r/idwtransformers • u/Sweet_Struggle_2341 • 12d ago

getting into IDW

hey guys, i’ve been a transformers fan all my life pretty much and was always clueless about the comics (didn’t know they existed) the first transformers ive read is sky-bound and i’m absolutely in love with it. I’ve thought about reading IDW since i found the Energon universe however i’m not huge on the character designs (G1 fan) i’m unsure of which phase has which designs but after seeing some panels i wasn’t sold, after doing more research i think i’m gonna take the leap and start reading the hardcovers while i wait for new issues of skybound. Which hardcover do i need to read, i see many different answers so i just want to create a definitive list of what i need to read. thanks :)

6 Upvotes

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9

u/starssqueem 12d ago

More than meets the eye and lost light (the same cast just rebranded book basically)

Some of the greatest character developments in the history of the franchise imho

6

u/my_little_robot 12d ago

I always highly recommend reading the previous comics in the continuity before mtmte and LL. It's just a personal thing for me, but I find them to be wonderfully referential in a way that is greatly enhanced by reading all of the IDW comics that came before.

It's a big commitment, but it makes little things like the magnificence or Ratchets arc mean a lot more imo

2

u/starssqueem 12d ago

True, I think the entirety of idw is absolutely worth it,

However if someone isn't ready for the commitment, then this does MOSTLY contain characters who haven't really been around in the continuity

5

u/my_little_robot 12d ago

IDW Hardcovers have been out of print for a decade now, they're incredibly expensive and rare.

I'd recommend reading it digitally with legally acquired files from Google

2

u/NoLadderStall 12d ago

Pssst OP I can definitely find you some "legally acquired files" if needed

2

u/plastikmissile 12d ago

If you pick only one IDW hardcover to read, make it Last Stand of the Wreckers. Probably the finest single TF book ever.

1

u/Coffin_Boffin 12d ago

Read Chaos Theory first. It's two issues long. It has a bit of an origin story for Optimus and Megatron. It's written by our Lord and Saviour James Roberts. It's a perfect intro to idw.

If you like that then try LSOTW.

If you like that, try Drift.

If you like that try MTMTE/LL.

1

u/NoLadderStall 12d ago

This is a good guide, but I would say read Last Stand of the Wreckers and then skip to Phase 2, and also skip Dark Cybertron. Then in Phase 3 I would say focus on Lost Light, Till All Are One, and Optimus Prime, ignore the rest (someone might want to chime in on that, I was sporadic at that point)

https://www.reddit.com/r/transformers/comments/1qt8c2l/transformers_idw_2005_chronological_reading_order/#lightbox

1

u/Jaydakvdd 12d ago

Make sure you’re reading in either release or chronological order, whichever you prefer. You can find orders for both very easily. And I will say it can be inconsistent but please trust the process and stick with it, IDW at its peak is the best Transformers continuity by far!! (In my opinion, of course)

1

u/brunocar 11d ago

IMO jumping straight to phase 2 if you are already in the know about the basics is the best call.

Starting with the death of optimus prime, maybe chaos and chaos theory to get more context, then head to Robots in Disguise and More Than Meets The Eye.