a good book to read. i personaly cant wait for spotlight # 2.