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The Rev · Last edited by The Rev on Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:33 pm; edited 7 times in total

UPDATE!! now up to November 2011

With surge of new readers and the constant question ... How is one to read through 6 years of continuity? ... I thought it prudent to bring one of the classic reading orders to those that may have the question burning in their minds .... what is the best way to read Transformers.

Keep in mind that this article is for the newbies and with little to no new insite for you hardcore SOB's. With that being said, for those of you that are newly initiated to the IDW Transformers scene it may seem confusing. Where do you start? Which order do you read the issues? Do I need to back read to understand where we are currently in the story?

There is a myriad of possibilities to each of those questions, but whatever your choice do not let it deter you from jumping on in with the current issue.

So ... here's the basic choices when it comes to reading IDW TF's.

1. Chronologically
2. Published Order
3. Continuum Order
4. IDW The Transformers hardcover collections (currently 4 volumes with more on the way)

The first 3 choices can be read as singles or TPB options with little problem.

If you choose choice #1, chronological order ... then here is the list to follow ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Transformers_(IDW_Publishing)#Chronological_comic_order ... although recently a few good chronologically reading orders by other forum members have popped up on this forum.

The one way that I suggest to fully appreciate the unfolding of the Transformers mythos is choice #2, published order as each issue weaves through time unveiling the story in its mystery and most beautiful manner the way it was intended to be.

Here is that list.

Infiltration 0: October 19 2005

Infiltration 1: January 18 2006
Infiltration 2: February 8 2006
Infiltration 3: March 8 2006
Infiltration 4: April 12 2006
Infiltration 5: May 31 2006
Infiltration 6: July 12 2006
Stormbringer 1: July 19 2006
Stormbringer 2: August 9 2006
Stormbringer 3: September 6 2006
SL: Shockwave: September 13 2006
Stormbringer 4: October 18 2006
SL: Nightbeat: October 18 2006
SL: Hot Rod: November 15 2006
Escalation 1: November 29 2006
Escalation 2: December 20 2006
SL: Sixshot: December 20 2006

SL: Ultra Magnus: January 17 2007
Escalation 3: January 24 2007
Escalation 4: February 28 2007
SL: Soundwave: March 21 2007
Escalation 5: March 28 2007
SL: Kup: April 25 2007
Escalation 6: May 2 2007
Megatron: Origin 1: June 20 2007
SL: Galvatron: July 4 2007
New Avengers/Transformers 1: July 4 2007
Megatron: Origin 2: July 25 2007
New Avengers/Transformers 2: August 8 2007
SL: Optimus Prime: August 29 2007
Megatron: Origin 3: September 6 2007
New Avengers/Transformers 3: September 12 2007
Devastation 1: October 3 2007
New Avengers/Transformers 4: October 10 2007
Devastation 2: October 24 2007
Megatron: Origin 4: October 24 2007
SL: Ramjet: November 7 2007
Devastation 3: November 29 2007

Devastation 4: January 16 2008
SL: Blaster: January 23 2008
Devastation 5: February 6 2008
Sl: Arcee: February 20 2008
Devastation 6: February 27 2008
SL: Mirage: March 5 2008
Focus On: Decepticons: April 9 2008
SL: Grimlock: April 23 2008
Revelations 1: Cyclonus : June 18 2008
SL: Wheelie: June 18 2008
All Hail Megatron 1: July 10 2008
Revelations 2: Hardhead: July 16 2008
All Hail Megatron 2: August 20 2008
Revelations 3: Doubledealer: August 20 2008
All Hail Megatron 3: September 17 2008
Revelations 4: Sideswipe: October 8 2008
All Hail Megatron 4: October 22 2008
SL: Blurr: November 5 2008
All Hail Megatron 5: November 26 2008
Maximum Dinobots 1: December 10 2008

All Hail Megatron 6: January 2 2009
Maximum Dinobots 2: January 7 2009
All Hail Megatron 7: February 4 2009
Maximum Dinobots 3: February 18 2009
All Hail Megatron 8: March 11 2009
All Hail Megatron 9: March 25 2009
Maximum Dinobots 4: April 1 2009
SL: Jazz: April 1 2009
SL: Drift: April 8 2009
All Hail Megatron 10: April 15 2009
Maximum Dinobots 5: April 15 2009
All Hail Megatron 11: May 20 2009
SL: Cliffjumper: June 17 2009
All Hail Megatron 12: June 24 2009
SL: Metroplex: July 1 2009
All Hail Megatron 13: July 22 2009
All Hail Megatron 14: August 19 2009
All Hail Megatron 15: September 16 2009
All Hail Magatron 16: October 14 2009
Continuum: November 11 2009
Ongoing 1: November 18 2009 *note* the title of the ongoing is The Transformers
Bumblebee 1: December 16 2009
Ongoing 2: December 16 2009

Ongoing 3: January 13 2010
Bumblebee 2: January 20 2010
Last Stand of the Wreckers 1: January 17 2010
Bumblebee 3: February 17 2010
Last Stand of the Wreckers 2: February 17 2010
Ongoing 4: February 24 2010
Bumblebee 4: March 10 2010
Last Stand of the Wreckers 3: March 24 2010
Ongoing 5: March 31 2010
Last Stand of the Wreckers 4: April 21 2010
SL: Prowl: April 21 2010
Ongoing 6: April 28 2010
Ironhide 1: May 12 2010
Last Stand of the Wreckers 5: May 19 2010
Ongoing 7: May 26 2010
Ironhide 2: June 3 2010
Ongoing 8: June 9 2010
Ironhide 3: July 8 2010
Ongoing 9: July 14 2010
Ironhide 4: August 8 2010
Ongoing 10: August 11 2010
Drift 1: September 9 2010
Ongoing 11: September 15 2010
Drift 2: September 22 2010
Drift 3: October 6 2010
Ongoing 12: October 13 2010
Drift 4: October 20 2010
Ongoing 13: November 10 2010
Ongoing 14: December 8 2010

Ongoing 15: January 5 2011
Infestation 1: February 2 2011
Ongoing 16: February 9 2011
Infestation 2: February 16 2011
Ongoing 17: March 9 2011
Heart of Darkness 1: March 23 2011
Ongoing 18: April 13 2011
Heart of Darkness 2: April 20 2011
Ongoing 19: May 18 2011
Heart of Darkness 3: May 25 2011
Ongoing 20: June 1 2011
Heart of Darkness: June 29 2011
Ongoing 21: July 6 2011
Ongoing 22: July 20 2011
Ongoing 23: August 10 2011
Ongoing 24: August 24 2011 *note* this issue kicks off the long awaited CHAOS event
Ongoing 25: September 7 2011
Ongoing 26: September 21 2011
Ongoing 27: October 12 2011
Ongoing 28: October 19 2011
Ongoing 29: November 2 2011
Ongoing 30: November 13 2011

I've read all these issues in just about every imaginable order and still to this day I get the most enjoyment from the original published order as Simon Furman and later authors meant it to be.

So go forth ... explore ... and capture the joy of this grand tale in any way you desire. Till all are one Very Happy

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TheLegendaryAntiHero · Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:44 pm Post subject:

Kind of a big list. Although I know you put a lot of thought into making this list, that doesn't make it easier for anyone to read it. New readers could just pick up the continuum.
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The Rev · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:27 am Post subject:

This list isn't about being easy. It's about a making a choice to embark on a grand adventure and discover all the nuances and wonder that we did when we first picked up Infiltration #0 back in 2005.

If a noob wants to go hardcore ... they will not even want to look at Contiuum. However thanks for the compliment. I did pour my heart into this article as it was weighing upon my chest for some time to explain to the uninitiated when the issues were originally released.
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TheLegendaryAntiHero · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:42 am Post subject:

I also see the continuum as an advertisement for the -ations because some of the summaries are more like teasers. What I don't get though is why some of the "filler" spotlights get to be summarized in continuum.
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The Rev · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:09 am Post subject:

You state some very valid points for Continuum. The one thing I appreciated about that issue was the suggested reading order at the back as it served as a great alternative to otherwise strict chronological or published reading order.

For those new to the site, Continuum was an issue released just before the new Transformers Ongoing. It served to summarize all the issues from Escalation #0 to All Hail Megatron #12 in quick fashion so new readers could then jump into the ongoing.

Unfortunately Continuum in its necessary format (one issue) to condense four years worth of stories skipped over some important story plots while at times emphasising trivial ones, however as aforementioned in the first paragraph and TheLegendaryAntihero's post Continuum does have some redeeming qualities for those who absolutely must have it.
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TheLegendaryAntiHero · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:12 am Post subject:

You can just call me Anti.
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The Rev · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:17 am Post subject:

Cool ... I will from now on Smile

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Danforth · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 1:31 am Post subject:

I agree that published order is the best initial reading order. I don't really like chronological order. I think published order best mirrors the storytellers' art.

For second and subsequent readings, I'm happy with my IDW Collections... the mix of chronological and publishing as a "suggested reading order" works great for experienced readers. But for newbs? There is no way I would start them on Megatron Origin, much as I like it. Infiltration, every time.

I am a trades guy, more or less, and I bet slotting individual issues of Spotlight in the middle of ~ation/AHM/ongoing works even better... but the trades in published order must run a pretty close second.
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bassbot · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:53 am Post subject:

Love the list Rev. I'll use it to make sure i've got mine in that order!
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FDrowned · Transforumer Joined: 18 Aug 2009 Posts: 4992

Excellent job with the list Rev. Must have taken ages to add all those [b] tags to each line.
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The Rev · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:31 pm Post subject:

From now on, every few months I'll update the list with the simple bumper .... UPDATE!!

When this happens refer to the bottom of the original list to find the updates.

Once again this is primarily a help for those new to the site or those new to Transformers comics.
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The Rev · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:30 am Post subject:

UPDATE!! REFER TO LIST UP TOP

Also check out Cattleprod's list below for a new and interesting way of reading through the books!
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Cattleprod · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

Heh, this is timely, I've been rereading stuff lately and I came up with an order I'm happy with. And I've been looking for an excuse to post it. It's not strictly based on the actual chronological story order or publication date, but a sort of combination. I suppose Megatron Origin would go right at the start, but I never felt an urge to reread it until after Chaos Theory, so maybe it fits better there.

Phase 1: the Furman era

Spotlights: Shockwave, Ultra Magnus, Soundwave
Infiltration (although perhaps this should be first since it's clearly an intro)
Stormbringer
Spotlights: Nightbeat, Hot Rod, Sixshot
Escalation
Spotlights: Ramjet, Kup, Optimus Prime, Galvatron, Blaster
Devastation #1-4
Spotlight: Arcee
Devastation #5-6
Spotlights: Grimlock, Wheelie
Revelation
Maximum Dinobots

Phase 2: the McCarthy era

Spotlight: Blurr
Drift miniseries
Spotlights: Cliffjumper, Mirage
AHM #15, first story
Spotlights: Drift, Metroplex
AHM #15, second story
AHM #1-2
Spotlight: Jazz
AHM #3-14, 16

Phase 3: the Costa era

Spotlight: Prowl
Ongoing #1-3
Bumblebee
Ongoing #4-6
Bullets (except the epilogue)
Last Stand of the Wreckers
Bullets (the epilogue)
Ongoing #7-8
Infestation
Ongoing #9-12
Ironhide
Ongoing #13-18
Heart of Darkness
Ongoing #19-23
Police Action
Chaos

Phase 4: the awkwardly named Barberts era

The Death of Optimus Prime
Whichever new #1 makes the most sense first
Etc.
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The Rev · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:30 pm Post subject:

That's an absolutely incredible way of looking at things Cattleprod. I love your idea of seperate eras. It has such an epic feel to it! Very Happy

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bassbot · Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject:

I've always preferred publishing order but Cattleprod, that is awesome! Gonna give it a try during holidays for sure!
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