IDW ADAPTS TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE IN OCTOBER

[MattBrady]

To be announced in just a few moments at today’s IDW Transformers panel at Comic-Con, in October, the publisher will debut the first issue of an all-new, four part adaptation of Transformers: The Movie.

While the movie has been adapted before, this new version will be special on many levels, from the meeting of current Transformers artist Don Figueroa with legendary Transformers writer Bob Budiansky, to extra scenes never before adapted in comics.

“This is a new degree of detail in art and story,” IDW’s Chris Ryall told Newsarama. “Consider this the definitive director's cut of the movie adaptation. Or consider it a great pairing of Bob and Don, because it's also that. Your choice.”

The adaptation coincides with an October re-release of a special edition version of the 1986 film on DVD (which will sport a brand new lenticular cover by Figueroa), but Ryall promised fans will find more in the adaptation than they will in the film.

“You’ll see scenes that didn't make it into the movie, and characters that also didn't make the cut,” Ryall noted. “Don is just packing the pages full of characters and bits for hardcore fans of the movie. It's gonna have everything but the cheeseball hairband soundtrack.”

And as far as Ryall is concerned, is party his duty to bring Budiansky back to prominence among fans of the robots in disguise.

“We're helping re-present signs of Bob's significance to Transformers every month in the form of our Generations reprints, but for those who don't know, he took the property from being just toys and gave the characters personalities, naming some of them, giving them backstory, and laying the foundation for all Transformers comics to come. Having him on board for this is quite special for all of us.

“Oh, and speaking of Transformers movies, there seems to be one coming next summer, too. So before too long, I'll be able to talk about all of our efforts to support that flick, as well as other '07-due books like Best of Simon Furman and Don Figueroa collections, a Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron collection, and more. We think 2007's going to be quite a year for Transformers fans.”

Look for more Transformers news coming from IDW's panel later today.

Newsarama's Comic-Con International '06 Coverage is brought to you by Miramax Films’ RENAISSANCE. In theaters this fall.

[POWRSURG]

So what are the odds that Spike's infamous swear makes it to the comic? And what of an explanation for the missing Dinobot? (okay, technically he appears with the other Dinobots in like 2-3 scenes, but that just means he was off camera for 99% of the movie).

I want Ultra Magnus' original death scene! Turn him to scrap!

[Satan665]

IDW really is cashing in on the franchise. They really are making too many books and probably deflating the general interest in the comics. In a way I welcome something other than the bad 'Infiltration' series, but just rehashing the same stories is kind of useless.

It's been a long time, but I still miss the Dreamwave series quite a bit. Their ongoing TF comic was the best so far. I'm a huge TF fan, and a big comics fan but IDW just isn't cutting it. They either seem to be focusing too much on weird obscure transformers (I blame Furman) or too much on human characters. The humans always were annoying and just get in the way of character development for the robots.

Oh, well.

[JustAnothaSucka]

WTF.....

why on earth do they need to do this? Isn't it a little late? haven't we all seen it anyways?? let me quess it's gonna be $3.99 with subpar art anyways..


pure silliness, i tell you. you could buy the movie for the price of the four issues.

[lex luthor]

Originally Posted by Satan665

IDW really is cashing in on the franchise. They really are making too many books and probably deflating the general interest in the comics. In a way I welcome something other than the bad 'Infiltration' series, but just rehashing the same stories is kind of useless.

In some respects I agree that IDW may be watering down the TF franchise but the difference, at least to me, is that these are high quality TF products. Also with over 20 years of backstory and reboots and reimaginings, IDW is able to offer different TF products to every TF fan imaginable. For example, being a child of the '80's myself (LOL), I'm currently reading Infiltration, Stormbringer, & TF Generations. I never could get into Beast Wars though there are a legion of fans who swear by them and IDW has titles tailor made for those fans who might never pick-up the "normal" TF titles.

[BlueThunderArmy]

Originally Posted by POWRSURG

So what are the odds that Spike's infamous swear makes it to the comic?

Ha. That was the first thing I thought.

[zeraze1]

Originally Posted by JustAnothaSucka

WTF.....

why on earth do they need to do this? Isn't it a little late? haven't we all seen it anyways??

Well, there is a 20th anniversary DVD of Transformers: The Movie due in November. So, IDW's adaptation is clearly intended to capitalize on the DVD, which in turn is capitalizing on next year's Transformers flick.

let me quess it's gonna be $3.99 with subpar art anyways..

Actually, all the Transformers comics cost $2.99. And overall I'm impressed with the art because the pencillers can draw people as well as giant robots. Contrast this with Dreamwave's artists whose talent evaporated as soon as they had to pencil anything organic.

zeraze

[MicroZone]

Originally Posted by JustAnothaSucka

let me quess it's gonna be $3.99 with subpar art anyways..

Yes, it's $3.99, so are the TF Spotlight comics.

No the art is not subpar. Unless you hate Don's art, then you're just silly.

[Autocomber]

I think the preview art looks great. I too hope they show Ultra Magnus being ripped apart. I want to see Galvatron in all his bad-assery.

I liked the Beast Wars mini, Infiltration was lacking, but the Stormbringer mini looks awesome. I love the War Within modes. IDW is no Dreamwave, but they're putting out G1 based TF stories, I think it's great. I just hope they don't get over extended and bankrupt themselves like Dreamwave did...

First Prime, then Ultra Magnus, and now you. It's apity you Autobots die so easy, or else I might have some sense of satisfaction.

[Kent Horton]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

“You’ll see scenes that didn't make it into the movie, and characters that also didn't make the cut,” Ryall noted. “Don is just packing the pages full of characters and bits for hardcore fans of the movie. It's gonna have everything but the cheeseball hairband soundtrack.”

Hey! I own that soundtrack, dammit! And it's good, too!

Originally Posted by Satan665

I'm a huge TF fan, and a big comics fan but IDW just isn't cutting it. They either seem to be focusing too much on weird obscure transformers (I blame Furman) or too much on human characters.

Those "weird obscure transformers" are the best ones. Not everyone wants constant Optimus and Megatron shoved down our throats.

[Razak]

Originally Posted by Satan665

IDW really is cashing in on the franchise. They really are making too many books and probably deflating the general interest in the comics. In a way I welcome something other than the bad 'Infiltration' series, but just rehashing the same stories is kind of useless.

It's been a long time, but I still miss the Dreamwave series quite a bit. Their ongoing TF comic was the best so far. I'm a huge TF fan, and a big comics fan but IDW just isn't cutting it. They either seem to be focusing too much on weird obscure transformers (I blame Furman) or too much on human characters. The humans always were annoying and just get in the way of character development for the robots.

Oh, well.

's funny, I found the Dreamwave TF comics written by McDonogh and Patyk to be no better than some of the fan fiction I've read online. The artwork of most of the DW series was generally great, but the stories and characterization were average, at best, in my opinion.

I also find it ironic that you accuse IDW for "cashing in" and creating too many books when overexposure and market glut are among the prime factors that brought about the eventual downfall of the DW TF comics (to say nothing of the licensing fees they were paying). I can remember a time when there were no less then *five* Transformers series being published by Dreamwave simultaneously (Gen. 1, Energon, Micromasters, War Within, TF/G.I. Joe), to say nothing of the various More Then Meets The Eyes official guidebooks, one-shots and collected pocketbook editions. From what I remember of fan reaction in general towards Dreamwave with respect to the Transformers license towards the end there, there were more then a few fans who were tired of the glut.

By contrast, IDW only has three series being published concurrently: Transformers Evolution, Stormbringer, and Generations, which simply reprints the old Marvel series so no new material is being generated from this one. From what I've seen from IDW the plan is to keep it to those three series (with Stormbringer eventually giving way to Escalation), with the movie adaptation coming later in the year.. Still less than DW at it's height, and I have faith that Chris Ryall has learned from Dreamwave's mistakes so as not to repeat them. Time will tell, of course.

But for what it's worth, I do agree that the humans in Infiltration are annoying and should be dumped, but at least both Chris and Simon have gone on record for saying that Stormbringer largely is a response to the fans' criticism over the inclusion of humans.. At least they're listening to us.

[Kent Horton]

I think IDW's production plan, or at least the way it looks to me from their production schedule, is that they plan on having three series out at all times:

Generations: the reprint series

Infiltration/ Stormbringer/ Escalation/ Whatever comes next: Basically their current continuity, presented as a series of minis/named story-arcs (however you want to view it)

Other Mini-series: First we had the Beast Wars mini, now we have the Evolutions mini, when that's over the Movie adaptation comes out, then probably either another Beast Wars or Evolution mini. In-between the minis they'll have character specific one-shots, like the Shockwave one coming in September.

Again that's at least what their schedule looks like to me from all available info, and is less than Dreamwave at their "glut" height.

[Spidey418]

Originally Posted by Satan665

It's been a long time, but I still miss the Dreamwave series quite a bit. Their ongoing TF comic was the best so far. I'm a huge TF fan, and a big comics fan but IDW just isn't cutting it. They either seem to be focusing too much on weird obscure transformers (I blame Furman) or too much on human characters. The humans always were annoying and just get in the way of character development for the robots.

Oh, well.

Best so far? Let's hope you mean "best so far if we don't count Marvel G1 or G2".

Focusing too much on weird obscure transformers? Seriously, what are you talking about?
You know what's obscure? Having a Transformers:MicroMasters series. You know who's obscure? Sunstorm, a seeker repaint that got 6 issues devoted to him in DW. THAT'S OBSCURE.
When IDW got the TF, a HUGE part of why Hasbro gave it to them and why Infiltration has been handled the was it has so far was to AVOID obscure characters. Look at the Infiltration cast: it's all classics. Ironhide, Prowl, Bumblebee, and Shockwave are the main players thus far in Hearts of Steel, and Jetfire and the Technobots are at the center of Strombringer, which may have an obscure toy villan in Thunderwing, but anyone who read Marvel G1 knows exactly who Thunderwing is.

And if you REALLY want to see annoying, stereotypical human characters overshadow the TF, look at Sacchirini's DW TF G1 Vol 1.

In short, yes, I've got my problems with IDW oversaturating the market, and the Bendisesque pacing of Infiltration, but to say DW is better is giving them WAY too much credit.

[EMeadow]

Originally Posted by POWRSURG

So what are the odds that Spike's infamous swear makes it to the comic? And what of an explanation for the missing Dinobot? (okay, technically he appears with the other Dinobots in like 2-3 scenes, but that just means he was off camera for 99% of the movie).

I want Ultra Magnus' original death scene! Turn him to scrap!

The writer (Burdiansky) stated during the panel transcribed on another site that they are making sure ALL Dinobots are there in every scene.

As for the swear word, if it shows up here, it better show up in the new DVD version.

Should be fun seeing this interpretated with 2006 art. I remember how the 85 adaptation looked.

And count me as a major fan of that cheesy hair metal soundtrack. I wore the cassette out to death with constant playing.

The fun part is, you didn't know any of those bands before the soundtrack came out, and you still didn't know them after.

Weird Al's gotta love it when he's the biggest draw.

[Razak]

Originally Posted by Kent Horton

I think IDW's production plan, or at least the way it looks to me from their production schedule, is that they plan on having three series out at all times:

Generations: the reprint series

Infiltration/ Stormbringer/ Escalation/ Whatever comes next: Basically their current continuity, presented as a series of minis/named story-arcs (however you want to view it)

Other Mini-series: First we had the Beast Wars mini, now we have the Evolutions mini, when that's over the Movie adaptation comes out, then probably either another Beast Wars or Evolution mini. In-between the minis they'll have character specific one-shots, like the Shockwave one coming in September.

Again that's at least what their schedule looks like to me from all available info, and is less than Dreamwave at their "glut" height.

Hmm good call.

[holtom2000]

there were some off-screen deaths that could finally be cleared up... the scientist autobot for one... no reflector either... he died at autobot base...
and where was reflector?

[beta-ray]

Originally Posted by Satan665

IDW really is cashing in on the franchise. They really are making too many books and probably deflating the general interest in the comics. In a way I welcome something other than the bad 'Infiltration' series, but just rehashing the same stories is kind of useless.

It's been a long time, but I still miss the Dreamwave series quite a bit. Their ongoing TF comic was the best so far. I'm a huge TF fan, and a big comics fan but IDW just isn't cutting it. They either seem to be focusing too much on weird obscure transformers (I blame Furman) or too much on human characters. The humans always were annoying and just get in the way of character development for the robots.

Oh, well.

I thought the DW G1 was starting to pick up steam and was sad to see it go. However, if you complain about rehashing, I find it interesting that you would be clamoring for the non-obscure characters. I love Optimus and co, but am also interested in seeing what they can do with the toys/characters who I saw but were really never focused on.

If you hate the humans, well read Beast Wars and Stormbringer.

The one series I LOVED and miss dearly is the War Within stuff...

Edited to Add:
*sigh* Don on the movie adaptation... I guess I HAVE to buy it...

[jagtech13]

Hmm, I am still on the fence with the IDW Transformers books myself. The Beast Wars one wasn't to my taste which is strange because I generally like Furman's work. Infiltration is lousy, I cannot really offer a better representation of what I dislike with the book than what others have basically said. Slow pacing, annoying humans who should be fead to the Insecticons, etc.

Not sure if I will pick up the TF: The Movie Re-Do. Had the originals, I'm sure the art will be better, but I am skeptical on what I will find. Damn comics today with decompression that would make a Bugs Bunny cartoon into a sixteen hour mini-series event.

Finally, and I hope someone has news on this one please, what is going into the Transformers: The Movie re-issue? I mean the DVD, BTW. Is this just a new cover and maybe a few vignets of the TF Cons? Will this be a widescreen treatment? Digitally restored? DTS alternate track? I checked my normal DVD store online (www.deepdiscountdvd.com) and while it is listed there, there is not any news on the disk. Anyone hear anything? Thanks either way.

[jagtech13]

Originally Posted by holtom2000

there were some off-screen deaths that could finally be cleared up... the scientist autobot for one... no reflector either... he died at autobot base...
and where was reflector?

The scientist Autobot you are thinking of who died at Autobase Earth (Later retrofitted storywise as Metroplex) was Wheeljack. He dies when the Decepticons and Devastor start tearing apart Autobase Earth. Reflector is at Autobase, he tells Blaster to call Prime, gets pounded upon by Rumble, and is told by Blaster "If Prime doesn't get here soon, we are all gonna look like burnt out toasters." Later, he is shown with a brief cameo of either Inferno or Grapple pressing the battle from foxhole type installations. He also boards the shuttle with Ultra Magnus & co. and finds himself on the Junkions planet.

BTW, for those making fun of the cheesey 80s hair band soundtrack, first thing I did when I got my 20 gig iRiver was convert my TF: TM cd and place the album onto it. Yes it's cheesey, butALL 80s hair band music is.

[holtom2000]

Originally Posted by jagtech13

The scientist Autobot you are thinking of who died at Autobase Earth (Later retrofitted storywise as Metroplex) was Wheeljack. He dies when the Decepticons and Devastor start tearing apart Autobase Earth. Reflector is at Autobase, he tells Blaster to call Prime, gets pounded upon by Rumble, and is told by Blaster "If Prime doesn't get here soon, we are all gonna look like burnt out toasters." Later, he is shown with a brief cameo of either Inferno or Grapple pressing the battle from foxhole type installations. He also boards the shuttle with Ultra Magnus & co. and finds himself on the Junkions planet.

BTW, for those making fun of the cheesey 80s hair band soundtrack, first thing I did when I got my 20 gig iRiver was convert my TF: TM cd and place the album onto it. Yes it's cheesey, butALL 80s hair band music is.

a yes... wheeljack... weak death...
now who was that decepticon camera?

[jagtech13]

Originally Posted by holtom2000

a yes... wheeljack... weak death...
now who was that decepticon camera?

The Decepticon that transformed from 3 robots into a camera was RELECTOR. Hey, IDW! Human Transformers encylopedia over here! LOL

>

[Sean Walsh]

Wow.

This is, outside the GI JOE/TF comics, the first TF comic I've been interested and wanna buy in YEARS.

I'm in.

[Wolverine]

Reflector was in the movie. He can be seen very briefly in a Decepticon group shot.

I personally want to know what happened to Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Hound etc and the other MIA originals.

Looking forward to seeing Mirage's death as well. Sad.

Also just for the record, "The Touch", "Dare" and Lion's cover of "The Transformers Theme" kick ass.

[Sean Walsh]

Originally Posted by jagtech13

The scientist Autobot you are thinking of who died at Autobase Earth (Later retrofitted storywise as Metroplex) was Wheeljack. He dies when the Decepticons and Devastor start tearing apart Autobase Earth. Reflector is at Autobase, he tells Blaster to call Prime, gets pounded upon by Rumble, and is told by Blaster "If Prime doesn't get here soon, we are all gonna look like burnt out toasters." Later, he is shown with a brief cameo of either Inferno or Grapple pressing the battle from foxhole type installations. He also boards the shuttle with Ultra Magnus & co. and finds himself on the Junkions planet.

Actually, that's Perceptor, not Reflector. Reflector was a Decepticon never seen after the first 2 seasons of the TF cartoon. Perceptor was introduced in the movie, I believe, and was part of the show after the movie.

And IIRC, he was killed in the comics off-screen (and his death was announced....on a screen - I realize the irony ) by Simon Furman not long after he took over the Marvel TF series...!

Also - alongside Wheeljack's body was Windcharger, also dead; another original Autobot.

[POWRSURG]

Originally Posted by Sean Walsh

Actually, that's Perceptor, not Reflector. Reflector was a Decepticon never seen after the first 2 seasons of the TF cartoon. Perceptor was introduced in the movie, I believe, and was part of the show after the movie.

And IIRC, he was killed in the comics off-screen (and his death was announced....on a screen - I realize the irony ) by Simon Furman not long after he took over the Marvel TF series...!

Also - alongside Wheeljack's body was Windcharger, also dead; another original Autobot.

Perceptor was introduced in season 2.

I don't recall him ever dying, but he may have been "killed" when they basically had most of the original TFs shut down during a battle with a supped-up Starscream. I believe most, if not all, were later re-activated.