IDW Transformers vs. G.I. Joe To End with Issue 13

That cover is probably Tom Scioli's best artwork on that book.

I won't be a bit sad to see this go. I've never felt like there's any room for me to like this book with Scioli's ego in the way. Every time I read his interviews and commentary, I get the impression that somewhere in his house he has copies of everything he's ever written autographed and dedicated to himself as his #1 fan.

Thank Goodness er... I mean what a shame... In any event. if anyone is interested in picking up the entire run so far (#0-11), I have an auction on eBay right now including some variants and both SDCC covers.

jogunwarrior wrote:That cover is probably Tom Scioli's best artwork on that book.

Exactly what I was going to say, lol.

I started out liking this series but eventually it just became too weird for me. Perhaps it was going over my head but it was just beyond me.

In other comics news from IDW, via iTunes, we also get an early look at the penultimate issue of the Tom Scioli creation: Transformers vs G.I. Joe #12. Check out the three pages below!

WELCOME TO THE TERROR DROME! As the forces of COBRA plot a treacherous move, OPTIMUS PRIME descends in to CYBERTRONIAN hell in search of the MATRIX. They say the sun also rises… but will it be friend or foe?!

I don't really follow G.I. Joe and Transformers crossovers, but...

Why does Arcee turn into a pair of pink underwear for Defensor now?

Gearslide wrote:I don't really follow G.I. Joe and Transformers crossovers, but...

Why does Arcee turn into a pair of pink underwear for Defensor now?

I'm not familiar with this series, but I think you're looking for logic where is none.

One that note, these look hokey as hell and a ton of fun. I need to pick up a few of these and see if I can get into them.

Defensor.....what the hell......

...I have many questions.

Via ComicsAlliance, we have the full preview for next week's penultimate issue of the IDW project spearheaded by Tom Scioli, Transformers vs G.I. Joe #12 - you can check the whole thing mirrored out below, as Defensor, Kremzeek, Cobra Empress and the return of Cobra Commander make their presence felt in these first pages!

Transformers vs G.I. JOE #12

Tom Scioli, John Barber (w) • Scioli (a & c)

WELCOME TO THE TERROR DROME! As the forces of COBRA plot a treacherous move, OPTIMUS PRIME descends in to CYBERTRONIAN hell in search of the MATRIX. They say the sun also rises… but will it be friend or foe?!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
The road to hell is paved with good intentions… and DINOBOTS!
The end is nigh, and the action has never been bigger!

This series is incredibly insane

Weird. Soooo much weird.

...I dunno if that's good or bad.

Defensor? Formed by a bunch of unrelated bots (only one of whom is an actual Protectobot)? I have no words...

bluecatcinema wrote:Defensor? Formed by a bunch of unrelated bots (only one of whom is an actual Protectobot)? I have no words...

That's Rescue Bots Blades, who's known for a fear of heights, distaste for violence, and generally being a pretty nervous guy, so I'd say this Defensor is 100% G1 Protectobot free. This ain't your grandad's Defensor!

GI Joe vs. is much more about being wild and weird than re-exploring/imagining chunks of G1.

He’ll fight for freedom wherever there’s trouble Auto Joe is there— G…I…. BOOOOOoooT, the real Cybertronian hero…. G. I. Bot is there!

When the going gets tough he’ll stay ’til the fights won, GI BOT is there.

….G …… I ….. BooOOOOOooT!
(whatever, I know it looks like boot)

Kind of how I feel about this series. I’m seeing it through to the end. Through all the nonsense, the craziness, and the far too few cool moments. I’ve tried to change to be one of the enlightened ones of those who get it— to present the unpopular side from what I experience around here anyway—- but I take my childhood heroes too seriously for that anymore.

Rather than bag on a series that is ‘critically-acclaimed’ by smart people who read lots of fiction literature for a living, I’m going to simply say a few words and then present the moments in this particular issue that made me smile. The images might be spoilers, they might not, but most of you don’t care, and if you do, well the issue has been out since last Wednesday.

After this as you know, there is mercifully one more issue left, one more issue for the rest of the scrap to hit the fan…

If you have enjoyed it, I’m glad. If you’ve hated it, I’m disappointed that a product related to heroes from your childhood has left you wanting. Only one more guys and gals…

PLOT-
Megatron, the Deceptions and Cobra are going to destroy the sun and harvest the energy to create more Cybertronians. Last call for the Autobots and Joes . Time to use the kitchen sink…

Page 1-
I’ve always been a HUGE DEFENSOR fan…always! The only combiner I had in full as a child. This take was an interesting way to ‘re-imagine’ the concept that used Prowl, one of my all-time favorite bots. The rest of the folks are not the normal Protectobots, but an amalgamation of emergency service alt mode vehicles like Red Alert, and Inferno, Blades (although it’s RESCUE BOTS BLADES clearly—nothing escapes—nothing). Rounding out the group are a random Arcee, Jetfire, and Targetmaster Peacemaker*.
*chuckle for the VOLTRON reference* ‘And I’ll form the gun!’

This whole configuration made me think of the Micromaster combiner re-released as a Kaybee exclusive Defensor using several of these bots’ names. Where’s my yellow Lamborghini Scioli (Hot Shot—or Hot Spot, I’ll have to look)?



Page 3-
Prime and Grimlock in matrix limbo. Totally reminded me of the video game Marvel Transformers issue (#24, I think--Prime dies--surprise!), crossed with the old ‘Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends’ Video Man plot .

Kudos to for pulling off the very believable Video Man from said SMahAF Ep.



Throw in a bit out of place Bludgeon as guardian of the AUTOBOT matrix heaven place… odd choice… Cause he's a Decepticon...



Page Speaking of ODD-
Okay, honestly look away from this if you are easily frightened. It will be burned into your memory forever, and for me, it’s not an enjoyable picture. I wish I could un-see it.

It’s not really that bad, but an out-of-mouth stairs/tongue connection kiss thing… I don’t care if it is Snake Eyes and Scarlett bonded to the big bots now--it could have been anyone--. Touching fingers or even holding hands may have been a little easier on the ol' ticker.

SDCC GI JOE VS. TRANSFORMERS Boxset Exclusive coming in 2017! Just wait...



Page Laugher-
This did make me have a little laugh out loud moment…

Free two-day shipping is a failure Megatron? Some free video streaming thrown in as well? What planet are you from?



I did like Grimlock’s attempt at revenge here. "Me Grimlock like two-day shipping Megatron!"


The Splash Pages-
These pages were fun, you can spot some good stuff, like every color of the rainbow seekers, Shrapnel package art picture, Hot Rod riding Sky Lynx into battle with a Bazooka mounted on his shoulder. And combiners, but most don’t look messed up like Defensor.





Page ‘In Your Eyes’
The John Cusack ‘Say Anything’ reference here really resonated with with me. Wheeljack just needed to be wearing a trench coat and it would have been perfect, but probably over the top. In your eyes indeed, Decepticons...Peter Gabriel says so.



And Wild Bill versus Six-shot… which gunslinger wins the showdown? (seems like a ridiculous question, right? Wild Bill already died once though and was reincarnated, so he’s all tough and stuff)



Page of REDEMPTION!!!
Okay, DEFENSOR down and hurt. Trypticon bearing down on him for the kill… and one of my lamest and yet most fun GI JOE toys ever comes in for the save…the BRIDGE LAYER... THAT… WAS…AWESOME!!!!! Seems like it needs a new name now, like 'Trypticon killer'. Best page of the whole series, end it here so I can feel somewhat good about the memories that I will take away from…




Page of BACK TO RIDICULOUS
Baroness and King Hisss himself, Cobra Commander, consummated a reunion with apparently more than a kiss, as Crystal Ball sees ‘the future’???



So much for leaving this issue with a good taste in my mouth…



One more issue…

I think the series is still coasting on the WHAT THE HELL AM I READING THIS IS AMAZING momentum of the first few issues. It especially resonated with non-TF fans, which is excellent. It's something totally different while also being completely self-contained.

As a comic, I think it succeeded in those first few issues at just doing wild, retro, Kirby-influenced fun things with the two concepts. It absolutely brought a crackling energy.

For me, however, it lost steam very quickly. I have zero issue with the *style* of the artwork (a common complaint), but the execution of the art style is at times poor. Pages and spreads that look more like characters are pasted into the scene with no thought to perspective (ie the smaller plane doesn't look off in the "distance" from the other plane, it looks like a TINY PLANE on the same, er, plane). It seemed like crazy new ideas just for the sake of being crazy. I don't know that the book needed to devolve into a more "routine" book but so many plot points seemed introduced and then dropped. The pacing absolutely sucked. And some very questionable storytelling choices were made, the most glaring being doing Grimlock vs Megatron (resulting in Grimmy's death) OFF-PANEL. The issues themselves started jumping around with a different story on every page.

So I think the critical acclaim is leftover from the first half-year the book was being published, and it hasn't had that shine since. Obviously it can still claim to hold onto the previous praise, and some, like Chris Sims of comicsalliance (a sight I read daily and enjoy their writing) still give it coverage. It is very worth noting that mention and coverage of TF/JOE has dwindled.

The fact that mainstream comics sites are showering praise on MtMtE instead is far more pleasing to me as a comics fan, a literary student, and a TF fan. It's a much better book with far more going for it than "bonkers." Even with what a vocal group of fans consider a "dip" in quality for season 2, MtMtE is literally head and shoulders over so many books it's almost unfair.

That's my take, at any rate.

"critically-acclaimed by smart people who read lots of fiction literature for a living"

I must be too dumb and ignorant to appreciate any of Scioli's "work". Boy, I wish they would stop trying to write comic books for intellectuals.

Don't know about you guys, But I'm still chuckling just reading the reviews. Stop trying to analyzing too much and just have fun reading the comic. I really appreciate what the writers are trying to do. The Voltron call-back was funny as hell. Haven't smiled and getting random chuckles from comics in a long time

I appreciate that, but my analysis comes after I stopped enjoying it. I really did enjoy the first few issues and then it started leaving me cold. Dig me?

I was having fun and then inexplicably I wasn't. Wanted to know why.

For me, I labored seven days a week. When I get a chance, sitting down with this title took those stress and seriousness away. I know what I was expecting when I open one of these. Panel by panel, I skim through the artwork, and panel by panel, I'll find some good childhood Easter eggs. I don't have to think too much trying to get a few smiles. However, when I do need something to analyze, i can still go back and find call-backs I might be missing. For me, this title is like the Batman v. Superman, just backwards. In the DC movie, after the first viewing, I was like, "what the hell?!" But looking at it again, I find that almost every scene was loaded with attempts at setting up future movies and establishing the add cine-universe. Scioli's Transformers and Gi Joe does the same. Instead of setting the future titles, calls back to our childhood memory of funny scenes and phrases, poking fun if everything we know, defensive combining like voltron, King hiss with cobra commander/baroness, relationship between Optimus and gridlock, bazooka sitting on hot rod (a bazooka should be on shoulders), etc. the way I would read it, don't analyze the story, analyze the panes and see what you can and cannot remember. I bought the entire title, I'll prob go get the trade when it's out

From the Facebook page for UK Transformers and G.I. Joe event Roll Out Roll Call, we have news of a shared variant cover for the last issue in the IDW Transformers vs G.I. Joe series, coming to an end this month with number #13. Check out the full piece by Robert Atkins and Joana Lafuente and more info below!

Roll Out Roll Call, The UK Transformers, G.I. Joe & Action Force Show in partnership with Discount Comic Book Service are proud to announce a shared cover variant for IDW Publishing Transformers Vs G.I. Joe #13. This amazing wraparound crossover cover by Robert Atkins Art and colours by Joana Lafuente features a tribute to the many characters played by our guests Neil Ross and Morgan Lofting. This issue will be a double sized. This wraparound variant cover edition has a print run of only 500, of which 250 will be available at Discount Comic Book Service and 250 from Roll Out Roll Call on July 8th-10th at London Heathrow. Book your ticket now: http://www.allthecoolstuff.co.uk/#!roll ... ll-1/yurd5

Thanks to Apple iTunes we get the preview for the final issue in the Transformers vs GI Joe comic book series. This issue will settle it all: the fate of Cybertron, the fate of the remaining humans, the face of the Autobots and Decepticons as we know it. Check it out, and sound off in the discussion forum on what you think of this big finale!

THE END IS NIGH! Final battle erupts—the forces of G.I. JOE and the AUTOBOTS head-to-head (or head-to-toe, depending on the size difference) with the DECEPTICOBRA alliance! The fate of the universe hangs on every decision!

In a week of endings, we get another chapter conclusions from IDW Publishing's Transformers output, via Newsarama. Below, you will find the last issue in the Tom Scioli/John Barber creation that was Transformers vs G.I. Joe, issue #13, as everything comes to a close. Make sure to head back to Seibertron.com later this week for a review, too!

Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #13: Armageddon
Tom Scioli & John Barber (w) • Tom Scioli (a & c)
THE END IS NIGH! Final battle erupts—the forces of G.I. JOE and the AUTOBOTS head-to-head (or head-to-toe, depending on the size difference) with the DECEPTICOBRA alliance! The fate of the universe hangs on every decision!
FC • 48 pages • $7.99

Bullet points:
One of the most talked-about comics of the 21st century—see what everybody’s been yelling about!
Visionary writer-artist Tom Scioli’s canvas has never been so big!
Far-flung cosmic action in the scintillating Scioli style!
The epic conclusion!

13 huh? That's fitting, given historical significance of the number in American History... and the Transformers, come to think of it.

Flashwave wrote:13 huh? That's fitting, given historical significance of the number in American History... and the Transformers, come to think of it.

US History yes, but TFs? How so?

Tigertrack wrote:

Flashwave wrote:13 huh? That's fitting, given historical significance of the number in American History... and the Transformers, come to think of it.

US History yes, but TFs? How so?

The 13 Primes, among other things

D-Maximus_Primal wrote:

Tigertrack wrote:

Flashwave wrote:13 huh? That's fitting, given historical significance of the number in American History... and the Transformers, come to think of it.

US History yes, but TFs? How so?

The 13 Primes, among other things

As soon as I saw a reply, I was like duh, the other things, I'd have to dig into, but that should have been obvious, yes.

EULOGY FOR A CROSSOVER

Official Synopsis:

THE END IS NIGH! Final battle erupts—the forces of G.I. JOE and the AUTOBOTS head-to-head (or head-to-toe, depending on the size difference) with the DECEPTICOBRA alliance! The fate of the universe hangs on every decision!

Lots of contributors listed for this issue:



Welcome friends and board mates, readers and lurkers. Today we celebrate the series that was Transformers Versus G.I. Joe. With issue number 13, this out-of-the-box, discussion causing series, has come to its final Earthly conclusion.



My name is Tigertack, I’ve read Transformers and G.I. Joe fiction (and a lot of other comic book and narrative book fiction as well) since I was but a young lad, borrowing comic books from my cousin Dan’s vast collections when 4-H had ended, and from the libraries that my mother worked at for one of her many jobs. Many of you know me from Seibertron as a former newsie, news admin, and Botcon attendee, sometime podcaster and reviewer.


After TF #54, this is not what I expected under the mask to look like.

Transformers Versus G.I. Joe was a series assigned to me review, mainly I think because Va’al thought that I needed to be tortured, maybe because no one else would do it…but more likely he wanted to challenge me, and as ‘the-resident-active-staff-member-who-is-also-involved-with-comics-and-enjoys-G.I.Joe-too’ it fell to me to try to relate to anyone reading these reviews about the latest iteration of a series that historically has never been what was really desired, but could be relied upon to be very different from the last version.


White haired and short-buzz cut...Race Bannon?

And so we have this interation, written, drawn, lettered, and colored by Tom Scioli all by himself, with John Barber editing and offering advice here and there. A dream come true for a creator who loves both franchises and their toys and comics… and it shows!


The next Billy figure to need an FSS version. Or maybe they could make a whole Scioli inspired set.




The series though, immediately caused a lot of water cooler talk, tweets and posts, as it looked and read like no previous TFvsGIJOE story ever really had. It was Tom’s universe and he was making it what he wanted, all the while paying homage to the people who came before him like Larry Hama, Simon Furman, and Bob Budiansky, and using other media influences that ranged from comics like Watchmen, Kirby drawn and written materials like New Gods and other works, to movies like Rocky and Firestarter.



And what a world it was: Decepticobra alliances, GI JOE and Autobots fighting then working together, Earth getting eaten by Seibertron (har!), Scarlett and Snake Eyes becoming headmasters, Megatron getting a taste for human flesh, drug addicted Autobots, greenery added to Cybertron, robot invasions and government reactions, a general who never wears his cap straight, Cobra La, the Death of Optimus Prime, and Megatron wishing to dissolve the sun for its energy. ENERGY is a fantastic way to describe the series, as there was always something new thing different, something alive about the series, and it always brought a nervous, excited energy to the reader.



I always found it hard to write about this series because most of the time, I felt as many did…there was this imaginary line drawn and you were usually either on one side or the other of it as far as this series was concerned: you liked the creativity, newness and energy involved with the series, or it had the polar opposite effect on you, and you simply hated it. The side I started on was the side that hated it, the art being the biggest turn off to me as a former artist in training, I knew I could do better and it irked me. But as the series progressed it was not enough to just complain about the art and the ‘weirdness’ that was happening. I had to look for something to appreciate, a way to enjoy it. And I did. I liked it for its differences, its surprises, its always making its own way, and telling its own story while paying homage to so many great influences.


"Always in the eye of the beholder, this series has been."


And so, in conclusion, we celebrate the life of this series, and its final issue…which even though it is the final issue, still manages to pack in surprises and homages as it is ending. It’s a double issue and its packed until the very last page. I know many of you either read it and enjoyed its Lord of the Rings ending, its creative use of G.I. Joe Retaliation and Transformers movie references, the use of previous classic Joe and TF comic panels, and its downright original Atlas (it ain’t Unicron!), the always perfect hair of Billy, the use of Ultra Magnus and his white cab, and the marriage that you just could not have predicted. In all its wild ENERGY laden pages it never-stopped, until it had to stop.


This was one of my favorite pages...ever!


Movie Megs ultimate combiner

With these last words, I say that we celebrate the passing of this iteration of Transformers Versus G.I. Joe, and laud its creator and collaborators, its inspirations and its ENERGY. We can truly say that there never was a series like this, and there most likely will never be a series like this again (except in 2025 when we see ‘Shipwreck Space Pirate’). Kudos Mr. Scioli and Mr. Barber.

For the next installment of Transformers and G.I.Joe action we'll see what the new 'Revolution' has for us. Thanks for reading.

’Til All Are One! Yo Joe!


Revolution?

Some random images I had wanted to use until the review went a different way.

I loved this series. Sometimes it's made me laugh, like with the Joe Pets, sometimes it's made me sad, like in Scarlet's solo issue where she was brainwashed into feeling she had a normal suburban life, sometimes it's made me puzzled, like in Destro's ancestory issue or Lt Falcon's solo issue, and sometimes it's made me cheer with the fan service.

One thing the book has never been was boring. It's been gripping and interesting from the word go. I cannot ever remember a comic like this. It's been it's own beast, it's own creation, it's own look, feel, and status quo, from issue 0. There is no book that could get away with the sheer insanity this book has, and still get another issue. So yes, I salute this book, I salute it's ambition, its grandeur, it's vision, it's style. It didn't cater or pander or change itself to appease the critics. To paraphrase Sinatra "It did what it had to do, and saw it through without exemption."

And yeah, that wedding invite that so shamelessly aped from the 80's wolverine mini. Yeah, if ever there was a book that could get away with so many types of crazy in one panel, it was this one.

Here's to the Jotobot alliance. Yo Joe and roll out.

I've gotta say...this series was a ride. An absolutely slaggin' insane ride, but a ride nonetheless. To be honest...I'm sad to see it end.

Submitted this as news, but probably best to also post it since it's time sensitive; Transformers vs. GI Joe's got a 50%(ish) discount on Comixology until the 5th! Just enter JOE at checkout. You can get the entire series for a bit less than $15, great opportunity to jump in if you've been on the fence.

(They advertise 50% off, but when I applied it I got 55% off. Neato.)

Fellow Seibertronian RevTibe brings us some more IDW Publishing Transformers comics news, in the shape of a hefty discount on the whole Tom Scioli run of Transformers vs G.I. Joe - just after the series ends! Check out more details below and here, and head to ComiXology to read one of the wildest takes on the shared universe of the 80s.

RevTibe wrote:Submitted this as news, but probably best to also post it since it's time sensitive; Transformers vs. GI Joe's got a 50%(ish) discount on Comixology until the 5th! Just enter JOE at checkout. You can get the entire series for a bit less than $15, great opportunity to jump in if you've been on the fence.

(They advertise 50% off, but when I applied it I got 55% off. Neato.)

Forgot to mention; the discount also applies to other GI Joe comics!

(If you're picking up the series, you'll also want to grab the Free Comic Book Day issue of Robots in Disguise - don't worry, it's still free. It includes a one-page strip that slots between Transformers vs. GI Joe issues 6 and 7. Introduces a minor character in an entertainingly quirky manner.)

It's absolutely criminal they aren't calling this the "Fourth of Joe-ly" sale.

In other IDW comics news, we have a new listing on online retailer Amazon.com for the Tom Scioli and John Barber series Transformers vs G.I. Joe, collected in a new, oversized The Quintessential Collection! The new edition probably adds some extras too, bulking it up to 420 pages and $49.99, and might explain all the recent Scioli Twitter activity featuring Cybertronian art. Due for release in March 2017, check out more info below on this oversized hardcover book!

Earth makes contact with an alien race–and G.I. JOE is on the front lines! But, when the Transformers arrive–well, let’s just say you’ve never seen Transformers vs G.I. JOE like this! This oversized deluxe hardcover collects all 13 issues, including commentary and extras by creators Tom Scioli and John Barber!

More like the QuintessSONessetial amiright!?

Yooooo that is awesome! The series was designed for an Absolute Edition!

If someone were to pay me $49.99, I would probably read this.

It's baaaaaaaack...

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/ ... joe/36502/

IDW Publishing have started promoting some of their upcoming books, and caught in said promotion is the new project by visionary comics creator Tom Scioli, of the Transformers vs G.I. Joe limited series: the comic book adaptation of a movie that never was - Transformers vs G.I. Joe The Movie! The Comic Book Adaptation of a Movie Version of a Comic Book (Seriously) You Never Knew You Needed will be out in March 2017.

Please, I await all the fanrage. It nourishes me.

No fanrage, it did remind me though that I have to unload the comics of this series I previously collected. If anyone wants the complete series (Issues #0-13), plus 2 SDCC exclusive covers of #1, plus a couple of duplicates of other issues, PM me $70.00 USD -That is retail price, just looking to make back what the comics cost me, at no profit to myself. In fact I probably stand to lose a little because I'm willing to pay for shipping.

o.supreme wrote:No fanrage

Aw.

I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.


I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?

Ironhidensh wrote:I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.


I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?

Faking sucks all the fun out of it.



I have chosen all my words intentionally.

Va'al wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.


I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?

Faking sucks all the fun out of it.



I have chosen all my words intentionally.

My stimulation is indistinguishable from reality.

Ironhidensh wrote:

Va'al wrote:

Ironhidensh wrote:I'm in, sounds insane enough to be awesome.


I could possible simulate some fan rage if you wanted?

Faking sucks all the fun out of it.



I have chosen all my words intentionally.

My stimulation is indistinguishable from reality.

Good placing of that T.

I've never been more excited for more of something I thought there wouldn't be any more of.
The greatest comic book experience I've had in years! And now it's a MOVIE!

But not really a movie, but a comic book adaptation of a movie about a comic that really is about a movie that never was.

Didja get all that?

Va'al wrote:IDW Publishing have started promoting some of their upcoming books, and caught in said promotion is the new project by visionary comics creator Tom Scioli, of the Transformers vs G.I. Joe limited series: the comic book adaptation of a movie that never was - Transformers vs G.I. Joe The Movie! The Comic Book Adaptation of a Movie Version of a Comic Book (Seriously) You Never Knew You Needed will be out in March 2017.

Ok so it's a comic book?

a comic book where every human has a skin condition judging by the cover :O

I'm still not sure how I felt about reading that series. It was... unique... interesting... but I don't know if I enjoyed it. I respect that it exists and that's that I suppose.