Transformers Comic Book News on Seibertron.com

Top 5 Best Transformers Stories from IDW Comics Era

Date: Sunday, December 23rd 2018 12:02am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

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Views: 108,396

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Best Stories from IDW Transformers Comics Era (2005-2018)

The IDW timeline/universe/story that started in 2005 has ended and I personally believe it includes the best Transformers fiction involving our favourite G1 characters. Of course comics can be daunting to get into and I won't pretend every single story was a gem. But there was some stellar storytelling here, the best these characters ever got and I will go through the 5 best stories from this 13 year run that any Transformers fan should check out asap. The titles link to the comics on comixology in case you want to check them out.

Note: At the day this is published, there is a major sale on all these comics at comixology.

5. The Transformers: Ironhide Mini Series by Mike Costa and Casey Coller

I love Ironhide, he is one of my favourite G1 characters and a great archetype: the bad ass old timer soldier who will get the job done. And this book makes great use of that archetype. Plus, for any new readers, the fact that art of the story is Ironhide not remembering a lot means you and him are both unaware of what came before and it serves as a nice introduction to the IDW G1 universe. The biggest selling point though will be the art. As good as the writing is, this book's greatest strength is the gorgeous art from Casey Coller, which to me always felt like the best Dream Wave but done right (so clean and heroic but without odd proportions or angles). - William-James88

Out of the three "solo-character" books (the other two being Bumblebee and Drift), this was the best one. Mystery, suspense, and four full issues of Casey Coller being awesome. - Scotty P

Casey Coller killed, there was a lot of mystery, there was a lot of Ironhide coming to terms with not remembering 4 million years, and it started his unique relationship to Alpha Trion that shaped most of his future. - D-Max




4. Till All Are One Issues 1-12 + Annual by Mairghread Scott and Sara Pitre-Durocher

We always guessed a Starscream lead story would be fun, and this book shows us just how great that can be. While anyone who likes combiners will get their money's worth here, the part I liked most was the later half with Windblade. We get to see just how much that character can add to a story. And, lest we forget, this is the story of Starscream actually being ruler of Cybertron, something the character always wanted and we get to see it play out in full rather than him being instantly killed by Galvatron. - William-James 88

TAAO had some great moments, and I think issue 4 with Bruticus was the best look we've had at a Combiner mind in story and visuals. But 9-12 with Starscream truly changing and then the battle of the minds was truly awesome. - D-Max




3. Shadowplay from More Than Meets the Eye 9-11 by James Roberts and Alex Milne

If anyone is interested in Pre War Cybertron starring Orion Pax as a super cop, then this story is for you. Expertly written and just plain fun to read, with lots of twists (that final page is a bigger twist than anything M Night Shyamalan ever did). While it takes place within the More Than Meets Your Eye comic, this story is very much self contained since it deals with the crew looking back on a conspiracy themed story from Pre War Cybertron and how they interacted with Orion Pax (Optimus Prime before the war) as he searches for answers. This gives us the best look at Cybertron before the war and how society was, and is a very fun mashup of Transformers in different narrative situations, like a police procedural, a political thriller and a heist story (where Orion organizes to steal the Matrix of Leadership!). As I said, just plain fun and it's great to see all the storytelling potential with these beloved characters achieved. - William-James88




2. Transformers: The Wreckers Saga: Last Stand of the Wreckers and Sins of the Wreckers by Nick Roche (and James Roberts for LSOTW)

Simply put, Last Stand of the Wreckers, is the pinnacle IDW story, this is the one that had people screaming at how awesome, fresh, and cool it was. That series helped put Roberts on the map and really helped define Roche's career. It's still an all time favorite of mine. The content, the simple message of people dying in stupid, pointless, preventable ways during war is so dense and so tight. If IDW had a perfect story, that one would be it, for sure.

As for Sins of the Wreckers, it is such a visual story. In the same way I and others have criticized Roberts for way too many words and not a lot of visuals in several cases, this one was the exact opposite, you got more from the story by looking at it then reading it. That book is probably the perfect visual story book from IDW. - D-Max

Sins of the Wreckers was a deeply personal story with a raw emotion and style not really seen elsewhere in Transformers. Might be the top of the full 13 year run when it comes to the use of visual storytelling.- Scotty P






1. Chaos Theory from Transformers 22 and 23 by James Roberts and Alex Milne

If you could only read one comic (well two in this case), this is what I would recommend. While these are brief chapters written at about the half way point of this IDW universe, they serve as its true beginning tieing in what came before and becoming a basis for the future. Optimus Prime and Megatron are the main characters of the Transformers franchise and yet after all these years, this is where we finally get the best look at them. We see what makes them tick, what they stand for. This is a humanizing portrayal of both characters and yet at the same time, we see them for the leaders that they are, these giants that no other character before or after can compare to. And it's written so well. My favourite scene, if I had to pick one, is when both of them just chat about their past battles against one another and compare how much they suffered at each other's hands, both laughing it off. You also get to see how a 4 million year war happens, what it entails and how war strategies for these immortal beings are different than how we would imagine it. There is a great line about how they would plan a battle for centuries only for it to be finished over night. This is just an example of how we get a more detailed look at these characters, at the Transformers lore itself, than ever before.

While it takes place at the very end of the war, we also see both of these characters before the war and how they come to be while also setting up all the lore the IDW Universe has now contributed. Like how Transformers are made (forged or constructed cold) or where the word and symbol for Decepticons comes from and the societal environment where such a clan could rise (we even learn what the "Megatron" name implies). And as I mention this, you would think there would just be loads of text describing things like an encyclopedia, but no it just flows smoothly as a confrontation between the two commanders as they get a sense of where they are at in the war. And the fact that it sets up the lore means you won't feel lost reading it at all, it is a stepping stone for many stories to come (like Shadowplay, mentioned above). I could talk about this endlessly, I didn't even mention the immaculate art by Alex Milne (who has since become THE Transformers artist). It's only two issues, do yourself a favour and read it. - William-James88




Honourable Mention:

Transformers Escalation - A super entertaining part of Furman's arcs that often gets overlooked. This story is peak Furman with him paying off some built-up storylines, seeding others, and doing innovative things. Plus, the Optimus vs Megatron fight in issue 5 is both one of their few one on one battles in IDW and also one of the best ever crafted. - Scotty P

IDW's Transformers: Lost Light wins IGNs Best Comic Series 2018 People's Choice Award

Date: Saturday, December 22nd 2018 12:13pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): James Roberts Twitter Account, IGN

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Views: 41,605

Thanks to a tweet from James Roberts, author Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye and Transformers: Lost Light comic book series, we've learned that Lost Light has won the People's Choice award in the annual IGN Best Comic Book awards. This category was open up for people to vote in.



We had previously reported here that the comic had been nominated and the competition it faced from Batman, Black Hammer: Age Of Doom, Black Panther, East of West, Go Go Power Rangers, Kill or Be Killed, The Mighty Thor, Monstress and Saga.

What do you think about this win? Do you think it was deserved? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.

IDW March 2019 Solicitations

Date: Friday, December 21st 2018 5:42pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Previews World

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Views: 36,549

Running just a smidge late, and not actually being the fault of IDW this time, we have our newest comic solicitations to share with you for March of 2019! These solicitations finally bring us back to a Transformers ongoing, featuring Issues #1 and #2 for the new Transformers series, set before the war on Cybertron. We also get the Go-bots final issue, some trades, and a Synergy project for you to check out.

So without further ado, here we go!

TRANSFORMERS #1 CVR A RODRIGUEZ

Cover coming soon

(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Angel Hernandez, Ron Joseph (CA) Gabriel Rodriguez

A NEW ERA DAWNS! In the infinite universe, there exists a planet like no other: Cybertron! Home to the Transformers, and a thriving hub for inter-stellar commerce, it is a world brimming with organic and constructed diversity. Immense structures line its landscape. Mechanical giants roam across its surface. Starship-sized titans orbit its skies, keeping a constant protective watch above and below. Ancient Transformers merge into its very fabric. Small, mysterious creatures skulk in its shadows. It is a truly amazing realm, long untouched by war, and exuberantly reaching for the stars. This is the Cybertron that Optimus Prime and Megatron vie for in this bold new origin-a world of seemingly endless peace! All that changes when Bumblebee and Windblade take a newly-forged Cybertronian on his first voyage through this world of wonders-they are confronted by the hard reality of the first murder to have occurred on Cybertron in living memory!

In Shops: Mar 13, 2019

SRP: $3.99

TRANSFORMERS #1 CVR B HERNANDEZ

Cover coming soon

TRANSFORMERS #1 10 COPY INCV COLLER

cover coming soon

TRANSFORMERS #1 25 COPY INCV WILLIAMS

Cover coming soon

TRANSFORMERS #1 50 COPY INCV WILLIAMS

Cover coming soon

TRANSFORMERS #2 CVR A DANIEL

(W) Brian Ruckley (A) Angel Hernandez, Ron Joseph (CA) Nelson Daniel

"Your life is yours to shape." These words form the backbone of the Transformers' society. But Cybertronian police officers Chromia and Prowl learn there's a dark underside as they investigate the murder that's caught Bumblebee in a web of lies and secrets.

In Shops: Mar 27, 2019

SRP: $3.99

TRANSFORMERS #2 CVR B JOSEPH

Cover coming soon

TRANSFORMERS #2 10 COPY INCV VEREGGE

Cover coming soon

SYNERGY HASBRO CREATORS SHOWCASE

(W) Various (A/CA) Various

In recognition of Women's History month, IDW and Hasbro are teaming up to create SYNERGY: A HASBRO CREATORS SHOWCASE, a celebration of fan-favorites and new talent working with some of the most beloved Hasbro characters. With 13 fabulous covers drawn from the IDW archives and 27 pages of new material-including autobiographical works by Mairghread Scott (drawn by Sara Pitre-Durocher, reuniting the creative team behind the beloved Transformers: Till All Are One series) and Katie Cook (writer on the hit My Little Pony comic), as well as three original stories inspired by G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Jem and the Holograms-this anthology celebrates the women who have made, or will make, an impact on the world of Hasbro for many years to come.

Celebrate Women's History Month with women creators who made history!
Includes a collection of some of the most gorgeous and dynamic covers IDW and Hasbro have to offer-plus exciting new stories!

In Shops: Mar 27, 2019

SRP: $7.99

TRANSFORMERS IDW COLLECTION PHASE 2 HC VOL 09

No info given

The Autobots and Decepticons' uneasy peace is threatened by the flames of war! Starscream, ruler of Cybertron, makes contact with Windblade's homeworld-and the only defense against a new Cybertronian Empire is the Combiners-multiple Cybertronians joining together into huge, dangerous forms! Collects Transformers issues #39-43, More Than Meets the Eye issues #41-44, and Windblade, Volume 2 issues #1-5.

In Shops: Jun 19, 2019

SRP: $49.99

GO-BOTS #5 CVR A SCIOLI

(W) Tom Scioli (A/CA) Tom Scioli

The jaw-dropping conclusion to Tom Scioli's epic tale is here! The fate of all Go-Bots hangs in the balance! From the creative mind that brought you IDW's Transformers vs. G.I. Joe! Visionary creator Tom Scioli unleashes his imagination on the bizarre, absurd, and wonderful world of Go-Bots!

In Shops: Mar 20, 2019

SRP: $3.99

GO-BOTS #5 CVR B SHAW

Cover coming soon

GO-BOTS #5 10 COPY INCV BROWN

Cover coming soon

STAR TREK VS TRANSFORMERS TP

(W) John Barber, Mike Johnson (A) Philip Murphy, Jack Lawrence (CA) Derek Charm

When Kirk, Spock, and the entire crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise investigate problems at a remote mine, they're met with a explosive battle between powerful warriors who change into vehicles from the 20th century! As the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons rages, it's up to Kirk to decide-does he violate the Prime Directive and interfere in a war that's raged for millenia? And how will the Klingons complicate the issue? It's cartoony fun between two of the most popular science fiction franchises in the world!

Advance solicited for May release!

Four decades in the making, it's the crossover that fans have demanded! Kirk, Spock, and Autobots! Decepticons and Klingons! Optimus Prime and the Prime Directive!

In Shops: May 22, 2019

Jeffery Veregge Doing Special Covers For IDW Transformers Reboot and More Cover Artwork Teased

Date: Thursday, December 20th 2018 10:30am CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): Jeffery Veregge Twitter Account, Tom Waltz Twitter Account

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We've got some more details for next year's IDW Transformers Reboot! First up, thanks to Artist Jeffery Veregge's twitter account, we've learned that he is producing a series of special covers for the bimonthly comic once it launches. These will be in the form of retro themed travel posters. Check out his tweet and an image of one of the covers he's created!

Jeffery Veregge wrote:So excited to share my 1st cover for @IDWPublishing's upcoming Transformer series. I will be creating vintage sci-fi, Travel poster covers...Here is my first in that series. #Transformers #Cybertron https://t.co/EIeO57jfN2

Lastly, thanks to Tom Waltz (a manager/creative/senior editor at IDW). We have a tease of some more covers for the new reboot series, in small scenes where we can see Prime, Prowl, Chromia, Starscream and Megatron. All looking like their Siege toys. These were done by the creative team of Angel Hernandez, Ron Joseph and writer Brian Ruckley. Check out Tom's tweet and the teaser images below!

Tom Waltz wrote:They call me MegaTease. (Actually, they just call me Tom, but I'm giving myself a new nickname, dammit!) #Transformers in 2019 from @IDWPublishing -- Forget what you know... a new age is upon us. @Brian_Ruckley #AngelHernandez @RonJoseph717 (FULL ART SOON... STICK AROUND...) https://t.co/5XphHH287U

What do you think of these? Like what you see? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.

First Images Of IDW Transformers Reboot - Set To Arrive Spring 2019

Date: Tuesday, December 18th 2018 5:00pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Press Releases
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): TargetmasterJoe from Seibertron, IDW

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Well it's the moment we all knew was coming when Optimus Prime 25# hit the stands, and the curtain fell on the old IDW continuity. IDW have given us the first details of the reboot of their Transformers line in Spring 2019. Thanks to fellow Seibertron user, Targetmaster Joe for sharing this on the boards as well.

The new comic (which is just titled Transformers at the moment) will be biweekly and will start at a point before the Great War, with the first ever murder in Cybertronian history taking place, an act which brings with chaos and upheaval. IDW have also given us the creative team working in this new series (which uses the Siege toys as a basis for the character designs). The team is as follows:

Writer: Brian Ruckley
Artists: Angel Hernandez and Ron Joseph

Check out the teaser images below and a full press release from IDW!

IDW wrote:IDW Relaunches Transformers Comics

Cybertron’s Golden Age of Peace and Prosperity,
Shattered by a Single Death


San Diego, CA (December 18, 2018) — IDW Publishing proudly announces that a brand-new Transformers series will debut in March 2019 that will explore the very moment when a glorious, peaceful Cybertron begins its downward spiral into chaos.

Available twice monthly, IDW’s Transformers comic will be written by Brian Ruckley, author of the Godless World fantasy trilogy, and illustrated by Angel Hernandez (Star Trek: Discovery – Succession) and Ron Joseph (Micronauts: Wrath of Karza).

In this new Transformers comic, IDW will explore Cybertron in ways never seen by audiences before – delving into an idyllic society, peaceful for thousands of years, as it faces the most momentous event in its history: the mysterious end of a single life. Through the eyes of young Bumblebee and his friends, fans will witness conspiracies forming, harmony giving way to conflict, and the very fabric of Cybertronian civilization tearing itself apart.

“Bringing Transformers fans this story is a real privilege,” says Brian Ruckley. “But just as important, it’s an amazing opportunity for new readers to discover and explore one of the biggest universes – and one of the best casts of characters – that science fiction has to offer, and to get in right at the start of a truly epic saga.”

Ron Joseph says, "In my youth, I devoured everything Transformers – toys, comics, the cartoon, the movie – with a Unicron-like hunger. ‘Robots in Disguise’ dominated my every waking moment. To join IDW’s creative team for the launch of a Transformers comic is staggering, and easily one of the greatest moments of my life."

“We are eager to begin this new chapter in Transformers storytelling,” says Michael Kelly, Hasbro’s Vice President of Global Publishing. “We are excited to begin a tale that will be accessible and appealing to readers unfamiliar with Transformers lore, while still providing the depth and drama that our long-time fans expect. It’s a big responsibility, but we’ve got the right team and the right characters to do it.”

The debut issue of this new Transformers comic will be available with multiple cover variants, by artists Gabriel Rodriguez, Angel Hernandez, Casey W. Coller, and Freddie E. Williams II. Issue #2, also available in March, will feature covers by Nelson Daniel, Ron Joseph, and Jeffrey Veregge.

For information on how to secure copies of IDW’s new biweekly Transformers series, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2018 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro.

About Hasbro
Hasbro(NASDAQ: HAS) is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming and consumer products, Hasbro offers a variety of ways for audiences to experience its iconic brands, including NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, TRANSFORMERS, PLAY-DOH, MONOPOLY, BABY ALIVE and MAGIC: THE GATHERING, as well as premier partner brands. Through its entertainment labels, Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, the Company is building its brands globally through great storytelling and content on all screens. Hasbro is committed to making the world a better place for children and their families through corporate social responsibility and philanthropy. Hasbro ranked No. 5 on the 2018 100 Best Corporate Citizens list by CR Magazine, and has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere Institute for the past seven years. Learn more at http://www.hasbro.com, and follow us on Twitter (@Hasbro ) and Instagram (@Hasbro ).

What do you think of this news? Are you ready to dive into a new comics continuity? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.

Hasbro's Synergy Project Celebrates the Women of the Hasbro-verse

Date: Monday, December 17th 2018 6:24pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Polygon

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Thanks to a story published over at The Polygon, we have some very special news to announce for you regarding IDW Transformers and other Hasbro properties, particularly, about the girls who star in and write and draw the comics we all love.

This new project is titled Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase, and it features the girls of My Little Pony, Transformers, Jem and the Holograms and G.I. Joe. This feature will consist of an anthology of comics that are written, illustrated, and edited by women. The series will include autobiographical works by Mairghread Scott and Katie Cook, who will share their experiences with their favorite Hasbro toys. The Synergy project will also involve new, original stories starring Dawn Moreno of G.I. Joe, and Windblade.

Also included will be 4 new Pin-ups focusing in on these comic characters, and there will be 13 Archived pieces of artwork featured as a way to celebrate the women who helped make Hasbro and for those who will continue to build it into the future. The collection will be available in March of 2019.

Check out the whole article by following the above link, and check out the cover (by Bethany McGuire Smith) and the Transformers pin-up (featured in the article and including Windblade, Chromia, Arcee, Velocity, Nautica, Anode, and Lug by Sara Pitre-Durocher) below!

Entitled Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase, the collection features autobiographical works by Mairghread Scott (Batgirl, Transformers: Till All Are One) and Katie Cook (My Little Pony). Each will be infused with the respective author’s experiences with the Hasbro toys. In addition to these autobiographical works, there will be original comics inspired by groundbreaking female characters Dawn Moreno (G.I. Joe) and Windblade (Transformers), as well as the girl-power rock band Jem and the Holograms.

Transforming Starship USS Enterprise Design Revealed

Date: Sunday, December 16th 2018 9:00pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: william-james88 | Credit(s): Philip Murphy

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Views: 31,715

Star Trek vs Transformers artist Philip Murphy posted one of the most awesome Transformers tweets of the year. He posted his design of the USS Enterprise transformed into its robot form. The robot is called Fortress Tiberius and looks very much like you would expect with a name like that, sporting Fortress Maximus' head. Of course, this is just for the comic book series and not for any toyline, but it is an awesome design. The tweet says that we can see more of this in the Star trek vs Transformers #3.

It was an amazing opportunity to get the chance to design the ICONIC! Enterprise as a Transformer , if you want to see how Fortress Tiberius comes to be check out Star trek vs Transformers #3

The Lost Light in IGNs Best Comic Series 2018

Date: Friday, December 14th 2018 2:48am CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Amelie | Credit(s): ign.com

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Views: 21,478

Good news comics fans – IDW Comic's The Lost Light is in the running for IGN's Best Comic Series Of The Year 2018! The Lost Light is up against some stiff competition from Batman, Black Hammer: Age Of Doom, Black Panther, East of West, Go Go Power Rangers, Kill or Be Killed, The Mighty Thor, Monstress and Saga.

IGN wrote:“The last couple years have been a time of great upheaval for IDW's Transformers line, what with the rise of a shared Hasbro universe and the cataclysmic events of Transformers: Unicron. But through it all, fans could always rely on Lost Light to continue where Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye left off and showcase the franchise at its very best. “

Voting for the People's Choice is still open and whever you agree or disagree with IGN's choice to have The Lost Light in the running – let us know by dropping a comment in the Energon Pub in this thread.

Stay tuned to Seibertron for all your Transformers related news!

Sneak Peek at Transformers Generations 2019 Book Content

Date: Thursday, December 13th 2018 3:20pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Collectables
Posted by: ZeroWolf | Credit(s): Sabrblade from Seibertron, Heroxnet Twitter

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Views: 35,462

Thanks to fellow Seibertron user, Sabrblade, we've been alerted to the fact that a sneak preview of the books contents has now appeared via Twitter user Heroxnet. Sabrblade himself has provided a helpful run down on what the content so far has been revealed to be.

Sabrblade wrote:First, a thorough coverage of the new Masterpiece MP-44 Convoy toy (which I'm sure we've seen some images of said pages in that toy's thread).

Next, coverage of the Movie toys for both the Bumblebee movie line and the Studio Series line. As well as an interview with Japanese voice actress Aoi Yūki, who I presume from this text to be voicing someone (maybe Charlie? It doesn't say who) in the Japanese dub of the Bumblebee movie.

And finally, the biggest news of all. Hirofumi Ichikawa is writing and drawing a brand new comic for the Binaltech storyline, in honor of that toyline's 15th anniversary! The story is going to finally give that series its long overdue proper conclusion, helping to bridge the gap between Binaltech and Alternity.

Two pages have been posted online, in which we see that it looks like this comic will be telling both a follow-up to the final Binaltech story chapter, as well as some of the origin story of the Protector, which Ichikawa had previously dabbled in with writer Jim Sorenson back in a Facebook post written for the Transformers Collectors Club's old Ask Vector Prime Facebook page (archived here on TFWiki as the second-to-last entry written under the September 30, 2015 section. It's the entry that asks about Air Attack Optimus Primal).

Click each to see full size

What do you think about this? Let us know in the Energon Pub and stay tuned to Seibertron for all the latest news and reviews.

Richard Branson Name and Likeness Removed from Hachette TF Collections for Marvel UK Generation 1 Comic

Date: Wednesday, November 28th 2018 7:44pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: D-Maximal_Primal | Credit(s): Wilson Jim on Twitter, Simon Furman, TFWiki

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Views: 25,331

Ready for some strange news from the world of comics? Well, brace yourself, cause we got an interesting one here!

This story begins in the Marvel UK Generation 1 comic, specifically Issue #160 of 332. In this issue, Richard Branson and his likeness show up in the comic as an entrepreneur who was working on removing contamination from the Thames River, specifically Transformer bodies. The art was originally only going to be in the likeness of Branson, but artist Lee Sullivan had some fun drawing a near perfect likeness to Branson for the issue. As a result, Marvel decided to get his approval to name the character in the comic Richard Branson, to which he granted approval.

However, as writer Simon Furman explains in his Twitter post, they had no paperwork proving that the likeness was approved, so they had to recently change the likeness and name of the character, which means Lee Sullivan redrew the panels featuring Branson in the Hachette collection. So while this means that Richard Branson has been replaced by a "Mister Johnson", it does provide the cool news that Lee Sullivan has drawn some recent Transformers artwork!

Check out the quote form Furman below, along with a shot of the panel then and now, and let us know what you think of this wonky tale below!

Note: We thank TFWiki for the images of the original artwork to go with Wilson Jim on Twitter who provided the images of the new comic. Links are included in the photos below.

In the absence of actual paperwork from those dim distant days proving we had Branson's permission to use his likeness, it was decided to err on the side of caution. I did actually try and contact Branson. But in the end we got Lee Sullivan to make art changes... to his own art.