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With the first of three previews for Transformers comic books being released tomorrow, the fine team at IDW Publishing has supplied a look at the first five pages of Transformers / My Little Pony: Friendship in Disguise! #2. Check out the synopsis, main cover and preview pages below in all their colorful, adorable majesty? "Majesty" is the best I can do here, this isn't a Pony site, but you can pretend it is by commenting on this post in our Energon Pub Forums.
Look for this issue tomorrow at your local comic shop, on the Seibertron.com eBay store, or via digital release on Comixology, Apple Books and other authorized digital retailers.
(W) Sam Maggs, Ian Flynn (A) Sara Pitre-Durocher, Casey Coller (CA) Tony Fleecs
It's Spike and Grimlock's time to shine as they take on the Decepticons! Meanwhile, Pinkie Pie is determined to share as much knowledge about Equestrian and Autobot cuisine as possible with her new friends... which is why she invites Gauge to her kitchen for a live baking show! But things get a bit too spicy when Shockwave shows up.
There is a new Humble Bundle featuring Transformers comics in digital format. This time, it's all about crossovers with other brands. So you have TF vs Terminator, TF meets MLP, TF/GI Joe and more.
You can head over here to select the bundle you want and how much you want to pay for it. All the info is below.
HUMBLE COMIC BUNDLE: HASBRO COMICS CROSSOVERS BY IDW PUBLISHING
We've teamed up with IDW Publishing for our newest bundle! Get comics like G.I. Joe/Transformers Crossover Vol. 1, Transformers vs. G.I. Joe, Vol. 1, Transformers/G.I. JOE: First Strike - Champions, and Transformers/G.I. JOE: First Strike. Plus, your purchase will support Hasbro Children’s Fund!
A lot has happened since the first issue was released for Terminator Vs Transformers 1 but the main things in relation to this books as that since then I watched Terminator Dark Fate and Netflix's Siege series. Both left me underwhelmed. They were both trying something new but also failing at it. Transformers vs Terminator 3 acts as a palette cleanser to both of those by being a fun retelling of the first episodes of the G1 Cartoon and adding the Terminator to it. Everything you'd want as a G1 fan is here including a fight between Optimus and Megatron using their respective energon weapons. And there are transformations aplenty. Everyone feels on point, especially Optimus who is truly the Optimus of yore. It was impossible not to hear Cullen's voice, as it was in the 80s, while reading this comic. All the classic lines are said, and while I didn't need them there, I didn't mind. They at least fit with the G1 pastiche the author is going for. I also really like the fact that the cast is much smaller than other Transformers comics and the Siege show. It makes for a more focused story. Then again, smaller casts on both sides, and one side being warriors while the other one is scientists really speaks to me as a big Beast Wars fan. It's a good formula.
It's basically a greatest hits album
This issue also reminded me of how much of a failure All Hail Megatron was. In just a few panels, this issue shows us just how easy the Decepticons could take over if they were unopposed and we see the destruction and death they cause, something lacking from the actual story of Megatron taking over Earth unopposed. As for the Terminator angle, it was most present at the cliffhanger and while I am impressed at Starscream's genius, it isn't clear how he arrives at his conclusions. I did like the interactions between the Terminator and Arcee.
Speaking of Arcee, she is given a nice new alt mode and Alex Milne has a field day with how it integrates into her robot mode, creating a similar silhouette. I like Milne's art for the most part though I do really miss the cleanliness from his MTMTE days. He adds a lot of lines here to add shadow (like cross hatching without the cross effect) but I don't think it works with the colourist's attempt to show that shadow by using a darker colour. Hand drawn shading is meant to be used to differentiate light and dark against the same colour, so using a darker colour for the shaded parts just makes everything much darker than it needs to be. Still, that doesn't detract from some really mouth watering splash pages. Overall, not only did I enjoy this issue but it's something I needed.
I think this series is being written for me. I’ve read and re-read the original US Marvel comics series many time, and also the UK Marvel comics series and kind of love consuming them, but they have gotten a bit too familiar, somewhat stale. This series adds a new level of detail and understanding to what previously was. It’s amazingly and lovingly drawn by Gudio Guidi to match classically created character art…even down to the color work done by Jean-Paul Bove being simpler-reminiscent of the 80’s style. Do I think it’s necessary? No. Is it fun. Yeah, I think it is -it totally immerses you into feeling like you are consuming material from the original time period. I also think it allows people newer to the fandom to experience and consume the older stuff without making commitments to whole collections, or graphic novels.
So Marvel TF readers, if you’ve ever wondered what the heck the Dinobots were doing on Earth, when they did not seem to be a part of the ark crew that we knew about (remember this is comics, so not cartoon origin), why Shockwave was not boarding the ark to attack the Autobots pre-planetfall and yet ended up on Earth, or how warlord Straxus received his new home (with a smelting pool even!), you get your answers here. For those up on current and previous IDW lore some of this is going to look REALLY familiar, something writer Simon Furman confirms in his afterthoughts.
Yes, all to familiar and repetitive (*clears throat, whistles*)
I recommend this comic for G1 Dinobot, Shockwave, and Counterpunch fans, as well as, fans of 80’s Marvel series Transformers (hence the title), or someone looking to dip a toe into that end of the fandom. It really is fun, and a nice change of pace from other current fiction. It includes a lot of action, ‘easter eggs’ and adds to the lore, albeit a bit needlessly...Fun, overly thought through continuity hole filling fun. 1/2 out of 5
And finally, from last week, a little share about a little comic subtitled, 'Friendship in Disguise'. There's no doubt about it 'Transformers and My Little Pony' is an unexpected, and fun crossover (thoughts shared by tigertrack and sons).
Fun and friendship is the name here. My boys loved it—and I enjoyed it too). I’m a casual MLP participant, but my boys (8yo and 11yo) are much more refined reading the comics, and watching the movie and cartoons. They were surprised by the crossover idea, and immediately opened it to read when I gave it to them, consuming it in no time.
There’s a lot of tongue-in-cheek fun, and this issue doesn’t take itself too seriously, as I imagine the series probably will reflect that as a theme, as well. Plenty of silliness, and some great sincere messages as well. Sometimes characters play very simple (Windblade, Bumblebee, Optimus Prime), trying to stick close the the main themes, and sometimes they play pretty deep (Arcee). The art reminded me of the ol’ ‘Robot Heroes’ toys from a few years back working to match the style of the ponies in their world. I don't think it's 'just for kids' though. There's fun to be had here for older Transformers (and pony) fans too. Just don't expect anything much above G-rated fun (maybe a little PG). For those with loved ones who like MLP, this is a nice way to introduce them to your love of Transformers, and get to understand their world of MLP, a little better too.
Oh Bumblebee, there's our innocent, thoughtful youth Yes, there's evil in this book, but it's nice evil...CUTE evil
If you want to be a part of something pretty different in Transformers crossovers, give this a try. You may be happily surprised. And the next issue features a cover with Grimlock and combiners, so… interest level even higher? Or a cover lie? I excitedly cannot wait to find out!
It's worth a shot on cute and fun, but not a great story, yet. out of 5
All three issues have several covers to choose from, and of course, your mileage could vary from ours.
This first sentence will be the only mention of how much more other past Transformers comic series have done with 22 issues. That was a thought that needed to get out of my head, and now it's out and direct comparisons to older continuities will cease for the rest of the review.
Transformers #22 is out this Wednesday, August 19th and continues the escalation of tensions on Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons. Or Ascenticons? Risers? It really doesn't matter much now since we all know what's up by this point and are free of having to wonder whether or not this is tied in to the Netflix series (it isn't) so let's see what's happening with our favorite robots in disguise this month.
The call-in queue for your local sports radio show
Brian Ruckley's mild ride is picking up the pace a bit at last, with a great deal of this issue being a battle and its surprisingly still action heavy consequences. A somewhat focused cast takes us through events that are a logical progression from what's come before, the dialogue isn't overly dense and artist Anna Malkova's sequential work carries it through much better than the output on Transformers #21 just a month ago. No 'bots are suddenly pivoted 90 degrees on their back after being attacked by a character suddenly on the opposite side of where they were in the previous panel on this one, thankfully.
But does he understand why kids love Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Crap, wrong cereal reference.
The character work here is more focused than in some previous issues but there's still an overall feeling that each issue is trying to follow too much in too many places simultaneously to build its cast in a memorable way. I challenged myself to remember the character's name above and couldn't do it. All I can think of is Rice Krispies, but sadly the verbal tic presented made Voxpop - I looked back at the page now - stand out among a sea of standard fare. As another example, the Sentinel Prime here has yet to be anything more that what you probably already think he is because he keeps showing up for a panel/page or two and then leaving. While this is fine given the foreshadowing (and my personal assumptions, to be fair) on what will eventually happen to him, it's not creating anything memorable or new. That's just one example but more are around if you look hard enough. Sure, Transformers have had one-note "Red Car Guy" types of characters for a long time, but it feels at times like this entire series is comprised of archetypes playing typecast roles.
So much for a mint Quake
While that focused on the negative it should be made clear that this was much more fun to read than a great deal of this series' previous content. Characters may not necessarily appear but are at least mentioned, preventing any cases where doubt is cast in regards to whether or not the writers and editors remembered who was in given scenes. The Cybertronian political climate, along with its penchant for talking and walking through halls/up and down staircases, shows up briefly then goes away. It's effective in this case as it's introduced by the aforementioned Voxpop, we pivot to it, then things jump to the next logical scene. Joana Lafuente's color work also aids the narrative by giving each setting a distinct feel, and as this review is about to get into below, this is a god-send in at least one circumstance. As the next chapter of a larger story, there's a lot here that's satisfying, or at least moreso than much of the series so far.
Scene whiplash
There is one nagging production issue that was present in issue 21 that remains here in at least one case, which is whiplash between scenes. To explain, I'm going to talk about scenes readily read-able for free in the published preview for this issue, though be aware that preview has pages 2 and 3 reversed by mistake, something that does not carry over to the final product. We start with a page featuring Bumblebee and Stakeout. As soon as this is finished, your next panel is the one shown above with Sixshot. Bee and Stakeout aren't watching this battle and don't show up until the later half of the issue, so why is this here? Why has letterer Jake M. Wood not put some kind of location caption on the page with Sixshot and others, or why did one of the three editors on the book - David Mariotte, Tom Waltz, or assistant Riley Farmer - not caught the times this has happened where the narrative doesn't handle the transition well on its own? Maybe the confusion is the point, providing the reader with a sense of the chaos happening on the page, but there's been a significant recurrence of this lately in this issue and others. This has left at least this reviewer feeling some whiplash as events move from scene to scene, often without warning.
The covers do a decent job of showing things that actually happen in the book, or at least the variants do which is why Andrew Griffith and John-Paul Bove's "B" cover is used in this review's news story's thumbnail. The 10-copy incentive cover by Winston Chan depicts a similar scene, while Anna Malkova's "A" cover looks way cool but feels like it was made for another issue then placed here arbitrarily. That's no great sin, just pointing it out for readers hoping to see that triumvirate in a featured role this time since they are not. As always, you can also find full credits for the issue in our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers #22.
Verdict Above picture not necessarily commentary on what you should do with your subscription, I'm still keeping mine
Production quibbles aside, this is a much more read-able comic than some of the work that's been output in this series, featuring some welcome action that draws on previous events in ways both appropriately rote and surprising. One of the bigger surprises comes at the end and I'm not sure how to feel about it. It's likely that without the follow-up content, whether or not a certain character's actions end up being compelling storytelling or a cheap pop for shock value remains to be determined. In some ways I really like where the story went, though in others I wonder if a slight variation might have done more for the characters involved. It's tough to articulate this while being vague to remain "spoiler free-ish", but feel free to comment on this post if you want to chat about it more in our forums.
The score below flip-flopped back and forth between what you see and a half-point higher, but dead in the middle of our rubric feels like the right place for this. The issue isn't terrible but it also fails to achieve greatness. This was an enjoyable read for me, but certainly nothing mind-blowing and not enough to tell anyone that's dropped the book to go pick it back up.
The official Village Books Twitter page has posted a photo showing off the upcoming Japanese language release of MTMTE Vol.3, With new cover art drawn by artist Tasuku Tajima, Which shows Overlord embarking upon his jolly rampage aboard the Lost Light. The release is currently scheduled for August 28th, 2020, Via Amazon.jp.
The original Twitter message can be found here and it is translated below
"Now accepting reservations "Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye 3"
Tajima Tadashi (@tajima_0109) Japanese version of the original cover drawn for the first time
Overlord revival, the strongest enemy who has destroyed the Wreckers, is back!
Lost Light is in crisis.
(Scheduled to be released on August 28) https://amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4 ... gebooks-22?tag=seibertron00-22& "
Thanks to Apple Book Preview, we have our 3rd and final comic preview for the day, this time for Transformers #22. Transformers #22 is set to focus in on the Security team that is attempting to bring in Quake, who was captured last issue and whom killed our introductory kid character Rubble all the way back in issue #5. As seen in these preview pages, that mission is not starting off very easily, and it looks like a fight is brewing for this issue.
Check out the preview below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Thanks once more to the Apple books preview, we have our 2nd preview of the day, this time for Transformers 84: Secrets and Lies, the 4 part series narrated by Counterpunch. This comic tells some hidden never before heard stories related to the launching of the Ark in the original Marvel run. This comic kicks off with a quick flash forward to the con invasion of the Ark, and then a backwards glance to the aftermath of issue 1, with the Dynobots disabled and going into storage alongside the 1985 Autobot reinforcements for the Ark.
Check out the preview pages below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
Date: Tuesday, August 11th 2020 6:43pm CDT Category:Comic Book News Posted by:D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Apple Books Previews, Alex Milne on Twitter
Thanks to Apple Book preview, we have a look at the upcoming Transformers vs. The Terminator #3 comic book from IDW! #3 picks up following issue #2, with the conscious Autobots working on the damaged and fallen Autobots following the Ark shootout from issue 2. We get a little different crew than we are used to though. Prime, Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Ratchet are the usual suspects for a G1 Ark story, but we get 2 outliers in the forms of Arcee, complete with a 1980's alternate mode, and IDW2005 original character Velocity also complete with a 1980's alt mode, which is her first ever Earth alt mode.
In addition to the preview, we get some design art for Arcee and Velocity, courtesy of Alex Milne on his Twitter page. Both designs are marvelous, giving us a great looking pair of ladies for the comic to run with. We also get the alt mode their robot modes were based on in Milne's description, which includes a 1983 Ford Mustang for Arcee and a 1977 Firebird for Velocity.
Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
SDCC at home has been happening this week-end and while Hasbro is not part of it, both IDW and Rooster Teeth had panels of their own where they discussed Transformers. For IDW, we had John Barber and Chris Ryal (who will soon be leaving the company) discussing the future of the brand within IDW. With Rooster Teeth, we got an exclusive clip featuring Cliffjumper. They also stated that the Netflix series is not a continuity of its own, it is part of the wider G1 story. That discussion starts at around the 18 minute mark.
You can watch both videos below. We also have a video from the Robocon 2020 virtual con Transformers Netflix panel that was also released yesterday featuring the show runner and voice actors.
Below you will find the comic book solicitations for all the Transformers comics coming out in October, courtesy of Previews.
TRANSFORMERS BACK TO FUTURE #1 (OF 4) CVR A JUAN SAMU
Great Scott! Marty McFly has just returned from the adventure of a lifetime to a new, better Hill Valley?-everything's looking up for him! That is, until Marty and his friend Doc Brown's time machine attracts the attention of the Decepticons! With one small mistake, Marty finds himself once again thrust into adventure to stop the Decepticon plot in the past, present, and future... all with the help of a new time machine... the Autobot, Gigawatt!
In Shops: Oct 07, 2020
SRP: $3.99
TRANSFORMERS BACK TO FUTURE #1 (OF 4) 10 COPY INCV SCHOENING
TRANSFORMERS IDW COLL PHASE 2 HC VOL 12
AUG200532
(W) John Barber, James Roberts, Mairghread Scott (A) Sara Pitre-Durocher, Andrew Griffith, Livio Ramondelli, Priscilla Tramontano (CA) Marcelo Matere
Presenting IDW's Transformers comics in recommended reading order!
All Hail Optimus! Backed by an army of zealous followers, Optimus Prime declares Earth to be a part of Cybertron's Council of Worlds-but the Decepticons and the people of Earth won't take it lying down! Meanwhile, on Cybertron, Starscream rules. He and Windblade vie for control of the Council of Worlds, each aligning themselves with as many long-lost colonies as they can. But Starscream's secret police keep increasing the tension and destabilizing the fragile peace that has been established. All of this leads to one momentous event-Titans Return!
Collects Transformers #51-57, Transformers: Till All Are One #1-4, Titans Return #1, and Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #56-57.
In Shops: Jan 06, 2021
SRP: $59.99
TRANSFORMERS #24 CVR A MCGUIRE-SMITH
AUG200533
(W) Brian Ruckley (A/CA) Bethany McGuire-Smith
"Wheeljack: Orbital Decay". Untethered from the world below, Cybertron's former inner moon is in a decaying orbit around Cybertron's sun. Wheeljack and his team race against the clock to save it, but the sun's pull might not be their only problem.
In Shops: Oct 14, 2020
SRP: $3.99
TRANSFORMERS #24 CVR B RED POWELL
TRANSFORMERS #24 10 COPY INCV GOUX
TRANSFORMERS GALAXIES #12 CVR A GRIFFITH (final issue)
AUG200536
(W) Brandon M. Easton (A/CA) Andrew Griffith
"Storm Horizon", Part Three! Outfitted with heavy-duty battle armor and nearly alone, Ultra Magnus must go head-to-head with a fleet of enemy ships and a black hole if he ever wants to save the rest of his crew and Alpha Trion! It's wall-to-wall action as he finally faces the mastermind behind his recent troubles in the thrilling final issue of Transformers Galaxies that leads into the next major events of the Transformers ongoing, starting this fall!
In Shops: Oct 21, 2020
SRP: $3.99
TRANSFORMERS GALAXIES #12 CVR B ROCHE
TRANSFORMERS GALAXIES #12 10 COPY INCV RAMONDELLI
Goto Page: <<1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9>> 89 total news articles in this section, 10 per page.
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