The Energon Pub

Is it me, or does there seem to be unusual amount of hatred for this guy? Well beyond what is necessary for this guy. I just don't get it.

Granted he is/was kind of everywhere, but only in the comics. He is not shoved in our faces as much as Movie Bumblebee is. In fact, I hear more complaints about Movie Bumblebee than Drift. As for his combat abilities, yeah they're kind of munchy, but how is he any worse than Warpath, Powerglide, and Trailbreaker? If anything, having to literally walk up to your opponent to stab him is more ballsy and skillful than having a cannon or a forcefield in a battlefield, and he's nowhere near as powerful as Sunstorm. Also, if Warpath and Trailbreaker weren't made into characters, then what 8 year old wouldn't make up an Autobot with forcefield or a tank Autobot?

As for the backstory, it hasn't really been defined all that well just yet, but he is certainly more developed than a lot of other characters. I love the fact that he sheds light on other Transformers that refused to take sides, and quite possibly Non-Autobot/Decepticon transformer culture as well.

As for popularity, are you really gonna tell me that he ranks below the likes of Beachcomber and Windcharger in general fandom? I understand that people like Beachcomber and Windcharger, but in the grand scheme of things Drfit has a lot more going on, even if he's got markings of a fan super character.

Finally, the real reason I like him: With his toy and ROTF Bludgeon, every Transfan get to re-live/re-make a classic versus match. That's right, who's better: Ninja VS Samurai! But with Transformers! That's the bees knees. I really hope IDW sets up Bludgeon to be Drift's nemesis.

Anybody reading this, tell me what you think of Drift: Good? Bad? Meh? if so, why?

I like him well enough. Can't wait for his figure to show up. He's kind of like TFA Prowl but with a cooler Alt mode and less fiddly legs.

I'd like to see his Decepticon looks(Deadlock) and the power of his Bastard sword.

adamassc wrote:I like him well enough. Can't wait for his figure to show up. He's kind of like TFA Prowl but with a cooler Alt mode and less fiddly legs.

I'd like to see his Decepticon looks(Deadlock) and the power of his Bastard sword.

Yeah, with Blur figure having a ton of weapons, it would be so easy to just swap the heads, redeco it, and call it Deadshot. I almost want to buy another Drift just for the head, and then a Blurr figure to make it happen.

Hey Chupa,

As far as the source of the hate. The main issues that a lot of people had with Drift in the beginning was due to way and how he was introduced.

-- He just showed up in Kup's band of Autobots during the events of AHM, in a role that many felt an established character could have filled.
-- Before that issue even hit the shelves IDW was already referring to him as a new fan favorite when we didn't even have enough information to make up our minds about the chacter beyond a couple pictures.
-- He took a lot of scorn from people who didn't care for the change in direction and art in AHM from the -tion stories.
-- Many of those from the last line took it a step further proclaiming the character HAD to be a Mary/Marty-Sue of the author based on conjecture from his statements regarding his creation of the character.
-- Confusion due to conflicting reports from various sources that Drift would be released as a toy, against other stating that no plans existed.

Regardless, the character was used more and we learned his history, people's view of the character changed. Also once the toy situation was cleared up showing that not only did he have a toy but it was a pretty decent one... well that can affect a lot of changed opinions.

Personally, I thought the character was interesting at the start, and it was good that a different face was included. While I personally believe that it is possible for an established character to have been in that spot and the whole "change of heart/switched sides/redemption" backstory is nothing new, it was presented decently.

He's not likely to be a favorite of mine anytime soon, but I likely will buy the toy if I find it at retail, and feel there is more than enough room for the character to be developed further.

I for one am a fan of him. In fact one of the few things that Shane McCarthy did right in my opinion.

Editor wrote:While I personally believe that it is possible for an established character to have been in that spot and the whole "change of heart/switched sides/redemption" back story is nothing new, it was presented decently.

While it is true that the "change of heart/switched sides/redemption" back story is nothing new in Transformers, pre-Beast Wars there wasn't anything like him. Before Dinobot the closest to a bot switching sides was Skyfire, and that was more from ignorance than anything.

Yeah, I picked up the toy a few weeks ago, and I got to say, it is gorgeous as far as I'm concern. He can balance himself on one leg, the poses are cool. The overall design gives the impression that he is moving while standing still, so hence the Blurr retool. While he has no waist rotation he has great pose ability every where else. I thought the leg and the door/sheath kibble would be a problem but they aren't. As for the long sword, it can be easily fixed into a somewhat straight line. Also the upper clasp for the long sword can extend out ward and upward... not sure as to why, but is cool none the less.

In all, out of all four of the Wave 1 Generations figures he really sets the bar. The others are good figures but they each fall just short Drift for various reasons. The WFC figure's complexity turns people off, but for me it's more of an issue of scale with them. As for Thrust, he is a great figure, but his design is more of a hold over from Henkei/Classics line, so design wise I don't think he's an indicator of what to expect from future Generations releases. Judging from the looks of things I think Darkmount might actually best new design for Wave two, but I'm assuming that all WFC figures will maintain the same level of complexity/scale issues, not that the WFC figures are bad, it's just it feels like they could be their own line in the franchise.

I liked Drift from the start, and has quickly become one of my favorites. I really like the whole third/non-faction idea - it gives the TF universe a whole different dimension.

The one thing about the Drift haters that just drives me crazy is this statement: "He's a cliche character." If you want to get really technical about it, there's LOTS of characters who could be described that way. Never did really understand what was meant by that...don't wanna open up a can of worms or anything - just sayin'.

I'm waiting very very patiently (arg!) for the toy to come out in the stores -and I'm not really a big toy buyer.

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:Is it me, or does there seem to be unusual amount of hatred for this guy? Well beyond what is necessary for this guy. I just don't get it.

Granted he is/was kind of everywhere, but only in the comics. He is not shoved in our faces as much as Movie Bumblebee is. In fact, I hear more complaints about Movie Bumblebee than Drift.

Solely because Movie Bumblebee is more in the public eye than Drift. Most of the newerfans have no idea who Drift is because they've only been exposed to the movie that everyone has seen.

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:As for his combat abilities, yeah they're kind of munchy, but how is he any worse than Warpath, Powerglide, and Trailbreaker?

They've been around for 25+ years and are canonically tough. He's been around for what? 3?

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:If anything, having to literally walk up to your opponent to stab him is more ballsy and skillful than having a cannon or a forcefield in a battlefield, and he's nowhere near as powerful as Sunstorm. Also, if Warpath and Trailbreaker weren't made into characters, then what 8 year old wouldn't make up an Autobot with forcefield or a tank Autobot?

Sunstorm had a lot more characterization and personality than White Weeaboo Blurr. Insane Seeker who thinks he's the Messiah is more compelling then a character that comes off as an ORIGINAL CHARACTER DO NOT STEAL from DeviantArt. Let's do the checklist:

Recolor of a canon design? Check.
Used to work for the other faction but turned for his own morals? Check.
Mysterious past? Check.
Japanese for no good reason? Check. (He plays Go before ever getting near Japan, as well as having Kanji all over himself.)
Never lost a fight? Check.
Unique fighting style? Check.
Last ditch uber weapon that he never uses because it's ZOMG powerful and may or may not be cursed or some ****? Check.
Has the personality of a character from another fiction? Check. (He's Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow fused together.)
No flaws at all? Check.
Gives advice to canon characters? Check.
Is better at something than other canon characters? Check.

I could continue, but I'll keep it at that.

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:As for the backstory, it hasn't really been defined all that well just yet, but he is certainly more developed than a lot of other characters. I love the fact that he sheds light on other Transformers that refused to take sides, and quite possibly Non-Autobot/Decepticon transformer culture as well.

That's because he's IDW's Sniktbub. They've even stated as much. Also, he's far from the first neutral/non aligned Transformers in the fiction. Wreck-Gar and the Junkions were originally pictured as a Lost Tribe of Transformers (later said to be Autobots, but originally they were just factionless Transformers). There's also the Second Generation of Transformers in the G2 comics.

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:As for popularity, are you really gonna tell me that he ranks below the likes of Beachcomber and Windcharger in general fandom? I understand that people like Beachcomber and Windcharger, but in the grand scheme of things Drfit has a lot more going on, even if he's got markings of a fan super character.

Yeah I am. You know why? Because Beachcomber and Windcharger have 25+ years to build up fans with their toys, cartoon/comic appearances. Drift has been around for 3 years and is obscure, yet forced on us.

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:Finally, the real reason I like him: With his toy and ROTF Bludgeon, every Transfan get to re-live/re-make a classic versus match. That's right, who's better: Ninja VS Samurai! But with Transformers! That's the bees knees. I really hope IDW sets up Bludgeon to be Drift's nemesis.

Ugh. There are canon Autobot Martial artists in G1 who would be better opponents for Bludgeon than White Blurr. There's no good reason to put Drift up against Bludgeon. Especially when Bludgeon has been shown capable of fighting the Wreckers by himself.

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:Anybody reading this, tell me what you think of Drift: Good? Bad? Meh? if so, why?

To put this into perspective do you remember the episode of the Simpsons where they added a character to Itchy and Scratchy after decades of it being the same formula and characters? Yeah? No? Well either way Drift is Poochie. And the fandom is reacting to him the same way the Itchy and Scratchy fans reacted to Poochie.

Also it's complete bullshit that Skyquake finally got pagetime in fiction... but for only 3 pages before he's shot to death. He got like what? 3 lines? And Drift gets a Spotlight, a spot on the Wreckers, and his own **** Mini-series? And you still don't understand why fans hate him? I honestly don't care about original characters for the series. I love me some Circuit Breaker, and I'd have been all for RAAT getting the book they were supposed to have gotten in the 80s. But it's a bit different as she was a recurring villain who just as easily fought Autobots and Decepticons and not a giant Canon Sue designed to hook in weeaboos with disposable incomes.

That. That right there from Loki is the whole story and then some. Sorry Loki, I'm not looking to rag on you but you have proved a point with your response.

Loki's post hits all the nerd-rage bullet points. Depending on your views that post either reads as a spot on analysis of why Drift sucks, or ramblings full of conjecture, wild speculation or pure GEEWUN unbending belief that it's only good if it was developed before G2 started.

Yes, IDW has invested a lot in the character as it is their grand addition to G1-dom. Yes, he does come off a lot like Storm-shadow when we was freed of COBRA's mind control and joined SE on the Joe team. No one is going to disagree Drift isn't a new concept, but the bit that keeps coming up and bothers my the most is the insistence that Drift is a Mary Sue. An MS is when the writer puts himself into the story. Was Drift the sole creation of one person? Is he using his uber-1334 writing powers to re-pen the statements of his foes? Whenever I see that used I read it as hurt fans sad that their own creations will never be appreciated or used, but his has been, so we'll rage to disguise how hurt we feel.

Nobody calls Furman out for throwing in his original creations like Straxus or Maximo in the original comics. "ramming them in there" when an established character or unused Hasbro release could have been used. The only difference is when the characters were brought to our attention, proven in the above posts when the whole explanation of why another character is better is simply boiled down to "Blank has 20+ years if fiction telling us his just as badass."

Beachcomber is awesome, he's a stoned hippy who doesn't like to fight but when he does he takes out all 3 of the Seekers, that's the kind of badass Beachcomber is.

Why do I hate Drift? Well I supported him when he was first revealed, I think I was one of the few willing to give him a chance. But then they started acting as if he's been around for 25 years with calling him a "fan favourite" and announcing his "long awaited" Spotlight 3 months before he even showed up in fiction. Then when he had his first appearance it was pretty much done in the exact same way someone introduces his own Mary Sue character in a bad fan fiction, in other words they where trying to make him look badass, with Roadbuster having nothing but the greatest respect for him since he can beat the foes he can't. Yet badass sniper Perceptor out shined him.

Plus he was introduced at a time where I already started to realise that I absolutely hated the writing of McCarthy and that he sucks at keeping the already established continuity straight or even respect it.

And I liked the idea of a new samurai Autobot.

While I could care less about being ragged on your response hits the general fanboi response. I'll boil it down:

I don't agree with you. So you're a troll.

I honestly don't care what you like. You're entitled to it. But OP asked a question. What do you feel about him and why. And if you don't like him to explain your reasonings. I'm sorry I didn't come in to circle jerk to Drift's implied awesomeness.

Editor wrote:That. That right there from Loki is the whole story and then some. Sorry Loki, I'm not looking to rag on you but you have proved a point with your response.

Loki's post hits all the nerd-rage bullet points. Depending on your views that post either reads as a spot on analysis of why Drift sucks, or ramblings full of conjecture, wild speculation or pure GEEWUN unbending belief that it's only good if it was developed before G2 started.

Naw. I'm GEETOO. It was Transformers perfected. Srsly go read the comics.

Editor wrote:Yes, IDW has invested a lot in the character as it is their grand addition to G1-dom. Yes, he does come off a lot like Storm-shadow when we was freed of COBRA's mind control and joined SE on the Joe team. No one is going to disagree Drift isn't a new concept, but the bit that keeps coming up and bothers my the most is the insistence that Drift is a Mary Sue. An MS is when the writer puts himself into the story. Was Drift the sole creation of one person? Is he using his uber-1334 writing powers to re-pen the statements of his foes? Whenever I see that used I read it as hurt fans sad that their own creations will never be appreciated or used, but his has been, so we'll rage to disguise how hurt we feel.

I didn't call him a Mary Sue. Please read my post again. I called him a Canon Sue. I detest people who misuse the term Mary Sue. Drift is a canon character that comes off as a Fan Fiction Mary Sue and is a brand new character (well newish). Therefore he's a Canon Sue. Also lol butthurt about my own characters not being used?

http://www.seibertron.com/heavymetalwar ... p?id=62729

Yeah... I hate to break it to you but I'm not a genius writer. 11/12 of my characters are homages to memes. The 12th is a canon character because I needed a straight man for the gag.

Also no what you're describing is a self insert/author avatar. Not most self inserts are Mary Sues (but not all, as Peter David was Peter David when he talked to She-Hulk. Just as an example.), and not all Mary Sues are self inserts.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MarySue
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AuthorAvatar

Editor wrote:Nobody calls Furman out for throwing in his original creations like Straxus or Maximo in the original comics. "ramming them in there" when an established character or unused Hasbro release could have been used.

No one calls Furman out because he's been writing Transformers for decades exclusively. Name one writer that's stuck with a franchise that long, created that many characters, and has created that many supporting characters? It's hard to name a writer that's done that for Marvel and DC, let alone the Transformers.

Straxus had one appearence in the US and was defeated by Blaster. Blaster. If you want to count his appearances total? Like 10 total since the 80s. And he's getting a toy after Drift. He was an actual interesting character with an interesting background. Drift is generic as hell to me.

Liege Maximo? He's a generic big bad for a storyline that never happened. The series was canceled and Furman used him in the hopes of getting the series picked back up due to fan interest. Also at that point in the comics there weren't too many characters left alive. Like I said, I'm a GEETOOER, but even I can freely admit that there's a reason the plot twist with him didn't save the series.

Editor wrote:The only difference is when the characters were brought to our attention, proven in the above posts when the whole explanation of why another character is better is simply boiled down to "Blank has 20+ years if fiction telling us his just as badass."

The last point you're making? I was replying to the tone of "Drift's totally bad ass? Why would anyone like those characters in comparison to him? He's new and ossum!" Yeah, sorry; but it's basic logical. Two moderately known characters that have been around for 25+ years are going to have a longer chance of getting a fan (any fan) to like them than a character with 3 years worth of appearances in a single comic book label. Case in point, I only kind of liked Wheeljack until I saw how DrSmoov used him in his parodies, and what Blasterd continued in his Generation 2 cartoons. He instantly became one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-wdItWmnUY

NSFW.

And here's the thing. The only thing that irks me about Drift being a major character. Ready? There are dozens of canonical characters that only have their tech specs as their first and only appearances in fiction. Yeah, I'm not even joking. There are literally dozens and dozens of G1 characters that have yet to make an appearance bigger than a panel or a bio card. From all of the European exclusive characters, to the cast of three different G1 cartoons in Japan that we never got here.

If I had the time I'd count them, but just a rough estimate; we're talking close to a hundred characters that have little or no screen time "internationally" or "in the mainstream of the fandom". And yet some of them like Skyquake and Leozack are massively popular. Tell me Editor, why is Drift more deserving of all of his spotlight when it just as easily could be shared with those characters? I reiterate; a Spotlight: Drift issue, a membership in the Wreckers, and an upcoming Mini-series.

Then there's stuff like Last Stand of the Wreckers which simultaneously is praisable and condemnable for their use of rare characters. You have characters like Overlord, Stalker, and Impactor, all of which used to be obscure but are now very popular with people who had no idea who they were before LSotW. But you also have characters like Skyquake who get shot to death in 3 pages or less. Other than about half of the Wreckers all of the characters were obscure. What does this prove? That obscure characters are usable and that there's no reason not to use them over brand new characters or popular characters that always get used. That's what I'm saying.

Also: words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words

Just in case anyone wanted to think I'm taking this seriously or pissed off. Spoiler: I'm not.

Serious, pissed off or not. A response is required.

Loki God Of Mischief wrote:While I could care less about being ragged on your response hits the general fanboi response. I'll boil it down:

I don't agree with you. So you're a troll.

I honestly don't care what you like. You're entitled to it. But OP asked a question. What do you feel about him and why. And if you don't like him to explain your reasoning. I'm sorry I didn't come in to circle jerk to Drift's implied awesomeness.

As you said the OP asked the question and I responded, once your post was there, it was a means of expanding on a previous point I had touched on. Hence why I said I didn't mean to rag on you, because I was only using your post as it contained issues I had previously mentioned and was not pointing a finger at you in particular. All opinions are valid, while I may not agree or not with some of yours, I always feel it is your right to have them. I failed to specify clarify that I was attempting to refer to certain points in your post and not your views directly, and I apologize for that.

As far as the difference in Sue references. Well said, and again while you have made that distinction, many others haven't, and have referred to him as a mary/marty. As far as HMW goes, well, that's a special mix of created characters, revisions and more than a few bios lifted right off of TFWiki, Ain't it grand?

Loki God Of Mischief wrote:If I had the time I'd count them, but just a rough estimate; we're talking close to a hundred characters that have little or no screen time "internationally" or "in the mainstream of the fandom". And yet some of them like Skyquake and Leozack are massively popular. Tell me Editor, why is Drift more deserving of all of his spotlight when it just as easily could be shared with those characters? I reiterate; a Spotlight: Drift issue, a membership in the Wreckers, and an upcoming Mini-series.

Why is Drift more deserving? The answer is simple. He isn't. While I may defend that the character was made and question why shouldn't he be included, I stated my personal view of Drift in my first post. Any issues I have isn't with the character itself but the reaction he stirs up, as IMO many members of this community have over-reacted in their condemnation of the character, but to question if his overall worth is deserving of what IDW have given him, of course it is too much and his over exposure is evident.

It is clear that IDW loves their little piece of G1, and as long as their sales back-up that decision they will keep doing it. I also don't like that IDW proclaimed him as a fan-favorite in order to justify his spotlight, and it's one of the main reasons I stopped buying their books for my collection. I'll read their products but I dislike enough of their practices to not give them my money anymore, not because they gave the book to him, but because they could have billed him in a number of ways that were honest, instead they took a deceptive path to bait people in.

As far as other characters go, are there ones more deserving? Obviously that is a question that most will say yes to, myself included, with various opinions as to who should have that honour.

Loki God Of Mischief wrote:No one calls Furman out because he's been writing Transformers for decades exclusively.

Indeed, but had the 'net been available back then I would wonder how the conversations of the day would have gone, and not just for character creation and usage, but all aspects of this hobby. In a similar vein, who knows how the current fictions will be seen 20 years from now? IDW could still be in charge and working with the same guys, or they could lose the license in a few years. Either way it could have a profound difference in what characters are still important.

Heck for all we know in 2030 people could look at a new series, and scoff at the new additions and wonder why _______ (Drift/Bulkhead/Hooligan/Lockdown) wasn't used instead. who knows....

I think at the core of his character, Drift works well. Everyone loves those overcoming impossible odds, change of heart, road to salvation, etc stories.

But then you go through the other layers of his being, and start to notice more and more that he's a nobody who came out of nowhere, and because of this people don't care about him as much as you'd expect them to.

Oh, and that his tale has been told a million times better, and the better telling deserves it's praise.

Whereas Drift's tale does not.

(in case people are wondering what I'm talking about, I'm talking about Dinobot and Code Of Hero.)

Oh, and his toy ain't the best.

I like Drift.



Especially because he frustrates the fandom so much...

I need to take pictures of him and Atari together...yea...

Counterpunch wrote:I like Drift.



Especially because he frustrates the fandom so much...

I need to take pictures of him and Atari together...yea...

O, don't even. That would just make the universe implode prematurely. Bad CP, BAD.

Do I like Drift? I don't read the comics, I'm just a toy collector, so I can't really judge his character. But he's a samurai it seems, and that would him automatically cool I guess.

Loki God Of Mischief wrote:Straxus had one appearence in the US and was defeated by Blaster. Blaster. If you want to count his appearances total? Like 10 total since the 80s. And he's getting a toy after Drift. He was an actual interesting character with an interesting background. Drift is generic as hell to me.

Straxus was used a LOT by Furman in the Marvel UK series. He also created or used Impactor, Jihaxus, Flame, Liege Maximo, Rack n Ruin, Primus, and The Fallen in various series. So spare me this "Furman didn't create orginal characters" because he sure as hell did.

First off Editor,


Also Hooligan makes everything better. F'reals. Put that nigga on a cover and it'll sell like hot cakes. Quick show of hands of who bought that poopy repaint in that overpriced set with those two crappy Legends just because it was a Hooligan homage?

*raises hand*

Cyberstrike wrote:

Loki God Of Mischief wrote:Straxus had one appearence in the US and was defeated by Blaster. Blaster. If you want to count his appearances total? Like 10 total since the 80s. And he's getting a toy after Drift. He was an actual interesting character with an interesting background. Drift is generic as hell to me.

Straxus was used a LOT by Furman in the Marvel UK series. He also created or used Impactor, Jihaxus, Flame, Liege Maximo, Rack n Ruin, Primus, and The Fallen in various series. So spare me this "Furman didn't create orginal characters" because he sure as hell did.

I know he created lots of characters. But he's also been the sole writer for Transformers for 25 years. When he does it, it's fine because he's doing it to make good stories. Not to make a buck. He also didn't go around and talk about how, let's say, Flame was a fan favorite before he even did an issue about him to justify why he was giving that character a push. I have nothing against well made new characters. I like Sunstorm. I like Dropshot's new Universe look being used in AHM/the ongoing even though the Decepticon he's homaging looks nothing like Universe Dropshot.

Oh and I've read the UK comics. I know how many appearances he's made in them. Most fans outside of the UK/Europe don't even know they exist though. So to them he's had the tiny handful of appearances. The point I was making is that even with all of his UK appearances (which not many know about) and his US appearances he's obscure. Get ready for "Straxus who's that?" "Oh you mean Darkmount? That's the guy's name man." when that toy hits. Because it's going to happen.

I like Drift, he has not felt over-exposed at all to me and I think he has the potential to be a fun member of the team. It’s natural to commonly feature a new character in some prominence because the reader can’t get to know them if they are constantly shoved into the background. We can talk about Drift being in things too much if he becomes the next Wolverine/Deadpool.

I think a majority of the Drift-hate comes from the direction of people just not wanting to give an unfamiliar character a chance, they are comfortable with what is already there and the inclusion of someone new may feel like an unwelcome intrusion in a group of old friends. For this reason I absolutely hated the new characters in the original cartoon when they were introduced, Who were these people? What happened to all the characters I loved ? Did they really kill-off Megatron, Starscream, Prowl etc. forever?! But I gave it a chance and despite my initial misgivings, grew to love many of the new characters as well as I did the old. I think people need to open up to the idea of Drift as a character, not some scary unknown. The fact that he was introduced in a commonly unpopular story arc is most likely not helping matters.

Zeonic_Miko wrote:I think a majority of the Drift-hate comes from the direction of people just not wanting to give an unfamiliar character a chance, they are comfortable with what is already there and the inclusion of someone new may feel like an unwelcome intrusion in a group of old friends. For this reason I absolutely hated the new characters in the original cartoon when they were introduced, Who were these people? What happened to all the characters I loved ? Did they really kill-off Megatron, Starscream, Prowl etc. forever?! But I gave it a chance and despite my initial misgivings, grew to love many of the new characters as well as I did the old. I think people need to open up to the idea of Drift as a character, not some scary unknown. The fact that he was introduced in a commonly unpopular story arc is most likely not helping matters.

Plus, there's some Shane MCarthy dislike. I can understand the whole "hype up the unknown character" thing, but when all is said and done the character is there for a reason - Drift has a story and is an integral part of in that story.

I am pretty much indifferent towards this character. I think he has a cool backstory, but its been done before. I would rather have seen a G1 character get the exposure Drift got though.

Counterpunch wrote:I like Drift.



Especially because he frustrates the fandom so much...

I need to take pictures of him and Atari together...yea...

Have you been on my Myspace? LOL I have pics of Sunstorm and Drift as my two heroes because I think it's hilarious how much the fandom is soo opposed to new G1 characters.

Oh, why can't so and so get a Spotlight. It's great how it's soo cool for a fan to create characters, but when a company like IDW tries to do something new, it's hate hate hate hate. Guess what, there isn't an original character left to write about in ANYTHING.

Oh, and when an established character (like Prowl) is written, there is still venom being spewed from the fans because it's not "their" Prowl or Roche's Prowl. Guess what, he's being written by another person that obviously views Prowl differently then other. OMG, he's not exactly like he was in G1 cartoon, or DW, or Marvel...etc!! I rather enjoyed the Prowl spotlight that was out and can see what the writer are trying to do.

But whether writing established characters or new G1 character, I think IDW will still be chastised. It's almost a no win situation whatever they do. To bad the fandom can't just go along for the ride at times. Yeah, some of the stuff I really dislike, but there is no reason to spew some of the stuff that has been said about these writers.

Looking forward to Sunstorm vs Drift in 2011!!

Loki God Of Mischief wrote: know he created lots of characters. But he's also been the sole writer for Transformers for 25 years. When he does it, it's fine because he's doing it to make good stories. Not to make a buck. He also didn't go around and talk about how, let's say, Flame was a fan favorite before he even did an issue about him to justify why he was giving that character a push. I have nothing against well made new characters. I like Sunstorm. I like Dropshot's new Universe look being used in AHM/the ongoing even though the Decepticon he's homaging looks nothing like Universe Dropshot.

First off Furman is not the sole writer of the comics, hell he wasn't the first writer the series for Marvel UK, Marvel US, and Dreamwave (he followed Steve Parkhouse, Bob Budiansky, and Chris Scarini respectfully) He wrote the most stories obviously, but to say he's the sole writer is a lie because he's not been the sole writer and even he's admited it. And agree I think he was the best writer but the sad truth is I haven't enjoyed any of stories since G2 ended. I think he's like Claremont, his best days and work are behind him and he needs to go for good before he destroys his own legend.

Second Drift still has potentional.

The number one reason why most fans can't stand him is because of they worship Simon Furman. "If it's not written by Furman than it sucks." They simply can't stand the fact that anyone else is writing G1 based Transformers comics (and for the record Shane McCarty and Mike Costa have blown Furman out of the water) unless they can mimic Furman.