The Transformers: Spotlight, Volume 1

Transformers IDW #2

by Simon Furman, Nick Roche (Illustrator), M.D. Bright (Illustrator)

Collecting a series of five one-shots focusing on some of the best-loved (or loathed) characters from the Transformers Universe - Hot Rod, Sixshot, Shockwave, Nightbeat and Ultra Magnus. Each Spotlight is written by long-time Transformers scribe Simon Furman, whose words accompany artwork by the likes of Nick Roche, MD Bright, Rob Ruffolo and Robby Musso.

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

136 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2007

About the author

Simon Christopher Francis Furman is a British comic book writer who is best known for his work on Hasbro/Tomy's Transformers franchise, starting with writing Marvel's initial comic book to promote the toyline worldwide, as well as foundations for both Dreamwave Production's and IDW Publishing's takes on the Generation 1 minifranchise.

Reviews

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spotlight is an interesting addition to the series, exploring the backstories of different Transformers characters, including Autobots as well as Decepticons.

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This current era of Transformers comics is arguably its golden age. Three ongoing series and the occasional one-shot or digital-only release is pretty much the most this reader has ever seen in the market. Plus, various trades and digital comics are easily available of past series and works. But there was a time when there was barely an monthly series, in fact, when IDW got the license, they released their initial stories as mini-series. This collection hails from that era, back when alongside the various mini-series with 'tion suffix, it also released spotlight issues that basically one-shots featuring a single character.

Transformers: Spotlight volume one contain stories that now form the backstory of its main characters. In fact, IDW continues to draw water from this spring. It's an interesting mix stories that allowed room for newcomers to show their stuff and a few veterans also did a story or too. The backbone of these stories is Simon Furman, long-time writer of Transformers comics. Artist Nick Roche earliest Transformers work are in here, as well as an issue from comics veteran M.D. Bright.

This was an easy read and the reader doesn't even have to worry about continuity. Just take it chapter by chapter and enjoy.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shockwave is probably my favorite transformer character- the single eye laser beam is just so perfect. He is a logic centered robot that is scientifically minded while living in a world where robots transform into dinosaurs to battle- his classic evil guy speeches are cheesy but they really fit. This was a solid read. Also he turns into a giant gun. Reminds me of the simpsons

Lisa: What are you drawin'?
Nelson: A robot with guns for arms shooting a plane made out of guns that fires guns.

Nightbeat- a robot detective tries to solve a big puzzle but ends up getting his software hacked and unknowingly continues on. This felt like an important issue but not that fun or interesting. The seeding of humanity or transforming flesh to machine is a high concept idea, I hope it gets explored further

Hot Rod- this guy is a total hot shot, he would be bleach blonde and have a puka shell jewelry. A bit of a cliche but fun. Another issue that feels important but predates the story it relates too

Sixshot- pure evil but in a children’s story. He doesn’t need to be revamped to be more dark or adult he’s great at just being BAD. I enjoyed this story.

Ultramagnus-kind of lame, a detective or cop who always follows the rules because making one lapse in your judgement will lead to more.

[Wikszy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultra Magnus my beloved

[Stacey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transformers Spotlight contains five stories about different characters including Shockwave, Nightbeat, Hot Rod, Six Shot and Ultra Magnus.
Shockwave sets out to save Cybertron through pure logic. The Dynobots attack bent on revenge causing chaos. Shockwave must evolve from his logical self to survive.
Nightbeat sets out to solve a mystery.He finds Krakon dead and a flight recorder missing. Nightbeat heads to Gorlam Prime to investigate and finds Cybertronian influences...but what does it mean?
Having made mistakes on past missions Hot Rod's set on making amends. He is cautious as he enters Styx, the harshest of all the Decepticons penal colonies looking to save the one he left behind.
The Terricons have entered Mumo-Obscura and have never come out. Sixshot investigates and finds the Reapers, who are very much like himself in that they destroy worlds.
Ultra Manus goes to Zull to take Swindle, a wanted Cybertronian, back to Cybertron. Lorcha has given Swindle safe harbor and protection letting him continue use his criminal ways....for the good of Lorcha. But Swindle wants to make a deal....he has something Ultra Magnus wants and is willing to make a trade.
Great drawings, colorful and dynamic. The stories are a beginning that make you crave more. Meeting these characters and learning their ways draws you in....and you want more.

[James Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five one-shot stories ostensibly about specific Transformers characters, but they actually all act to set up future events in the larger IDW Transformers narrative. Still, these are fun reads, with Nightbeat and Hot Rod being my picks of the litter (and Ultra Magnus probably being the weakest). (B+)

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of one-shots setting up different Transformers characters' backstories. I have to assume these are setting the seeds for some bigger plot, or something that comes into play with the larger narrative, or is something that already matters but me with me lack of knowledge doesn't recognize. Either way, they're all more or less okay but nothing exciting.

[Critter Readz]

EWWWWWWWWW NASTYYYYYYY

[Casey West · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spotlight graphic novels aren't really graphic novels so much as just a collection of one shots. That said, I still really liked the stories as this will add a deeper level of understanding and complexity to the main story lines in the transformer titles. Not essential reading but worth your time.

[Matt Richter · Rating 4 out of 5]

very strong start to the spotlight series! i think i'm gonna like it. the focus on fleshing out individual characters will work really well if the rest are as good as this :) 4 different artists worked on this issue and all were pretty good!

[Wampuscat · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice collection of Transformers short stories focusing on one or two characters in each. Great graphics. Unfortunately, the only 'cannon' in the TF universe is the one being fired on the page you are currently reading. Still, good stories.

[Clint the Cool Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Mix of Stories

I enjoyed reading all of these. The only thing I didn't like is that there were a few kindle formatting errors, where the panels would show in the wrong order if you tried to read the comic that way. Even, so it's a great read.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loving it so far. Shockwave is my favorite of all the stories so far.