C'mon, mods, dammit!

Good issue, aside from maybe the slight coincidence of Omega being attacked at the same time Prime was seeking his aid.

I called Prime Nova as the big floaty head. Nemesis Prime, psh.

Oh and something historical...I think for the first time ever in an OFFICIAL capacity, a combiner team was refered to with the term GESTALT.

O RLY?

Hm. Might pick this up...

I picked the OP Spotlight up earlier this afternoon, and I must say it was great. My poor local comic book shop got screwed lately. The guy ordered Megs Origins 1 and 2 for me, but neither ever showed up.

I've read like 1 issue of the BW Gathering, which I loved also, though I may never behold the joy that is Ascention.

So, yeah, back to OP. As one of very very few TF comics I've managed to get my hands on, I loved it. Why do I get the feeling that Prime Nova (or, as he's being called now apparently Nova Prime) might have changed sides and name at some point? And if he is still alive as OP suspects, who is he? Theories from anyone who's read more of the comics?

It was a pretty good issue, but what right does Prime have to chastise Omega after what he did to HIGHLIGHT to view:
Monstructor

Prime killed Thunderwing and it's basically the exact same thing, Omega at least imprisoned the other one.

I enjoyed Omega's clipped speech, but still miss the awesomeness that was his toon vocal pattern.

I saw it as; Omega consigned the "Monstructicons" to imprisonment without trial. What was done to them might have been against their will and they may not even have been in control of Monstructor at the time.

I could see the Monstructor team being in their demensional prison and stewing with resentment, possibly learning how to control Monstructor, and when they broke out, all they've want to do is get revenge on their jailer.

Makes you wonder what kind of leader Nova was...if he allowed such a creature to exist.

I think Prime was shocked that Omega Supreme would simply do such a thing without trying to help them reverse the process. Prime offers them help and when Monstructor refuses, Optimus is good to take him down.

Interesting design for Nova Prime - looks like a hybrid of Tigerhawk and Energon Rodimus in bot mode. And Sentinal Prime has some similarities to Cybertron Prime in his arms.

Hmm. I'm already interested by Nova Prime. Sounds like a character with a lot of potential, much better than the Unicron-type character I feared we'd be getting based on Prime's brush with Nova's presence in Escalation.

So, from what I can see in the TF Wiki, Nova Prime essentially holds the same philosophies of expansion as Megatron?

Havent read the issune but I can say: Nova Prime sounds so much better then Prime Nova

Also, do we hear Slog talk? Does he have his old Speach pattern? And is Monstrutor like mentioned in the MTMTE books?

I DEFY you to tell me Don Figueroa is not the best TF artist out there.

I defy you!

Don's work on this issue is fantastic, to say the least. He's gotten better at shrinking down the size of the characters to easily fit within the panels so things aren't crowded. His 'silhouette" shots from the side view in this issue are awesome, an effect used way too infrequently for my taste. And is there anyone better at pencilling gestalt battles than Don does? Omega vs. Monstructor was beautifully rendered, almost up there with his Bruticus vs. Predaking rendering while at Dreamwave.

The story was good too. Not that meaty, but still revealing some nice surprises, like where gestalt technology began, who the first Prime is, and the existence of a character Jhiaxus, who we can only hope is the one from the Generation 2 comic. Interesting it's not Devestator that was the prototype this time, but the Monsterbots instead. Nice surprise there Simon.

Very nice job, a solid "A-" in my book, both art and storywise.

While I'm not as savvy in the nitty gritty of picking apart comics as compared to some of the folks here, I have to agree that this was a darn good Spotlight on Big Bot. I suppose he's definitely feeling it, not just being the Guardian but due to learning of the corruption of previous Primes, especially Nova, and Omega's line of thinking.

Just a bit lacking in flesh but that's good enough.

And yes, Shockprowl, for the first time in 23 years, they officially used GESTALT. W00T!

No, only Bristleback and Birdbrain, I think, talk. The rest of the time they are Monstructor and he's pretty much like the MTMTE book describes him, evil and horrifying and beastly. He tears Omega's arm off without effort, and Prime shoots his back, only to have the blast defused by some "personal energy field", as was described in the profile.

Thinking of it now, the way Optimus beat him was pretty lame...but I guess being punched by Prime at close-range is enough to crack a gestalt's chest plate...

I think it's more that they knew Omega was somewhere in the area, and tracked Prime to his actual location.

I liked the story, but felt it could have been told a bit better. Monstructor isn't as fun or as scary as he was in Devil's Due. I do kind of like the idea of all other combiners being reverse engineered from this horrific monster. Are there any massive technological developments in the IDWiverse that AREN'T abominations?

Nova Prime is a really solid design, and I say this as someone who finds feathery Gundam Wing Zero wings to be a bit silly. I wonder if he could be kitbashed using a Hero Prime or an Energon Rodimus.

I liked this issue a lot. It isn't exactly Spotlight: Kup or anything, but it's pretty good in its own right.

Although, to be fair, it makes it seem like Optimus Prime is the only good leader in like a couple thousand years of the Autobots or something. Which seems kind of strange, but it does definitely give the Autobot/Decepticon conflict more of a Law vs Chaos feel to it. Makes it seem more like perspective than real good versus evil.

So Jhiaxus is now in IDW (even in a retroactive and probably deceased kind of way). Interesting.

Furman has got to learn to cut back on... the ellipses!

But...it's much more...dramatic...that way!

In a...Shatner-esque...kinda way!

I think he kind of relies on them for the single-character backstories. They're pretty central around the Spotlights, but not so much on the main IDW comics ala Infiltration Escalation and etc.

And poor Wheelie is ignored by even Prime...

Man, I'm seriously loving the continuing revelations about ancient Autobot (Or I suppose, in this case, Cybertronian) political corruption. Always as much a fan of a dimension of moral ambiguity being added to the protagonists' group as I am of sympathetic villains. ^ ^ I wonder if Prime will feel *more* free to trust his instincts when making decisions now that he knows he doesn't have a vast lineage of untouchable heroes in whose shadow he must serve. I certainly don't think he's gonna go, "What would Nova Prime do?" from now on when trying to decide on a course of action. Although he doesn't seem nearly as sinister as Nova Prime, Sentinel Prime, from his role in Megatron: Origin, hardly seems to be quite the sterling figure of unfailing patience and virtue that Optimus often feels he has to appear externally to be. (He admits here that he knows inside he's hardly infallible, though. ^ ^) Never really thought before about Prime feeling intense pressure to live up to the position; it explains why he's aloof, though, as well as brooding (He can't exactly open up to his men when he's insecure, as would be healthy.)

how... can you... not LOVE... these "..." things?

In the sense of Nova Prime, that would most likely be when Galvatron originally was from from the looks of it. The "head" Optimus saw in infraspace certainly matches Nova's and Omega confirmed it regarding the time frame of launching of the Ark. I'm digging Nova's design as well; Wing Zero Custom, anyone?

Maybe it's just me but I'm getting a vibe in that at the end of this tale Optimus here was doing the equivalent of his WW incarnation on throwing the golden disc away at the end of WW Vol 1 (yeah yeah, I kinda like DW, so sue me). I mean, with Nova being similar to Megatron on expansion and Sentinel not exactly the figurehead of calming patience, you can't blame Optimus. Hypocritical Autobots indeed.

Yep, the Nova Prime design is fantastic...! I love how how trailer transforms into a battle station and then armor. The whole "Super Mode" concept is highly appropriate considering his desire for continual self-empowerment and his sense of superiority, to boot.

I find it interesting that Optimus has this problem, and it will no doubt be a recurring theme in the series. For such a powerful warrior and skilled commander, his attitude on this seems a bit naive, truth be told. It's actually one of the more human touches he has; not all of us readers are military commanders, but all of us have to come to grips with the fact that none of our respective countries of origins have spotless records, and there are parts of our mutual histories we can't all be proud of.

Although I call it naive, that's not a negative criticism; I think it's one of his more interesting traits. Optimus has reverence for his past, of course, and he holds himself to those standards, but I think as time passes, he's going to realize that he's not only as good as the past Autobot leaders, but he's better; the best, in fact. Of course, we knew this all along. ^__^

(In a way, his struggles are similar to cartoon Rodimus Prime's, which was one of the reasons I preferred toon Rodimus to toon Optimus.)

i rather like that they have similar dilemmas and yet different ones at the same time. Prime did so well dealing with HIS dilemma that it must increase Rodimus' considerably -- it's a lot harder to be the "second" to have to live up to a legacy, especially after the first did it so well.

not sure about liking the continuing gundam-ish aesthetic, but i dig the general design for Nova Prime. and don's storytelling seems to be improving.

Am I the only one who is expecting Nova Prime to be calling himself Nemesis Prime whenever he appears in person?

Great comic.

Funny, when Optimus displays doubts and insecurities about living up to who came before him, it's good character development. When Rodimus does the same thing, he's a wuss.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who notices that. I love Rodimus...

Well, seeing as he holds the same views as the Generation 2 Decepticons, has a crazy sunavabitch called Jhiaxus doing evil jive for him;

I'm guessing Liege Maximo.

ReLoad is on to somethin' here... Nova Prime and his ambition wasn't what stuck out in my mind it was the mention of JHIAXUS! I guess Furman will get his wish (that he tried to make with dreamwave, that Galvatron will face off with Megs and/or Optimus) . . . he tasted the fight from the Gen one series and I really think he liked the flavor.

Could be possible. I've always kinda hated the name "Nemesis" Prime though. Just so blatantly evil.

Actually, the first official use of gestalt was in Titanium Menasor's bio.

I agree that Monstructor's components might not have been "evil," they just might have gotten deranged while in the combined form. But throwing them in interdimensional prison without trial is enough to make anyone a bitty bit evil.

....so does this mean that at this point, these guys are Autobots?

Anyway, go Jhiaxus, and I like the idea of Nova Prime's "expansion by force" of the Autobot way.

While not everyone would've picked up Titanium Menasor, the comic stands out a bit more due to it being used in a universe anyone can pick up easily (unlike Universe or Timelines). And Omega confirms it, which gives it a bit more impact.

AGREED beyond belief the 'perfect commander' thing is a lil old. I like the idea of a flawed leader with heavy burdens. You lose alot during a war it has to get to you at some point

From what I've read in the past, Rodimus is actually pretty popular on this board at least. He's always been one of my favorite characters; I like him even more going back with the heavy sense of sarcasm I didn't have when I watched Transformers in my childhood, but which I've since picked up. I enjoy what an royal jerk he can be. ^ ^ It's like he actually underwent "insensitivity" training.

I noticed that, as well.

>

The Monstructor team are simply Cybertronians. Autobots didn't exist back then.

Eric Holmes made quite a point of pointing out that nowhere in Megatron: ORigin is the word "Autobot" mentioned.

all of us have to come to grips with the fact that none of our respective countries of origins have spotless records, and there are parts of our mutual histories we can't all be proud of.

to lastmaximal

tell me about it i happen to be equal parts german, irish and spanierd whne it comes to my mixed ancestral family bloodline. so for me i figure it would be a triple guilt trip at the least for my families.

hey wzzup, guys how y'all doin??? i've just joined the board so im new here. dont mind me, just poppin in.

i thought the artwork was hella tight. hands down, the best i've seen so far. artist definetly gets mad props . the storyline had a nice flow, filled with mad flavour everywhere. the whole, autobots' dark history, thing... thought that was a nice twist. kinda gave optimus prime the feeling of betrayal. and i couldn't help but feel sorry with these Monstructorcon peeps. i dont blame them. i would of taken some vengence out on omega too. and did anyone else wonder if the decepticons will get their hands on the gestalt technology??? devastator anyone???

so the Ark's crew included... Jhiaxus... and... Galvatron? God, what's next, Straxus as ship's gunner?

^At this rate, we need Flame (City of Fear) onboard, too. These guys are apparently somewhat zombified, after all.

In the same storyline as Hot Rod? No, I say! There can be only one! =P

Agreed. Hot Rod needs to die or something.

Naw, Flame just needs to be redesigned to be utterly terrifying. I'm thinking, like, Rodimus meets The Fallen design-wise.

If not for Spotlight Sixshot, I'd prefer to say Abominus first. Or if we go by how "flawed" gestalts are: Abominus (tied with), Menasor, Pirahnacon, Predaking, Devastator, Bruticus.

At least that's how I see it. You can actually communicate and possibly REASON with the last two. Everything prior to that is "point and it kills", or in Menasor's case "mentally unstable".

Predaking and Pirannacon are usually thought to be the most successful Con gestalts, I'd say, at least based on their profile information.

I'd say Defensor is the most successful gestalt, all-around. He's not dim and he's not too smart for his own good, like Computron.

people when it comes to what has been revealed about the decepticons origin wise over the years i believe that one could in some sense ofthe words place them somewhere between the jews and the germans when it comes to their place in the greater scheme in the time leading up to the war and during the great war.

that is to say that they are not entirely guilty becuase of the actions they took towards their fellow cybertronions in retaliation for the corrupt actions forced on them by those higher ranking government officials and politicans who existed in the time before the war.

but at the same time the decepticons are not entirely innocent either when it comes to their actions being at worst an extreme case of overkill


with optimus having been informed in some part of the corruption that existed in the time leading up to the war i have no doubt that he and megatron will eventually be forced to realise, to understand , and to accept for a genuine fact by one, by the other, or by each other that in the long term they both have much more in common with one another then either one wants to admit to their individual self.

each of them in their own way truly wants what is best for their fueding mutual people even though each of them cannot agree with one another on what that way is

though weather or not it is by personal moral integrity or stubbornnes or the inability for either of them to change that much do perhaps to each of them fearing change, well your best guess on that matter people is a s good as mine

while i have no doubt that it will be a difficult thing for each of them to accept much less admit to one another. it is a terrible barrier in their mutual existanc and that they must eventually find a way to overcome and in doing so change in some part for the better

in the long term people i could eventually see those 2 teaching to and learning from one another in a psuedo semi dual student /sensei like role to one another.

in short people it being a take on the old question

who is the greater warrior of the 2?

the 2 warriors who permit their fueding societies to decide their destinies for each of them?

or the one who successfully learns the ways of both fueding societies and in doing so finds perfect internal balance within himself between both societies moral beliefs, social views, and political idealogies?

I was just happy to see a comic feature Omega and Monstructor.

The fight was badass too.

And I'll concur-Rodimus owns prime.

Pretty good issue I thought. After SL: Galvatron, it looked like it would either be Jhiaxus or Nemesis Prime on the Ark-1, so it was kinda surprising to see it be both. One hell of a crew, that's for sure

Good issue for Prime though, having to face reality and see the ones he looks up to be a bit less perfect, incl Omega Supreme.
OS didn't fare as well and it's a shame Furman is unable or unwilling to have him deliver the speech cartoon/DW style.
It also gets a bit old that one 'bot/con always needs to be absolutely trampled on to prove to the readers how extremely badass the new threat really is. Monstructor simply going toe-to-toe with OS and having the upperhand would have been more than enough to show off his combat skills.
Do like it that Monstructor is the first and so far only Gestalt out there. The Technobots watching over the captives tells me they might be learning this trick themselves pretty soon.

Overall:
A few revelations to move the overall story along. Furman really knows how to setup an interesting arc, but he's let me down a few times too many in providing a satisfying ending. Here's hoping that won't be the case this time.
Furman's characterization is what it is. I don't think he takes enough advantage of the options available to him to make TF's stand out more from each other.

OS:"You're risking everything Prime. If this Gestalt technology falls into the hands of the Decepticons....we face armageddon!"

Such a bland line that could have been delivered by practically anybody. Why not go with the arrogant, slow OS speech that we are used to?


Prime:"Wait! Monstructor-I entreat you to stop! A grievous wrong....."

1) Prime is throwing a dictionary at Monstructor here.......the thing that barely knows the words "crush" and "I".
If a thug holds you at gunpoint, would you try reasoning with him by using words the poor guy doesn't even know?

2) Prime doesn't sound warm or charismatic enough to me. This is Perceptor trying to be caring.

Art: As always, Don does great things. Some very nice heroic poses for Prime adding flair that his dialog is missing.
Great original design for Nova Prime, looking like a fallen angel. Wouldn't have minded seeing Monstructor dirtied up a bit....seemed a bit clean for such a lunatic.

Overall: B+