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Transformers fan and youtube user GeneralTekno was able to get his hands on the TFcon 2010 exclusive, Night-bird. This product is a repaint and remold of Valkyrie, by Impossible Toys. Check out the video embed below or on Youtube!
Keep it at Seibertron.com - The Ultimate Transformers Resource!
Seibertron.com member Pascal has received TRNS-01 Valkyrie from site sponsor BigBadToyStore.com and has given us a review and mini-gallery.
Pascal wrote:
PROS
-G1 Arcee!
-good sculpt
-G1-esque box and instructions
-guns stay in the hands during transformation, much like ROTF DLX Brawn
-easy to transform
-good arm articulation
CONS
-questionable paint job, dirty
-delicate
-nothing really locks anywhere (torso and shoulder plates should but they don't feel like it, tabs are too small and the minute you try to pose the figure they untab)
-loose right foot (could be just mine)
-head doesn't look like it can turn (if it does, the joint is really stiff, to the point you feel like you'll break the head off)
-no waist rotation
-hard to balance
-bad print quality for the instructions
My call? For hardcore collectors and display only. And wait for a sale.
The Transformers fandom finally gets a look at Human Alliance Barricade outside of the plastic packaging prison. MidnightBliss over at TFW2005 offers a little review and images of the fourth instalment to the Human Alliance toy line. Check out a snippet of what he has to say and a picture below....
Transformation is really close to the deluxe version. A few more little steps added and that's it. Like Bumblebee he has a weapon for one of his hands. The left hand is a "spinning blade" that pops out when you press the gas cap on the car. Frenzy can ride in the car or under the hood ala the deluxe version.
For those who missed out on our first look at Human Alliance Barricade's packaging, then check that out here. For your Human Alliance needs, there's Seibertron.com's toy galleries...
When the first designs of a Generation One Arcee toy were made, many of you, including myself, weren't even born yet. 2010 looks to be the year that we finally get an Arcee figure that somewhat resembles her Generation One self. Let's just say it's been a long time coming.
Youtuber Peaugh has gotten Animated Arcee and Cybertron Mode Ratchet, both brand new figures. He goes over the usual - articulation and transformation. In other words, it's an entertaining look at a couple of figures we will soon own in the future. Check out the Arcee and Ratchet reviews on Youtube or embed into the news post.
Arcee
Cybertron Mode Ratchet
Hasbro stated that these two will be released in Spring 2010. However with them already being in the company of a handful of collectors, does this mean that their release will be earlier?
Transformers Generations 2009 Vol. 1 got released in Japan. I snagged a copy yesterday and I'm glad that I did. It is a feast for Japanese Transformers fans.
This book is very similar in style and presentation to the Japanese Transformers Collection 2007 book. In fact, this book begins where Transformers Collection 2007 left off.
There are 100 pages of photographs, captions (in Japanese), drawings, and a mini comic. The purpose of the book is to showcase all of the TakaraTomy Transformers from the past two years, which was executed very well. You'll find lots of detailed pictures showing numerous angles and gimmicks for each figure. In some cases, may be too much. Everything is printed on high quality paper, which allows magnificent detail to be shown. Each figure gets 1-4 pages. The book covers Henkei, Alternity, Binaltech, Masterpiece, Encore, Marvel Crossover, and miscellaneous figures like exclusives and branded labels, like Music Label.
Alternity Convoy is the first thing you'll encounter when you open the book. A whopping 10 pages are devoted to him. Takara isn't pulling any stops with this little guy's promotion. Too bad his release date couldn't be as determined. Alternity Megatron is not featured in this book.
The Henkei figures cover all of them from Optimus Prime to Dinobot. Japanese exclusives are also shown. Each figure is displayed in 2-5 shots. A frame with the Hasbro version is included for comparison. The only Henkei figures not included were Red Alert, Smokescreen, and the Minibots (they'll probably be in volume 2).
For the Binaltech & Masterpiece section, expect to see: Arcee, Blue Streak, Argent Meister, Convoy, MP US Edition Starscream, MP Thundercracker, and Grimlock. The details of Grimlock include the transformation process. Sorry...can't give away secrets...
The Encore section is another worthwhile feature. The book covers the figures from Ironhide through Hoist. (Optimus, Megatron, Starscream, and Soundwave were covered in Transformers Collection 2007). The cassettes and Bruticus were not included, but they will probably be in the next volume.
The miscellaneous figures include: Disney Label, Music Label, Marvel Crossovers, and Encore exclusives. Chrono Label is not included.
Now for the fun part! The reason why this book is called "Generations" is because it connects all 25 years (And if you’ve been paying attention - you'll also know that is the campaign theme on Takara Transformers website). http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/TF/25th/25th.html
So, where the first half of the book focuses on the present; the second half focuses on the past. The entertainment begins with G1 Optimus Prime. Have you ever imagined attending an Optimus Prime party? Take every G1 Optimus Prime ever made (legitimately by Takara & Hasbro) and let them strut around on twelve pages. There are over two dozen Primes, and they all want their picture taken. It's like a Prime convention. What is particularly cool about having all the Primes together for a family reunion is that you can see all the big and small variations between each figure, trailer, andor box. Attendees at this party include Diaclone Prime; 1984&85 Prime (first, second, and third runs); Pepsi exclusives, Goodbye Convoy, Lucky Draw, G2, New Year Specials, Commemorative Series, etc?Eunning all the way up to the present. Prime fans might want to get the book just for this alone.
The other cool feature of this book is the concept art. Some very intriguing, old, and outlandish drawings have been pulled from some dusty archive hidden below Takara's HQ. There are drawings of Powered Convoy (Ultra Magnus) with armor resembling Go-Bot power suits; motorcycles for instance, are used for his arms and legs. Other cool drawings include a Robotech looking Prime featuring a different transformation and a trailer that transforms into a combat vehicle; Mirage, Inferno, and Sludge are also included, in addition to a slew of others you wouldn't recognize.
I highly recommend this book if you are into concept art and like referencing Japanese figures from numerous angles.
The excitement continues to build in Transtopia. Lots and lots of repaints, kitbashes, and scratchbuilds. New members and veterans have posted many awe inspiring figures. If you are interested in doing customs but don’t know where to begin, then check out the Transtopia forums for tips from the experts: Transtopia
The newsletter has undergone a face lift, thanks to Seibertron member, Flix for his creative design work. We also have a winner to announce from our banner contest featured last month: Technically Weird gets the bragging rights to show off his artwork as one of our subheaders. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/Angelic_Prince/seibcontest.jpg
We thank everyone for their participation. You can check out the other entries here
And remember, to check out the Transtopia forum for the latest action.
-Stormrider
How to Showcase Your Work...
The newsletter is your opportunity to show off your work and talent. We rely on your articles, artwork, and customs to make it interesting. Entries will be reviewed on a monthly basis. You can submit your work here: Repaints, Kitbashes, Scratchbuilds Fan Art Fan Fiction Guides
Newsletter Credits:
Design - Flix
Formatting – Mattyc1007
Fan Art - Mykltron
Fan Fiction – Sledge
Editing – Stormrider
This month’s featured artist is Kyrie with his computer design Valkyrie, a female quadrochanger.
(click the link to see larger pictures)
Not only has Kyrie designed a fully transforming character, but he also has presented it beautifully as if it were a photo gallery of an actual figure. The transformation process between modes gives us an indication of how much thought and planning must have gone into it, while touches of realism are included - such as light glinting off the corners, shadows and reflections.
Using the extremely sleek car mode as the starting point, Kyrie used engineering drawing techniques to design the robot, followed by the other two modes. Once those stages were complete, Maya 8.0 was used to create the 3D work of art presented here.
The first thing that struck me about this figure was the amount of blue that was used. Beautiful as this colour is, a little more variety of colour may make it easier to understand, although gold and dark grey have been used for some internal parts.
What I particularly like about the robot’s design is how femininity is suggested through slenderness of build rather than actually giving her breasts like Blackarachnia. Another noteworthy feature is what appear to be gun holsters on her hips in robot mode, although we can’t see any guns. If that’s what they truly are then it’s very cool and this should be used on some real TF toys. Perhaps the only thing missing would be fold-out claws for the front feet to match the rear in tiger mode making her more ferocious.
I’m sure Kyrie would appreciate your feedback on this stunning creation, so please leave your comments on the Valkyrie thread here.
Honorable mentions this month go to Nench for his eye appealing Unicron creation. Click here.
Send us your artwork!
Art entries are reviewed on a monthly basis for the newsletter. Send your entries here by February 28th for the March newsletter.
Do you have modeling or art tips to share with other members? Why not write a guide? Feature tips from - repainting, kitbashing, drawing, sculpting, and even computer graphics. Send an email to Transtopia.Guide@gmx.de for details.
- by Sledge
Hello, fellow Seibertronians, and welcome to the Fan Fiction section. First things first, last month's winner. Sabrblade takes it with the first installment in his "Machine Wars: Transformers – The Fanfic Series." In his own words, it's "within both the U.S. and Japanese G1 animated continuities without interfering with each other." I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty ambitious, and I'll be interested to see how it pans out. Chapter 1 can be read here, with chapter 2 here. If you enjoy those, start pestering Saberblade to write more. Well done, Saberblade, and I hope to see more writing from you soon.
This month is going to be slightly different, as we're setting two contests:
The first is for the end of February. As that's only two weeks away, and that doesn't leave much time to come up with an idea AND get the final version written, February's competion is open to any TF fiction you've got ready for judging at the end of the month. So if you've got something already written, or have a great idea ready to go, this is for you.
The second is for March. For this one, I've decided to mix things up a little by setting a theme. What I'd like to see is something on the topic of "Transformers Go To The Movies." What does that mean? Whatever you want. Transformers starring in films, TFs watching films, TFs covered in a pile of DVDs, whatever that topic suggests to you is what I want to see. Funny, serious, romantic, tragic, anything. If that topic immediately makes you think "Oh, that would be a story about..." start writing it down.
A quick recap of the rules (don't worry, there's not many):
1) 10,000 word limit. Rough guideline to start with, I won't be automatically disqualifying anything that comes in over.
2) Decent spelling, grammar and punctuation. Run a spell check over your story, and maybe get a friend to read it before submitting.
3) Be specific as to where/when the story is set. So what continuity is it in (G1 comic, G1 cartoon, Armada comic, etc) and where is it set? Before the events of the show/comic, after, during? If during, where does it fit?
4) Fan characters are fine, but please avoid making them those annoying "I am more powerful than any other Transformer!!!" types. Also, consider if there's an under-used existing TF who'd fit the needs of the story just as well as someone new. Existing characters are almost always more interesting to everyone else.
And that's all there is to it. Now you have the easy bit of writing it, which involves (if I may paraphrase Douglas Adams) staring at a blank screen until blood appears on your forehead. Please don't bleed on your keyboards, just have fun.
Hey Transtopia folks - Burn wants to interview you. How did you get into Transformers? Why are you addicted to kitbashing? What was your first repaint like? What do you do with your spare time?
Don’t keep Burn waiting any longer – he’s getting bored at work. Send him a PM here.
Do you long to own the exclusive Generation One colored version of the movie Arcee figure? Do you dig looking at toy galleries, drooling and wishing you could own that figure? Need more pictures to convince the significant other that it's a toy worth having?
Nekoman has been able to solve these needs with a gallery that he found that features the Exclusive Wonderfest Arcee Generation 1 Repaint.
Our own Chris McFeely has stopped by. He has posted a review of Metrodome's THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE – ULTIMATE EDITION DVD. Here is his review:
THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE – ULTIMATE EDITION
Dir: Nelson Shin
Cert: PG
Starring: Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Robert Stack, Lionel Stander, Eric Idle, Orson Welles, Peter Cullen, Frank Welker
FEATURE
Yeah. It’s the movie. You know it, I know it. That’s not what we’re here for. Let’s move on.
VIDEO
THIS is what we’re here for.
This is Metrodome’s second shot at properly releasing the movie – leaving aside cheapie budget versions that have nothing about them worth speaking of, their previous effort was “Transformers: The Movie – Reconstructed,” which aimed to show every millimetre of footage that was animated by peeling aside the edges of the screen to reveal it. This resulted in a rather misjudged “curtained” image which was fine for widescreen-television owners, but shafted those with regular-size sets. Additionally, the image was taken from the original negative, but was inadvertently converted to NTSC before being converted to PAL, resulting in a badly interlaced image. The colour balance of the thing was all over the place, and the picture was very soft – I recall speaking fairly well of it when it came out, but time has opened my eyes to its flaws.
This “Ultimate Edition” of the film takes it cue from Sony’s 20th Anniversary release last year, which featured a newly-remastered widescreen version of the film, to replicate its original theatrical presentation. This time, Metrodome have succeeded in making a PAL transfer directly from the negative, resulting in smooth video (which, due to PAL speedup, runs a few minutes faster than viewers will be used to, and while the faster speed is not noticeable to my eyes or ears, the quality it brings with it is) that is sharper in Sony’s, with colours that I would describe as... “cooler,” but for the most part, more “correct” to my eyes. Most notably, of course, Hot Rod is no longer the bubblegum-pink of Sony’s version.
All I can do is echo the sentiments of all the other professional reviews that have compared the two, and say that this is the best that the movie has ever looked on DVD.
AUDIO
The audio for the Reconstructed DVD was also a bodge-job, thanks to Magno Sound, who were responsible for adding all those extra noises to the series DVD boxsets (from both Rhino and Metrodome), and did it again for the movie – on both the 5.1 and 2.0 audio tracks. For the Ultimate Edition, the Reconstructed audio was dissected with a fine-toothed comb, and while not every sound could be removed (otherwise it, uh, wouldn’t be 5.1), the most offensive, inappropriate offenders have been ganked the hell out of there. This includes, but is not limited to, those insufferable, overbearing “sizzling whipcracks” that were all over the place in the series, and the pop-gun banging of Prime’s gun. It’s still not QUITE perfect, mind you, because the levels seem not to have been modified following the removal of these sounds – consequently, the actual sound of Prime’s gun is very low.
There is, however, a completely unmolested 2.0 track to enjoy, with nary an extra zip or zap in sight. That’s how I’ll be watching it!
PACKAGING AND PACK-INS
The movie is available in both a single-disc and a two-disc version.
The single disc is packaged in a standard DVD case, with a rather artsy cover image that’s a paintbrushed version of the image of Optimus Prime that Andrew Wildman drew for the Season 1 box set. This version – I don’t have it, so I’m not 100% on this – does not have any extra features beyond the remastered picture and the two audio tracks. It is simply labelled as a “special edition.”
The two-disc set is the “Ultimate Edition.” It consists of a metal case, decorated with the above-mentioned illustration, which opens to reveal a standard DVD case with a different sleeve, bearing the original UK movie poster artwork. This is awesome. It’s nothing against Don Figueroa, but when I look at the Sony set, or the Australian release that he also provided a cover for, it just looks *wrong* to me to have this stylized, modern artwork appearing on the cover of a release of a twenty-year-old film. I’ve always preferred the use of the original poster artwork, be it US or UK, for releases of the movie, and this tin-and-case combo balances new and classic art in just the right way to keep me merry.
Depending on where you buy the two-disc set, there could be one of several different bonuses in store for you when you open the case. Buying it from Play.Com will net you a set of three postcards commemorating the different movie artwork – one displays the US poster, the second the UK poster, and the third the Ultimate Edition cover art. Snag it from HMV, and you’ll find that the sleeve is reversible, with the US artwork on the other side. Pick it up from Virgin, and there’s a set of art cards waiting for you, displaying various images from the film. Woolworths and Toys R US include posters with their versions, but I’ve not seen these, so I don’t know what they’re of.
The set comes with a sixteen-page booklet written by me (I assume this isn’t included with the single-disc version). It serves as an overview of the movie and the DVD, beginning with a personal introduction, then a discussion of the remastering of the video and audio, and a four page “essay” on the making of the movie, discussing the production, writing, animation, actors, soundtrack and distribution. After this, there’s a section on where the movie falls in the chronology of the series, summarising each of the seasons, ending with an explanation of what Scramble City is (it’s included as an extra feature), and thanks from me and Metrodome to various good chaps. In general, as with the commentary discussed below, my aim with the booklet was to put the information across in a clear and descriptive manner and without “familiarity,” if you know what I mean, so that newbies and nostalgics inspired to buy by the live-action movie can read it and understand it without being baffled by terminology or the tendency to take certain things as read, as hardcore fans do, while at the same time, discussing topics and trivia that not even regular online contributors may be aware of.
I also wrote a large selection of actor biographies/filmographies, but there wasn’t room in the booklet for them. I’m told they might appear on the website – www.transformersdvd.com – at some point.
MENUS
After the copyright stuff at the start of the disc, the traditional Metrodome logo has been replaced with a Transformers logo, rendered like the live-action movie logo, as if it were tarnished metal (the same effect is employed on the DVD cover), which then “transforms”, like the logo in the LAM trailer, into the word “Metrodome.” This is cute. I like it. :)
The menus themselves are fairly simply affairs with clips of the movie running in the centre, and a lot of geometric shapes for buttons that are not *entirely* intuitive. They’re not stunningly attractive, but they are functional, and while not as intricate or impressive and Sony’s shifting design, I’ll take actual footage of the movie over Sony’s use of purse-grabbing Dreamwave art for reasons very similar to those discussed above over the cover.
EXTRAS
The meat and potatoes of it all.
DISC 1
This disc includes a feature-length audio commentary by me. It’s a pretty breathless experience, as I just had *so* much stuff laid out in my notes in front of me that I didn’t have time to let up anywhere. No slight against those that participated in the Sony commentary track, but I felt that it fell into the trap I discussed above – the tendency to be very “familiar”, talking not just about the movie, but Transformers as a whole, as if all the listeners are automatically informed about all of it, and will know what “Diaclone” is, and other such things that are not the province of Joe Public, with the presence of multiple commentators preventing them from dwelling on any one topic long enough to get really specific about it. I go out of my way to begin the whole affair by summarising the creation of the Transformers toyline, going through G.I. Joe, Henshin Cyborg, Microman, Diaclone and MicroChange, so that viewers will understand what I’m talking about when I refer to them, and I always make sure to clarify what characters I’m talking about by saying something like “Dirge, the blue cone-headed jet,” given how few of them are actually named in the film. It’s a very concentrated effort to make the commentary open to everyone, to not confuse those who aren’t as informed as fans on message boards, but at the same time, to include lots of obscure facts, trivia and anecdotes that will ensure that even informed fans get something out of it.
At least, uh, I hope. /: )
Next on the list is a familiar feature from the Reconstructed list of extras – a compare-and-contrast of the differences between the US and UK versions, offering clips of the opening, closing and Spike’s expletive. Twelve TV spots for the movie follow (in contrast to Sony’s eight), alongside the US theatrical trailer and the Japanese “trade trailer” with Diaclone Magnus. Both Sony and Metrodome include the “final title check” and “cinex check” reels, the former featuring the Superman-style flying text cast credits, and the latter featuring several animation effects, including a “clean open” version of Laserbeak’s approach to Cybertron, without text.
After that, there are a selection of character biographies – these appeared previously on the Reconstructed disc, and actually come from the Australian release, but whereas Reconstructed just literally cropped the screens of text and pasted them in, background and all, this version reproduces the text with a new design. Profiles included are for Arcee, Blurr, Hot Rod, Kup, Springer, Ultra Magnus, Brawn, Ironhide, Optimus Prime, Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Windcharger, Cyclonus, Galvatron, Scourge, Bombshell, Kickback, Megatron, Shrapnel, Skywarp, Starscream, Thundercracker and Unicron. The presence of so many unimportant characters, only included to give a sort of “book of the dead” side to the profiles, is sort of bothersome when characters like Wreck-Gar, Grimlock and Perceptor go unmentioned, as is the sweeping statement that Skywarp unequivocally became Cyclonus, or the *ridiculous* notion that one of Galvatron’s weaknesses is a “reliance on Unicron,” but overall, they’re as nice as they ever were.
The final extra on this disc is a rather nifty little trailer that Metrodome created to promote this DVD release.
DISC 2
As I haven’t mentioned it before, this would be a good time to point out that this disc features the original, fullscreen version of the film. It is an unremastered version, the same version included on those budget releases you can pick up for £2 in any store, hence it is entirely unremarkable – kinda dark, but watchable anyway, and certainly nicer looking that the fullscreen version on the Sony disc, where the colours are all *over* the place. What is notable is that is it the UK version of the film, with the opening text crawl, no swear and Caroli’s closing narration, thereby making both versions of the movie available in one set. Nice!
After this, the disc includes a 25-minute interview featurette with story consultant Flint Dille, then a 20-minute video of Peter Cullen’s Q&A session from… I don’t know what convention this is from, I’m afraid, but the video comes courtesy of Evantainment.Com. Both men talk about their history in the industry and their involvement in Transformers, coming across as likeable blokes, with Cullen getting emotional in a few spots.
The next feature is Scramble City, the big draw of which is that – unlike Sony’s version – it contains the original Japanese audio and subtitles, as well as a new commentary from me. The subs, it must be said, are “hard” subs, permanently on-screen, which cannot be turned off – I believe this is a rip of that bootleg that goes about. The subs are functional, conveying the action and intent decently, and thankfully, were already translated into English terminology, talkin’ about Optimus Prime, Autobots, Decepticons, etc, rather than Convoy, Cybertrons and Destrons. I don’t think they use an apostrophe correctly in all 30 minutes, though. VERY disappointingly, however, something has gone horribly wrong with the video. The individual disc I received of the episode during production of the DVD was of the same sort of quality as the version included on Sony’s – however, somewhere between that disc and the final release, the video has become washed out and greenish throughout, looking like a bad VHS dump. I mean, yeeeeah, audio and subs, but… what *happened*? I’m playing detective on this one right now…
Next on the list is the “Alternative and Deleted Footage” also seen on Sony’s disc – a lot of stunningly unremarkable footage that is either missing some luminous effects or small overlays, or not immediately distinguishable from the finished affair, and then the sole second or two of ACTUAL deleted footage that has been uncovered. This has no audio, so I provide some colour commentary, as Paul Hitchens did on the Sony disc... there is not a lot to say, so I try to spice it up by talking about how the luminous effects are created and such things.
The first theatrical trailer for the live-action movie is also included here, as opposed to the Mars Rover teaser on the Sony disc. After that, the animated storyboards feature on the Sony disc, courtesy of Paul Hitchens, put in an appearance here, with storyboard stills of Hot Rod and Daniel’s fishing sequence, the Decepticon attack on Autobot City and Optimus Prime and Megatron’s battle set to the audio of the finished sequences, as well as one “deleted scene,” when Magnus, Tracks, Sideswipe and Red Alert attack Devastator, and Red buys it. Also featured on the disc are the original movie script (the ACTUAL original script, featuring all the wacky stuff that didn’t get into the finished movie, not the transcript included on Reconstructed), and the “5.1 breakdown” I made singling out all the added noises from the Reconstructed audio. Beware of snideness!
OVERALL
The disc offers a superior video presentation to Sony’s, so that is a major plus to it. Beyond that, it really comes down to a battle of the extra features, and what is present and what is not. Metrodome’s version lacks some extras that Sony has, due to the dissolution of Sony BGM making their acquisition challenging, but features some of their own unique extras which Sony did not have. For starters, the Flint Dille, Nelson Shin and Susan Blu commentary is absent, as are the collection of featurettes with that trio, Jay Bacal and Tom Griffin – however, Dille was the only real reason to listen to the commentary, and he covers the same basic stuff in his interview (unique to Metrodome’s version), while the inclusion of a Peter Cullen segment is a worthy substitute for any featurette, given his complete absence from the Sony disc (also, I’m not afraid to mention that I culled a bunch of stuff out of the featurettes for use in the commentary, so a chunk of what was talked about in there is already covered on the set in some way). Sony also included some toy commercials and a gallery of production art that are not here, but Metrodome features the original script, more TV spots, audio and subs for Scramble City and two different versions of the movie. I don’t really think that any one selection of extras is particular better than the other – Sony has some good things Metrodome don’t, Metrodome has some good things Sony don’t. This one’s a judgement call for all y’all out there, but if you’re basing it on the video, then Metrodome wins.
Our very own Hotrod has been able to take a look at the upcoming Transformers: The Movie Prequel #1, and has been kind enough to write a review for all of us here on Seibertron.com to read. We are very excited to be able to give you a first glance of this amazing prequel to the Transformers Movie whose release date is creeping ever closer!
Covers for The Transformers: Prime Directive (Live Action Movie Prequel) #1
Transformers: The Movie Prequel #1
Story: Chris Ryall
Writers: Simon Furman & Chris Ryall
Artist: Don Figueroa.
Colorist: Josh Burcham.
Letterer: Robbie Robbins.
Editor: Dan Taylor.
Release Date: February 21, 2007
Plot Summary
For only twenty-four pages of story the first issue of the Transformers: The Movie Prequel miniseries is packed from cover to cover. Right away we know we are on the Planet Cybertron. The planet’s life and energy is dependent on an object known as the Allspark. Both Optimus Prime and Megatron once ruled the planet together until Megatron decided he wanted the power of the Allspark for himself and civil war ensued. Megatron was able to secretly build an army that took the planet by storm. Many who stood in his path fell, however, there are those who still offer resistance and will do what ever it takes to stop Megatron from getting his claws on the Allspark.
The story starts off with Bumblebee, who has blasted off into space from Cybertron in his protoform mode, similar to the one that both the Optimus Prime and Starscream Transformers Movie Preview toys have. While in space Bumblebee begins to explain recent events. The story then flashes back to a fierce battle where Bumblebee, a female bot named Arcee, and a hand full of others are fighting against Megatron’s vast army at Tyger Pax. The odds seem long at best but the brave warriors are not trying to defeat Megatron, they are only hoping to hold his attention long enough for Optimus Prime. Prime is leading another force at Simfur whose mission is to make one last attempt to stop Megatron from gaining control of the Allspark. The plan is to launch it into deep space.
While the battle at Tyger Pax rages on; Megatron arrives more determined then ever to get his hands on the Allspark. However, the Autobots continue to resist until the end. Bumblebee has the unfortunate luck of running into Megatron who is furious and wants information about the whereabouts of the Allspark. Bumblebee is able to hold out, but takes a severe beating that leaves him near death and his voice box critically damaged. By holding out as long as he did Bumblebee was able to buy time for Optimus Prime to launch the Allspark into space.
Soon Megatron realizes what has happened and wastes no time and starts out after the Allspark. The Autobots know that they must get to the Allspark before Megatron so a few brave warriors are chosen to go after the Allspark. Bumblebee, who is not completely healed from his near death encounter with Megatron, is one of the first to volunteer. The race for the Allspark is on.
Art Review
I must admit, the designs chosen for the characters for the upcoming Transformers Movie may not have been the best and left me scratching my head from time to time. However, both Don Figueroa and Josh Burcham have done a stellar job trying to make the Movie designs work. The designs do take some getting use too. They are a radical departure from anything we have seen in the past. It is as radical a departure as Beast Wars was from Generation One, if not more so.
Being visually appealing is one thing that all good comic books should be, and Transformers: The Movie Prequel #1 is visually stimulating. The art really tells a compelling story almost on its own. Also the action seems to flow seamlessly with many good visuals panel to panel. An example of this is when Megatron is thrashing Bumblebee. I found myself studying panels long after I read the text.
Some may find this hard to believe because they do not like the Movie designs, but Don Figueroa and Josh Burcham do an excellent job depicting the Autobots and Decepticons. They made good use of the protoforms for the characters who appear in the movie. They also seem to play with a lot of other designs that seemed to be influenced by other Transformers lore. I think this was the right direction to take; otherwise the images of the characters would be very busy and distracting. Overall the duo did a great job bring the designs to life on the pages.
Another aspect of the art that really stands out is Cybertron itself. It seems really familiar. The art for Cybertron seems to drawl on a lot of elements we saw in Strombringer and the flashback scenes in Beast Wars: The Gathering. Personally, I felt this was a nice touch. Don and Josh did a great job of making the reader grasp the fact that the planet Cybertron is ravaged by war by the color pallet used. The artists make great use of dark backgrounds, which depict a battle torn city left in ruin with all of its grittiness. The familiarity helped me connect with the story more.
Plot Review
The writing team of Simon Furman and Chris Ryall out did themselves with this issue. I must admit I did not have high hopes for this miniseries. I thought it would just be another piece of the Movie media blitz that would quickly be forgotten. Boy was I wrong! Ryall and Furman made this a true Transformers story. They used elements from the Transformers mythos we all know and love, but added some slight spin where they could because of the restrictions placed on the story by the Movie. Though it is not exactly Generation One, it does seem better then some of the recent reincarnations Transformers has gone through the last few years.
The story told is full of substance. Ryall and Furman give us an incredible back story for the Transformers Movie that would otherwise be lacking. Not only that, but there is plenty of action to be found on every page. The fast pace action of the story never lets up until the end. There is never a dull moment. Also, the issue has decent character development, which is a pleasant surprise because character development is not always possible with a miniseries that is part of a larger film. Both writers do a good job developing the main character, Bumblebee. Bumblebee has a lot of depth as a character and you want to know what is going to happen to him next. We see a brave warrior who thinks he should have done more to help his comrade’s cause, and questions why he is called a hero. I for one prefer whole characters instead of dull flat ones who serve no real purpose other then furthering along the plot.
Over All
Over all I would say Transformers: The Movie Prequel #1 is a winner for many reasons. First is the writing. This issue contains some super writing from Simon Furman and Chris Ryall. They were able to give us more in this one issue then we sometimes get in several issues in other series. Furman and Ryall did such a good job that I would love to see Ryall do some more work on Transformers outside of the Movie Prequel. I would seriously suggest picking this issue up when it comes out. it is a real page turner. We all read books where we struggle to finish. Trust me, Transformers: The Movie Prequel #1 is no such book. I was actually a little disappointed when I got to the end, because I now have to wait for the second issue to come out in March. Another reason I would recommend this comic, it the art. The art is everything you would expect from talents like Don Figueroa and Josh Burcham. Trust me they do not disappoint. So when February 21st roles around you should seriously consider picking up Transformers: The Movie Prequel #1, you may be surprised.
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