ARMADA TRANSFORMS & Other Transformer News

[MichaelDoran]

<a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/dreamwave/Arm7_Guido.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://classic.newsarama.com/dreamwave/Arm7_Guido_t.jpg" width="150" height="231" border="0" alt="TRANSFORMERS: ARMADA image by Guido Guidi" align="right"></a>Newsarama recently caught up with Dreamwave Productions for some updates on their plans for their now-flagship Transformer properties, including a creative change to their ongoing series Transformers: Armada, plans for two new Generation One mini-series and a possible G1 ongoing series.

According to Dreamwave’s Adam Fortier, the changes to Armada begin this February. As readers know, writer Simon Furman and artist Pat Lee will team-up for a two-issue stint in Armada #6-7, but you can no longer label it a guest stint, at least for one-half the creative team. Furman will be remaining with the series as its regular writer from issue #6 on. And he’ll be joined by new regular series penciler Guido Guidi, best known to Dreamwave fans as artist of the Predaking lithograph released earlier this year.

Fortier told Newsarama Guidi is a “very good anime artist”, and that Dreamwave’s main consideration for brining him into the Armada fold was to make their comic book series more reflect the look and style of the new animated television series.

“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” said Fortier. “Its an incredible sell-point to have a comic book based on a TV series that airs five days a week, and it behooves us to have a comic that looks similar to the TV show.”

<a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/dreamwave/Arm7_Pat_Incentive.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://classic.newsarama.com/dreamwave/Arm7_Pat_Incentive_t.jpg" width="150" height="228" border="0" alt="TRANSFORMERS: ARMADA image by Pat Lee" align="left"></a>Don’t feel too badly for the previous creative team of Chris Sarracini and James Raiz, however, they’ll be filling the hole in their schedules with a new G1: Optimus Prime five or six issue (likely 6) limited series.

“The War Within is the first battle of Optimus Prime and Megatron, the Autobots and Decepticons, and about where they all came from,” said Fortier. “This series will focus on where Optimus came from and what made him the leader he is today.”

The series is being looked at for a tentative 2nd quarter 2003 release.

And speaking of Generation One, Fortier confirmed a sequel to the first mini-series, a new G1 six-issue mini re-teaming Sarracini and Pat Lee, is also in their plans, also in 2003.

“The first series was really a way to reintroduce people to the Transformers and tell a really neat story,” said Fortier. “The second series is really about fanboy’s dreams.

“Whenever you played with Transformers, whenever you watched Transformers on TV and imagined them, there were always things you wanted them to do … there were events you wanted to occur. You saw these guys as bigger than life. The second limited series is really taking it to the next level.”

But not the highest level … Fortier reports Dreamwave is currently considering a Generation One ongoing series, “but that would occur after Pat’s next mini-series, if at all,” he said. “As long as the stories are there, it’s something we’d definitely do.”

<a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/dreamwave/Predaking_Guido.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://classic.newsarama.com/dreamwave/Predaking_Guido_t.jpg" width="225" height="155" border="0" alt="Predaking Lithograph image by Guido Guidi" align="right"></a>Finally, Fortier confirmed that there are plans being made for a pair of Transformer/GI Joe crossover projects.

“We would be doing our own Transformers/GI Joe series, and so would Devil’s Due, but they would not in fact, crossover. We would basically do our imagining of GI Joe and they would do their imaging of Transformers, just to throw a twist into it.”

Fortier said the likely pair of separate mini-series will probably published at the same time, sometime during the summer 2003 convention season.

For information about Dreamwave's upcoming Transformers Profiles volumes, which will revise Transformers continuity, click <a href="http://classic.newsarama.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=000009" target="_blank"> here</a>.

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[stephen snyder]

Cool at least they have a writter on armada now that might get me to contiue to read transformers armada. Damn dreamwave getting more of my money.

[StarSaber]

Well im glad theyve given me a reason not to bother importing Armada anytime soon.

GI Joe / Transformers crossover was enevitable i suppose and looks interesting. And im glad that it isnt Pat Lee taking over on Armada i hope hes saving himself for Zelda next year.

And at least i know i can get my James Raiz fix elsewhere.

Good interview.

[xdemon]

[quote]Originally posted by michaelDORAN:
<strong>“It’s something we’ve always wanted to do,” said Fortier. “Its an incredible sell-point to have a comic book based on a TV series that airs five days a week, and it behooves us to have a comic that looks similar to the TV show.”</strong><hr></blockquote>

Unfortunately, the tv series is crap. The Pokemon-ization of the Transformers - *SHUDDER* I have watched a couple of episodes or actually,
attempted to and it was too banal to endure.

[ZacWilliam]

I think this is great news for the Armada comic. Many fans have been sceptical about it and it's future because it's not G1 (even though the 1st two issues were fun stuff).

But Furman is very beloved among Transfandom, his writting quality is quite well known. And Guido (like Don who has done great stuff with "War Within") is a long time Transfan and a great artist.

I think alot of TF fans who may have overlooked Armada will definately give it a second look now.
Oh, and btw, Furman will also be writting the upcomming seperate UK-only Armada comic.


As for the Optimus mini... I don't think it was the greatest idea, IMO. There was a good bit of complaint durring the 1st G1 mini that Optimus and Megs were getting too much time at the expence of everyone else, he's also one of (if not THE) major stars of "War Within". I like Optimus, and he is the Bot Leader but I'd like to see more TFs than just him get a staring role, there are certainly a good number who could pull it off.

An ongoing G1 series sounds like a wonderfull idea(provided they get a good writer on it) I hope it happens. The G.I. joe crossover I'll definately buy, but it's happened enough in the past that it's not too huge an event.

[Wade @ Sighnub.com]

I am looking forward to the Optimus Prime mini, if for no other reason than that I hope it is the first of many "spotlight" minis.

[john]

"zelda?" someone mentioned a pat lee zelda this wouldn't be by any chance a dreamwave legend of zelda project would it? i must have missed that news somewhere, i'd appreciate it if someone could fill me in.

[Dan Feeser]

Let's take this one series at a time.

Armada - I thought the first two issues were interesting, but felt they pushed the Pokemon marketing of "gotta get all the minicons" a little too hard. I read that Furman and Lee would be doing #6 & #7 and that those would be great and I'd hang in at least that long. Then the third issue brought in the horrible 'stereotype trio' of kids and the 'dufus duo' of bad kids. I'm through. Get rid of the kids and I might come back, but since they are going to make the book feel more like the cartoon (which is the biggest mistake they could make, that 'toon is just horrible) I doubt I'll be checking out Armada again.

Prime - Sounds good to me. I'm definitely interested in learning about more of his past. As much as I love the Transformers I don't remember all the details of their story so this will be great.

G1 mini - A new mini sounds good, especially if it gets away from the odd conspiracy plot of the first. Hopefully with all the work going on at Dreamwave they get the delay bugs/early solicitation problem fixed by mid '03.

"possible" G1 ongoing - Bring it on!! I don't really care too much about anything other than G1 Transformers, so this would be perfect.

Transformers/GI Joe mini - Each company doing there own version? Count me in for the Dreamwave one. I've had it with Devil's Due (from the ongoing series being bad, IMO, to the new collection of the Battle Files, including new material and costing $3 or $4 less than the individual issues just a couple months later) so I won't be getting their version.

[KingStalin]

Here's run down of what I think...

Armada - I really enjoyed the first two issues, then they brought in the damn kids. :( But if Furman is staying on as the new ongoing writer I'm still there. Simon's Trans work is the best comics I have ever read, ythank you titan books for giving me the chance to read his work.

G1 mini - I'd be happy if they Had Hot rod in it.

G1 ongoing - Why not is more like it. There should have been a G1 ongoing since they first got the license. If only they got Furman to write that too.

Transformers/GI Joe mini - Awesome as long as it's notihng like the marvel mini. Though I have a feeling the dreamwave version's going to be more popular. No offense to devil's due.

[TJMD]

Guido... on Armada? ROCK ON! Only thing is, I'ma miss Raiz's work! And I have to wait until 2003 for it? Awwww, he did excellent Transformer art. It's a shame that there are too many great Transformers artists, I'll never get to see all the art that I'd like.

Congrats to Guido for getting a monthly, woooh! Furman.... Armada? Oh god it's gonna rock, rock baby!

*can not wait for the new Armada combo of Simon and Guido*

[csGuy]

I'm also not a big fan of the armada concept.

Megatron's sword looks like it'll snap in 3 as soon as he swings it. :)

[CoreyB]

And now, my thoughts:

ARMADA: It's been pretty good. I'm sad to see the artist is leaving, but at least he'll be continuing on elsewhere. I have to echo the concerns of making the comic too much like the cartoon, which really is quite awful. I so wanted to like it, too. The third issue of Armada introducing the kids was actually not that bad. I thought the kids were actually scripted pretty well, which is so hard to do. I'll see how Furman does. I'm still not sure if Armada is in the same continuity as G1 and War Within. I assume it isn't because of the landing on Earth.

G1: OPTIMUS PRIME sounds great but I think they should be careful about over-exposure on the character.

G1 sequel sounds awesome! I hope it picks up right where the first G1 mini left off, and I hope it really digs in to the characters this time.

G1 on-going: Oh yes! Please! Ideally, I'd want it written by Furman with art by Raiz.

WAR WITHIN has been the best DreamWave Transformers project so far! Highly recommended.

And I can't wait for the Profiles books.

MyWords
(huge dork)

[MattFreakinLittle]

MAN, this is sweet! The info coming out of Dreamwave just keeps getting better and better...

[pmpknface]

[quote]Originally posted by MattFreakinLittle:
<strong>MAN, this is sweet! The info coming out of Dreamwave just keeps getting better and better...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Damn skippy! Although I may have to hold off for some of the tpb's at some point... We'll see.

Go PSU!!!

[Dark Star]

Sounds really good. My only concern however is the way Chris writes the characters. Sometimes they come off as too cliche, and start sounding like a bad after school special. I'm hesitent on the Prime mini, but I'll give it a shot.

Simon's one of the best when it comes to writing transformers, and I'm hoping he'll think of some way to make the kids if not cool then less annoying.

A new G1 miniseries: I'm holding my breath because the last one had troubles in time and pacing IMHO.

Ongoing, if they get a good writer and one that can confidently navigate through the world of Cybertron, and Earth relations, then I'm all for it. However if the writing is sub par then the whole thing really should be thought out first.

DS :)

[David Willis]

The first G1 miniseries was already a Prime-focused mini. Why do we get more? Prime's the most overexposed TF character there is. Focus on, uh, Skids. Why can't Dreamwave get different characters wrong for a change?

But, dude. Guido. Guido is my personal deity. Him and Furman are going to rock my pants.

[Dan Feeser]

I'm surprised so many people (on this thread at least) are into Ruiz's work. I think all the lines run into each other and makes it difficult to distinguish where one Transformer ends and another starts. It's not bad, but I don't think it clearly conveys the story.


Just wanted to highlight these two points since they are pretty much exactly what I was thinking.

[quote]Originally posted by MyWords:
<strong>WAR WITHIN has been the best DreamWave Transformers project so far! Highly recommended.

And I can't wait for the Profiles books.</strong><hr></blockquote>

[David Willis]

I like Raiz's work. Though some of his stuff is awkward, like the stilted way characters stand, or the way they forced the poor man to draw anime children in Armada#3, I tend to enjoy his work. He can give characters appropriate facial expressions and can tell a story decently. Unlike Pat Lee, his art isn't just a series of characters that coincide with dialogue.

But Guido is by far my favorite of the artists Dreamwave has for their books. Not only can he render the characters superbly, but he expands the storytelling into the art itself with pose, face/gestures, and character. Compare the two Armada #7 covers -- one tells a story with personality, and the other is a character standing and doing nothing. This is why I'm excited about Guido.

[Pariah]

Can somebody explain the continuity between Armada and the rest of the pack? I don't get the new cartoon, so I don't understand the mini-cons. I just thought they were versions of the old mini toys. The three issues so far have really confused me. I dropped the original Marvel run of the Transformers around issue #30 and have no idea how it ended, but I still watched the cartoon in the 80's. Does anything I missed relate to Armada, or is everyone else also lost?

[David Willis]

Armada is its own new continuity that has nothing to do with anything before.

[ZacWilliam]

Armada, both the fairly cool Comic and fairly crapy Cartoon, is a whole new Universe officially not connected to any G1 universe/continuity

(Hasbro is on a Final Fantasy kick at the moment and has decided to make each new TF series from here on [until they change their mind at least] a new and seperate storyline/universe)

[Dark Star]

[quote]Originally posted by Pariah:
<strong>Can somebody explain the continuity between Armada and the rest of the pack? I don't get the new cartoon, so I don't understand the mini-cons. I just thought they were versions of the old mini toys. The three issues so far have really confused me. I dropped the original Marvel run of the Transformers around issue #30 and have no idea how it ended, but I still watched the cartoon in the 80's. Does anything I missed relate to Armada, or is everyone else also lost?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Okay here's the long and short. Armada is the story of the minicons, a group of small transformers that were the third group on Cybertron. (Autobots, Decepticons, Minicons)Got that so far, good.

The Decepticons, as far as I know from the cartoon series, caputured their home planet and lost the minicons who were teamed up with the larger transformers making them more powerful. Each minicon unlocks some sort of weapon on a transformer. (Think of the Digi eggs from Digimon during the third season.)

Anyway to make a long story short, three kids find a group of crashed Minicons. Apparently the transformers felt that they were dangerous and got rid of them for some reason. These minicons then scaned the kids rides, (a bike, a scooter, and a skateboard), and are partnered with the kids. Eventually the Cons and the Bots come to earth and fight to find the minicons. Whoever posseses the most will be the ruleing class upon Cybertron.

Nothing in Armada relates to the old Marvel Series. You did however miss the great Run Simon Furman had at the end of the TF US stories, and you can get them in Trade Paperbacks from Titan books.

Basically Armada is a whole new series that has no base in the main TF Time line.

I sometimes wonder if Hasbro and Takera is trying to pull a Gundam on us, giving serveral different continuities. I just wish they would stick to one. ;)

DS

[I'm a nerd]

I'm really happy that there's gonna be more Transformers coming out soon, really like what Dreamwave's got going right now. I'm not too into Armada, but the artwork is really good on that book.
The only thing that I'm concerned about, is that they may be tempted into milking too much out of the Transformers thing. Just hope that doesn't happen and the concept doesn't get watered down.
I also hope that Dreamwave can put out some more titles that aren't Transformers or Warlands related, because I think titles like Fate of the Blade have a lot of potential and they just need a couple of more good books to be a good company.

[MindTricked]

Kids - ugh. The kids IMMEDIATELY killed last year's TF toon for me. The newer toon hurts my feelings almost as much as last year's, and I couldn't really sit through one episode (which is cool - I can watch "Extended Play" at 6:30, between "Masters of the Universe" and "Justice League"). Now, I read that kids have been added to the comic. Again - ugh. Anywhom, DreamWave's doing the damn thing, and more power to 'em. One thing, though - Pat Lee's next project should be finishing up Darkminds Vol 3! C'mon now - don't end the series at number 3 - I wanna know who the damn killer is, damnit! *shakes fist*

[beta-ray]

Furman on Armada? Argh. I was definitely gonna drop that title... but seeing as the first issue of war within was the only Transformer comic that I really enjoyed... Maybe I have to buy that Armada crap a bit more... The cartoon is really disappointing...

[glcjr]

[quote]Originally posted by michaelDORAN:
<strong>
But not the highest level … Fortier reports Dreamwave is currently considering a Generation One ongoing series, “but that would occur after Pat’s next mini-series, if at all,” he said. “As long as the stories are there, it’s something we’d definitely do.”
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Why is there any doubt about an on-going G1 comic with the sales the mini got? I would think it would be fast tracked to take advantage of the 80s nostalga. (Is that spelled right?)

[Bloodcat]

But look at almost any nostalgia based book/miniseries that tries to go full on monthly.

They all suck, or end up sucking.

I would prefer easily collectible miniseries that can be collected and sold at the Waldenbooks of the world where lots of people buy comics that would never even THINK of going into a comic book shop.

Like me. Mostly because there isnt a local shop.