There are a lot of comics out there, but some just stand out head and shoulders above the pack. With “Don’t Miss This” we want to spotlight those series we think need to be on your pull list. This week, one of the best books from IDW, “Transformers: Lost Light” is taking the spotlight!
Who Is This By?
“Transformers: Lost Light” is written by James Roberts (“Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye”) with pencils primarily from Jack Lawrence (“Skylanders”), colors by Joana Lafuente (“Fence”), and letters from Transformers staple Tom B. Long (“Optimus Prime”). There are several pencilers that have contributed to the series including Lawrence, E.J. Su (“Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy”), Brendan Cahill (“Darkness Visible”), and more.
What’s It All About?
(warning: contains spoilers)
“Transformers: Lost Light” is the continuation of a long-running story beginning in 2012 with “Transformers: More than Meets the Eye” #1. The series was half of a reboot of the Transformers property published by IDW. The sister title, “Transformers: Robots in Disguise” served as the title dealing directly with the politics on Cybertron. “Transformers: More than Meets the Eye” #1 featured some of the lesser known characters from the franchise going into space on a quest to find the Knights of Cybertron spearheaded by Rodimus. Rodimus’s adventures hit a massive turning point during “Transformers: More than Meets the Eye” #50, when a pack of the newer crew members led by Getaway started a mutiny. Rodimus and the faithful Lost Light crew were stranded on a desolate planet with some of the meanest Decepticons imaginable.
Seeing the crew battle against the Decepticon Justice Division closed out “Transformers: More than Meets the Eye” and transitioned the series into “Transformers: Lost Light.” “Transformers: Lost Light” has a slightly different tone and art direction but is still very much a continuation of the epic series from Roberts and company. IDW publishing has since announced they are wrapping up the current continuity. This week’s installment had some major revelations fans have been waiting for and should make readers anticipate the end of the series with bated breath.
What Makes It So Great?
Since day one of both “Transformers: Lost Light” and “Transformers: More than Meets the Eye,” each title has been devoted to serialized storytelling. Each arc of the series is a puzzle piece Roberts was building to assemble a greater whole. Now that “Transformers: Lost Light” is winding down, readers can see the tapestry better than ever before, giving the series more depth. Comics from major publishers rarely have the foresight and vision to execute a grand plan over the span of five years. Villains’ first scene in 2012 are referenced in some of the newer issues in different roles. A Decepticon who deceived the entire crew is now working on making amends for his past mistakes. Characters who have forged longstanding relationships are falling in love. A crew member that started a mutiny is now one of the premiere antagonists of the series. In other words, this is a huge space opera that just so happens to have robots instead of people.
With such a grand vision, “Transformers: Lost Light” is now paying off with an epic confrontation between Rodimus and Getaway. Roberts wisely spent ample time developing the villains and multiple sides of the conflict as well. Wednesday’s installment adds more wrinkles to the plot on both sides proving this isn’t going to be a predictable finale. Lots of current titles from Big Two publishers have a bad habit of serving up under-developed villains. “Transformers: Lost Light” currently contains a rotten apple who is almost as hateable as “Game of Thrones” own Joffrey Baratheon.
Lawrence was a radical departure from former artist Alex Milne. Lawrence’s more animated and less detailed work on the series took a couple issues to prove itself. IDW’s risk has undoubtedly paid off with the fascinating new look for the title. Lawrence’s expressive art improved with the series’ best arc to date, ‘The Mutineers Trilogy.’ The art took the expressive, cartoonish nature of Lawrence’s past work and applied it to a chillingly dark character piece. Moments with Getaway in strange poses hint at his paranoia and depression. Facial expressions where cast members are terrified are better realized than ever. With so many cast members who look similar, Lawrence adds just enough to detail to each one to make sure they stick out. Due to the arrogant nature of the villains magnified, Lawrence’s work is a great addition to the title. Artists E.J. Su and Brendan Cahill also did a great job offering something different while keeping with Lawrence’s tone.
Continued belowThere are times when threats on alternate worlds make the stakes of the series based around survival. There are other moments where the crew finds villains posing a larger threat. Lawrence’s art is stretched to work within the horror confines as well at times. Lawrence’s expressive characters create an interesting juxtaposition when they are going up against a large, formidable threat. The larger artistic transition still contains the art team of Joana Lafuente’s vivid colors and Tom B. Long’s letters which helped make the transition feel consistent.
Issue #19 has also done a solid job amplifying the stakes and shifting the story towards a clear endgame. The large ensemble cast is now united towards seizing control of the Lost Light at all costs. The future of the title still remains unpredictable with the Knights of Cybertron having the potential to get involved in the conflict at any moment. With the science fiction-based resolutions of past storylines, I expect something dense to cap off the series when all is said and done.
How can you read it?
I would highly suggest reading “Transformers: More than Meets the Eye” together with “Transformers: Robots in Disguise” in the beautiful IDW hardcover collections which are available where excellent books are sold! “Transformers: Lost Light” is currently ongoing, and can be found digitally or in your comic shop of choice, don’t miss it!
