New IDW Comics Mini-Series 'Deviations' - What if... Optimus Never Died?

ZeroWolf wrote:Now this is an interesting idea. Though I can see it ending badly for prime as galvatron would if still arrived to try and grab the matrix and if they weren't on junkion, probably wouldn't be as easy to piece prime back together though at least hot rod would of got less hate.


Come to think of it, this might go more along the lines of the original concept for the movie and transform cybertron to battle unicron. ..

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.

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.

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

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.

Rodimus Prime wrote:Megatron still gets away and gets reformatted.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

Without Hot Rod's interference, Megatron wouldn't take him hostage and the Decepticon fiend wouldn't kill Optimus Prime.

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...

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.

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).

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.

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.

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