This page contains affiliate links. We may earn commissions when readers interact with or purchase items through these links. For more information, see our affiliate disclosures here.

Interest in Transformers 81 Continues

Transformers News: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 12:32PM CDT

Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque   Views: 22,405

Topic Options: View Discussion · Sign in or Join to reply

As you probably already know there has been quite a bit of fan interest in IDW continuing Marvel's original Transformers run ever since the idea was brought up on Simon Furman's blog. Yesterday Newsarama posted an article about the subject with a few more quotes from Furman. Click here to read the full article.

The online petition is located here.

It’s a great feeling to think that there’s this huge groundswell of support for the continuation of a series that is now 20 years old,” Furman wrote via email. “Clearly, we must have been doing something right back then. But my experience with Transformers comics fans, across countless conventions, discussion forums and feedback on my blog, is that they’re just incredibly devoted and loyal to those original stories, storylines and characters.


The closest thing to a public acknowledgement on the petition thus far from IDW was publisher and editor-in-chief Chris Ryall tweeting last week, “If you can get the petition to 10,000 signatures/pre-orders, I'll give you an exclusive cover for issue 81 ...
Credit(s): Newsarama

News Search

Got Transformers News? Let us know here!

Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1214223)
Posted by Seibertron on April 26th, 2011 @ 12:41pm CDT
Anyone have the petition link handy? Is this something we should link to?
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1214228)
Posted by gothsaurus on April 26th, 2011 @ 12:48pm CDT
I'd love to see "issue 81" happen... as well as a follow up on the G2 series that was cut short. These would both be definite buys for me... Someone please post the petition link when that happens!
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1214232)
Posted by Seibertron on April 26th, 2011 @ 1:03pm CDT
I think it would be awesome to have a timeline divergence, ala the new Star Trek movie, where the course of issue 81 on takes a different route than the Classics route or the G2 route.

Though now that I mention Classics, this could be an amazing opportunity for some of the Classics toys to be worked into the Marvel storyline. Could that work even?

While I love this idea, I hope we're all being honest about what drove the original Marvel run. It was the continual onslaught of toys for 7 years from the same series. Without the push from toys and that continued direction, I'd be concerned about what could happen with that overall storyline that has been "complete" for 20 years. I do think this could be a neat opportunity to introduce characters that were never brought into the American comics such as the Wreckers, the Autobot Triplechangers, the Jumpstarters, Whirl, Roadbuster, the Deluxe Insecticons, the vehicle Pretenders, Slugfest, Overkill, and so on. They could all be introduced over various storylines in a similar fashion to the way the other G1 characters were introduced to us, which could keep the storyline going. Obviously not all of the older characters would work if Furman wanted to stay true to the UK run or even just the late Marvel run, but it could be one of the many ingredients to keep this great recipe going.

Other potential storylines that easily get you to issue #100 ...

Circuit Breaker (could IDW/Hasbro work out something with Marvel?
JB Blackrock
Whatever happened to Sparkplug and Buster Witwicky?
Preventing the path of #67 from unfolding
Returning to/Rebuilding of Cybertron
The Last Autobot
Revisiting the Straxus character (relevant because of Classics toy)
Return to Earth
Bludgeon versus Megatron done right!
Ratchet's "coming of age" after fisticuffs with Starscream
What happened to the Nebulans?
Undoing the effects of Nucleon
Grimlock vs Optimus Prime while Prowl calculates from the sidelines
Just for a fun one-off issue ... return of the Scraplets!
Other human tie-ins ... 10 years later, what happened to those kids that were with Blaster/Sky Lynx?
No more Prime doubting himself! But this should be part of the story! Why is he more sure of his decisions now? What happened?
Psychological problems from Unicron ordeal
Legacy of Emirate Xaaron ... what secret did he leave behind?
Spike Witwicky and Fortress Maximus ... coming to terms!
"Who are the Wreckers?" (ignoring UK continuity) or "Return of the Wreckers!" (acknowledging UK continuity)
Hasbro/IDW buy the rights to DEATH'S HEAD!!!
Working toward or against the Movie storyline


All stories I've thought of for the past twenty years. Would love to see some of these ideas see fruition.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1214240)
Posted by RiddlerJ on April 26th, 2011 @ 1:33pm CDT
Aw, hell with it. I'm just gonna get all my toys and do issue 81 the way I think it should be, Yeah :grin:
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1214250)
Posted by F Prime on April 26th, 2011 @ 1:57pm CDT
gothsaurus wrote:I'd love to see "issue 81" happen... as well as a follow up on the G2 series that was cut short. These would both be definite buys for me... Someone please post the petition link when that happens!



http://www.petitiononline.com/tf81idw/petition.html
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1214437)
Posted by Janus Prime on April 27th, 2011 @ 12:18am CDT
What I would love to see is Bludgeon´s period of leadership after the defeat in Klo. Also, at the start of G2 Grimlock already had some leads on the Cybertronian Empire, right? seeing some of that would be cool.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1217770)
Posted by cybercat on May 5th, 2011 @ 7:19pm CDT
No. Sure, I know my anti-Furmanism is notorious but, srsly, have you guys READ Nefarious? o_O

That plotline is wrapped up.

Also, I heard that the major franchise holder (NOT IDW) has NO interest in this happening.

I'd much rather give a younger writer with fresh new ideas *cough cough mowry* the reins, or start a new storyline.

HK, SUBTLE!!!
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1217880)
Posted by Stormer on May 5th, 2011 @ 11:04pm CDT
Ah, the old days...I remember my very first TF comic was "Into the Smelting Pool" or whatever it was called - starring Blaster. That was a good story. Yup. And, I remember how heartbroken I was when the original series ended. There was so much more potential if it was just given the chance! Fast forward a couple of years later to G2. Loved it. Thought it was the greatest thing since diamond rings. And, when it ended - another dose of heartbreak and wondering where the series would have gone given half a chance...

Remember the art - especially towards the end of G1? Ack! Even then I thought it stunk. The stories made up for it...I doubt that would work today. And, the British TF's? Again, good stories, stinky art. If it wasn't for a great story, I'd never been a fan.

Now...There's a lot of really great art! LSOTW is my favorite EVER! Ongoing has potential...yep, been hanging on. There's glimmers of hope here or there.

As far as potential goes for a continuation of the original G1 run...I still think it's there. Of course, in today's market, I'd think it would have to be a lot darker and a lot more grown up - it can't be too "kiddied" up. I would like the stories to be more about the Transformers than humans. Though I'm not sure how I feel about the comic promoting new characters every month (I also understand the marketing element), I'm also a big proponent of expanding the universe as far as it can go. I'm just not so sure it should be Mr. Furman at the wheel.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1218521)
Posted by Cyberstrike on May 7th, 2011 @ 1:42pm CDT
We need some fresh writers for The Transformers comics, I'm sick and tied of Simon Furman and James Roberts (I that TLSotW is good but it's not great by any means and is highly over-rated) being apparently the only 2 guys in the world that "can write" the series.

They shouldn't be the be all and end all of Transformers comic book writers.

I don't want Mike Costa to write the ongoing series until he dies but I like his work because it's new direction that is actually NEW and to me it's far more exciting to have a writer where you don't know where he's going with and that makes him a more dangerous writer because the reader doesn't know what he is going to do with the series and with Furman it's safe, predictable, and really boring.

New writers bring new ideas and fresh perspectives that Furman can't which is what the Transformers comic needs to survive.

IDW also needs to create some ongoing spin-offs from the ongoing series (like they did with their G.I. Joe titles) because lets face it with so many characters in the G1 TF Universe to play with it makes sense to have more than one G1 TF book.

However reviving the Marvel series is not a good idea because it will only create a bigger division in the fanbase than there already is and I doubt that IDW can maintain a G1 Transformers multiverse (and the same with G.I. Joe) I think ultimately one will get pushed aside for the other.

I mean even Marvel and DC can't maintain separate comic book universes outside of their established super-hero universes.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1218862)
Posted by Stormwolf on May 8th, 2011 @ 12:14pm CDT
Cyberstrike wrote:However reviving the Marvel series is not a good idea because it will only create a bigger division in the fanbase than there already is and I doubt that IDW can maintain a G1 Transformers multiverse (and the same with G.I. Joe) I think ultimately one will get pushed aside for the other.


The fanbase will always become more divided whenever a new series/comic gets introduced. You can't please everyone.

Hell, we even have stupid discussions about what colors Rumble and Frenzy are, back then we only had the G1 cartoon, US comic and UK comic.


You and I for instance seem like polar opposites when it comes to which stories are good or bad. And we aren't even the worst of the lot. Cough

DW back in the day never had any problems with running G1 alongside the Armada/Energon comic. Having IDW publish two series wouldn't be all that different.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1218924)
Posted by Cyberstrike on May 8th, 2011 @ 3:33pm CDT
Stormwolf wrote:
Cyberstrike wrote:However reviving the Marvel series is not a good idea because it will only create a bigger division in the fanbase than there already is and I doubt that IDW can maintain a G1 Transformers multiverse (and the same with G.I. Joe) I think ultimately one will get pushed aside for the other.


The fanbase will always become more divided whenever a new series/comic gets introduced. You can't please everyone.

Hell, we even have stupid discussions about what colors Rumble and Frenzy are, back then we only had the G1 cartoon, US comic and UK comic.


You and I for instance seem like polar opposites when it comes to which stories are good or bad. And we aren't even the worst of the lot. Cough

DW back in the day never had any problems with running G1 alongside the Armada/Energon comic. Having IDW publish two series wouldn't be all that different.




I meant 2 different G1 Universes (IDW publishes the movieverse).

Which will in the long term will doom one.

It has happened many times with Marvel and DC and chances are it will happen to G.I. Joe in the future.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1218927)
Posted by F Prime on May 8th, 2011 @ 3:41pm CDT
Cyberstrike wrote:
I meant 2 different G1 Universes (IDW publishes the movieverse).

Which will in the long term will doom one.



What are the two G1 universes? Besides the Marvel-verse are you counting ongoing as the other G1? Just curious.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1219589)
Posted by Stormer on May 9th, 2011 @ 8:11pm CDT
F Prime wrote:
Cyberstrike wrote:
I meant 2 different G1 Universes (IDW publishes the movieverse).

Which will in the long term will doom one.



What are the two G1 universes? Besides the Marvel-verse are you counting ongoing as the other G1? Just curious.


Yup, IDW's Ongoing and a continuation of the Marvel G1 series. They're both G1, though IDW's take and the ever-changing appearances of the characters makes one wonder...Not that I think that's necessarily a bad thing.

Two series might doom one to fail, but I think failure tends to comes more from lame stories and unenthusiastic art - which of coarse leads to disinterest in the series (I'm sure there's lots of other factors, I'm just trying to simplify). Though, I really can't argue with the point that two G1 series would interfere with the continuity and cause some fan rifts. Better maybe to have mini-series that tie in with the current universe but also explore where Marvel G1 left off.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1247712)
Posted by Fortress Rodimus on June 26th, 2011 @ 11:22pm CDT
That is true i never thought of the idea that one G1 series would cancel the other out. Oh well i would still like a miniseries on the finish off the original marvel.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1247944)
Posted by F Prime on June 27th, 2011 @ 11:34am CDT
Fortress Rodimus wrote:That is true i never thought of the idea that one G1 series would cancel the other out. Oh well i would still like a miniseries on the finish off the original marvel.


I don't think they would cancel each other out. They have entirely different versions of how the TFs came to be on Earth, so they are already not the same continuity. I think they can easily co-exist.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1263563)
Posted by st@rscream on July 21st, 2011 @ 9:33am CDT
Signed.

I grew up with, and still love the original comics!
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1263637)
Posted by Blast Cannon on July 21st, 2011 @ 11:38am CDT
Hell, yes. I love Furman's vision of TF characters. Although I agree with Cyberstrike's sentiment that Furman certainly should not be the be all and end all of TF comic book writers, I do believe that there is a sense of 'unfinished' business for his storylines and would like to see them completed.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1264010)
Posted by Stormer on July 21st, 2011 @ 8:07pm CDT
Blast Cannon wrote:Hell, yes. I love Furman's vision of TF characters. Although I agree with Cyberstrike's sentiment that Furman certainly should not be the be all and end all of TF comic book writers, I do believe that there is a sense of 'unfinished' business for his storylines and would like to see them completed.


And now it's confirmed - #81 is gonna happen! Well, I'm looking forward to it! Always wondered what would have happened next...(ooooh...please let the art be good, please let the art be good, please...)
:grin:
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1264254)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on July 22nd, 2011 @ 5:08am CDT
Is only #81 confirmed or is it solid all the way to #100?
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1264299)
Posted by Energon on July 22nd, 2011 @ 7:26am CDT
I am glad to see this come to be a reality. Nice to see Simon writing robots again as well as Andrew Wildmans awesomely drawn robots.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1264339)
Posted by st@rscream on July 22nd, 2011 @ 9:15am CDT
The next few years will rock for Transformers comics.

This fall IDW's collected UK Transformers start hitting shelves.

Early 2012 will see the start of their G1 reprint series which will include new colors.

2012 will see Simon's continuation of G1 with hopefully a similar coloring scheme as the new reprints.

I'm hoping that the success of these releases causes IDW to reprint Generation2 as well.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1264652)
Posted by Stormer on July 22nd, 2011 @ 7:33pm CDT
Rodimus Prime wrote:Is only #81 confirmed or is it solid all the way to #100?


Just in case you haven't heard, yes, all the way to #100.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1264852)
Posted by Blast Cannon on July 23rd, 2011 @ 7:55am CDT
Stormer wrote:
Rodimus Prime wrote:Is only #81 confirmed or is it solid all the way to #100?


Just in case you haven't heard, yes, all the way to #100.


About damn time. Very excited to see this. :-B
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1265482)
Posted by craggy on July 24th, 2011 @ 12:26pm CDT
Burn wrote:Can you blame them? Who'd want to touch something that had been touched by Pat Lee.

i'm pretty sure some of the former DW employees who never got paid for their work in the last few months of the company's existence wouldn't mind touching the man's wallet...or face with their fist.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1265484)
Posted by craggy on July 24th, 2011 @ 12:28pm CDT
st@rscream wrote:The next few years will rock for Transformers comics.

This fall IDW's collected UK Transformers start hitting shelves.

Early 2012 will see the start of their G1 reprint series which will include new colors.

2012 will see Simon's continuation of G1 with hopefully a similar coloring scheme as the new reprints.

I'm hoping that the success of these releases causes IDW to reprint Generation2 as well.


new colouring on the reprints? damn! might have to check these out.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1265496)
Posted by Insidious on July 24th, 2011 @ 1:02pm CDT
Sweet. Another add to the pull list.
Re: Interest in Transformers 81 Continues (1299783)
Posted by M3Gr1ml0ck on October 13th, 2011 @ 6:53am CDT
Thanks to #81 campaign's promoter Luke, we can now provide the petition with an all-new promotional fancomic created by a huge cadre of artists and writers!

It's issue #78.5 - The Last Quest (Act 1).

Image Image Image Image Image

Transformers and More @ The Seibertron Store

Visit our store on eBay
These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME ALLIANCE #2 Cvr B IDW Comics 2022 SEP221736 2B (CA) Robson"
TMNT ARMAGEDDON GA ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "MMPR TMNT II #5 Cvr J 1:75 cardstock Boom Studios Comics FEB230329 5J Scalera"
MMPR TMNT II #5 Cv ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT Saturday Morning Adv #4 Cvr C IDW Comics 2023 JUN231478 4C (CA) Hymel"
TMNT Saturday Morn ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT Last Ronin LOST DAY SPECIAL #1 Cvr E 1:50 IDW Comics FEB231514 1E Escorzas"
TMNT Last Ronin LO ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME ALLIANCE #4 Cvr A IDW Comics NOV221620 4A (CA) Mercado"
TMNT ARMAGEDDON GA ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "MMPR TMNT II #1 Cvr K Deluxe Boom Studios Comics OCT220279 1K (CA)Williams II"
MMPR TMNT II #1 Cv ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT Last Ronin LOST YEARS #4 Cvr A IDW Comics 2023 APR231595 4A (CA) Gallant"
TMNT Last Ronin LO ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT Last Ronin Lost Years DIRECTORS CUT #1 Cvr A IDW Comics FEB231516 1A"
TMNT Last Ronin Lo ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THUNDERCATS #2 Cvr ZH 1:15 FOC foil Dynamite Comics 2024 JAN247378 2ZH (CA) Tao"
NEW!
THUNDERCATS #2 Cvr ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THUNDERCATS #2 Cvr ZF FOC 1:15 virgin Dynamite Comics JAN247376 2ZF (CA) Liefeld"
NEW!
THUNDERCATS #2 Cvr ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THUNDERCATS #1 Cvr P Dynamite Comics 2024 DEC230219 1P (W) Shalvey (A/CA) Moss"
THUNDERCATS #1 Cvr ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT SPLINTERED FATE #1 Cvr C 1:10 IDW Comics 2023 JUN231483 1C (CA) Rahzzah"
TMNT SPLINTERED FA ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "THUNDERCATS #3 Cvr ZD 1:15 Virgin Dynamite Comics 2024 JAN249146 3ZD (CA) Moss"
NEW!
THUNDERCATS #3 Cvr ...
Visit shop.seibertron.com to buy "TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME #4 RI 1:10 IDW Comics 2023 OCT221752 4RI (CA) Qualano"
TMNT ARMAGEDDON GA ...
* Price and quantities subject to change. Shipping costs, taxes and other fees not included in cost shown. Refer to listing for current price and availability.
Find the items above and thousands more at the Seibertron Store on eBay
Transformers Podcast: Twincast / Podcast #349 - Agent of Chaos
Twincast / Podcast #349:
"Agent of Chaos"
MP3 · iTunes · RSS · View · Discuss · Ask
Posted: Saturday, May 4th, 2024

Featured Products on Amazon.com

These are affiliate links. We may earn commissions when you purchase items or services through these links.
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Leader Evolution Rodimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Titans Return Deluxe Twin Twist and Flameout" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Blackwing" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Bumblebee -- Energon Igniters Nitro Series Optimus Prime" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Studio Series 07 Leader Class Movie 4 Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Terrorcon Cutthroat" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Power of The Primes Deluxe Class Autobot Moonracer" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers: Generations Power of The Primes Voyager Class Grimlock" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers B1798AS0 Warpath Figure Combiner Wars" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Platinum Edition Trypticon Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Leader Class Armada Megatron Figure" on AMAZON
Buy "Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Legends Class Chop Shop Figure" on AMAZON