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Windblade Confirmed as 4 Issue Mini-series

Date: Saturday, December 28th 2013 5:32pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Mairghread Scott, Jason Enright

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Views: 60,617

Mairghread Scott, after the recent posts made on her take on the language used to describe her approach to Windblade and her thoughts on IDW's Arcee, posted earlier today, has answered a couple more fan questions. These were collected by Jason Enright (her husband) and posted on his Tumblr, but you can find them pasted below!

Hey Tumblr TF Fans,

So Mairghread took some time to answer some questions a TFW2005 Windblade Fan Page. Thought I’d copy and paste them here in case any of you don’t read that board. Remember too you can always ask her direct at her tumblr mscottwrites.

And here are the answers I have so far:

Mairghread Scott: Gotten a few asks about Windblade’s “Kabuki” elements. This can’t be answered in too much detail yet, but Windblade’s markings do have meaning and are important to both her and her backstory. However, I have no intention of presenting her in any sort of stereotypical geisha or hand-over-her-mouth-anime-girl role. The first art Hasbro released has her with a rather deadly looking sword and a pretty grim expression. Also, she turns into a military jet, so I’m not really seeing her as a very kawaii character.

You can already read my discussion of what I think about Arcee’s origin on my tumblr (also MScottWrites) and I think I’ve established that I don’t intend for Windblade to originate from the same place. (Plus, I’m pretty sure John Barber would string me up by my toes if I did.) I don’t want to address it more than that because…you know…spoilers, but I can say that I’m much more interested in writing new stories than ret-conning old ones.

Smart money would say IDW did not go to trouble they have to launch Windblade the way they’re doing if she was going to be the only other fembot in all of TF continuity. Just saying.

As to how long we have, I’ll be blunt: We’ve got a 4 issue mini-series that everyone is praying will become an ongoing, but, like every other comic, we have got to prove ourselves from Issue 1. That means we need pre-orders and A LOT of them. Not: ‘I’ll pick it up when I’m at my shop.’ Not ‘I’ll borrow from a friend’ if you want Windblade to keep going the ONLY way to do that is to get your store to pre-order it. Tell them to order lots of it and get your friends to pre-order too. If you don’t have a story, BUY it on Comixology or a similar app, but encourage your friends who do have a store to pre-order and buy. I’ll try to provide a little help when the official solicitation is released to make it easier on those new to the process.

In terms of how Windblade views other transformers and their genders: well, this is a bit spoiler-y, but she’s not exactly going to be shocked that guy transformers exist and since they are all still robots, gender is still going to be a lot less pressing to them than it is to us. Also, you know, it’s Transformers, so I’m pretty sure there are going to be more pressing issues for everyone than ‘date night.’

Anyone looking for a tease in terms of the ‘wrath’ I mentioned. Hmmm… how about TFBH having murder, cannibalism, societal collapse, PTSD, and the (perceived) apocalypse itself? That I wrote ‘Stronger, Faster’ and ‘Hurt’ and can’t even make it through a Rescue Bots episode without putting someone’s life in danger. So, while I am shooting to make TF Windblade a little more hopeful than my normal work, danger and excitement should probably be expected.

Regarding a toy: I’m pretty sure Hasbro made some kind of announcement on this, but that’s really their domain.

In terms of the poll that made Windblade, I’ve never been shown any numbers so I can’t speak officially. Just from my own business sense, I’m not sure why a company would ask people to make the transformers they want to buy and then not go with the most popular option. But, as I said, that would be a question for toy.

Anyway, we’re lining up some good interviews so keep your eyes peeled for more on the book itself, but these should answer some of the more specific questions floating around out there.

'Til All Are One,
Mairghread

Additional Information on Windblade - Cisgender Woman, Inclusivity, Arcee

Date: Saturday, December 28th 2013 8:20am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Mairghread Scott

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Views: 66,931

Mairghread Scott, the writer for the upcoming Windblade comic that will introduce the fan-made character, has taken to her Tumblr to expand on some of the issues relating to Windblade being the only other female character in the IDW universe/continuity (as BH Chromia and Firestar are part of Aligned): she will be a cisgender woman in her own right, not a creation like Furman's Arcee. On this point, she also discusses IDW/Furman's take on Arcee, and the preparation she's undertaking to be as inclusive as possible in the new comic. Read some of the posts below, and head here for more!

gorgynoid wrote:Hey congrats on the new comic! I voted for a lady robot like 50 times on that poll. I really hope you're ignoring (or retconning) Jhiaxus "making" ladybots out of guybots. Peace, and have a great Christmas!

Thank you for voting 50 times. Don’t do it during any kind of real election, but thanks for doing it here. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I would like to assure you that Windblade is not female by accident, or by force, or against her will, or just for kicks. That’s not how it works for biological women on Earth and that’s not how it’s gonna work on Cybertron. Anybody has a problem with that, you know where I am.

mryarra wrote:I am SO excited about how the Windblade comic is looking right now, and the creative team. There is a sore lack of ladies in the IDW verse and Windblade herself looks like she could make a really interesting character. Also, just as a heads-up, "biological woman" is considered to be a pretty transphobic term, and so really isn't a good way to refer to people.

Dang it, good point!

Okay, Internet…please, please know that I am doing all in my power to talk about the gender of non-reproductive alien robots in the most respectful terms possible, but it can get really tough. (ex. Is Arcee a transgendered woman even though she was made female against her will?).

The term “genetically female” seems wrong because they don’t reproduce (so don’t pass on genes) so I chose “biologically female” to convey the same sense in a more accurate way (ie most fans would say TFormers are alive, even though that is also debatable in science).

I have since been informed, by people wiser than I, that the technical term for Windblade would be a cisgender woman so I’m going to go with that unless someone knows a better term, or we can agree to invent one. Regardless, know that I am doing all in my power to make this character and her story something all TF fans can enjoy and celebrate together. My goal is always maximum inclusion, so should I stick my digital foot in my mouth again, please let me know so I can correct myself.

Til All Are One,
Mairghread

Transformers Artists' Season's Greetings

Date: Wednesday, December 25th 2013 2:21pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Alex Milne, JP Bove

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Views: 57,519

Whatever you may or may not celebrate, the artists behind the Transformers comics have been posting a selection of festive-themed artwork to wish everyone well! So far, Alex Milne and JP Bove have showed up on different internet places. Check them out below, and click on the images to see their original sources!

IDW 2014 Sneak Peek - Age of Extinction, Windblade, Dawn of the Autobots

Date: Wednesday, December 25th 2013 11:21am CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing

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Views: 49,622

The people at IDW Publishing seem to be busy even in holiday season, as new Transformers comics information appears in their 2014 preview/sneak peek issue! With the release of the next Michael Bay film, IDW will be releasing the Age of Extinction comics adaptation, due in June. In even bigger news? After the end of Dark Cybertron, fan-created character Windblade will be showing up, as promised, in something called Dawn of the Autobots, with Mairghread Scott and Sarah Stone at the helm - will this be a spotlight, the beginning of a new series, mini or full? We'll have to wait for the April solicits to find out, but take a look below at the page from the magazine!

UPDATE: Thanks to the power of Twitter, we have confirmation that Mairghread Scott will be writing at least this one issue, with newcomer Sarah Stone on art duties!

Who is Windblade? In the aftermath of Dark Cybertron, Windblade takes the planet by storm — and Starscream’s not happy about her being there! But where did she come from — and whatdoes her secret mean to the future of the Transformers? A powerful new chapter in the Transformers saga begins here!

Newsarama on Hasbro and IDW Collaborations, John Barber, Michael Kelly

Date: Monday, December 23rd 2013 3:36pm CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Company News, Interviews
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Newsarama

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Views: 65,440

Comics and entertainment website Newsarama has posted an article on the ongoing collaboration between Hasbro and publisher IDW. In the piece, senior editor and Robots in Disguise co-writer John Barber and Hasbro's director of publishing Michael Kelly look upon the current work produced by the two companies, ranging from My Little Pony to G.I. Joe to, of course, Transformers. You can read the whole piece here, and some snippets below!

IDW Senior Editor John Barber describes the partnership as “a nice relationship of trust and mutual respect” built over the past eight years and the successes’ IDW has had with the properties. Barber, who worked previously at Marvel guiding titles like Wolverine, Stephen King’s Dark Tower and the Ultimate line, says that there’s a misconception about the differences between licensed comics and comics owned in-house.

“I always feel—and maybe this isn’t the case—but I feel like people want to create a situation where the licensed comics are in a different category than “normal” comics,” Barber points out. “In my experience, the practical reality of working on Transformers or G.I. Joe is essentially the same as working on a comic at Marvel. I mean—they’re not some unusual beast that’s outside the range of normal comics.”

[...]

"Working with the Transformers team and getting these comics out in the toy packages, all while building to an epic story that’s satisfying to existing fans. I think that’s a big moment for us—and there’s this amazing thing happening near the end of “Dark Cybertron” that I couldn’t believe it was going to make the jump to the toys,” teased Barber. “But I can’t talk about it yet, which is a lame answer but it’s really a fun twist on a well-known premise. It was something that originated—I think, if I remember right—with Mark Weber on Transformers brand team, and More Than Meets The Eye writer James Roberts and I couldn’t believe it was an idea on the table, let alone that it would be reflected in the toys. Sorry to have to be really vague about it.”

Transformers: Dark Cybertron #12 Cover

Date: Thursday, December 19th 2013 8:32pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): Phil Jimenez

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Views: 41,004

Artist Phil Jimenez has tweeted the cover for Transformers: Dark Cybertron #12. The cover features Decepticon heavyweights Megatron and Shockwave going head to head atop a pile of defeated Transformers, Autobot and Decepticon alike. Check out the cover art mirrored below.

Phil Jimenez wrote:What happens when Megatron and Shockwave duke it out? This cover does.

Sneak Peek: Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #25 - Dark Cybertron Part 6

Date: Wednesday, December 18th 2013 1:22pm CST
Category: Comic Book News
Posted by: El Duque | Credit(s): iTunes

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Views: 39,702

Courtesy of iTunes we have our first sneak peek at IDW Publishing's Transformers: More Thank Meets The Eye #25 - Dark Cybertron #6. Enjoy the mirrored images below:

A HERO FALLS—AND ONE RETURNS! The struggle in the DEAD UNIVERSE heats up as ORION PAX—the ’bot who was once OPTIMUS PRIME—and RODIMUS struggle with the legacy of PRIMES! Meanwhile, the Lost Light is under attack in deep space—and SHOCKWAVE and the terrifying NECROTITAN threatens CYBERTRON!

Transformers News: Sneak Peek: Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #25 - Dark Cybertron Part 6

IDW Transformers: ReGeneration One #97 Review

Date: Wednesday, December 18th 2013 3:47am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 91,375

Gee, axe us
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis

DARK FORCES RISE! JHIAXUS—the mysterious senator who deleted himself from Cybertronian history—is back… but as friend or foe? RODIMUS PRIME is forced to question the motives of Primus himself—does he drag the AUTOBOTS into a war they can’t win… or side with an “enemy” who seeks only one thing: universal order?

Because what could go wrong..?

Story

And here he is. Been teased for some time now, we've been developing a back story, dealing with the aftermath of the battle with Galvatron (while Optimus keeps building things in Oklahoma, as you do) and the primordial Cybertronians settling in - and there's quite a message going on with that plot, too - and now, Simon Furman brings Jhiaxus slap bang in the middle of it.

Surprise, he's a show-off

And he seems nice enough, if you ignore the thick, constant judging of everything on Cybertron, and the fact that his minions are terrifying and evil, and he's insanely rational and evil and supervillain-esque. Have I mentioned the minions are terrifying and evil? And racist/specieist? Surely the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree..

See? Evil

Rodimus Prime deals with Jhiaxus, who goes in full-on explanation mode - yet, still works, quite nicely, too. He's been set up to be an arrogant, learned, self-centred ex-senator, and that's exactly what his character is like. And there seems to be a reason behind all his power, too.

He's backed up by Hasbro!

I'm impressed. Furman plays well with his fairly expanded cast, while never losing sight of the threat posed by Jhiaxus. The Dinobots are brought in for a "subplot" of sorts, that ties in with the rest, we get to look at the continuation of the Fort Max plot, even if just for a glimpse, and the conclusion is very very fan-worthy

Art

Guido Guidi is still on art duties, with Stephen Baskerville inking the gorgeous linework. I still sometimes forget that this is not Wildman at his best, as Guidi has done an amazing job at emulating the style while still keeping his own touch in the art. The more organic characters look brilliant, and Jhiaxus' face is something to be in awe.

Because faces

As for colours, JP Bove once again delivers some stunningly chromed and slick paintjobs to absolutely everything, from organic technobirds to possessed giant robots to gold-shining faces and rubble, guns, skies and more. I'm still not sure how he does what he does, but does it he does, and does it well.

Sublime, dahling

Chris Mowry's letters do a great job of helping out with the more action-based sequences, too, without ever getting in the way of the artwork - which is always a good thing. And make sure you take a look at all the covers: other than Andrew Wildman's classic A cover, Guidi's Fortress Maximus is a thing to behold, and Geoff Senior's cover is a fun as always!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Ok, this was really fun. Furman's dialogue can get a little our of hand, especially reading this and Dark Cybertron together, but it still fits the characters. The action in this one is well-plotted and justified, and the storyline looks very promising. And I really hope other readers get the kick I got at the two revelatory point in the issue

Next: Another good plan

I'm running out of things to say about the artwork, though it never ceases to amaze me. This is what most older readers will remember from the earlier days, with the new injected into it. It's shiny, it's gritty, it's beautiful, it's face-y and it's all due to the more or less Italians (and Baskerville). Yes, I just went there.

+ out of

IDW Transformers: Robots in Disguise #24 (DC5) Review

Date: Wednesday, December 18th 2013 3:46am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW Publishing, Va'al

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Views: 91,143

Narrow focus
(Spoiler free-ish)

Synopsis

UNDER FIRE! AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS unite to battle a common foe… but will it be enough to stop the DARK CYBERTRON prophecy from coming true? SHOCKWAVE’s plan reaches fruition—while in the Dead Universe, secrets are revealed!

Like: Bumblebee still has a face!

Story

Will you look at that? We're almost halfway there. John Barber and James Roberts return for the fifth chapter of Dark Cybertron, and we get deeper into the story and what is actually going on in Shockwave's mind. Well, sort of. And be ready to miss all the characters you wanted to see more of, too!

Nope, not in here

The action only takes place in two locations, and that means two storylines, with one being left to one side for this issue (but they will be back!). And to be fair, there is quite a lot going on in the DU and on Cybertron right now, with Nova Prime and Galvatron coming through to this reality Alien-style through Megatron's body.

Heeeere's Johnny!

On the other side of the universe, Nightbeat does as Nightbeat is, we get some exposition and recapping about everyone and everything that has happened so far and find out that Cyclonus is - as we knew - really important for everything. Will it last though? Is there more going on?

I sense a recap coming

I'm intrigued by the various things going on, and confused by some of the details of the Regeneration Ore and the characters that come in touch with it - are they fully rebuilt/reformed? I liked the dialogue and the various digs at each of the writers and the characters themselves, and I really really enjoy the emotional level of some of the temporary deaths.

Art

Two storylines, two artists: Livio Ramondelli for the DU, Robert Gill for Cybertron. I'm still unsure about the latter's Shockwave, especially the chest proportions, but I'm enjoying the rest of the cast. As for Ramondelli, his style definitely fits the tone of the DU, but Orion gets some shape malfunctions every now and then. What is it with robochests this issue?

Shock-waist

I actually think that Romulo Fajardo Jr's colours really fit Gill's style, and there are some seriously gorgeous panels in here, with some nice cross-hatched shadings too. The effects of Skywarp's teleport malfunction are brilliantly rendered, too. Ramondelli's colours also make some scenes pop quite nicely, and his skies are glorious.

For Detroit..?

And it's Tom B. Long back on lettering, too. That first Metalhawk panel has an excellent sound to it, and so do some of the punches when Ironhide is involved. Let's also not forget Casey Coller's great cover with Joana Lafuente, Phil Jimenez and Fajardo's Rattrap and the great DU shot from Marcelo Matere and Priscilla Tramontano!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

I really enjoyed reading through this one, Shockwave is really letting himself go, there's some good humour without jarring with the overall tone, a couple of surprises and some really good uses of characters (including Megatron). I am, however, confused at Nova Prime's presence at different moments, and at what exactly happened between scenes. I can see this one working a lot better in its trade version.

Big words, Shockers

This issue proves it, working with two art styles is better than three, especially when the settings are so different. I really like the spreads and wider panels, and Metalhawk and Galvatron both look brilliant in it. One minor note: for the issue that comes with Rattrap (from the B cover) it really has very very little of the furry critter in it.

- out of

Script (W)Rap - Transformers: ReGeneration One #97

Date: Tuesday, December 17th 2013 6:45am CST
Categories: Comic Book News, People News
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Simon Furman

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Views: 40,801

Wordsmith Simon Furman has updated his blog with the usual Script (W)Rap for this week's issue of ReGeneration One! Do you have what it takes to be teased a little further until tomorrow's release of the title? See what he has to say below, and check out his blog here.

Can it be? Is that the final countdown I hear, as Regeneration One ticks towards its 100th — and final — anniversary issue? Oh yes, issue #97 (and part 2 of the final story arc of the series that kick-started everything TRANSFORMERS is today) hits the stands this week (Wednesday December 18th). The War to End All Wars continues, as the mysterious (and long-absent) Senator Jhiaxus makes his presence felt. And how! If you’d prefer to have no more tantalising teasers (and the odd spoiler) thrown your way, then cease and desist now. If you’d like your appetite whetted even further, read on. Okay, so we all know Rodimus Prime has a bunch of stuff he needs to fix (as revealed in our revelatory issue #0), and chief among them is a certain Cybertronian senator who not only deleted himself from Cybertronian history & everyone’s memory but also stole vital secrets (of life and death no less) from the Underbase mainframe. Phew, and now he’s back. But does he come as friend or foe? How does Rodimus Prime deal with a force committed to the grounding Cybertronian principle of Universal Order? Is there other stuff going on too? Of course… and, as usual, Grimlock and the Dinobots are in the thick of things. Since they rose from the underground depths of Cybertron, no one’s quite known what to do with the planet’s primordial ancestors. Well, the new Cybertronians of Jhiaxus’s second generation empire do. And the only thing standing between them and a total purge of these ancestors are the Dinobots! Oh yes, and there’ s the return of a certain… well, why spoil everything? Go see for yourself. You’ll be happy you did. Full preview for the issue can had here.

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