The Energon Pub

o.supreme wrote:Looks like a new Kickstarter is coming, but what's the difference between it, and the Compendiums Image is already publishing?

https://www.skybound.com/transformers-kickstarter

Looks like this one has the UK comics included.

True I noticed that. I just figured that if the volume 1&2 that encompass the entire OG Marvel run sold well enough, Image would eventually try the UK comics again. But I guess seeing that IDW stopped after 5 volumes (not sure if they weren't selling well, or IDW was just losing steam by then), I guess a Kickstarter is a safe way to offer them. Fortunately sold all my IDW volumes a while back, depending on how much this KS is, I might consider it.

o.supreme wrote:True I noticed that. I just figured that if the volume 1&2 that encompass the entire OG Marvel run sold well enough, Image would eventually try the UK comics again. But I guess seeing that IDW stopped after 5 volumes (not sure if they weren't selling well, or IDW was just losing steam by then), I guess a Kickstarter is a safe way to offer them. Fortunately sold all my IDW volumes a while back, depending on how much this KS is, I might consider it.

IDW had to stop their UK reprints after five volumes (canceling their solicited sixth volume in the process) because those UK reprints were being spearheaded by James Roberts, who had left IDW at some point after the fifth volume's release.

So this new compendium will have a version that has the UK and US stories seamlessly edited together. That should include the complete UK story. I'm really tempted to get it just for that reason. Plus I really like how they look.

Rodimus Prime wrote:So this new compendium will have a version that has the UK and US stories seamlessly edited together. That should include the complete UK story. I'm really tempted to get it just for that reason. Plus I really like how they look.

So my understanding is that both the us and uk stories will be released over 4 total compendiums. The kickstarter is for hardcover versions and also includes an option to purchase second box set that would be in uk publishing order interweaving the us and uk releases in reading order instead of the us in 2 volumes and the uk in two volumes. The uk releases will also include stories not published in the titan releases. I also believe you don't have to purchase both to get the interwoven version just that it is only available via the kickstarter.

Hey there everyone.

The Skybound G1 Compendium Kickstarter is now live and, unsurprisingly, already funded:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sk ... endium-set

~ Grim

So, there's a bit of confusion surround these reprints, and I think I've figure out what's what.

"The Transformers Compendium" is a two-volume reprint of the Marvel US stories, with the first 46 stories of the main series and the four-issue Headmasters mini being in the first volume, while the second volume's contents are yet to be known at this time (but will presumably contain the remaining 34 stories of the main series and other stuff to match the first volume's 50 issues' worth of content). These two volumes will be normal retail releases.

The Kickstarter campaign is for hardcover editions of eight individual Compendium volumes. Two of these hardcover volumes will contain all the US stories (presumably the same volumes as the two described above, but with special edition hardcovers), two more volumes will reprint the UK stories, and the other four volumes are a Kickstarter-exclusive "Til All Are One Definitive Edition" four-volume set that contains all of the US and UK stories arranged together into a single narrative.

So it looks like there's actually three different options here:

• The normal-retail two-volume US reprints,
• The special hardcover two-volume US reprints and two-volume UK reprints (which may be a Kickstarter exclusive; the text is vague on the matter but since the information come from Kickstarter...),
• The four-volume "Til All Are One Definitive Edition" that reprints the US and UK stories together in one narrative (which IS a Kickstarter exclusive).

There are also a few other unknown factors related to this. Like, if the reprints will be newly remastered by Skybound or if they'll just use the same remastered versions that IDW used for their "Classics" reprints, which were also used by Hachette for their UK/Ireland-exclusive "The Definitive G1 Collection" reprint volumes.

And regardless of whether they use new remasters or the same ones from IDW, there's also the notion that using the US versions of the US stories creates some continuity issues with the UK-original stories, as several US stories had some edits made to them for their original UK releases in order to make them better fit with the continuity of the UK stories, such as adding references to Galvatron being on Earth as he was in the UK stories, removing references to Cobra since the G.I. Joe crossover was out-of-continuity with the UK stories, changing the dialogue of Shockwave's "death" to make it more apparent that he didn't die so that the UK stories could continue to use him after he stopped appearing in the US stories, and more.

When Hachette used the IDW remasters of the US stories for their "Definitive G1 Collection" reprints, the IDW remasters were of the US versions of the US stories, which lacked those UK edits and made for a slightly awkward reading experience.

But of course, even if the US stories were to be reedited to put back in the original UK edits, that would make things awkward regarding the G.I. Joe crossover since it is in-continuity with the US versions of the US stories, as it tells how Bumblebee became Goldbug. Since the UK stories ignored the crossover (and did their own unrelated crossover with Action Force), Bumblebee was given a new origin story for Goldbug in the "Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!" mini-saga set between certain US stories. So the US and UK comics are already separate continuities on their own, with the UK continuity having slightly altered versions of almost all the same events from the US continuity.

The "Til All Are One" editions use UK edits.



~ Grim

Skybound just leveled up The Transformers Compendium Vol. 1 with a Direct Market Exclusive featuring the artwork from the cover of Marvel's The Transformers #1 by the legendary artist Bill Sienkiewicz. That’s right—cybernetic war meets comic book royalty. The standard edition still slaps with art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, but this exclusive? Straight fire.

• FOC is April 21.
• Both covers hit shelves May 28, 2025.

Old-school fans and new recruits—this one’s for you.
? Check out the full message from Skybound below for all the exciting details.



Here's the information we received from Lunar Distribution:

Skybound wrote:A Note From the Publisher: THE TRANSFORMERS COMPENDIUM DM EXCLUSIVE COVER REVEAL


Retailer Partners,

We have added a Direct Market Exclusive Edition with a cover by comics legend Bill Sienkiewicz for the upcoming The Transformers Compendium Vol 1. This book will FOC on MONDAY, APRIL 21 and has a standard edition cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer!

THE TRANSFORMERS rocked the comic book world with their debut that was truly MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, and now you can experience every issue—from the original series and tie-ins—in this new reader-friendly compendium format for the very first time.

Discover the heroic Autobots, the evil Decepticons, and the galaxy-spanning war that will leave you breathless in this first volume perfect for fans new and old.

Both covers roll out on shelves May 28, 2025!

-Skybound & Image

In case fans didn't know, Skybound has special editions of the G1 Transformers comics compendiums that they are releasing through Kickstarter. These are different from the retail version. There has been some confusion on that, especially since certain versions of the compendium weave stories from the UK and US together and fellow Seibertronian Sabrblade thoroughly explains all that below.

There are a lot of options for fans of these comics, you can check them all out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sk ... -set/posts

What's fun is that this Kickstarter was funded in 2 minutes and 9 stretch goals have been unlocked since. You can read their post about that accomplishment below followed by the breakdown of what's included by Sabrblade.

Kickstarter Project wrote:WE DID IT! We can't thank you enough for your overwhelming support! Because of your efforts, we funded this Kickstarter campaign in 2 minutes and hit $1 million in 2.5 hours! Autobots, Decepticons, and all allies - thank you for enlisting in our ranks and powering up this mission!

Sabrblade wrote:So, there's a bit of confusion surround these reprints, and I think I've figure out what's what.

"The Transformers Compendium" is a two-volume reprint of the Marvel US stories, with the first 46 stories of the main series and the four-issue Headmasters mini being in the first volume, while the second volume's contents are yet to be known at this time (but will presumably contain the remaining 34 stories of the main series and other stuff to match the first volume's 50 issues' worth of content). These two volumes will be normal retail releases.

The Kickstarter campaign is for hardcover editions of eight individual Compendium volumes. Two of these hardcover volumes will contain all the US stories (presumably the same volumes as the two described above, but with special edition hardcovers), two more volumes will reprint the UK stories, and the other four volumes are a Kickstarter-exclusive "Til All Are One Definitive Edition" four-volume set that contains all of the US and UK stories arranged together into a single narrative.

So it looks like there's actually three different options here:

• The normal-retail two-volume US reprints,
• The special hardcover two-volume US reprints and two-volume UK reprints (which may be a Kickstarter exclusive; the text is vague on the matter but since the information come from Kickstarter...),
• The four-volume "Til All Are One Definitive Edition" that reprints the US and UK stories together in one narrative (which IS a Kickstarter exclusive).

There are also a few other unknown factors related to this. Like, if the reprints will be newly remastered by Skybound or if they'll just use the same remastered versions that IDW used for their "Classics" reprints, which were also used by Hachette for their UK/Ireland-exclusive "The Definitive G1 Collection" reprint volumes.

And regardless of whether they use new remasters or the same ones from IDW, there's also the notion that using the US versions of the US stories creates some continuity issues with the UK-original stories, as several US stories had some edits made to them for their original UK releases in order to make them better fit with the continuity of the UK stories, such as adding references to Galvatron being on Earth as he was in the UK stories, removing references to Cobra since the G.I. Joe crossover was out-of-continuity with the UK stories, changing the dialogue of Shockwave's "death" to make it more apparent that he didn't die so that the UK stories could continue to use him after he stopped appearing in the US stories, and more.

When Hachette used the IDW remasters of the US stories for their "Definitive G1 Collection" reprints, the IDW remasters were of the US versions of the US stories, which lacked those UK edits and made for a slightly awkward reading experience.

But of course, even if the US stories were to be reedited to put back in the original UK edits, that would make things awkward regarding the G.I. Joe crossover since it is in-continuity with the US versions of the US stories, as it tells how Bumblebee became Goldbug. Since the UK stories ignored the crossover (and did their own unrelated crossover with Action Force), Bumblebee was given a new origin story for Goldbug in the "Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!" mini-saga set between certain US stories. So the US and UK comics are already separate continuities on their own, with the UK continuity having slightly altered versions of almost all the same events from the US continuity.

The very next post after mine confirmed that the four-volume "'Til All Are One" version will have the UK edits made to the US stories, making my ramble about that a moot point.

Usually, I just pirate everything. I bought comics back in the days but they are expensive, take space, and the series are never ending, especially for American comics.

I could just pirate those G1 comics as well... However, I want to FEEL the paper in my hands once again. And since those stories are finished since a long while, I can have the complete thing.

Nice.

...Looking at the prices...


...


...

-Kanrabat- wrote:...Looking at the prices...

Gotta say, having backed Skybound's GI Joe version of this, the quality is astounding. I don't regret spending so much on it and feel pretty okay doing it again here. Plus I got in early enough to get the signed plate, which is a nice bonus.

~ Grim

Big Grim wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:...Looking at the prices...

Gotta say, having backed Skybound's GI Joe version of this, the quality is astounding. I don't regret spending so much on it and feel pretty okay doing it again here. Plus I got in early enough to get the signed plate, which is a nice bonus.

~ Grim

Of course, for what you get it's worth the money if you're heart is in it.
But there's too much TF on my pre-order plate and these are a priority. Plus my wallet is crying mercy.

I wish I could just buy UK Volune 2. I already have everything from the US run and almost everything from the UK run up to Time Wars. The only things I'm missing are Cold Comfort & Joy, Rise & Fall of the Decepticon Empire, and all the black and white stuff and annuals after Time Wars.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Of course, for what you get it's worth the money if you're heart is in it.
But there's too much TF on my pre-order plate and these are a priority. Plus my wallet is crying mercy.

Oh, for sure Bud. It's worth it to me due to my love of these comics and that it has ALL the UK stuff plus I like the presentation and am a bit of a sucker for things like this which kinda feels like artifacts to me.

Totally get that others have differing priorities. I am trying to figure out how to afford Silverbolt and Trypticon at the moment. I feel Silverbolt is a must but Trypticon just ain't. Not if I want these books, and seeing the Joes book, I really do.

~ Grim

For me, it's a matter of bookshelf space. My current book cabinet is already nearly filled to capacity, so I don't have room for a tarantula-smasher-sized TPB collection volume, let alone four of them.

If there was a digital option for these, that would be preferable for me.

Big Grim wrote:

-Kanrabat- wrote:Of course, for what you get it's worth the money if you're heart is in it.
But there's too much TF on my pre-order plate and these are a priority. Plus my wallet is crying mercy.

Oh, for sure Bud. It's worth it to me due to my love of these comics and that it has ALL the UK stuff plus I like the presentation and am a bit of a sucker for things like this which kinda feels like artifacts to me.

Totally get that others have differing priorities. I am trying to figure out how to afford Silverbolt and Trypticon at the moment. I feel Silverbolt is a must but Trypticon just ain't. Not if I want these books, and seeing the Joes book, I really do.

~ Grim

Gah, forgot about Triptycon!

Sabrblade wrote:For me, it's a matter of bookshelf space. My current book cabinet is already nearly filled to capacity, so I don't have room for a tarantula-smasher-sized TPB collection volume, let alone four of them.

If there was a digital option for these, that would be preferable for me.

I hear that. My bookshelves are pretty full now.

There is a pdf option but that's still 120 bucks. And that's only the compendiums, not the "Til all are one" collection.

-Kanrabat- wrote:Gah, forgot about Triptycon!

So much good stuff! Not enough shelf space or money!

~ Grim

got it all for sale, everything ever printed up until a few years ago, and I mean everything and anything botcon exclusive comics and gu9des

Well, it hurt, but I spent the $300 to go the TAAO route and now I will finally own the Marvel run

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Well, it hurt, but I spent the $300 to go the TAAO route and now I will finally own the Marvel run

I did the same. Decepticon edition (plus the Autobot odds and ends.)

~ Grim

Big Grim wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Well, it hurt, but I spent the $300 to go the TAAO route and now I will finally own the Marvel run

I did the same. Decepticon edition (plus the Autobot odds and ends.)

~ Grim

I went Autobot, Grimlock edition baby!

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

Big Grim wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Well, it hurt, but I spent the $300 to go the TAAO route and now I will finally own the Marvel run

I did the same. Decepticon edition (plus the Autobot odds and ends.)

~ Grim

I went Autobot, Grimlock edition baby!

Grimlock WAS tempting but the Decepticon edition just won me over on looks.

You manage to get the signed book plate?

~ Grim

Big Grim wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

Big Grim wrote:

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:Well, it hurt, but I spent the $300 to go the TAAO route and now I will finally own the Marvel run

I did the same. Decepticon edition (plus the Autobot odds and ends.)

~ Grim

I went Autobot, Grimlock edition baby!

Grimlock WAS tempting but the Decepticon edition just won me over on looks.

You manage to get the signed book plate?

~ Grim

No, I backed pretty last minute and that one was sold out