The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye is a serialized comic series that is part of IDW Publishing's The Transformers. Its title is taken from one of the two taglines of the Transformers franchise, while the other was given to its companion series The Transformers: Robots in Disguise. The series opens after the one-shot Death of Optimus Prime, where the Transformers’ planet of Cybertron faces a period of uneasy peace and political instability. In response, Rodimus Prime recruits a large crew of Autobots to search for the Knights of Cybertron, a group of religious ambassadors who had vanished prior to the events of the comic. The series was written by James Roberts and was primarily drawn by Alex Milne. Issues 1 to 22 were primarily coloured by Josh Burcham while issues 28 to 57 were primarily coloured by Joanna Lafuente. The series has been met with critical acclaim and has been nominated for several awards for its politics and overarching plot, though stories from issue 39 onward were criticised for jumping the shark by some readers and fans.[1][2][3]

The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye
Publication information
PublisherIDW Publishing
ScheduleMonthly
FormatOngoing
Publication dateJanuary 2012 – December 2016
No. of issues57 plus 1 One-shot
Creative team
Written byJames Roberts
Penciller(s)Alex Milne
Nick Roche
James Raiz
Guido Guidi
Brendan Caill
Agustin Padilla
Hayato Sakamoto
Inker(s)Joana Lafuente
Josh Burcham
Josh Perez
Letterer(s)Shawn Lee
Tom B. Long
Editor(s)John Barber
Carlos Guzman
Collected editions
Volume 1ISBN 978-1613772355
Volume 2ISBN 978-1613774984
Volume 3ISBN 978-1613775929
Volume 4ISBN 978-1613776919
Volume 5ISBN 978-1613778029
Volume 6ISBN 978-1631401848
Volume 7ISBN 978-1631403279
Volume 8ISBN 978-1631404528
Volume 9ISBN 978-1631406157
Volume 10ISBN 978-1631407161

The series ended at issue #57, to be relaunched as Transformers: Lost Light.

Plot

Volume 1: Liars, A to D

No. Title Release date ISBN
01Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean ItJanuary 11th, 2012
Artist: Nick Roche
Rodimus Prime sends out a message expressing his desire to leave Cybertron and encourages other Autobots to do the same. Autobot High Command officers Bumblebee and Prowl predict a low turnout rate, but on the following day, over two hundred Transformers wait in line to board Rodimus’ exploration vessel named the ‘Lost Light’. Just before launch, some stragglers pick up the injured Cyclonus, Whirl and Tailgate. The ship takes off but is seemingly damaged by an explosion. The vessel quantum jumps off course and some of the crew are sucked out into space due to a hull breach, falling towards a nearby planet.
02Liars A to D, Part 2: Hangers OnFebruary 15th, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
The scientist Brainstorm discovers that one crewmate phased into a generator during the initial launch, causing the ship to hurl itself off course. Rodimus and Ultra Magnus head down onto the planet and lead a search for the victims of the hull breach. A ship appears and crash-lands. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Tailgate was offline for eons, missing out on the conflict between the Autobots and Decepticons. The crashed ship’s occupant is revealed to be Skids, who mysteriously has amnesia. The ship converts into three colossal sword wielding mechs who attack Skids. The latter eventually defeats all of them, his presence noticed by Chromedome and Rewind along the way. Most of the displaced crew are found and the ship embarks onto its next destination, with Skids tagging along as well. As the ship reaches orbit, security director Red Alert informs Rodimus that a predatory beast known as a Sparkeater is on board.
03Liars A to D, Part 3: The Chaos of Warm ThingsMarch 14th, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
Calling the situation ‘Cool’, Rodimus assembles a team consisting of Rewind, Chromedome, Ratchet, Trailbreaker and his first lieutenants Ultra Magnus and Drift to investigate while locking up the other Autobots in their rooms, though a few manage to escape. Chromedome is revealed to be a mnemosurgeon, someone capable of reading and editing memories, including that of dead bots. Swerve finds himself in a derelict bar. Rodimus and Drift realize that the Sparkeater is attracted by bright sparks, and sets up a trap. The Sparkeater is lured into the engine room, where it is phased into a generator as the Lost Light is performing another quantum jump. The crew return to their respective duties, when Tailgate, who was influenced by Cyclonus, declares that he wants to be a Decepticon.


Volume 2: Delphi, the Scavengers

No. Title Release date ISBN
04Life after the Big BangApril 18th, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
The Autobot facility, Delphi, is plagued by a virus which causes Cybertronians to rust and deteriorate at an alarming rate, killing many patients. Concurrently, Swerve reopens the bar without the consent of Ultra Magnus. Ratchet picks up a radio transmission from Delphi and calls up Drift and Pipes to accompany him to the outpost. Rodimus and Rewind show Autobot propaganda to Tailgate, persuading him to join their faction. At the meantime, Ratchet’s group arrives on Delphi. Drift cuts down a patient who attacks Pipes. They are spotted by the nurse First Aid, who leads them to the facility’s ward. The bots hypothesize the source of the outbreak. Ratchet requests to see the facility director, Pharma who is trapped in a quarantine chamber. Drift realizes that Pipes has been infected. As Drift knocks out Pipes, Ratchet unlocks the quarantine chamber while two armed Decepticons storm the ward, only to be greeted by a bot who introduces himself as Fortress Maximus.
05How Ratchet Got His Hands BackMay 23rd, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
Fortress Maximus violently dispatches the Decepticons as the medics tend to the patients, Pharma holds the ward manager Ambulon at gunpoint, accusing him of releasing the virus. However, First Aid and Ratchet deduce that Pharma was the one responsible. Pharma then escapes, with Ratchet tailing behind. On the Lost Light, the psychiatrist Rung meets with Red Alert, who claims to be hearing noises at the bottom of the ship. Ratchet intentionally infects himself with the virus, activating its symptoms as he catches up with Pharma. The treacherous medic monologues his scheme to kill his patients in order to relinquish their transformation cogs to the Decepticon Justice Division. Realising that he had been stepping on an infected pool of Ratchet’s rust, Pharma panics and grabs a vaccine, rushing off to the roof. Drift ends up interfering and sends Pharma plummeting down the mountainside while Ratchet retrieves the vaccine. With everyone cured, Ratchet takes all of Delphi’s occupants to the Lost Light. Ratchet also takes Pharma's hands.
06InteriorsJune 27th, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
After the events on Delphi, Fortress Maximus is forced to undergo psychological therapy with Rung. The former repeatedly lies about his traumatic experience at the hands of the sadistic Overlord. After a failed session, Maximus snaps and begins to fire on bots at random, beginning with Pipes. He then holds himself up in Rung’s office and holds him and Whirl hostage. Maximus demands Rodimus to turn the ship back to Cybertron so that he could enact his revenge on Prowl. The crew discover that Maximus has a form of post traumatic stress, shooting bots who looked like Overlord. Whirl proceeds to distract Maximus while Rodimus informs Swerve to shoot Maximus via the exterior of the Lost Light. The minibot aims but accidentally opens fire on Rung. Whirl then uses a pipe to impale Maximus. Meanwhile, Red Alert continues to find the source of the noise, finding out that the bottom of the ship was outfitted with a prison cell holding Overlord.
07Rules of DisengagementJuly 25th, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
The Decepticon Justice Division is introduced by hunting down, torturing, and killing the powerful and feared Black Shadow with ease. They then travel to the world of Clemency. On the Lost Light, Ratchet, First Aid, and Ambulon repair Rung, who had sustained a blast to the head. Red Alert sneaks in and inserts an encrypted message to the comatose psychiatrist before leaving. Brainstorm examines one of Skids’ guns and concludes that it may be from "The Institute". On the war-torn Clemency, a group of scavengers composed of Decepticons Misfire, Krok, Spinister, Crankcase, and Flywheels dismantle fallen soldiers and take whatever may still be useful. They find a survivor, Fulcrum, and a downed Decepticon warship. They are searching the ship when Tarn, the Decepticon Justice Division’s leader, calls, ordering the group to deliver "the traitor" or be executed. While the terrified Scavengers argue on the identity of the traitor, Krok finds a stasis pod containing the Dinobot Grimlock.
08Who’s Afraid of The DJD?August 22nd, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
As the Decepticon Justice Division approaches the downed warship, the scavengers use Grimlock as bait while they make their escape. On the Lost Light, Skids enlists Chromedome’s help to recover his lost memories, but the latter refuses after looking into his mind. Meanwhile, the scavengers cower behind a rock formation while the Decepticon Justice Division arrives, revealing that their target was in fact, Fulcrum. Grimlock is set free and attacks but does little to Tarn and his team, who quickly locate the scavengers. A one-sided battle occurs and Flywheels is killed. Fulcrum, being able to transform into a bomb, attempts to do a heroic sacrifice and kill the DJD by jumping off a cliff, only to land without exploding. Believing that Fulcrum is dead, the Decepticon Justice Division departs the planet to search for Overlord. It is revealed that Fulcrum did not die, and the Scavengers continue their journey.

Volume 3: Shadowplay

No. Title Release date ISBN
-Annual 2012: Primus: You, Me and Other RevelationsSeptember 12th, 2012
  • Act 2: Sacraments and Ceremonies
Artists: Jimbo Salgado and Emil Cabaltierra
Act 1: Rodimus and other Autobots use Brainstorm’s mass-displacement gun to shrink down into Ultra Magnus’ mouth, fighting off microscopic Nanocons. A reluctant Magnus is forced to smile in order to crush the minuscule creatures in his pistons. Meanwhile, Tailgate is getting ready to partake in an Act of Affiliation to receive his Autobot badge. Rodimus and his first lieutenants discuss their inevitable arrival on Theophany, home to pacifist Transformers known as the Circle of Light.
Act 2: Tailgate’s ceremony commences. Rodimus attempts to draw out Tailgate’s badge, only to subconsciously scribble the words “Let me out”. The Lost Light is then contacted by Captain K’gard of the Galactic Council, who claim that they are trespassing on their territory. K’gard explains that the Circle of Light had disappeared, and teleports Rodimus and a few others to Theophany while Magnus is brought into the Galactic Council’s cruiser. The group find the Circle of Light’s Crystal City in ruins, leading to Drift stabbing the ground with his sword in rage. The subsidence afterwards traps the Autobots underground.
Act 3:: Rodimus’ team fall into a cavern concealing a dormant Titan, which the Circle of Light had used to generate power for their city. Using his mind-reading skills, Chromedome taps into the Titan’s memories and is horrified as he watches the Circle of Light being attacked by massive robots. Rodimus learns that the Titan is active and is forcing itself to teleport itself to Cybertron, but to no avail. Brainstorm then uses his mass-displacement gun to reduce the size of the city-bot, allowing it to teleport back to its homeworld. Rodimus’ team and Magnus are returned to the Lost Light, where they set a course to the Argon Nebulae.
09Shadowplay Part 1: Post HocSeptember 26th, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
In order to assist Rung in recuperation, Rewind and a few others gather in Swerve’s bar to tell a story. They recall of an event before the war, where Chromedome and Prowl investigate the murder of a senator after the assassination of the current Prime. The two had suspected the Decepticons, and had headed towards Translucentica Heights where they had found another corpse sporting a graffitied Decepticon symbol. As they continue to retell the story, Grapple hoists a decapitated Red Alert out of the oil reservoir.
10Shadowplay Part 2: Patternism October 31st, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
In the past, Orion Pax and his friend Roller observe a high speed pursuit in Translucentica Heights. In the present day, Rewind explains that Prowl and Chromedome had been chasing a suspect while another had been killed by Orion Pax. Prowl and Chromedome then searched a spark relinquishment clinic, which turned out to be ‘The Institute’,a laboratory that specialised in lobotomising and brainwashing its patients. Prowl then discovered that ‘The Institute’ was run by corrupt senators while Pax was informed of a plan for a staged bomb attack. Chromedome and Prowl return to Orion, Roller, Ratchet and an unnamed senator. The group discovered that the bomb was disguised as the Matrix of Leadership. Knowing that the bomb would detonate soon, Pax decided to “steal the matrix.”
11Shadowplay Part 3: An Intimate Beheading November 21st, 2012
Artist: Alex Milne
(Events that chronologically occurred before Issue 1 are displayed in italic text .)
The unnamed senator recruits several bots with unique powers to participate in heist (In homage to the X-men). The group break in and replace the ‘matrix bomb’ with a replica, and leave unscathed. Orion Pax returns to his safehouse which had been overrun by corrupt enforcers while he was away. Orion drives the enforcers out, though the unnamed senator had surrendered to them beforehand.
In the present day, Rewind finishes his story. Rung is still unresponsive, but as the Autobots leave, the psychiatrist awakens. In the medical bay of the Lost Light, Ratchet discovers that Red Alert had attempted suicide.
In Cybertron’s past, workers in ‘The Institute’ discuss their next patient-Orion’s senator friend Shockwave.

Volume 4

No. Title Release date ISBN
12Before & AfterDecember 19th, 2012
Artists: Alex Milne ("Before") and Brendan Cahill ("After")
(The events in this issue are presented in a non-chronological order.)

Before
The Lost Light arrives on Temporia, a planet in the Argon Nebulae. The Decepticons there are suspected of kidnaping the Circle of Light, and a team of Autobots are sent to liberate it. While the others hold off the troops, Tailgate and Rewind infiltrate the Decepticon stronghold. Inside, they discover that the Decepticons did not capture the Circle, and have instead been experimenting with the native people. Tailgate, an apparent specialist in explosives, fails to disarm a proximity bomb. Cyclonus arrives just in time and pushes Tailgate out of harm’s way just as the bomb explodes.

After
The Decepticons are defeated, though several Autobots have sustained injuries. Chromedome carries a damaged Rewind while Tailgate hauls Cyclonus into the medical bay. As the injured pair are operated on, Chromedome shares his history with Rewind to Tailgate. Cyclonus recovers first, and dismisses his relationship with Tailgate, though he has second thoughts and begins to bond with the smaller bot.
13Cybertronian Homesick BluesFebruary 6th, 2013
  • Cybertronian Homesick Blues
  • Signal to Noise
Cybertronian Homesick Blues
Artist: Guido Guidi
Rodimus Prime suggests that Ultra Magnus should relax and invites the crew to take ‘shore leave’ after combating the Decepticons. The Lost Light touches down on the planet Hedonia, where Swerve, Magnus and a few others visit a bar. As the Autobots enjoy their oil, Whirl switches Magnus’ drink out of spite, knocking the latter unconscious. Later, Magnus stirs and confesses his disdain for his infamy among the crew to Swerve, but is knocked out again. Afterwards, the group turn Magnus into his alternate mode in order to return to the Lost Light.
Signal to Noise
Artist: N/A
Rung recalls his recovery from his injuries and the trip to Hedonia as he walks into Ultra Magnus’ office. Magnus complains about Rodimus, and how they had lost their lead on the Circle of Light. The two visit Rodimus in his office and discuss many things, including Red Alert’s final message talking about a voice at the bottom of the ship. The meeting does not go well, and Rung wishes that someone listen to him for a change.
14Remembrance DayMarch 6th, 2013
Artist: Alex Milne
Chromedome, inspired by recent events, decides to complete his task assigned by Prowl and probe into the mind of Overlord. He goes into all of the brutal Decepticon’s defeats, noting that most of them were from Megatron. He obtains information on the creation of nigh-invincible Phase Sixers. Overlord uses the opportunity to usurp Chromedome’s control of his psyche and looks for the passcode to his cell in his captor’s memories. Making his escape, Overlord locks Chromedome in the cell and promises to slaughter everyone on the Lost Light.
15Under Cold Blue StarsMarch 20th, 2013
Artist: Alex Milne
Beginning his rampage, Overlord crushes Pipes underfoot and beats up Ratchet and Drift in the medical bay. Pipes sets off the Lost Light’s emergency alarm before perishing, prompting Rodimus Prime and the majority of the crew to arrive and surround Overlord. Chromedome runs out of Overlord’s cell to see the Decepticon flooring through the Lost Light’s crew. Magnus attempts to hold him off but gets stabbed through the spark. Rung manages to liberate the vengeful Fortress Maximus to fight Overlord, who turns the tide of the battle. The Phase Sixer is pushed into his cell but one of Drift’s swords gets in the way. In the end, Rewind sacrifices himself by freeing the sword from the inside and the cell is jettisoned into space and blown up.
16 The GloamingApril 24th, 2013
Artist: Augustin Padilla
Using a “Death Clock”, Ratchet determines that Ultra Magnus is nearing death. A funeral is held to those who had died in Overlord’s rampage. Afterwards, Chromedome prepares to dispose of Rewind’s belongings and decides to use his mnemosurgery skills to remove his memories of Rewind. Brainstorm convinces him to do otherwise and reveals that Chromedome has already done so with his previous deceased husbands. Brainstorm leaves Chromedome with Rewind's last message. Rewind's last message consists of spliced footage of bots talking, imploring Chromedome to move on without him and to love himself. Meanwhile, Rodimus publicly banishes Drift, who had apparently confessed his participation in placing Overlord on the Lost Light, off the ship. Rewind's message ends with him telling Chromedome "I love you." Tailgate places himself under the Death Clock and realises that he has only three days to live.

Volume 5: Remain in Light

No. Title Release date ISBN
17Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund MoonMay 29th, 2013
Artist: Alex Milne
Ratchet informs Tailgate he is about to die of old age, sending the latter into a panic attack. Rodimus Prime and Blaster see the comatose Ultra Magnus float off the medical bay and onto a shuttle through a security feed. The Lost Light pursues Magnus’ shuttle into a wormhole and find themselves on one of Cybertron’s satellites, Luna 1. Rodimus, along with Tailgate, Ratchet, Rung, Cyclonus, Brainstorm, Perceptor and Chromedome set off to explore the planet and search for Magnus. Brainstorm finds and extracts a “Point One Percenter”, a rare type of Cybertronian spark. Massive golden robots[4] teleport on the Lost Light and begin attacking the crew. Meanwhile, Decepticon mercenaries surround Rodimus’ group. The group attempt to evade the Decepticons but Ratchet falls off his speeder. He looks up to see Pharma smiling back at him.
Rodimus pauses his recount to ask for his listener’s name. The listener obliges and introduces himself as ‘Ambus’.
18Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of AmbusJune 19th, 2013
Artist: Alex Milne
Pharma takes Ratchet prisoner while Rodimus’ group are captured by the Decepticons (with the exception of Cyclonus and Whirl). The Autobots are taken to meet neutral lawmaker Chief Justice Tyrest. Tyrest reveals that the Lost Light‘s aggressors were his Legislators and charges them for “Crimes against Creation”. On the Lost Light, Skids tears through the Legislators before being incapacitated by Star Saber, who had also teleported onto the ship. In the cell, the Autobots talk about Tyrest’s backstory as Rung tries to expose Ambus. Unable to contain his secret any longer, Ambus confesses that he is, in fact, Ultra Magnus.
19Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided SelfJuly 31st, 2013
Artist: Alex Milne
Ambus explains that he was recovered by Tyrest through a recall switch, and was quickly stripped of his armour for undisciplined acts. Tyrest then showcased his latest enforcer, Star Saber. Ambus also reveals that “Ultra Magnus” is a profession instead of an actual person. Ambus also states that the Lost Light crew have all been sentenced to death for harbouring a high-profile criminal: Skids. Ambus leaves to confront Tyrest while Skids and Swerve are teleported into the cell. Pharma proposes a competition with Ratchet to see who would complete a surgery the fastest. Ambulon and First Aid are brought onto Luna 1, with Pharma bisecting the former lengthways for sake of the competition. At the meantime, Star Saber dumps a prisoner, Getaway, into the Autobot’s cell. As Ambus talks sense into the unhinged Tyrest, a Legislator sneaks behind and crushes Ambus’ head off.
20Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the LonelyAugust 28th, 2013
Artist: Alex Milne
21Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous LifeSeptember 25th, 2013
  • Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life
  • The Sound of Breaking Glass
Artist: Alex Milne
22Little VictoriesOctober 9th, 2013
Artist: James Raiz


Dark Cybertron

Issues 23-27 are in the crossover event with IDW Plublishing's other Transformers series of that time, Robots in Disguise.

Volume 6: "Season 2"

No. Title Release date ISBN
28World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards PeaceApril 30th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
29World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the AirMay 14th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
30World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's GuideJune 25th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
31Twenty Plus OneJuly 9th, 2014
Artist: Atilio Rojo
32slaughterhouseAugusst 27th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
33slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not TakenSeptember 17th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne

Volume 7: An Elegant Chaos

No. Title Release date ISBN
34Births, Deaths, and InterventionsOctober 29th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
35The Custom-Made Now: An Elegant Chaos PrologueNovember 26th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
36An Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous YesterdaysDecember 17th, 2014
Artist: Alex Milne
37An Elegant Chaos Part 2: StetFebruary 4th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne
38An Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's GuideMarch 4th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne

Volume 8

No. Title Release date ISBN
39The Permanent RevolutionApril 8th, 2015
Artist: Hayato Sakamoto
40Our Steps Will Always RhymeApril 29th, 2015
Artist: Brendan Cahill
41The Sensuous FrameMay 27th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne
42The Frail GazeJune 24th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne
43The One Where They Go To EarthJuly 29th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne
44The Not KnowingSeptember 2nd, 2015
Artist: Hayato Sakamoto

Volume 9

No. Title Release date ISBN
45Some Of My Best Friends Are AutobotsSeptember 30th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne
46AnimalsNovember 4th, 2015
Artist: Alex Milne
47The Lopsided TriangleNovember 25th, 2015
Artist: Brendan Cahill
48Speak, Memory: Part 1December 23rd, 2015
Artist: Hayato Sakamoto
49Speak, Memory! (Part 2)February 10th, 2016
Artist: Hayato Sakamoto

Volume 10: The Dying of the Light

No. Title Release date ISBN
50The Dying of the Light (1): How Bright Their Frail DeedsFeb 24th, 2016
  • The Dying of the Light (1): How Bright Their Frail Deeds
  • No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases
Artist: Alex Milne and Brendan Cahill
51The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in FlightMar 30th, 2016
Artist: Alex Milne
52The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce TearsApr 27th, 2016
Artist: Alex Milne
53The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of DayMay 25th, 2016
Artist: Alex Milne
54The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, RageJune 22nd, 2016
Artist: Alex Milne
55The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go GentleJuly 27th, 2016
Artist: Alex Milne

Reception

Critical response

The series has been noted for its portrayal of Cybertronians in same sex relationships.[5]

  • It has been noted to be one of the most popular IDW titles out there.

Transformers: More than Meets the Eye won two Comics Alliance awards, namely "Best of 2015: Continued Excellence in Serial Comics"[6] and "Best of 2016: The Best Sci-Fi Comic of 2016".[7]

Commercial performance

The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye: Physical sales per issue (in thousands)
Volume # Sales Diamond
ranking
1 1 15,340 [8] 121
2 11,671 161

References

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/02/transformers-lost-light-comic-same-sex-partnerships https://comicsalliance.com/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-lost-light/

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.