Transformers Spotlight Soundwave: The Classic Stories of Transformers Hit the Printed Page

There have been countless Transformer comics that have been done well in the past decade. The crossovers with GI Joe are currently still being published. The War Within graphic novel is another well respected work. Though, many in the past, specifically those published by Marvel, lack the punch that the current issus have. Transformers the cartoon was initally just a vehicle to sell stories, then, with classic characters like Optimus Prime and Megatron, it became a hit.

In Transformers Spotlight: Soundwave, thecharacterization of the evil-doer Soundwave makes it unique in that, as role player, the Decepticon is given his own story. Soundwave is an interesting character who happened to be in the older animated Transformers movie as well as a popular figure in the cartoon.

Soundwave is no Optimus Prime or Megatron, but he was one of the more intriguing characters in the Transformers mythos.

"He trusts no one and no one trusts him," Transformers Spotlight opens with. "He appears to serve the Decepicon's cause but serves himself first and foremost. Charged with policing the pumps and processors of his fellow Decepticons, he does so with zeal. To him, knowledge is power."

This comic does not set out to immortalize Soundwave as an anti-hero, instead it sets the parameters a bit lower. Soundwave is a fascinating Decepticon already, so when it comes time him makes his own move for power the character becomes even better.

The story comes from the past, 1984, right around the time the Transformers came onto TV. Most of it occurs in a small town in Texas with a mystery that Soundwave intends to solve.

The comic is told first person from Soundwave; it is like a literary detective out to find the truth but saving its own neck at the same time.

Soundwave is sent to Texas by Megatron to spy on the activities of another Decepticon named Bludgeon.

He finds out that Bludgeon has a power play: Bludgeon intends to use a Transformer called Shockwave to achieve his aims of domination on Earth and across the universe.

Soundwave tries to stay in the shadows. He watches a building project going on in Texas, and knows that the humans it sees on the project are constructs - copies of real people - yet he is still unsure of what Bludgeon intends.

Even though Soundwave was ordered to Earth to watch Bludgeon, the Decepticon is out to gain insight into what is really happening there, and to see if it can make something out of the situation.

The action comes, which suits the story as the mystery behind Shockwave and Bludgeon's full intention can only go so far. Soundwave ends up fighting for the greater good, which makes him into a hero of his own making.

There are few human characters involved, which is also a unique trait as in the cartoon the humans were always being brought in so watchers could relate to the show.

There aren't many twists in the storyline, it could have reached more into the Transformers mythos, but it achieves a good read. By not making prior Transformer knowledge important, the story allows for fresh readers to experience the universe.

Transformers Spotlight: Soundwave is comparable to other media tie-in comics like Battletech, Robotech, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It has varying writing that does have a good form by drawing in first person elements similar in a way that is staged like a good Batman comic.

It has superior drawing to many tie in comics, and high quality color; which shows in a great cover; many other media tie in comics like Battletech and Ninja Turtle comics are black and white early in their runs.

The comic is short, but also has a preview of the Transformers Prequel comic to the upcoming movie. For fans trying to get reacquainted with the popular series, or those who find themselves rooting for the bad guys, Spotlight: Soundwave is a good start