Sorry IDW, but this First Strike one-shot tie-in should have introduced a character called Major Dud.

Not a bad read, but doesn't add into the main arc, and I imagine with the chaotic shipping schedule, might not make sense until later on.

From this issue, it is my guess many loose ends are going to tie together into one cataclysmic event. I can feel the tensions build, and the conclusion to the issue is a moment I did not expect in the way it unfolded. Just when you thought there was one major threat looming, we find an even larger one pulling the strings, or in this case, steel chains.

The issue, while telling a good story, suffers from too many shifts in the action, and while Kei Zama's artwork evokes some classic Marvel G1 feel, it got somewhat dark. Not dark as in death and destruction, which does happen towards the end anyway, but by dark, I mean as though someone turned the lights down. Not the first time it happens, but it's starting to happen as frequently as it had when Zama took over artwork during the earlier issues.

The artwork does well to compliment a feeling of rush, turmoil, impeding chaos. Scene after scene unfolds, and you can feel the progression to a major event approaching.

Zama's art remains on-task, the dark, twisted metal landscape and the ancient tale is felt with each panel.

The issue itself was fine, I have no complaints about the new tale, but the ending was, well, not to my liking.

Things take an unexpected turn, also realizing this is a mini-series, things will have to wrap up quickly by issue #5. Give this a read, it's good.

It's the build to the big battle, and everyone is running out of time to survive.

Seems like a shame we only have one issue left to finalize the tale of the Visionaries, I feel as though their story may continue but will remain on the outskirts of the IDW/Hasbroverse.

Optimus Prime Annual 2018 is available at comic book retailers nationwide.

We have a arkload of veteran Lost Light talent on this issue, as James Roberts continues his stellar run on the series, and I can only imagine what has been concocted for the final chapter of this three-issue arc. Jack Lawrence and Alex Milne on art, with the uber-talented colors by both Joana LaFuente and Priscilla Tramontano. Double shout-out to LaFuente, as I purchased her Retailer Exclusive cover for this month, featuring a retro-G1 styled Decepticon Ambush on the Autobots.

Read Lost Light #12. The take on characters I grew up with is stunningly amazing, and the surprises leave me wanting more. This short arc's conclusion succeeded in wrapping up a short tale which, I have no doubt will lead to something major in the near future.

The amazing fluidity of the writing and artwork sucks you into each step, as another mistake, or another disaster hits. Each one worse than the last.

All I can say, is the number of surprises which take place in the pages of the latest masterpiece of Lost Light is pretty awesome.

The final moments of the issue answers some of those questions, with the promise of a few answers next issue.

Stories converge and timelines merge at the end of the road for Lost Light nears.

My jaw dropped and hung open while reading the final pages of the issue. This is not the Unicron from my childhood.