Transformers Comic Book News on Seibertron.com

Review of IDW Transformers Valentine's Day Special

Date: Wednesday, February 12th 2020 5:59pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews
Posted by: ScottyP

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Views: 26,220

Just in time for a bizarre holiday comes an offbeat entry into the newest Transformers comic book continuity in the form of this week's Transformers Valentine's Day Special. Historical lovebirds Glyph and Tap-Out make their first impressions in almost two decades while Cosmos and Blast-Off provide a back-up story to round out the issue, with love definitely in the air for the former and Gears definitely in the air for the latter pairing.


Patrick Ehlers writes the first story within this one-shot special, with art by Jack Lawrence and colors by one or both of Josh Burcham and Sara Pitre-Durocher. It's a pretty compressed read that manages to linger for a page or so too long on its exposition, but for a continuity that's been a little light on explaining itself in meaningful ways this could be a welcome adjustment. The setup works pretty well, though this is a romance story and a bit more flirtation in the early dialogue would have been a welcome sight.


While true for every review to some extent, the romance element present for this Special makes this one a bit more difficult to phrase objectively. Romance is a fickle emotion and anyone that's ever felt it towards someone else can tell you what clicks for some doesn't click for others. Speaking for myself and at least one other staff member, we found the execution here bland with scripting that couldn't quite live up to Lawrence's visual storytelling through body language. A little too much punching and kicking is called for though part of the story is trying to get a point across that communication comes in many different forms, so in that regard it succeeds to a degree. While your mileage may vary on how romantic you feel after this one but I can at least say the overall structure of the short narrative here is on fine footing, conveying its message simply but effectively.


A short back-up story rounds out the issue's content, with longtime Transformers comic book artist Sara Pitre-Durocher making her writing debut as well as still handling (presumably, the credits aren't broken up) all of the art duties for a four-page montage featuring Cosmos and Blast-Off. This worked better for me on the romance angle, perhaps because she captures the early, extra exciting and new phase of getting to know someone very well. There's an element of expectation established and just enough content to keep you guessing on exactly what could happen later. Want to ship these ships? Go for it. Want it to all end in tears? You've probably got an argument there as well, but that might just be me thinking about how things went the last time Blast-Off was "romantically" involved with another character in the previous continuity.


As previously mentioned, Jack Lawrence makes a triumphant return to Transformers comic books in this issue and puts on a show with smart action sequences as bookends to subtler moments where body language tells quite the tale. He creates quite the swoon-worthy rendition of Tap-Out in one panel as well, at least I think he might have as someone that doesn't swoon over robots in that way. Josh Burcham handles the colors for this section, probably, and chooses distinctive palettes for each setting that help give them more character and definition. The block-colored background bots in the opening pages were almost definitely an artistic choice, but they didn't quite work to hook me in - wouldn't Apeface have been that way as well if it's for why I think it was? Pitre-Durocher's output makes the most of its space with sequential work that helps convey the jumping around of a montage scene, aided in part by the lettering work of Jake M. Wood. The editorial group of David Mariotte, Tom Waltz and Riley Farmer round out the interior credits for the issue and I would like to humbly ask them to split the credits for the main and back-up stories in the future.

Jack Lawrence and Priscilla Tramontano deliver the "A" cover for this one that you've probably seen several times by now but it always deserves some repeat use, such as in this review's news story thumbnail. If your local retailer bought 10 copies or more, you may have the option to buy a retailer incentive cover featuring Cosmos, with its art by Sara Pitre-Durocher. As always, you can also find all the cover images, full credits for the issue and a list of all the characters that appear in the book through our Vector Sigma Database page for Transformers: Valentine's Day Special, but do note a great deal of those character appearances are one-panel cameos!


It's tough to be too harsh on this comic because it has a purposefully limited scope and does its job pretty well within the confines of it. While some of the dialogue between Tap-Out and Glyph felt a little stiff, there's still a tidy story to be found with plenty of excellent artwork. Cosmos and Blast-Off steal the show here in four pages that ooze with charm and despite the length it's probably worth picking this up just for the back-up strip itself. Transformers can be used to tell all kinds of stories so more like this would be plenty welcome to me.



Look out for this issue today, February 12th, where you can pick it up at the Seibertron.com eBay store or at your local shop, check here to find the closest shop to you.

Apple Books 3 Page Preview Of IDW Transformers #17

Date: Friday, February 7th 2020 1:51pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): Apple Books

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Views: 22,601

Greetings Seibertronians! Hot on the heels of the 3 page preview of Transformers Galaxies earlier today, Apple Books have given us the 3 page for the latest issue of IDWs Transformers ongoing. #17 promises to be an explosive issue indeed!

Here's the publishers description for this issue:

Megatron is faced with the ultimate decision. He can forge ahead on the path he’s started down, or he can take the last chance at doing things by the book. Either way, Cybertron is on the verge of change, and after this, nothing will ever be the same.

Transformers #17 is written by Brian Ruckley, with art duties shared between Anna Malkova, Beth McGuire-Smith and cover art by Livio Ramondelli.

You looking forward to this issue? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

Apple Books 3 Page Preview Of IDW Transformers Galaxies #4

Date: Friday, February 7th 2020 12:31pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): Apple Books

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Views: 19,017

Greetings Seibertronians! This is a treat for all the comic fans out there, Apple Books has posted a three page preview of the concluding part of the "Constructicons Rising" arc in Transformers Galaxies!

Here's the publisher's description:

“Constructicons Rising,” Part Four! With the help of their benefactors, the Constructicons have once more been empowered. And with power, comes a way for them to escape their exile... and tear everything down in the process! The devastating conclusion to the first arc!

Transformers Galaxies #4 is written by Tyler Bleszinski with art by Livio Ramondelli, and is expected February 19th.

Are you getting this? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews!

Transformers Valentine's Day Special 3 Page Preview

Date: Thursday, February 6th 2020 9:26pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Omegatrion84 | Credit(s): ITunes

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Views: 26,932

Greetings all. Today we have a 3 page preview for the IDW Transformers Valentines Day Special one-shot issue! It is set to be released on Wednesday, February 12th for $3.99 U.S. The book follows super nerd, Glyph and underground boxer, Tap-Out (the two characters to grace the cover) as they look to expand their horizons by seeking new career challenges. Glyph is looking to study xenolinguistics and xenorelations beyond her mundane analytics work and Tap-Out's boxing career seems to be... well... going down the tubes. He's clearly not talking enough about fight club. Will they be able to help each other or crash and burn?

If you are not familiar with Glyph or Tap-Out that would not be surprising as these two characters are a little obscure. Both got their starts in the Botcon 3H comics and later appeared in Fun Publications comics when they took over Botcon in 2005.

From IDW Publishing, the creators include Patrick Ehlers (Author) Kate Leth (Author) Cohen Edenfield (Author) Jack Lawrence (Artist) Sara Pitre-Durocher (Artist) and Jack Lawrence (Cover Artist).











Are you excited about this upcoming release from IDW? Maybe even gifting this book to your special someone? Let us know in the comments below and keep it tuned to Seibertron.com for all your Transformers needs!

My Little Pony / Transformers 4-issue mini-series launches weekly in May 2020

Date: Thursday, February 6th 2020 12:47pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Press Releases
Posted by: Seibertron | Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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Views: 68,110

Hot on the heels about news regarding a My Little Pony / Transformers crossover graphic novel called "Friendship in Disguise", we find out from our friends at IDW Publishing, that the graphic novel will be released earlier this year as individual issues available weekly in May 2020. Here's the press release from IDW ...

IDW Publishing wrote:A May 2020 Four-Week Crossover Event!

SAN DIEGO, CA (February 6, 2020) – When the Mane Six gallop alongside Autobots in battle, the forces of villainy stand no chance! IDW Publishing (OTCQX: IDWM), under license by Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS), welcomes comic fans of all ages to enjoy the wildest crossover of Hasbro creations ever: MY LITTLE PONY / TRANSFORMERS, a four-issue miniseries shipping weekly in May!

In MY LITTLE PONY / TRANSFORMERS, the scheming Queen Chrysalis casts a spell in search of changeling allies, but accidentally interferes with a distant Cybertronian Spacebridge… and brings the Autobots and Decepticons to Equestria! As the dust settles, it's up to Twilight Sparkle, Optimus Prime, and others to overcome the menace of malevolent magic and machinery!

MY LITTLE PONY / TRANSFORMERS assembles an all-star team of comic creators for this mind-blowing series: writers James Asmus, Ian Flynn, and Sam Maggs, and artists Casey W. Coller, Jack Lawrence, Sara Pitre-Durocher, Priscilla Tramontano, and Tony Fleecs (who also provides cover artwork for the entirety of the series).

"The writing I've gotten to do individually for MY LITTLE PONY and TRANSFORMERS have already proven to be some of the most fun I've had in my career, so it's pure joy to play them off each other," says Asmus. "We're making a wild mash-up unlike anything else in your comic collection. You basically owe it to yourself and your future happiness to get a copy!"

"It's been a delightful challenge finding common threads between the ponies and bots. It's certainly a fun and unique opportunity," says Flynn. "I hope fans of both franchises can come together and enjoy this."

"MY LITTLE PONY and TRANSFORMERS are two of my all-time favorite universes. Having written for them both previously, the idea of bringing the citizens of Equestria and Cybertron together is incredibly exciting," says Maggs.


"Teaming TRANSFORMERS and MY LITTLE PONY has been a dream we've had for a long time," says IDW Editor-In-Chief John Barber. "We're all really excited to see this mashup of characters by a mashup of creators who are honoring the legacy of both universes… and doing it in the most bonkers, fun way imaginable!"

For information on how to acquire copies of MY LITTLE PONY / TRANSFORMERS, please contact Seibertron.com about how to pre-order this product, or contact your local comic shop, or visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

Transformers / My Little Pony: "Friendship in Disguise!" graphic novel revealed

Date: Thursday, February 6th 2020 12:24pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Seibertron | Credit(s): EquestriaDaily.com

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Views: 23,687

Just when you think you've seen it all, a new crossover graphic novel comic from IDW was revealed on My Little Pony fansite EquestriaDaily.com: Transformers / My Little Pony "Friendship in Disguise!" While this appears to be an oddball concept, it could turn out to be a good read just like the 90s crossover "The Punisher Meets Archie".

Written by Ian Flynn, James Asmus
Illustrated by Tony Fleecs, Jack Lawrence
96 Pages
Release Date: November 3rd, 2020.

Ponies, Autobots, and Decepticons mix it up in this graphic novel mashup!

When Queen Chrysalis casts a spell looking for more changelings, she accidentally interferes with a malfunctioning Spacebridge! What's this mean for our favorite fillies? There are suddenly a bunch of Autobots and Decepticons in Equestria! And as the dust settles, Rarity and Arcee find themselves teaming up against a hostile Decepticon force.

Plus Spike and Grimlock; Pinkie Pie, Gauge, and Shockwave; Fluttershy, Discord, and Soundwave; Rainbow Dash and Windblade; and Optimus Prime and Twilight Sparkle all team up for more adventures.

Are you excited for this crossover of two of Hasbro's biggest brands? Share your thoughts about this unique match-up in our forums here.

Transformers Valentine's Day Special Retailer Incentive Cover Art Revealed

Date: Monday, February 3rd 2020 6:56pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Collectables
Posted by: Bounti76 | Credit(s): Sara Pitre-Durocher on Twitter

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Views: 30,825

Even Transformers like to celebrate holidays, and coming up next week is one of the most commercial most anticipated holidays of the year, Valentine's Day! To celebrate, IDW is releasing a one-off Valentine's Day Special, and as she revealed on her Twitter account, fan-favorite artist Sara Pitre-Durocher is providing the cover art for the retailer incentive cover.






As we can see, Pitre-Durocher knocks it out of the park again, with a gorgeous cover featuring Blast Off and Cosmos set against a backdrop of Cybertron in orbit.

Set to be released on February 12th, this cover can be picked up at your local comic shop, providing they've ordered enough copies to have this cover shipped to them (that's where the incentive part comes in). What do you think about this cover? Click on either of the pictures above to be taken to Ms. Pitre-Durocher's Twitter announcement, and let us know your thoughts below!

IDW Transformers Comics April 2020 Solicitations

Date: Friday, January 24th 2020 8:56am CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: william-james88 | Credit(s): IDW

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Views: 27,345

Transformers #20— Cover A: James Raiz
Brian Ruckley (w) • Anna Malkova & Bethany McGuire-Smith (a) • James Raiz (c)
“Swindle’s.” If you’re looking for something in Cybertron’s black market, your best bet is almost inevitably Swindle’s, an illegal den of contraband energon, skitter racing, and more. It’s great for those looking for a way to get their hands on weapons and supplies, and greater still for the Security Operatives who know what’s going on and are about to start a raid...
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers #20— Cover B: Jack Lawrence
Brian Ruckley (w) • Anna Malkova & Bethany McGuire-Smith (a) • Jack Lawrence (c)


*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies and get one free variant cover by Blacky Shepherd!



Transformers ‘84: Secrets and Lies #1 (of 4)—SPOTLIGHT—Cover A: Guido Guidi
Simon Furman (w) • Guido Guidi (a & c)
Simon Furman returns! The beloved writer, accompanied by the equally accomplished Guido Guidi and John-Paul Bove, returns to tell a new tale in the original Transformers comic universe, hot off the heels of the successful Transformers ’84 #0 one-shot! As the Cybertronian Civil War rages, Decepticon scientist Shockwave has encountered a new obstacle to the Decepticon’s victory and subjugation of the planet: an obstacle called... Megatron!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers ‘84: Secrets and Lies #1 (of 4)—SPOTLIGHT—Cover B: Casey W. Coller
Simon Furman (w) • Guido Guidi (a) • Casey W. Coller (c)


*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies and get one free variant cover by Nick Roche!
Order 25 copies and get one free variant cover by Geoff Senior!



Transformers Galaxies #8—Cover A: Umi Miyao
Sam Maggs (w) • Umi Miyao (a & c)
“Gauging the Truth,” Part Two. Gauge’s understanding of the universe has gone topsy-turvy. Everything she’s been told—that she remembers—may be a lie. Or the mysterious prisoners that are appealing to her are the liars. It could really go either way... and it’s up to her to figure out who’s telling the truth.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers Galaxies #8—Cover B: Winstone Chan
Sam Maggs (w) • Umi Miyao (a) • Winston Chan (c)


*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies and get one free variant cover by Bethany McGuire-Smith!



Transformers vs. The Terminator #2 (of 4)— Cover A: Gavin Fullerton
David Mariotte, John Barber, & Tom Waltz (w) • Alex Milne (a) • Gavin Fullerton (c)
The T-800, last hope of his kind, has travelled back to 1984 to destroy the Cybertronians before they can awaken and subjugate his future. But when the Ark systems start to bring the Autobots and Decepticons back online, what will he do against two armies? It’s up to one Terminator to save the future and nothing’s gonna stand in his way!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers vs. The Terminator #2 (of 4)— Cover B: Casey W. Coller
David Mariotte, John Barber, & Tom Waltz (w) • Alex Milne (a) • Casey W. Coller (c)

*Retailer incentives:
Order 10 copies and get one free variant cover by Freddie E. Williams II!





Offered Again!

TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE TP VOL 01 • TP • FC • $19.99 • 978-1-61377-5-554



TRANSFORMERS REGENERATION ONE TP VOL 02 • TP • FC • $19.99 • 978-1-61377-6-421



TRANSFORMERS VS GI JOE TP VOL 01 • TP • FC • $19.99 • 978-1-63140-1-909



TRANSFORMERS VS GI JOE TP VOL 02 • TP • FC • $19.99 • 978-1-63140-2-708



TRANSFORMERS VS GI JOE TP VOL 03 • TP • FC • $19.99 • 978-1-63140-6-935

Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies Mini-Series Revealed with Interview with Editor David Mariotte

Date: Thursday, January 23rd 2020 6:07pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Hasbro Pulse

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Views: 34,442

Thanks to Hasbro Pulse, we have news that there is a new mini-series coming from IDW Publishing, a story that will continue on after last year's Transformers '84 #0, which you can purchase from the Seibertron Store! The series will pick up multiple plot threads developed in Transformers '84 #0, and will examine Cybertron during the original Marvel comic run while the main Autobots and Decepticons are asleep on Earth.

Read up below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Behind the Scenes of Transformers ’84 Comic Book Miniseries

To celebrate the debut issue of Transformers '84 Comic Book Miniseries SECRETS & LIES, we sat down with David Mariotte; editor on this project.



TELL US ABOUT THE NEW SERIES. WHEN DOES IT HIT SHELVES?

Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies is a prequel to the original run of Transformers comics from 1984. The first issue of this 4-part miniseries will be available April 1st 2020. A little background; in the first five pages of the classic 1984 first issue, Bill Mantlo, Ralph Macchio, and the artists established the Cybertronian Civil War, the Autobots and Decepticons, why Cybertron the planet is out of its orbit hurtling through space. Then, almost immediately, the main cast leaves Cybertron and crashes into Earth. All that happens in about nine pages and on page 10, they wake up in 1984. This new Secrets and Lies series covers what else was happening on Cybertron before the Ark launched, after the Ark launched, and before the Autobots and Decepticons woke up on earth.

HOW DID THIS MINISERIES COME ABOUT?

Simon Furman has written Transformers comics for decades and when we at IDW were discussing doing a book for the franchise's 35th anniversary in 2019, Simon was the obvious choice to write it. What that book ended up being, Transformers '84 #0, was a phenomenal issue tying the events of the first U.S. comic original story to the first U.K. comic original story and fleshing out this "lost period" of the past. That book did very well and it was so great to work with Simon, Guido Guidi, and John-Paul Bove (who had previously worked together on Transformers: Regeneration One, a continuation of the original series) that we asked them if they wanted to play in the past some more and flesh out some of the threads that Simon had planted in the #0 issue.



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #1 - Cover B by Casey W. Coller - B&W



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #1 - Cover B by Casey W. Coller - Color



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #1 - Cover RI-A by Nick Roche - B&W

WHERE DOES THE STORY PICK UP AND HOW DOES IT CONNECT TO TRANSFORMERS LORE

This story really happens around the events of Transformers #1. Parts of it take place before the Ark launched. Parts of it take place after, but before the Autobots and Decepticons woke up. There are a number of other classic issues that contribute to the overall story (Transformers #7, #8, #11 and the Transformers '84 #0 all come to mind), so if you've read those, you'll be really excited to see all the little references and ways they helped build the story. However, if you never have gotten into that first comic continuity, you'll pick up everything because it's a smart story with plenty of explanation. And, for readers who might just think "that's familiar, but I couldn't place it", Simon's going to provide a Reader's Guide of annotations every issue.

WHAT IS THE BASIC STORY ARC FOR THIS MINISERIES?

The basic story arc is that Optimus Prime has a plan to lead Megatron and other high-ranking Decepticons off of Cybertron to try to end the war. And, as it turns out, that works out just fine for Shockwave, who's new theory is that the reason the Decepticons can't win is Megatron's too caught up in fighting so he's ignoring the way to win. There's some intrigue around that as the Autobots and Decepticons head off of Cybertron to crash on Earth and those who are left behind start making new plans for Cybertron's future. Plus, the Dinobots show up!



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #2 - Cover A by Guido Guidi - Color



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #2 - Cover RI by Nick Roche - B&W



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #3 - Cover A by Guido Guidi - Color



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #3 - Cover RI by Nick Roche - B&W



Transformers 84 - Secrets & Lies #4 - Cover A by Guido Guidi - Color

Transformers ‘84: Secrets and Lies #1 (of 4))

Simon Furman returns! The beloved writer, accompanied by the equally accomplished Guido Guidi and John-Paul Bove, return to tell a new tale in the original Transformers comic universe, hot off the heels of the successful Transformers ’84 #0 one-shot! As the Cybertronian Civil War rages, Decepticon scientist Shockwave has encountered a new obstacle to the Decepticon’s victory and subjugation of the planet: an obstacle called... Megatron!

Cover A: Guido Guidi

Cover B: Casey W. Coller

Cover RI-A: Nick Roche (10-copy Retailer Incentive)

Cover RI-B: Geoff Senior (25-copy Retailer Incentive)

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Expected in-store date: April 2020]