French Edition of Skybound Transformers Vol 1 Comes with a Chance at Having Original Art by DWJ

The MINUTE I seen soundwave get bitchslapped by Starscream in issue number 3 i KNEW this was coming !

VERY satisfying to see him put screamer in his place.

issue 7 keeps the momentum going.

So had a cool moment today. Went to pick up my copy of Transformers #7 from my local comic shop, and the new artist for the book, Jorge Corona, was there giving signatures! Had him sign my copy before I left. Really chill guy.

Spider5800 wrote:So had a cool moment today. Went to pick up my copy of Transformers #7 from my local comic shop, and the new artist for the book, Jorge Corona, was there giving signatures! Had him sign my copy before I left. Really chill guy.

That is awesome!

Well, Prime has the inside track now. The spirit of Sparkplug is giving him pointers about the nature of life on Earth. He just needs to become more familiar with the visions so that they don't distract him.

So - I went with digital copies of the series so far - but the TPB exclusive covers are starting to be revealed - is anyone else thinking of picking them up? Or does everyone have the individual copies already?

I really like this Stewart McKenny/John Law one from Comics Etc.

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/4565487/transformers-vol-1-robots-in-disguise-tp?variant=4971981

What's everyone else doing?

Just read the Free Comic Book Day edition. Megatron's roaming free! More back story. More death. More character introductions. Arooooo!

I am now caught up on the comics, it slipped me by that last week was comic day, time flew.

Issue 8 was good, though it pained me to read the jetfire page. That was good stuff, and really emotional too.

Earthbound wrote:So - I went with digital copies of the series so far - but the TPB exclusive covers are starting to be revealed - is anyone else thinking of picking them up? Or does everyone have the individual copies already?

I really like this Stewart McKenny/John Law one from Comics Etc.

https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/4565487/transformers-vol-1-robots-in-disguise-tp?variant=4971981

What's everyone else doing?

E-copies are great if you have very limited storage space. Also, you avoid postal costs and/or travel costs. However, there's a chance of occasional drive failure and they're useless without power.

I buy the physical copies since it forces me to get some exercise walking a mile to the nearby comics superstore. When I'm at the superstore, I can browse other material: comics, books, toys, models, videos, etc. I then have to walk another half mile to reach the nearest Underground station for the journey home after work.

I used to buy multiple covers but then realised that this was pointless without a high level of collecting zeal and/or a good resale value. I got rid of my excess multiples and now my Transformers comic collection fits into a single, moderate-size cupboard. I have nearly all G1, Dreamwave, IDW and Skybound.

So, what do you think kicked off the War in this universe? The Decepticons seem really killhappy, Prime said Megatron was the worst, and Megatron seems to be a bit of a religious zealot?
On top of that the Cons seem to hate Megatron, who actually shows mercy and honour towards people other versions would consider lesser lifeforms?

It's not adding up too great with what we usually seem to expect.

It's amazing though.

Dead Metal wrote:So, what do you think kicked off the War in this universe?

Wouldn't it be funny if this was a 'Holy War on Wokeness'?! (They could dunk on IDW, etc.)

More likely it's a straight power grab by the Decepticons, though.

Finally caught up on this and... ugh, I'm going to be the odd one out on this series, aren't I? It's just not working for me. The scratchy art and rough hand lettering are certainly expressive, but not in a way that really lands for me; I find the lettering in particular to be distracting where it needs to be clear. The writing's passable, has some really good moments - particularly the quieter, more introspective ones with Prime or Arcee/Carly - but also enough clunky or ungrammatical lines to keep pulling me out.

And dear God, the edge on the bloodthirsty violence - it's like we're back in G2, but turned up. Humans getting pulped! Robots getting shredded! Major characters being killed off like it's a Bayverse movie! Prime blasting Decepticons with "AW YEEAHHH" plastered across the background! ... sorry, I'm old, it just makes me tired and eye-rolly rather than pumped up.

Overall, it makes for an enjoyable enough what-if or AU miniseries, but as the main continuity? No shade on everyone who is enjoying it, but no thanks, not for me. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

snavej wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:So, what do you think kicked off the War in this universe?

Wouldn't it be funny if this was a 'Holy War on Wokeness'?! (They could dunk on IDW, etc.)

More likely it's a straight power grab by the Decepticons, though.

Why would that be funny? Do you even know what "woke" means or is woke the new "literally Hitler"?

Glyph wrote:Finally caught up on this and... ugh, I'm going to be the odd one out on this series, aren't I? It's just not working for me. The scratchy art and rough hand lettering are certainly expressive, but not in a way that really lands for me; I find the lettering in particular to be distracting where it needs to be clear. The writing's passable, has some really good moments - particularly the quieter, more introspective ones with Prime or Arcee/Carly - but also enough clunky or ungrammatical lines to keep pulling me out.

And dear God, the edge on the bloodthirsty violence - it's like we're back in G2, but turned up. Humans getting pulped! Robots getting shredded! Major characters being killed off like it's a Bayverse movie! Prime blasting Decepticons with "AW YEEAHHH" plastered across the background! ... sorry, I'm old, it just makes me tired and eye-rolly rather than pumped up.

Overall, it makes for an enjoyable enough what-if or AU miniseries, but as the main continuity? No shade on everyone who is enjoying it, but no thanks, not for me. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

I do hear you, part of me thinks and actually hopes that the current state is just to grab attention and get people into the series, and it will calm down more down the line. The current pacing and tone is just unsustainable. The best bits are Prime's story, he's like an uncensored Sunbow Optimus Prime.
I personally think that both teams will settle down and there's going to be periods of quiet, like in the cartoon. I also wouldn't mind to have cleaner artwork again, because what we have now is full of energy and I do like it, but I miss the clean metallic art we've had since Dreamwave.

Dead Metal wrote:

snavej wrote:Wouldn't it be funny if this was a 'Holy War on Wokeness'?! (They could dunk on IDW, etc.)

Why would that be funny? Do you even know what "woke" means or is woke the new "literally Hitler"?

Interesting idea, to have the Decepticons - who are really obviously the bad guys - launch a 'Holy War on Woke' rather than fighting for power or resources like usual. I suppose the latter is a bit played out, but it could be neat to show explicitly that the killhappy bad guys are fighting against 'Woke', and by extension to show that fighting against 'Woke' is what the bad guys do.

Not sure who the 'IDW' they could dunk on might be, though. Iacon's Dumb Warriors? Interior Dry Wall? Insufficiently Defined Wishes?

Dead Metal wrote:I do hear you, part of me thinks and actually hopes that the current state is just to grab attention and get people into the series, and it will calm down more down the line. ... I also wouldn't mind to have cleaner artwork again, because what we have now is full of energy and I do like it, but I miss the clean metallic art we've had since Dreamwave.

I'd be surprised if it changed much TBH, unless they did a hard stop and tone shift at some point for a new story. There's certainly been a setting of tone and expectations from the start and I'd expect to continue in that vein.

On the art, I miss the clean IDW style too, but it wouldn't fit this story at all IMO. While DWJ's style might not really be to my taste, I can appreciate the evident choices made (the roughness, the energy) to fit the tone he's going for. And I note that when a second artist was brought on, he followed DWJ's style very closely, so I wouldn't expect that to change any time soon without (again) a big tone shift in the story.

'Not sure who the 'IDW' they could dunk on might be, though. Iacon's Dumb Warriors? Interior Dry Wall? Insufficiently Defined Wishes?'

Some kind of comics company, apparently:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvj001E ... onDelArroz

snavej wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvj001E4sUA&ab_channel=JonDelArroz

#takes a look at link
#sees it's a channel I've already blocked from recommendations for being nothing but pissy manbaby rants
#moves on with life

Glyph wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:

snavej wrote:Wouldn't it be funny if this was a 'Holy War on Wokeness'?! (They could dunk on IDW, etc.)

Why would that be funny? Do you even know what "woke" means or is woke the new "literally Hitler"?

Interesting idea, to have the Decepticons - who are really obviously the bad guys - launch a 'Holy War on Woke' rather than fighting for power or resources like usual. I suppose the latter is a bit played out, but it could be neat to show explicitly that the killhappy bad guys are fighting against 'Woke', and by extension to show that fighting against 'Woke' is what the bad guys do.

So basically idw, DW and all other versions.

Glyph wrote:Not sure who the 'IDW' they could dunk on might be, though. Iacon's Dumb Warriors? Interior Dry Wall? Insufficiently Defined Wishes?

Glyph wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:I do hear you, part of me thinks and actually hopes that the current state is just to grab attention and get people into the series, and it will calm down more down the line. ... I also wouldn't mind to have cleaner artwork again, because what we have now is full of energy and I do like it, but I miss the clean metallic art we've had since Dreamwave.

I'd be surprised if it changed much TBH, unless they did a hard stop and tone shift at some point for a new story. There's certainly been a setting of tone and expectations from the start and I'd expect to continue in that vein.

On the art, I miss the clean IDW style too, but it wouldn't fit this story at all IMO. While DWJ's style might not really be to my taste, I can appreciate the evident choices made (the roughness, the energy) to fit the tone he's going for. And I note that when a second artist was brought on, he followed DWJ's style very closely, so I wouldn't expect that to change any time soon without (again) a big tone shift in the story.

That's what I'm actually expecting. The current story is desperate high energy setup, both sides will settle down as the current state isn't sustainable both as a product and in universe. To further illustrate that point they'll change the art. I suspect EJ Sue will come back as his style is like a transition between the current and clean.

Same basically happened with Interrior Dry Wall's run.

Plus Void Rivals already does show us TF in a less high octane setting.

Dead Metal wrote:The current story is desperate high energy setup, both sides will settle down as the current state isn't sustainable both as a product and in universe. To further illustrate that point they'll change the art. I suspect EJ Sue will come back as his style is like a transition between the current and clean.

Same basically happened with Interrior Dry Wall's run.

Plus Void Rivals already does show us TF in a less high octane setting.

Fair enough then, I've only actually checked out the TF comic itself and picked up other bits from this thread so wasn't familiar with the sister titles. Didn't feel like reading another two Joe books I don't care about plus whatever Void Rivals is, just to figure out the story in the one title I'm interested in..!

Glyph wrote:

snavej wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvj001E4sUA&ab_channel=JonDelArroz

#takes a look at link
#sees it's a channel I've already blocked from recommendations for being nothing but pissy manbaby rants
#moves on with life

OK

https://comicsgate.org/2023/11/06/idw-p ... ar-babies/

Ooh, comicsgate, really keeping those quality information sources coming! You understand you're showing your entire ass, right?

No more information than the last one though.
You're gonna have to explain how some unnamed jerk executive skimming money off, and being fired from, IDW as reported in November 2023 has anything to do with the direction of the Transformers comics they published from 2005-2022? Or what it has to do with the 'wokeness' you keep banging on about?

Actually, don't bother since (a) I really don't care, and (b) this is the Skybound thread. Maybe you could talk about that?

Glyph wrote:

Dead Metal wrote:The current story is desperate high energy setup, both sides will settle down as the current state isn't sustainable both as a product and in universe. To further illustrate that point they'll change the art. I suspect EJ Sue will come back as his style is like a transition between the current and clean.

Same basically happened with Interrior Dry Wall's run.

Plus Void Rivals already does show us TF in a less high octane setting.

Fair enough then, I've only actually checked out the TF comic itself and picked up other bits from this thread so wasn't familiar with the sister titles. Didn't feel like reading another two Joe books I don't care about plus whatever Void Rivals is, just to figure out the story in the one title I'm interested in..!

I put the entire Energonverse on my pull list just because I was intrigued. So far I haven't regretted it, Void Rivals is excellent and reads like a darker reintroduction to an 80s property. The Joe stuff is excellent, and I have no real interest in GI Joe, but the books here are really good. Everything ties together really well and feels cohesive and natural.
It really feels like a lot of thought was put into these.

Hmm. OK, I might have to take a look just out of curiosity and see how it works as a whole. Cheers.

Glyph wrote:Hmm. OK, I might have to take a look just out of curiosity and see how it works as a whole. Cheers.

Thank me if you actually like it.

I like this series a lot because it is different. IDW2005 was great, I didn't like IDW2019, and this new series has done a lot to make me love it, especially with the portrayal of Prime. It's the first comic I've ready where I really feel like they are doing a good Prime. IDW really did not do him good, though they did do good to a lot of others.

Just got issue # 10. If you thought that the action was extreme before, wait till you see what happens this month!

Just read #11. Now I have a problem with the series. Cybertron is currently very close to Earth. This should be causing terrible quakes on both planets plus tsunamis and volcanic eruptions on Earth. Both planets would be casting huge shadows on each other, giving long and unnatural nights. This would be affecting weather, vegetation, animal life, solar power generation, electricity consumption, etc. Worst of all, the two planets and also Earth's moon would be dragged together quite quickly by gravity. Collision would be imminent. Nothing would survive.

Are we seeing any of that after a month of waiting? We should be but no, we're not. The only possible thing holding back a fiery end for both worlds is Transformer technology and whatever the Matrix / Primus is doing. Shockwave doesn't seem to care. Prime has very few resources. Magnus appears to be too traumatised to do much. Megatron is wandering somewhere with no eyes, cannon or right arm. I really hope that all this is explained. Rasslin' won't help!

The Skybound comic is currently beloved by many fans and critics. So much so that it won the most prestigious awards at the Esiner’s, the Best Continuing series (equivalent of Best Picture at the Oscars) and Best Writer/Artist. And when it comes to fans, well, comic shops have such great demand for it that in the latest sales charts, for the month of May, the 8th issue of the series outsold every single comic published by DC that month. And yes, that includes Batman, which is DC’s best selling comic/character.

It was not number 1, that goes to DOOM (because NO ONE CAN ESCAPE DOOM) but it was top 5. The rest of the top 5 was Spider-man and X-Men books, and DC’s best selling book was Batman in 7th place.

Below is the Top 10

1. Doom (one shot)
2. Ultimate Spider-man 5
3. Amazing Spider-man 49
4. Transformers 8
5. Ultimate X-Men 3
6. Amazing Spider-man 50
7. Batman 147
8. Hellverine 1
9. Wolverine 49
10. Spider Gwen: Ghost Spider 1

Info is from this ICV2

Prime with Megatron's arm cannot be stopped lol

That's very impressive.

So this series took a little time to reach that performance level? A bit more like IDW's launch, and less like Dreamwave, where the first miniseries kept selling out faster than they could do reprints?

Just trying to gauge whether this Energon Universe is going to have decade-long staying power or be done in by embezzlement in 2 years. Sorry for the pessimism about great sales, it'll just be a while before I can afford to get the trades and see for myself.

Bumblevivisector wrote:So this series took a little time to reach that performance level? A bit more like IDW's launch, and less like Dreamwave, where the first miniseries kept selling out faster than they could do reprints?

Just trying to gauge whether this Energon Universe is going to have decade-long staying power or be done in by embezzlement in 2 years. Sorry for the pessimism about great sales, it'll just be a while before I can afford to get the trades and see for myself.

It's a really damn good series. I say this as someone who loved late IDW2005 and was generally uninterested in IDW2019, this series is up there with the MTMTE time travel arc in terms of quality, and is really damn good.

In particular, I think this series is absolutely nailing Optimus, something in my opinion IDW did not do. They have also really captured a great version of pretty much every decepticon, and for that matter the Autobots too. And even the humans. I can't really say there is a character they haven't gotten into yet that I haven't greatly enjoyed.

They are making me come to love Beachcomber, a nobody for me, and I am enjoying his arc with Astrotrain and Spike, it's great!

For years, DC and Marvel have been spiraling into bad quality. Forcing current day politics, bad art, bad stories, and reboots bonanzas.

No wonder independent comics are picking up the slack. And seeing a Transformers comic to be so popular and good, beating DC, feels great.

I'll have to buy the graphic novels when the series is complete.

Bumblevivisector wrote:So this series took a little time to reach that performance level? A bit more like IDW's launch, and less like Dreamwave, where the first miniseries kept selling out faster than they could do reprints?

Just trying to gauge whether this Energon Universe is going to have decade-long staying power or be done in by embezzlement in 2 years. Sorry for the pessimism about great sales, it'll just be a while before I can afford to get the trades and see for myself.

The first issue sold more than marvel and dc, it was the number 1 book the month it came out. With multiple further prints selling out. I just didnt write an article then.

https://icv2.com/articles/markets/view/ ... tober-2023

I find this more significant though. New titles start selling well, its cool to see its maintained it to the point of still outdoing DC almost a year later

Skybound’s Transformers comic is officially the best comic on the shelves now, outselling all or most other comics every month. Basically, everyone loves it, which is why this news may come as a blow to some. The writer (and artist for earlier issues), Daniel Warren Johnson, has told fans that he will be ending his run after 24 issues. This was said though an AMA on Reddit. That still gives us a whole year of DWJ goodness.

I’m having a blast writing it now and Jorge [Corona] and Mike [Spicer] are absolutely slaying the art. I am going to be writing for a total of 24 issues.

We’re keeping it strictly g1.

Mike [Spicer] is a wonderful, stand up guy. He’s incredible to work with and I haven’t even touched on his coloring abilities!!!!

I’ve said it before but it still holds true today! The 1986 animated movie is the thing that still captivates me EVERY TIME I SEE IT. AGHHHH MY FOOT

While sad to see as I have been enjoying the current run, it is not surprising as 24 issues will be the longest run on anything DWJ has done on anything as usually he only does 5 or 6 issues minis. I just wonder who will take over after him.

Does this mean the series is over at 24, or is there the possibility of it continuing under a different writer? I would hate to see the Energon Universe be done so soon

Stormshot_Prime wrote:Does this mean the series is over at 24, or is there the possibility of it continuing under a different writer? I would hate to see the Energon Universe be done so soon

New writer after

Good.

Well, hopefully good. They could manage to find someone worse, somehow.

Both relieved and sad that 24 is the magic number. Relieved because there is a definitive beginning and end to the current story, but sad because it is so very good.

Outside of the MTMTE time arc and the Wreckers saga, this is probably the best comic I have read

ScottyP wrote:Good.

Well, hopefully good. They could manage to find someone worse, somehow.

May I ask why you despise this run so much? It is genuinely so good, I'm curious.

D-Maximal_Primal wrote:

ScottyP wrote:Good.

Well, hopefully good. They could manage to find someone worse, somehow.

May I ask why you despise this run so much? It is genuinely so good, I'm curious.

The simplest explanation I can give without writing an essay is that, to me, it's just plain old not very good. The art is not to my taste. The pro wrestling action is a joke. The constant attempts to homage other mecha franchises shows a lack of creativity, though tbf those have ebbed almost entirely as it has gone on. The characters, outside of Optimus and probably Beachcomber, have very little going on, or are inconsistent. The plot barely exists, there is no long term plan and for something that's meant to be the linchpin of a wider universe it barely feels connected.

It feels like reading a book that keeps trying to tell me it is important and good by punching me in the face. Some (apparently a lot of) folks are into that, I am not.

Anyway gonna duck out of this thread again for several months, y'all should keep your party going and not listen to negative Nancy P over here

Have to agree, I bounced off the series after the first half dozen or so issues as it just wasn't working for me on the art/story level and a few technical aspects - particularly the lettering and a couple of "that word doesn't work that way" bits of phrasing - kept pulling me out of the experience.

When I read that it won an Eisner and outsells Batman, I just have to shake my head bemusedly and reflect that it's a funny old world and, well, to each their own I guess.

It seemed like many fans were unaware of how high Skybound’s Transformers comic ranked in the sales charts. So we’ll report its monthly ranking when we can and now we have June’s numbers. It slipped from 4th to 5th place that month BUT still outsold every DC comic. The whole list is below. And the chart’s ranking is based on units ordered.

June 2024 (ComicHub, via ICv2)

1 Ultimates #1
Marvel Comics
$5.99

2 Ultimate Spider-Man #6
Marvel Comics
$4.99

3 Amazing Spider-Man #51
Marvel Comics
$4.99

4 X-Men #35 (Fall of the House of X)
Marvel Comics
$9.99

5 Transformers #9
Image Comics
$3.99

6 Amazing Spider-Man #52
Marvel Comics
$4.99

7 Ultimate X-Men #4
Marvel Comics
$4.99

8 Batman #148
DC Comics
$4.99

9 Scarlett #1 (Of 5)
Image Comics
$4.99

10 Batman #149
DC Comics
$4.99

Imagine that. Make a good product, and people will buy it. A lesson learned too late for IDW.

5th best selling comic period, but not good enough for the Seibertron Podcast crew. They must be waiting for Hemingway or Dickens version.

Sales for July #10 at place 5 too. Don't know sales for #11

Wow... so people mostly read Spider-Man, X-Men & Batman before TF comes along? Didn't realize the industry is so niche now...

Notice no marvel mcu stuff in top 10. Avengers deadpool

Glad to see it is doing so well. I love IDW2005, didn't like IDW2019, and this has reignited that comic reading fun.

Also, this is the only comic outside of Last Bot Standing that I have bought individual releases for as they come out. That is how much fun it is.

It is just a good run

Well, issue 12 is out. It turns out that Shockwave's technology not only teleported Cybertron but also held the planets in place. If the Decepticons had that much power, why didn't they annihilate the Autobots already? Perhaps they are simply enjoying a prolonged conflict and inflicting misery upon anyone within reach.

A large slice of Cybertron fell into the ocean. That would've caused an apocalypse on Earth: towering tsunamis, earthquakes, firestorms, etc.

snavej wrote:Well, issue 12 is out. It turns out that Shockwave's technology not only teleported Cybertron but also held the planets in place. If the Decepticons had that much power, why didn't they annihilate the Autobots already? Perhaps they are simply enjoying a prolonged conflict and inflicting misery upon anyone within reach.

A large slice of Cybertron fell into the ocean. That would've caused an apocalypse on Earth: towering tsunamis, earthquakes, firestorms, etc.

This needs a MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT and added nothing to the conversation!

cloudballoon wrote:

snavej wrote:Well, issue 12 is out. It turns out that Shockwave's technology not only teleported Cybertron but also held the planets in place. If the Decepticons had that much power, why didn't they annihilate the Autobots already? Perhaps they are simply enjoying a prolonged conflict and inflicting misery upon anyone within reach.

A large slice of Cybertron fell into the ocean. That would've caused an apocalypse on Earth: towering tsunamis, earthquakes, firestorms, etc.

This needs a MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT and added nothing to the conversation!

Release date was 11 Sept. 2024 and I'm being relevant to the thread.

It's funny how some people complain of going off-thread while others complain of being on-thread. This is a coercive tactic, an attempt to suppress free speech and keep people 'in line'.