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IDW to Lose Transformers Comics License at the End of 2022

Date: Saturday, January 22nd 2022 2:52pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: ScottyP | Credit(s): The Hollywood Reporter

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It's the "End of the Road!" for IDW Publishing when it comes to making Transformers comics, or at least it will be at the end of 2022. Two days ago The Hollywood Reporter first broke this news, which includes a statement from IDW as well as a tease for their plans to conclude their work on Transformers (and G.I. Joe) as the year goes on:

The Hollywood Reporter wrote:“At the end of 2022, IDW will bid a fond farewell to the publication of G.I. Joe and Transformers comic books and graphic novels,” the company said in a statement provided to THR. “We’re exceedingly proud of our stewardship of these titles — 17 years with the Robots in Disguise and 14 years with A Real American Hero — and thank the legion of fans for their unwavering support, month in and month out. We’re also eternally grateful to every one of the talented creators who helped bring these characters to four-color life through our comics.”

The Hollywood Reporter wrote:The monthly Transformers series will wrap up by mid-summer, while the Transformers: Beast Wars series will come to its conclusion this summer, too. That will lead to two new miniseries events. The company will also publish a variety of special one-shot projects spotlighting heroes and villains from across Transformers history.

Several IDW employees, former employees, editors, writers, artists and more have also commented on the news on social media platform Twitter. This includes current editor David Mariotte, former EIC and Transformers writer John Barber, former President and one of the major players in IDW's initial acquisition of the Transformers license Chris Ryall, writers Simon Furman, James Roberts and Erik Burnham, and artists including Casey Coller, Andrew Griffith, Josh Burcham, Nick Roche and Jack Lawrence among others.

Questions remain for several fans such as the ultimate fate of the long-running, slow-releasing IDW Collection hardcover series, which will only reach the beginnings of the Optimus Prime and Lost Light series with its upcoming March release of Phase 3, Volume 2. Whether these collections will ever by completed is yet to be seen. Who - if anyone, for a time - will release Transformers comics beginning in 2023 is also yet to be confirmed, though previous rumors point to Skybound Entertainment.

Whatever your opinion is on IDW's Transformers run throughout the years, it can't be denied that their 17 years creating Transformers stories has had a colossal impact on fans and the brand itself. A heartfelt "thank you" is the least we can offer for all of the creative minds that brought us this soon-to-conclude era of Transformers comics for the fun and entertainment provided over the years.