End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project

Monday, May 28th, 2012 11:31PM CDT

Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque Views: 27,687

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We have some sad news to report this evening, the Transformers: Mosaic project is coming to an end. Since the project's inception in 2007 it has generated over 650 pieces, most of which have been chronicled right here on Seibertron.com (click here to check them out)! Over the years countless fans and many professional, including Hall of Famer Simon Furman, have contributed to help flesh out the vast Transformers universe. A big thanks to Josh van Reyk, Shaun Knowler, and all the other talented individuals who brought this project to life!

END OF THE ROAD

Well, after five years and over six hundred and fifty individual pieces, we have both decided that the time has come to bring the Transformers: Mosaic project to an end. A number of reasons could be cited for drawing the project to a close, but ultimately, it was never going to last forever. We had a pretty good run, and it’s just time to bow out.

It’s been a true honor to watch the project which began as a humble collaboration on the IDW Forums grow to become a fandom institution, and even it’s own genre of Transformers storytelling. The project enjoyed incredible support from the wider Transformers community, and even the stewards of the franchise itself. We’ve had the blessed opportunity to work with some talented and passionate people, and even played a small part in launching a few professional careers.

So, what does this mean for anyone currently working on a submission for the project?

Well, first off, the 'Transformers the Movie - Special Edition' sub-project is no longer a stand-alone entity, and any pieces that were part of it, would now become regular submissions.

There are still a few completed pieces in the pile, and they will continue to be released as usual. These should take us through to the end of June 2012, so any other pieces that are completed and submitted before this time, would be released an included under the 'Transformers: Mosaic' banner.

After that time, any other pieces would be the responsibility of the creative team to release themselves. We do ask that any of these pieces, do not include the 'Transformers: Mosaic' logo, and are not advertised as such.

Obviously, this is not the end of Transformers fan-fiction. The project has spawned a number of other similar projects, just as TF: Mosaic itself sprang out of inspiration from an earlier one. There are many dedicated people in the community to keep telling their own tales. As a wise man once said, “It never ends”.

Thanks again to everyone who has; written, drawn, colored, lettered, commented on or just supported a Mosaic. This project truly was by the fans, for the fans. Take a bow, all of you.

It’s been an amazing five years, and we were lucky to be a part of it. We now look forward to where the creative community will go from here. Now get out there and write and draw the future.

-Josh van Reyk & Shaun Knowler
Townsville, Australia / Vancouver, Canada
May 2012

Credit(s): Richter

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Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384779)
Posted by UltraPrimal on May 28th, 2012 @ 11:41pm CDT

That's a shame. I've always wanted to do a mosaic, but I have no artistic talent myself.

I wonder if they'll compile them all into a book or something. I'd buy it!

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384781)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 28th, 2012 @ 11:50pm CDT

Noooo!1! I loved these, well most of them

UltraPrimal wrote:I wonder if they'll compile them all into a book or something. I'd buy it!

That's a great Idea, I'd buy that book too :grin:

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384787)
Posted by TFfan92 on May 29th, 2012 @ 1:15am CDT

I has a sad. :sad:

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384789)
Posted by Autobot032 on May 29th, 2012 @ 1:27am CDT

I had a few ideas, but never knew how to contribute. (That was one thing that was never made clear, at least here.) Still, I'm not saddened by this loss. A lot of it was non-sequitor, one shot, nonsense kind of stuff. Some of the art was fantastic, some of the stories were good, but for the most part, it had always struck me as pointless. Like the worst filler episodes of a crappy show season. It needed more structure, I thought.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384791)
Posted by Asepticon on May 29th, 2012 @ 1:47am CDT

We're not being told something. Why would it end? I seldom comment, especially with something negative, but this is BS. I will miss it. People love it. The site is about all aspects of TF fandom, so why does it end? There's more to this. Gotta be.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384797)
Posted by alldarker on May 29th, 2012 @ 2:18am CDT

I always liked the Mosaics. Not all were of the same constant quality, but on the whole, they were very enjoyable and all showed a lot of love for the Transformers franchise. 650+ Mosaics... I wonder how many of those I missed. I hope for quite a few, cause I'm going to miss that Mosaic fix.

I'm not sure if ending the Mosaics has anything to do with Hasbro's reported crackdown on 'third party' stuff and a bigger focus on protecting their intellectual property, but I wouldn't put it past them.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384799)
Posted by Richter on May 29th, 2012 @ 2:27am CDT

alldarker wrote:I always liked the Mosaics. Not all were of the same constant quality, but on the whole, they were very enjoyable and all showed a lot of love for the Transformers franchise. 650+ Mosaics... I wonder how many of those I missed. I hope for quite a few, cause I'm going to miss that Mosaic fix.

I'm not sure if ending the Mosaics has anything to do with Hasbro's reported crackdown on 'third party' stuff and a bigger focus on protecting their intellectual property, but I wouldn't put it past them.

I need to make this very clear, Hasbro, or any other outside party, had nothing to do with the decission to end the project.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384800)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on May 29th, 2012 @ 2:48am CDT

well that sucks

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384801)
Posted by alldarker on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:12am CDT

Richter wrote:(...)
I need to make this very clear, Hasbro, or any other outside party, had nothing to do with the decission to end the project.

Thanks for clearing that up!
Glad to hear there's no need for unwarranted blame where none is deserved.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384804)
Posted by Asepticon on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:19am CDT

Richter wrote:
alldarker wrote:I always liked the Mosaics. Not all were of the same constant quality, but on the whole, they were very enjoyable and all showed a lot of love for the Transformers franchise. 650+ Mosaics... I wonder how many of those I missed. I hope for quite a few, cause I'm going to miss that Mosaic fix.

I'm not sure if ending the Mosaics has anything to do with Hasbro's reported crackdown on 'third party' stuff and a bigger focus on protecting their intellectual property, but I wouldn't put it past them.

I need to make this very clear, Hasbro, or any other outside party, had nothing to do with the decission to end the project.

OK so be straight with us. "Things end" is not really a reason. It's popularity is still established. If Seibertron is trying to take some new direction, I guess that's... something but I don't think alienating the fans by not giving us valid reasons for our direction is a good start.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384805)
Posted by New Omen on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:19am CDT

Well then, I'll take this chance to offer my sincerest thanks and congratulations to all who were involved. :BOWDOWN:

Its been truly entertaining. I appreciate all that went into the project . The art, the stories, the hard work and the damn right bizarre all of which offered something to the fandom.

It will be missed but all good things must come to an end. :cry:

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384809)
Posted by MINDVVIPE on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:31am CDT

That is seriously too bad. So many sick one-pagers over the last lil while, I still have a ton to look through.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384810)
Posted by Burn on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:33am CDT

Asepticon wrote:
Richter wrote:
alldarker wrote:I always liked the Mosaics. Not all were of the same constant quality, but on the whole, they were very enjoyable and all showed a lot of love for the Transformers franchise. 650+ Mosaics... I wonder how many of those I missed. I hope for quite a few, cause I'm going to miss that Mosaic fix.

I'm not sure if ending the Mosaics has anything to do with Hasbro's reported crackdown on 'third party' stuff and a bigger focus on protecting their intellectual property, but I wouldn't put it past them.

I need to make this very clear, Hasbro, or any other outside party, had nothing to do with the decission to end the project.

OK so be straight with us. "Things end" is not really a reason. It's popularity is still established. If Seibertron is trying to take some new direction, I guess that's... something but I don't think alienating the fans by not giving us valid reasons for our direction is a good start.

Unless I missed a memo, Seibertron.com had nothing to do with this either. Why would we when we've just started to push the creative forums?

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384812)
Posted by Trittbrettfahrer on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:54am CDT

Asepticon wrote:OK so be straight with us. "Things end" is not really a reason.

Yeah, it's not like they would just step away from the project, so someone else could continue it - it's the forbidding of further useing the Mosaic logo 'n stuff which gives it a strong fishy smell.

They actively put a forceful stop to a prospering project.
That reads: Someone has an agenda for a future in which an active Mosaic project must not exist.

Wonder who (and why) that might be?

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384818)
Posted by KnightStrike on May 29th, 2012 @ 4:35am CDT

I'll be sad to see TF: Mosaic go. Always enjoyed the entries, especially liked that I had to research some characters to know who was involved sometimes which ended up furthering what I knew about different TF continuities. So long and thanks for all the fish Mosaics :APPLAUSE:

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384826)
Posted by Bumblevivisector on May 29th, 2012 @ 5:26am CDT

For all that most mosaics were just throw-away one shots and "What If..."s, some of the best ones actually smoothed over continuity problems in official fiction, like the one that addressed what was going through Op's head when he decided to commit suicide over that video game in Marvel #24 ("That is Why"?), and the one where Boltax told Omega Supreme about gestalt technology being mind-wiped from all TF memory, potentially allowing "The War Within" to fit in IDW continuity.

Ah well, it's not like they'll crack down on DeviantArt, which already has hundreds of unapproved Mosaic attempts anyway. Everyone just needs to agree on a 3rd-Party-esque name for them, like "Transformers Tiny Tiles". They'll never get official acknowledgement, but the spirit will live on.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384837)
Posted by Powermaster Jazz on May 29th, 2012 @ 6:47am CDT

Congrats on keeping it going for this long! I'm glad to have been a part of it as miniscule as my part was.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384848)
Posted by Mkall on May 29th, 2012 @ 7:57am CDT

It is a shame that it's ending, but I did enjoy a lot of them. Good fortunes on your next project!

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384851)
Posted by RhA on May 29th, 2012 @ 8:10am CDT

Wow, that's a bummer.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384860)
Posted by Black Bumblebee on May 29th, 2012 @ 8:50am CDT

Okay, something here does NOT sound right. Why would it bother these peeps that the Transformer Mosaic name / logo be used on any future one piece fan fiction pieces?

I get the STRONG feeling that we're not being told something, and I don't like it. Someone told them to pull the plug... someone is threatening legal action... or someone is being paid off.

Either tell us the whole truth, or admit that "someone" is keeping you from speaking up.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384867)
Posted by WhiteRabbit on May 29th, 2012 @ 9:05am CDT

There's no conspiracies folks, it's just time to shut down.

There's nothing stopping anyone from starting a whole new project of their own. We're just putting the bookends on TF Mosaic itself.

Thanks for all the kind words and support over the years everyone!

-Shaun

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384880)
Posted by gothsaurus on May 29th, 2012 @ 9:50am CDT

Aw. I'm bummed about this because it highlighted some of the best fan art, and kept things in a framework.

I don't want to dig through thousands of deviant art pages about fan-characters, and what-ifs to be able to find the serious, classy, in-continuity, great ideas, writing, and art. I don't have the time or effort to filter through all the mediocre stuff to find the "Mosiaics."

I'm truly going to miss Mosaics and it its regularly being featured.

So seriously, someone pick up the gauntlet and take the helm of continuing this properly? Proofing and keeping up to snuff and in continuity?

:sad:

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384905)
Posted by BeastProwl on May 29th, 2012 @ 11:38am CDT

Well, Heres an idea!
Get a ragtag group of site members with alot of time on their hands to go through Devientart and pull out all the best ones, then you can feature "The best of Mosaics" on the front page.
Just a thought...

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384910)
Posted by gothsaurus on May 29th, 2012 @ 11:49am CDT

All this said, I'd LOVE the notion of being able to get a printed version... maybe of the best ones? Or all of em! Heck, would only be 300 pages, right?? :-D

I was sad to see a lot of the Mosaics were low res... certainly too res to print, and SOME even to low res to read the text.

I wonder if higher res scans exist of those... or if anyone has an archive that's actually print-ready. (Since print resolution 300 dpi is four times that of screen res 72dpi) It would be awesome if a ZIP archive/torrent were made available of the collected works.

It's a shame most of these never saw print. They should have a permanent home with the fans instead of a fleeting online view.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384962)
Posted by Windsweeper on May 29th, 2012 @ 3:29pm CDT

Hopefully, IDW or some other company will collect these at some point.

The Mosaic will be missed. I'm hoping that old Furmanism, "It never truly ends!" will come to pass at some point.

As an old Transformers fan, I'd just like to say thanks to all involved for 5 years of amazing work. Good luck in your future endeavours.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384972)
Posted by Snowy on May 29th, 2012 @ 4:10pm CDT

Transformers Mosaic encouraged me to explore continuities beyond what I already knew. Most importantly, however, it encouraged me to try out the comics. I will always remember my favorite TF Mosaics with fondness, and I still did even when the end wasn't announced. Such talented artists and writers, coming together under one banner to express their love of Transformers through story. Thankfully the pieces will still be available to read, even if no more are added. I always thought the name itself sounded very poetic. Transformers Mosaic: a menagerie of stories brought together to create a picture of the Transformers fandom. I step back and see an image made from all the wonderful comics and art; the what-ifs and character studies-- and it is beautiful.

Thank you for five years of passion and creative expression. We can now sit back and say with pride that the mosaic is complete.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1384985)
Posted by gothsaurus on May 29th, 2012 @ 4:28pm CDT

yeah, I'd certainly buy it if IDW put them together for a grin.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385045)
Posted by Stormrider on May 29th, 2012 @ 7:56pm CDT

Asepticon wrote:We're not being told something. Why would it end? I seldom comment, especially with something negative, but this is BS. I will miss it. People love it. The site is about all aspects of TF fandom, so why does it end? There's more to this. Gotta be.

I agree. I looked forward to reading them each week. I am sure funding and management of the project are probably involved.

Mosiac is just simply the name of the project. Ending Mosiac shouldn't stop fans from still posting their comics.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385073)
Posted by Snowy on May 29th, 2012 @ 9:27pm CDT

Stormrider wrote:
Asepticon wrote:We're not being told something. Why would it end? I seldom comment, especially with something negative, but this is BS. I will miss it. People love it. The site is about all aspects of TF fandom, so why does it end? There's more to this. Gotta be.

I agree. I looked forward to reading them each week. I am sure funding and management of the project are probably involved.

Mosiac is just simply the name of the project. Ending Mosiac shouldn't stop fans from still posting their comics.

It doesn't. Just not under the name of Transformers Mosaic.

The founders and managers have decided to bring it to a close. Nothing can go on forever, and five years is quite a long lifespan for a project like this. Allowing people to publish more pieces under their title would reflect on them with no way of controlling it. I can understand people being unhappy or sad, but I was honestly not expecting such a wave of suspicion and slander. Accusing Reyk and Knowler of withholding information is highly disrespectful and no way to treat two men that have spent five years of their lives giving us what we cherish to the point of lamenting its leaving. There is no point to all this needling except to express your malcontent with the news, and even if they WERE withholding information they have every right to do so if they feel it unnecessary to share. Please just let this project rest in peace and give thanks for the enjoyment that was given while it ran. Having the information you want to hear would do nothing to change the situation anyway.

I personally respect their decision and understand that this project was never meant to last forever. I am happy for the years that we've had.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385130)
Posted by T-Macksimus on May 30th, 2012 @ 12:47am CDT

Snowy wrote:
It doesn't. Just not under the name of Transformers Mosaic.

The founders and managers have decided to bring it to a close. Nothing can go on forever, and five years is quite a long lifespan for a project like this. Allowing people to publish more pieces under their title would reflect on them with no way of controlling it. I can understand people being unhappy or sad, but I was honestly not expecting such a wave of suspicion and slander. Accusing Reyk and Knowler of withholding information is highly disrespectful and no way to treat two men that have spent five years of their lives giving us what we cherish to the point of lamenting its leaving. There is no point to all this needling except to express your malcontent with the news, and even if they WERE withholding information they have every right to do so if they feel it unnecessary to share. Please just let this project rest in peace and give thanks for the enjoyment that was given while it ran. Having the information you want to hear would do nothing to change the situation anyway.

I personally respect their decision and understand that this project was never meant to last forever. I am happy for the years that we've had.

Thank You Snowy. I was just about to do some well warranted butt chewing but you handled it in a more eloquent fashion than I would have given how upset I am about the way all the ingrates and "conspiracy theorists" spouted off their completely selfish and unfounded BS.

Yes it is sad to see the official Mosaic project come to an end but we should be very thankful for the time and energy that all of the folks involved put into this and not bitching about something that people seem to think they are entitled to just because they are fans. You want it, then you put all that time and effort into coordinating such a massive undertaking ON TOP OF everything else that you have to schedule throughout your lives. All the deadlines that these guys had to deal with just for their regular profession, everyone was luck that there were even any Mosaics at all. If these fine gentleman want to walk away then I say to them...

"Thank You for all of your hard work and enjoy your well earned opportunity to step back and catch your breath!" :APPLAUSE:

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385181)
Posted by MightyMagnus78 on May 30th, 2012 @ 6:11am CDT

Sad news

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385217)
Posted by ninjha on May 30th, 2012 @ 8:41am CDT

Why not collect the series into a Trade paperback with all proceeds going to charity (sick kids organization?). Maybe the top 300 favs from Devart. Win-win for fans and charity!

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385227)
Posted by gothsaurus on May 30th, 2012 @ 9:30am CDT

FANTASTIC IDEA!

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385317)
Posted by MINDVVIPE on May 30th, 2012 @ 2:01pm CDT

That idea might even get Seibertron on the news if enough orders are placed to make a buncha cash.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385322)
Posted by Snowy on May 30th, 2012 @ 2:18pm CDT

But would we even have the rights to sell products under the Transformers name? I'm not, by any means of the word, an expert in law, but these kinds of things take a LOT of thought, paperwork, and green lights before you can even think about publishing.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385337)
Posted by gothsaurus on May 30th, 2012 @ 3:02pm CDT

yeah, that's why the charity thing sounds like a great idea.

Re: End of the Road for the Transformers: Mosaic Project (1385499)
Posted by Stormrider on May 30th, 2012 @ 10:12pm CDT

T-Macksimus wrote:
Snowy wrote:
It doesn't. Just not under the name of Transformers Mosaic.

The founders and managers have decided to bring it to a close. Nothing can go on forever, and five years is quite a long lifespan for a project like this. Allowing people to publish more pieces under their title would reflect on them with no way of controlling it. I can understand people being unhappy or sad, but I was honestly not expecting such a wave of suspicion and slander. Accusing Reyk and Knowler of withholding information is highly disrespectful and no way to treat two men that have spent five years of their lives giving us what we cherish to the point of lamenting its leaving. There is no point to all this needling except to express your malcontent with the news, and even if they WERE withholding information they have every right to do so if they feel it unnecessary to share. Please just let this project rest in peace and give thanks for the enjoyment that was given while it ran. Having the information you want to hear would do nothing to change the situation anyway.

I personally respect their decision and understand that this project was never meant to last forever. I am happy for the years that we've had.

Thank You Snowy. I was just about to do some well warranted butt chewing but you handled it in a more eloquent fashion than I would have given how upset I am about the way all the ingrates and "conspiracy theorists" spouted off their completely selfish and unfounded BS.

No, I think you did a pretty good job, T-Macksimus, at flaming. It is not unreasonsible for people to ask why something is coming to an end especially when it was enjoyed so much by so many people. In fact, it speaks mountains that so many people are moved by the announcement. Calling people ingrates and selfish for asking these questions is unwarranted.