The Energon Pub

[Tigertrack]

The errors were scathing to some. To others they put it aside, and chalked it up as an IDW rush job with so much happening on the TF comics front lately.

Chris Ryall has heard the complaints, the comments, and the criticisms and he calmly replies, taking the blame for the book upon his shoulders, and promising better things:

"Hey, everyone--

In the time we've been doing Transformers comics, there have been highs and lows for the fans, I know. As there's going to be on anything -- some projects work better than others, for various reasons.

This one seems to be ranking somewhere near the first issue of the TF Animated Series for most of you, from the responses I've seen.

Which sucks all around--the last thing we want to do is release product that doesn't work for you. Especially since this particular book took so long to finally arrive. And because so many artists and colorists labored over it. And because Simon and Ben Yee did the same, and then waited patiently for the book to finally be assembled and released.

So for the person who just e-mailed me very angry and said "once again, IDW screws its fans," well, that's hardly true and hardly a sound approach to business, I would think. And nothing we would ever set out to do.

So what happened?

That's a good question. But there's really no need for me to make excuses or air any beasty-smelling laundry, so I'll just say that the book is, like everything we publish, ultimately my responsibility. This book was one that sort of slipped through the crack while I was dealing with an editorial shift, and it went out with some errors. Book Two was completed during this same period. But Andrew is here as the TF Editor now, and is extremely competent and he and I will do what we can to ensure the rest of the books are produced as they should be. As many errors are able to be corrected in the collected version will be fixed, too.

I know that this book was a bit of a disappointment for fans who waited so long. Transition with art teams or editorial teams can cause hiccups that are evidenced in the finished product, but certainly not on purpose.

So know that I share your pain on this--maybe moreso, since so many people have shared their pain with me--but also know that putting out something you don't love is never our intent. We'll get 'em next time."

You can see the original IDW Forum thread here.

While they cannot undo what has been done, and there are no promises made that things will be corrected in the Trade Paperback release, we do know that this will be a focus for them to get the remaining issues right.

You can become a part of our discussion of the 'Beast Wars Sourcebook #1' here

[Counterpunch]

At least he Cowboy-ed up to this one. I can respect that.

Big Convoy is still owed a big apology though.

[darth reven]

cool

[darth reven]

cool

[Leonardo]

Kudos to Ryall for being professional and admitting any mistakes (which I haven't seen as I'm still waiting for the book to arrive), as well as maintaining a civil discourse with the fans.

[Archanubis]

Maybe I should look over the issue before I buy it...

[tile_mcgillus]

I am not a big Beast Wars fan but that was awesome. He admitted his mistake and apologized. Then gave plans for the future to rectify it.

WOW. That never happens. Mad props to Ryall for doing what was right. I respect that immensely.

[Optimutt]

What kinds of mistakes were made?

[Sloptank]

Major high fives to the man in the robot suit.

[Ultra Magnus]

Major high fives to the man in the robot suit.

I agree! This is the guy we need working on the MOVIE!

[Arcadius-Prime]

I think IDW wants to do right by us and I respect that, and sometimes not all projects turn out to be winners and I except that.

[Superginraix]

"once again, IDW screws its fans,"?

Immature.

Big of Ryall to admit a mistake. I hope that it DOES get fixed up a bit in TPB form. Those images could be a lot larger to cover up some of that empty white space, for example.

I'm actually surprised by the lack of text in the book. I guess I was expecting something more like More Than Meets the Eye. Ah well.

[Dr. Caelus]

I just keep liking this guy more and more.

[First-Aid]

I am not a big Beast Wars fan but that was awesome. He admitted his mistake and apologized. Then gave plans for the future to rectify it.

WOW. That never happens. Mad props to Ryall for doing what was right. I respect that immensely.

Hey Barry Bonds and Michael Vick, THAT'S HOW YOU APOLOGIZE! LEARN FROM IT YOU IDIOTS!

[slagfan]

"This is the guy we need working on the MOVIE!"

Agreed. I enjoyed the prequel a lot and I thought things tied in to the movie quite nicely.

[Dr. Z]

Sorry to ask, but what is that book about exactly? And what are the mistakes?

[Cyber-Kun]

Well, I was really pissed with the screw-ups, but at least Chris has the balls to own up to it. I really, really hope its fixed for the TPB. I have an amazing amount of respect for Chris Ryall

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

What else is he going to??? the mea culpa is nice, but this 'falling through the cracks' is the main reason I don't buy IDW comics anymore.

[Counterpunch]

What else is he going to??? the mea culpa is nice, but this 'falling through the cracks' is the main reason I don't buy IDW comics anymore.

You have some other reason to give them grief?

Except for this small delay for these current books, IDW has been pretty good and damn loyal to the fan base so far.

[Liege Evilmus]

I like his attitude towards QC.

[i_amtrunks]

It's great to see that there are still people high up who will admit that they stuffed up, and not try to pass the blame.

In fact I think Ryall is pulling too much blame onto himself, much of the blame has to be given to the writers.

But full marks to Ryall for being a stand out bloke.

[Darth Bombshell]

To others they put it aside, and chalked it up as an IDW rush job with so much happening on the TF comics front lately.

It's not exactly a rush job if it took a year to do, and with most of the bulk that could have caused these problems happening months ago.

And it`s all well and good to take responsibility for it. Quite a different thing to actually do something about it later.

[slagfan]

I seem to recall the Soundwave/Shockwave error being fixed for the trade of Animated Movie. I've got faith that these errors will be fixed, too.

Also, I'm no expert, but I think that Ryall has to oversee EVERY book IDW does, not just the TF ones. That probably puts him in a bad spot as being the one to have to answer to things that go sour. They did a lot this past year with the prequel stuff, movie-related projects (remember the Target comic?) and we've heard they have DVD-related stuff, too.

They're a small group and do good stuff. I think we can cut the guy a little slack, no?

And yes, "30 Days of Night" looks awesome.

[Darth Bombshell]

I think we can cut the guy a little slack, no?

No is right. I don't feel like particularly giving anyone involved in this any brownie points, considering they've all had a year to get their acts together.

[slagfan]

And I'm not being "pro-Ryall" at all. I enjoyed his prequel story with Simon and think IDW as a whole do good work.

Just sucks to see someone take blame openly and then get knocked for it.

But come to think of it, that Soundwave/Shockwave goof was pretty bad!