The Energon Pub

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:19 pm

It was okay. I think I would have enjoyed it more, if I could have thought of an appropriate voice for Blaster in his new role as 'the voice'. I'm stuck in the G1 cartoon version, and it just does not seem to fit. Needed to be someone like Denzel, or Morgan Freeman, i suppose.

As for the art, I was not impressed. I believe, and I am sorry to say this, but the artist needs to work a bit harder on his stuff. It was very uneven, and seemed a little too cartoony for something of such serious ilk. If he were doing his homework, he may have done it darker, more mysterious...maybe harkened back to some of the great classic murder mystery cinematographies.

The cameos were great, the twist was interesting, and sets us up for some future rival mayhem.

News Credits: 487 · by **Darth Bombshell** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:26 pm

Well, if nothing else, Spotlight: Blaster proves that Simon's work on Beast Wars is seriously lacking, because for something like this to come from the pen of the guy who wrote that shows how bad Beast Wars really is.

Each of the Spotlights has been great in its own way, while contributing to the greater G1 verse that IDW is creating (even the Ramjet one). What really stands out for me here is the characterization of Blaster, who portrays his cartoon personality as the rallying cry behind the Autobot resistance movement (giving some credibility to his role in the overall Autobot heirarchy, something his prior characterizations lack) while using his Marvel character template as his true personality. And it's something that works.

What also works is the identity of the saboteur. Most of us assumed that it would be Doubledealer, or maybe even Punch. I know the thread is Spoiler tagged, but I still won't come out and say who it is. Suffice it to say, it's someone I don't think was on any character's shortlist.

As for the artwork, well...let me say this. We may have lost Don, but we gained Emiliano, so if you ask me, all's right with the world.

A+ effort. :grin:

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:48 am

Wait nothing really negative from DB about this? What is the world coming to? (You did get a little jab at Furman and BW though).

News Credits: 487 · by **Darth Bombshell** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:05 am

tigertracks 24 wrote:Wait nothing really negative from DB about this? What is the world coming to? (You did get a little jab at Furman and BW though).

Putting aside for a moment how utterly unnecessary that statement is (and really, dude, what purpose does saying that serve other than to goad me?), I'll point out once again that my only problem with IDW's Transformers output is the Beast Wars titles, specifically The Ascending, with The Gathering and Sourcebook less so. (And really, they have no one to blame but themselves. It took a year to come out; it was bound to get ripped over by somebody. And I'll also point out again that, going by posts both on the IDW board and here, I'm not the only one who feels that way.)

But back to the point, I really don't have any problem with the issue.

by **EmilianoS** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:12 am

tigertracks 24 wrote:
As for the art, I was not impressed. I believe, and I am sorry to say this, but the artist needs to work a bit harder on his stuff. It was very uneven, and seemed a little too cartoony for something of such serious ilk. If he were doing his homework, he may have done it darker, more mysterious...maybe harkened back to some of the great classic murder mystery cinematographies.

Criticism is always welcomed

But I can totally reassure you that I did my homework, and plenty of them!
I had to go looking for all those previous Cybertron modes, and I woulnd't have made it without Guido's help.
For sure I don't think my stuff is uneven, I actully think I'm pretty consistent most of the time and it's one of my strenghts.
At least it's the first time I got that specific criticism

To some extent, I may agree I may not be the perfect artist for that story, but trust me, most of time you don't have lot of options. Plus, that was my first TF book and my first IDW book.
Not exactly the right time to do experiments. I was lucky enough to be picked, the best I can do in respect of that, is to draw how I'm expected from my previous works (unless I'm asked otherwise of course).

And I think the colors made up a lot of my lack of black and dark. They really set the mood right for the story, and that's what matter to me.
I focused more on the acting.
And to be honest, using black when you only do pencils (the book isn't inked) isn't that easy just becasue it takes a lot of time to fill black areas! :lol:

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:18 am

Sorry DB, it was meant to be a kind jab among staff members, not an insensitive plea for attention.

I apologize.

Blaster's story was good, but the art was not my favorite, but I do like the fact that ES came on and took criticism of his art kindly. Not everyone could be so kind. I appreciate the hard work you put in, I guess it is just because Blaster is one of my favorite's that I am being so critical!

Appreciate you coming on and sharing with us! I look forward to seeing more of your work and how it changes and progresses.

News Credits: 3 · by **MYoung23** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:25 pm

I really liked this Spotlight.

At first I thought Blaster as some kind of radio DJ was contrived but then I realized that the military used radio broadcasts to keep up the morale of the soldiers. "Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam" came to mind and it made more sense and I got into the story.

I liked the deviousness of Soundwave to use the least likely Autobot to use as an assassin.

I also liked the introduction of the Insecticons and how the rivalry between Blaster and Soundwave is being set up.

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:47 pm

MYoung23 wrote:I also liked the introduction of the Insecticons and how the rivalry between Blaster and Soundwave is being set up.

I like the fact that they are being made rivals and there is more to it than both being in communications, so they have to hate each other because they are the opposites--no it's more!.

News Credits: 1 · by **Jeysie** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:01 pm

OK, so I finally got my hands on a copy of this. Durn comic store.

More thoughts later, but for now, I want to say that I honestly don't really see what's wrong with the art; I like it a lot. It's moody without being murky, I like the way the various facial expressions are done (as well as the "action poses"), and I love the look of the Cybertronian designs for all the "new" characters. Blaster's and Beachcomber's vehicle modes are particularly nice designs that were fun to look at. The little detail of Blaster's patch during the present day vs. the flashbacks: also nice.

My only (really minor) nitpick: most of Silverbolt's new design looks great, but... the lips. Overdone just a wee. (Yes, I know the cartoon overdid them too. Transformers still just should not look... kissable. It's a little creepy. :> )

News Credits: 156 · by **WhiteRabbit** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:32 pm

Wow, I can't fathom how anyone would have a problem with the art in this book. It's bloody perfect to me... and I get a tad fussier when a number of my favorite Autobots are making appearances.

Emiliano, bravo to you sir. Your Beachcomber design is a masterpiece! And that's obviously high praise from me!

Hope to see lots of your work under the Transformers banner in the future!

News Credits: 226 · by **Burn** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 3:58 pm

This was one of the few Spotlight's that i've truly enjoyed.

It didn't quite revinvent Blaster, but it really fleshed out his character well. And it's a characterisation that I found to be truly fitting for him.

Art? I too see no problem with it. I thought it was great, so well done Emiliano! (And no, that's not arse kissing because he's here)

I figured the assassin would be Punch/Counterpunch but when it was narrowed down to four potentials you just knew Bombshell would be involved, but I didn't see the Soundwave connection coming, and that alone was a great setup to what will no doubt be one of the most anticipated show downs.

Could Blaster/Soundwave pull off a four issue mini-series? Not sure, but it's not a tale i'd like to see compressed to one book, plus you've got to have an all out battle between them AND their cassettes. :grin:

News Credits: 972 · by **i_amtrunks** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:03 pm

Great Issue, Great art, and great support characters too.

I think this has been the only recent IDW thread that did not go and have all the plot point spelt out straight off the bat.

I think in terms of characterisation, this one rates up with another Furman Favourite: Nightbeat, I really got a feel for who Blaster is, who is was prior to his "accident" and what drives him forward.

Supporting cast was brilliant, I was very relieved to see Inferno, as the last time we had seen him he looked as though he was about to be slagged by a falling cruiser in Megatron: Origins. Nice to see Silverbolt, Trailbreaker and Bluestreak too, with Perceptor getting a little fleshing out too, seems he is more or less the same as his G1 cartoon character.

No problem with the art either, it was a little grim, which suited the story wonderfully, I had no problems following what was going on, and I quite liked Blaster's Alt mode too, a sonic tank if you will.

Anyone else get the feeling we may get a Headmasters style showdown between the Cassette bots in the future?

News Credits: 1082 · by **Tigertrack** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:29 am

Well, it looks like I am an island with my art comments so chalk it up to jealousy, pure and simple jealousy...

by **mechajol** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:58 pm

Jeysie wrote:My only (really minor) nitpick: most of Silverbolt's new design looks great, but... the lips. Overdone just a wee. (Yes, I know the cartoon overdid them too. Transformers still just should not look... kissable. It's a little creepy. :> )

maybe someday in the IDW universe, silverbolt would be the first kiss player? :grin:

News Credits: 1 · by **Jeysie** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:57 pm

mechajol wrote:maybe someday in the IDW universe, silverbolt would be the first kiss player?

Gahhh, disturbing mental image... *goes off to find a bottle of brain acid*

http://www.youtube.com/user/Pepsimus · by **Black Bumblebee** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:12 am

I thought that this was a nice little issue. As someone who likes to see 'bot modes altered for characters (while still keeping them recognizable), I thought the art was well done.

My only big gripe is... that I knew the identity of the assassin early on. Too many visual clues. That, and the fact that they just couldn't let the character actually have a "gripe," they had to cop out and give us the "I'm not really in control" excuse.

Bleh.

Megatron: Origin showed that not all Autobots are good. Heck, Optimus Prime has killed humans in this series (remember the truck he let ram into his leg? chilling scene). I think it's about time that the Autobots had a REAL traitor.

News Credits: 156 · by **WhiteRabbit** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:13 pm

Black Bumblebee wrote:I think it's about time that the Autobots had a REAL traitor.

They do. (Double)Dealer. He's got the deaths of Hot Rod's tactical unit on his hands, and that's just for starters.

Beachcomber ain't no traitor!

by **MaP_Prime** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:41 pm

I liked this issue, it was really great to see some classic G1 characters in it. I was surprised to see who the assassin was, though I'll admit that his reason why he was is pretty typical, but I think it is a good way of doing it really. I also liked the art, it was really well done.

I'm really eager to see how Blasters new found hatred for Soundwave is going to play out since Soundwave is now getting involved in the main story line.

News Credits: 1 · by **Mechabreaker** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:10 am

Jeysie wrote:
mechajol wrote:maybe someday in the IDW universe, silverbolt would be the first kiss player?

Gahhh, disturbing mental image... *goes off to find a bottle of brain acid*

Yeah, the TF Kiss Players are disturbing. As for the issue, it just arrived today, I read it, and I have to say that the artwork is brilliant and I loved the story, but there were too many visual clues as to who the autobot assassin was. Although I have to admit that I didn't see the Soundwave connection coming, but now it has me on the edge of my chair because I know that an all out brawl between Blaster and Soundwave is in the future. :grin:

News Credits: 4 · by **jazzrules** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:06 pm

Just managed to get this today.

I agree that it was easy to tell who the assassin was from the first blurred screen. However, I found myself hoping it wasn't who it was - so in a way it was a good thing. I had thought of what his motives could have been, and the only thing I could think of was that he felt Blaster's speeches were keeping the war going and he wanted it to end sooner. I'm glad it wasn't his own choice, because that would have made me question one of my favourite characters and also that he wasn't killed off.

News Credits: 2 · by **Insurgent** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:59 pm

Superb art, nice and solid, something I like from the bots, and something only Figoura and Marcello have acheived to a satisfactory level before. I think that's there names. Stormbringer and Spotlight Magnus artists. Anyhoo, I figured who the traitor was, not because of the images, but because on the scene where Bluestreak is welcoming back Blaster, Beachcomber is lurking there and he looks pissed at seeing Blaster. Inferno looks pissed, but seems to be more at something else. I had a feeling Soundwave would have a hand in it as soon as he said he had no choice, but Bombshell came from nowhere. A very nice surprise.

Overall, a great story and one I'm hoping will pick up later. Also, cameos aplenty (including Kup and Fort Max. Great to see those two in it).

I'm curious though, for all those cameos, did you have a list of people to put in, or was it your discretion, with the script just saying *random bots* ?