Variant Cover for IDW Optimus Prime #6 by Kei Zama and Josh Burcham

I'm starting to warm to Zama's art, though it is still a bit heavy looking for my tastes.

Va'al, any chance we'll be getting a TAAO #8 review?

When is a third party gonna make a seriously ripping Sky lynx? This needs to happen.

pretty cool

Bounti76 wrote:I'm starting to warm to Zama's art, though it is still a bit heavy looking for my tastes.

Va'al, any chance we'll be getting a TAAO #8 review?

Yep, it's on its way! I'm just very very very jet lagged and had actual work to attend to first - was drained by time I got home.

Va'al wrote:

Bounti76 wrote:I'm starting to warm to Zama's art, though it is still a bit heavy looking for my tastes.

Va'al, any chance we'll be getting a TAAO #8 review?

Yep, it's on its way! I'm just very very very jet lagged and had actual work to attend to first - was drained by time I got home.

Excellent, thanks! Just wasn't sure if someone else was going to be guest-reviewing it, as it were.

I like Zama's art. Very 2000AD in my opinion.

Big Grim wrote:I like Zama's art. Very 2000AD in my opinion.

Very much so, and in hers too.

Va'al wrote:

Big Grim wrote:I like Zama's art. Very 2000AD in my opinion.

Very much so, and in hers too.

Oh, awesome! She's stated that's an inspiration?

Big Grim wrote:

Va'al wrote:

Big Grim wrote:I like Zama's art. Very 2000AD in my opinion.

Very much so, and in hers too.

Oh, awesome! She's stated that's an inspiration?

Yes and no - she's made no secret of it!

https://tfnation.com/2017/guests/Kei%20Zama

https://twitter.com/Golby_mkII/status/8 ... 9865713670

https://2000adonline.tumblr.com/post/11 ... Nz2E0f-vOQ

Va'al wrote:Yes and no - she's made no secret of it!

https://tfnation.com/2017/guests/Kei%20Zama

https://twitter.com/Golby_mkII/status/8 ... 9865713670

https://2000adonline.tumblr.com/post/11 ... Nz2E0f-vOQ

Whoa, there's a lot of awesome on display there! Man, I remember loving ABC Warriors back in the day!

Va'al wrote:While we have seen two of the variant covers offered for IDW Publishing's Optimus Prime #6, out next month, we now also have another Kei Zama / Josh Burcham piece of art, featuring Skylynx, Optimus and Metrotitan, in clean linework and full colour! Check it out below from Zama's Twitter feed.

See, all this? Didn't need to say it. Completely unnecessary.

All you needed to say was THIS IS F*CKING AWESOME

I love this artwork. I really do. And I like the idea of Prime finally breaking and unintentionally turning into Megatron. It's a new thing for him.


But.... I'm gonna have to drop this series. I've given the first arc a try, and it has some good ideas, but Pyra Magna is just not clicking with me. The tease of Quints was nice, and I thought maybe we were going to get some good stuff with the Junkions, but it's just turned into 'invading robot army wants to destroy the world again.' And I just lost all interest in the Junkions at that point. We could at least have made it the Junkions themselves. Just imagine if a crazed biker gang was sweeping across the planet! But no, it's just hordes of sharkticons. Have we even seen any Junkions outside Wreckgar and Mummyjunk? I forget her name.


But the worst offender is a result of Reevolution. If it was generic soldiers, fine. If it was treated like generic soldiers with GI Joe names, like in G2, fine. But every time I see the GI Joe logo plastered everywehere, it completely takes me out of the story. And it's being driven home that this is GI Joe. I read Transformer comics for Transformer stories. If I wanted to read Joe stories, I would read Joe comics. It's just breaking immersion too much for me to continue with this book. Which is a shame, because I was really looking forward to an ongoing in Zama's style.

iTunes has once again provided us with a sneak peek, this time in the form of IDW Optimus Prime #6. Picking up where #5 left off, we have Arcee battling for the positron core, Rumble and Frenzy have survived, and the big battle appears to be headed to its ending. Oh and GI Joe are there too.

Check it out, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

OMG, Frenzy and Rumble are too much cute/badass/awesome/funny.

The story seems fine, the art is still a little heavy and dense for my liking, but I'm warming to it.....

.....but for the love of Primus, can we PLEASE get rid of those damn captions on EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. EVERY. SINGLE. ISSUE?? While Zama's art is growing on me, the captions make her art and the pages look even busier than it already is. Six issues in, I'm pretty sure we're all up to speed on who they all are.

Nexus Knight wrote:OMG, Frenzy and Rumble are too much cute/badass/awesome/funny.

their current operation

Hey woo-hoo issue 4 introduces Olier back in comics and awaiting new character development

Issue 6....dead

I used to be ok with character deaths but i'm just fed up with them now and prefer character development over death

Oh hey, looks like the Sharkticons are using the TR design. Neat.

God I can't wait for this issue to come out already; there's too many good things ahead!

While we had seen Andrew Griffith's designs for the latest incarnation of Galvatron in the IDW Transformers universe, we had not seen the idea of him as the Warrior King Barbarian Conqueror in the flashbacks from Robots in Disguise - and in upcoming issues of Optimus Prime. Thanks to artist Casey Coller, we now do! Check out below the concept design for his in both robot and alt-mode, and join the conversation in the Energon Pub.

It's such a cool design - and thankfully not far off the Titans Return one. People have already made that awesome helm, if only they'd make that gun and axe

Kurona wrote:It's such a cool design - and thankfully not far off the Titans Return one. People have already made that awesome helm, if only they'd make that gun and axe

The gun is his g1 toy gun. I think his axe is on shapeways but im not sure.

Kurona wrote:It's such a cool design - and thankfully not far off the Titans Return one. People have already made that awesome helm, if only they'd make that gun and axe

I have yet to see one that doesn't look like it protects him from seizures. They all look stupid and oversized. Axe however I use Orin's axe that came with a marvel Build-a-figure.

Don't like that dorky helmet/head design at all.

For those of you looking for an axe for him I find the RiD Prime's axe works well. Or at least the version that came with the "Power Surge" Nemesis Prime.

I'm not that big a fan of the helmet design, but he is quite cool looking and the alt mode is pretty sweet too

Burcham having fun.

That's a freakin' gorgeous cover.

Multiversity has become the first site to release the full preview for IDW's Optimus Prime #6! The final story of the opening story arc features some sassy cassetticons, some violent throwdowns, and even some Thundercracker! Check out the preview below, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!

I need sub cover B! How do I get it specifically? Gotta have my sharkies

WreckerJack wrote:I need sub cover B! How do I get it specifically? Gotta have my sharkies

Is cover a homage to something? It looks familiar...

WreckerJack wrote:I need sub cover B! How do I get it specifically? Gotta have my sharkies

I think I answered this elsewhere: ask your comics retailer! If they can't put it aside for you, eBay is probably your best bet.

Synopsis
“NEW CYBERTRON”—CONCLUSION! As the Junkions reveal their ultimate plan, Optimus Prime makes a decision that will define the relationship between Earth and Cybertron for all time... but will Arcee be able to live with the fallout?



Story

The first arc of Optimus Prime, the big core book at the heart of the Hasbro Universe (take that, Crown Jewel), comes to a close in this sixth issue, and we get some closure indeed on the multiple threads dangling through the story - and some more are left to unravel for the future...



We know John Barber's propensity for the caption technique, to aid with the narration and provide some 'behind the scenes' commentary for what is actually happening in the gutters between panels - but this time, despite the very good writing, it's perhaps the very first time I've found it clash a little with the story itself. Having Optimus Prime narrate his own arc just felt ..off, at times.



The other stories, the other faces, the other characters around which the issue and the arc revolve, on the other hand, are still really quite pleasing. There is a lot happening all in one place (if you want a hand in catching up on the roles, our database entry might help!), both in the past and in the present, and it's all satisfyingly tantalising for more story threads from here.



The way in which Optimus is perceived on the many sides of the issues, from the colonist recruits to Aileron and Pyra Magna, to Soundwave and Jetfire's past and present outlook and opinions, to how Earth sees him as coloniser and invader - the story is in no way at its end, if anything we have a new fraught beginning of a much bigger story to be told. And then there's that last page...

Art

Kei Zama is still so much joy to follow through the pages, be it for organic, Cybertronian, Cybertrorganic, landscapes, battles, dialogue or face-offs - be they blasting or verbal, in the present or past - and I'm extremely pleased to see the variations across the Sharkticon ranks as well and variety in humans, who do not obviously have designs as distinctive as the robot protagonists.



The issue also relies a lot on heavy visual cues for resolutions - as well as the trademark time shifts and parallels - allowing for more of Josh Burcham's effective colouring to blend with Zama's linework. The lighter moments, not necessarily in tone, are impressive where the writing may not reach, and any lingering shadow is that much darker for it.



As for the lettering, I am still in awe at how Tom B. Long manages to juggle so many things at once in pages that can be extremely busy, between visuals and text. Never mind some of the fight scenes, the ink work and dynamism - we still follow narration; top marks. And cover wise, while the veteran roster of Zama/Burcham (SkyLynx rider), Coller/Bove (face-off), Griffith/Perez (Sharkpile) is a wonder to behold, I'd like to congratulate Jin Kim on some really solid output with IDW covers this month - see thumbnail for proof.

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

I was somehow expecting more from a conclusion, at this stage. Not that what we got wasn't a good one, mind you, but something felt a little underplayed - which might be beneficial for the wider game in the long run, and future stories, but leaves a little anticlimactic here. Soundwave's role, the explanation of his presence by Megatron's side, Jetfire's role in particular, feel well rounded enough to allow it, sure, but Optimus' actions are a bit.. whelming.



Things I am looking forwards to, nonetheless: Jazz and the exploration of his 'getting to know Earth' storyline, so very much. More Thundercracker in an active role. More challenges to Optimus, even - in spite of - apparent changes of heart/mind. Ramifications of his role in the eye of the new recruits. THAT ENDING PAGE.

Va'al wrote:

FLASH (aahhaaa saviouroftheuniverse)

Just a bot, with a bot's courage...
A+ referencing you got there.

I love the colouring in this. It's SO ink-heavy and way saturated and shadowed that it screams vintage comic to me. I can't pin point exactly to What it reminds me of, though. But it's so cool. Very different from the gundam-looking style we normally see.

Nexus Knight wrote:

WreckerJack wrote:I need sub cover B! How do I get it specifically? Gotta have my sharkies

Is cover a homage to something? It looks familiar...

Is this post sarcastic? If not, it's a homage to Sharknado probably.

I'm somehow only just noticing since Roulette's toy had a very different face, but do all the colonists have a faceplate and eyes and hence Primus Apothesis? That's a pretty sweet touch.

This was an excellent issue and arc that really proves OP isn't just that other comic that's happening alongside LL; it's a fantastic story with fantastic characters in its own right. God I love being a Transformers fan right now

I also really like that little colony at the end. Seems like that's making sure they can do crossovers with the rest of the Hasbro universe without having to interfere with Optimus. Sure there's no major characters there yet but we'll see...

Kurona wrote:God I love being a Transformers fan right now

It's something of a golden age I feel. Three quality comics, fantastic toyline (though I no longer collect main lines, even MPS are slowing down for me) and thanks to Takara and 3P, excellent Masterpiece figures. Dunno about cartoons though.

Kurona wrote:I'm somehow only just noticing since Roulette's toy had a very different face, but do all the colonists have a faceplate and eyes and hence Primus Apothesis? That's a pretty sweet touch.

While it hasn't been verbally stated to be PA, 2 (or maybe 3) has a short scene with them taking off the faceplates, and that made it seem pretty apparent that PA is what's up! I like it, indeed.

Some more Optimus Prime news from IDW Publishing comes in the form of some cover art for issue #7, tentatively due in May, courtesy of both artist Kei Zama's Twitter account and the PreviewsWorld listing here. Zama has included clean lineart, plus Josh Burcham's coloured version, and Andre Griffith takes on the other cover seen for the issue, à la Thundercracker - check them out below!

With the Junkion invasion resolved peacefully, Optimus Prime takes a moment to plan the Autobot's next move on earth.

That beach cover is the friggin' best. I love Thundercracker so much

My god...that damn dog has floaties...

I like the beach cover, but eeesh, is that pain or joy on her face?

DeadCaL wrote:I like the beach cover, but eeesh, is that pain or joy on her face?

I like Andrew Griffith. I really do. I have more art by him than anyone else in my collection.
But his human faces sometimes are just.... off.

BUSTER HAS FLOATIES

This is fun. Not news, but definitely fun.
Burcham playing with colours.

iTunes has a preview up for the upcoming Optimus Prime 7 comic.

Here is a description followed by the preview, enjoy!

Description
With the Junkion invasion resolved peacefully, Optimus Prime takes a moment to plan the Autobot's next move on Earth.

Preview World has posted Transformers: Optimus Prime #8 incentive cover and subscription cover B. We have posted them below so you can have a look to decide which cover you'd like before they become available.

The summary tells us that Jazz will have a leading role in this issue:

“Jazz confronts his past-and the Autobot’s future-in front of millions of television viewers. But will he make the people of Earth understand Optimus Prime’s mission… or turn against it?”

The incentive cover has Optimus Prime and the Subscription cover features Jetfire. these comics will be available on June 14th, 2017.

You know when you've recently fallen in love with a character who hasn't had the best past and/or recent history, so seeing them smiling in a peaceful situation by themselves doing something they probably enjoy makes you happy?

God I love that Jetfire cover.

This is a really interesting analysis of Zama's layout work.
http://refinedrobotco.blogspot.it/2017/ ... -zama.html

Zama deploys some of those tools mentioned to work within the tight spaces of the page, to create tension and demonstrate space or a lack thereof. I want to break down two of my favourite pages from issue two. The interrogation of Jetfire by Prowl, two pages, one room.

With the embargo broken by the regular sites, we can also share the preview directly from IDW for next week's Transformers comic Optimus Prime #7! Check out the full preview below, and let us know what you think of the book so far - while we prepare the review for its release!

Optimus Prime #7
John Barber (w) • Priscilla Tramontano (a) • Kei Zama (c)
With the Junkion invasion resolved peacefully, Optimus Prime takes a moment to plan the Autobot's next move on Earth.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

With issue #7 hitting the stands next week, artist Kei Zama has shown off (after Previews World revealed it) the art for the following book in the Optimus Prime ongoing series from IDW Publishing - in which Casey Coller and JP Bove take on art duties! Lineart by Zama, and colours by Josh Burcham, you can check it out mirrored below.

(W) John Barber (A) Casey W. Coller (CA) Kei Zama
Jazz confronts his past-and the Autobot's future-in front of millions of television viewers. But will he make the people of Earth understand Optimus Prime's mission... or turn against it?