It’s the turn of Maximum Dinobots #1 for the post-script analysis. As usual, expect teases rather than spoilers, but be warned: if you’d rather be flat out surprised when October rolls around, read no more. What’ll come as no great surprise to pretty much anyone who’s been following the IDW/TF-verse is that Maximum Dinobots #1 picks up pretty much where Spotlight Grimlock left off. You don’t have to have read Spotlight Grimlock, as there’s a handy recap of all Grimlock/Dinobot related events leading up to this point in the story, but it wouldn’t hurt to seek it out (or at least pick up vol 3 of the Spotlight TPBs when it comes out). Many elements come together for Maximum Dinobots, including Scorponok, the Machination, Headmasters, the Sunstreaker/Hunter combo, Hot Rod, Skywatch and, of course, the Dynobots/Dinobots themselves. Oh, and there are a few other characters/elements from previous stories also in the mix, but I’m not saying right now. And, as if that wasn’t enough, three more characters make their IDW debut (though not in #1). Anyhow, last we saw Grimlock he was stranded under a glacier in New Zealand. Events (and characters) conspire to bring him back right into the thick of things, as part of a Machination plot to… well, you’ll see. But suffice it to say for those of you craving Dinobot on Dinobot action (how wrong does that sound?!) you won’t be disappointed. Massive destruction and carnage on an unprecedented scale is the order of the day. This first issue takes its perspective, much as the second half of Spotlight Grimlock did, from Grimlock himself, and I aim to give each Dinobot their quote-unquote “spotlight” during the course of the series. Despite the number of plot lines coming to a head (and a conclusion) in this and subsequent issues, issue #1 is actually a great jumping on point, especially if you can’t get enough Dino! The five-part story is very much self-contained in and of itself. Art is by Nick Roche, which is great for several reasons. First, because I love Nick’s oh-so-expressive art. Second, because he drew the Dynobots’ original appearance in Spotlight Shockwave. And three, because I knew going in to the script he was going to be drawing it, so could tailor it to his many strengths. Maximum Dinobots kicks off in October.

It’s the turn of Transformers: Maximum Dinobots #2 for the post pen-to-paper postulations. Those of you who would rather avoid all spoilers (though, as always, I aim for teasers rather than out and out spoilers) turn away now. For the rest of you, here’s how things are shaping up: the good news is, after about 10,000 years or so under solidified lava (see Spotlight: Shockwave for details) all the Dynobots are finally reunited. The bad news is, after about 10,000 years or so under solidified lava (see Spotlight: Shockwave for details) all the Dynobots are finally reunited. Not a typo. Things go from the ‘worse’ of last issue to almost unquantifiably bad (especially if you’re Grimlock!) this issue. As Skywatch and the Machination (the former unaware that the latter even exists, let alone is tampering with its mind-controlled mechs) play puppeteer with the fates of the individual Dynobots (we’re still a script or two off them formally becoming the Dinobots with an ‘i’), so the good citizens of Fallon, Nevada brace themselves for some truly foundation-shattering (rather than trouser-shattering) Dinobot on Dinobot action. And as if that wasn’t enough, the massed forces of Scorponok’s Headmaster army are, erm, massing on the Fallon city limits, ready to make very sure there are no survivors. As for Agent (Joshua) Red of Skywatch, he’s got an assignation of his own, one that starts to tie up yet another loose end (or two) from the last two years or so of the IDW/TF-verse. Oh, and Hot Rod fans — brace yourself. It’s that bad. Really. Nick R still isn’t talking to me. Maximum Dinobots #2 is scheduled for December 2008.

It’s the turn of Maximum Dinobots #3 for the script analysis treatment, and as always what follows boils down to teasers rather than outright spoilers, but if you’d simply rather know nothing, look away now! Okay, the poor old town of Fallon, Nevada, which has already suffered all manner of rampaging destructiveness and other sundry indignities in issues #1 & 2, gets another mauling this issue when—in addition to brawling, embittered Dynobots—Scorponok’s Headmasters get well and truly stuck in! As Scorponok’s grand, labyrinthine plan finally unfolds, poor old Skywatch (the human organization tasked with policing the skies against alien threats, in particular giant warring robots) are still struggling to catch up, pulled this way and that by the Machination. But Skywatch Chief of Operations Joshua Red has had enough, and makes some seriously major rearguard moves that will have implications not just on this series but on the IDW/TF-verse in general (for some considerable time to come). And things still aren’t looking good for poor old Hot Rod, who’s got a ringside seat (uncomfortably close, you might say) for Scorponok’s show. Is help at hand or is all hope gone? By the time you get to the end of this issue you may well be leaning towards the latter! Maximum Dinobots #3 ships in February 09, story by me, art by Nick Roche (#1 is looking SO good!) and colours by Josh Burcham (#1 is… looking even better!!). Miss it, and it’ll be poor old YOU! For news and updates on all IDW’s Transformers comic check out their site here.