Date: Friday, January 31st 2014 6:58am CST
Categories: Comic Book News,
Event News,
People News
Posted by: Va'al |
Credit(s): Livio Ramondelli, Andrew Griffith
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Views: 31,077
In the next round of the Seibertron.com series of interviews, we are proud to bring you a special double feature: artists Livio Ramondelli and Andrew Griffith, two men who really need no introduction by now! Andrew, Livio, thank you for agreeing to chat about robots for a bit.
Va'al - The first question: We saw recently that you'll be attending a Japanese convention together,
TransForMarket, this summer. How did it all happen? How were you contacted?
Andrew - Hello, and thanks for having us!
This actually came about out of a conversation we had last summer one evening during Botcon weekend. Livio and I were out having dinner with our editor and common friend John Barber, and this was the first time we really got to socialize together. We got talking about different conventions we had been to, and both expressed interest in attending a convention in Asia.
After researching a few shows and not getting very far, I reached out to a Japanese-American fan I made friends with at the same Botcon who was able to get in touch with some people she knew in Japan who organized fan conventions. It wasn't long after that until we got invited to TransForMarket and had a few fans in Japan excited to help us come over.
![Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli]( "Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli")
Photo by Va'al - It's a pleasure to speak with you!
And yep, it's exactly what Andrew said. Both he and I do a decent amount of comic conventions in the United States, as well as both having attended the great Auto Assembly in England. We both really became interested in attending one in Japan and so we set out to gather as much information as possible. It's a pretty amazing time for comic conventions in general, there are more now than ever before and most of them seem to be growing larger every year.
I know both Andrew and I are thrilled to be attending TransForMarket. It's really exciting just to be able to visit Japan, as well as meet the readers over there. We've been in touch with some of them already and they seem like a great group of people.
![Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli]( "Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli")
Photo by Eddy Choi - That's really intriguing, that you set out to find your audience, rather than the other way around! We all know Japan is a big part of the birth of the Transformers toy franchise, but how much do its current fans get from the English comics publications? How much interaction have you had with Japanese fans?
Livio - We certainly couldn't have done it without our friend that Andrew mentioned, as well as another friend currently living in Tokyo. Once Andrew and I expressed interest, they were the ones who really reached out to the convention runners and made this whole thing possible.
And so far, my experiences with the Japanese readers has been through deviantArt, E-Mail, and Twitter. We're obviously a more connected society than ever before, and it's been a true pleasure chatting with them. They all seem very up to date with what IDW is publishing, I think largely due to online sales and shipments rather than being carried in local stores. But that's definitely something I want to check out further when we arrive.
And yes, it's very exciting to be headed to the place where the toys originally came from!
Andrew - Once again Livio pretty much said it well. For the most part my interaction with the Japanese fans has pretty much been limited to our friend who is helping to set up some commissions for the convention, along with some back and forth with some fans on twitter.
I remember at Botcon and New York comic con in particular I interacted with a few Japanese fans who couldn't have been any friendlier and were very supportive of the work we've been doing.
And yes the idea of visiting the land where Transformers came from is very exciting!
And it's my understanding as well that the IDW comics don't get imported to shops there, so they have to get them through online sales or order them from overseas. But from everything I hear they're very passionate about it.
Va'al - From what I've seen on social media and various fansites, passionate is an understatement! I'm sure it'll be extremely exciting and flattering, dealing with an audience which can appear very different from the events you've attended so far. Is this your first time to Japan, then?
![Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli]( "Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli")
Image via TFWiki.net - It's my first time, yeah! Japan (Tokyo in particular) has always been one of the places I've most wanted to see. It's really exciting that it's happening, especially under these circumstances where we get to interact with all the readership over there.
I'm really looking forward to making new friends over there the same way I was fortunate enough to make new friends in England and Australia when I attended conventions in those places.
Andrew - Yeah, first time for me as well. It should be a full trip. Between doing the show and meeting the new fans, seeing the busy streets of Tokyo and just generally soaking in the culture and food I'm sure it will be an eventful and exciting time. So much we both want to see there.
I have to admit I'm even excited to get to some of the stores over there and see what the geek culture is like and what different options Transformers have for collecting.
Va'al - It does sound like you'll both be hectic and super busy, I'll admit. So if I were to ask you to single out one thing you'd like to do while visiting, what would it be? Any Transformers-related business you'd like to attend to?
![Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli]( "Transformers News: Seibertron.com Quick Interview - Andrew Griffith and Livio Ramondelli")
Image via TFWiki.net - I agree with Andrew- I can't wait to see all the geeky shops and sample the culture. I imagine I will be buying tons of new books and toys, to further weigh down my luggage on the flight back.
As for one Transformers thing- I'd have to say just meeting the readers over there! I really like meeting the people who read these books and talking to them in person, no matter where they live. And Japan is an especially exotic location!
Andrew - Well the biggest thing will be what Livio said, just getting to meet fans who enjoy what we do and share the same passion makes it all worthwhile.
If I had to pick one "touristy thing," I'd be pretty torn between wanting to take in and fully experience the urban culture of anime shops, arcades and karaoke vs. wanting to take in the more traditional culture of cherry blossoms, Buddhist temples and zen water gardens.
And like Livio, I'd be surprised if my luggage doesn't weigh more on the trip home.
Va'al - Then I wish you all the best on your trip, and hope you have fun with the experience! Before we close up, is there anything else you'd like to plug to our readers? Any other events you'll be attending in the near future where fans can find you?
Andrew - Well, we'll both be attending the Emerald City Comic-Con this March in Seattle. I'm sorting out more shows thought the year, but Botcon and TFCon look likely and it's too early to announce but I'll likely have at least one more overseas Con to announce later this year.
Other than that, I hope everyone sticks around post-Dark Cybertron. Starting with issue 28 RID is taking a whole new direction that I hope everyone will enjoy. And if anyone's interested, you can always follow me on
Twitter or
deviantArt as glovestudios.
Livio - Thanks for the kind words! It's been great chatting with you.
Unfortunately I can't share what I'm currently working on- except to say that it involves robots and that news about it will be coming soon from IDW! And I'd like to thank everyone for reading and supporting the books, it means a lot!
Also I really like interacting with readers. If you'd like to get in touch with me or peruse some art follow me on
Twitter,
Instagram and
deviantArt where my handle on all of those is the very original LivioRamondelli.
Thanks again to both Andrew and Livio for the very brief chat. Make sure you check out their work on the IDW comics, and drop by to say hi at any of the events they'll be attending. Stay tuned on Seibertron.com for more interviews with the minds and hands behind the comics soon!
Date: Wednesday, January 29th 2014 12:43pm CST
Categories: Cartoon News,
People News,
Interviews
Posted by: Va'al |
Credit(s): KeepMeCurrent
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Views: 33,340
We've known a new series for Transformers is in the works for
a while now, and rumours keep coming our way about its intended younger audience. Now, in an interview with
KeepMeCurrent.com, producer Jeff Kline has confirmed that the new show is indeed happening, and is, in fact, 'in full-blown production'! Read the whole interview
here, or check out the relevant parts below.
Q: Of everything you’ve done, and everything you could do, why comic books?
A: Well, I’ve been almost five years going back and forth between the coasts. I’d like to live here more full-time. But it’s really hard to run a show from 3,000 miles away and, for the time being anyway, it seems like it’s going to be a hard time to get the networks to let me run an animated series out of Portland. I do still have a development deal with Hasbro. I have another “Transformers” series coming; that’s in full-blown production right now. I have a documentary I executive-produced that’s coming out this year, as well as other TV and movie projects, but I’ve been looking for something I can do from here. With comic books, you don’t have to be on a studio lot. It’s a lot of working with freelancers who can be anywhere in the country. It’s a business that’s very used to happening not in person. So, it’s a good business to start from my home in Cape Elizabeth.
Date: Monday, January 27th 2014 4:19am CST
Categories: Comic Book News,
People News
Posted by: Va'al |
Credit(s): Simon Furman, Stephen Baskerville
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Views: 23,895
This weeks sees the release of IDW Transformers: ReGeneration One #98, and while we can't show you a preview yet, do come back tomorrow for the first pages of the mayhem-filled book! In the meantime, check out what Simon Furman has to say in his
Script (W)Rap for the issue, as well as a small comment and teaser from inker
Stephen Baskerville too!
![Transformers News: IDW Transformers: ReGeneration One #98 Script (W)Rap and Teaser]( "Transformers News: IDW Transformers: ReGeneration One #98 Script (W)Rap and Teaser")
Stephen Baskerville wrote:This Wednesday sees the release of TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE #98 as the clock ticks ever closer to the climax of the series at #100. Word-sculpted by SIMON FURMAN, Pencil-caressed by GUIDO GUIDI, Colour-conjured by J-P BOVE and Ink-dribbled by Yours Truly, in this issue RODIMUS PRIME and his Autobot army take the battle to JHIAXUS’ stronghold! If you like all-out intergalactic warfare on a grand scale this one is for you. (If you’re more into cupcakes and pink princesses you may be disappointed-- though I for one would like to see a KUP*-cake!)
This month’s black and white teaser image may seem an odd choice, given all the pics of carnage and mayhem I could’ve chosen. But when you finally see what Rodimus is saying in the lettered version, I think you’ll agree this is quite a pivotal moment. In the meantime, as an impromptu competition, feel free to come up with your own ideas for his speech balloon. Bad jokes especially welcomed. The only prize will be your eternal shame!
(*To those not up on this whole Transformers thing, KUP is one of the goody robots, hence my Cupcake/KUP-cake pun. Sigh. Never try explaining jokes.)
Simon Furman wrote:Here we are, at whatever the one before the penultimate issue is called, the last but two chapter of the original and founding Transformers saga. In other, less convoluted, words, here’s Transformers: Regeneration One #98 (of 100), which hits comic stores this coming Wednesday (January 29th). And boy, does this one kick some serious assets. We’ve been kind of teasing the threat posed by/true power of (former Cybertronian senator) Jhiaxus for a while now, but this issue should leave no one in any doubt about his lofty niche in the pantheon of Transformers villainy. But, before you read on, be warned, my authorly digressions do have a hint of spoiler about them, so if you’d rather have your issue served up unsullied by loose-lipped internet blather, cease reading now. Okay, so, where’d we leave things. Oh yeah, Rodimus Prime just got smacked around by Jhiaxus and he’s not taking it lying down. In fact, he’s mobilizing the whole dad-blasted Cybertronian fleet and going in all guns blazing. Not your average, agonize-about-it-for-a-decade Prime this one. Oh no. If this were toy branding, it’d be Affirmative Action Rodimus Prime emblazoned on the packaging. But is such all-guns-blazing action against a largely unquantified foe a wise move? Maybe not. Anyway, once the action kicks off it never stops, with the kind of full on epic battle the like of which this comic has never seen. “Could there possibly be room for anything else,” I hear you wonder. Well of course. There’s also the return to, um, unrestrained action for not one but TWO uber-fan favourites. Both of which you’ve been crying out for. But one of these is kind of good news, and one is very bad. Especially for poor Optimus Prime. Plus (oh yeah, it keeps on coming), the mystery of Galvatron and those Acolytes of Unicron takes another unexpected twist. Alrightyyy! No full IDW preview yet, but as soon as one surfaces I’ll update and link to it here.
Date: Sunday, January 26th 2014 1:47pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News,
People News
Posted by: Va'al |
Credit(s): Mairghread Scott, John Barber, James Roberts
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Views: 23,501
Can't wait to get your hands on the three, yes, three new series (or seasons) of the post-Dark Cybertron comics from IDW? Worry not, here's a sure-shot way of making sure you get that cover you really want, from your own store, as well as ensuring sales - which means more comics in the future! Authors
Mairghread Scott (Windblade),
John Barber (RID) and
James Roberts (MTMTE) have released the pre-order codes for their respective series, all noted below - make a note and take them to your local comic store.
Mairghread Scott wrote:And I’m giving you Windblade lovers a sneak peek at the Diamond order codes (because we’re cool like that). Take these magic numbers to your local comic store and place your orders, feel like a super-spy doing it.
![;)]( "Wink")
FEB140337 E TRANSFORMERS WINDBLADE #1 (OF 4) - This gets you the Casey cover IDW was showing off here:
http://tumblr.idwpublishing.com/image/73451204525
FEB140338 E TRANSFORMERS WINDBLADE #1 (OF 4) SUBSCRIPTION VAR - This gets you Sarah’s cover (which is currently my desktop and I am in love with).
And if you want Livio’s art (and who doesn’t) you’re gonna have to work a little harder. It’s the 10-copy Retailer Incentive, so you’ll need to ask your local comic book store peeps politely to order lots of issues and give you first dibs on it. But come on, isn’t this worth it?
John Barber wrote:Diamond order codes for Transformers RID #28 (Dawn of the Autobots) are: Regular cover: FEB140331
Sub cover: FEB140332
Regular is Casey W Coller; sub is Andrew Griffith (he'll be doing the regular covers from 29 on)
James Roberts wrote:You go to your comic book store and you say you want to pre-order Regular FEB140334 E TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE #28 DAWN O/T AUTOBOTS
Regular FEB140334 sports the Casey W Coller cover. It is ace. You should buy lots. Just saying.
For the Alex Milne cover, quote 'Sub FEB140335 E TRANSFORMERS MORE THAN MEETS EYE #28 SUBSCRIPTION VAR'.
Alex's cover is being withheld because SPOILERS, but look me in the eye and tell me you don't think it's going to be awesome. It IS awesome.
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