What do you think?
Rate this book
Transformers: The IDW Collection #1.4
Transformers: The IDW Collection, Volume 4
The re-presentation of IDW's Transformers Universe continues in volume 4! This volume includes the Transformer series Maximun Dinobots and the four-part Drift story, as well as Spotlights: Cyclonus, Hardhead, Doubledealer, Sideswipe, Drift, Metroplex, and Jazz.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 24, 2011
14 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Simon Furman
894 books56 followersSimon Christopher Francis Furman is a British comic book writer who is best known for his work on Hasbro/Tomy's Transformers franchise, starting with writing Marvel's initial comic book to promote the toyline worldwide, as well as foundations for both Dreamwave Production's and IDW Publishing's takes on the Generation 1 minifranchise.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 27, 2021
This is my second time rereading this volume. Well, to be more accurate, the issues that make up this 4th volume. At the time I enjoyed it, but as with all things, without context, I failed to really appreciate the story. IDW's collecting the Transformers series into this chronological (in terms of the story) order makes for a far more deep and revealing experience, provided you've read the previous three volumes in order.
Volume Four is a very important volume in that several important storylines are completed. From explaining Cylonus' mission and the end of the hunt for Jihaxis, as well as Hot Rod's concluding his Doubledealer story. No spoilers but they are all rather interesting now that I appreciate how it all ties together. But the biggest story conclusion is that of the epic Dinobots-Shockwave fracas that has lead to the long-running Headmaster story arc with Hunter and Sunstreaker.
The rest of the volume has Spotlight issues on various characters like Blur, Drift and Metroplex. The Drift story was not only well-drawn but quite good. His journey from Decepticon, to neutral, to Autobot, was quite enjoyable. The Metroplex story, though short, was awesome. As was the artwork for that story.
Volume 4 was quite enjoyable. Some of the art is excellent and some is not. But even the "worst" of the art never falls below mediocre, while the vast majority of the art straddles the zone between "good" and "excellent". Highly recommended but I suggest you read this IDW series in order because these stories can be confusing without the "whole picture".
Volume Four is a very important volume in that several important storylines are completed. From explaining Cylonus' mission and the end of the hunt for Jihaxis, as well as Hot Rod's concluding his Doubledealer story. No spoilers but they are all rather interesting now that I appreciate how it all ties together. But the biggest story conclusion is that of the epic Dinobots-Shockwave fracas that has lead to the long-running Headmaster story arc with Hunter and Sunstreaker.
The rest of the volume has Spotlight issues on various characters like Blur, Drift and Metroplex. The Drift story was not only well-drawn but quite good. His journey from Decepticon, to neutral, to Autobot, was quite enjoyable. The Metroplex story, though short, was awesome. As was the artwork for that story.
Volume 4 was quite enjoyable. Some of the art is excellent and some is not. But even the "worst" of the art never falls below mediocre, while the vast majority of the art straddles the zone between "good" and "excellent". Highly recommended but I suggest you read this IDW series in order because these stories can be confusing without the "whole picture".
April 6, 2018
It seems that Simon Furman, well known to TF comics fans for his work on the Marvel UK comics and the latter-era Marvel-main comics, wraps up his IDW run here. Four Spotlights - each barely spotlighting its title character - wrap up the Dead Universe storyline, in a somewhat haphazard fashion. Some nice story beats here, but not quite a fulfilling finale - too many twists that didn't really make much sense.
Then Furman's 5-issue Maximum Dinobots puts the Dinobots back on the map, strains the relationship between Grimlock and his team, has some solid conspiracy angles, and suffers just a bit from underwhelming art. Hard to follow some of the action sequences, but still, a fairly solid arc.
Shane McCarthy takes over with a four issue series called Drift, introducing a new character, Drift, a Decepticon who comes to question his side's motivations and actions. Eventually, he sides with some innocents over the Decepticons, which leads to him joining the Autobots in a follow-up one-shot Spotlight. Solid enough, some nice back story to the Cybertron civil war. A couple more Spotlights round it out - Metroplex, unsatisfying, and Jazz, a a nice little short story about never giving up.
Then Furman's 5-issue Maximum Dinobots puts the Dinobots back on the map, strains the relationship between Grimlock and his team, has some solid conspiracy angles, and suffers just a bit from underwhelming art. Hard to follow some of the action sequences, but still, a fairly solid arc.
Shane McCarthy takes over with a four issue series called Drift, introducing a new character, Drift, a Decepticon who comes to question his side's motivations and actions. Eventually, he sides with some innocents over the Decepticons, which leads to him joining the Autobots in a follow-up one-shot Spotlight. Solid enough, some nice back story to the Cybertron civil war. A couple more Spotlights round it out - Metroplex, unsatisfying, and Jazz, a a nice little short story about never giving up.
April 25, 2018
When was the last time an issue simply stood out to you due to colouring alone? Joana Lafuente is amazing. Her work on Spotligh:Drift is the sort of thing that just does not get enough attention in modern comics. Seriously, check out the issue alone for full marks on the collection.
The rest of the Furman arc is also criminally underappreciated. Even I remembered them as interesting but nothing special. I was wrong. He had a lot going on that was unfortunately cut short when IDW went in a dramatically different direction. Still, it's a visionary take by Furman. One that really tried to do something different and let him put a final innovative spin on the franchise that he built in this medium.
The rest of the Furman arc is also criminally underappreciated. Even I remembered them as interesting but nothing special. I was wrong. He had a lot going on that was unfortunately cut short when IDW went in a dramatically different direction. Still, it's a visionary take by Furman. One that really tried to do something different and let him put a final innovative spin on the franchise that he built in this medium.
May 18, 2021
Great art as always, though sometimes the panelling was confusing. Nowhere near as great as previous volumes, unfortunately, but having a soft bot for Dinosaurs, Maximum Dinobots proved to be the most entertaining story here. Since most of the stories here are mere one shots they don’t progress the overarching story that much, but it is what it is and that is a collection of entertaining—if sometimes dull—Transformers stories.
6/10
6/10
June 16, 2021
Volume 4 actually makes a nice transition. The first half, with Revelation and Maximum Dinobots, wraps up most of the loose ends from Simon Furman's era (though it's clear where Revelation was condensed from six issues to four). The Drift mini-series is a bit of an intermission, while the Metroplex and Jazz Spotlights start setting the stage for All Hail Megatron. They're all fairly solid stories in their own right, too.
November 5, 2022
Much better than the previous collection. The Earth story in this collection ended up being much more interesting with the focus being on the Dynobots. Grimlock was great and I'm always happy to see Shockwave with all his scheming.
The spotlights this time were much better overall with the best ones in my opinion being: Hardhead, Doubledealer, and Sideswipe.
The spotlights this time were much better overall with the best ones in my opinion being: Hardhead, Doubledealer, and Sideswipe.
May 13, 2020
Opening arc was a bit of a mess and took away a lot of my interest. The Dinobots story was just continuation and more of the same. The collection really shines with the character spotlights, and the Drift arc.
August 6, 2018
I really dug the Dynobots storyline and Drift. I felt the Metroplex story was too short and vague but I’m sure it’ll be fleshed our later on.
September 26, 2021
IDW solid series. Currently up to Phase 2 Vol. 9. Very happy all the way through.
February 21, 2022
This collection was a lot of fun. Really enjoyed it. Action, good stories, new and interesting characters. The IDW continuity is really forging a new and unique path.
Read
May 3, 2023EWWWWWWWW
November 11, 2024
Ngl I rated this high bcos of Drift's oneshot.
August 24, 2025
5 stars for the Spotlight: Drift artwork and story (ohhhh my heart love me a good redemption arc) + Spotlight: Metroplex.
September 14, 2015
Eh... Meh and a half stars I guess. The Dinobots and Headmasters stories were terribly boring and uninspired. The first few spotlights also less than inspiring.
The Drift miniseries (and spotlight) and Jazz spotlights were the only redeeming qualities of this one... saved it from being a 1-star I suppose.
The Drift miniseries (and spotlight) and Jazz spotlights were the only redeeming qualities of this one... saved it from being a 1-star I suppose.
May 17, 2014
The editorial haste to get to ALL HAIL MEGATRON was a boon for the various strands of the IDW TF universe as the overarching story benefits greatly from a brisk pace compared to previous volumes.
November 26, 2014
Another satisfying addition to the IDW Transformers collection.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews