IDW’s new Transformers continuity debuts in March

It didn’t take long for details to emerge about the forthcoming new Transformers comic book series, once again published by IDW. It will go back to before the war ever began and explore the road to the conflict.

The war between Autobots and Decepticons will start all over again in 2019, but IDW Publishing’s ambitious Transformers comic book relaunch is, fittingly, more than meets the eye — expanding the franchise in new directions by revealing the origins of the conflict that traveled from Cybertron to Earth and beyond.

The new series, titled simply Transformers, will see writer Brian Ruckley and artists Angel Hernandez and Ron Joseph tell the story of Cybertron before the war, and of the mysterious death that ended an age of peace on the planet. Bumblebee, soon to star in his own movie, will be one of the protagonists of the new title, which will publish twice a month.

“We are eager to begin this new chapter in Transformers storytelling,” Michael Kelly, Hasbro’s vp global publishing, said in a statement about the new series. “We are excited to begin a tale that will be accessible and appealing to readers unfamiliar with Transformers lore, while still providing the depth and drama that our longtime fans expect. It’s a big responsibility, but we’ve got the right team and the right characters to do it.”

The remainder of the article can be read at the Hollywood Reporter website.

Another article, along with larger images of the covers, can be found at CBR.com.

Transformers Creators Discuss Comics, Unicron, and the End of a Universe?

Free Comic Book Day interviewed John Barber and Alex Milne about the upcoming Unicron comic from IDW.

John Barber: This is the end of the story we’ve been telling for over a decade. The IDW Transformers comics are the longest-lasting iteration Transformers characters ever—there’s more fiction in this universe than anywhere else in the history of the brand—and it all comes crashing down with Transformers: Unicron.

The question of what Unicron is—of what could be so big as to threaten all of reality—is central to the story. Everybody writing Transformers comics right now got together to figure out how to pull this off—me, James Roberts, Mairghread Scott, Nick Roche, plus the great editorial teams at IDW and Hasbro, and I think we’ve made something with depth, action, pathos, tragedy, and—maybe, if the Transformers are lucky—ultimately some triumph.

Alex Milne: I feel it’s the biggest story due to the stake being so high. It’s not just the Transformers and Cybertron that have to worry about Unicron, but the Earth and the other colony worlds as well. It really is something that affects this shared universe that IDW has created. Unicron is the destroyer of worlds, and not everyone will survive this encounter. Will out heroes even be able to stop him? I guess you’ll have to read to find out.

Read the entire interview here.

Optimus Prime series to spin out of “Revolution”

Beginning in November, Optimus Prime will headline his own series from IDW. Writer John Barber discusses the book.

Not to give anything away, but as Revolution starts, Optimus is in a fairly antagonistic relationship with … well, almost everybody. He’s come to Earth and said the whole planet is going to be part of Cybertron’s Council of World, without asking if the people of Earth wanted to be in it — or if the people of Cybertron wanted them. He’s doing this because he thinks he’s out of options to protect the Earth — he’s tried fighting evil Cybertronians, tried leaving the place alone. But bringing Earth into Cybertron’s fold is the only thing he hasn’t tried.

In Revolution this comes to a head: there’s a big, dangerous thing happening with Ore-13, which is a form of Energon that’s on Earth, and it looks to G.I. Joe like Optimus is behind it, so the threat becomes immediate. This isn’t a spoiler — Optimus is not behind the problem, and in the process of resolving the complex web ofRevolution, alliances are formed and new relationships are established.

So…Optimus still has the goal of bringing Earth into the cosmic community of Cybertron. But who’s with him and who’s against him have shifted a bit.

See the remainder of the interview here.

TILL ALL ARE ONE Will Be ‘The Most Human Of All TRANSFORMERS Books’

Till all are oneTransformers is about giant robots that can change into vehicles and other forms, but its finest moments are when these would-be automotons show their own kind of humanity. And in the new ongoing series Transformers: Till All Are One debuting this June, writer Mairghread Scott is looking to make it the most human story yet.

Set on Cybertron and the political in-fighting between Starscream and Windblade to craft a new era for Transformers on Cybertron and beyond, the series has a broader scope than any Transformers series before. Picking up thematically from her last series, Transformers: Windblade, Scott and artist Sara Pitre-Durocher are looking to delve deeper into the heart of being a Transformer.

Read the full interview at Newsarama’s website, here.

IDW And Hasbro Celebrate 10 Years

IDW-bannerFrom IDW’s website comes the following news:

This year marks the Tenth anniversary of IDW Publishing and Hasbro being in business together, a relationship that began in 2005 with the publication of IDW’s firstTRANSFORMERS title. To celebrate a decade of creativity, innovation, and success, the two companies are announcing the extension of their blockbuster relationship.

Once TRANSFORMERS was established as an immediate success, IDW expanded its comic line to include the Hasbro property G.I. JOE, then eventually the smash-hit MY LITTLE PONY and coming this March, JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS! IDW will also continue to publish the LITTLEST PET SHOP and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS comics.  These titles have become perennial staples at IDW, and will continue to play key roles in IDW’s publishing slate going forward, in all existing formats, both print and digital. Fans of the line can expect much more of the quality products they’ve come to expect: Comics, Trade Paperbacks, Hardcovers, Micro Comic Fun Packs, IDW Limited collections, and more.

Follow the link to read the rest of the press release.

Comics Alliance interviews Mairghread Scott about the new Windblade series

windblade2Mairghread Scott has some things to say about Windblade’s partipation in the upcoming “Combiner Wars” miniseries.

”Combiner Wars” is a six-issue event crossing over the books Transformers (written by John Barber) and Transformers: Windblade (written by me). “Combiner Wars” is also an epic, political and actual battle over the future of Cybertron as Starscream (ruler of the entire planet) tries to establish the largest empire Cybertron has ever seen – and pretty much everyone from Optimus to Ironhide tries to stop him.

Sarah Stone and Livio Ramondelli bring some really eye popping art that fans of Transformers are going to love and non-fans are going to be blown away by. A great jumping-on point for the series, we’ve tried to make “Combiner Wars” the sort of summer blockbuster that delivers on story as well as visuals. Secrets will be revealed! Giant robots will beat each other into the ground! If you’ve never given us a try before, now is the time.

Follow the link for the full interview. The Combiner Wars crossover begins in March.