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Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #4 Creator Commentary.

Date: Wednesday, April 18th 2012 12:06pm CDT
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): Transformers facebook page

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The Transformers facebook page has posted the first five pages of Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Ongoing #4 with commentary from the creative team of James Roberts, Alex Milne, and Josh Burcham. See their thoughts on the issue below. Don't forget to swing by your local comic book retailer and pick this issue up today!

PAGE 1: We’re seeing for the first time in the IDW continuity First Aid and Delphi. Was this always the plan to bring them both in here and the look of them in this grave situation?

JAMES ROBERTS: Well, First Aid made his first appearance—along with Pharma and Ambulon and Delphi itself—in the short story “Bullets,” which I wrote for inclusion in the Last Stand of the Wreckers trade (it’s in the new hardcover edition, too). But you definitely don’t need to have read “Bullets” to enjoy issues 4 and 5 of MTMTE—the first three pages set everything up for readers new and old. But to answer your question, part of the fun of writing MTMTE is getting our heroes—the crew—meet other characters on their travels. When Cybertron was transformed at the end of the Chaos storyline, it brought a lot of Cybertronians back home; but there are still lots of characters out there, waiting for their moment.

ALEX MILNE: A lot of characters still out there? Oh man I can't wait to see what will be coming up in the later issues of MTMTE. I hope fans will like the look that we have given Delphi. I know I talked it over with Josh—I wanted the interior of the complex to have a very Arkham Asylum feel to it. Specifically the medical ward from the game. I really do think that Josh did an excellent job in pulling that feeling off. I guess the whole look of Delphi consists of 2 things. The outside, where we see the planet and the base, is one. This look is cold, but somewhat comfortable. By looking at the base from the outside, you wouldn't get the sense that anything is wrong. Then the interior, which at times looks nightmarish. I wanted it to have that feeling as you went along that you will really be yearning for the outside again.

JOSH BURCHAM: Thanks Alex! Yeah, it was a lot of fun helping create the look of Delphi’s “visual identity.” Obviously most of the hard stuff, like designing how the base looks and getting across what type of world it is and the terrain it consists of, was already done by Alex but I had a good time trying to come up with a way of reenforcing all of that with color. Every place, every planet has its own feel and its own color scheme to kind of help push the notion that “hey, this is a different place now.” And it’s not just to let you know where you are geographically but there’s an element of getting across a “feeling” to these locations too.

PAGES 2 and 3: More new bots in Ambulon and Pharma and setting the scene for what’s going on inside Delphi. Was the disease influenced at all by the Cosmic Rust we saw in the cartoon and what were Ambulon and Pharma based on?

JAMES ROBERTS: Hmm, it’s hard to answer these questions without giving away too much. Sorry! Let me just say that something very, very bad has happened on Delphi, and Ratchet’s about to walk straight into it! I’ll just say that this story marks a major turning point in the life of the Autobots’ Chief Medical Officer…

ALEX MILNE: I’m not going to give away anything about them either. The only thing I will say is that when you look at Pharma, it's clear that he’s a jet of some sort.

JOSH BURCHAM: Heh, I wish I could extrapolate more on your question but like the others, I’ll leave it to you to find the answers within this and the next issue! Heck, I wish I could comment to some degree on these characters and their color schemes but a lot of that was already kind of laid out for me. Alex and James are very particular about the details when they go to creating their respective parts of the book. I guess for me the main goal of this spread was to keep pushing that green “medical ward” color scheme throughout the panels. (And, boy, Alex sure does design some awesome looking ’bots doesn’t he? Really digging Pharma’s design! Not every day we see a jet medic-bot so it’s a nice treat seeing the Transformers universe expanded, even in little ways like these characters and these kinds of locations!)

PAGE 4: Swerve opens a bar and Ratchet starts realizing his own mortality. I guess it’s really being leading up to this? Just how much of the Lost Light has been designed at this stage?

JAMES ROBERTS: Ratchet’s not been himself since we met him in issue 1. The kindly, young-at-heart doctor of old has changed—he’s less kind, less patient, and in many respects has had enough. Why? Well, that’s what issues 4 and 5 are about. I decided Swerve needed his own bar about five seconds after putting words in his mouth for the first time. But the idea that the Lost Light should have its own social hub was there from the very beginning. There needed to be a place where the crew can congregate, argue, laugh, ingest too much engex, brawl, hide… you get the idea. I think issues 1 through 6 of MTMTE each introduces at least one new location. Alex has outdone himself in terms of designing the interiors. He really makes it feel as if we’re writing a TV show or a film, and these are the set designs. It also makes for fantastic visual continuity.

ALEX MILNE: Hmm, that’s a good question. When I was brought onboard for this project and knew I was going to be working on interiors I started to layout the ship so I would know where things were in relation to each other. I would say that at this point in time 80% of the ship is laid out.

I have a general floor plan I work off of, and I have plotted out section for the bridge, engineering the bar and so on. I have left areas open for things that James might throw my way. I like to think of this as if I was working on star trek or another really cool science fiction show.

JOSH BURCHAM: Yeah, totally! It’s a great deal of fun getting to visit all of these new planets and meeting up with long lost characters. It’s exciting and also challenging, creatively, trying to come up with how all these different places look and feel. Always trying to make them feel familiar and yet alien (and also distinct from each other!) all at the same time is a lot of fun, and seeing how intricately planned out and detailed Alex is on his locations just serves to fuel my own creativity.

And Swerve’s bar. I mean, come on. I can see so many memories coming out of this place in the future. What a fantastic idea!

PAGE 5: Ratchet and Swerve discus this “message” hidden for them to find, getting us to Delphi and they start becoming friends. Has anything in the series so far taken any of you guys by surprise in how the stories and overall arcs are evolving?

JAMES ROBERTS: I’ve got a very firm idea of where the overall story arc is heading. Each of the main characters have their own arcs as well, some of which have yet to begin. In translating these overarching or slow-burning storylines into actual issues, yes, I have been struck by how certain characters gel with each other, and tweaked future stories to exploit that. I’ve been pleased by how many characters seem to work well in pairs: Skids and Swerve, Tailgate and Cyclonus, Ratchet and Drift (I didn’t say “get on” in pairs), Rodimus and Magnus, Chromedome and Rewind, etc. As the voyage continues we see friendships begin and end. As I’ve always said, you live the story through the characters, and the crew of the Lost Light will always be at the heart of this book.

ALEX MILNE: Surprises. Each book is a surprise for me. A wonderful and at times twisted surprise that gives me tingles up my spine when I read it.
For me, each issue that James writes is better then the last, but then when you read them all in one go you see how they all start to tie together to make one great story. It’s a real treat to read and be a part of. I seen a lot of people who have said I don't get why this was said, or this was done. I think we have to have a bit of patience and see how the story unfolds. The stores are so dense and at times and interconnected in ways we don’t see until they happen.
I'm positive the payoff will be worth the wait! Also, Skids is awesome. Just had to put that out there.

JOSH BURCHAM: Ya know what’s funny is that it really doesn’t surprise me at all how much I’m falling in love with all of these characters. James is a fantastic writer! That much was evident when I was working with him on Last Stand of the Wreckers. I know I’m just having a blast getting to know them more and more with each passing issue. There’s a distinct difference between just knowing of a character and really getting to know that character, and James just does such a great job letting us in on how these characters live for 22 pages! And Alex, too! Alex has the big job of putting James’ words to life and he’s just been doing such a great job showing us who and how these characters are! It’s an honor to be working with such a talented team!

Matt Frank Art will be Available in Artist Alley at Botcon 2012

Date: Tuesday, April 17th 2012 7:01pm CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Event News, People News, Collectables
Posted by: GetRightRobot | Credit(s): mattfrankart.com

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Matt Frank has shown off a print that will be available at Botcon in Dallas TX. This is a faux cover for a "What If" Fall of Cybertron. Grimlock VS The Insecticons! Check out the image below or head over to MattFrank.com by clicking here.

You can also see more of Mr. Frank's art by viewing his Deviant Art page which can be found here.

MATT FRANK'S JOB HISTORY -
RAY HARRYHAUSEN PRESENTS - BlueWater Productions - Covers, interiors (2006-2008)
BEAST WARS SOURCEBOOK - IDW Publishing - Character art (2007-2008)
MARVEL HANDBOOKS - Marvel Comics - Art Refurbishing (2008-2009)
Challenge Games - Concept/Production Artist (2009)
BLACK PAW: RETURN OF THE DRAGON - Gleaming Scythe Productions - Character/creature design (2008-2010)
Chaotic Moon Studios - Concept/Production artist (2010)
GODZILLA: KINGDOM OF MONSTERS - IDW Publishing - Retailer Incentive covers (2011)
DUNGEON IN A DECK - Games By Gamers - Character design, creature design (2011)

IDW July 2012 Solicitations: Transformers, Battle Beasts, G.I.Joe, and More!

Date: Friday, April 13th 2012 10:35pm CDT
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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Courtesy of our friends at IDW Publishing we have their solicitations for July 2012. In addition to the normal Transformers titles, we've also thrown in their Battle Beast and G.I.Joe offerings. Check out the covers and descriptions below! Looks like July is going to be a big month for Transformers comics!

• Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Ongoing #7
• Transformers: Robots in Disguise #7
• Transformers: Regeneration One #81
• Transformers: Regeneration One 100-Page Spectacular
• Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Vol. 1
• Transformers: Autocracy
• Infestation 2, Vol. 2

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Ongoing #7
James Roberts (w) • Alex Milne (a) • Milne, Nick Roche (c)
DECEPTICON MONTH! The war's over — but no-one told the DECEPTICON Justice Division! Meet the five deadliest DECEPTICONS in the galaxy. Their sole purpose: to hunt down and kill anyone who has ever disobeyed MEGATRON. Who's their next target?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Marcelo Matere variant! Interlocks with TRANSFORMERS: Robots in Disguise #7’s RI cover!

Bullet points:
• The massive success of the TRANSFORMERS relaunch continues!
• Nobody’s safe and nothing is sacred!
• DECEPTICON MONTH!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Ongoing #7
John Barber (w) • Brendan Cahill (a) • Andrew Griffith, Casey Coller (c)
DECEPTICON MONTH! Fan-favorite character TURMOIL returns from the dead—but what does he want on CYBERTRON? The AUTOBOTS don't want another DECEPTICON on their planet and the DECEPTICONS don't want things to get any worse... but what Wheeljack discovers about the DECEPTICON warlord will change everything!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Marcelo Matere variant! Interlocks with TRANSFORMERS: More Than Meets The Eye #7’s RI cover!

Bullet points:
• DECEPTICON MONTH!
• The Decepticons take center stage this month!

Transformers: Regeneration One #81
Simon Furman (w) • Andrew Wildman & Stephen Baskerville (a) • Wildman, Guido Guidi (c)
The TRANSFORMERS comic that began it all—is back. With a vengeance! 21 years have passed since CYBERTRON was restored to its former glory, and finally there is peace. But, after millions of years of bitter civil war, can all ever truly be one? In a conflict this primal, this epic and far-reaching... There are always “Loose Ends”!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Geoff Senior variant!
Unique hand-sketched variant by Daniel Khanna!

Bullet points:
• Picks up where the original TRANSFORMERS comic book series left off—with the same creative team!
• Fan Favorite legends Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman reunited!
• 50/50 retro cover by Guido Guidi!

Transformers: Regeneration One 100-Page Spectacular
Simon Furman (w) • Andrew Wildman & Stephen Baskerville (a) • Wildman (c)
GET READY FOR REGENERATION ONE! For the first time in nearly a decade the final issues of the original run of TRANSFORMERS are back—just in time for the story to continue in TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE #81! Following a planet-shattering battle with UNICRON, OPTIMUS PRIME has fallen! How will the other AUTOBOTScarry on—and will PRIME be back in time for CYBERTRON's darkest hour? Reprinting THE TRANSFORMERS #76-80!
FC • 100 pages • $7.99

*Variant covers:
Guido Guidi variant retro cover!

Bullet points:
• The last issues of the original TRANSFORMERS comic series—by the same writer, penciler, and inker as REGENERATION ONE #81!
• Fan favorite characters meet their final fates!
• Includes the legendary "END OF THE ROAD"!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Vol. 1
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
The war for Cybertron is over—now the hard part begins! BUMBLEBEE and his fellow AUTOBOTS struggle to maintain control of a world without OPTIMUS PRIME! Bumblebee's provisional government is struggling and Prowl defends it against the DECEPTICONS but how far will he go—and who will chose to stand by his side?
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 124 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-291-1

Bullet points:
• The smash-hit re-launch collected in trade paperback!

Transformers: Autocracy
Chris Metzen & Flint Dille (w) • Livio Ramendelli (a & c)
Before Optimus became a Prime... he fought for order. Before MEGATRON became a conquerer... he fought for freedom. Before they were enemies... they stood against—Autocracy. Writers Chris Metzen (World of Warcraft) and Flint Dille (original TRANSFORMERS animated series) are joined by artist Livio Ramondelli (TRANSFORMERS: Chaos) to bring you an IDW comics event five million years in the making.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 120 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-290-4

Bullet points:
• The smash-hit digital comic, collected in print for the first time!

Infestation 2, Vol. 2
Mike Raicht & Chuck Dixon (w) • Valentine DeLandro & Guido Guidi (a) • Livio Ramendelli (c)
The Lovecraftian monsters invade the worlds of TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE in INFESTATION 2. It's a steam-punk world in the grips of panic as terrifying beings from the depths of the ocean corrupt both humans and DECEPTICONS! Meanwhile, COBRA has always had a penchant for dark experiments. This time they've gone too far and opened a portal to a realm of violence and madness. As squadron after squadron of Cobra Vipers falls under the thrall of the Elder Gods there seems no way to stop the hideous transformations that are taking place. Can SNAKE EYES stop it?
TPB • FC • $17.99 • 104 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-280-5

Battle Beasts #1 (of 4)
Bobby Curnow (w) • Valerio Schiti (a) • Dan Brereton (c)
It's just another average day for Bliss, an ignored linguist at the Department of Defense. However, when Bliss unlocks the secret translation of an ancient scroll, terror rains from the sky... in the form of the BATTLE BEASTS! Unstoppable creatures armed to the teeth, the Battle Beasts are determined to make Earth their own personal war zone. Nothing can stop their merciless carnage. Nothing except perhaps a gentle word from the one woman who can understand them—Bliss!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Wraparound Ulises Farinas cover!

Bullet Points:
• The beloved toys from the ‘80s come to life in a story with non-stop action!
• If you love Transformers or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, you'll love this tale of intergalactic creature mayhem!
• Wraparound Ulises Farinas cover!

Cobra #15
Mike Costa (w) • Antonio Fuso (a) • Antonio Fuso (c)
The lies and betrayals keep adding up, as Flint struggles to maintain his honor amidst his team of scoundrels and backstabbers. And is the information that Tomax has been supplying really on the level? Of course not... but what game is he playing?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Joe Eisma (Morning Glories) & Juan Castro cover!

Bullet points:
• NEW CHARACTERS! NEW MISSION!
• SAME CUTTING-EDGE STORYTELLING!

Classic G.I. JOE, Vol. 15
Larry Hama, Eric Fein, & Peter Quinones (w) • Phil Gosier, William Rosado, & Ernie Stiner (a) • Jonboy Meyers (c)
The original run of Marvel's G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO comes to a conclusion. Issues #146–155 are collected in this final volume of CLASSIC G.I. JOE.
TPB • FC • $24.99 • 248 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-274-4

Bullet points:
• All 155 issues of A REAL AMERICAN HERO are now collected for the first time.

G.I. JOE: Cobra Command, Vol. 2
Chuck Dixon & Mike Costa (w) • Alex Cal & Beni Lobel (a) • Dave Wilkins (c)
COBRA COMMAND CONCLUDES! The new COBRA COMMANDER is on a path of conquest and destruction. The G.I. JOE, SNAKE EYES, and COBRA story lines converge in this second volume as the JOES struggle to survive. Everything changes here! Who lives—who dies—who wins? The answers aren’t what you expect, and the foundation for the future of G.I. JOE starts here!
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 120 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-278-2

Bullet points:
• Includes issues 10 & 11 of all three ongoing G.I. JOE series!

G.I. JOE: Disavowed, Vol. 6
Brandon Jerwa (w) • Tim Seeley, Jason Millet, & Emiliano Santalucia (a) • Sharp Bros. (c)
Containing the two-part "Bad Moon Rising," where General "Joe" Colton returns to lead the JOEs for the recovering Hawk and the first three parts of the "Union of the Snake" storyline that leads to the conclusion of the “Real American Hero” story arc.
TPB • FC • $19.99 • 124 pages • ISBN 978-1-61377-222-5

Bullet points:
• Collects issues #34–38!

G.I.JOE: A Real American Hero #180
Larry Hama (w) • S L Gallant (a) • Herb Trimpe, Gallant (c)
In this special issue of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, G.I. JOE goes to SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL! After being provided with pivotal information, G.I. JOE travel to San Diego in order to stop a plot to exchange nuclear clearance codes within the confines of the SDCC. Will G.I. JOE save the day in time? You can’t miss this convention-tastic issue of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Larry Hama variant sketch cover!

G.I. JOE #15
Chuck Dixon (w) • Will Rosado (a) • Tommy Lee Edwards (c)
“Deep Terror, part 3!”
DEEP TERROR rumbles on! Scarlett and Team Bravo are on the loose in a COBRA mining operation, miles beneath the surface of the Earth, with no chance of escape. In this issue they uncover the objective of Dr. Mindbender's subterranean search: a rare element that will allow COBRA to change the world forever. And that's NOT Good!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Black & White Tommy Lee Edwards cover!

Bullet points:
• The all-new direction for G.I. JOE continues!

Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow #15
Chuck Dixon (w) • Robert Atkins (a) • Andrea Di Vito (c)
“Serpent’s Shadow,” part 3!
SNAKE EYES continues a deadly game where the rules are known only to him. To prove his renewed loyalty to the Arashikage Clan, he joins a team to kill the new COBRA COMMANDER! But danger lurks for him within the ninja clan with a new betrayal around every corner. ALSO! Zartan makes some interesting new friends.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers:
Lee Ferguson cover!

Bullet Points:
• Non-stop ninja and commando action!
• Featuring the key villain from G.I. JOE: RETALIATION!

Summary of IDW's Transformers Regeneration One #80.5

Date: Thursday, April 12th 2012 8:45am CDT
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Dead Metal | Credit(s): Judge Deliberata

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Seibertron.com member Judge Deliberata managed to obtain his copy of the Free Comic Book Day exclusive Transformers Regeneration One issue 80.5 very very early.

For those that don't know, Transformers Regeneration One is idw's revival and continuation of the old Marvel comics continuity and will continue the story starting with issue #81, 20 years after the events of issue #80 while ignoring the Generation 2 material.

He has posted photographic evidence of the comic, which we provide for your here. He has also posted a summary of the issue, which contains a heavy amount of spoilers, so if you don't want to be spoiled don't continue on after the following images!







And now for the spoilers:

The first few pages we've seen already; the Full Circle blurb, Counterpoint title page, and the following two with the repeated 'Witness!" per each panel depicting the spirit forms of Primus v. Unicron, Uni munching a planet, first TFs budding from Cybertron, and Megs taking a shot at Optimus.

Now, then. Page 3 shows us a busy evening in peaceful Iacon, '21 years after Reoccupation* (denoted by an asterisk as the planet-wide regenesis in TF 80). Prosperity and growth mentioned, Cybertronians are seen going about their daily business. Above it all The Last Autobot stands atop a large structure, seemingly acting as a still sentry overlooking the city. One text box describes the era as 'A time to unify, heal...and hope. Moving towards a brighter future envisioned by Primus and now nurtured by the enigmatic Last Autobot. A Utopia...where all are one.' But over in Polyhex, at Fort Scyk...

Page 4: Soundwave is speaking to a small group of Decepticons. I can't name anyone in this crowd apart from Ruckus (who I can only name as he's called by name later in the issue). Virtually all of these folks are definitely from the latter parts of the G1 line, and my memory for names stops shortly after the movie. My bad. Anyway, ol' tape-deck discusses how he views Megatron's controversial "Peace through Tyranny" motto as 'simply advocating a more trenchant route to the realization of Primus' dream of universal order'. He states that the conveniently "lost" covenant of Primus has become a license for the Autobots to mold Primus' vision into something that only smothers their true potential. he continues that Megatron understood that cybertronians, above all races, are superior beings, more than capable of shouldering the burden of universal guardianship. "That destiny is still ours! We just have to reach out--- ---and TAKE it!" The Decepticons raise their fists and voice their agreement with a series of "Yes!" cries.

Page 5 & 6: More Witness! recaps. Stretch panels:
-The ark flying through an asteroid belt blasting obstacles
-Megatron, Starscream, a red Frumble, a blurry seeker in the background, and Buzzsaw invading the Ark.
-The ark crashing
-Op and Megs duking it out among fallen warriors, Megs being on the receiving end of a piece of machinery Op has tossed at his head.

Page 7: Kup & Ultra Magnus on their way to see Prime, who's stationed in a citadel atop a large hill - Kup complains, and Magnus muses that Prime has gone to lengths to make himself distant. They meet up with Hot Rod, who we learn...Prime has elected to mentor. Kup quips 'tough being the chosen one, eh? Prime's expecting them...

Page 8: This is the page Chris Ryall shared on his twitter. Prime opens with a "What do you want?" Looks like he's stressed and weary again.

Long story short, Kup believes the seperatists are now a threat to planetary security, and that there have been incidents believed to be building toward a main strike, something designed to bring Ex-cons back. Kup wants to send in the Wreckers, but Prime says no - that'll draw support for the dissenters. He believes that with the passage of time, whatever threat posed will fade. "Hot Rod will show you out." Yikes, testy today.

Page 9 & 10: Witness!

-Huffer, Bumblebee, Hound and Prowl hung from the ceiling as Shockwave walks below
-The Dinobots going to town on Megatron
-Defensor vs. Bruticus
-Scorponok vs. Fort Max
Underbase-powered Starscream murdering several Autobots (panel's various shades of yellow apart from Screamer, so it's tough to hell who. One seems to be Bumblebee, but he was supposed to be in his Goldbug form at this time IIRC. A Cliffjumper retcon?

Page 11: The Kalis-Baird beaming transmitter. Soundwave's cons perform a sneak attack. Guards are shot, Rucks says it was easy, and a pink, purple and blue chopper (that doesn't seem like Vortex) calls him a blowhard. They're accompanied by a grey and mostly-red stubby plane and a pinkish fire-breathing bug-lizard looking thing, who melts a way in before they shoot everyone.

Page 12: Soundwave walks in, plugs into a terminal, and gets access to the orbital defense network. He gets control of an 'astroid-smasher' and adjusts its position before firing at Cybertron's surface...

Page 13 and 14: Witness!

-Thunderwing with the Matrix of Leadership. It's not called the Creation Matrix here.
-Unicron in 'bot form scooping noms from Cybertron's surface into his mouth
-Prime dying on the floor as Prowl & co. attend him (his faceplate's still on - continuity error! )
-The Last Autobot awakened
-Prime kicking Bludgeon in the face

Page 15: Witness! The beginning...

The orbital blast descends and strikes the stationary Last Autobot, destroying him utterly. Montage shot of Soundwave with his fist clenched in victory, and Prime, Magnus, Kup and Hot Rod's horrified reaction.

...of the end.

Last page: A preview for #81: Cover is Megatron sitting on a throne in a ruined setting with red sky. His word bubble:"What kept you?"

Seibertron.com Reviews IDW Transformers: Autocracy issue #7

Date: Wednesday, April 11th 2012 8:58am CDT
Categories: Site News, Comic Book News
Posted by: Psychout | Credit(s): Psychout

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Views: 36,485

Transformers: Autocracy ended its 6th issue with a killer cliff-hanger. Orion Pax, choosing to stand against Zeta Prime and to try and defend the province of Nyon is defeated by Zeta's ultimate weapon, the Vamparc Ribbon – a weapon that drains the life of anyone around it and turns it into raw power for the wielder. Fallen and at Zeta’s mercy, what will become of our hero now?



Timed to perfection, Metzen and Dille reunite our two champions, again on Megatron's terms, and Megatron himself is every bit the leader we all know him to be. They also delve that little bit deeper into the relationships between the two factions and whilst there are no real surprises, Shockwave, Starscream and Ironhide are all allowed enough time to show the uneasy tension between the two groups and demonstrate those characteristics we all either love or hate about these story staples.
Even Hot Rod fills an interesting role as Pax’s conscience, a clear foreshadowing of his future self, whilst Pax wrestles with the qualities he will eventually become so famous for.


Ramondelli’s art, as always, is glorious. The dream-like style that is his forte just blows you away with the colours and textures and, even if it still lacks definition up close and it can be hard to distinguish one character from another at times, the iconic final panel that has become his signature of this series punctuates with his usual flair.



As this series continues to develop, the long term impact upon every single IDW comic, past and future, begins to come into focus. What was hinted in Megatron: Origin about the future relationship between Pax and Megatron begins to clear and the real question now is how a story such as this, which begins to scratch the surface of how the one-day Optimus Prime and his archenemy-cum-oldest-friend truly got to know each other, is left languishing as an online-only novelty comic when its insight will clarify a hundred questions, although no doubt raise a thousand more.



For those with a lifelong interest in everything Cybertronian, this exodus chapter of everything we thought we already knew is almost indispensable. This story is literally history in the making, but it is starting to get out of reach for the more casual reader, at this point in the story only serious fans really need apply.

Seibertron.com reviews IDW Transformers: Robots In Disguise issue 3

Date: Tuesday, March 20th 2012 12:08pm CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews
Posted by: Psychout | Credit(s): IDW, Psychout

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With the hectic business of setting the scene on Cybertron out of the way, Transformers Robots In Disguise reaches its third issue and it’s Wheeljack’s turn to be the star, in what is essentially a stand-alone issue, but the political machinations of the planets new governing body are never far away…



Firstly though, let's discuss the art. With any visual medium, there is a fine balance between detail and clarity and for one to work the other must be just right, and vice versa. Unfortunately, Griffith and Perez have missed the mark a bit here. In a bizarre effort to make their characters actually look their 6 million years of age they have made some minor alterations to characters such as Prowl that really stand out, but only kept them for a portion of the book. Looking at Prowl’s face and helmet, the micro-detail added in certain shots, but left out in others, is a bit bewildering and largely distracting. Dirge is also affected by this (as are various other aspects of this issue,) whereas Metalhawk appears to be fine without it, as is the equally as old Bumblebee. I’m all for realism in my cartoon space robot adventures, but consistency is a must, and its sudden halt makes little sense.



Josh Barbers story itself is entertaining. A well woven story arc expanded with a self-contained event, the staple of the bigger Marvel arcs back in the day, this one focuses on Wheeljack. Returning to his tried and tested role as creative and scientific genius, 'Jacks is tasked with puzzling out why parts of Cybertron are spontaneously exploding killing Autobot and Nail alike, whilst those around him fall to their existing prejudices as one side blames the other for these giant explosions wreaking havoc to the re-growing planet.



Also (re-)introduced to the comic are the Aerialbots and the Conehead Dirge, last seen kicked through a space bridge back in AHM#7 and none too happy about it either. These returning characters allow Barber to expand on the feelings of those who just can't let go of the great war, and in exploring Silverbolt's blinkered treatment of Dirge and his inability to let millennia of war go, it demonstrates that even the 'good guys' will still hold grudges long after the war is ended.



This is a good, but not spectacular, issue. I truly dislike the introduction of 'generic' characters just to kill them in the second scene (and MTMTE is also guilty of this) as I think it lacks impact and imagination, especially when there are so many characters to choose from and IDW were quite happy to kill off known characters in the last two issues. Correction: It would appear Barrel Roll does previously exist, albeit as a Minicon from 2010.
Looking past personal gripes though, in trying to weave a complicated and lasting story, Barber has succeeded on many counts - the subtext of Starscream's involvement with Bumblebee's government leaves us puzzling over his real motives, the disagreements within the Autobots themselves continue to add depth to the story and Wheeljack is his usual likeable self, all of which give us an enjoyable tale, but you just can't help but feel slightly let down on those few minor but hard to ignore details.



The weakest of the three books so far, although this is still a great improvement on many of the stories of the past few years and so I can confidently say that those who are into this RID series will still enjoy, although probably not love, this issue.


Correction: It would appear Barrel Roll does previously exist, albeit as a Minicon from 2010.

IDW May 2012 Transformers Solictations

Date: Saturday, February 18th 2012 11:13pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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Courtesy of our friends over at IDW Publishing here are the May 2012 Transformers solicitations.

• Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Ongoing #5
• Transformers: Robots in Disguise Ongoing #5

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye Ongoing #5
James Roberts (w) • Alex Milne (a) • Milne, Nick Roche (c)
TERROR BEYOND THE STARS! The dark secret at the heart of Delphi is revealed as Ratchet’s world starts to fall apart. Time is running out for the Autobot’s Chief Medical Officer and his band of followers, who must confront an enemy that literally cannot be reckoned with. Warning: not everyone will make it out alive!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant Covers:
Marcelo Matere variant! Interlocks with TRANSFORMERS: Robots in Disguise #5’s RI cover!

Bullet points:
• The breakout success of the TRANSFORMERS relaunch continues with new dangers!
• Winners of the UNDERBASE awards for BEST WRITER, BEST ARTIST, and BEST SINGLE ISSUE!

Transformers: Robots in Disguise Ongoing #5
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a) • Casey Coller, Griffith (c)
TORN APART FROM WITHIN! Tensions reach a breaking point—a new arrival on Cybertron tips the scales and violence erupts! Will Bumblebee be able to stop his own allies? Plus: Ironhide reveals a secret that will redefine the future of the Transformers!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant Covers:
Marcelo Matere variant! Interlocks with TRANSFORMERS: More Than Meets The Eye #5’s RI cover!

Bullet points:
• The breakout success of the TRANSFORMERS relaunch continues with new dangers!
• Fan-favorite characters from the ultra-popular franchise in all-new adventures!

Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Issue #1 Review

Date: Friday, January 20th 2012 12:45am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Editorials
Posted by: GetRightRobot | Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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I would like to start this review by addressing the artwork. Nick Roche and Josh Burcham have a wonderful and dynamic style. It brings glimmers of the gritty style from LSOTW which is, personally, a good thing. I'm sure people will be divided on some of the character designs which seem to mesh several iterations together. A more animated styled Rodimus and War for Cybertron Bumblebee look better together than I would have envisioned. With that being said:





I have recently had the privilege of reading IDW's More Than Meets the Eye issue 1, and I have to say WOW. The plot continues from the stand alone issue: The Death of Optimus Prime. The story so far: the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons is over, and after the matrix is used to purge its polluted core, the planet Cybertron reverts to a primordial state and sends a message to thousands of non-affiliated transformers: “come home”. The planet is once again teeming with life and chaos. As the newly appointed leader of the Autobots, Bumblebee must manage a populace that not only despise the Great War, but its warriors, Autobot and Decepticon alike. The planet is now inhabited by former enemies and civil unrest over an "illegal occupation of Cybertron" by the Autobots, and the political scene is set.

The ranks of the surviving Autobots has been tremulously split by the decision to stake out into the galaxy in search of The Knights of Cybertron. The brash revolutionary Rodimus, has convinced 208 Autobots that their time as warriors is over. That their sacrifice has been made and that it is time to seek out glory that has been lost. Promises of Cyberutopia and the ancient Knights of Cybertron are enough to convince many former Autobot warriors to join the crew of The Lost Light.

Included in this exodus are familiar faces, like Ratchet, the Autobots Chief Medical Officer. Finding no fit time to inform Bumblebee of his decision to leave, it is during the autopsy of a "Burning-Monk" protestor that Ratchet confides in Bumblebee the truth of his aging. Bearing witness to a being who transformed himself for weeks, constantly, until it killed itself, Ratchet admits he, like so many warriors, are aged, and tired. Being war torn for countless cycles, Ratchet has decided to join the Lost Light in hopes of not only repairing lost Cybertronians, but in hopes of finding his replacement - a new medic to take up his title.





One by one, Autobots board the Lost Light. Bumblebee and Prowl find themselves bitterly watching the launch. The crew includes Ultra Magnus, Drift, Chromedome Brainstorm and many more Cybertronian patriots. This ill fated ship, The Lost Light, takes on their first three injured 'bots even before launch, when Chromedome, Ratchet and Rewind stumble across an encounter between Whirl and Cyclonus! Unbeknownst to them, the brawl between ancient enemies erupted from a case of mistaken identity. Cyclonus, who appears to embrace the peace between the two factions, detects a very familiar energy signature, belonging to Scourge. As he pauses from his flight, he discovers something very strange. Twisted in the style that Roche and Roberts established in Last Stand of the Wreckers, Whirl, the exiled Wrecker, is found talking sweetly and openly to the spark fragment of one of the Sweeps. In a demented desecration, Cyclonus finds himself invading Whirls private world. Enraged, the former Wrecker pursues Cyclonus, all the while ignoring his pleads for peace. Shortly after Cyclonus attempts to defends himself, he his slammed to the ground, offline, with his aggressor ready to finish him off. This is where Ratchet and the others discover the brutally one sided conflict and attempt to step in. Whirl has lost his connection to reality. He is mad and aims to confront those who intervene, when up from the ground, comes an explosion. Poor little Tailgate had fallen through unstable ground trying to reach the Lost Light before take off. The fall disabled him from moving, so he decided that an energon explosion might help his chances of rescue.




In a behavior I would not have expected, Prowl and Bumblebee have plotted some sort of interference for the crew of the adventure ship. An explosion immediately after take-off hurtles the doomed ship through space and time, tearing the ship open. Many Autobots are hurled into space. A nearby remote planet is chosen to set down onto to make repairs and to begin retrieving the lost crew members. Rodimus is only in the very beginnings of his great quest and he faces the hardships of leadership and loss once again.

At the end of the book, is a series of cryptic, and static filled messages. Warning of future shortcomings and wrong decisions made by the leader and crew of the Lost Light. With no indication that the message was received, it may not have mattered at all.

This series is set to run parallel with fast approaching, Robots in Disguise. MTMTE will continue to follow Rodimus and the crew of the Lost Light. While RID will transcribe the on-goings of Cybertron and the civil unrest and intrigue that besets the remaining Autobots and their new leader, Bumblebee. Both series are years in the making as they continue the story of Generation One by bringing us to the end of the war. The return to Cybertron. And it is not the golden paradise one might have imagined. Rather, it is an unstable place with a new government and a mass of inhabitants that know very little of the struggle. The stage is set for political blowout in a post war world full of former enemies and new threats!

In conclusion: awesome. I have come to expect nothing less. This series my not be for everyone, however, I found it appropriately politically charged. Given the election and the US troop draw down, the book seems to emulate much of our current society. It also had several references for you G1 fans.

The Eulogy for Transformers Ongoing - Reviewing 'The Death Of Optimus Prime' One-Shot

Date: Wednesday, December 21st 2011 10:51am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews
Posted by: Tigertrack | Credit(s): tigertracks 24

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A moment of silence please, a hero has fallen...



....Out today in stores, IDW’s One-Shot story wraps up the events of CHAOS, and sets up readers for the next step in IDW’s Transformers comic fiction, the introduction of two new separate titles, ‘Robots in Disguise’, and “More Than Meets the Eye’.

*SPOILERS AHEAD (you can see the preview, which in itself has many spoilers in our recent news).*



Not Eulogy-


After the last mostly-useless Transformers issue (in my opinion) from IDW, this one with its ominous title, and with Optimus Prime’s history of dying in other fictional iterations, seemed like it would be another obvious, and simple issue that I could read and then throw aside, and not really care to read again. I was pleasantly surprised by the content in this issue, the ramifications of the storyline, and the fantastic way the title misleads, and yet, is true.

Transformers D.O.O.P. (not the Marvel X-Force version), is creatively done by the team that brought you the ‘Last Stand of the Wreckers’ mini, a popular recent story under the IDW banner, with John Barber co-writing with James Roberts, and Nick Roche on art.

First off, there are NO HUMANS in the story nor do they seem like they will play a role any time soon. To me this is refreshing, especially with the overly human centric writing of the previous Transformers Ongoing series, and the overall seeming generalization by many Transformers genre creators that there must be human characters for the Transformers to interact with before any of us common folk will truly understand their motivations. Bulls--- I say!

Even though it is number #125, and described as a one-shot, this issue is essential to new and old readers alike! It’s not a story of its own. It involves the recent past events and leads into the future two series.

Again, series and issue spoilers...

Taking place a few weeks after the final events of CHAOS, this issue focuses on what has happened on Cybertron since Optimus Prime rushed the matrix into vector sigma to stop ‘DVoid’s (eye roll) attempt to sack the galaxy using Cybertron’s dead husk as his jumping point.

How did this stop ‘DVoid’? Cybertron was reborn, and there was no dead husk for DVoid to use. Perceptor and Wheeljack can’t explain it we are told in a Hot Rod exposition, so I won’t try to go any further than that.

Spoiler. Optimus Prime is not dead! His previous action with the matrix caused vector sigma to send out a signal to all Cybertronians that Cybertron was ‘reset’, safe to return to... reborn, but a ‘primordial’ form as Hot Rod puts it, like the very beginning of Cybertron.

Did you know there were other groups of Cybertronians in the galaxies besides the Autobots and Decepticons? Probably. If you read DRIFT’s mini we ran into one of them. We find out there are many, many, many more than those. A mass exodus from Cybertron due to the ramifications of the civil war happened, and now the opposite is happening...during the three weeks many members of the race are returning to repopulate and take back the planet they once called home.

Resettlement by these groups sets up the monumental ramifications that the Autobots must now deal with: how they are perceived by the returning masses of N.A.I.L.S (non-affiliated indigenous life-forms), how they will ‘re-create’ Cybertron, and what identity the Autobots will have now that they have won, so to speak. The Decepticons are imprisoned, and defeated. Megatron is nowhere to be found. And the returning masses of Cybertronians who left the planet, see the Autobots not as peace-loving heroes to be celebrated, but as the winning faction in a civil war, a civil war that had caused the planet to die, and forced many folks to abandon it.




This is what has me interested to continue with these new series. This is what for some reason, I feel like I have been waiting for for awhile. That the Transformers stories can be worthwhile and interesting without them having to be related to humans. That there is more to Transformers society than the battling Autobots and Decepticons and their historic conflict. That the Autobots are not ‘good‘ in every Cybertronian’s eyes. This is the direction that new writers James Roberts, and John Barber are taking our group.

Hot Rod and Drift want to go searching for the lost civilization of earliest Cybertron, and it seems like the empty matrix husk may be the key to this quest. Bumblebee wants to help create Cybertron again. Where does Optimus fit in?

This issue has some fantastic surprises. For those who like Dai Atlas making an appearance in the DRIFT mini, another leader, this one from Super God Masterforce is introduced as being a possible major player and leader for the NAIL Cybertronians in the new ROBOTS IN DISGUISE series.





The continuing addition to the lore of Optimus Prime’s character is what I love about this book, while it continues to enhance and develop the rest of the Autobots’ courses into the next series. I am quite happy with Prime’s finale. Ongoing attempted to give Prime more characterization, change him from what he is, but ultimately, his identity was what it was and he could not change that, nor could his writers. Optimus Prime’s final choice in the issue, and thus, the series, is logical but unexpected, and although it seems like a re-ran, it feels different, and it’s this difference that to me makes the character seem more Optimus Prime than he has ever seemed to me.

The art is Nick Roche art at his best. Same style as “Last Stand...”, it seems recognizable, and comfortable, but I also think based on the success of ‘Last Stand...” it lends credence to the new story and direction. Unlike when Don changed his style, and the looks of all the Transformers forever, Nick’s familiar style may help people to buy into ‘More Than Meets the Eye’. Yes, it’s still cartoon-y and over emotive, and in some cases overly lengthened and skinny appendages as Nick’s critics have said, but it is part of a creative team’s style that worked very well previously, and in that this reader finds interest and comfort.



After reading this issue, I am excited for the two new series to begin. It’s nice to know they are NOT a reboot, but a continuation using what happened before, and driving it in what ultimately seems like an uncharted, but desirable direction with a team of creators that I and many other readers have confidence in.

This issue is refreshing, and with its many choices of covers, it’s an excellent collector’s piece as well, even though the story itself is reason enough to want to have this. It’s a great starting piece for people coming on, it’s a nice wrap up and new compass direction for those of us who blindly read, follow, and consume any Transformer fiction thrown in front of us. It’s a direction that has really only been hinted at on the fringes of the recent minis and spotlights that readers like me have wanted them to explore more.

Sorry I've never written a eulogy before, and neither was this actually intended to be one (that is way too creative for me on my limited time budget), I see this issue as the eulogy for TF Ongoing, it's buried, and time to move on.

Enjoy Issue #125. I did. And no, Optimus Prime is not dead. Heroes never die.

Seibertron.com Reviews Transformers DOTM #1 Official Comic Adaptation

Date: Wednesday, June 15th 2011 12:55am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Movie Related News
Posted by: First Gen | Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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Greetings Seibertronians. Seibertron.com has recently got ahold of a couple of copies of the official comic book adaptations for the first two books in a four book series covering the upcoming film, Transformers Dark of the Moon, produced by IDW Publishing, and have reviewed them. Written by John Barber, with Art by Jorge Jimenez Moreno and edited by Carlos Guzman and Andy Schmidt, Transformers Dark of the Moon the comic gives us a look at what the movie will bring to the table when it hits theatres June 29, 2011, along with a bonus prose story by John Barber that seems to "tie the loose ends" of the three films. As with any comic review, MAJOR MOVIE SPOILERS are ahead and would urge you not to read this, at this time, if you wanna stay "in the Dark" about the film.




Do Not Read beyond this point if you do not want to read spoilers.












Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The official comic adaptation #1

The first book starts us off in 1969, within NASA headquarters as the first moon landing occurs. According to the book, only a select few within the moon mission itself knew of its true intent, as the team on the moon "goes black" (sans radio transmissions) for a time, on purpose. The reason, to locate the object that caused a flare up on the Dark side of the Moon seven years prior. They find the original Ark ship, with a host of dead Cybertronians, and Sentinel Prime.

Flashing forward into the book, we see that the Autobots and Team N.E.S.T. have dug in even deeper with each other with, now, Colonel Lennox leading the way. Wheeljack makes his debut as a long haired "Professor Brown" ala Back to the Future, type bot who's alt mode is a classic Mercedes-Benz. The book must have been written before the script changes as Mirage is still referred to by name instead of the rumored "Dino" replacement. We get confirmation that a host of Autobots fell in the last movie as Optimus Prime vows vengeance for his fallen comrades. We also get a nod to the relationship held between Optimus Prime and Elita-1 once held in prior incarnations, as we get a pan shot of Elita-1's coffin and Optimus Prime motions to it affectionately.



The NEST team learns of new activity coming out of Prypriat, Ukraine. Colonel Lennox and the crew are in BioHazard suits while the Ukrainian Agent Voshkod is dressed regularly. He's about to tell them something when he spots Laserbeak in the sky and quickly quiets. They go to investigate the area famously known as Cherynobl. Upon arrival they find Cybertonian technology with Russian wrting all over it and this angers Optimus Prime. His anger is quickly directed to a huge threat as a Cybertronian Driller, said to be ruled only by Shockwave, attacks the Autobots and Optimus Prime battles it. Shockwave then appears with the Driller and escapes. Prime is hurt but he got what he was trying to keep from Shockwave, a piece of a Cybertronian engine. After all this, Laserbeak returns and kills Voshkod. Apparently the humans were working with the Decepticons in some fashion.



Optimus and the Bots then meet Director Mearing, who took over for Inspector Galloway, and Prime is not a happy camper that they've been witholding informattion. Mearing then goes on the inform them of the whole purpose of the Moon missions and Prime realizes there's a big problem.

Enter Megatron in some far off desert. After toasting an elephant that was in his way, he returns to a crude hideout to see Starscream and some form of animal Decepticons that may, or may not be, dogs. Starscream is there in true form as is Soundwave. Apparently, Megatron knew of the Ark crashing on the moon long ago and that is the reason Soundwave was there in the first place. Megatron opts to let the Autobots do "all the work" in getting Sentinel Prime and the artifacts back to Earth.

Optimus goes to the moon and retrieves Sentinel Primes body, the Cybertronian artifacts, and upon leaving, you see three Cybertronians, presumably Decepticons, watch his departure.

In the middle of all this, we see Sam Witwicky is moved in with his new girlfriend Carly. Mikaela dumped him for some reason, but he got to keep Wheelie and his pal Brains as a consolation prize. He's struggling to find a job when Carly arranges and interview and, essentially, gets him the job.

As far as the comic goes, as a comic itself, I give it two and a half out of four cubes. Given the degree of difficulty there must be to replicate the Transformers on paper, the artwork was good, but the human drawing was lacking and rushed at best. Some panels seemed just kind of thrown in there as filler space and there were some real opportunites that seemed to get missed, especially when Prime rips apart the Driller. The colors of the comic were decent, but it seems like the colorist went "outer glow" crazy on some panels. I can see it working on the Bots, but not on military cammies. None of the humans remotely resemble their real counterparts and the military uniforms worn by Lennox and his crew don't even look US issued. Storywise, I assume Barber did the best he could with what he was given. The story flowed well, but if this script holds true, then Dark of the Moon will make Revenge of the Fallen as pointless as ROTF made the first film.

The book did feature a special prose story by Barber at the end, in which we find Soundwave commanding a group of Decepticons on a space cruiser in search of the Allspark. The events of this story clearly occur prior to Revenge of the Fallen, as Soundwave follows a mysterious "voice" after an Autobot ship that goes through some type of dimensional gate and puts itself and the Decepticon space cruiser thousands of years in the future. This Autobot craft lands on a moon of a green a blue planet not far by. The rest goes on to try an attach the first two films to DOTM.

Overall the prose as a stand alone story is solid, but trying to connect the dots, in a movie franchise that clearly didn't do so in the films themselves, is going to be a heavy task to take on.

If you love Transformers comics, and dig the movieverse, the $3.99 pricetag is worth the investment to get in the know about what to expect from the upcoming film. This book is available at local comic shops now.

Stayed tuned for our review of Transformers Dark of the Moon The official comic adaptation #2, coming soon.