Transformers Image/Skybound Discussion

Ever since the live action movies, Optimus has become too rustic and stoic. With that in mind, I don't mind going back to the franchise's routes and Johnson's nostalgia fits that bill.

Same. I'll wait for reviews and see what comes of this series, then I'll take the plunge.

I do hope if there's anything good from both IDW continuities, that they make use of it.

G1 Nostalgia is risky, but there's still hope to get some good stuff.

....so what's gonna happen to all the original IDW characters like Aileron, Rubble, Gauge, etc?

Not gonna lie, I rather enjoyed IDW2's worldbuilding...

Edited by Perseus on Jul 4th 2023 at 3:31:40 AM

I preferred the Cybertron that wasn't so hopelessly corrupt that you wondered if it was even worth saving.

IDW 2 Cybertron was imperfect, and it had issues, but it wasn't so far gone that you could side with the Decepticons.

Hell, Sentinel was a decent dude. He made some bad calls, but he was irreparably corrupt like he's been in IDW 1 or War For Cybertron games. That alone is an improvement for me.

If anyone is at San Diego Comic Con 2023, you might have gotten your mitts on a book full of concept art and pencils for the first few images of the upcoming Transformers comic by Skybound! And if you're not at SDCC, TFW2005 has you covered! Spoilers ahoy!

O hai, Bumblebee and Devastator!

Bump.

The first 4 pages for Transformers #1 are now online!

The jet in the last page...could that be Jetfire?

I can make out all the usual suspects there.

The series talks a lot about digging into that G1 aesthetic. I get it.

But even someone as old school as me hopes they also have some variety with the designs too.

And if the series is taking place in the current era, then they are either going to have all the autobots deliberately take vehicle forms that are outdated by almost 40 years or modernize them a little.

Considering both the Autobots and Decepticons are on the Ark, it makes me wonder about Megatron since he doesn't seem to be involved with this incident.

It doesn't have to take place in modern times. I do worry of too much nostalgia for older interpretations, creating something that alienates modern readers.

Anyways, all that matters is the end product and Daniel Warren Johnson has a great track record.

Who saw this coming? DWJ's Transformers #1 opens with over 153,000 orders!

Apparently this is even better numbers than the first Dreamwave TF comics!

And for more comparison, the first issue of IDW's 2019 relaunch had a paltry 21,757 orders.

Also, Joshua Williamson's Duke #1 preview! Looks like part of the reason why G.I. Joe happened is because the man we know as Duke of the G.I. Joe had a run-in with a certain conniving Decepticon that turns into a jet...

As expected from Image, their books are constantly breaking the mould and Daniel Warren Johnson has an amazing track record.

Edited by ChicoTheParakeet on Sep 25th 2023 at 8:42:48 AM

Sorry for the double post but images Void Rivals issue 4's alternate covers just dropped.

We've got a cover of Shockwave and what looks like Nightbird's face.

Skybound's Transformers #1 is out for release right now! Watch out for spoilers!

It's only two, but reviews are glowing!

Comic Book Couples Counseling calls it "the Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer comic you want it to be. Although, if those names mean nothing to you, and you're only here for the Transformers, don't fret; you'll be satisfied, too."

Seibertron.com says "Daniel Warren Johnson gives us a G1 reboot in glorious loving fashion."

Issue 1 is sitting at an 8.9 on Comic Book Roundup. As expected from the people at Image.

Bumblebee’s dead in the first issue. Think it was a Take That!? Regardless, killing him off helps establish the lack of a status quo.

EDIT: found a spoiler interview

Edited by ChicoTheParakeet on Oct 4th 2023 at 9:53:35 AM

While I don't want to make any assumptions, Bumblebee being dead right off the bat may be a take that, or may be an attempt to make it clear that things won't be what we'd expect. Then again, Arcee being part of the initial line up would roll with that as well.

Edited by HandsomeRob on Oct 4th 2023 at 6:58:59 AM

It's interesting as a minor AU or a one-shot mini-series exploring the various possibilities of how the Transformers Universe could go... but if it's going to be another big Shared Universe, I find killing off well known characters in the first issue to be iffy, especially for Hasbro marketing toys for the long run. Then again, I would like to see a Transformers comic verse that wasn't completely based on G1 designs.

Which is why there are so many unofficial figurines based on the stylized designs from IDW. Image’s story takes place in the 80s and its appeal is that it’s firmly grounded in reality so the retro designs are justified.

Ratchet’s foot and leg being one solid object bothered me so much. At least take some liberties.

I think the biggest take away from Bumblebee’s death is that it was an effective Shocking Moments in the same vein as all the death scenes in Transformers The Movie. Especially towards a character who for a good chunk of a decade was a key marketing character in many Transformers mediums.

Would you consider it Stuffed In A Fridge? Lazy or not, I won't deny that it's a great choice to establish the lack of a status quo.

Preview of issue 2 is now available to the public. If you want to avoid spoilers, don't click.

Edited by ChicoTheParakeet on Oct 6th 2023 at 5:18:51 AM

The previews are too small for me.

You can't enlarge these ones, so I can't read the dialogue.

So it looks like they're making themselves a makeshift base and fixing who they can, with Cliffjumper being the next back on his feet. I also saw Wheeljack on a table, and we know he's on the team, so he'll likely be next and then Arcee.

Skybound’s Transformers (2023) Comic Series, Issue #3 Additional Covers Artwork

Synopsis

Just read the second issue:

Ratchet reveals he doesn't have enough energy to get anyone else after Cliffjumper back on their feet. Optimus wants to use the Matrix, but since it draws directly from his life force, Ratchet vetoes it. Starscream brings the rest of his small team back to full strength with the energy he pilfered from the Power plant where Spike's dad works, and they all go back for more. Then he engages some jets and kills all the pilots except for one....named Duke. Optimus sees what's going on and goes to fight on his own, tasking Cliffjumper with guarding the base while Ratchet continues to work on fixing everyone somehow. Spike goes with him, while Carly opts to return home because she's worried about her dad. Meanwhile Spike's dad goes to Carly's house to grab some weapons and meets her there, telling her that her dad (the dude who Starscream squished in the first issue) is dead.

The Autobots are gonna have an uphill battle PR wise, that's for sure.

Wow, that is brutal but is the standard for Image Comics.

I haven't read it yet and as much as I like Daniel Warren Johnson's artwork, I find his robots look awful. Limbs seem disjointed and appear to float in place.

The scene at the start where Optimus accidentally steps on a deer and promptly breaks down over it was such a gut punch. What a way to signify to the reader how powerful and dangerous even the good Transformers can be in a world not built to handle them.

Oof, I was not ready for that. Nor was I ready for Starscream blasting Bumblebee or squishing Carly's dad for the fun of it.

I can almost feel my spine crawl thinking about their take on Megatron. Y'know, because he's probably coming in a few months if the cover for Issue 5 means anything.

Skybound and DWJ don't clown around, do they?

You haven't read a comic from Image, have you? Having creator control lets them be as brutal as possible. They don't have to worry about a status quo. Unlike IDW, the people there don't care about other forms of media either.

Issue 2 is on its second printing with its own unique covers.

Edited by ChicoTheParakeet on Nov 17th 2023 at 11:56:59 AM