IDW sent out a press release for Transformers Autocracy, a 12 part digital only mini-series. Running every 2 weeks each issue will have 8 pages and run .99 cents.
Check out the entire press release after the break, and the teaser video from IDW below.
IDW Publishing Launches First-Ever Digital-Only TRANSFORMERS Comic Series, AUTOCRACY
12-Issue digital-exclusive series comes to iPad, iPhone, Android and the Web courtesy of writers Chris Metzen & Flint Dille
San Diego, CA (January 18, 2012) – IDW Publishing proudly announces a new digital comics event five million years in the making: TRANSFORMERS: Autocracy. Released exclusively on digital platforms, this 12-part series will be released on multiple digital platforms as 8-page chapters every two weeks starting January 18th and running through June. Each episode will be priced at 99¢.
TRANSFORMERS: Autocracy has ties to the two new TRANSFORMERS comics series based on the iconic TRANSFORMERS brand from Hasbro and launching this month, Robots in Disguise and More Than Meets the Eye. “Those series look to the future,” said IDW Senior Editor John Barber, “but they have strong ties to the past. And Autocracy fills in some of the gaps in that past by telling one of the most important stories to ever appear in TRANSFORMERS comics.”
Before OPTIMUS became a PRIME… he fought for order. Before MEGATRON became a conqueror… he fought for freedom. Before they were enemies… they stood against — AUTOCRACY.
Autocracy features the stunning TRANSFORMERS writing debut of Chris Metzen – SVP, Story and Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment and one of the main creative minds behind the company’s Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® universes. Metzen is joined by co-writer Flint Dille, a fan-favorite for his work on the original TRANSFORMERS animated series.
“This project is a dream come true for me,” said Metzen. “I’ve loved the TRANSFORMERS brand all my life – and the chance to take these characters for a drive with my good friend Flint has been an incredible privilege. But I think it’s Livio Ramondelli’s gritty, cinematic vision that really brings this story to life.”
Artist Livio Ramondelli came to fans’ attention last year with the world-shattering TRANSFORMERS: Chaos series. “I feel beyond thankful to be a part of this project,” said Ramondelli. “These two have written a truly epic TRANSFORMERS story for the ages. I can’t say enough good things about Chris Metzen, and we should all feel lucky that Flint Dille is returning to TRANSFORMERS.”
“IDW is very excited to launch this digital-exclusive series,” said IDW CEO and Publisher Ted Adams. “The TRANSFORMERS brand has a broad international fan-base, this series will continue to increase the comics audience.” The Autocracy series will help bring these new readers to comic shops, by including a page featuring the Comic Shop Locator service and best-selling TRANSFORMERS collections and comics.
Autocracy can be found in IDW’s Apple iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch®, apps – Transformers Comics and IDW Comics, and on the Web at read.idwpublishing.com. The series is also featured in the Comics by comiXology platform for iOS, Android, Web and Kindle Fire, and Comics + by iVerse.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s Doctor Who; Toho’s Godzilla and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.
IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
As a recognized leader in digital comics, IDW’s digital partners include: comiXology, iVerse Media, Graphicly, Cryptozoic Comics, Panelfly, Digital Manga, Diamond Digital, NEC, Zero Sum and Smart Ebooks. The IDW digital line is available worldwide on top platforms including: Apple iOS apps and iBooks, Android apps, Barnes & Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle, Kobo Vox, Sony PSP, Nokia and RIM BlackBerry.
More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes thirteen #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
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Thundershot
I stopped buying comics years ago. I used to spend $20-30 per week on them. Then one day I quit cold turkey, and every year around tax time, I'll catch up with the TPB's of the books I get (usually JSA, X-Factor, and Farscape… but two of those are gone now). I'm also getting the Transformers Classics Marvel reprints (both US and UK) and I will buy the TPB of ReGeneration (though I'll probably get them digital too, because I LOVED the Marvel run).
General Tekno
I'll be honest – main reason I still buy print is so that my money goes towards supporting a local comic store.
(The secondary reason is it's an excuse to get some exercise when the weather's bikeable, but I disgress)
If Comixology were to roll out affiliates in Canada though, I know I'd probably jump on the bandwagon. I don't have the space for both singles AND trades.
Bass X0
You mean you read comics on paper!?
Thats like a babies' book!
Greyley
You don't have to have a gadget to read digital comics if you get them through Comixology (not sure about Graphicly or any of the others). You can read the comics directly on the Comixology website on any computer. It's not as good a reading experience as it is on a digital device, but it's still doable if you really want to read the comic.
glazios
I have to say, I'm kinda pissed that this is a digital-only comic. I don't have an iPhone or anything of the sort – and for the pricetag attached to the damn things, I certainly don't want one.
I know more people these days who own a Kindle/similar than pick up an actual book. A few of the gadget-obsessed pillocks that hang out with my friends actually laughed at me the other day when I mentioned that I needed to pick up my standing order at the comic shop where I volunteer — they were laughing at me because I still get my comics in print. Apparently I'm "lagging behind" and need to be ridiculed for it. Assholes. ¬_¬
Rob
Excellent, nice high def images
thygriever
I for one love the artist and the way everything is drawn/colored gritty.
Does anyone know the quality of the comic images when bought in the app store with the "Transformers Comics" app? If it's bad then i probably wouldn't bother buying it for the ipod
Lumpy
oh were they? maybe i'm wrong then…
i agree, i enjoy that aspect as well.
Fairlady_Z
I'll check out the series eventually. I always enjoy fiction based on how the war started and I'm liking the new continuity umbrella of "Megs and Op were once friends." Not sure if I'll go for an iTunes download or wait and see if they do an actually tpb, but I'm going to at least wait until all the parts are out first.
Matty
Those two issues were reprinted in their entirety with the newest IDW Classics TPB release. Awesome issues too.
Lumpy
IIRC, those 2 issues will never be reprinted by IDW, because they contain Marvel characters (Spider-Man and Circuit Breaker respectively) and therefore only Marvel can reprint them, but hasn't…
Driftx3
I just read it. It's pretty awesome. The art is great. Well worth a buck.
1984forever
I just read it. I'd say it was great, but I don't like the Autobots as police officers. It's just too "earthy", right down to the on the spot portrayal of the police as violent ignorant dicks.
That said, iDW needs to update their online classics section, it still has the scans from the old Marvel classics TPB with issues 3 and 9 missing, and the discolored characters.
Lumpy
i bet once it's over, it'll get collected and sold to LCS.
moreprimeland
This looks like an excellent beginning for another series…I am re-reading Exodus and this looks like a great tie-in.
I just wish we could buy this from a brick and mortar store or printed pages too.
DecepticonSpike
Saw this on Flint's Facebook last night.
Lumpy
anyone who wants to buy this digitally AND support a cool store, use this link to buy digitally and give a store the credit…
http://www.comicsconspiracy.biz/digital.html
Kraken
Yeah, art's not great, but the story feels like it's got legs. Not bad for 69p a fortnight.
stilettoheels
art looks like a cross between Rob Leifeld and Pat lee.
that means it's gross!
Dark_T_Zeratul
Sold.