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Transformers: Spotlight - Orion Pax
BEFORE OPTIMUS PRIME-there was Orion Pax! Four million years ago, the future leader of the AUTOBOTS disappeared into the Cybertronian wilderness to save a friend. What happened next would take him to the very brink-and have startling repercussions on the current comics!
25 pages, ebook
First published December 12, 2012
About the author
James Roberts
527 books134 followersJames Roberts is a British comic book writer best known for his contributions to the Transformers franchise.
Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There are more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 3, 2026
good story, i hope pax gets out okay
June 24, 2026
-Actual rating: 3 and a half stars. Nothing wrong with it, just didn't grab my attention as much as other comics did. Was still a fun read, though!
-Reading this in timeline/lore order and, coming from Megatron's Origin series, I can already say that the art is much, MUCH clearer than it was in that series. It's so refreshing be able to see what's actually going on instead of having to make it out through the muddiness
-Comic starts with Orion Pax strapped to the edge of a plane and plummeting to his death while saying, “No doubt about it - we should definitely have gone with plan B.” It's a fun way to grab people's attention
-MY SILLY GUY RUNG!!!! HE'S HERE!!!!
-Orion Pax has gotten a new frame for a mission and is still adjusting to it (he mentions how he misses his lucky faceplate, and now I have to wonder if Cybertronians feel dysmorphic whenever they get a new frame or a new alt mode). Zeta Prime (the new prime after Sentinel died) comes in and they greet each other, with Pax saying he's still getting used to Zeta's new name (implying they knew each other before). Zeta takes him away for a presentation
-Omg I found a typo (Nightbeat says “the” twice)
-Nightbeat gives the presentation. Basically, the mission is that they have to go through the Rust Spot (a very dangerous place on Cybertron) to save their chief medical officer (Ratchet) who was taken hostage by the Decepticons. The Autobots will trade Ratchet for their own Decepticon(s) that they are keeping hostage. While the Rust Spot is dangerous, they think that there is secret terrain under it, which the Decepticons use as a terror cell. Orion Pax's new frame is meant to help navigate it
-Zeta Prime introduces Orion Pax to Alpha Trion; one of the 13 Original Primes and who can help them navigate the Rust Spot
-Imma be honest, after seeing Transformers One and seeing Alpha Trion as an ancient warrior/demigod who is 3x their size, seeing him looking like an everyday Cybertertronian in this comic makes me so upset. He's one of the 13 Original Primes! Ancient power and all! Ine of the original Cybertronians! He's GOTTA be more than just this!!! WHY IS HE THE SAME GODDAMN HEIGHT AS ORION PAX??? We should NOT be using him for a search mission! We go to him in a secret location where you must take a week-long journey to learn some ancient wisdom! At least his cloth beard looks somewhat cool. You think it's made outta some kinda flexible metal? Like, really soft tinfoil or smthn? Idk, that's the only flexible metal I know
-Wait Holy fuck- Dominus Ambus mention this early. Damn. Okay, if you're not like me and haven't been spoiled for everything and don't know who that is, just keep that in mind. He comes back later, I guess
-Alpha Trion gives some history of the Autobot logo, saying it's the closest thing that Cybertronians ever had to a universal symbol. To quote him: “It would reappear whenever our race was on the brink of profound global unrest.” Golly gee, I sure hope it appearing now doesn't mean anything!
-Unrelated: my voice claim for Nightbeat is Nicolas Cage, specifically him as Spider Noir in Into the Spiderverse
-Anyways. Orion Pax, Nightbeat, and Alpha Trion are carrying the prisoner to the Rust Spot in a truck (non Cybertronian. It's just a truck). We're introduced to what Omega's Conundrum even is by Alpha Trion when he questions if there even IS a prisoner in the truck (since they're not allowed to engage with the prisoner at all). To quote him: “When something ceases to be observed, how can we be sure it continues to exist?” Basically, the Cybertronian version of Schlodinger's Cat. Nightbeat is annoyed by him
-In the Rust Spot, Alpha Trion tells Orion Pax that he knows how to navigate it because of Metroplex, and that they explored Cybertron together. Orion Pax is surprised to find out that Metroplex is real, and I'm surprised to find out that most Cybertronians view him as just a legend
-The three of them are attacked by these weird mechanical/organic creatures called “slicers”, and whom I hate looking at. In the fight, OP shows his optimism (omg foreshadowing) by ignoring Nightbeat's attempt at plan making and just “hopes for the best.” His face gets injured during it, though. Long story short, the slicers break the car and out come the Decepticon hostages
-Nightbeat and Rung find the escaped prisoners. They're two Decepticon brothers named Rack and Ruin. Orion says that he thought they were carrying someone more high profile, like Killmaster. I have no fucking clue who that is
-Pax says he's going to go talk to them. Nightbeat tries to discourage him from doing so, saying that they're just criminals. Pax says, “Everyone's worth something to someone.” He also removes their sensory deprivation helmets. This👏 is👏 why👏 he 👏 makes 👏 a👏 good👏 leader👏. He treats everyone with the same amount of respect (and why I tend not to like the more meaner version of Prime. HE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE MEAN!! HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO!!!!)
-Rack and Ruin tell Optimus about instantaneous conversion (smthn with switching alt modes super fast, ig. It comes back later), they admit themselves that they aren't special (which makes me and everyone else in the comic ask why the Decepticons agreed to trade, but that will probably come back later).
-Orion Pax asks why they are Decepticons because he wants to understand what it means. To quote him: “There was a time when I thought I understood. In fact, I almost sympathized…I did sympathize. I thought this world needed changing, just like Megatron. But now, with Zeta in charge… things are changing. Aren't they? Slowly, I'll grant you, but - if you look at that badge and feel at ease - if you feel proud, even - then okay, I guess you and I just see the world differently. But if you look at it and think, just for a second, ‘how did this happen?’, then stop! Tear it off! Walk away!”
-ANOTHER reason why I love OP. He's very sympathetic and WANTS to understand people and WANTS to redeem them. I'm surprised more Decepticons didn't reform, tbh. Mf will try to compare Optimus's speeches with another person's speeches and, nine times outta 10, Optimus Prime's speeches beat the other person's speeches by a LANDSLIDE
-Rack and Ruin beg not to be handed back over to the Decepticons because Megatron will kill them for getting caught. I believe them.
-The Seekers come in and attack them. They take them to their boss: Bludgeon. God, Bludgeon is so gross in this comic. I love it. The weird wires in his mouth help differentiate him a lot
-They find Ratchet (or as I like to call him, “Rat Shit”), but he's really beat up
-Bludgeon reveals that they wanted Alpha Trion; not Rack and Ruin. They believe that Alpha Trion can lure them to Metroplex. They think that inside of Metroplex is something that they can use to create a space bridge and travel the galaxy and spread the Decepticon cause
-Pax demands to see Megatron. Bludgeon says no because he's busy. Imma just put a quote I find very interesting.
Bludgeon: “He [Megatron]... talks about you sometimes. When he's tired.”
Orion Pax: “What does he say?”
Bludgeon: “Best not to ask. It would make both of us feel uncomfortable.”
Fun to know that Megatron talks about OP in off-putting ways. Let's be real here: NONE OF US were thinking it was in a murderous way 😒😏
-The Autobots and Decepticons start fighting. Rack and Ruin help Nightbeat, Alpha Trion, and Ratcher escape. Optimus stays behind and tries to fight off the Decepticons, though they end up overpowering him
“We won't be able to change his mind. Once he's decided to save everyone's lives… that's the end of it.” -Nightbeat. Another reason why Optimus is great. You also gotta think about his disregard for his own life, but that's a topic for another time
-Bludgeon plans to kill Orion Pax by strapping him to a plane and sending that plane to crash in a large city. When asked why, he just says variety
-Thundercracker chimes in saying that they shouldn't attack a civilian spot because they're supposed to be fighting on their behalf. This will come back later. Bludgeon just says that those who will die will be martyrs :/
-Oriom gives a speech that boils down to: Bludgeon will try so hard to be remembered that he'll fail and his name will be a synonym for failure
-As Orion plummets to his death, he's at peace because he calculated that the ship will overshoot ant civilization and he won't take anyone with him when he dies. But, a ship ends up throwing him off course, and he's headed for a city. Using instantaneous conversion (see? I told you/myself that it would come back), he manages to escape the ropes and bring the ship to crash in an open field, without harming anyone.
-He thinks about how Wheeljack will be upset that he damaged his ‘perfect' body. Orion thinks ‘almost perfect…’ before putting a piece of shrapnel that resembles his faceplate over his face. Comic ends here.
-Blah blah blah, Wheeljack removing Orion Pax's faceplate, him not liking it and getting injured without it, than putting on a makeshift faceplate at the end is him choosing to be himself and not molding himself into whatever anyone wants him to be, which shows that he is a good leader because he has strong morals and, at the end of the day, he will try to have belief in him and his true self. See, I'm not completely dumb! I do know some tiny things 😌
-Reading this in timeline/lore order and, coming from Megatron's Origin series, I can already say that the art is much, MUCH clearer than it was in that series. It's so refreshing be able to see what's actually going on instead of having to make it out through the muddiness
-Comic starts with Orion Pax strapped to the edge of a plane and plummeting to his death while saying, “No doubt about it - we should definitely have gone with plan B.” It's a fun way to grab people's attention
-MY SILLY GUY RUNG!!!! HE'S HERE!!!!
-Orion Pax has gotten a new frame for a mission and is still adjusting to it (he mentions how he misses his lucky faceplate, and now I have to wonder if Cybertronians feel dysmorphic whenever they get a new frame or a new alt mode). Zeta Prime (the new prime after Sentinel died) comes in and they greet each other, with Pax saying he's still getting used to Zeta's new name (implying they knew each other before). Zeta takes him away for a presentation
-Omg I found a typo (Nightbeat says “the” twice)
-Nightbeat gives the presentation. Basically, the mission is that they have to go through the Rust Spot (a very dangerous place on Cybertron) to save their chief medical officer (Ratchet) who was taken hostage by the Decepticons. The Autobots will trade Ratchet for their own Decepticon(s) that they are keeping hostage. While the Rust Spot is dangerous, they think that there is secret terrain under it, which the Decepticons use as a terror cell. Orion Pax's new frame is meant to help navigate it
-Zeta Prime introduces Orion Pax to Alpha Trion; one of the 13 Original Primes and who can help them navigate the Rust Spot
-Imma be honest, after seeing Transformers One and seeing Alpha Trion as an ancient warrior/demigod who is 3x their size, seeing him looking like an everyday Cybertertronian in this comic makes me so upset. He's one of the 13 Original Primes! Ancient power and all! Ine of the original Cybertronians! He's GOTTA be more than just this!!! WHY IS HE THE SAME GODDAMN HEIGHT AS ORION PAX??? We should NOT be using him for a search mission! We go to him in a secret location where you must take a week-long journey to learn some ancient wisdom! At least his cloth beard looks somewhat cool. You think it's made outta some kinda flexible metal? Like, really soft tinfoil or smthn? Idk, that's the only flexible metal I know
-Wait Holy fuck- Dominus Ambus mention this early. Damn. Okay, if you're not like me and haven't been spoiled for everything and don't know who that is, just keep that in mind. He comes back later, I guess
-Alpha Trion gives some history of the Autobot logo, saying it's the closest thing that Cybertronians ever had to a universal symbol. To quote him: “It would reappear whenever our race was on the brink of profound global unrest.” Golly gee, I sure hope it appearing now doesn't mean anything!
-Unrelated: my voice claim for Nightbeat is Nicolas Cage, specifically him as Spider Noir in Into the Spiderverse
-Anyways. Orion Pax, Nightbeat, and Alpha Trion are carrying the prisoner to the Rust Spot in a truck (non Cybertronian. It's just a truck). We're introduced to what Omega's Conundrum even is by Alpha Trion when he questions if there even IS a prisoner in the truck (since they're not allowed to engage with the prisoner at all). To quote him: “When something ceases to be observed, how can we be sure it continues to exist?” Basically, the Cybertronian version of Schlodinger's Cat. Nightbeat is annoyed by him
-In the Rust Spot, Alpha Trion tells Orion Pax that he knows how to navigate it because of Metroplex, and that they explored Cybertron together. Orion Pax is surprised to find out that Metroplex is real, and I'm surprised to find out that most Cybertronians view him as just a legend
-The three of them are attacked by these weird mechanical/organic creatures called “slicers”, and whom I hate looking at. In the fight, OP shows his optimism (omg foreshadowing) by ignoring Nightbeat's attempt at plan making and just “hopes for the best.” His face gets injured during it, though. Long story short, the slicers break the car and out come the Decepticon hostages
-Nightbeat and Rung find the escaped prisoners. They're two Decepticon brothers named Rack and Ruin. Orion says that he thought they were carrying someone more high profile, like Killmaster. I have no fucking clue who that is
-Pax says he's going to go talk to them. Nightbeat tries to discourage him from doing so, saying that they're just criminals. Pax says, “Everyone's worth something to someone.” He also removes their sensory deprivation helmets. This👏 is👏 why👏 he 👏 makes 👏 a👏 good👏 leader👏. He treats everyone with the same amount of respect (and why I tend not to like the more meaner version of Prime. HE ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE MEAN!! HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO!!!!)
-Rack and Ruin tell Optimus about instantaneous conversion (smthn with switching alt modes super fast, ig. It comes back later), they admit themselves that they aren't special (which makes me and everyone else in the comic ask why the Decepticons agreed to trade, but that will probably come back later).
-Orion Pax asks why they are Decepticons because he wants to understand what it means. To quote him: “There was a time when I thought I understood. In fact, I almost sympathized…I did sympathize. I thought this world needed changing, just like Megatron. But now, with Zeta in charge… things are changing. Aren't they? Slowly, I'll grant you, but - if you look at that badge and feel at ease - if you feel proud, even - then okay, I guess you and I just see the world differently. But if you look at it and think, just for a second, ‘how did this happen?’, then stop! Tear it off! Walk away!”
-ANOTHER reason why I love OP. He's very sympathetic and WANTS to understand people and WANTS to redeem them. I'm surprised more Decepticons didn't reform, tbh. Mf will try to compare Optimus's speeches with another person's speeches and, nine times outta 10, Optimus Prime's speeches beat the other person's speeches by a LANDSLIDE
-Rack and Ruin beg not to be handed back over to the Decepticons because Megatron will kill them for getting caught. I believe them.
-The Seekers come in and attack them. They take them to their boss: Bludgeon. God, Bludgeon is so gross in this comic. I love it. The weird wires in his mouth help differentiate him a lot
-They find Ratchet (or as I like to call him, “Rat Shit”), but he's really beat up
-Bludgeon reveals that they wanted Alpha Trion; not Rack and Ruin. They believe that Alpha Trion can lure them to Metroplex. They think that inside of Metroplex is something that they can use to create a space bridge and travel the galaxy and spread the Decepticon cause
-Pax demands to see Megatron. Bludgeon says no because he's busy. Imma just put a quote I find very interesting.
Bludgeon: “He [Megatron]... talks about you sometimes. When he's tired.”
Orion Pax: “What does he say?”
Bludgeon: “Best not to ask. It would make both of us feel uncomfortable.”
Fun to know that Megatron talks about OP in off-putting ways. Let's be real here: NONE OF US were thinking it was in a murderous way 😒😏
-The Autobots and Decepticons start fighting. Rack and Ruin help Nightbeat, Alpha Trion, and Ratcher escape. Optimus stays behind and tries to fight off the Decepticons, though they end up overpowering him
“We won't be able to change his mind. Once he's decided to save everyone's lives… that's the end of it.” -Nightbeat. Another reason why Optimus is great. You also gotta think about his disregard for his own life, but that's a topic for another time
-Bludgeon plans to kill Orion Pax by strapping him to a plane and sending that plane to crash in a large city. When asked why, he just says variety
-Thundercracker chimes in saying that they shouldn't attack a civilian spot because they're supposed to be fighting on their behalf. This will come back later. Bludgeon just says that those who will die will be martyrs :/
-Oriom gives a speech that boils down to: Bludgeon will try so hard to be remembered that he'll fail and his name will be a synonym for failure
-As Orion plummets to his death, he's at peace because he calculated that the ship will overshoot ant civilization and he won't take anyone with him when he dies. But, a ship ends up throwing him off course, and he's headed for a city. Using instantaneous conversion (see? I told you/myself that it would come back), he manages to escape the ropes and bring the ship to crash in an open field, without harming anyone.
-He thinks about how Wheeljack will be upset that he damaged his ‘perfect' body. Orion thinks ‘almost perfect…’ before putting a piece of shrapnel that resembles his faceplate over his face. Comic ends here.
-Blah blah blah, Wheeljack removing Orion Pax's faceplate, him not liking it and getting injured without it, than putting on a makeshift faceplate at the end is him choosing to be himself and not molding himself into whatever anyone wants him to be, which shows that he is a good leader because he has strong morals and, at the end of the day, he will try to have belief in him and his true self. See, I'm not completely dumb! I do know some tiny things 😌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2014
Even great Optimus Prime has history of youth and wet behind audios days. He went to safe a friend but he became of part of something bigger.
March 11, 2025
Great writing and dialogue from James Roberts. Sometimes, foresight can indeed be a burden. Omega’s Conundrum, not knowing something is empty or full until you’ve opened it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews