IDW Publishing Questions and Answers Session with Andy Schmidt

Please use this thread to submit questions for a Questions and Answers session with IDW Publishing's senior editor Andy Schmidt. Andy is the writer of Transformers Continuum, and is the editor for the Transformers Ongoing series (issue #1 on sale now).

This thread will be open until next Friday at which time we will close the thread and pick out the best questions to forward to Andy for answering.

Please remember as always to be civil and follow the general rules of the board. But have fun! Remember, this is a great chance - usually only available at conventions - to put your questions regarding the Transformers comic books direct to the people who make it happen.

Once again on behalf of the staff of the 2005 Boards I would like to thank Andy for reaching out to us, the fandom, and giving us this rare opportunity to address questions concerning the Transformers comic book series directly to the people who make it happen.

hurm okies this goes to any of you willing to answer this. i guess only one thing i was wondering... for the coveres of the next #2 issue i see Prowl, Redalert, Hotrod, & Mirage considered for the next leader... but why is Jazz not considered... the only reason i ask is because wasnt he in charge back on Cybertron with Ironhide? Prowl seemed to be under his comand sorry if im reading that wrong i realy am curious whats happened to him!

will we see bumblebee or goldbug as the vw beatle?

Beast Wars, Beast Machines, TransTech, Animated comics? Any plans?

Is Megatron going to return and will Optimus eventually be leader again.
BTW First issue was great

Is there any plans to bring back any characters thast have and will be killed off?

This comic appears to include Megatron, Skywarp, and Thundercracker. Does this have any affect on if Galvatron, Cyclonus, and Scrouge will appear in this comic at one point?

Will the humans be the main threat, or will there be other threats that play a big part?

Will we see more original IDW characters being introduced? Will we see characters from other transformers continuities being introduced into this one?

Any plans to tell more Pre-Earth/Cybertron stories, like the origin of Optimus Prime and the Great War?

Oh and bring back Minerva!

Why? Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge already exist in the IDW universe as different characters...

Since you have republished Dreamwave's Armada/Energon series, will you be letting Furman finish what he started with Energon and move into Cybertron?

Dear Andy,
I'm sure you have been asked this many times in person(although in much harsher words than what I will use) but could you please explain why there are so many blatant errors in "The Transformers Continuum: The Definitive Chronology"? Also, Thank you for giving up your time to answer these questions posed to you by the fans, as it is appreciated greatly.

Andy,

First, thank you for taking the time to interact and respond to the fans...

Why did you change everyones faces to look more like the movie verse? Part of enjoying the G1-Verse is relating to those characters. People enjoy the movie-verse because it is new and different. Once you start to meld the two together you loose part of the fan base (my opinion). I do not mind the vehicle upgrades but I honestly cannot stand the new faces. Will you pleace change them back to those they we know and hold dear?

Thanks

Can we expect to see Nightbeat's story continue in this series? His death was very out-of-the-blue and awkward, and Simon Furman had said on his blog last year that that part of the story had had to be shortened and that more on it would be forthcoming.

Second.

Questions:
1) Skeleton Warriors Faces - Design choice? Whim? Explain?

2) Continuity - What happened?

3) Spotlights - More of them? Please?

Thanks for the large amount of communication with "us the fans." Even when we're complaining about stuff, we're always appreciative when our personal dedication/addiction gets taken seriously. (As are most people, really.)

Simple question I'm sure the answer is probably known to, but will the Movie style continue throughout the series? I really happen to like it.

And while I somewhat agree with the complaints about the faces, I just want to ask if the faces will be more defined yet still movie style in next issues? The one panel where Rodimus was all "=O!!" it took me a second look to figure out his mouth was open.

1) Does Hasbro uses IDW as their marketing wagon, like they did during the marvel era?

2) If they haven't, is ther any plan to make the IDW version of the characters in toy form?

Sorry, I wasn't aware of that.

Seeing as we have Overlord in the new Wreckers comic, can we expect to see other Japanese-only TF (Star Saber, LeoZak etc) in future comic issues?

Third.

Bit of Q&A advice: don't waste your time asking anything regarding possible specific plot points or asking if IDW will continue any Dreamwave storylines.

If you want the answers: "keep reading and see" and "the DW storylines are so wrapped up in legal/bankruptcy problems that it wouldn't be feasible to look into them at this time and/or we prefer to look forward and focus our talent and resources on what we're producing at the present"

Thanks for answering our questions Andy. Here are a few of my own.

Where do you see the comic line a year from now, if all goes according to plan? What's the backup plan?

What are some of the larger themes you want to tackle with the Transformers brand over the next year and beyond?

What have you learned from All Hail Megatron? What would you have done differently?

What have you learned from Furman's run with the -ation series? What would you have done differently?

Thanks!

Can you give us an estimate on if/when we can expect the Spotlight series to resume? Can you give us any detail to why it was put on hiatus?

As many have stated, thanks for answering these questions Andy.

There was once a Marvel crossover with IDW TFs. While I didn't enjoy the concept (the Marvel characters were unconvincing), I think there would be fertile ground for another crossover using Death's Head since he has time / dimension jumped before. This could allow for a reunion of sorts involving Circuitbreaker, the Neo Knights, and possibly G.B. Blackrock also.

So, my question is, could another deal be struck with Marvel for another IDW / Marvel TF Crossover using the above legacy characters? These characters make perfect sense plot-wise, and would be interesting to re-imagine them with the new TFs.

Will we see more Beast Wars at all, even if it was a few spotlights?

Why was the decision made to not only radiclly alter the character designs, but to also Retro-activly redesign the characters as they previously appeared in flashback?

What plans has IDW made to widen the reading audience with comic books besides sales in comic book specialty shops? (such as retail stores like Target and Walmart)

What are some future plans regarding collections such as the current Marvel run on Transformers?

Thanks for all you do!

-Will Skywatch get a character like Circuit Breaker (if not her per say but a homage to her Marvel self)?
-Are any humans on the Autobot side? Are have the Autobots lost a traditonal ally once and for all?
-Will Thundercracker return from Skywarp's attack? Will any Decepticons appaer to be a main threat?
-Will the Dinobots/ Arielbots,/ Protectobots/ Predacons appear?
-Any plans to have Simon Furman finish any loose ends from his -ation series

Sorry if this is waaaay repetitive. Why is it that the artwork is changing so much mid-continuity? I would understand if this were you guy's first TF book or if everyone hated the art before (it was awesome, by the way). I'm not in the "IDW has once and forever ruined everything holy and good" camp of bitchy fan overreaction, but I'm not a big fan of how the new faces look.
Thanks for what you guys do, and new faces or not, I'll be waiting for the new issues.

What was the reasoning behind revealing a big spoiler from Ongoing #1 in the press release? I hadn't managed to find the issue anywhere and then got confronted by the spoiler without any warning. It's put me a little off going to find the issue knowing that was going to happen plot wise.

Is the Wreckers series going to be drawn in the older IDW style or in the style as seen in the ongoing series. I hope it's the former as I am far from convinced that the Ongoing style can convincingly portray emotion as well as the liquid metal look.

Why was Ironhide killed?
Where are the special teams like the Aerial Bots, Dinobots etc...
Will the characters be portrayed in the correct manner?

What happen with Continuum ?

Are stuff like machination and skywatch being the same are regarded as canon or mistakes on IDW end ?

Will IDW release a more accurate, detailed and definitive continuum in the future?

Will Furman write anymore stories for the main transformers continuity?

Why did you give the Transformers a movieverse look instead of using the Classics and G1 style from All Hail Megatron? As I read through these questions it seems that the change in the look of the Transformers is an unpopular one and if it proves to be unpopular enough will you change back to a more familar look?

Why has IDW made the decision to re-write the G1 story in such a backwards way, having no regard or respect to the mythology and background that has already been laid?

Dreamwave presented the G1 story as it originally was, and expanded on the original story with positive backstories (such as War Within) that enriched the mythology. They expanded, yet did so in a way that the original Marvel comic and cartoon still had relevence, even going so far as to connect arcs and hints laid in the original work. Please forgive me for seeming completely negative, but I believe all of the "mini-series", such as Devestation, leading up to this "ongoing #1" to be a extremely divergent mess. Taking G1 characters and writing backgrounds and stories for them that are completely 180 degrees from their original origins is a horrible idea imo.

You don't fix what isn't broken.

Admin Edit

Why not expand on themes and stories already set in motion by Dreamwaves' G1-verse? BTW, I do want to say that, besides the way the new art style draws the faces, the design of the bodies is pretty cool.

you will use Japanese characters in the universe in this new course or if you sweat will be focused on them.

want to make connections with the season of BW and BM or have a specific project for them.

BW and BM Victory zone will be connected to this new universe.

this new course will quote the ancient mythology and current universe Tf.

plan for the first 13 of Tfs.

will use the groups as HEADMASTERS, MICROMASTERS and others.

'll think of some special inside or outside the chronology with other univers LT and GI Joe.

might include Gi Joe even without aver with your own universe.

some idea of alternative universes.

any civil war as The War Within and between themselves.

Don Figueroa has some plan to use the concept art mostraDados months behind before the launch (Jetfire Optimus and Bumblebee).

LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS has something to do with revelation.

will launch the TF comics in countries like Brazil Spain and other languages.

when you can show us new previews of The Transformers 2, The last stand of the wreckers and Bumblebee.


Expansion plan for could be used to explain before hail Megatron or more forward with a new segment after these stories.

any ideas for a crisis transformers.

when Simon Furman returns in the series he has something in mind.

status of G1, Energon others and DW with you

expected to compete with Marvel and DC and the market in general, we would like to see Tf always in front of sales.

a idw pretende refazer alguns classicos antigos.

muito obrigado voces são o futuro das HQs

I'm a big fan of All Hail Megatron and the Spotlights-ation series. Like the new direction,not sure about the character designs, but I'll get used to it.

Where is Omega Supreme? Did he split Earth and leave the others to fend for themselves?

Can we please not have Starscream get killed ever? Pretty sick of that happening!

Will there be any new sotlights (besides the Bumblebee mini-seies)? There are so many cool possiblities for Ratchet, Skywarp, Starscream, and Sandstorm (where's he been)?

you will use Japanese characters in the universe in this new course or if you sweat will be focused on them.?

want to make connections with the season of BW and BM or have a specific project for them.?

BW and BM Victory zone will be connected to this new universe.?

this new course will quote the ancient mythology and current universe Tf.?

plan for the first 13 of Tfs.?

will use the groups as HEADMASTERS, MICROMASTERS and others.?

'll think of some special inside or outside the chronology with other univers LT and GI Joe.?

might include Gi Joe even without aver with your own universe.?

some idea of alternative universes.?

any civil war as The War Within and between themselves.?

Don Figueroa has some plan to use the concept art mostraDados months behind before the launch (Jetfire Optimus and Bumblebee).?

LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS has something to do with revelation.?

will launch the TF comics in countries like Brazil Spain and other languages.?

when you can show us new previews of The Transformers 2, The last stand of the wreckers and Bumblebee.?


Expansion plan for could be used to explain before hail Megatron or more forward with a new segment after these stories.?

any ideas for a crisis transformers.?

when Simon Furman returns in the series he has something in mind.?

status of G1, Energon others and DW with you?

voces vão apromorar mais ainda na frente as artes graficas dos robos e dos humanos?

vão aumentar a quantidade de copias para as outras edições ?

expected to compete with Marvel and DC and the market in general, we would like to see Tf always in front of sales.?

coces want revives remaking some classic Marvel team as war uk?

thank you are the future of comics.

as the comic will grow further in front?