Ok, Im a lifelong transformers fan who recently has been getting back into the transformers swing. Ignoring the movies (didnt like them) can somebody tell me if there is an official history or storyline for transformers now? What is considered canon and what isnt? Any and all help greatly appreciated.
That's a near impossible question to answer, because there are like 2000 different continuities. If you need to catch up and refresh yourself, check out tfwiki.net. I'm assuming your a G1 fan, so that's where I would look first. Hope that helps. Welcome back
Pretty much all that you know from the past is stil valid: Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of the Decepticons. Are leaving their planet to end up on Earth. The exact factors differ between series, but I don't think you really need to know all the facts. Also, listen to D-Unit. Welcome!
You might want to check out the IDW comics, they are currently doing a G1-like story line, though the art isn't to everybody's taste!
I've been reading the IDW comics and have been enjoying them. The thing that confused me is that it seems as if there are so many different time settings and reasons as to why they left cybertron. And in some stories, they havent left cybertron at all. Just different tellings, or am I missing something? Thanks for the welcomes.
Your right, there are many, many different continuities. Some are still part of the G1 line from the 80's, such as the Beast Wars cartoon and the G2 comics. Others are completely new, like Armada, Energon etc. I havent seen animated, but from what I can gather by the toys I've seen its very much a homage to G1. What I'd suggest is that if you see a comic or an animated cartoon show you don't recognise you should refer to TFwiki.
Different tellings, different time periods, the works. For IDW, it's not perfect but they did publish a book called "Transformers Continuum" right before the ongoing kicked off, which sets the stories in rough order. Other shows all have their own backstories. There's no definitive chronology because every series has its own independent history (some just borrow more from others). That said, if you want to get in on the ground floor for the next series, Transformers Prime, you might want to check out the new book by Alex Irvine Transformers Exodus or the game Transformers War for Cybertron, which are the backstory for the new show, apparently.
Where would the IDW "Last Stand of the Wreckers" storyline fall in? Would that be a continuation of G1? Its a pretty cool series btw.
Nutshell: G1 - Beast Wars (American, not Japanese/Neo/II) - Beast machines are all part of the same continuity. Transformers: Animated takes cues from G1, Beast Wars, and some other areas, but is not considered 'canon' Armada/Energon/Cybertron - is one storyline that borrows elements from G1, but is totally unrelated to G1. I never got too far into the comics, since there were too many stops/starts/hiccups, but from what I read, the "-ation" series was OK. TFWiki.Net is a good resource
The IDW continuity is a different G1 continuity not connected to the show or any others. It's their version of G1
You forgot Robots in Disguise. RID is another unrelated series that takes many design cues from G1, although that's partly because most of the RID toys were repaints from the G1 lines.
Since when is Animated not 'canon'? There are multiple 'universes' of which Animated IS an official one. It does homage heavily, but manages to take every homage and make it its own. 'G1' is another and includes G1 (as in the original cartoon and comic), G2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, the Japanese Beast series, Dreamwave comics, and IDW comics. RID is its own universe. So are the movies. The 'Unicron Trilogy' is another, and includes the Armada, Energon, and Cybertron cartoons and comics. Unless you go with the Japanese versions where they aren't connected. The War for Cybertron game is supposed to be something of a precursor to TF: Prime, as is the novel Exodus. So they would be in the 'Prime' universe. But Dio Forever, I would suggest spending time with tfwiki.net as others have suggested just reading. There's a lot of material there and most of your questions will be answered. Boy I'm glad I got back into the hobby before Armada! --Moony
I'll say this: Watch Beast Wars. You may or may not like it, depending on your view of Transformers turning into animals, but it has one heck of a story. Just started rewatching it (and I'll keep rewatching it until the day I die, dammit! ), and it's definitely entertaining.
Do yourself a big fat favor and go pick up this amazing trade paperback. The gee wunnyness you remember, written into an intelligent story. It's basically the G1 Dreamwave launch, and many people seem to agree that Dreamwave did the TF brand great honor.
You know what, I've tried watching it but I just cant get into that art style. Seems like people on this board really speak highly of it though....
