Transformers Spotlight: Kup

by Nick Roche

He's fought Igyaks, fended off the Shrike-bats of Dromedon and remembers the day they inverted polarities, but how will the grizzled AUTOBOT veteran KUP fare against this latest challenge--Zombots? Stranded on a desolate planet, alone and approaching shutdown fast, KUP fights off the hordes of evil and approaching insanity, but is everything as it seems?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Science Fiction

24 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will haunt me.

[Nikki 🎯 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know every time I get to a Transformers comic with Nick Roche's art that it is going to be an absolutely wild ride.

This is by far one of my absolute favorite Spotlights. It is 100% about Kup. There is no argument there, but it also builds up important story information and solidifies relationships within the canon. I tend to see that a lot of the Spotlights are either just an important piece of the main story with minor flashes of the headlining character or just a strange one-off that is completely divergent from the actual canon. In comparison this one is so refreshing. It gets the chance to be a kind of "Wait. What did happen back then?" for Kup instead of a Wreckers side story or main plot vignette.

Not to mention Roche always draws the most upsetting images of dismembered and dying mechs. I can't get over how withered and starving Kup looks in this run. Its such a good touch.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going through a major transformers phase- they feel so fun, like a near perfect toy.

This book is surprisingly heavy and intense for a story about a transforming robot. I don’t know enough history of the character to fully understand what he’s dealing with but it’s the story of an old soldier stuck, seemingly lost forever, being haunted by memories and monsters (luckily, the monsters are his friends). It was much more than I was expecting. This is a top tier issue, the art and planet design are great, the violence is gory (replace blood and guts for oil and gears) and the message is powerful. Read this issue if you like good comics.

[Bryan Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about the old timer Kup. He’s seen more things and experienced more than all the transformers. But what happens when the darkness takes him. We learn a little more of Kup’s past and how he mentored so many autobots including Optimus.

[Ewi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Spotlight made me want to protect Kup from all bad things in the world. Even though he's... a few thousand years older than me.

[SparrowReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing Nick Roche’s art was great, especially for an entire issue and not just a cover. I found this to be pretty consistent with the later works by Roche that I had already read, especially in its expressiveness, emotionality, and ability to drop a bombshell. This book may be short, but I feel it packs far more of a punch than most other parts of this continuity so far - I would recommend this!

[Mati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transformers Spotlights are focused on various Transformers from IDW Universe. Each short story is somehow open end, but it does not spoil it. Kup is one of the oldest Autobots, it is said that he even train Optimus Prime. This seasoned warrior was thrown and the remote planet with radioactive crystals,which slowly poisoned his body and mind. There was also supposed evil which hunted him, but nothing was like it seemed to be. Zombies, cut arm and very determinated Kup made superb horror story. Yes even Autobots are afraid of the darkness.