IGN attended the IDW Transformers panel at NYCC this past weekend, and has posted the following summary:
It’s the 10th anniversary of IDW, and the 25th anniversary of the Transformers, though the assembled IDW team promised that they’re doing their best to catch up to that number. They gave a few for-examples of how in the guise of sneak-peeks of upcoming art (like the final covers for the All Hail Megatron and Maximum Dinobots series) and the official word on many of their upcoming books.
All Hail Megatron Coda is a four-issue mini that starts in July. Each issue has two short stories which will bridge the gap between and set the stage for some “very huge, secret plans.”
The Transformers line will get two prequels to the new movie, Revenge of the Fallen, one of which is set in the distant past while the other will serve as a bridge between the first and second films.
Also look for a 16-page poster book, plus the All Hail Megatron trade (coming next week), a 300-plus page War Within collection this month, and another 300-page collection of Beast Wars in March.
There will be several Spotlight books focusing on the Transformers characters, including one on Jazz (by Josh Van Reyk & Shaun Knowler and E.J. Su) which will offer insight into how Jazz became the guy he is and why he’s respected by the Autobots the way he is. It will take place in the distant past and the present. Drift will also get a Spotlight, as will Metroplex (by Andy Schmidt and Marcelo Matere). He hasn’t shown up in IDW yet, but the creators promised that he “will appear in a very big way” now.
Robot Heroes, by Chris Ryall and Joe & Rob Sharp, is a picture book/comic combo for kids, based on the line of toys. [/I]
MagnusPrimal
Zahn! No freakin' contest.
And if we're still getting good TF stories, it's not that big of a deal (although it would be nice if continuity would actually be maintained, rather than half-assed). However, imo, the quality of the TF stories plummeted after AHM began.
BTW, wasn't Kup in pretty bad shape when last seen? How in the heck is he in charge now?!
Sideswipe80
McCarthy is doing fine. If he was off the books no more money IDW.
Draven
Furman > McCarthy.
Cth
I never really clicked with Furman, but then again, I never really identified with any of the comic writers since the early Marvel days.
Furman focuses on way too many of the 2nd and 3rd tier bots, etc for me personally, but I recognize his contributions to the 'mythos' of TF.
Anyways, I happen to like AMH as well as the other series that have been published so far.
It's just that I'd rather read an Optimus Prime story than a Seaspray/Warpath/etc story if we're getting G1 stories.
There's room for all interpretations, much like the extended universe Star Wars novels. It sounds like the whole Zahn/Anderson fanbase clash. Who cares as long as we keep getting more TF stories.
Autobot Burnout
Three words: To Sell Toys.
Cinemastique
Chalk up another vote for Furman over McCarthy.
Also, I was doing just fine with the old character designs. I do not NEED my TFs to be identical to the Classics Universe and Masterpiece toys in order to understand who they represent. IDW has responded with "Well, they all just re-scanned," which makes almost no sense whatsoever. The Decepticons, okay. The 'Bots re-scanned into different vehicles after they left Earth, though?
I know AHM is a "loose continuity" with Furman's -ation series, but C'MON.
General Magnus
What he said.
TM2 D-bot
I know some have been previously posted, but not sure of the others:
Link: http://tfclub.com/art/20090211142901_5930.html
MagnusPrimal
This.
Detour
I'll take his unique approach to storytelling (a Transformers cold war? Bril-fcing-liant!) with maybe a slight lack in individual characterization over the poor pacing, poor plot, poor character development and the "Hey look they act just like they did in the old cartoon!" of Shane McCarthy.
Any freakin' day of the goddamn year.
MagnusPrimal
That would save me probably at least $3.99 a month.
Sideswipe80
I hope Furman is done at IDW. Not a fan of his writing or handling of Transformers.
Waveride
Has this been posted:
airfox
Count me in for Spotlight: Metroplex. I just hope this actually happens, unlike Spotlight: Cosmos.
-airfox
MagnusPrimal
I just hope Furman is *very* involved plotting the course for the ongoing G1 stuff.
I am not enamored of AHM.
Cinemastique
I hope the bigazz "War Within" compilation will be available as a hardcover. To go with my IDW "Premiere" set.
Too much to hope that they'd somehow "complete" the third arc, I spose. :-/ You KNOW it's on paper someplace.
Pravus Prime
Spotlight Drift?
Metroplex and Jazz sound very good, but where's my Spotlight: Cosmos? It was said to be in the works ages ago at some con last year.
Spider Striker
Is it wierd that of all that information, new and old, the thing that's really got me interested in the "Robot Heroes" comic?
shibamura_prime
Metroplex?! I'm sold! I've been waiting for that big bastard to come back ever since they teased him in DW's G1 "ongoing" series.
Railguard
This stuff sounds great!!!