The Energon Pub

Just something I've been thinking about considering all the debates regarding the continuity of the history of Gen 1 and the cartoons, comics, etc. I'm just suprised that Hasbro never thought of doing what Starwars did and solidified it's backbone of the Extend series though a series of novels that dealt with the plots, and along with that a group that specifically made sure that the writers followed the bible regarding the worlds and laid down rules.

So why not a series of novels that followed after the G1 cartoon that follows just after the Return of Optimus Prime, rather then the Headmasters, which was reconed wasn't it? OR if not, then start at the point of the Headmasters, show us an older Daniel, show us new characters, bring back some of the old characters that were in the movie and use that as the gap builder between Beast Wars and G1. Not only will it help explain in detail what happened to our older cast and where the Maximals came from. Not only that but to the Witwickys and the role they played and if Earth is still there.

Heck it could allow for some dropped concepts to be brought back (Transtech) and give us more developed characters then we can get in some other forms.

So why do you think Hasbro hasn't taken the chance and done this? Curious as a writer and I think it would be an awesome idea.

There are some novels based on G1, but I think they just give a whole new and mature take on it.

Well let's face it, TRANSFORMERS has always been about the toys and the best way to sell toys is through visual concepts.

Novels and novellas contain little to no images, so the toys wouldn't even be considered as reading them.

I know what you are getting at, having novels or novellas to help with the back story.
But when it comes to toys, only a small amount of back-story to the toys is needed, enough to get the kids and big-kids (eh hem) hooked.

There are 3 novels by Scott Ciencin that tie into Dreamwave's G1 continuity. You can get 'em through Amazon but they can be a bit pricey.

I agree about the visual thing, Transformers really doesn't come alive in text format. Even as a kid I wasn't keen on the text stories in the annuals.

Bigchin wrote:There are 3 novels by Scott Ciencin that tie into Dreamwave's G1 continuity. You can get 'em through Amazon but they can be a bit pricey.

I agree about the visual thing, Transformers really doesn't come alive in text format. Even as a kid I wasn't keen on the text stories in the annuals.

One is by Scott Ciencin, two are by David Cian.

And the two by David Cian makes it worth going through the first one for. Sure, they are not quite as long, nor are they as gory (many would say is a good thing), but the 2nd and 3rd are alot more fun to read through.

optronix91 wrote:
One is by Scott Ciencin, two are by David Cian.

Oops!

True but Starwars started as a visual form too, movies, and it made it as novels. And I'm not saying that the visual aspect would be completely elimiated, but from my standpoint, can't both exist. And I didn't even know about the novels...which shows just how well the publicity of it was done.

If not a series of novels, then maybe an Ova series? I know the main idea is to sell the toy, but kids, older and younger do read, and there could be books with text and images. Chuck Dixion did one like that with the Hobbit and that's not a short story at all.

I'm not saying that they should just drop the idea of cartoons, but novels could help flesh out aspects of the continuity. Best example of how well Novels worked, a friend of mine who went to see the movie said that he understood it a lot better after reading both novels since they gave more personality to the characters. So when he went to see it a second time, he felt a stronger sense of loss when Jazz died.

I'll have to look for the other books.Thanks for the info.

As a side note though, book publishers have more of a chance then Comic companys to keep a property and get it publized more, at least that's what I've seen since I help in a book store. And please don't sell kids imagination short. The Harry potter books had no pictures save for cover and small inner art, yet look how well they did. I still think if given to the right writer it could be just as successful as Starwars is.

There are Transformers Novels. I've run accross them in my last year of High School. One of my friends was reading a book that I couldn't see what it was but when I asked him and he showed me the cover it turned out to be Transformers.

And yes it was an actual paper back novel that he was reading not a comic book. He allso revieled he had 2 other Transformers novels in his backpack. One of them was a hard back copy.

It's really hard to grasp the concept of what a Transformer looks like if you can't see it in your mind.

Imagine this.

"Blurr who was in his Cybertron car alternate mode, was driving down the streets of the newly-formed country of Anti-Antarctica when his bumper was hit by a Cybetronian-like tank."

You get the point.

Transformers.

Big, warring, colourful robots that reconfigure themselves into vehicles or, in some cases, alien machines, from another planet that has things we probably couldn't imagine.

Seems a very visual concept to me. A book just can't show you what a TV screen can.

And if it could, no writer with abilities like that would sit down and write about giant angry robots and feel it could merge well with fancy, descriptive language. Do you want warfare or lengthy descriptions about how these things look?

...If you get me.

Transformers novels...? I wish!!
They'd definately be on my reading list.

From what my friend told me the novels do different somewhat from the series and the comics. For instance Megatron doesn't "Transform" like the other characters do. The book describes it as a morph.

As for how characters look, there are no pictures in the book but there are verry clear pictures of G1 characters on the covers.

Wouldnt work without the illustrations

Saber Prime wrote:From what my friend told me the novels do different somewhat from the series and the comics. For instance Megatron doesn't "Transform" like the other characters do. The book describes it as a morph.

As for how characters look, there are no pictures in the book but there are verry clear pictures of G1 characters on the covers.

Are these not the three mentioned above? I know the front of the first one has a nice pic of Prime, with a whole cast on the back, the second has Megatron, the back has the same pic, and the third has Prime and Megs fighting, with the back having the same scene but expanded to include a cast shot fighting (including people who aren't in the book.)

Scott Ciencin also likes to say the tf's 'morph' and 'shapeshift' instead of transform, making a big deal of it, like it's a bizarre concept the reader has never been introduced to before. Every time someone transforms as well. Thankfully, the author of book 2 and 3 drops that and just say they transform, like it's an everyday occurance.

Or are there more books?

Insurgent wrote:

Saber Prime wrote:From what my friend told me the novels do different somewhat from the series and the comics. For instance Megatron doesn't "Transform" like the other characters do. The book describes it as a morph.

As for how characters look, there are no pictures in the book but there are verry clear pictures of G1 characters on the covers.

Are these not the three mentioned above? I know the front of the first one has a nice pic of Prime, with a whole cast on the back, the second has Megatron, the back has the same pic, and the third has Prime and Megs fighting, with the back having the same scene but expanded to include a cast shot fighting (including people who aren't in the book.)

Scott Ciencin also likes to say the tf's 'morph' and 'shapeshift' instead of transform, making a big deal of it, like it's a bizarre concept the reader has never been introduced to before. Every time someone transforms as well. Thankfully, the author of book 2 and 3 drops that and just say they transform, like it's an everyday occurance.

Or are there more books?

I don't really remember the covers of the other 2 books but the last one with the big group shot sounds like the one he was reading at the time.

Transformers books would work well if they have good authors who understand the material. A lot of Tf stuff is visual, but then so is Star Wars. I would love to read Tf novels, especially if they are G1.

Blurrz wrote:It's really hard to grasp the concept of what a Transformer looks like if you can't see it in your mind.

Imagine this.

"Blurr who was in his Cybertron car alternate mode, was driving down the streets of the newly-formed country of Anti-Antarctica when his bumper was hit by a Cybetronian-like tank."

You get the point.

(I am so going to kill this system...><)

“Snow drifted in a seemingly steady pace on the capital city of the newly formed country of Anti-Antarctica. From buildings of ice came the citizens, shivering from the cold, as they made their way for their homes, thinking only of the hot meals that would be waiting for them. Thoughts of warmth and of rest kept them from noticing the distracting blue streak that raced down their city streets.

Had they looked they might have caught a glimpse of a bright blue Cybertronian hovercar, which skated just above the icy surface of the roads. Its aerodynamic design allowed it to reach speeds faster then that of sounds. With a strange scooped front and curved wheel covers, the only designs upon its body were a silver decorative antenna behind it’s open cockpit, and the red Autobot symbol in the center of it’s pale scooped hood.

In his mind Blurr smiled. This was the first time he really got a chance to explore the new city, but he knew he had work to do. “Afterallamesserngersjobisneverdonetillthemessagegetstoit’sdesination.” he thought as he zipped past the general populace. Being in this speedy reverie he failed to notice the black hulking tank that slithered from the shadows. It’s width took up half the road, with it’s strange angular cowcatchers slicing down the drifts that came into it’s path, tossing the snow on whomever, or whatever, was on the street. The citizens turned to look at it, and gasped at its size and mass. The black tank took up three car lengths and its treads dug deep gouges into the ground. The shape and nature of the tank could only be called Cybertronian, as it resembled nothing earth made.

Blurr’s scanners suddenly went off and he scowled, “Ohman,troubleI’mintrouble,butwho’sfollowingme?” He didn’t have time to wonder long, as the tank soon spotted him, and –with speeds that no normal tank could ever think to have –it charged at the data couriering Autobot and smashed into his bumper sending the hovercar spinning out of control for a moment. Blurr quickly forcibly augmented his gyroscopes to gain his balance back, and then reversed into an alley firing off shots from his polarizing gun.

“Justmyluck.Decepticonsliketofollowmeitseems.Evenwhenyoushootthemtheyjustkeepcoming.” He muttered as the Tank plowed right for him, the purple insigna flashing as it drew closer. "

Now can you picture that?

Very nice writing there Night Striker. See Transformers can be written instead of drawn.
Another idea that could be used for TF novels would be to have small sketches of the TFs alt modes and Robot modes in the back of the book. Kinda like the old Battletech books had a sketch of most of the 'Mechs in the novel. If a kid/person had so much trouble picturing a TF they could peek at the back and have a nice simple sketch for reference.

There's actually another novel called TF Legends. It's a compilation of short stories set in various continuities. But it's not in continuity with any series.

Thank you Daishid, I wrote that on the fly actually. *laughs* And that's a really good idea, along probably with some sort of bio. There could always be trading cards, and considering that most people know what the transformers look like I don't think it's too much of a stretch to assume that most people would know who someone was talking about if they said Blurr, or Arcee, or Ratchet.

optronix91, could you give me the title I'd like to locate it.

Transformers: LEGENDS. It's an anthology, editor is David Cian. It's published by iBooks and the cover has G1 Optimus , BW Megatron, G1 Starscream.

I'll have to find this. Thanks for the tip. ^_^

You are welcome.

Alright here's another open question regarding written stories. What about having a magazine devoted to Transformers much like there's one for Starwars? I think it could really have longer life and have various sections on it. Essays, articles on the toys, comics, cartoon shows, all sorts of various things. Also there could be a section for Fan art and Fanfiction. (Who knows it could lead to some artist and writers being noticed. Several starwars writers seem to have gotten into writing for other places by having their work published in a magazine.)

Thoughts?