The Energon Pub

[Daniel Adkins]

So IDW recently shared a page from Transformers Vs Visionaries on Instagram. https://twitter.com/...628452974891009

I like that theres a hint towards a backstory with the Visionaries that may imply some form of the events from the show. This also gives us a hint as to why Darkstorm isnt in the character roster.

[Va'al]

So IDW recently shared a page from Transformers Vs Visionaries on Instagram. https://twitter.com/...628452974891009

I like that theres a hint towards a backstory with the Visionaries that may imply some form of the events from the show. This also gives us a hint as to why Darkstorm isnt in the character roster.

Link not working for me. Has it been taken down?

[Va'al]

Through a number of social media accounts, including artist Fico Ossio, editor David Mariotte, and their own Instagram and Twitter feeds, IDW Publishing has been doing a steady stream of teasers for the upcoming crossover series introducing the latest franchise to join the Hasbro: The Visionaries!

Much like the small panel and frame teasers we saw back in this story, the images we have this time are either single panel, covers, or partial pages, showing off both factions in the alleged versusness - if this is anything like Rom vs Transformers, expect the antagonism to shift in the series. Characters of note so far? Ironhide, Wheeljack and Breakdown on one side, Witterquick, Cravex, Leoric and Virulina on the other. Check them out below, and let us know what you make of this new series so far, if you'll be picking up the issues, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub!

[Carnivius_Prime]

'character design at it's finest' that says? Oh dear.

[Stormshot_Prime]

I mean it looks like a good read and I’ll totally be reading this as it comes out, but the artist doesn’t seem to have a good grasp on Cybertronian character design. The human characters look great though

[Va'al]

Initially glimpsed at in our previous post - which can view again here - on the next crossover miniseries from IDW Publishing and the Hasbro Universe, we have some full art for the retailer incentive covers of the first issue of Transformers vs Visionaries, by Transformers veteran artist Brendan Cahill and colourist Lauren Bennett!

The art, shown below in both lines and colour, sports the Fico Ossio redesign of Leoric plus the grumpy old truck Kup - sans his Action Man partner, sadly - with both almost wearing matching helmet-like headpieces, and some serious chin action from the Cybertronian. Check it out below, and stay with us as we spotlight more work from Cahill and Bennett throughout the series starting this month, alongside writer Magdalene Visaggio and artist Fico Ossio.

[ThunderThruster]

Merklyn a war criminal lording it as prince?

I think I'll stick with the 80's Visionaries thanks.

[Va'al]

Placing some actual marketing and promotion behind one of their future ventures, IDW Publishing's own Tumblr blog has uploaded some unlettered pages from the soon to begin Transformers vs The Visionaries crossover mini-series, written by Magdalene Visaggio and with art by Fico Ossio - in fact, the opening pages of issue #1!

The series, which will follow on directly from the events in First Strike, sees a reimagining of a number of characters, including Leoric and Virulina, which we see in the pages below... about to face, or encounter, Kup and Ironhide! Check out the images below, let us know what you think, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub.

Transformers Vs. The Visionaries #1
Cybertron has been invaded, and the Transformers encounter unwelcome guests at the heart of their planet.
Written by: Magdalene Visaggio
Illustrated by: Fico Ossio
A Cover by: Fico Ossio

[SG Roadbuster]

booooooo

[Targetmaster Kup]

Yaaaaaaaaaaa!

[snavej]

Ironhide needs a hide upgrade.

I never got into Visionaries and I don't want to now, so I'll pass. The Transformers would crush these fleshies, just like they would crush almost anyone.

[WreckerJack]

Poor Ironhide and Kup's face just looks creepy to me.

[primalxconvoy]

I agree that many of the humans are a bit "Mary Sue" in these comics. Most TFs would win, easily

Also, I still don't like the new Leoric, for the save reasons I didn't like the new Matt Tracker. I'm all up for character development, new characters or characters changing jobs/positions of authority, but extensive changes with no reasons why, just for the sake of it seem to be insensitive to the source material and fans of the original show, aesthetic, etc.

Wake me up when Leoric looks like this: - http://visionaries.wikia.com/wiki/Leoric

[Coptur]

I'm with Primalxconvoy.
As with MASK this comes from Hasbro direct and IDW are happy to play the fall guy.

I think like with Marvel Transformers and GIJoe RAH they should try and continue the classic continuity in a limited series.

But ultimately I'm passing on IDW continuity until further notice.

As ever I'm happy for those that do still enjoy it.

[ricemazter]

Can someone explain to me what the premise of this series is? I get that the visionaries come from a world where science and technology isn't really a thing, so they need magic animal powers. Why are the transformers involved? Why isn't Kup hanging out with action man?

Was any of this explained in first strike? I didn't bother finishing it and I don't care about spoilers.

[Va'al]

Can someone explain to me what the premise of this series is? I get that the visionaries come from a world where science and technology isn't really a thing, so they need magic animal powers. Why are the transformers involved? Why isn't Kup hanging out with action man?

Was any of this explained in first strike? I didn't bother finishing it and I don't care about spoilers.

Yep, all explained in last issue of First Strike: Kreiger is actually Merklynn, and he uses the Talisman to 'terraform' Cybertron into New Prysmos. He only manages a little bit, but still - he wants to use it to remove technology and reinstate magic, blah blah blah. He also wakes up Unicron while he does it, because reasons.

[snavej]

Can someone explain to me what the premise of this series is? I get that the visionaries come from a world where science and technology isn't really a thing, so they need magic animal powers. Why are the transformers involved? Why isn't Kup hanging out with action man?

Was any of this explained in first strike? I didn't bother finishing it and I don't care about spoilers.

Yep, all explained in last issue of First Strike: Kreiger is actually Merklynn, and he uses the Talisman to 'terraform' Cybertron into New Prysmos. He only manages a little bit, but still - he wants to use it to remove technology and reinstate magic, blah blah blah. He also wakes up Unicron while he does it, because reasons.

The best reasons are 'reasons'. [Probably a quote from Donald Trump.]

This quote from The Simpsons via The Urban Dictionary seems appropriate for Visionaries:

'A wizard did it'
Phrase originating from the Simpsons, used in response to fans pointing out plot holes, continuity errors, and any mistakes the animators or writers may've made.

Voice Actor: "Whenever you see something strange with continuity, a wizard did it."

Fan: "But when-"

Voice Actor: "A wizard did it."

[Va'al]

This quote from The Simpsons via The Urban Dictionary seems appropriate for Visionaries:

'A wizard did it'
Phrase originating from the Simpsons, used in response to fans pointing out plot holes, continuity errors, and any mistakes the animators or writers may've made.

Voice Actor: "Whenever you see something strange with continuity, a wizard did it."

Fan: "But when-"

Voice Actor: "A wizard did it."

Slight tweak, if I may: A Hasbro wizard did it.
Their name is Orbsah. Obviously.

[primalxconvoy]

This quote from The Simpsons via The Urban Dictionary seems appropriate for Visionaries:

'A wizard did it'
Phrase originating from the Simpsons, used in response to fans pointing out plot holes, continuity errors, and any mistakes the animators or writers may've made.

Voice Actor: "Whenever you see something strange with continuity, a wizard did it."

Fan: "But when-"

Voice Actor: "A wizard did it."

Slight tweak, if I may: A Hasbro wizard did it.
Their name is Orbsah. Obviously.

Just started watching "Agents of Shield", season 5, and they're taking about "magic" being responsible.

Seems legit.

[ThunderThruster]

I agree that many of the humans are a bit "Mary Sue" in these comics. Most TFs would win, easily

Also, I still don't like the new Leoric, for the save reasons I didn't like the new Matt Tracker. I'm all up for character development, new characters or characters changing jobs/positions of authority, but extensive changes with no reasons why, just for the sake of it seem to be insensitive to the source material and fans of the original show, aesthetic, etc.

Wake me up when Leoric looks like this: - http://visionaries.wikia.com/wiki/Leoric

Well played sir.
You must be a carpenter as you've hit many nails square on the head.

[primalxconvoy]

Cheers! This one went down better then my last attempt...

[Daniel Adkins]

This quote from The Simpsons via The Urban Dictionary seems appropriate for Visionaries:

'A wizard did it'
Phrase originating from the Simpsons, used in response to fans pointing out plot holes, continuity errors, and any mistakes the animators or writers may've made.

Voice Actor: "Whenever you see something strange with continuity, a wizard did it."

Fan: "But when-"

Voice Actor: "A wizard did it."

Slight tweak, if I may: A Hasbro wizard did it.
Their name is Orbsah. Obviously.

Why always blame Hasbro when it was more likely an IDW decision considering they were the ones who came up with the Universe in the first place?

[Va'al]

This quote from The Simpsons via The Urban Dictionary seems appropriate for Visionaries:

'A wizard did it'
Phrase originating from the Simpsons, used in response to fans pointing out plot holes, continuity errors, and any mistakes the animators or writers may've made.

Voice Actor: "Whenever you see something strange with continuity, a wizard did it."

Fan: "But when-"

Voice Actor: "A wizard did it."

Slight tweak, if I may: A Hasbro wizard did it.
Their name is Orbsah. Obviously.

Why always blame Hasbro when it was more likely an IDW decision considering they were the ones who came up with the Universe in the first place?

Because it's funnier..?

To me, anyway.

[Va'al]

Coming from the meanders of the online retailer that is Amazon.com, we have a listing for the next miniseries crossover from IDW Publishing, bringing together magic and technology in another confrontation - as we see the aftermath and consequences of the First Strike event in.. Transformers vs The Visionaries!

The collected trade in the listing is currently priced at $12.11 (retail price $17.99), with a due release date of August 2018. We have a synopsis blurb, and a provisional cover (this may be confirmed at a later date, but it is currently identical to the issue #1 cover, lower banner with both franchises' logo included). The series itself should be starting shortly, with Magdalene Visaggio on writing duties, and Fico Ossio on interior art - check it out here!

A word of warning for those who want to go into the story entirely unaware of the potential plots: the blurb below does contain some minor spoilers on factions and allegiances between the Prysmos and Cybertron characters, to skip it to avoid them.

Cybertron has been invaded. The Transformers encounter unwelcome guests at the heart of their planet--and they may not have their hosts' best interests at heart.

Refugees from another world, the Visionaries' startling magical abilities could make them powerful allies... or dangerous enemies. It turns out there are some of each. When Virulina, leader of the Darkling Lords, discovers that the Transformers are vulnerable to magic, she uses that weakness to try and gain control of Cybertron! Leoric of the Spectral Knight teams up with Ironhide to stop her, but they quickly find themselves facing not just the Lords, but all of New Prysmos itself.

[DeathReviews]

I'm not up on what other media formats have been doing with the Visionaries, but wasn't "Darkstorm" the leader of the Darkling lords? Virulina never even had an action figure, they just kind of tossed her into the cartoon show so there could be a woman character on each team, right?