Date: Friday, January 8th 2016 11:43am CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: ScottyP |
Credit(s): James Roberts, Twitter
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Views: 49,116
Need to get your More Than Meets The Eye fix this week, but not sure how with no new issue of the series out? Fear not, as the author of Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye and consummate gentleman James Roberts took to
his Twitter account yesterday evening to answer fan questions marked with the hashtag #MTMTE15. Twitter can be difficult to follow along with, so now that this fun Q&A has wrapped up, we've transcribed the questions and answers here for your reading enjoyment.
What will become of some of your favorite characters? Is James hoarding boat-formers? How will some of the high-level concepts in the book be continued? Who was blocked due to silly questions, and what does Dustin Hoffman have to do with
anything? At least one of these is answered below, plus a very small update on the status of Transformers Classics UK Volume 6.
Editor's note: Many questions and answers have been edited in an extremely minor fashion for clarity, and to correct spelling mistakes. The hashtag was also removed from the text of Tweets to assist with reading. Images added are for ease of reading and were not generally included in the original questions or answers.
On to the questions!
HobbyDrifter asked: Where’s Dominus Ambus?
James Roberts replied: Maybe dead, maybe alive. Disappeared? MIA? Even the Necrobot doesn't know.
ddTiel asked: So, Ravage: Megatron or Soundwave??
James Roberts replied: I think Ravage would pick Megatron but feel guilty as hell.
NarysZhala asked: Will we see more of the events that had been caused by the New Institute affecting the characters next season?
James Roberts replied: Very possibly. Very, very possibly.
ayellowbirds asked: major characters in More Than Meets The Eye got theme songs—do you have any in mind for more minor characters?
James Roberts replied: I actually find it very hard to think of theme songs, hence so few so far. I need to do the major characters first.
ayellowbirds asked: in flashbacks it seems like Cons were mostly labor, Bots elite/police. Who are the exceptions?
James Roberts replied: I've given you a misleading impression!
MoyaoftheMist asked: who is the most fun character for you to write/draw?
James Roberts replied: To write, currently, Megatron. Also: Rodimus, Nautica, Rung, Swerve. Oh, and Whirl. Maybe Whirl overall.
ayellowbirds asked: is there any character you REGRET including in More Than Meets The Eye ?
James Roberts replied: Season 1 or 2 or the whole series?
Editor's Note: No follow-up could be located for this Question.
MoyaoftheMist asked: what details can you give us about the ambus test?
James Roberts replied: It's one of those things best revealed through the pages of the comic as we move forward.
MoyaoftheMist asked: is what we saw in issue 47 the full conjunx ritus or just the proposal?
James Roberts replied: Good question. You saw every step of the proposal. Had TG performed Act 4, the ritual would have been over. But there would have been a recitation or oath at the very end.
Speed_Freak01 asked: Looks like Hound's been making a few background appearances lately- do you have any plans for him?
James Roberts replied: Why yes I do.
clotho7777 asked: Could the cons notice any syntax pattern difference between Megs' speech (OP had him made) during the trial and his own words?
James Roberts replied: Lovely question! I think they both have quite formal patterns of speech, so no, I don't think anyone noticed.
jobot935 asked: Did you ever expect More That Meets The Eye to become as popular as it is, even with ppl outside the TF fandom?
James Roberts replied: Mainly no, a little bit yes. Had no idea if ppl would like comic but *I* thought comic was great. Like all TF creators, I wanted my work to be liked by TF fans + non-TF fans alike. I'm chuffed it's getting more attn outside fandom, but too many avoid it because of preconceived ideas. Fan proselytizing DEFINITELY helps.
MoyaoftheMist asked: was tailgate aware of the acts in the conjunx ritus before getaway described them to him?
James Roberts replied: No. Or he was sketchy, at best.
cytokiine asked: Could you give an estimate (issues or months/years) on when First Aid will return to MTMTE?
James Roberts replied: Sorry, I can't! Keep reading! But know this: I want him back.
irlnautica asked: Is Rodimus's ability to set himself on fire through force of will from Maximum Dinobots ever going to come up again?
James Roberts replied: If I can find the *perfect* moment, yes. Because it so fits.
ddTiel asked: Is gender randomly selected for holo-avatars or are there particular in-universe characteristics that influence it?
James Roberts replied: Super-good, super-hard question No 1. I'm flagging it to return to later. May take more than one tweet.
irlnautica asked: Why are you hoarding the Autobots who turn into boats? Riptide, Nautica, Broadside, and you've implied Seaspray...
James Roberts replied: It's easier to think of names for TFs who turn into boats. And admit it: Nautica is the best name ever, isn't it?
MoyaoftheMist asked: what's your favorite bit of inconsequential tf trivia for mtmte?
James Roberts replied: Probably that Fulcrum was assigned to a planet named after the actor who played the cowardly lion in Wizard of Oz.
PTranz asked: Have you or anyone from the IDW team dared to pitch ideas or concepts for DJD/Rung/Nautica figures to Hasbro?
James Roberts replied: No - we leave it all to Hasbro! If we come up with characters/concepts that appeal, I figure they'll be used in the end.
Shadowviper00 asked: Has your writing process changed over the 48+ issues? If yes, how so? And is it for the better?
James Roberts replied: The process is essentially the same. Maybe I do more redrafts than I did. Losing 2 pages hurt.
ayellowbirds asked: you've introduced a lot of new characters in #MTMTE2015 — which would you most like to see as toys, or in the cartoons/movies?
James Roberts replied: Nautica, Rung, Nickel and Pharma - I'd LOVE to see them exist in any form outside the comic.
ddTiel asked: If there ever was a chance MTMTE was made into a cartoon/movie, would you want to write it?
James Roberts replied: Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
ayellowbirds asked: can a bot have more than one Conjunx Endura simultaneously—open, equal relationships of three or more?
James Roberts replied: No. Remember too that having *one* CE in your lifetime is very rare.
lydia19910826 asked: Do the Cybertronians define their gender according to their looking or according to their own decision?
James Roberts replied: I don't think it's the way they look, but 'their own decision' is tricky too: societal norms/biases come into play
Herakuwa asked: What kind of place was Prion where Nickel was born? What kind of transformers were there?
James Roberts replied: This is a "keep reading" question. But for now, assume it's a "normal" peace loving colony.
tina_jabbour asked: is pharma going TO BE BACK pls it's all i want in life
James Roberts replied: Pharma was taken. By whom? Why? And where to? We can't answer these Qs without seeing him one way or another.
ayellowbirds asked: when you write More Than Meets The Eye what kind of accents do you imagine for the main cast?
James Roberts replied: My own, mainly. I’m deficient in this area.
koochie_minks asked: Will we get some more background info on Tarn at some point? Curious about him.
James Roberts replied: Yes. Soon.
Speed_Freak01 asked: will cyclonus' sweet rocket-punch make any appearances in future mtmtes?
James Roberts replied: Probably… not.
ayellowbirds asked: any trans or nonbinary characters in mind for MTMTE ? Bots with gender at odds w/ how they were forged/constructed?
James Roberts replied: Would love to explore this but want to do it right/do it justice. Watch this space. I have half-formed ideas.
85Lozalot asked: you mentioned before that you hear British voices for the TF's. Any have particular accents for you?
James Roberts replied: Just my own poorly-enunciated, hard-to-place, middle class accent.
SilaCinnamon: Drift seems to have a lot of money, will there be an explanation for that?
James Roberts replied: I have an explanation in mind. If it doesn't surface through the story I'll share eventually. Clue: it's not nice.
PTranz asked: Skids' holomatter avatar has been the 11th and 9th Doctor. Will we get a different incarnation each time he uses it?
James Roberts replied: You can blame/applaud Guido and Alex for that! But the pattern is set. Maybe next time he'll be the best Doctor, i.e. Ten
toasterbabe asked: The Protectobots. We know the original 5 are coming back to the Lost Light - but any screen/speaking time for Rook (the new guy)?
James Roberts replied: Oooh, how do you know they're coming back to the Lost Light...?
PTranz asked: Will we get to see a return of Nautica and Velocity's Camien friends from issues 41 and 42?
James Roberts replied: I hope so, yes.
toasterbabe asked: Terminus and his relationship to Megatron. Husband, brother, dad - pick one.
James Roberts replied: Mentor/Protégé. Master/Apprentice.
d00mface asked: will we ever see the Warriors Elite as a group together in flashback form ever again?
James Roberts replied: I do love my flashbacks, so... possibly.
PTranz asked: Nickel is the first female Decepticon seen in the IDW universe. Any plans for others to follow after her amongst the 'Cons?
James Roberts replied: Short answer: yes. Ideally, we'd have a balance of all genders - however many there are.
a_omochi asked: Deathsaurus is nemesis Star Saber from Transformers Victory--do the two of them know each other in IDW?
James Roberts replied: They are known to each other, yes.
toasterbabe asked: Willing (ie: unlike Arcee so far) trans characters (girls, guys, nb)... Any plans? In the next year, maybe?
James Roberts replied: See earlier answer.
MaverickPrimeGB asked: will First Aid(or others that became part of combiners) return to the Lost Light?
James Roberts replied: Not telling you! But I do like First Aid…
MaverickPrimeGB asked: and, will you eventually use Beast Wars characters on MTMTE? #MTMTE2015 (If so, please use Claw Jaw!
![:D]( "Very Happy")
)
James Roberts replied: Not sure. I like BW, but we already have a big cast. A BW character would need to justify their presence.
PTranz asked: Will Ten ever come to be friends with Swerve after their animosity and Swerve's exclusion in Ten's art?
James Roberts replied: See upcoming issues!
yakuzenlunch asked: Outliers' news besides Skids?
James Roberts replied: Do you mean tell you more about Outliers? Or name some more?
Editor's Note: No follow-up could be located for this Question.
mikunissinen asked: Jackpot and Mainframe seem to be so close. So, are they CE? Or just good friends?
James Roberts replied: Just good friends. Sorry, JackFramer/MainPot shippers, if you exist. Maybe we'll see something blossom.
yakuzenlunch asked: Will the prewar episode have the plan to write in future (such as Elegant Chaos)?
James Roberts replied: I thought Elegant Chaos would be my last foray into the past. But I miss it. We might go back in Season 3.
ddTiel asked: I feel weird asking this but will Megatron and Starscream cross paths again in a more amiable way? No more hatred?
James Roberts replied: I would like Megs and Screamer to meet now Megs has 'mellowed' beyond even his trial. But maybe a different fate awaits..
d00mface asked: What were the Warriors Elite's relationships w/ each other? I could see Black Shadow and Overlord as foils for example.
James Roberts replied: Truthfully, I've not thought about it - beyond thinking that it's a contrived/forced alliance. Good fanfic material?
yakuzenlunch asked: If I am one-on-one and serious, and Overlord such as Phase Sixers fights against Point One Percenter such as Megatron, where wins?
James Roberts replied: A straight one-on-one? Overlord. Megs is (was) tough, but Phase Sixers outclass everyone.
herakuwa asked: What happened to them at this time? Did they go to another dimension?
![Transformers News: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Author James Roberts Answers Fan Questions on Twitter]( "Transformers News: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Author James Roberts Answers Fan Questions on Twitter")
James Roberts replied: They did go to a different dimension, yes. More than that I cannot say.
Serika_Izumi asked: Will you go at TF Nation 2016?
James Roberts replied: Who can say?
mikunissinen asked: Sureshot and Pointblank appeared in mtmte41, but Crosshairs didn't. I wonder if Crosshairs have been still in Lost Light now.
James Roberts replied: Yes, Crosshairs is on board. I *think* he's in the #50 back-up strip.
Tea_Mistress asked: What's the average time for a forged protoform to fully form? And afterwards, how long before mental maturity is reached. Thanks
James Roberts replied: Depends on where they were harvested + how skilfully; weeks, minimum. Mental maturity I need to think about. Sorry!
clotho7777 asked: By about how much had Shanix depreciated during the war? (Is the 0.5b Black Shadow got from the Autobots really a lot of money?)
James Roberts replied: Its value fluctuated; and no one traded with TFs at certain points in the war. But 1 billion shanix = £1 billion-ish.
munatron asked: What I've wanted to ask for a long time, how important Impactor was to Megatron? Did they meet on Luna2 or Nova Point?
James Roberts replied: They met while working near Nova Point. They were best friends.
mikunissinen asked: When did Flywheels become a Neoprimalist? Before or while he was in Grindcore, or after he left there?
James Roberts replied: He's always been a Neoprimalist, but he pretended to renounce it during Megatron's most anti-religious phases.
crad0k asked: What happened to the Matrix half on the alternate Lost Light?
James Roberts replied: A good question. I know the answer.
munatron asked: did the war decrease formal Amica and Conjunx relationships and lead into casual/non-formalized but important relations?
James Roberts replied: Good question. Generally, yes; but - as in RL - threat of death often encouraged CE relationships.
munatron asked: Does the Breastforce and Deathsaurus have their Breastar/Breast animal gimmick in the comics?
James Roberts replied: I think yes, but I don't know whether you'll see it in action.
jobot935 asked: Rewind's allergic to UV light. Would this make him allergic to Earth's sun?
James Roberts replied: Chromedome may have been oversimplifying.
jobot935 asked: would you ever write another TF Novel like Eugenesis ever again?
James Roberts replied: Oh, for sure.
Darki_sp asked: Have you ever thought about having Starscream on the LL or in any of your issues? I mean, as a regular character?
![:)]( "Smile")
James Roberts replied: No, TBH. I like Starscream, but I think John and Mairghread write him so well I'm happy for him to stay where he is.
Darki_sp asked as a follow-up: It'd be awesome to know your view on Screamer, how you'd use him in your plot and the relationships he might form.
James Roberts replied: He's such a fascinating character. I had HUGE fun writing his speech at Megatron's trial.
jobot935 asked: which 3 Lost Lighters are "morning people" and which 3 are more "night owls"?
James Roberts replied: Whirl, Cyclonus and Nautica are night owls. Rung, Skids and Magnus are morning people.
BlackMetalLuna asked: WHY DOES SWERVE ONLY HAVE FOUR FINGERS?!
James Roberts replied: Why do some TFs have face plates, and some visors? For Swerve, four is sufficient.
ayellowbirds asked: did any Camiens other than Velocity join the Lost Light from the Vis Vitalis when Thunderclash came aboard?
James Roberts replied: No, because I wouldn't have been able to pay them enough attention.
Blast_Off_G1 asked: I've got a question of the utmost urgency, intrigue, and importance- HOW DOES WHIRL DRINK?? XD
James Roberts replied: Heartily and often.
LetsPlayLesbian asked: Have you ever secretly written MTMTE fanfiction and posted it online under a pen name?
James Roberts replied: Ha! No, no.
colossoraptor asked: How old is a protoform when they get their first blaster?
James Roberts replied: During wartime? The moment the Postnatals detect a flexible trigger finger.
citygrl903 asked: Mnemosurgery has a bad effect on Chromedome's health, has it done the same to Trepan or any other mnemosurgon?
James Roberts replied: Have you been peeking at issue #49?
Zerokaiser85 asked: Are we going to see more of what the hell was going on in that Worldsweeper (issue #7) or even find out who was experimenting?
James Roberts replied: Yes x 2.
Transfan2 asked: What is your favorite part of writing Captain Megatron in MTMTE? #MTMTE2015(that is my nickname for him because I am a MegsFan)
James Roberts replied: His inner turmoil. His inability to truly describe how he feels. And his relationship with Rodimus.
CrimsonCyclo asked: Excluding ALL members of the Lost Light (current or not), is there a favorite/desired IDW character you'd wish to be on board?
James Roberts replied: I do love Wheeljack.
TFU_INFO asked: is Napalm Death the soundtrack to every scene at Grindcore?
James Roberts replied: Napalm Death and Slayer.
citygrl903 asked: Who writes the Lost Light insider?
James Roberts replied: Not even I know that.
weasleygeek asked: any details on CD and Rewind's conjunx ritus?
James Roberts replied: Were you looking over my shoulder as I was writing in the coffee shop this morning...?
salticidae_ asked: are new protoforms in proportion to their "adult" size or do they do a lot of growing? how quickly do they mature?
James Roberts replied: It depends on how much sentio metallico there is to harvest. Maturity? See earlier answer.
Sxizzor asked: in the first issue, why didn't rewind ride along on CD or ratchet's alt modes if they were in a hurry?
James Roberts replied: Because he's bloody heavy!
![:-)]( "Smile")
![Transformers News: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Author James Roberts Answers Fan Questions on Twitter]( "Transformers News: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Author James Roberts Answers Fan Questions on Twitter")
Rod Pod art by Josh Burcham: Does the Rod Pod have escape crafts that've been modified to look like fish? Are they called Rod Pod Cod Mod Pods?
James Roberts replied: Blocked, mate.
TheWindySwede asked: So, what are the odds for some sort of animated product based on MTMTE?
James Roberts replied: You tell me! If the love spreads and the demand grows... who knows? Netflix 22 ep series?
Thistle_burr asked: Does the LL operate with a 24/7 watch system? Or do they have a "night" where most of the crew are off duty?
James Roberts replied: The crew recharge whenever the mood/need takes them. Which kind of contradicts my night owl/early bird answer.
Andrewdturnbull asked: Any chance of a one off issue looking at some of the other crew members outside of the core cast like Lower Decks ep from TNG
James Roberts replied: It's crossed my mind. I worry I couldn't do 5+ b/ground characters justice in 20 pages.
CrimsonCyclo asked: If Megatron is Morrissey, then which crew member is Noel Gallagher?
James Roberts replied: Swerve.
CrimsonCyclo asked: Personally, James, which MTMTE issue was more difficult/interesting to write for: #16 or #47?
James Roberts replied: I'm as proud of #47 as I am anything I've written. But #16 comes very close.
CrimsonCyclo asked: You mentioned before that [MTMTE #34 Spoilers] Trailbreaker's death will serve a purpose later on. Is his brain... well, "key"?
James Roberts replied: His death led to the DJD finding out about Megs, and reminded everyone that the DJD are evil arseholes.
Clich_A asked: TRYING AGAIn, okay so I've waited yonks to know, Ambulon's original name??
James Roberts replied: Exclusive: Ambulon is the only name he's ever had.
clotho7777 asked: Is it possible that a DJD member begins his/her career as, say, 'VOS' but gets promoted to 'Tarn' if the former Tarn dies?
James Roberts replied: I like this idea, but no, you get the name going spare following the death of the incumbent.
RodimusPrime87 asked: Do you think death fakeouts nullify story/character developments? (Rewind, Red Alert, Cyclonus, Tailgate, Rodimus, Rung, Magnus)
James Roberts replied: I'd argue that Rewind's, Cyclonus's and TG's were not fake-outs. Rung and Red, yes. Red's I regret. Rewind died. Rewind 2 replaced him. Same but different. HOW he came back mattered. The grief was real. With Cyclonus, you were invited to speculate as to whether he was dead. Dogfight himself asks, "Is he dead?" Thing to remember is that TFs are robots, not humans. It's difficult to definitively convey death on the page. We've seen TFs get shredded and survive. As a writer you want cliffhangers + 'Sh1t, are they dead?' moments. I regret Red's "death" 'cos he was headless. Hitherto, brain or spark death = real death. I undermined that.
![:-(]( "Crying")
Sxizzor asked: i hear you were excited to get ravage on the LL? what kind of plans do you have for them?
James Roberts replied: Well, you've been following his adventures - on and off - since #28. He's in #50 and beyond. Megs needs him.
Speed_Freak01 asked: Would it be at all possible for you to steal Cliffjumper from ex-RID? I feel like he'd be right at home on the Lost Light
James Roberts replied: We’re already pretty full up!
![:-)]( "Smile")
Sis_Shrieks asked: If I suggest that my faves die in mtmte, does that mean you'll have to keep them alive or risk being sued?
James Roberts replied: Let’s try it and find out.
Sis_Shrieks asked: Do you plan to make any more protagonists explicitly neurodivergent? (hint: Nautica and Rung are autistic)
James Roberts replied: It’s crossed my mind.
JediFlaherty asked: What did you get
Alex Milne for Christmas?
James Roberts replied: The script to #50. He asked if I'd kept the receipt.
tailgatingMini asked: Was Tailgate counted in the numbers on Rodimus's hand? Tailgate mentioned he missed the voting. Was he the only one?
James Roberts replied: Other inoperative TFs would also have been excluded.
JediFlaherty asked: RE: Unpleasantness that led to
@jroberts332 Twitterbreak: How close were/are you to quitting early?
James Roberts replied: Quitting MTMTE altogether? No. Quitting Twitter? I was 50/50. But it wasn't anyone in particular at fault
Purpliser asked: Would you feel comfortable writing a Trans*transformer? The Lost Light seems a place that they'd like to be.
James Roberts replied: "Comfortable" = interesting word. I worry about screwing up, TBH. I don't want to misrepresent anyone.
Serika_Izumi asked: Question about CD-RW. Who initiated the conjunx ritus in Their case? Chromedome or Rewind?
James Roberts replied: You’ll find out soon.
JediFlaherty asked: Market-permitting, is 100 still the plan? Any chance for 113?
James Roberts replied: If we get to 100, I think 100 is where we'll stop. Four years away!
Zhgingaah asked: And once this quest is complete one way or another, is there another TF story that @jroberts332 is itching to tell?
James Roberts replied: There is one, yeah.
tailgatingMini asked: Will we see Drift and Ratchet in 2016? Or Scavengers? Or, preferably, a mini-series/spotlight for any of them?
James Roberts replied: No plans for any Spotlights/minis. You'll probably see the Scavengers in late 2016.
Tea_Mistress asked: Was Rung alt-mode exempt? Or was he a psychiatrist before the Funcionists came to power. What was his role as an ornament?
James Roberts replied: He was a psychiatrist pre-Functionists. 'Ornament' was just something they put on his ID card.
tailgatingMini asked: Soooooo.... Megatron stays with MTMTE, with us and with You for another year at least? 8'D
James Roberts replied: No comment.
Purpliser asked: Back in t'day, Image did an event,
http://imagecomics.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Images_of_Tomorrow, ever been tempted to do issue 113 this way?
James Roberts replied: I am now…
summer_breaze_ asked: Are there any plans at all for Ratchet and Drift? Will we ever see them again?
James Roberts replied: No plans at the moment. The cast is pretty big. One day…
c0gwheels asked: what was the creative reasoning for revealing the fate of Cyclonus off panel?
James Roberts replied: Do you mean Getaway? If so, let's just say I knew it would be unpopular but I had my reasons. And #49 is out soon!
summer_breaze_ asked: Do protoforms come from new sparks? Or do they need one to be given to them? How do they grow?
James Roberts replied: Yes, they come from new sparks. They grow thanks to Matrix magic
![:-)]( "Smile")
Hazelnutpon asked: does tarn like Christmas music
James Roberts replied: He's never heard any. He'd probably like choral stuff (minus the religious element.)
Munatron asked: Do some CC bots experience altmode/frame dysphoria? Their deep-coding conflicts with what they have, doesn't it?
James Roberts replied: Yes. Might Ambulon have experienced something similar? CC certainly complicates everything.
![Transformers News: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Author James Roberts Answers Fan Questions on Twitter]( "Transformers News: Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Author James Roberts Answers Fan Questions on Twitter")
Rod Pod art by Josh Burcham: Does the Rod Pod have escape crafts that've been modified to look like fish? Are they called Rod Pod Cod Mod Pods?
James Roberts replied: I thought I’d blocked you.
gonnagetcaged asked: I'm curious if any of the Monsterbots will have a speaking role, however minor, in #MTMTE2015? Ten & Grotusque are great as art buddies.
![:)]( "Smile")
James Roberts replied: I'm sure they'll have something to say one day. I do want to build on the art buddies thing.
PTranz asked: Does Ravage still transform into one of Soundwave's cassettes? Will he eventually get along with Nautica?
James Roberts replied: I think so, yes; and he gets on quite well with Nautica after that shaky start.
Thelonicon asked: I love #MTMTE, but I also love reading your TFUK Classics essays. A progress update on Vol. 6 and beyond would be appreciated.
James Roberts replied: Expect Vol 6 before the summer
Drivaaar asked: Your scripts frequently feel more episodic sitcom than 'conventional' comic. Would you like to write TV, and if so, what show?
James Roberts replied: I would like to write for TV. Doctor Who, genre TV, sitcoms in the Community/AD/Peep Show vein. Please make it happen.
si_fi_soul asked: I'm curious about Whirl having the second youngest-looking holomatter avatar after Tailgate!
James Roberts replied: Of the ones you’ve seen so far…!
Rovang asked: Did Hasbro ever make a suggestion for MTMTE that in retrospect you feel was a significant improvement?
James Roberts replied: It's more that they've been supportive of the more experimental and 'progressive' stuff that we've done to date...
si_fi_soul asked: Drift, Getaway... does anybody else on board the Lost Light speak chirolinguistics, or is that a surprise?
James Roberts replied: Statistically, I'd say some other crewmembers speak hand, yeah. I think Hound would.
mtwundagore asked: who's the hottest lost light member and what is considered conventially attractive by transformer standards??
James Roberts replied: I can't answer your first question. Your second question is *kind of* explored in a future issue.
ipgd asked: whens drift coming back & whos going to marry him when he does. also whens pharma coming back 2 kiss ratchet. Thank
James Roberts replied: drift is coming back to marry preceptor but ratchet does a dustin hoffman in the graduate during the ceremony
MoyaoftheMist asked: if you could add any character (cybertronian or human) to the lost light crew, who would you add?
James Roberts replied: Today, I think… Ironist.
Editor's note: unknown if this implies Ironfist or if this was a typo/Freudian slip.
gonnagetcaged asked: Speaking of Monsterbots, what purpose did Terrorcons/Horrorcons/etc. serve during Functionalism? Were they outcasts or undesired?
James Roberts replied: Unless this is contradicted elsewhere, I'd say they were reformatted or Made To Order.
PTranz asked: How did Whirl become such a big fan of Jean-Luc Goddard? What other films are crew-favourites (other than the BTTF trilogy)?
James Roberts replied: The LL crew were exposed to human culture thx to Bluestreak. Rewind likes historicals + biopics. Rodimus likes John Woo.
MoyaoftheMist asked: this is across continuities, but what do you think would happen if miko met whirl?
James Roberts replied: Classic Marvel storytelling: they'd fight, then team up, then both learn something about themselves from the other
PositronicWoman asked: did you script for Ambus, Roller, Tarn and Demus to have the same helmet "ears", or did Alex come up with that?
James Roberts replied: All Alex.
TorrentNavy asked: will the ritual for amica endurae be explained in further detail later on? If not, would you give details?
James Roberts replied: I'd rather show it through the comic
Rovang asked: How often do you use the wiki to refresh your memory of MTMTE details?
![:)]( "Smile")
James Roberts replied: Very rarely for MTMTE; but definitely for general TF details
MonoPuma64 asked: Here is a just for fun question, how many tf fanfics have you read? Do you have any personal favorites?
James Roberts replied: I haven't read a TF fanfic for about 15 years. I was a fan of Transmasters UK material by
Mark Stevenson et al
kt_jams asked: 39 shows Tarn is an atheist, how does he feel about Vos being a neo-primalist (per his near-death words in 34)?
James Roberts replied: Good question. It's not uncommon for atheists to find God when death is near...
MMortAH asked as a follow-up to the previous question: Piggybacking this... When did the clampdown on religion begin? Flywheels openly religious in #48
James Roberts replied: This sounds facetious, but... after Simanzi. And the anti-religious stuff waxed and waned.
Rovang asked: Have you intentionally retconned anything just because you thought it was a lot better that way? Other than estriol?
James Roberts replied: Great question! I try not to do this, but I did yesterday morning. It's subtle and I think I can get away with it
![:-)]( "Smile")
wavey_fur asked: If Pharma transforms into a jet, how did he become a medic in the functionalist era?
James Roberts replied: Sometimes, innate skills will "contradict" assigned function (see: Whirl) and special dispensation is granted.
xiki_Muffin asked: what can be said about cybertronian fashion? What is, cool,common, or high class? decorative fabrics?piercings?decals?paint jobs?
James Roberts repliedJR: The upper classes repaint/refashion (superficially) their bodies more often.
JediFlaherty asked: But most importantly, how are our numbers? ($)
James Roberts replied: Sales-wise? We're fine. We're good. Trades are doing *very* well.
xiki_Muffin asked: are there such things as polyamorous Conjux Endurae?
James Roberts replied: Nope!
xt_jams asked: Is Tarn familiar at all with chirolinguistics?
James Roberts replied: If he knew Megatron could do it, he’d learn.
WarlordFil asked: Will we be finding out more about Deathsaurus (his history, why he's so protective of his crew, the Warworld)?
James Roberts replied: Very likely.
InflatableDalek asked: Did you have a Plan B (or even A if it seemed likely) for season 2 if you’d been asked to join in on Combiner Wars?
James Roberts replied: No – the Season 2 adventures would simply have paused for the detour and then picked up where they left off.
That concluded the Q&A, for now! On behalf of the other More Than Meets The Eye fans and readers, a big thanks to Mr. Roberts for answering these questions. James has stated he may answer some more questions later, so be sure to keep an eye on
his Twitter account and the Twitter hashtag #MTMTE15. Hopefully our labor of love in transcribing these helps you read through and digest the thoughtful answers provided. As always, keep it here at Seibertron.com for all the latest coverage of Transformers comics from IDW Publishing.
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