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Creative Roundup, December 29, 2013

Date: Sunday, December 29th 2013 4:16am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

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Views: 92,476

Could it be? The last roundup of 2013? Why yes, yes, it is! Let me not hold you up, and take a look at the awesome production of the more creative side of Seibertron.com, from figures to art to comics to prose to photography. It's been a good year, here's to the next, fantabulously creative one, to and with everyone in Transtopia!


CUSTOMIZATIONS

wheelhousean - RotF Voyager Megatron: Tank Mode and Robot Mode | Movie-verse Voyager Megatron: Tank Mode and Robot Mode






xaviercal - Decepticon Justice Division: Helex | Tesarus






BUILDING BOTS

Tresob - Original Kreon Helmets




zodconvoy - Kreopaloosa!




FAN ART

G1bo23 - Fan Art




Shockwave514 - G1 Bludgeon Spotlight Comic Art




M3Gr1ml0ck - Untold Marvels G1 US #31.1




FAN FICTION

Star Prime - Thundercracker's Conversion: Reborn

PHOTO BLITZ

paul053 - When cat's away, the mice will...


BeastProwl - The Amazing Adventures of Dennis and Bruce

Creative Roundup, December 22, 2013

Date: Sunday, December 22nd 2013 4:56am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

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Views: 84,424

THE HELP DESK

User JazZeke is putting together a Beast Wars art project on DeviantArt - to contribute, check out his thread here!

CUSTOMIZATIONS

Va'al - Beast Hunters Voyager Predaking | Beast Hunters Grimwing






xaviercal - Decepticon Justice Division: Vos | Kaon and pet | Tarn








TM Mega-Prime - TF: Prime Wheelie




Madness Mechanic - Transformers Prime Whirl (Legion)




Nemesis Maximo - Custom Universe Soundwave




Hip-Hoptimus Rime - Generations Doubledealer: Rocket Thing




omega666 - G1 Sharkticon Megatron




NON TRANSFORMERS

KnightStrike - Cobra Lightstrike | Cobra HISS 2 Custom






BUILDING BOTS

Noideaforaname - Custom Kreons




FAN ART

Noideaforaname - TripredaKreon




JIRRMan - TFP Keep Calm memes




PHOTO BLITZ

paul053 - When cat's away, the mice will...

bolleii - Funny Pics

IDW Transformers: ReGeneration One #97 Review

Date: Wednesday, December 18th 2013 3:47am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 88,714

Synopsis

DARK FORCES RISE! JHIAXUS—the mysterious senator who deleted himself from Cybertronian history—is back… but as friend or foe? RODIMUS PRIME is forced to question the motives of Primus himself—does he drag the AUTOBOTS into a war they can’t win… or side with an “enemy” who seeks only one thing: universal order?



Story

And here he is. Been teased for some time now, we've been developing a back story, dealing with the aftermath of the battle with Galvatron (while Optimus keeps building things in Oklahoma, as you do) and the primordial Cybertronians settling in - and there's quite a message going on with that plot, too - and now, Simon Furman brings Jhiaxus slap bang in the middle of it.



And he seems nice enough, if you ignore the thick, constant judging of everything on Cybertron, and the fact that his minions are terrifying and evil, and he's insanely rational and evil and supervillain-esque. Have I mentioned the minions are terrifying and evil? And racist/specieist? Surely the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree..



Rodimus Prime deals with Jhiaxus, who goes in full-on explanation mode - yet, still works, quite nicely, too. He's been set up to be an arrogant, learned, self-centred ex-senator, and that's exactly what his character is like. And there seems to be a reason behind all his power, too.



I'm impressed. Furman plays well with his fairly expanded cast, while never losing sight of the threat posed by Jhiaxus. The Dinobots are brought in for a "subplot" of sorts, that ties in with the rest, we get to look at the continuation of the Fort Max plot, even if just for a glimpse, and the conclusion is very very fan-worthy

Art

Guido Guidi is still on art duties, with Stephen Baskerville inking the gorgeous linework. I still sometimes forget that this is not Wildman at his best, as Guidi has done an amazing job at emulating the style while still keeping his own touch in the art. The more organic characters look brilliant, and Jhiaxus' face is something to be in awe.



As for colours, JP Bove once again delivers some stunningly chromed and slick paintjobs to absolutely everything, from organic technobirds to possessed giant robots to gold-shining faces and rubble, guns, skies and more. I'm still not sure how he does what he does, but does it he does, and does it well.



Chris Mowry's letters do a great job of helping out with the more action-based sequences, too, without ever getting in the way of the artwork - which is always a good thing. And make sure you take a look at all the covers: other than Andrew Wildman's classic A cover, Guidi's Fortress Maximus is a thing to behold, and Geoff Senior's cover is a fun as always!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Ok, this was really fun. Furman's dialogue can get a little our of hand, especially reading this and Dark Cybertron together, but it still fits the characters. The action in this one is well-plotted and justified, and the storyline looks very promising. And I really hope other readers get the kick I got at the two revelatory point in the issue



I'm running out of things to say about the artwork, though it never ceases to amaze me. This is what most older readers will remember from the earlier days, with the new injected into it. It's shiny, it's gritty, it's beautiful, it's face-y and it's all due to the more or less Italians (and Baskerville). Yes, I just went there.

IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #24 (DC5) Review

Date: Wednesday, December 18th 2013 3:46am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 88,694

Synopsis

UNDER FIRE! AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS unite to battle a common foe… but will it be enough to stop the DARK CYBERTRON prophecy from coming true? SHOCKWAVE’s plan reaches fruition—while in the Dead Universe, secrets are revealed!



Story

Will you look at that? We're almost halfway there. John Barber and James Roberts return for the fifth chapter of Dark Cybertron, and we get deeper into the story and what is actually going on in Shockwave's mind. Well, sort of. And be ready to miss all the characters you wanted to see more of, too!



The action only takes place in two locations, and that means two storylines, with one being left to one side for this issue (but they will be back!). And to be fair, there is quite a lot going on in the DU and on Cybertron right now, with Nova Prime and Galvatron coming through to this reality Alien-style through Megatron's body.



On the other side of the universe, Nightbeat does as Nightbeat is, we get some exposition and recapping about everyone and everything that has happened so far and find out that Cyclonus is - as we knew - really important for everything. Will it last though? Is there more going on?



I'm intrigued by the various things going on, and confused by some of the details of the Regeneration Ore and the characters that come in touch with it - are they fully rebuilt/reformed? I liked the dialogue and the various digs at each of the writers and the characters themselves, and I really really enjoy the emotional level of some of the temporary deaths.

Art

Two storylines, two artists: Livio Ramondelli for the DU, Robert Gill for Cybertron. I'm still unsure about the latter's Shockwave, especially the chest proportions, but I'm enjoying the rest of the cast. As for Ramondelli, his style definitely fits the tone of the DU, but Orion gets some shape malfunctions every now and then. What is it with robochests this issue?



I actually think that Romulo Fajardo Jr's colours really fit Gill's style, and there are some seriously gorgeous panels in here, with some nice cross-hatched shadings too. The effects of Skywarp's teleport malfunction are brilliantly rendered, too. Ramondelli's colours also make some scenes pop quite nicely, and his skies are glorious.



And it's Tom B. Long back on lettering, too. That first Metalhawk panel has an excellent sound to it, and so do some of the punches when Ironhide is involved. Let's also not forget Casey Coller's great cover with Joana Lafuente, Phil Jimenez and Fajardo's Rattrap and the great DU shot from Marcelo Matere and Priscilla Tramontano!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

I really enjoyed reading through this one, Shockwave is really letting himself go, there's some good humour without jarring with the overall tone, a couple of surprises and some really good uses of characters (including Megatron). I am, however, confused at Nova Prime's presence at different moments, and at what exactly happened between scenes. I can see this one working a lot better in its trade version.



This issue proves it, working with two art styles is better than three, especially when the settings are so different. I really like the spreads and wider panels, and Metalhawk and Galvatron both look brilliant in it. One minor note: for the issue that comes with Rattrap (from the B cover) it really has very very little of the furry critter in it.

IDW Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters #8 Review

Date: Wednesday, December 11th 2013 2:30am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 80,278

Synopsis

THE FIGHT FOR CYBERTRON! GRIMLOCK and his DINOBOTS meet up with old allies and try to stop the new threat to the planet. But as things get heated, the outcome becomes uncertain. A new beginning… or the end of the DINOBOTS?



Story

And here we are. After seven issues, a previous mini-series, three seasons of a TV series and an epilogue, Beast Hunters actually ends in all its iterations. Mike Johnson writes the final issue, continuing the story where we left it last month, with plot by him and Mairghread Scott. I'm almost a little sad about it.



We're dealing with the Dinobots, Firestar, Chromia and a whole lotta bots on Cybertron and the whole of the cast of Forged and a grumpy Predacon, just as Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee show up again, after the events of Predacons Rising. Or at least, that's what it looks like from the various references to 'Optimus' sacrifice'.



The dialogue does seem to have improved, and what I really liked was the fact that the characters didn't blurt out the whole story of Predacons Rising or the series, assuming the presence of a knowledgeable readership. Though as some have pointed out, how do the Dinobots not know what happened? How far were they from the actions of Unicron/Megatron and Optimus Prime?



The story does have a conclusion to it, and a vague sense of closure, but I can't help but feel as though something is still missing from it. Maybe using the two-arc stories detracted from what could've been a long running plot, with a bit more to it. It promised so much to begin with!

Art

Agustin Padilla on art doesn't disappoint, to be fair, though I've seen complaints about the main Prime cast. I like that we get to see a different incarnation of them, other than the show. I enjoy seeing different takes on the same character, especially after such a long time in the same aesthetic. I like the big vast landscapes, and even the simple urban backdrops.



My usual points of merit for the amazing colourwork and lettering still stand for this final issue too. Priscilla Tramontano does some brilliant work with shadows and different light sources, and keep an eye on the changing sky, in tone with the narration. Tom B. Long also gets more stage space, with a lot of LOUD NOISES part of the more action-packed scenes.



So while the artwork may not be anything surprising, or disappointing or overwhelming either way, it's good, it suits the story and its tone and works really well with the main cast. I've enjoyed the team's work on this run, as I've really enjoyed Ken Christiansen's covers. Maybe we'll see Padilla elsewhere?

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

All in all, it wasn't a bad issue, conclusion or series. My biggest complaint was the fact that, for me, it didn't live up to the first two issues and what they had set out to do. I would probably not have read this at all, had they not been as good. But the series was good, not amazingly so, but good, with a warm glow at the end. And I really hope to see Scott working on more comics.



As I've said above, there have been a few minor complaints about the series, in terms of art too - but personally I never had that bother me as much. I think Padilla, Tramontano and Long fitted the themes and tones of the stories told perfectly. I'd be interested to see them work with other arts and colours, even if just out of curiosity, but a sketchy Grimlock will always look good to me!

Creative Roundup, December 8, 2013

Date: Sunday, December 8th 2013 4:57am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

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Views: 63,063

We're down on customs this week, but there's plenty more stuff to feast your creative appetites on! And of course, all of this is in celebration of our very own BURN, whose birthday it is today! Yay Burn! We love Burn!

Check out Transtopia's offerings for the past week, y'all.

THE HELP DESK

A couple of old questions still seeking answers!

User megatronus is looking for tips on how to convert TW Hardbone into a Shockwave figure.

And hokieken is asking for help with dismantling FoC Grimlock - any ideas?


CUSTOMIZATIONS

Gladky - Autobot Stig




omega666 - TFTM Brawl




BUILDING BOTS

Tresob - Original Kreon Helmets




mechajol - Kreo Sideswipe Rebuild | Kreo Mobile Medibay






lg2113 - MOC Custom Kreo Bruticus




Noideaforaname - Kreon Customs




SHAPEWAYS STUFF

GlauG - GlauG's Shapeways Thread




Skyfire77 - G2 Cyberjet Missiles




FAN ART

Noideaforaname - Tripredakreon




M3Gr1ml0ck - Untold Marvels G1 UK Annual 2013: The I




FAN FICTION

Wasp-shot23 - Scattered: A story in pieces

Henry921 - Forging the Star


PHOTO BLITZ

paul053 - When cat's away, the mice will...

Susha - Nightwalking




Henry921 - The Amazing Adventures of Dennis and Bruce - Discontinuity

IDW Transformers: More than Meets the Eye #24 (DC 4) Review

Date: Wednesday, December 4th 2013 3:16am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 52,288

Synopsis

TRAPPED! Alone on a strange world, the crew of the Lost Light struggle against an unknown enemy—but what does this have to do with SHOCKWAVE’s master plan? Answer: everything. Meanwhile, OPTIMUS PRIME finds an old friend in the Dead Universe!



Story

Underwater, outerspace, aftermath. Boy, there's a lot of stuff going on. The Necrotitan boomed, the mini-nites swarmed, Cyclonus is doomed, and all for the sake of my own rhymes. Though something really is up with Cyclonus. Did John Barber and James Roberts deliver on all fronts this issue? Maybe. Are we moving in full-on Infinite Crisis? Possibly.



Crossing universes, everything is connected, the Ammonites turn out to be pretty cool (well, it is their in-pack issue after all). The tones shift adequately and appropriately between the different sets, but actually all maintain the established darker undertones to them, which is good for a sense of continuity.



I think I figured out what worked in this issue. The settings are clearly fine, we're all expecting them by now, and there's not too much stalling. But the dialogue is better. A lot better. The interaction between characters, interrupting each other, arguing, the whole thing - it's working, it feels like a cast.



Interesting. There are so many revelations, reveals, twists and turns that I almost got tired of them on the first couple of reads. It felt crammed. And yet.. I enjoyed it, I like just how devious Shockwave is, and his treatment of Megatron. I like Magnus commanding the Lost Light. I even like the very little happenings in the Dead Universe. Onwards!

Art

Oh wow. How many artists again? Nick Roche, James Raiz, Livio Ramondelli, Atilio Rojo and Robert Gill - five. Five art styles. Two for the Lost Light, two for Cybertron, one for the Dead Universe. I don't mind them as much as I did with chapter 2, Rojo and Gill blend well together, I have no clue why Raiz and Roche did two parts for the same thing (well, I do, but still), though.. they fit the tones, really well, too. And Ramondelli's Dead Universe is definitely dark, I'll give you that.



With so many artists, just one colourist - even if it is Josh Perez - would not have been enough, so I'm glad to see a second: Romulo Fajardo Jr. There's definitely a different texture to some of the colours, if I've spotted the pages right, but they still manage to work with Perez' already established stuff. Good to see wide-spread damage, after the Necroboom (my word).



And good to see Gilberto Lazcano on letters again, too! Some good work in terms of giving voices where needed, and not getting in the way of the action with sound effects. I appreciate that in lettering. A shout out to Raiz' cover, which is stunningly powerful, and Casey Coller's main cover, too!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

It was fun. I said above, I got annoyed at all the reveals crammed into one issue, but then reread them all and couldn't stop chuckling. I almost want Barber and Roberts to leave Megatron in his current state, before it all goes combiner-shaped again. Dialogue has picked up, action has picked up, pick this one up.



Five artists and two colourists? Could be very very bad. But it wasn't! Sometimes it feels a little odd, especially with the final pages and the later Shockwave moments, but it didn't stop me from having a good read. I'd rather it were toned down again next time, though (I know I know, time constraints). NEXT!

Creative Roundup, December 1, 2013

Date: Sunday, December 1st 2013 6:19am CST
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

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Views: 75,154

THE HELP DESK

Susha is looking for writers to help out in a fanfiction project! Check his idea out here.

CUSTOMIZATIONS

Angryduck - WFC 10" Optimus Prime




omega666 - BH Ripclaw | ROTF Bludgeon | DOTM Whirl








GetRightRobot - Hardforged Grimlock




amd098 - FoC Metroplex Touchups




autobotx23 - TW-02 Nemesis Prime




TM Mega-Prime - IDW Windcharger




Mykltron - BH Ultra Magnus




BUILDING BOTS

Tresob - Original Kreon Helmets | G1 Skids Robot Hero






mechajol - Kreon Mobile Battle Station




FAN ART

kaijuguy19 - Transformers Matrix Art Thread




M3Gr1ml0ck - -Ation Road Rocket




G1bo23 - Fan Art




FAN FICTION

Henry921 - Forging the Star - Chapter 5 and more

M3Gr1ml0ck - Untold Marvel G1 US 50.1


PHOTO BLITZ

paul053 - When cat's away, the mice will...

Henry921 - The Amazing Adventures of Dennis and Bruce!

IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #23 (DC3) Review

Date: Wednesday, November 27th 2013 3:28am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 52,843

Synopsis

STARSCREAM UNDER FIRE! The all-new, all-redesigned, all-leader-of-the-planet STARSCREAM makes his move! Will he stand up for CYBERTRON, or fall under SHOCKWAVE’s onslaught? Meanwhile—the Lost Light receives a desperate call from help from an old friend!



Story

PREVIOUSLY, in the reviews: People in the Dead Universe, people on Cybertron, people on the Lost Light! Orion Pax, Starscream, Ultra Magnus! Got it? Got it! (!) But, on the other hand, the Roll Call page has shifted, and that's a nifty little placeholder, actually, giving a sense of the different scenes and their cast.



John Barber and James Roberts keep weaving the tale of this previously unknown prophecy telling of the advent of a Dark Cybertron, with cyclopses, titans, comets and the such. So it all makes sense. Or does it? I'm not sure how far I can buy into a long-standing legend that has never really been heard of before, though.



I like what they're doing with Rattrap, even the very explicit reveals about his character or potential ulterior motives. What I also like is the Magnus-driven plot aboard the Lost Light, pointing to a different use of his character, now that all the layers have been sliced off. And Brainstorm is still great.



The plot is actually unexpected at this point, I was not anticipating the Necrotitan's involvement so soon, nor was I expecting its aftermath so quickly. I am extremely intrigued by what on earth is Shockwave planning, that's for sure. Will we ever know?

Art

I feel a lot better about the artwork in this issue, even if it is the same two artists: James Raiz for Lost Light Scenes, Atilio Rojo for Cybertron scenes. The latter's linework looks much better, inexplicably, since last week's issue, and there are some brilliant shots of some (sigh) 'old friends'. Raiz really works well with Magnus and Brainstorm, and the inks don't look as dark as previously, though it can get a bit cluttered at times.



I was going to say something about the colours and how they work with the lines but HOLY HOTPANTS BATMAN. Josh Perez takes splash and spreads to new levels, and you'll see what I mean when you read it! The colours are good all over, but those scenes are ridiculously good. Tom B. Long is equally impressive in his lettering, and never gets in the way unless needed. But when he is, he adds some great personality to the noises and sounds.



As I said, the two different styles work a lot better for me in this issue, for some reason. Maybe it's the script transition, maybe it's the colours, maybe it's the tone getting darker, but whatever it is, it works. Make sure to check out Nick Roche's cover B for some added goodness, too.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

It's getting there, oh is it getting there. We're finally clocking into what might be happening, we get some good action out of it, the characters are being set.. and yet, it feels like we're going back to previous Barber-isms. We'll have to see how it all plays out, but I am not impressed or surprised at the final pages, nor at the big event of the issue. Hm. I like it, but I'm annoyed at it, too.



The art seems to blend better for me, and Perez' work on the two styles definitely contributes to that. I'm glad we only have two artists this time round, and I'd rather this were the case from here on. I have a feeling this issue will only pass readers' judgement once we see how the aftermath evolves.

IDW Transformers: ReGeneration One #96 Review

Date: Wednesday, November 27th 2013 3:22am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 53,485

Synopsis

ZERO INITIATIVE! As RODIMUS PRIME urgently struggles to comprehend the what, why, and wherefore of SPIKE WITWICKY, GALVATRON, JHIAXUS, and a DARK MATRIX creature, and specifically how they contribute to the final dissolution of time, space and everything in between! Unless NIGHTBEAT and BUMBLEBEE can shake loose some answers, the future—is cancelled.



Story

We've had adventures in time and space, we've had Hot Rod become Rodimus Prime, we've had Bludgeon dying his death, Galvatron fighting Ultra Magnus - it is now time to start dragging them all together, into the final arc of Transformers: ReGeneration One. This is it, people. This is the actual end. Again.



Simon Furman at the helm (duh) we get a story that ties together the events of the past arc and Issue Zero, attempting to neatly place everything in its own space, while still making sense of the whole. More or less. It's good to get back to Spike, actually, and his resentment towards Cybertronians, and I am interesting to see if it will play any actual impactful role in the plot to come.



Though at times the dialogue and interaction between the two 'main' characters, Bumblebee and Nightbeat, can feel a bit G1esque at its most childish, the older readers will definitely enjoy some of the references, even if not direct ones. And by 'main' I mean the ones teased in the solicits, as Rodimus still takes the spotlight.



Furman does a really good job with Rodimus, especially by using the characters around him to help flesh out his newfound leader personality and the burden of responsibilities that come with it -- and then he garbles the gurgling waters by throwing in all the plot elements he needs from Zero Space in the final two acts of the issue. Buckle up. It gets bumpy.

Art

Guido Guidi is still going strong, though with some very marked differences between the opening pages and the rest of the issue. We get to see a variety of styles and poses, all about different cast members, organic, mech and both together, which is always good, and the final page is something magnificent. But after this issue, the one word that to me describes Guidi's work is FACE. He loves giant faces. He really really does.



Stephen Baskerville does some good stuff with Guidi's pencils, and works on finishes in the later pages. He's a master chameleon, adding just that little touch of his own to his blend-in inks. And of course, JP Bove glistens again with his amazing colours, as we've seen in Issue Zero. I'll stop before going into full-on gushing.



Chris Mowry on letters does a brilliant job too, completing but not covering the action, and helping out with the character's voices. The artistic team on the issue does a really good job of working with the script, and it always knocks up the enjoyment of the story. And don't miss out on the covers - Geoff Senior and Guidi dazzle once again!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

As a first issue of a final arc it does all it needs to do, and does it well. We may be getting tired of the 'beginning of the end of the beginning of the..' trope, but hey, it's true, and at least this is the *actual* end. The dialogue can be a bit.. Furmanesque, including Furmanisms, but it's what I've come to expect.



The art is always brilliant, from pencils to inks to colours to letters, and really helps deliver a comic that could feel very out of place in the newer readership. I am actually really intrigued as to what is to come, and will be looking forward, trepidantly, to next month. You coming along?