Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 5:51PM CDT

Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Blurrz Views: 31,993

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Love him or hate him, Drift is getting his own four issue series starting on September 9. Shane McCarthy, the creator of Drift, has updated his website with two articles pertaining to this upcoming series. One is a glimpse at Transformers: Drift #1 Cover A, and McCarthy gives a little synopsis of what to expect in the series. The second is a back story on the creation of Drift's character. Check out the cover and a snippet of what McCarthy has to say below, while the rest can be found on his website!

I get this question a lot and, even though I’ve answered it in a few different interviews, here’s the run down on the “why” of Drift and how Guido and I came about creating the character…So why Drift?

Creatively it all started when I was looking at the roster and got to thinking about the different vehicles and what has been used. Hutch is a huge drift racing fan and it occurred to me that would be great to see a Transformer that turned into a drift racer. Drift racing is huge in Japan and so are the Transformers, why not combine them? That’s the ‘wouldn’t that be cool’ side of things…

Keep it at Seibertron.com for the fastest Transformers news on the net!

Credit(s): Shane McCarthy

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Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119879)
Posted by Aluus on August 31st, 2010 @ 5:58pm CDT

As far as I'm concerned, Drift is pure win. I've been eagerly anticipating this series from it's announcement. This and the new Linkin Park album are gonna make September very fun for me.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119886)
Posted by ponycorn on August 31st, 2010 @ 6:06pm CDT

I don't know why people get all bothered about Drift being an original character. How many forgetable nobody new-characters did the Bay movies create? Most of those even got hideous toys to go along with, plus 3 repaints.

Drift is cool, makes for a good character in the comics and a nice toy on anyone's shelf. Do I think it could have been done with a guy like Counterpuch? Yes, but I'm not arguing about Drift either.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119888)
Posted by Blurrz on August 31st, 2010 @ 6:09pm CDT

ponycorn wrote:Drift is cool, makes for a good character in the comics and a nice toy on anyone's shelf. Do I think it could have been done with a guy like Counterpuch? Yes, but I'm not arguing about Drift either.

No need to be disappointed, Counterpunch is getting his own comic series too.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119889)
Posted by MYoung23 on August 31st, 2010 @ 6:14pm CDT

How is McCarthy going to crap on continuity this time?

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119909)
Posted by Mindmaster on August 31st, 2010 @ 6:43pm CDT

I'm getting a Gundam-theme coming from the Decepticon side for some reason...

But other than that, one word can describe this piece of artwork:

Wow.

Can't wait for it to see the first issue on shelves! :lol:

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119914)
Posted by Aluus on August 31st, 2010 @ 6:54pm CDT

Yeah, drift has always been kinda gundamish. Part of what makes him so visually appealing

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119961)
Posted by Doctor McGrath on August 31st, 2010 @ 8:34pm CDT

I'm liking the looks of this. I'll give it a shot. I'd like to know more about the character.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119989)
Posted by Darth Bombshell on August 31st, 2010 @ 9:26pm CDT

ponycorn wrote:I don't know why people get all bothered about Drift being an original character. How many forgetable nobody new-characters did the Bay movies create? Most of those even got hideous toys to go along with, plus 3 repaints.

Did any of those characters get overhyped to the degree that Drift did? Did any of those characters get a Spotlight issue ahead of several billion better candidates?

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119990)
Posted by Rated X on August 31st, 2010 @ 9:28pm CDT

Ok time for a stupid question...What the heck is "Drift Racing" ???

Im into lowriders and SUV's so I know little about racing...

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1119998)
Posted by Doctor McGrath on August 31st, 2010 @ 9:49pm CDT

Rated X wrote:Ok time for a stupid question...What the heck is "Drift Racing" ???

Im into lowriders and SUV's so I know little about racing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvYkXLez ... re=related

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120021)
Posted by sabrigami on August 31st, 2010 @ 11:49pm CDT

I will give it shot, but I don't really have high expectations for it. That cover is well done, but is it just me or does his face just seem too human. It's kinda freaky :-?

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120055)
Posted by Oilspill on September 1st, 2010 @ 2:52am CDT

ponycorn wrote:I don't know why people get all bothered about Drift being an original character. How many forgetable nobody new-characters did the Bay movies create? Most of those even got hideous toys to go along with, plus 3 repaints.

Drift is cool, makes for a good character in the comics and a nice toy on anyone's shelf. Do I think it could have been done with a guy like Counterpuch? Yes, but I'm not arguing about Drift either.

Agreed! And Transformers gets new characters all the time, there's heaps in Animated. Drift is certainly a damn fine toy and has the potential to be a cool character. Hopefully the mini delivers a good story.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120132)
Posted by Dead Metal on September 1st, 2010 @ 8:05am CDT

MYoung23 wrote:How is McCarthy going to crap on continuity this time?

Maybe by writing something which removes Last stand of the Wreckers from continuity since he hates good comics?

I think that cover is hilarious, evil Drift smiles while good guy Drift frowns! :lol:

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120139)
Posted by Convotron on September 1st, 2010 @ 8:31am CDT

Mindmaster wrote:I'm getting a Gundam-theme coming from the Decepticon side for some reason...

When I quickly glanced at the cover art, the Decepticon side made me think immediately of Reborns Gundam. It's probably due to the silhouette of the head design combined with the red, gold, and white colours of that side of the picture.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120146)
Posted by Rated X on September 1st, 2010 @ 8:40am CDT

amcgrath929 wrote:
Rated X wrote:Ok time for a stupid question...What the heck is "Drift Racing" ???

Im into lowriders and SUV's so I know little about racing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvYkXLez ... re=related

Interesting....So basically they are doing donuts (and half donuts) around obstacles and sharp curves. I can imagine the cost of tires for such a sport. :lol:

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120200)
Posted by Galvatron X on September 1st, 2010 @ 10:34am CDT

Blurrz wrote:
ponycorn wrote:Drift is cool, makes for a good character in the comics and a nice toy on anyone's shelf. Do I think it could have been done with a guy like Counterpuch? Yes, but I'm not arguing about Drift either.

No need to be disappointed, Counterpunch is getting his own comic series too.

Ehh, I'm not so sure how interesting the adventures of a forum moderator would be...

He does have a couple black belts, right? Maybe there would be some ass-kicking action!

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120263)
Posted by Coptur on September 1st, 2010 @ 2:39pm CDT

i'd like to see thundercracker drawn towards drift in this idw universe at first he shunned him as nothing more than a traitor but his own self should tell him that Drift maybe a good person to talk to regarding his own inner demons

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120328)
Posted by Bobton03 on September 1st, 2010 @ 5:46pm CDT

While I am excited about the new series about Drift, I am afraid that IDW will either leave the developing story regarding Thundercracker hanging or kill in one comic issue. Personally, I would rather read a new series about an existing member of the TF Universe that chose to change allegiance rather than a brand-new 'bot altogether.

- Bob

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120797)
Posted by Stormer on September 2nd, 2010 @ 6:53pm CDT

I'm looking forward to the Drift series. I like the character, how he looks and I want to know how his encounter with the mysterious Third Faction changed him. I really am hoping for a good story! Won't have to wait long now if it's coming out on the 9th!

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120824)
Posted by Rodimus the Prime on September 2nd, 2010 @ 9:02pm CDT

Coptur wrote:i'd like to see thundercracker drawn towards drift in this idw universe at first he shunned him as nothing more than a traitor but his own self should tell him that Drift maybe a good person to talk to regarding his own inner demons

Thundercracker is good now???....WTH??

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120884)
Posted by Coptur on September 3rd, 2010 @ 1:45am CDT

Rodimus the Prime wrote:
Coptur wrote:i'd like to see thundercracker drawn towards drift in this idw universe at first he shunned him as nothing more than a traitor but his own self should tell him that Drift maybe a good person to talk to regarding his own inner demons

Thundercracker is good now???....WTH??

Well more will be revealed in the next ongoing issue. I think they may be going down the Dinobot code of honor route, which will be interesting.

For so long Thundercracker has been the blue jet guy that looks like Starsrceam.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120888)
Posted by Rodimus the Prime on September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:05am CDT

Dang, guess I've got some reading to catch up on! Lol!

I'm interested in knowing about Drift though! I picked up the toy because I thought it looked sweet, but was intrigued by what was listed in his bio.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120889)
Posted by Rodimus Prime on September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:09am CDT

I've eluded all the hype for this character altogether. My GF saw the toy at WalMart and really liked the robot mode, s I got it for her birthday. She transformed it and loved it, and I must say I was also impressed. Very posable. And this cover art looks really sharp. I've never been into Gundam so i wouldn't know the comparisons, but it looks really good just as a TF. It's been a long time since I read any of the new comics because at first IDW was very lame. But I might just pick this 4 issue series up to see about this guy.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1120959)
Posted by Darth Bombshell on September 3rd, 2010 @ 8:32am CDT

Rodimus the Prime wrote:I'm interested in knowing about Drift though!

Here's all you need to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1121050)
Posted by Chaoslock on September 3rd, 2010 @ 2:36pm CDT

Coptur wrote:
Rodimus the Prime wrote:
Coptur wrote:i'd like to see thundercracker drawn towards drift in this idw universe at first he shunned him as nothing more than a traitor but his own self should tell him that Drift maybe a good person to talk to regarding his own inner demons

Thundercracker is good now???....WTH??

Well more will be revealed in the next ongoing issue. I think they may be going down the Dinobot code of honor route, which will be interesting.

For so long Thundercracker has been the blue jet guy that looks like Starsrceam.

Wasn't there a web-comic where exactly the same happened to Thundercracker as in Ongoing? (He and Skywarp gets enough of violence, quits the decepticons, get a job...)

EDIT: Found it

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1121253)
Posted by Rodimus the Prime on September 4th, 2010 @ 2:30am CDT

Darth Bombshell wrote:
Rodimus the Prime wrote:I'm interested in knowing about Drift though!

Here's all you need to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue

Funny!

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1121304)
Posted by Darth Bombshell on September 4th, 2010 @ 7:57am CDT

Rodimus the Prime wrote:Funny!

Not really. It's true, though.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1121354)
Posted by Chupacabra Convoy on September 4th, 2010 @ 10:48am CDT

You know, I wonder what people said about Wolverine before Frank Miller made the Wolverine mini-series. At that point he was just a cold blooded invincible killer that happened to work for the X-men and had moments in very issue.

I don't think Drift is as bad as everyone makes him to be. I'm not saying he's great (Far from it), but the only particular reasons that stand out to me are: he is new, and because he's a new character that the publishers wanted to make stick, they over did it with the awesome new guy shtick. At this point, he needs a Frank Miller once over and to be used and mention no more so than the rest of the Autobot cast.

I can't fault him for being Japanese like, cause then you got a long list of TF characters that are ethnic for no good reason (Ironhide, Rapido, Bludgeon, etc). As for being a repaint of Boss, if you're upset over that, then here some truth for you: Jazz is just like Prowl, but without the missiles and he has a torso twisting waist. I have both G1 toys, and that's the reason why Uni. 2.0 Prowl gets kitbashed into Jazz a lot. As for him coming into the franchise 20+ years later, I have no problem with that because the Transformers universe is massive, I really hope that's always something new around the corner, in whatever form it may be. Finally as for this Deviant art aspect: That site is meant to be massive, and to have many people as possible to contribute to it on a global scale, so of course there's going to be same idea found over and over again. Hell, that Website is like Facebook of creativity, and has hundreds of little bombs of copyright and plagiarism all over the place.

Re: Shane McCarthy Talks Transformers: Drift (1121583)
Posted by Rodimus the Prime on September 5th, 2010 @ 4:21am CDT

Chupacabra Convoy wrote:You know, I wonder what people said about Wolverine before Frank Miller made the Wolverine mini-series. At that point he was just a cold blooded invincible killer that happened to work for the X-men and had moments in very issue.

I don't think Drift is as bad as everyone makes him to be. I'm not saying he's great (Far from it), but the only particular reasons that stand out to me are: he is new, and because he's a new character that the publishers wanted to make stick, they over did it with the awesome new guy shtick. At this point, he needs a Frank Miller once over and to be used and mention no more so than the rest of the Autobot cast.

I can't fault him for being Japanese like, cause then you got a long list of TF characters that are ethnic for no good reason (Ironhide, Rapido, Bludgeon, etc). As for being a repaint of Boss, if you're upset over that, then here some truth for you: Jazz is just like Prowl, but without the missiles and he has a torso twisting waist. I have both G1 toys, and that's the reason why Uni. 2.0 Prowl gets kitbashed into Jazz a lot. As for him coming into the franchise 20+ years later, I have no problem with that because the Transformers universe is massive, I really hope that's always something new around the corner, in whatever form it may be. Finally as for this Deviant art aspect: That site is meant to be massive, and to have many people as possible to contribute to it on a global scale, so of course there's going to be same idea found over and over again. Hell, that Website is like Facebook of creativity, and has hundreds of little bombs of copyright and plagiarism all over the place.

Well, with respect to Wolverine immediately post Miller, I can tell you that he suddenly became a whole heckuva lot cooler to my friends and I!! (I mean, for pity-sakes, his claws became mini Samurai swords, man....totally bad@$$ compared to his old scrapey claws). Heck, in the early 80's, as soon as you combined something with Ninjas...up went the coolness factor by about 100X! Lol!

If Drift is essentially the new Snake-Eyes, I can see why some might not dig it. For me though, he just totally reminds me of those old Ninja=Totally Awesome days. I love it, man! It's pure fun! I'm looking forward to seeing what his story is like.