The Energon Pub

Transformers fan site OneShallStand.com has a recent interview with Shane McCarthy posted.

In the interview McCarthy defends his comic series to his critics, and discusses characters, as well as some choices he's made.

Q4) AHM is now a quarter of the way through and it's clear from postings on the various message boards that readers either love the new direction or are furious about it. I can't think of any other TF book I've read recently which has had such a polarising effect.


Well, since I was so late getting this interview to you, it's now halfway through so I'm guessing it's even more polarised now? I don't know. I think we've definitely found our audience though which is great. Not everyone is going to like everything and I hope that never changes. I think that's the beauty of how IDW is handling the license though, there's something there for everyone. If you're not a fan of AHM, there's the Spotlights and other mini series' you can grab and vice versa.

Clearly I'm hoping people enjoy the book though and always work to make that a reality.

You can read the rest of the interview here, and join in the discussion.

AHM is a fair title but it has taken til the half way point to get any kind of steam.i think matt moylan summed it up best:

http://www.lilformers.com/index.php/200 ... -megatron/

i like the AHM series alot, i just wish the Simon Furman story didnt get the back burner....i really felt cheated out of a good story. im just happy they continued it w/ maximum dinobots

I can't wait for this to hit TPB. I've already missed too many issues, the last I bought was #3 I think? But yeah, I wanna AHMTPB-NOW.

I read everything that had been put out by IDW and there's no disrespect of what Simon's done coming from me. I grew up reading Simon's books and still have those big format TF comics in my back room. There's no way I'm going to spit on anything that man's done.

Fu**ing lying c*nt!

Dead Metal wrote:

I read everything that had been put out by IDW and there's no disrespect of what Simon's done coming from me. I grew up reading Simon's books and still have those big format TF comics in my back room. There's no way I'm going to spit on anything that man's done.

Fu**ing lying c*nt!

Truer words were never spoken.

I don't get how he can retcon every single character development, plot device, alt mode, lead character, background setting, human perception and knowledge of transformers on their planet, not to mention totally undo the last known status of certain characters like Prime, Kup, Reflector and Sunstreaker and then claim he respects his work.

A writer of an established franchise should build on what has been done, by changing everything that Furman established, he not only dug his own grave with the fans who are now convinced that AHM was the reason Revelation was shoehorned into 4 issues, but he sends a message that he thinks his ideas for a story are better than what Furman did.

Instead of trying to graft his story into the continuity established he just wrote it regardless, these are not the actions of a man who respects previous contradictory work. Maybe if he had applied a bit more thought he would have more of the franchise behind him buying his issues.

I for one stopped buying this at issue two as Tesco value toilet roll is much better value for money at 54p a pack, the general read of his interview is hauntingly like that of Pat Lee and his "i know best attitude, but I'll pay lip service to Furman and others in interviews"

A politician would be proud the way he sidestepped and nonanswered the continuity questions.

skyshadowprimus wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

I read everything that had been put out by IDW and there's no disrespect of what Simon's done coming from me. I grew up reading Simon's books and still have those big format TF comics in my back room. There's no way I'm going to spit on anything that man's done.

Fu**ing lying c*nt!

Truer words were never spoken.

I for one stopped buying this at issue two as Tesco value toilet roll is much better value for money at 54p a pack, the general read of his interview is hauntingly like that of Pat Lee and his "i know best attitude, but I'll pay lip service to Furman and others in interviews"

Ya know this is a good series it just suffers by being an issue by issue series. If it was released as a TPB it would have been better I think. But for the decepitcon die hard it is an awesome read as it contiunes. Megatron's as happy as a cyberclam, Starscream is right, the cons are showing some charector heck thundercracker has been showing how much he is kinda questioning why they are doing this.
Yeah the bots aren't in it as much because they aren't the lead. This isn't showing a good guys winning because they are good. The good guys have some bad guys. Kup is turning out to be that brash jerk who thinks brute is what it takes to win a war, screw science let use bigger guns kinda guy.
Jazz is actually a decent charector and isn't an earth junkie but rather a smart skillful bot who makes me proud to be a fan of his by standing up to Kup and saying screw you I don't do it that way.

MYoung23 wrote:A politician would be proud the way he sidestepped and nonanswered the continuity questions.

Ya know I am still waiting for Micheal Bay for him to answer mine about the movies.

Sky Glory of Iacon wrote:

skyshadowprimus wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

I read everything that had been put out by IDW and there's no disrespect of what Simon's done coming from me. I grew up reading Simon's books and still have those big format TF comics in my back room. There's no way I'm going to spit on anything that man's done.

Fu**ing lying c*nt!

Truer words were never spoken.

I for one stopped buying this at issue two as Tesco value toilet roll is much better value for money at 54p a pack, the general read of his interview is hauntingly like that of Pat Lee and his "i know best attitude, but I'll pay lip service to Furman and others in interviews"

Ya know this is a good series it just suffers by being an issue by issue series. If it was released as a TPB it would have been better I think. But for the decepitcon die hard it is an awesome read as it contiunes. Megatron's as happy as a cyberclam, Starscream is right, the cons are showing some charector heck thundercracker has been showing how much he is kinda questioning why they are doing this.
Yeah the bots aren't in it as much because they aren't the lead. This isn't showing a good guys winning because they are good. The good guys have some bad guys. Kup is turning out to be that brash jerk who thinks brute is what it takes to win a war, screw science let use bigger guns kinda guy.
Jazz is actually a decent charector and isn't an earth junkie but rather a smart skillful bot who makes me proud to be a fan of his by standing up to Kup and saying screw you I don't do it that way.

You say AHM is a "good story" but seriously where is the story?
Not only has he **** up the entire continuity but he's delivering one of the worst comic series I've ever read.
So far we had 6 issues in which the story has moved on at such a slow pace that I fear I will die of old age before it has reached the amount of story we usually get from a 4 issue miniseries.
Seriously I like slow story telling but this is just beyond slow this is hilariously bad, even the teaser trailer for Bay's Movie had more story then this.
But the sad thing is that I still have to pay for the next two issues as my comic shop has already ordered them and can't revert that order.
I've enjoyed the free pack in mini comic for the Metrodome G1 DVD box sets "The Beast" a lot more, that was writing wise superior to this crap.
Why dose he get a 12 issue run while Furman got just 6 a year?

[quote="Dead Metal]Why dose he get a 12 issue run while Furman got just 6 a year?[/quote]

Because he's a lot cheaper than Furman would be my guess.

I haven't read AHM because I only buy TPBs, but from what I've heard, it sounds like I haven't missed much besides seeing everything that Furman established in the "ation" series, Stormbringer, and subsequent spotlights thrown under a bus. This is incredibly sad.

If IDW can't stick to what is already been established, then I don't see a point in buying anymore Transformer comics.

Dead Metal wrote:
You say AHM is a "good story" but seriously where is the story?
Not only has he **** up the entire continuity but he's delivering one of the worst comic series I've ever read.
So far we had 6 issues in which the story has moved on at such a slow pace that I fear I will die of old age before it has reached the amount of story we usually get from a 4 issue miniseries.
Seriously I like slow story telling but this is just beyond slow this is hilariously bad, even the teaser trailer for Bay's Movie had more story then this.
But the sad thing is that I still have to pay for the next two issues as my comic shop has already ordered them and can't revert that order.
I've enjoyed the free pack in mini comic for the Metrodome G1 DVD box sets "The Beast" a lot more, that was writing wise superior to this crap.
Why dose he get a 12 issue run while Furman got just 6 a year?

Ya know this is the problem with the world we want everything now. We want it now and we don't have the patience to wait for something good. I may have jumpped into the comic books very late in my life but ya know i like this series and you guys don't know what you are missing because you guys took a look at what a few books and stopped! Ha! This is the best interpetation of Jazz yeah the humans suck but even IDW said not everyone will like it.

I agree with Dead Metal.

I remember when the first Infiltration arc started and there was also complaining about the slow burn story and character development. But at least Furman gave us Stormbringer, Escalation, and the Spotlight series directly following Infiltration. That not only provided more story elements, but actually closed story arcs as the issues progressed. I'm not gonna say outright that I hate AHM. But comparing the story told, and even the writing in the first 6 issues to the first arc (or even the first 3 issues) of the -tion series it just doesn't compare.

I find that I am only buying AHM because I bought the first issues, Just like with that Marvel/TF crossover abomination (you guys remember that!). Unlike when I was looking forward to a trip to the comic shop to pick up the next issue of Devastation.

However I am a fan of the Propaganda covers and Guido's art, They are my favorite part of each issue.

Firebird wrote:However I am a fan of the Propaganda covers and Guido's art, They are my favorite part of each issue.

I think it's sort of like when you're little, and you flip through books just to look at the pictures, without reading the words. For me the most disappointing aspects of AHM are the lack of imagination in conceiving the new character Drift and the dialogue (I think it's suicide to write without a decent thesaurus). Do any of you think AHM was at least a good idea, regardless of its execution?

Sky Glory of Iacon wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:
You say AHM is a "good story" but seriously where is the story?
Not only has he **** up the entire continuity but he's delivering one of the worst comic series I've ever read.
So far we had 6 issues in which the story has moved on at such a slow pace that I fear I will die of old age before it has reached the amount of story we usually get from a 4 issue miniseries.
Seriously I like slow story telling but this is just beyond slow this is hilariously bad, even the teaser trailer for Bay's Movie had more story then this.
But the sad thing is that I still have to pay for the next two issues as my comic shop has already ordered them and can't revert that order.
I've enjoyed the free pack in mini comic for the Metrodome G1 DVD box sets "The Beast" a lot more, that was writing wise superior to this crap.
Why dose he get a 12 issue run while Furman got just 6 a year?

Ya know this is the problem with the world we want everything now. We want it now and we don't have the patience to wait for something good. I may have jumpped into the comic books very late in my life but ya know i like this series and you guys don't know what you are missing because you guys took a look at what a few books and stopped! Ha! This is the best interpetation of Jazz yeah the humans suck but even IDW said not everyone will like it.

I have all issues of AHM, and sadly I will have to buy the next two as my comic store has already ordered them for me and the can't cancel the orders for those as it's against their supplier's policy.
And I say HA to you as you missed out on some of the best comic stories ever and believe that AHM is a good and fun read.
You seem to be one of those that are easily distracted by senseless action, violence and pretty pictures as that's all that AHM is. Even the TF Movie had more story depth then this.

At the risk of drawing more ire from you guys -- I think you need to be a bit more patient. Yes it is progressing a bit slow but I am enjoying the series. I trust that IDW knows what they're doing with TF at this point. I don't think they would let McCarthy just piss all over what's already been established. I'm sure we'll get some explanations as to what's happened in the missing time eventually. If I'm wrong I'll apologize at that point in time. Have some faith guys!

uranimusprime wrote:At the risk of drawing more ire from you guys -- I think you need to be a bit more patient. Yes it is progressing a bit slow but I am enjoying the series. I trust that IDW knows what they're doing with TF at this point. I don't think they would let McCarthy just piss all over what's already been established. I'm sure we'll get some explanations as to what's happened in the missing time eventually. If I'm wrong I'll apologize at that point in time. Have some faith guys!

I am not impatient, I've been patiently reading the idw TF comics for over 3 years now, patiently waiting for the main story to be concluded just t find out idw is board of that story now and destroy the continuity.

I am not impatient, I've been patiently reading the idw TF comics for over 3 years now, patiently waiting for the main story to be concluded just t find out idw is board of that story now and destroy the continuity.

Fair enough, I guess I just don't mind the story continuing in maximum dinobots. I will admit that I was a bit peeved at how they rushed the conclusion of revelation though.

Slow paced it may be, but I find myself automatically defending it as I've always shown a fair bit of venom towards Furman's writing.

I will jump in and say that it doesn't contradict chracter by and large, though.

PrivatePoop wrote:Do any of you think AHM was at least a good idea, regardless of its execution?

Well PrivatePoop. I think it was a pretty good idea for a story, the whole "what if" scenario of Decepticon total victory.

But I would have preferred to read about the battles that caused the Autobots to become an endangered species, and how Megs was able to undermine the entire Autobot faction just by using the passcodes supplies by his traitor.

Firebird wrote:

PrivatePoop wrote:Do any of you think AHM was at least a good idea, regardless of its execution?

Well PrivatePoop. I think it was a pretty good idea for a story, the whole "what if" scenario of Decepticon total victory.

But I would have preferred to read about the battles that caused the Autobots to become an endangered species, and how Megs was able to undermine the entire Autobot faction just by using the passcodes supplies by his traitor.

I think the concept was pure sh**e, this kind of story can only ever be a plot device to change the setting to something new ala Marvel US 75.

A total decepticon victory or thereabouts can only happen at the end of the war between the two factions or a twilight where decepticons become predacons type story.

All this story was for was for McCarthy to write his pile of fanwank about a comic that is just a cartoon story that fits much better into a 22 minute story where megatron launches "weapon of the week" and takes over earth only to be stopped at the last minute and everything goes back to normal for next weeks episode.

You cannot simply execute this story with no build up and suspense not least some explanation of how the reader arrived at this point of total victory without having to totally reset the status quo at the end.

It seems many of the readers who support this have yet to realise just how poor a payoff the conclusion will be, with a traitor revealed and then some deus ex machina plot device to ensure totally turnaround with the autobots winning and driving the cons of earth and everything being pretty much as it was on page 1 of issue 1.

IDWs Pat Lee just wants to draw his 80s cartoon alt modes, write contrived, half baked plots based on transparent interpretations of characters from MTMTE profiles with big explosions and seemingly big stakes as his 1st story without putting in any of the ground work to generate some fan interest. Bitch and moan at Furman's slow burn all you like (i did) but after 18 months you really got a feel for the plot and knew anything was possible as this was a long drawn out narative, rather than something trying to be so huge it can only be wrapped up with a total reset.

End result is McCarthy has been greedy and impatient trying to bite off more than he can chew to win fans and is failing in the worst possible way with each new issue.

The problem with AHM besides the grievous disregard for continuity is that Infiltration was slower paced because it was exposition to set up a new Transformers universe.

Afterwards, we as readers had all of this wonderful continuity with mysteries, good concepts that made you care about what is going to happen next and how it will end.

Then we get AHM which despite the pleadings that it isnt flushes everything before it down the toilet.

There is no reason for the slow pace if you arent trying to set up anything new.

It shouldnt be 6 issues in with no explanation of different alt modes and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

This is a management problem. Either someone was comatose at the switch or just didnt give a crap.

IDW needs to spare the people who have followed this reboot since the beginning and spare us the grief and remove this mutated black sheep from continuity so we can enjoy MD and the future Spotlights

MYoung23 wrote:The problem with AHM beside the grevious disregard for continuity is that Infiltration was slower paced because it was exposition to set up a new Transformers universe.

Afterwards, we as readers had all of this wonderful continuity with mysteries, good concepts that made you care about what is going to happen next and how it will end.

Exactly!

This really stinks! I was so excited about this new Transformer universe and all the mysteries and potential it had. What I really liked about it, was it went back to the core concept of "robots in disguise". There was a reason that Autobots and Decepticons transformed. I guess I'll get Revelations when it comes out on TPB, then wait and see what happens to the IDW universe.

This was originally brought up to us as a side story or a 'what if' type story.

It should have stayed that way.