Editing Spotlight: Drift

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers: Spotlight|''The Transformers Spotlight'']] #22
|prev=Spotlight: Jazz
|next=Spotlight: Cliffjumper
|title="The Transformers: Spotlight: Drift"
|image=Spotlight Drift cvrA.jpg
|caption="Look Scratchy, it's our new friend- Poochie!"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 8]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=April 2009
|written by=[[Shane McCarthy]]
|art by=[[Casey Coller]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=Pre-[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]
}}
'''Everyone deserves a second chance.'''

==Synopsis==
On an [[McColamo|alien planet]], inside a seedy bar, a female alien and her two cohorts meet with [[Drift (G1)|a shrouded figure]]. She gives him two cards, saying that they would take him so far as to the docking platforms. The cloaked figure thanks her, but she says that the thanks isn't necessary, but just as he's about to walk away, she mentions that the cruiser is [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]]. The stranger confirms it, as the female alien wonders why Cybertronians have docked on their planet. One of the female's cohorts take the time to mention his disgust of all Cybertronian, but the female shuts him up. When the cohort tries to remind her that she hates them as well, the figure mutters the word "[[Decepticon]]s".

The female goes on to say that the cruiser is a [[Decepticon]] vessel, and that they apparently came from the outer reaches, damaged and with Autobot prisoners. The alien is curious about the figure's interest in the vessel, and wants him to reconsider, saying that Cybertronians are the plague, bringing death and destruction with them. The figure isn't interested in her concern, but when she touches him, she realizes that he's Cybertronian as well. The figure bows and thanks her, then walks off. Outside the bar, the cloaked Cybertronian looks up and sees the Decepticon vessel above the city. Moments later, on top of the vessel the Cybertronian tosses his cloak away, activates some switches to turn off the vessel's security systems, then jumps inside. Landing quietly, he slides over to a hallway and sees some Decepticons talking. But just as he's about to make a move, a sudden explosion does the job, and the [[Wrecker]]s, led by [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]], enter the vessel. The Cybertronian laments "So much for quiet".

On the bridge, a Decepticon soldier warns Commander [[Turmoil]] that the ship has been breached. Turmoil angrily asks who did this, to which the soldier said that it's a small assault force that the sensors didn't pick up. Turmoil slams his fist in anger, realizing that it's Kup. Meanwhile, the Wreckers battle the Decepticon soldiers, all while wondering who the mysterious white Cybertronian is. He doesn't have a [[insignia|faction symbol]] on his chest, and the swords that he wields look familiar. Kup asks him why he's here, to which he replies that he was trying to sneak in. [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] examines him and is amazed that he had been recently upgraded in a matter that he hadn't seen since centuries. Kup isn't impressed and orders the Wreckers to move, while asking the Cybertronian to come with them. The Cybertronian insists on taking the lead, since he's here for the same reason.

In short order, Kup's team reaches and frees the Autobot prisoners. As they work to cut an escape route, Perceptor senses Turmoil's group behind one of brig's locked doors, attempting to break his locks. Perceptor tries to counteract them, when without warning, a beam blasts straight through the door... and straight through Perceptor. Turmoil and his group fire away at the Wreckers. The Cybertronian rushes at Turmoil, ignoring Kup's orders. The Cybertronian is stopped by a small explosion, and Turmoil recognizes the Cybertronian as Deadlock. Deadlock runs away as Turmoil orders the traitor be destroyed. Turmoil takes a shot that misses, causing Kup and Deadlock to tumble through a blasted-open wall and into the depths of the ship.

[[Image:SpotlightDrift Deadlockisdead.jpg|left|200px|thumb|"The name's Poochie D, and I rock the telly. I'm half Joe Camel and a third Fonzarelli. I'm the kung fu hippie from gangsta city; I'm a rappin' surfer, you the fool I pity."]]

When they land, Kup knows who Deadlock is: a Decepticon who slaughtered quite a few [[Autobot]]s. Deadlock says that he no longer goes by that name, and is no longer a Decepticon. Kup said that long ago, there used to be [[Circle of Light|a third faction]] (actually more of a faction ''against'' factions), which was a large group of Cybertronians that refused to have any part of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. Kup believes that this faction either died or went into hiding from Cybertron. Most of the Autobots didn't care about them, because they were concerned about the war. Looking at Deadlock's [[Great Sword|sword]], Kup is beginning to think differently, and asks him if the meeting had to do with him leaving the Decepticons, which Deadlock confirms. Kup thinks he's getting a second chance, but Deadlock says that he already has one. Kup knows, because Perceptor (who normally wouldn't be along with the Wreckers) kept an eye out on Kup, repairing and upgrading his body, making him ''even more'' better. With the talk over, Kup decides to move out, but Deadlock stops him; although he's not an Autobot, he has an idea to bring the ship down, and Kup is listening.

Later, inside the ship's core, Deadlock is finishing setting the core to overload its system in several minutes, which will tear the vessel apart. Kup is amazed that Deadlock knows about the ship, to which he replies that he used to serve under Turmoil. Kup says that [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] and the others made it out (except Perceptor) and are bringing their ship out. Deadlock sets the core system, but Turmoil appears from behind a part of the wall he blew up. Deadlock tells Kup to go, and Kup manages to exit just as Turmoil blasts at them.

Turmoil says that he thought he'd lost Deadlock. Deadlock says that that name is dead—he now wants to be known as Drift. Turmoil doesn't care and fires at him again, but Drift manages to evade the blasts and stabs at Turmoil's shoulders and slashes at his chest. Drift tells Turmoil that they're going about it the wrong way in the Great War. After countless centuries of fighting, the Autobots are a step away from the Decepticons when they started, and the Decepticons became something worse than they could imagine. Turmoil says that the Autobots would never accept an outcast like him, and asks Drift to kill him and run, proving that he's nothing more than when he left the Decepticons. Drift ''knows'' what he came for, then leaves the room just as the core starts to overload. After transforming briefly, Drift grabs Perceptor and they jump off the vessel just as it explodes.

Later on, Springer tells Kup that they will be docking with the ''[[Trion]]'' shortly, and that all six Autobots are accounted for, but Kup corrects him, saying that it's actually ''seven''. Kup tells Drift that he's forming a new unit, and wants him to join. Springer is stunned, but Drift accepts. Springer whispers to Kup that it wasn't wise, but Kup says that Drift proved himself down at the Decepticon vessel, and that there's more to fighting the war than blowing heads off. Besides, as Kup says, "everyone deserves a second chance".

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drift (G1)|Deadlock/Drift]] (1)
*[[Twin Twist]] (2)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] (3)
*[[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] (4)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (5)
*[[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] (6)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (8)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (9)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (10)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (11)
*[[Blurr (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Blurr]] (12)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (13)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Turmoil]] (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Cybertronians are a plague. Wherever they go, death and destruction follow."
:—'''Unknown Female Alien Merchant'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This issue explains what happened to Kup after his ''[[Spotlight: Kup|Spotlight]]'' and alludes to Perceptor's upgrade in ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''. It also explains why the Wreckers aren't a group in ''All Hail Megatron'', and shows some of the Autobots that would later be in Kup's group.

===Other trivia===
*The style of coloring used by [[Joana Lafuente]] in the comic is significantly different than her previously seen styles, seen in "[[Spotlight: Blurr]]" and ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]'' (issues [[Maximum Dinobots issue 3|#3]], [[Maximum Dinobots issue 4|#4]], and [[Maximum Dinobots issue 5|#5]]). 
*Drift is the first character to get a Spotlight ''before'' getting a toy.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Drift, about to draw a sword, against a manga-styled background, art by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]].
*'''Cover B:''' Semi-shadowed Drift, with a half-Decepticon, half-Autobot symbol behind him; art by [[Guido Guidi]] and Joana Lafuente.
*'''Cover RI:''' "Virgin" cover (no titles); Drift with his swords drawn against a red "rising sun" background on top, with Drift in car mode against a black "rising sun" background on bottom; art also by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente.

<gallery>
File:Spotlight Drift cvrA.jpg|"Hey kids, always recycle... ''to the extreme!!'' Bust it!"
File:Spotlight Drift cvrB.jpg|"I have to go now. My planet needs me."
File:Spotlight Drift cvrRI.jpg|Note: Poochie died on the way back to his home planet.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*"[[Spotlight: Cliffjumper]]"
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*''Star Trek: Crew''
*''Angel: Blood and Trenches''
*''Terminator Salvation'' movie adaptation
*CGC
*''[[Transformers Animated: The Arrival|The Arrival]]'' TPB
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Revenge of the Fallen]]'' movie adaptation
*''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]: The Best of Larry Hama'' TPB
*''IDW: The First Decade'' HC
*''Star Trek: Countdown'' TPB (back cover) 

===Reprints===
*[[2009]] — '''''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 3]]''''' <small>([[October 28]], [[2009]]) ISBN 1600105416 / ISBN 978-1600105418</small>
*[[2011]] — '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Four]]''''' <small>([[May 25]], [[2011]]) ISBN 1600109381 / ISBN 978-1600109386</small>
*2011 — '''''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|The Transformers: The Complete All Hail Megatron]]''''' <small>([[July 27]], 2011) ISBN 1600109551 / ISBN 978-1600109553</small>
*[[2013]] — '''''[[The Transformers: Complete Drift]]''''' <small>([[January 30]], [[2013]]) ISBN 1613775393 / ISBN 978-1613775394</small>
*[[2014]] — '''"Director's Cut"''' <small>([[June 25]], [[2014]])</small>
*2014 — '''"Micro-Comic Fun Pack"''' <small>([[July 9]], 2014)</small>
*[[2015]] — '''''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|The Transformers: Spotlight Omnibus Volume 2]]''''' <small>([[September 9]], [[2015]]) ISBN 1613779429 / ISBN 978-1613779422</small>
*[[2018]] — '''''[[Transformers Drift: Origins & Empires]]''''' <small>([[December 27]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1684052238 / ISBN 978-1684052233</small>
*[[2019]] — '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 41: Drift'''''  <small>([[February 6]], [[2019]])</small>

<gallery>
File:AHM v3.jpg|'''''All Hail Megatron Volume 3'' TPB''' cover by [[Trevor Hutchison]]
File:IDWCollection4.jpg|'''''IDW Collection Volume Four'' Hardcover''' by [[E. J. Su]]
File:Allhailmegatronhc.jpg|'''''The Complete All Hail Megatron'' Hardcover''' by Trevor Hutchison
File:TheTransformersCompleteDrift.jpg|'''''Complete Drift'' Hardcover''' by Trevor Hutchison
File:Spotlight Drift Directors Cut.jpg|'''"Director's Cut"''' cover by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
File:Spotlight Drift Micro-Comic.jpg|'''"Micro-Comic Fun Pack"''' cover by Livio Ramondelli
File:TF Spotlight Omnibus v2.jpg|'''''Spotlight Omnibus Volume 2'' TPB''' cover by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]
File:Drift-Origins-and-Empires.jpg|'''''Transformers Drift: Origins & Empires''''' cover by Livio Ramondelli
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v41.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 41: Drift''''' cover by [[Alex Milne]] and Josh Burcham
</gallery>

===Director's Cut===
*Released [[June 25]], [[2014]]
*New cover by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
*"Drifting Through Life": [[John Barber]] talks to the various creative teams who have told Drift's stories—from ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' through ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''.  This includes concept art sketches, cover and interior art and even the packaging from the [[Drift (G1)#Toys|''Generations'' Drift toy]].
*Cover art from the original ''Spotlight''.
*Shane McCarthy's original proposal for the ''Spotlight'' (which became the [[The Transformers: Drift|mini-series]]).
*An art page progression from pencils to finished page by Casey Collier.
*Really, for anyone who still hates Drift, you have to admit this is an impressive package.

===Micro-Comic Fun Pack===
On [[July 9]], 2014, less than a month after the "Director's Cut", the issue was re-released yet again in a Drift-themed "Micro-Comic Fun Pack", which includes:
*A micro-sized reprint of the issue, re-lettered for legibility and with a new cover. The back of the issue includes three pages of biographical information on Drift, and the following covers:
**[[:File:Transformers Drift Issue 1 Cover A.jpg|''Drift'' #1's standard cover]]
**[[:File:Transformers Drift Issue 4 Cover RI.jpg|''Drift'' #4 cover RI]] 
**[[:File:Spotlight_Drift_cvrA.jpg|''Spotlight: Drift'' cover A]]
*A mini-poster of [[:File:Transformers Drift Issue 4 Cover A.jpg|''Drift'' #4's standard cover]].
*A temporary [[tattoo]] cropped from [[:File:Transformers Drift Issue 1 Cover A.jpg|''Drift'' #1's standard cover]].
*A sticker of [[:File:MTMTE4 cvrA.jpg|''More than Meets the Eye'' #4 cover A]].

[[Category:Spotlight issues|Drift]]