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IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano

Friday, December 11th, 2015 12:02PM CST

Categories: Comic Book News, People News, Interviews
Posted by: Va'al   Views: 52,093

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We have some more news on the - now confirmed - one-shot featuring the Transformers in the IDW Publishing Deviations series, thanks to Newsarama. Brandon Easton will be taking up writing duties, while Priscilla Tramontano will work out the art, and they've both been interviewed about the issue - find out more below, and read the full piece here.

In March, IDW Publishing is revisiting classic moments from it's most popular franchises in a series of thematic one-shots subtitled "Deviations," and for the Transformers it doesn't get any bigger than the original Transformers: The Movie. Transformers: Deviations revisits the classic G1 era to ask "what if Optimus Prime didn't die and was there to stand against Unicron?"

Transformers: Deviations is by writer Brandon Easton and veteran Transformers artist Priscilla Tramantano, and we spoke to them about this unique opportunity -- and oh yeah, we talk about that epic soundtrack as well.

Newsarama: Brandon, what is Transformers: Deviations about?

Brandon Easton: This is a spin on the extremely popular alternate universe concept seen in sci-fi stories and graphic novels for decades. The idea that we get to peek into a different continuity where events took a strange turn and a whole new reality is born is difficult to resist. In Transformers Deviations, we speculate on the one of the biggest moments in Transformers history – the death of Optimus Prime from the classic Transformers: The Movie (1986).

The story explores the events of the original Generation One Transformers timeline if Optimus Prime had not been critically injured by Megatron in their fateful battle in Autobot City. Anyone who knows the movie and the subsequent stories from the third season of the classic TV series knows that Optimus’ death was a central point in the saga and if he survives a wholly divergent and complex wall of dominoes tumble erratically. We get a universe that deviates from the original timeline in a very interesting way.

So in a nutshell, it’s “What if Optimus Prime survived?”

[...]

Nrama: Who are the characters that take center stage in this one?

Easton: Without ruining too much, I will say that Optimus, Hot Rod and Starscream get a lot of “screen time.” There’s a lot more I could say, but I’d rather have people check out the book when it hits the stores.

Tramontano: Grimlock is a favorite of mine and he plays a big part in the movie so it'll be cool to revisit that. But I'm looking forward to the Starscream coronation gag. It´s such an iconic scene, probably my favorite scene out of the 1986 movie, and I want to see how fans will react to this new spin Brandon gave to it!

Nrama: And is there anyone you wish you could have drawn but didn't?

Tramontano: Well, I love Galvatron but sadly he won't be in this.

[...]

Nrama: This is an interesting concept -- the idea of an alternate history. What does this offer for you two as a writer and artist respectively, and do you see potential for doing it more with Transformers?

Tramontano: As a fan, it's very common for us to play within established universe, drawing fan art, writing fanfics and so on. Imagining what could have been if something had happened differently is part of the fun. I like this idea a great deal. Now, as an artist, things get more complicated because you're dealing with something that people love with all their hearts and you have to be able to tell them you're not trying to replace the original material but just add a new version. I sincerely hope people are open-minded about this book and like the result. Reading Brandon's script, I know I did (as an artist and as a fan).

Easton: Alternate history stories are a sub-genre of speculative fiction and they’re great ways to explore socio-political concepts without alienating readers. I would point to the works of Harry Turtledove or Bryce Zabel to see some compelling takes on how different the world would be if a critical moment in history went in another direction.

Personally, as a writer of speculative fiction and a former U.S. History teacher, I adore alternate histories because they allow us to engage in a different kind of world-building exercise that forces us to work within grounded constraints while still pushing the boundaries of what is/was possible.


Transformers News: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano

Transformers News: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano
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Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747267)
Posted by o.supreme on December 11th, 2015 @ 12:13pm CST
bluecatcinema wrote:Things may actually have gone worse if Prime lived. Galvatron was stronger than Megatron, so he'd have the edge on OP in a straight fight (not to mention Optimus would have still been pretty banged up from the battle with Megatron). Galvatron could have torn right through him and taken the Matrix.


There would have been no Galvatron, because Prime would have killed Megatron. Sure Unicron could have resurrected him as he did the dead seekers and insecticons, but its doubtful the Autobots would have allowed Soundwave to collect Megatrons body if he was already dead, (since they would not have been rushing to Optimus' aid).

Still to your point, and my fanfic idea, things will probably go bad, but not for the reason you are thinking.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747273)
Posted by misfire19d on December 11th, 2015 @ 12:32pm CST
Maybe Unicron will create Hook, Line and Sinker in this timeline?
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747277)
Posted by Dr. Caelus on December 11th, 2015 @ 12:43pm CST
o.supreme wrote:Still to your point, and my fanfic idea, things will probably go bad, but not for the reason you are thinking.


Unicron comes to Earth, first, to take Prime et al. by surprise?

Or Unicron attacks Cybertron, and makes Shockwave his herald? Or worse... Bumblebee.



Plotting things out a bit (cause and effect) -

Galvatron wouldn't kill Starscream, which means no Immortal Spark/Ghost of Starscream. That has repercussions going all the way out to Beast Wars (e.g., Rampage would never exist).

There'd be no slave rebellion on Quintessa, and no grandiose trap involving Optimus's reanimated corpse, which wouldn't be brought back to Earth to spread the Hate Plague, and the Matrix wouldn't be emptied to stop the hate plague.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747280)
Posted by ScottyP on December 11th, 2015 @ 12:48pm CST
Sounds like a fun one-off piece, as long as it doesn't take itself too seriously (which it sounds like it doesn't.) Wouldn't mind seeing re-works to this scene put to bed after this though, given Autocracy also re-wrote it. Yeah, that's not the same continuity, but it still had 90%* of the movie's dialogue.

*Not an actual statistic.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747283)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 11th, 2015 @ 12:55pm CST
o.supreme wrote:
bluecatcinema wrote:Things may actually have gone worse if Prime lived. Galvatron was stronger than Megatron, so he'd have the edge on OP in a straight fight (not to mention Optimus would have still been pretty banged up from the battle with Megatron). Galvatron could have torn right through him and taken the Matrix.


There would have been no Galvatron, because Prime would have killed Megatron. Sure Unicron could have resurrected him as he did the dead seekers and insecticons, but its doubtful the Autobots would have allowed Soundwave to collect Megatrons body if he was already dead, (since they would not have been rushing to Optimus' aid).

Still to your point, and my fanfic idea, things will probably go bad, but not for the reason you are thinking.

Actually I think Optimus would let them take megs body away. You know prime being prime and letting his compassion get in the way.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747291)
Posted by bluecatcinema on December 11th, 2015 @ 1:21pm CST
Well, that Newsarama interview just made it a moot point. But it'll still be interesting to see where things go.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747292)
Posted by Megatron Wolf on December 11th, 2015 @ 1:31pm CST
Not a fan of IDW but i might have to check some of these out, sound pretty interesting.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747293)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 11th, 2015 @ 1:37pm CST
Ah I missed that bit...-_- well still, wonder how screamers coronation will go...and if it still gets gatecrashed
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747300)
Posted by DeadCaL on December 11th, 2015 @ 2:03pm CST
I know a few people who'll read this and not like it because it doesn't align with their head canon :lol:
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747311)
Posted by Supreme Convoy on December 11th, 2015 @ 2:52pm CST
Oh wow. This sounds like a good cool take. I'm a big fan of What If? and Elseworlds so I'll give it a shot.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747315)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on December 11th, 2015 @ 3:13pm CST
I think the only thing would have changed was that we wouldn't have gotten Rodimus Prime or season 3, otherwise everything stays the same. Prime still gets beat to hell in the fight with Megatron but doesn't die. Megatron still gets away and gets reformatted. Optimus recovers with the help from the Junkions after Galvatron blasts him and steals the Matrix. Unicron arrives, Optimus fights Galvatron and opens the Matrix, Prime throws Galvatron out, Unicron is defeated, the end scene from the movie is the same, except Optimus stands in the middle, and Hot Rod is not even around, or at most a bot in the background, because his only purpose was to become the new leader. So his character is totally pointless now, unless the story continues with Headmasters after the animated movie.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747323)
Posted by o.supreme on December 11th, 2015 @ 3:34pm CST
Rodimus Prime wrote:Megatron still gets away and gets reformatted.


That's the beauty of this "what if Story". Megatron dies, and is not taken away to be recreated by Unicron.

Tramontano: Well, I love Galvatron but sadly he won't be in this.


With Unicron's clairvoyance, knowing Optimus is still alive, he would have to develop a different plan before approaching Cybertron (remember he only begun his attack after Galvatron betrayed him, and in "his" mind, the Matrix had no bearer, so it would not be a threat)

Had Galvatron actually destroyed the Matrix, there is a good chance Unicron would have honored his agreement to spare Cybertron, and be on his merry universe-consuming way, and leave Galvatron to rule it (remember there was no Primus in the original cartoon). If he was like Galactus. However there would be just as good a chance that Unicron would have destroyed Cybertron anyway knowing that the only thing in the universe that could destroy him no longer existed.

However as stated, all this is moot since there will be no Galvatron, which makes the story possibilities all the more interesting.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747324)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on December 11th, 2015 @ 3:44pm CST
o.supreme wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Megatron still gets away and gets reformatted.
That's the beauty of this "what if Story". Megatron dies, and is not taken away to be recreated by Unicron.
I was speaking on the general idea of Optimus not dying, and some of the possible things that could happen as a result.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747336)
Posted by Noideaforaname on December 11th, 2015 @ 5:09pm CST
I kinda wish it was a tad more original (and personally relevant to me) than the G1 movie... but dang it I love alternate histories so GIMMIE!!
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747367)
Posted by LOST Cybertronian on December 11th, 2015 @ 7:46pm CST
Colorist John Paul Bove sent us some artwork he recently worked on. You might recognize the 2 Transformers Deviations covers but presented here without the word balloons and other cover stuff. He also sent us artwork for the upcoming landmark Transformers #50. Check them out below.

John Paul Bove wrote:Recently revealed cover for Transformers Deviations. This is the uncropped version with delicious embers on display... Lines by Marcelo Matere, colours by me! — with Marcelo Matere.


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John Paul Bove wrote:A cover for TF Deviations in an animated movie style! Hot Rod, more like Hot Pink! Ton of fun doing the painted backgrounds and that satistfying bold shines and shadows.

Lines by Casey W. Coller and colours by me. — with Casey W. Coller.


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John Paul Bove wrote:Cover for the landmark Transformers #50 coming early next year! Lines by Casey W. Coller and colours by me. — with Casey W. Coller.


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Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747373)
Posted by redconvoy on December 11th, 2015 @ 9:15pm CST
I hope in the deviation they have it that they realize Hot Rod is the Chose One and Optimus becomes his mentor instead. If they had Unicron and his minions target Hot Rod, it would draw them to that conclusion. XD
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747379)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on December 11th, 2015 @ 9:50pm CST
Alright speculation time. I predict that in the elseworlds story, shit gets real bad with prime being alive, so bad that Prime has to go back in time and kill himself. Similar to the red Dwarf episode Tikka to Ride where after screwing up the timeline, JFK became the "second gunman" on the grassy knoll, and shot himself to restore his place in history. I predict Prime will go back in time, and be responsible for the mysterious red laser bolt (animation error) that killed Prime in the 86 movie.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747426)
Posted by ZeroWolf on December 12th, 2015 @ 3:33am CST
As much as I like that idea (indeed that episode of red dwarf is my favourite of season 7 next to the one where kryten goes crazy) I sadly can't see them doing that...as I can see them going more predictable then a twist that would annoy some
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1747440)
Posted by Sabrblade on December 12th, 2015 @ 6:40am CST
Not sure how I feel about Kup stopping Hot Rod.

I kinda envisioned my own alternate take on Hot Rod's interference scene that has Optimus living by having it so that, instead of Hot Rod jumping in to tackle Megatron before Megs could fire his gun at Prime, Hot Rod would jump in a second later than he did originally, allowing Megatron to shoot at Optimus, but with Hot Rod instead jumping into the line of fire and taking the shot meant for Prime.

Upon seeing Hot Rod take the shot and fall to the ground gravely injured, Prime would become enraged by Megatron and promptly beat him to a pulp, just as he did in the movie, leaving Megatron beaten and barely alive with Starscream ordering the Decepticons' retreat and Soundwave carrying away the fallen Megatron (who'd become Galvatron later).

Optimus would examine Hot Rod's unconscious body and swear to get him repaired, having been touched by Hot Rod's seemingly selfless act, never knowing the truth that Hot Rod wasn't really trying to take the shot meant for Prime, and instead had fumbled his attempt to tackle Megatron and be a hero, accidentally landing himself in the line of fire and thus feeling utter humiliation before blacking out.

The rest of the movie would play out with Optimus thinking highly of Hot Rod (after his being repaired), wanting to form a bond with the kid during the film's events (he'd go in the same shuttle as Hot Rod while Magnus would captain the other one), while Hot Rod would instead think of himself as having messed up his big hero moment like a fool, mistaking Optimus's being so nice to him as a way of teasing him for his fumble, and wanting nothing to do with Prime. The two would form a father-son type of bond that would eventually culminate in the two coming to terms with each other and Optimus personally passing the Matrix onto Hot Rod either during or following the film's climactic defeat of Unicron.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1748081)
Posted by Va'al on December 15th, 2015 @ 3:56am CST
And finally, from IDW Publishing, we have the official press release confirming the status, creative teams and general idea of the five-week Deviations project, and the one-shot featuring the Transformers - if Optimus Prime never died in the first place! Check it out below.

IDW Explores Alternate Timelines In ‘Deviations’!
The Five-Week Event Arrives In March


In a world where the Ghostbusters never crossed streams to save New York… In a world where Shredder was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ sensei… In a world where all your expectations are turned upside down—welcome to the world of Deviations, a weekly event series featuring alternate takes on some of IDW’s most popular books!

Starting with the Ghostbusters, readers will be taken to alternate realities of some of the most iconic heroes in comics with weekly one-shots that each highlight a different series. G.I. JOE will follow in the second week, exploring what would happen if COBRA finally won. The TRANSFORMERS comes next, looking at what the implications would be if OPTIMUS PRIME never died! Then, in X-Files Deviations, having been abducted by aliens, Fox Mulder never returned… and finally, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one-shot will round out the event.

“When one moment changes,” said Chris Ryall, IDW Editor in Chief, “whole universes alter forever. We’re asking the questions fans have been pondering for years—and now we’ll see some answers.”

Both new and familiar faces will make their mark on this warped series as newcomers to the titles join fan-favorite creators!

In Ghostbusters Deviations,
Kelly Thompson(Jem and the Holograms) teams up with artist Nelson Daniel (Judge Dredd).
Paul Allor returns to G.I. Joe, with artwork by Corey Lewis(Sharknife).
TRANSFORMERS Deviations welcomes Brandon Easton (Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven) alongside Transformers: Robots in Disguise artist Priscilla Tramontano.
Amy Chu (Sensation Comics: Wonder Woman) explores The X-Files alongside Elena Casagrande (Doctor Who) and Silvia Califano (The X-Files: Season 10) on art.
Finally Tom Waltz (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) leads Zach Howard (Wild Blue Yonder) into the sewers for the TMNT Deviations.

Look for all five Deviations in your comic shop and online every week in March!


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Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1748157)
Posted by Lord Manhammer '74 on December 15th, 2015 @ 12:40pm CST
"In a world... , am I the only one here who has legendary movie trailer voice over man, Don Lafontaine, voice running through their head reading the line ? :oops:
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772797)
Posted by Va'al on March 11th, 2016 @ 1:29pm CST
We knew that IDW Publishing would be revisiting the original G1 universe of the Transformers, in their 5-week event Deviations - but we now also have the full preview, via Newsarama, for next week's robot shaped issue, in which Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano imagine a world where Optimus never died! Check it out below.

Transformers Deviations One-Shot
Brandon Easton (w) • Priscilla Tramontano (a) • Marcelo Matere (c)
In a World… Where OPTIMUS PRIME Never Died! One would stand and one would fall… and we all know OPTIMUS PRIME fell. But how would history have played out if he hadn’t? Would the AUTOBOTS have still stood triumphant in their darkest hour… or would UNICRON have reigned supreme?!
FC • 40 pages • $4.99
Bullet points:
· Extra-length one-shot!
· Find out what happens in a world… where Optimus Prime never died!
· Writer Brandon Easton (TV’s AGENT CARTER) writes his first TRANSFORMERS comic!
· Art from rising star Priscilla Tramontano!
· Part of IDW’s Deviations 5-week event!


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Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772802)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 1:36pm CST
Nice. I almost forgot all about this until I saw the cover artists among all the names announced for Botcon. Next week huh?--After 3 months of no news, well at least we wont have a long wait. I am so looking forward to this. ;)^
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772804)
Posted by bluecatcinema on March 11th, 2016 @ 1:39pm CST
I'm loving it so far. Kinda funny how Kup pinned Hot Rod down in this reality.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772806)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 11th, 2016 @ 1:48pm CST
Without Hot Rod's interference, Megatron wouldn't take him hostage and the Decepticon fiend wouldn't kill Optimus Prime.


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Though Hot Rod's interference did prove a nuisance in the movie, a version of these events in which Hot Rod did not interfere in this fight scene has been presented to us in the Marvel Comics adaptation of the movie, and yet, despite Hot Rod's staying out of the fight, Optimus still died in that version because he hesitated long enough for Megatron to grab the gun he was reaching for and shoot Prime. This new version not only takes Hot Rod out of the fight, but also requires that Megatron misses his target since Optimus still hesitates. Therefore, Hot Rod is not solely to blame for Optimus's demise, but so too is Prime's hesitating long enough to let Megatron shoot him. Except now, we instead have Megatron miss Prime, negating any dire consequences on Optimus's part for his hesitation.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772813)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 1:57pm CST
The 3 issue Marvel Comic adaptation of TF:TM I think is considered by most fans to be a pale comparison. There were a ton of mistakes made, and obviously several liberties as well, not matching the films dialogue etc...

I think the 5 issue IDW version was done much better. Obviously by fans of the series, and having the advantage of the film being in existence and studied for some 20+ years to get things mostly right, and only a couple of liberties (Combiner Battle at the Ark, Shockwaves death etc...) taken. But both of these I think actually improvedthe story.

I may be wrong, but I don't think there is anyone that refers to TF:TM and uses the Marvel Comic as reference over the animated movie itself.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772819)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 11th, 2016 @ 2:07pm CST
o.supreme wrote:The 3 issue Marvel Comic adaptation of TF:TM I think is considered by most fans to be a pale comparison. There were a ton of mistakes made, and obviously several liberties as well, not matching the films dialogue etc...
Those weren't "mistakes" or "liberties". The Marvel version was based on an earlier script made before the final cut of the movie was finished.

o.supreme wrote:I may be wrong, but I don't think there is anyone that refers to TF:TM and uses the Marvel Comic as reference over the animated movie itself.
Nor was I saying that. All I was saying that a version of the movie's events exist in which Hot Rod doesn't interfere and yet Prime still dies.

And though the movie itself is what matters for the cartoon, the Marvel adaptation does matter to the comics that reference the movie's events, so it isn't completely superfluous (though, one could make an argument about the IDW adaptation since nothing's ever drawn reference to that specific version).
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772822)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 2:14pm CST
Sabrblade wrote:And though the movie itself is what matters for the cartoon, the Marvel adaptation does matter to the comics that reference the movie's events, so it isn't completely superfluous (though, one could make an argument about the IDW adaptation since nothing's ever drawn reference to that specific version).


But TF:TM is specific to the Animated Continuity, and has nothing to do with the Marvel Comics Continuity. Marvel Comics had their own interpretation of Unicron/Galvatron all that Target 2006 stuff etc... The Marvel Comic adaptation of TF:TM is pretty much superfluous as it had no bearing on the Marvel Comics as it was just supposed to be an adaptation of the animated movie. --I don't think it was based on an older script as much as incomplete ideas, and miscommunication. It really is a mess, something that I never refer to when speaking about TF:TM.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772824)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 11th, 2016 @ 2:19pm CST
o.supreme wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:And though the movie itself is what matters for the cartoon, the Marvel adaptation does matter to the comics that reference the movie's events, so it isn't completely superfluous (though, one could make an argument about the IDW adaptation since nothing's ever drawn reference to that specific version).


But TF:TM is specific to the Animated Continuity, and has nothing to do with the Marvel Comics Continuity. Marvel Comics had their own interpretation of Unicron/Galvatron all that Target 2006 stuff etc... The Marvel Comic adaptation of TF:TM is pretty much superfluous as it had no bearing on the Marvel Comics as it was just supposed to be an adaptation of the animated movie. --I don't think it was based on an older script as much as incomplete ideas, and miscommunication. It really is a mess, something that I never refer to when speaking about TF:TM.
Marvel UK released the movie adaptation with the notion of it relating to their movie-related stories, which can't fit with the animated movie itself due to some major deviances between the two.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772829)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 11th, 2016 @ 2:50pm CST
Whoa, wait a sec! :shock: On the far left corner of the first panel, lying there on the ground. That's... That's an Animated Autotrooper! :-o

Not a Kiss Players Autorooper, but specifically the Animated design.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772830)
Posted by Quint on March 11th, 2016 @ 2:53pm CST
This looks pretty terrible... Megatron misses his shot from close range?!?!?

LOL

I won't be picking this up; for IDW's Transformers it looks more like a 'regression' than a 'deviation'.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772834)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 3:03pm CST
posted in wrong thread-ignore
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772838)
Posted by Carnivius_Prime on March 11th, 2016 @ 3:46pm CST
Lousy shooting from Megatron but I'm more concerned that Prime just blew up Megatron's head like that. Seems pretty graphic for G1 Prime. Certainly couldn't imagine that actually being animated in the movie. It's live-action Prime that likes destroying opponent's faces. :P
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772841)
Posted by 1984forever on March 11th, 2016 @ 4:00pm CST
And here I thought the best IDW had to offer was a book by a guy who as a kid, threw tea parties attended by mostly Autobots and then grew up to write about it. My bad.

Instead of Autobots vs Autobots or more Autobots vs giant mecha, we get Autobots vs. Decepticons! Set in the G1 cartoon universe! It's a miracle.

I never thought I would say this about anything put out by IDW but... I can't wait!
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772847)
Posted by Quint on March 11th, 2016 @ 4:20pm CST
Actually just rewatched the fight scene - Megatron misses twice from point blank range with his fusion cannon. Ha! So yeah, maybe his miss with the pistol isn't that out of place, as naff as it seems...

Still ain't buyin it, mind 8-)
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772856)
Posted by D-Maximal_Primal on March 11th, 2016 @ 4:39pm CST
Beautiful thing. Wonder what's gonna happen now with Megs and the rest actually dead? Either way, it's looking good :MAXIMAL:
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772859)
Posted by Metroplex79 on March 11th, 2016 @ 4:45pm CST
As much as that was awesome...I don't buy it.

Optimus flew in and shot a bunch of Decepticons, and they weren't killed. In fact a few looked pristine by the time Astrotrain left Earth.

No way Optimus' gun would (or could) do that much damage...even with the movie plot armor turned off.

Also, was this G2 Optimus? In the panel "No more Optimus Prime! Grant me mercy, I beg of you!", man, look at those shoulders. :lol:
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772860)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 4:57pm CST
--Just artistic preference with Prime's appearance. Anyway...I know a lot of people don't consider this however... Yes several Decepticons were beaten by Prime pretty badly. however...The Insecitcons, Thundercracker, & Skywarp were all dead, as a result of their injuries, and being sucked out into space by the Con's on board Astrotrain (Survival of the Fittest). Megatron, although stronger, would have eventually succumbed to death's sweet embrace too if Unicron had not intervened. Why Soundwave and the other seekers did not appear as damaged as the others tossed out into space, I'll admit is a bit of a mystery, but it was ultimately Hasbro's choice of who lived and died.

I'll admit the headshot In this preview was a bit odd. I *could* see Prime reluctantly (as in Man of Steel level reluctance) and defensively delivering Megatron a fatal shot to the chest extinguishing his spark. At least in my mind, that's how I always envisioned it.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772862)
Posted by Randomhero on March 11th, 2016 @ 5:09pm CST
o.supreme wrote:--Just artistic preference with Prime's appearance. Anyway...I know a lot of people don't consider this however... Yes several Decepticons were beaten by Prime pretty badly. however...The Insecitcons, Thundercracker, & Skywarp were all dead, as a result of their injuries, and being sucked out into space by the Con's on board Astrotrain (Survival of the Fittest). Megatron, although stronger, would have eventually succumbed to death's sweet embrace too if Unicron had not intervened. Why Soundwave and the other seekers did not appear as damaged as the others tossed out into space, I'll admit is a bit of a mystery, but it was ultimately Hasbro's choice of who lived and died.

I'll admit the headshot In this preview was a bit odd. I *could* see Prime reluctantly (as in Man of Steel level reluctance) and defensively delivering Megatron a fatal shot to the chest extinguishing his spark. At least in my mind, that's how I always envisioned it.



Except this is the original cartoon where Sparks were not created for cannon yet.

For people complaining about Megatron missing, he's beaten to a pulp in that fight with Optimus, both are really. This fight is also not beat for beat like it was in the 86 movie, if you look closely, Optimus catches the sharp chunk of debris that Megatron originally pierces optimus's side. Prime does not take a beating in this versions fight. And as for Optimus being too dark? "Megatron must be stopped...no matter the cost" and he even shows remorse for his action.

Also night auto-trooper cameo.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772863)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 5:17pm CST
Randomhero wrote:Except this is the original cartoon where Sparks were not created for cannon yet.


OK Laser Core, or whatever you want to call it. The point is, whatever the source of a Transformers life in OTF Animated Canon, Megatron's would be brought to an end by Optimus. I *would* think a chest shot that pierced him all the way through (Ratchet, Prowl etc...)would be as fatal as blowing his head clean off (Ironhide). After all these aren't Zombies were dealing with... :-?
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772864)
Posted by ZeroWolf on March 11th, 2016 @ 5:29pm CST
Let's now ponder where the rest of this will end up, there is several different scenarios that it could become.

That being said there is two things that will still happen.

-starscreams coronation. This is a setpoint in time apparently unless there a movie universe where megs had the sense to kill starscream before now.

-threat of the matrix. Unicron still wants that matrix gone, so he needs to get rid of prime this time, instead if just sending galvatron after ultra magnus
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772867)
Posted by dragons on March 11th, 2016 @ 5:36pm CST
I pay good money to this made into animated movie
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772870)
Posted by o.supreme on March 11th, 2016 @ 5:41pm CST
We will find out for sure next week. But there are many ways this could go:

1. Unicron could create his own new heralds in an attempt to destroy Optimus Prime and the Matrix.

2. Unicron "summons" Starscream in an attempt to do his bidding

-The point is, we are almost assured a *bad* ending. Optimus is injured and may not have the strength to use the Matrix against Unicron. A happy ending is ideal, but any time you disrupt the main time stream, for better or worse, its never a happy ending.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772903)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 11th, 2016 @ 11:06pm CST
Randomhero wrote:For people complaining about Megatron missing, he's beaten to a pulp in that fight with Optimus, both are really.
True, but, as mentioned earlier, the injured Megatron is given the same chance to shoot Prime from the same close distance in the Marvel version and successfully makes his shot count.

This is what happens in that version immediately after Prime's line about "sterner stuff":

Image

Megatron is down on one knee and is still able to hit Prime square in the chest.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772949)
Posted by kurthy on March 14th, 2016 @ 8:17pm CDT
Maybe we should change the name of this to 'What if Seibertron never died?'

He is risen. He is risen, indeed.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772977)
Posted by RodimusRex on March 15th, 2016 @ 6:35am CDT
ZeroWolf wrote:Let's now ponder where the rest of this will end up, there is several different scenarios that it could become.

That being said there is two things that will still happen.

-starscreams coronation. This is a setpoint in time apparently unless there a movie universe where megs had the sense to kill starscream before now.

-threat of the matrix. Unicron still wants that matrix gone, so he needs to get rid of prime this time, instead if just sending galvatron after ultra magnus


I've often wanted to see what a Unicron upgraded/reformatted Starscream would look like.

I can see a strong case to be made that Unicron would go to devour Cybertron in his quest for the Matrix, Starscream would beg for his life, and we'd get a Starscream herald of Unicron leading an army of sweeps in pursuit of the Autobots on Earth.

The temptation there would be to continue to play with Rodimus as the eventual chosen one after Optimus eventually falls... Or to kill off Rodimus completely. I think there's also bound to be a temptation to use the Quintessons and Junions in new ways.

I think my instinct would be to have "Galvascream" (Darkscream?) on one side (and, man, that seems like something we'd all want a toy of) and eventually have the Matrix get passed on, with or without Optimus eventually dying. I think I'd like to see Arcee, Kup, Grimlock, or Magnus get the Prime upgrade.

Arcee or Kup are the ones I'd find interesting because we don't expect it as much. But I really like the idea of a T-Rex with a trailer fused to its rear torso; that seems like a Transformers vs. G.I.Joe kind of concept and I think you have to maintain Grimlock as kind of dumb if you want to evoke the cartoon. Magnus Prime would be interesting to see mainly because it would be doubling down so heavily on the concept. Or, heck, go completely bonkers and have Wreck Gar become a Prime. There's a Fisher King vibe to be had there.

I think the really exciting potential of the toon universe and a what if of the movie (which you don't get as much from the IDW-verse) is the idea that characters go through certain TYPES or CATEGORIES of upgrade and in a "What If...?" story, you can have different characters get Unicron reformattings and a different character become a Matrix-boosted Prime.

Outside of the animated G1 continuity, you don't have nearly as much of that idea of "Unicron reformatting" or "Prime Upgrade" being a standard "magic transformation" that could be applied to different characters. That's the red meat in an alternate universe story like this.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772990)
Posted by Ballistic90 on March 15th, 2016 @ 9:41am CDT
For those that find Optimus killing Megatron to be out of character, remember that Megatron had directly (or indirectly) killed Prowl, Brawn, Ironhide, Ratchet, Windcharger and Wheeljack hours prior to Optimus arriving. I mean, he even says "One shall stand, one shall fall." He intended to kill Megatron as soon as the fight began.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1772998)
Posted by Sabrblade on March 15th, 2016 @ 11:42am CDT
"Dinobots, destroy Devastator!"

"Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost."

"One shall stand, one shall fall."

Prime seemed pretty intent on having some Decepticon casualties made that day, even if he himself failed to kill any of the Decepticons he mowed down and shot en route to his confrontation with Megatron.

At least here he expresses remorse for having to do what he must to stop Megatron in this comic ("Forgive me."). Movie Optimus as-seen-in-the-movies-themselves wouldn't have any such regrets.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1773018)
Posted by bluecatcinema on March 15th, 2016 @ 2:06pm CDT
Sabrblade wrote:This is what happens in that version immediately after Prime's line about "sterner stuff":

Image

Megatron is down on one knee and is still able to hit Prime square in the chest.


That actually seems pretty cheap, like all Megatron needed to do to beat Optimus was pull off something sneaky like that.
Re: IDW Deviations Transformers - Interview with Brandon Easton and Priscilla Tramontano (1773094)
Posted by Ultra Markus on March 15th, 2016 @ 7:57pm CDT
wasn't the original plan to have optimus prime as powered convoy or similar to that but look more like optimus like instead of ultra magnus

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