Transformers Lost Light #14

Written by: James Roberts

Art by: Sara Pitre-Durocher and Brendan Cahill

Colors by: Joana Lafuente

Published by: IDW

As I am still relatively new to the IDW Hasbro Universe, and even more so to the Transformers comics, I can say for a fact that it is a little overwhelming trying to piece together who all the characters are. I can recognize some - Hi Soundwave! - but a lot of the others are still blank slates for me.

Having said that, I can’t gush enough about what a great job James Roberts has done in this single issue of Lost Light. He starts off the issue with a clear set-up - the D.J.D. are an outfit of Decepticons who are tasked with eliminating Transformers from a certain list, which includes Soundwave and Scorponok. He continues with a middle section dealing with Nickel, a lost Decepticon who has found herself amongst the Scavengers - another group of, what I gather, are former Decepticons - who take her in and are planning on retrieving The Magnificence - an eye that can answer any question. This all wraps with both storylines intersecting together to an explosive end.

Here’s where Roberts really got me: in one single issue, through dialogue alone, he made me care for this rag-tag group of Scavengers and what will happen to them. One thing I’ve noticed over the years is the inability to properly convey banter in comics. You’ll see a lot of writers try, don’t get me wrong, but not many actually succeed. Roberts, he succeeds. You can tell that the Scavengers are friends and they want the best for each other (see: how they treat Grimlock). It’s amazing.

As for the art, Pitre-Durocher and Cahill seamlessly blend their styles together that for the most part, I couldn’t tell that the issue was drawn by two different people. That is not something I get to say very often. Their art is greatly complimented as well by Lafuente’s bright colors and excellent lighting effects.

A great issue all-around and definitely one that makes me want to read more Transformers.