Insignificant Other: Drift Empire of Stone # 4!

THE best thing you can say about the mini-series “Transformers Drift: Empire of Stone” is that it is finally over. The four-issue series from Shane McCarthy (who wrote Autobot Drift into continuity) and artist Guido Guidi had all kinds of problems from the get-go, which is a shame considering that the previous Drift minis were pretty good. Perhaps the worst aspect of “Empire” is the prevalent feeling that there would only be one thing in the series that would stick: that Drift would be convinced to return to the Lost Light crew that he had left in “Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye.” After all, Ratchet had come all the way to wherever Drift was to convince the sword-wielding warrior to come back. That element aside, everything about “Empire” essentially doesn’t matter. After the events of “Empire” # 3, there were three things that would predictably happen in the fourth and final issue. 1) Gigatron would eventually betray Drift after agreeing to an alliance to battle former sidekick Hellbat and the titular Empire 2) The Decepticon Grit would die...

Nothing Much: Drift Empire of Stone # 3!

THIS review’s title isn’t really a statement about what happens in “Transformers Drift: Empire of Stone” # 3. Quite the contrary; more stuff happens in this issue that an any other previous issue of the mini-series.

            After Hellbat reveals that he has control over the titular stone warriors, Drift, Grit and Ratchet are in the fight of their lives when attacked by the stone soldiers. It turns out that Hellbat had gained control over the stone warriors by transplanting parts from captured Transformers. All this Hellbat did under the nose of his Decepticon boss Gigatron, who had been futilely searching for the same stone warriors. It turns out that Hellbat is really Hellbat-sh_t crazy and wants use the empire of stone to destroy, in his words, everything. “What is the point of us,” Hellbat monologues. “Kill. Our own kind. Others… That is why we’re here. Machines of war, of death.”

            The back story is that Drift, under his former name the Decepticon Deadlock, and his partner in crime Turmoil, had discovered the empire of stone  previously and killed all the peaceful monks who had been protecting the stone warriors. “I kind of feel like this is all my fault,” Drift says, referring to both what happened in the past and the present.

            In the middle of the fight, Drift manages to lead the stone warriors away to Gigatron’s throne room and reveals Hellbat’s duplicity. Gagtron singehandedly disposes of the stone warriors chasing Drift. Drift then says: “What is going to happen is you and I joining forces… We’re both going to put an end to (Hellbat’s) madness forever.”

Shift Code: Drift Empire of Stone # 1!

ASIDE from the original fembot Arcee, there is no Transformer as controversial as the Autobot Drift. Created by writer Shane McCarthy and first appearing in the 2009 IDW Publishing series “All Hail Megatron,” Drift was criticized as being a fan’s fever dream. He was a former Decepticon named Deadlock who had seen the error of his ways and switched sides. More than the back story, it was his character, a samurai-like robot with ridiculously large swords that rubbed some fans the wrong way. But just like Arcee, many fans embraced Drift, turning him into, ironically, a fan-favorite character who would go on to appear in not one, but two mini-series as well as his own Spotlight issue. Back when it was still very uncommon, Drift got a comic-accurate toy from Hasbro. Drift proved so popular that he even appeared in the Michael Bay-directed film “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” as a triple-changer voiced by Ken Watanabe. In the comics, Drift had shifted from being a samurai to more of a crusading knight character when he joined the crew of the Lost Light in “Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye.” In the aftermath of the Overlord fiasco, Drift had elected to take the blame and was stripped of his Autobot status, leaving the ship afterwards. Where is he now?

Spotlight Drift Director's Cut: Drifting Through Life!

11.26.2014 – Before you pick up Drift: Empire of the Sun #1 mini-series (now available at your local shops) there’s something you should definitely need to get first. For those who have only come to know Drift in his debut in last summer’s Transformers: Age of Extinction this film is not his first appearance. Usually in the mainstream a lot of fans who followed the live action films are not familiar with the character having been an original creation first appeared in IDW Publishing’s All Hail Megatron #5 in 2007. The 12 issue maxi-series introduced the sword wielding Autobot by creators Shane McCarthy and Guido Guidi. Originally Drift would turn out to be an exclusive comic book only character, but there was a following that build-up that IDW went out and gave more back story in what would Transformers Spotlight: Drift a one-shot issue that tells the story how he joined the motley crew of the Wreckers under Kup’s leadership. In this issue Drift was a mystery character that just came out of nowhere. Well until he revealed himself in front of a well-armed Autobot commandos. His mission was to take down a Cybertronian ship that was commanded by a Decepticon named Turmoil (another in-comic book character exclusive from IDW).

Dunkin' Donuts Cup Toppers: TF4 AOE Drift!

06.28.2014 – Age of Extinction has been out now in Philippine cinemas and just like the film merchandise and toys tie-up are now available. Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the major tie-ups in promoting the fourth TRANSFORMERS sequel directed by Michael Bay. Recently sighting reports takes a close look at the Cup Toppers offered by Dunkin’ Donuts featuring Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Drift, which among the three the former Decepticon is relatively unknown to mainstream fans who closely follow the movies.

TF Sightings: Dunkin Donuts TF4 Cup Toppers!

06.24.2014 – The TRANSFORMERS Age of Extinction steamrolls its screening in less than 48 hours and previous toy launches and merchandise has been revealed. It’s no surprise Hasbro is milking the property for all its worth to tie-up with some of the big names when it comes to merchandise. In the Philippines whenever a new Transformers film has been promoted since 2007 there have been merchandise and meal toys from fast food restaurants. For ‘TF AOE’ Dunkin Donuts is promoting their Cup Toppers and also having an exclusive box depicting the characters around their product.

TF Sightings: AOE Autobot Drift!

06.07.2014 – Transformers Age of Extinction has started appearing in Philippine retail store with a ‘silent’ toy launch prior to the film’s looming future due to dispute between Universal International Pictures and the former local distributor for the country. But during the past few days it seems ‘all systems go’ as the first wave of Age of Extinction toys by Hasbro has started to fill up the empty shelves once occupied by Transformers Prime Beast Hunters. The Deluxe Class first wave has an interesting line up that includes Autobot Drift!

Comics Review: Transformers Spotlight Drift!

11.03.2010 - Transformers Spotlight featuring Drift was released in April 2009. One of the most sought after comic features the sword weilding Autobot. As you all know that there's a current mini-series that's been released by IDW Publishing. Drift first appeared in the All Hail Megatron issue #5 comics. Considered as a Generation One character. The action figure was released early this year based from artist Guido Guidi's concept art. The Autobot became popular now because he wields two short blades and a mysterious Cybertronian sword.

Jump after the cut for further details...

TF Generations: Autobot Drift

Drift is an awesome figure from the Generation toyline. Read the full review after the cut...