Transformers Comic Book News

BotCon 2013 Artist Alley Update: Marcelo Matere and Over 20 Other Artist Confirmed!

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We are thrilled to announce that Marcelo Matere will be part of the BotCon 2013 Artists' Alley in San Diego this June. Marcelo has had a huge impact of the Transformers brand, from working on various projects for Hasbro, IDW and Fun Publications. Be sure to see him when you are at BotCon this year!

With the addition of Marcelo, the BotCon Artists' Alley will now feature OVER TWENTY amazing Transformers artists from all over the world! Visit www.botcon.com for all the details. This is one show you don't want to miss!

Sneak Peek - Transformers: Robots in Disguise Ongoing #18

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Transformers: Robots in Disguise #18
John Barber (w) • Atilio Rojo (a) • Rojo, Casey Coller (c)
SURVIVOR'S GUILT! After the shattering events of the past two issues, we can't tell you who's alive and who's dead. But we will hint that one CYBERTRONIAN has to reconsider her worldview—while she comes face-to-face with some old enemies. We won't mention any names, but she's in for the fight of her life!
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 6/5/13
Variant Covers: Phil Jimenez variant cover!
T-Minus 4 months to the event that will rock the TRANSFORMERS to their core!
Superstar artist Phil Jimenez contributes a powerful variant cover!

IDW Publishing announces special VIP Tour during BotCon

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• Livio Ramondelli
• Josh Burcham
• Matt Frank
• John Barber
• and more!

• Your Choice of a Transformers Red Label IDW Limited book (a $125 value)!
• Meet with Transformers Artists, including at least one unique sketch!
• Tour of the IDW Facilities with CEO/Publisher Ted Adams!
• The Botcon-Exclusive Transformers/My Little Pony Variant!
• Advanced peeks at upcoming projects!
• Your name in an upcoming Transformers comic!
• Q&A session with Chris Ryall and John Barber!
• Gift bag of IDW comics for every guest!
• Free shuttle service to and from the botcon hotel!
• Surprises! Cake! More!

Transformers: Monstrosity Livio Ramondelli Interview

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Q:We’re halfway through MONSTROSITY. The first series that you worked on withChris Metzen and Flint Dille, AUTOCRACY, focused on Orion Pax becoming OptimusPrime. Why did the focus was shift to Megatron and what happens to him, whileshowing bits and pieces of Prime on Cybertron?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Itfelt like a natural progression in the story to shift things a bit more toMegatron’s story. He suffered a big defeat at the end of AUTOCRACY, and soseeing how his followers respond to that interested us. Plus, we wanted tocontrast that against Prime having a more political battle ahead of him, andshowing the hardships of leadership for a divided world.

Q:Megatron has obviously suffered prior to the series and gone through a littleredesign? How did you come to the design we see him in now?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Weknew that he’d repair himself with pieces he’d scavenged on Junkion, and so wedefinitely wanted him to be asymmetrical. By the end of his time on that world,he’s almost unrecognizable as Megatron… his colors have rusted and hisDecepticon logo has burned away. He really needs to find himself once again,essentially.

Q:There have been a few new characters making themselves know so far in theseries. What led to those characters coming into the series rather than others?Are any of them you just wanted to see in there?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Absolutely.Trypticon, Sharkticons and Quintessons were the ones I most wanted to include.I felt like they lent themselves well to the story we wanted to tell, and theyadded a more monstrous side. We knew they’d be in there from way early on. Andthen others like Dai Atlas and Bulkhead grew organically from the story, wherewe felt like we had a place for them that also felt natural.

Q:The Dynobots are going though a bit of a journey in the series. What is itabout this team that makes you want to creative something with them involvedafter all the previous material with them involved?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Ithink they’re a very classic part of the TF universe. Funny enough, they’re allover the place now in the various games and the TV shows, but when we firstdecided to use them they weren’t really around. And as Chris said it, MONSTROSITYis about a man becoming a monster (Megatron), and a monster becoming a man(Grimlock). I always loved that.

Q:We have the Quintessons making their first real appearance in the IDW universe,after being previously teased at the end of SPOTLIGHT: WHEELIE in 2008. Was thisa deliberate nod to the 1986 TRANSFORMERS animated movie (after the nods we sawin AUTOCRACY)?
LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Nota deliberate nod, exactly, since we use the Quintession Pentius in a verydifferent way, here. Though, of course, we drew from the movie since, visually,we felt there were some great things we could do that hadn’t been seen in [the IDWcomics] before. And we wanted to certainly tease the Quintessons without givingtoo much information about their race… certainly leaving more to be revealedabout them in future stories.

Q:Taking into account what you established in Autocracy, was there much researchthat had to be done about Megatron to see what was already established abouthim in the IDW world so you could figure him out?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: MEGATRON:ORIGIN is a big favorite of mine, and so I knew a lot of his history prettywell. And then of course James wrote the great “Chaos Theory,” which furtheradded to it. Our take on him is meant to reflect those but also portray him asincreasingly dangerous… a truly growing threat. [Editor] John [Barber] is greatat jumping in and suggesting things or filling us in on some continuity we mayhave missed.

Q:With Dai Atlas, he has some backstory in the IDW universe, but also some gaps.When figuring out his role in this story, do you think it was the intention toshow he was more than we previously may have thought? He’s proven to be a hellof a fighter.

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Wecertainly wanted to shed more light on him. And also, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS INDISGUISE #17 that I did with John [also on sale today!] will also give us bigmoments with him in the past. I think he was perfect to use in this prequelbecause we know he left Cybertron… and now we get to see the why and how of it.And there’s a sadness to seeing him and Prime trying to work things out becausewe know it doesn’t succeed. Their final moment together in Monstrosity is anemotional favorite of mine.

Q:Given that you worked with Flint and Chris before, has the creative processbeen any smoother for you all this time around, now you know how each otherbetter?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: We’remuch closer just as friends by this point. In AUTOCRACY, it was really theirstory and I was coming in to draw it. But they embraced me warmly, and let mereally suggest a lot of stuff… it was the most fun I’ve ever had in my career.And now with this current series, it’s only gotten better. It’s a truecollaboration and I feel very much a part of the story. Chris and Flint areawesome guys, and I’m very thankful for their generosity and friendship.

Q:What is your favorite stage of the creative process when putting the seriestogether?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: There’sa few… I love the early stages of just chatting about any insane idea andseeing if we can connect the dots. I also love when the issues start coming outand the reader responses arrive. And then finally finishing a series is a veryrewarding moment since you know that story will live on forever and hopefullybe passed around to new readers.

Q:Would you say working in a digital format, with less page space than a regularcomic, is a plus or a minus point for both you?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: It’sboth. Certainly, there are times it can be a minus because you want to do bigmoney shots and sometimes don’t have the space. But as a plus, it makes usreally concentrate on the screen time and make every moment count. As a result,I think the pacing in these issues feels very fulfilling… we cover a lot ofstory and readers seem to really love that.

Q:Tease us about future issues of MONSTROSITY. What would you like to say aboutthe series to anyone looking to pick it up for the first time?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Obviously,the revelation that Trypticon has been discovered is a huge clue for the restof the series. We wouldn’t show something like that and have it not wake up.And we’re aiming for a level of destruction with Trypticon that hasn’t beenseen before. Optimus Prime will really be put to the test, as he has beenthroughout the series. Megatron will of course return to deal with his betrayalat Scorponok’s hands… and he isn’t the merciful kind.

And for anyone who hasn’t read ityet… I’d say it’s the story of a world coming apart at the seams, showing how asociety can destroy everything they love and not even be fully aware of it.

Q:Can you see the story that you’re telling branching out even further into thewar, maybe offering up a third digital series after this one?

LIVIO RAMONDELLI: Withoutsaying too much… I think there’s a very good possibility…

Transformers: Monstrosity #7 Available for Download

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$0.99
Buy Digital Comic


Add To Wish List
Preview the inside of this book
Transformers: Monstrosity #7 (of 12)
12 CHAPTER DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE SERIES! BATTLE OF JUNKION! MEGATRON is under attack-by his own Decepticons! With everything at stake, he makes a fateful decision --and brutal final combat ensues!

e-Hobby Exclusive Magnificus Comic Preview

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Prelude to Dark Energon- Review of Transformers Robots in Disguise #17-Shockwave--It's...shocking!

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Transformers: Robots in Disguise Ongoing #17 Preview

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TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #17

John Barber (w), Livio Ramondelli(a), Ramondelli, Casey Coller (c) SHOCKWAVES! The fate of Cybertron is sealed -- but what is the DECEPTICON scientist called SHOCKWAVE planning? After the stunning revelations in MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, learn the origin of the one-eyed, gun-handed master of machinations... and the countdown begins for the biggest TRANSFORMERS event in comic book history.

32 pages, $3.99.

BotCon 2013 Comic Preview Panel

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IDW August 2013 Transformers Comic Solicitations

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• Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #20
• Transformers: Robots in Disguise #20
• Transformers Regeneration One #94
• Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters #4
• Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters #4—Subscription Variant
• Transformers: Prelude
• Transformers: Monstrosity #3 (of 4)

Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #20
James Roberts (w) • Alex Milne (a) • Milne, Sean Chen (c)
NOWHERE TO RUN! The end is nigh for the surviving members of the Lost Light crew, as enemies old and new move in for the kill. But on the fringes of known space, an ancient visionary is about to eliminate the Cybertronian race with a wave of his hand.
2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/28/13

*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies, get one free variant Nick Roche cover!

Bullet points:
• The penultimate part of the shocking Remain in Light!
• Not for the faint-hearted!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #20
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a) • Griffith, Casey Coller (c)
NEW CYBERTRON! It’s a brand new day—and STARSCREAM is in charge! But running a planet isn’t as easy as it looks… if BUMBLEBEE couldn’t do it, why does the former DECEPTICON think he can?
2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/14/13

*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies, get one free variant Livio Ramondeli cover, interconnected with issues 21 and 22!

Bullet points:
• Introducing fan-favorite character RATTRAP into the world of ROBOTS IN DISGUISE!
• The dawn of a new age—or the end of everything?!
• The countdown to DARK CYBERTRON continues!

Transformers Regeneration One #94
Simon Furman (w) • Guido Guidi (a) • Andrew Wildman, Guidi (c)
CYBERTRON UNDER SIEGE! As BLUDGEON’s Blitz Engines wreak havoc, the AUTOBOTS struggle to muster a response to a threat that feels all too close to home! But their “greatest warrior,” ULTRA MAGNUS, has problems of his own… in the shape of a fighting mad GALVATRON. It’s the clash of titans you’ve (almost) never seen before!
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/7/13

*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies, get one free Geoff Senior variant cover!

Bullet points:
• Cover-to-cover battle action!
• ULTRA MAGNUS versus GALVATRON—the rematch of the millennium!

Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters #4
Mairghread Scott & Mike Johnson (w) • Agustin Padilla (a) • Ken Christiansen (c)
PRIMEVAL PREDATORS! The DINOBOTS have stumbled upon some of SHOCKWAVE’S old experiments… now they are running rampant across the Cybertronian underground. It’s up to GRIMLOCK and SWOOP to subdue the enemy! But with pressure mounting and his foes wreaking havoc, can GRIMLOCK keep his own rage in check?
*Retailers: See your order form for incentive information.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/21/13

*Retailer incentives:
Order 25 copies, get one free animation art variant cover!

Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters #4—Subscription Variant
Mairghread Scott & Mike Johnson (w) • Agustin Padilla (a) • Michael Lark (c)
For subscription customers only… enlist up at your local comic shop! A variant cover by artist Michael Lark! Only for loyal subscription box customers!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/21/13

Transformers: Prelude
Nick Roche, John Barber, & James Roberts (w) • Steve Kurth, Chee, Nick Roche, David Daza, Matt Frank, & Agustin Padilla (a) • Nick Roche (c)
The Spotlight falls on Orion Pax, Thundercracker, Megatron, Bumblebee, Trailcutter, and Hoist in this collection of six individual stories that explain an important moment in each character's life. From the distant past to current events each story adds to Cybertronian lore.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 152 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-716-9
Expected in-store date: 8/7/13

Bullet points:
• Collecting all the hit TRANSFORMERS Spotlight issues!

Transformers: Monstrosity #3 (of 4)
Chris Metzen & Flint Dille (w) • Livio Ramondelli (a) • Ramondelli x 3 (c)
MEGATRON UNCHAINED! In the early days of the war, MEGATRON—exiled on JUNKION—battles to reclaim the throne of CYBERTRON. But the TERRORCONS have other ideas… Meanwhile, GRIMLOCK and the DINOBOTS threaten OPTIMUS PRIME’s fledgling republic!
*3 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1-to-1 ratio
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: 8/7/13

Bullet points:
• In print for the first time!
• Terror on Junkion!