The Transformers: Spotlight

The Transformers: Spotlight, starting in 2006, is an ongoing series of one-shot comics published by IDW Publishing and set in the primary IDW continuity. Each issue focuses on a particular Generation 1 Transformer. The series was originally only to consist of 5 issues, but has since evolved into an annual set of 5 produced per year (at least through 2008).

• Scheduled issues: Grimlock (March or April 2008); Wheelie (June 2008)

Overview

The Spotlight series is set within the main IDW storyline. The format allows more free-ranging story settings—many issues are set on alien worlds—and serve to give a wider view of the overall IDW Transformers universe. The issues set up future story ideas and plot points for the main IDW miniseries; many have eventually tied-in directly with the main storyline, with others obviously set to do so in the future.

Most of the issues have prominent co-stars, such as the Dynobots in Shockwave's spotlight, and Omega Supreme in Optimus Prime's story.

There is no absolute chronological order for all of the issues. Some, such as Galvatron and Optimus Prime, are set after specific events in the main story; others like Hot Rod and Nightbeat are not so clearly delineated, having happened an unspecified time ago. Still others (Shockwave, Soundwave) are flashbacks to a specific point in the recent or distant past.

With the announcement of Spotlight: Wheelie, nearly all of the characters introduced in The Transformers: The Movie have received a Spotlight. The only exceptions are Springer (who was featured in Kup's Spotlight, as well as Stormbringer), Blurr, Cyclonus and Scourge (none of whom have appeared in the IDW-verse yet).

Creative teams

• Most of the Spotlights has thus far been written by Simon Furman, as will the scheduled Grimlock issue. Exceptions are Spotlight: Kup, written by Nick Roche, Spotlight: Ramjet, written by Stewart Moore, Spotlight: Mirage, written by George Strayton and Spotlight: Wheelie. The list of artists throughout the series is diverse (please see each issue for credits).

Collections

• The Transformers: Spotlight, Vol. 1 TPB (May 30, 2007) ISBN 978-1600100680

Collects the first five issues

• The Transformers: Spotlight, Vol. 2 TPB (February 20, 2008) ISBN 978-1600101540

Collects the second five issues.

Includes covers art for each issue and bonus art for each issue.

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.