LOOKING IN ON TRANSFORMERS/GI JOE VOL.2

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Think you can handle more Transforms/GI Joe?

Ask and ye shall receive!

This October, Dreamwave presents Transformers/G.I. Joe Vol. 2, a six-issue limited series from the creative team of writers James “Brad Mick” McDonough, Adam Patyk and art sensation Pat Lee.

In the first volume released last year, written by John Ney Reiber with art by Jae Lee, the Transformers and the Joes met in days leading to World War II, in an alternate reality where the Cobra forces teamed up with the Decepticons and they wrecked havoc on Paris, Berlin, Rome, thus leading to the formation of the G.I. Joe team and the subsequent discovery of Optimus Prime and the Autobots. What's the premise this time around?

“Now, now…that would be telling. Seriously, Adam and I worked really hard to develop the premise of this series. He and I are both huge Joe and Transformer fans and the opportunity to do something like this was just too good to be true. It’s funny because he and I both had the same idea about where to take this thing before we even talked about the project. I actually remember e-mailing him the idea and he was like: “No sh!t. This is exactly what I was thinking!” From there, we just let the kids in us take over,” McDonough told Newsarama.

“And we definitely let the kids take over,” Patyk concurred. “There’s no shame in our game: we pulled out piles of Joe figures and Transformers to pick out the characters we wanted to include, figuring out who was going to interact with whom and how. What we can say about the premise is that it is set in 1985, and will focus on the escalating arms race between Joe and Cobra…an arms race that reaches a critical point when the Transformers hop in the mix. In a way, it’ll be play off some of the themes from that era itself, with the Cold War’s arms race and that kind of “fear of the bomb” feeling that was being drummed into everyone.”



So, does this crossover have ties to the earlier series then? “Ah, you’ll have to read the book, my man,” McDonough teased.

“Come on, that’s just mean. Let’s just say that if the original mini was kind of a “Golden Age” adventure, then this one will have the spirit and flavor of a “Silver Age” one,” Patyk hinted.

“With the exception of the whole WWII premise, I was actually quite involved with the first DW series, having selected the creative team, written the original treatment and developed the various character breakdowns for it. After getting my feet wet, I couldn’t wait to take the plunge on a series that Adam and I would be able to write, and have none other than my main man Pat Lee illustrate! Plus, I’d look for any excuse on the planet to work on G.I. Joe. I love G.I. Joe…ooh…that didn’t sound too good,” McDonough said.

“Whoa--don’t ask, don’t tell! But, seriously, it’s true… I can’t imagine the circumstances where the two of us wouldn’t jump at the chance to work on G.I. Joe. Of course, add in the Transformers and it’s definitely a case of “two great tastes that taste great together,” Patyk said.

The basic feel this time is what if there had been an animated series combining Transformers and GI Joe back when it all first started, in 1984/5. However, as with all previous crossovers, be it the earlier Dreamwave project or the other GI Joe vs Transformers limited series by Devil's Due or even the earlier encounters between the two franchises back in the day, what sets this crossover apart from the ones that came before, despite bringing this back to the classics? “That’s definitely the vibe we’re going for, but--like our work on Generation One and Micromasters--expect this to have a more mature, character-driven feel to it,” McDonough, who was formerly Creative Director, said.

“Right, but not incoherence masquerading as maturity to make something seem “dark” when it doesn’t need to—this is going to be more reminiscent of the classic Joe cartoons or the comics by G.I. Joe godfather Larry Hama, where the stories and characters never talked down to the audience, but still maintained a sense of fun. We’re trying to manage that right blend of modern sensibility with old-school entertainment,” Patyk added.

McDonough: “Exactly. I honestly believe that this series will really be what fans of both of these juggernauts have always wished for. I mean, when you think about it, the characters and concepts in both these universes could go toe-to-toe with the Marvels and DCs of the world. It’s just a matter of handling them appropriately. We’re pulling out all the stops to make this one hit. It’s hard for us not to push other projects aside just because we want to work on this book so bad!”

Patyk: “That’s the truth. TF/G.I. Joe: Divided Front has been like an evil magnet drawing our attention since we started cooking up the story. We’ll be in the middle of writing a G1 or Micromasters script, and one of us will say, “What if the Joes did this and the Transformers did this, and won’t it be awesome to see Pat draw this scene?” Next thing you know, we’re on an hours-long tangent, tweaking the story elements and scenes for TF/G.I. Joe.”

Since it’s back to the classics for both of these mega-properties, how different will the characters look from their original forms? Or is it a case of “If it ain’t broke…”

“They’re pretty much the robots and costumes you remember, which is very intentional,” Patyk said. “Fans want to see Pat Lee tackle the famous looks of the Joes and Cobras, not to mention the classic Transformers. People buy a series like this--one that combines two huge, marquee franchises--to see the characters they know and love. If you pick up a comic called Superman/Batman, you want to see the guys you recognize as Superman and Batman--not neon-green Batman with a goatee and Kryptonian robot-armor Superman with blonde hair. And that’s what we’re doing here: giving people the classic Transformers, Joes and Cobras they want to see, looking recognizable and acting in-character, but with a brand-new storyline and a fresh perspective on what made them the best fantasy characters of the past few decades.”

“There will definitely be a few surprises in our book, but for the most part we stuck with the classic aesthetics. If it ain’t broke—don’t muck it,” his co-writer said.

Expect to see Flint, Jazz, Ironhide, Starscream, Cobra Commander and Snake Eyes in this latest meeting between the two teams.

However, don’t expect to see this event impact the regular, ongoing Generation One series. “As with the first series, this one is secluded in its own alternate reality, with no real connection to the main G1 series we’re writing. It’s just a good way to keep it separate and let it be its own story without forcing unnecessary continuity into the equation to confuse things,” Patyk concluded.

The October-debuting first issue of the six-part miniseries will ship with three covers, a triple gatefold cover by Pat Lee, and cool wraparounds by Don Figueroa and Joe Ng that form an image when both the covers are combined.

Coming tomorrow: An interview with Pat Lee on handling the robots in disguise for a new millennium.

[captainamerica4]

The first series did not impress me much because of the WWII theme and some elements of the story telling. If they can come close to the writing style of Hama this will o well. I will definately pick this one up.

I am glad that the cross-overs take place in mini-series and not through the main titles. I love both properties but I think in the long run they should stay out of each other's universes.

I look forward to the art of Pat Lee! For me it will be easier to follow than Jae Lee's work.

[gredenko]

I thought this was a dumb idea when I was a kid, and it doesn't seem much better now. The newer GI Joe comics seemed to be steering towards a more real-world universe with Cobra as a terrorist organization and less ninjas, mysterious powers, and spaceships. The idea of Transformers/GI Joe is one that needs to go away. It's always been such a bad example of crossover marketing synergy. Let the two stand on their own, in their own worlds. But I guess some folks are clamoring for it... it just seems like giant transforming robots and crack military squads would have little reason to team up other than to sell more toys.

[render man]

I think I will pass. I have since learned to avoid Brad Micks work like the plague since the dead slow and boring work he is doing on the G1 v.3 book. Plus the original crossover series DW did was kinda anti-climatic. Forced ending, slow plot etc. Great art though by Jae Lee, and Pat Lee is no slouch either, but I have little interest in this announced series, no way do I spend money on this. Sorry DW for being so negative, just being honest.

[captainamerica4]

I agree that is why I am so glad these stories safely take place in miniseries that do not effect the main titles. Larry Hama was forced to incorporate the two at the end of the Joe series.

[cactusmaac]

I have to say I've been pretty disappointed with Dreamwave's output lately.

Transformers\Joe v1 was slow and tedious and Jae Lee's art was far too murk to make sense of what was going on. When I see a picture of Grimlock, it ought to look like Grimlock and not a mound of robotic crap with a red visor sticking out from one point.

War Within 2 was terribly padded and nowhere near the quality of the first mini. I was very enthused by Mick's work on War and Peace but so far the G1 series has draggged with six issues of religious babble featuring an enemy who should not have been focussed on so heavily at least not in the first arc which is the point at which many readers will decide to stay or leave the book.

What's more Dreamwave's colouring (and I presume their digital inking) is murky and severely obscures the quality of the pencils.

And who made the decision to have Energon continue with Armada's numbering? Any kid looking for the comic would most likely be put off by thinking that there've been thirty-odd issues before the current one instead of about a dozen.

I bought and liked the Summer Special. I know the staff they have is well capable of producing Transformers stories which I enjoy But if Dreamwave want me to stay a customer, they seriously need to get their eye back on the ball.

[Conor E]

Originally posted by cactusmaac
And who made the decision to have Energon continue with Armada's numbering? Any kid looking for the comic would most likely be put off by thinking that there've been thirty-odd issues before the current one instead of about a dozen.

And if they renumbered it, people would be bitching about how they're trying to cash in on a new #1. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[pogoman]

I may check it out, but I was not impressed with volume 1 at all.

[Kryptokid]

I love Transformers but at the moment I am at the point that I could drop the Dreamwave books and not feel like I was missing anything.

I guess I'll have to see how I feel when this one comes out....I could take it or leave it.

[SpazeMunky]

I think the TF GI Joe in the WWII setting was amazing. hands down ( to me ) the best TF GI Joe crossover yet. i was sad that it ended. it could have gone on for a 100 issues IMO. and the art was Fantastic. this news is great to me. if you diden't like it thats cool. but i did.

[Supreme Convoy]

I liked Devil's Due crossover and I've yet to read Dreamwave's (waiting for the paperback), but I'm a bit worried about how many GI Joe/Transformers continuities do we need?

But I can overlook that by the fact this mini-series is exactly what I wanted... "classic" versions of GI Joe and Transformers. Hopefully it'll be good.

[Perfect Strangler]

Does it mean that Pat Lee won't finish Devil May Cry? Four issues solicited, one issue shipped - five different covers, no less

[beta-ray]

I thought that the TF/GIJoe was head and shoulders above the GIJoe/TF effort by their competitors. Was it perfect? No... but I thought it was good and imaginative.

The GIJoe/TF was just the same old **** all over again. *yawn*

I am a bit disappointed that this is not a direct continuation of the first series... I would love to see the TFs in the 50s-60s... or even the early 70s. This looks like it MIGHT be the same ol same ol again... Oh well... Will probably try it anyway.

[AlexLothos]

I really liked their series. Jae Lee's work was amazing and I liked the WWII backdrop. I'm willing to give this second series a try too.

My question is WHEN WILL THE TRADE TO THE FIRST SERIES COMING OUT?! Please, oh please don't make it digest sized...

[render man]

[quote]Originally posted by cactusmaac

1. War Within 2 was terribly padded and nowhere near the quality of the first mini.

2. I was very enthused by Mick's work on War and Peace but so far the G1 series has draggged with six issues of religious babble featuring an enemy who should not have been focussed on so heavily at least not in the first arc which is the point at which many readers will decide to stay or leave the book.


1. I agree wholeheartedly. WW #2 was very boring.
2. Issue #0 was promising. I became disinterested at issue 1 and after issue 2 I was gone. Read #3 at the comics shop and was glad I didnt waste my money on this ker-rap.

And I am a lifelong Trans fan, but I havent liked anything else DW has put out since Vol.2, but all DW's stuff still doesnt match up to what Furman and gang were doing at the end of the Transformers run over at Marvel.

[Noc]

I think that G1 could be better but it is still a good read. My brother wants to read G.I joe/Tranformers because he likes stuff about WW2. And I never knew that devil may cry stopped shipping?

[silentmike86]

moan moan moan!

know one here has anything good to say, Dreamwave is DAMN GOOD, and every transfan should be happy we've got them, I mean without them transformers would probably just die.

After beast wars/machinies the serise has been shamlessly turned into a piece of crap by the japanese hasbo (takka or somthing) with its car robots and Armada recycled rubbish. Dreamwave came along and made sence of G1, made Armada a good comic, and are giving tansformers the storylines and art work it truly needs! not to mention having simon furmen and Pat Lee amoung the other tanlented artists and writers.

I am not particulary fond of the GI Joe Transformers cross overs but i was never a fan of GI Joe. but its dreamwave so its probably good.

oh yeah by the way if you have read the old Unicron saga in the old mavel comics then maybe you would see a small connection bettween that and the warwitthin vol 2.

but dreamwave is its own Universe anyway so people should not conpare the two.

peace out!!

[starvenger]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why McDonough decided to "come out of the closet" wrt to his pen name?

[Karl V]

For the same reason they non-chalantly announce he is the former creative director on the TF books?
Who knows...
We'll probably never have a full official explanation on why it was done in the first place.

[SuperginraiX]

Jack Kirby was born Jacob Kurtzberg.
Stan Lee was born Stanley Martin Lieber, and also went by Neel Nats at one time.
Many times creators went by one name at DC and another at Marvel.
There are many reasons behind such changes in names, but it isn't like comics isn't full of such precedents.

[Big Grim]

I get all of Dreamwave's TF titles (seem to be the only titles they make that get sold). And I'm a sucker for crossovers. I've got both of the crossovers that Dreamwave and Devil's Due did, and I liked them both. So of course I'm getting the follow-ups. Sure is a lot of whining in this thread. Look, if you like it go buy it. If you don't like it, then don't buy it. Everyone's got different tastes. I think I have too many, how else could I like all the TF books and all the TF/Joe crossovers?

[fudgecrumpet]

I know you're all going on about how disappointing Dreamwave's newest TF series are, but you all seem to have forgotten about how boring or overplotted the original Marvel series was, and how simplistic and childish the Devil's Due GIJoe/TF Crossover was. Compared to these, Dreamwave's TF series are classics, even at their worst.

[Ishin_Ookami]

Hey, I loved DW's crossover. It was original, dark, clever and I liked the art. I thought the last ish was a disappointment though, and was wondering what had happened. Now it seems obvoius that Pat Lee and Mick/McDonough decided to extend the series after seeing how popular it was, and probably asked Reiber to change the ending to allow for a possible sequal.

While that isnt exactly classy or intellegent, the DW crossover was still a great series, even with the disappointments. I personally thought it wiped the floor with the Image crossover. Now THAT was a piece of comic book garbage, And the sequal looks to be even more silly, goofy, and dervitive.

So, I say go Dreamwave. It seems this series may well have alot of potential. Pats art looks absoloutly badass, and Im hoping the DW one lives up to its potential.