“OK, who shut off the Wi-Fi?”
Transformers Spotlight: Trailcutter
IDW Publishing (April, 2013)
WRITER: James Roberts ARTIST: Matt Frank COLORIST: Thoma Deer SELECTED COVER ART: Livio Ramondelli (see, his style works for a cover) LETTERER: Shawn Lee ASSISTANT EDITOR: Tomas Boein EDITOR: John Barber
Trailbreaker is feeling unappreciated by the crew of the Lost Light. as in they only know him as the “force field guy” (although Brainstorm is more interested in his “magnawheels”). To make matters worse when Whirl decided to advise him, like changing his name to Trailcutter. But when he’s the only one functioning during a Decepticon raid, those force fields and magnawheels are going to be the only thing saving his life.
What they got right: Trailbreaker finally gets his own Spotlight. Like pre-IDW Skids, he’s a character that doesn’t get a lot of focus. That’s why I’m glad the Spotlights are back, giving lesser-used characters a moment to shine. (Unlike the last few Spotlights that were on characters who have been in the forefront of stories in the main series or other shows/comics in the past.) The comedy works better here than in most More Than Meets The Eye stories, and even Whirl is a source of amusement rather than rage (my usual state when he says anything). And don’t miss the guest appearances by Decepticon from non-G1 toylines…and apparently a Kamen Rider. Not sure how that works.
What they got wrong: I’m assuming changing his name to Trailcutter is in response to Hasbro losing the rights and having to give him an altered name, but was Bluestreak ever called Silverstreak? Not that I recall although he hasn’t shown up a lot, either.
Recommendation: A fun story that gives an underutilized character a long deserved moment. Buy it if only to support the Spotlights.
You should see his Shockwave impersonation. Dead on.
Related articles
- Today’s Comic> Transformers Spotlight: Megatron
- Today’s Comic> Transformers Spotlight: Bumblebee
- The First Female Decepticons
BW Media Spotlight 