So thanks to an outstanding order on new TF books from my local comic shop, I ended up grabbing the Spotlight: Drift "Director's Cut." I never read the original release, so I grabbed it. I doubt much has changed in the story itself, but the book is nicely put together as like a mini-trade. The key highlights are the concept art, original script, and the 12 pages of interviews about the character's development with McCarthy, Coller, Guidi, Roche, Roberts, Milne, etc.

At the end of the interview McCarthy gives a few details about the upcoming Empire of Stone miniseries (which will be illustrated by Guidi.)

-He plans on incorporating elements that Roberts brought to the character in MTMTE while focusing on his internal struggle with what he did in the war.

-As mentioned at Botcon, it takes place after Drift leaves the Lost Light in MTMTE.

-McCarthy loved the interaction between Ratchet and Drift in MTMTE so much that he lobbied to get Ratchet in the miniseries and succeeded.

-It will contain "a rogue Decepticon, a hidden army, and a ton of action."

 

This sounds like it has great potential. I'm very excited for this!

 

Thanks. Sounds worth picking up.

 

Ratchet is in this?  

 

Sounds good to me. I'll be checking this out for sure.

 

Ooh I wonder if Rathet has been in contact with Drift since he left

 

It'll be nice to see him again, the way he left was kind of unfair.

 

I'm optimistic.

Shane isn't THAT bad of a writer, I kinda dug the original Drift mini series, it's easily the best one after LSOTW (but given the history of IDW's mini's that doesn't say much) and I believe Shane can produce quality stuff given the right material.

And having Guido on the art will be a pleasure as always. Wonder who the colourist will be?

So yeah. Interested into seeing how this turns out.

 

I'm excited for this! I enjoyed the Drift Spotlight and mini-series and he really grew as a character in MTMTE. I think it's funny that McCarthy mentioned Drift's interaction with Ratchet because I, too, really loved their dialogue with one another, particularly during the Shadowplay arc while they're trying to bring Rung back.

I think this mini-series has a lot of potential. Can't wait!

 

Josh B.

 

They got the guy from Thundercracker's script?

He really must be something.

 

I'm interested to know how Ratchet is in this?

This has a lot of potential.

 

Really? I tough that was a mistake?

 

I thought the mistake was about the cover which is Josh P but I maybe I misread that.

EDIT: Reread the other thread. Yeah, sound like Josh B doesn't know anything about it XD

EDIT 2: I'd give anything for a story written by TC from Josh Boyfriend's POV

 

He is really good.

Hush now. They couldn't get Nurse Whitney.

 

Reading more of the interview pages, Roberts originally didn't even want to include Drift on the Lost Light, but there was a story document from all the way back in 2009 written by former IDW editor Andy Schmidt which essentially said that the Autobot forces will be split and "Rodimus and Drift set off in search of the Knights of Cybertron." That line was the genesis of MTMTE, and when beginning to plot it Roberts didn't even know he had a choice about including Drift.

All in all, the interviews had some interesting moments. Barber asked everyone some fluff questions, but there are definitely some interesting tidbits as well. For $5 the "director's cut" Spotlight: Drift is a pretty solid purchase.

 

Sounds good. Part of McCarthy's problem during AHM was that his editor was a bit of a douche. With Barber keeping him on the straight and narrow, and Roberts effectively looking over his shoulder, it could turn out to be pretty good.

 

I'm down for this, now that Drift is a little more...seasoned as a character.

I cannot effin' believe that the premise for MtMtE is from Schmidt. I had heard that it was from Costa...guess that just meant the Costa era.

 

Yeah, I believe it was pitched from Schmidt, but Costa couldn't work out how to do it, so it got passed on to Roberts.