YOU CAN… BUY THIS BOOK (PLEASE?)

Out now (in the US at least, the UK release is in June) are two of the trio of Transformers books I recently wrote for publisher Dorling Kindersley. The first, You Can Draw Transformers, is a comprehensive ‘how to’ book for budding artists (the whole book entirely Transformers-centric). Now, okay, I make no bones about the fact that I plainly can’t draw (other than dodgy cover sketches I used to do and send to the artists in the days of Marvel UK’s Transformers comic). So what am I doing writing an art book? Well, for a start, artist Guido Guidi (my co-author on the book) does most of the hard work here, having created a host of all-new illustrations (on all generations of Transformers) especially for the book. Really, all I had to do was apply my ‘absorbed’ knowledge of the art and craft of creating comics (in particular Transformers comics) to the illustrations, providing (if you like) a commentary to accompany the nuts and bolts illustrations. And by absorbed knowledge, I mean what I’ve gathered over 20-plus years as a comics editor and writer, having dealt with (and critiqued) more than my fair share of pages (and collaborated with a whole host of Transformers artists, past and present). I was also the editor on Titan’s superb Comics Creators On… series (plus the excellent Artists on Comics Art), so I’ve learned from the best, believe me. Did I succeed? You tell me. I was certainly pleased with the end product, but if you have opinions or criticisms please post them here. By the way, the book also comes with top tips from TF artists such as Andrew Wildman, EJ Su, Don Figueroa and Marcelo Matere. The other book out now (again, just in the US currently) is the updated and expanded edition of Transformers: The Ultimate Guide. Eight new pages bring us as up to date as possible, with a new section on IDW and toy spreads on Classics and Alternators. Oh, and it’s a paperback edition this time around. Finally, the Visual Guide to the new movie will be out in July (when the movie opens). More on that then. And for more information on all DK books go here.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

Wow! The latest trailer for the Transformers live action movie is now online (go here if you haven’t already seen it), and boy does it look good. So far, most of the screen action featuring the Transformers themselves has amounted to a fast tease, but here we really see some full on transforming, battling action. The more I see of the big action setpieces, the more I relish seeing the whole movie (as reported earlier, I have seen twenty minutes or so of finished footage, which just blew me away). Really looking forward to this.

SCRIPT (W)RAP

No, not Devastation #2 (that’s coming), but Titan TFUK #3. “What?” I hear you say. “Didn’t we already do TFUK #4?” We did. But I actually jumped ahead, schedule-wise, to give Don Figueroa (who’s drawing #4’s Devastator story) as much time as possible. That man is busy! Having just downed tools on Spotlight Optimus Prime, he’s already knee-deep in Beast Wars The Ascending #1 and (with his other hand, I presume) is drawing some mega-litho for Botcon! So, anyway, I wrote #4 ahead of #3, which is why we’re doing this now. The focus of #3’s story (and, as always, I’ll tiptoe around the fine details, so no major spoilers) is Ratchet, who (in the live-action movie incarnation of things) is much more of a brawler. Sure, he’s still a battlefield medic, but this Ratchet is quite willing to take on all-comers (and believe me, he does!). The trick with these focused ten-page character-led stories is to both tell a focused, ten-page character-led story (and make it a story in and of itself, rather than one part of six, as the overall arc is structured) and somehow find a way to sneak in cameos from other Transformers. Such is the way we’ve constructed the story (largely because we didn’t want to impact too directly on the Prequel comics and other pre-Movie stuff), with the focal Transformers scattered here and there in the far reaches of outer space (after the end of #2), it’s been a challenge to find ways to involve or reference the rest of the cast. But then, I like a challenge (it keeps things interesting), and so far so good. The ten pages of Ratchet action manages to shoehorn in a bunch of other characters, as does the Devastator story. Now, if only I can do the same for Ironhide (#5) and Jazz (#6)!

BRISTOL EXPO(SED)

07’s Bristol Comics Expo has come and gone, and while I only showed my face on the Saturday, I managed to pack quite a bit in. Arrived at the main venue (the British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall) just in time to sit down (with Andrew Wildman) at the Titan/Forbidden Planet table for a 12 noon signing. Titan had cover mock-ups for the first issue of the upcoming Transformers (UK) comic/magazine there for people to help themselves to (and us to sign), and very nice it looks too. By the way, I’ve seen Geoff’s art for the first issue, and it is truly a joy to behold (a very distinctive take on the movie characters). The signing lasted for a hour and was, by and large, well-attended. Trouble was, the venue had no functional PA system, so there was no way to annouce to the hall at large we were there, pens poised (a definite black mark there). Anyhow, that done, I did a quick tour of the main hall and said hi to a whole bunch of fellow freelancers, many of whom (Rufus Dayglo, Mike Collins, Charlie Adlard et al) I’d seen just a couple of weeks back at the Derry con. Also had a chat with Brady Webb, from Panini UK, and he confirmed that Death’s Head volume 2 (TPB) is due to be on sale in October this year. The first volume, collecting Doctor Who #135, Dragon’s Claws #5 and Death’s Head #1-7 is in shops now. Now, I all I have to do is convince Panini to collect all ten issues of Dragon’s Claws and I’ll be a very happy man. After lunch, I sat down (again with Andrew) at the Draw The World Together table, signing copies of the convention exclusive edition of Transformers Movie Prequel #3, featuring Andrew’s variant sketch cover. If you missed out, DTWT will be auctioning 20 copies (numbered and signed in silver pen, as opposed to the black ink/signed versions from the day itself) on ebay. Keep an eye out for those. I then had an hour to breathe the air (it was very hot in the main hall) before heading over to the Ramada hotel for the ‘Talking Transformers’ panel (again with Andrew). Very well attended it was too, with standing room only. Geoff (Senior) finally showed his face and the three of us fielded questions on all current and upcoming Transformers projects. Lots of interest in the forthcoming (in July) Transformers UK mag and I, er, let slip that issue #4 (featuring Devastator) will be drawn by none other than Don Figueroa. So, for those keeping score, that means we now have Geoff on #1 (Optimus Prime), Nick Roche on #2 (Megatron), Andrew on #3 (Ratchet) and Don on #4. Names in the frame for subsequent issues include Dougie Braithwaite and Guido Guidi, but these are very much subject to confirmation. Talked a bit about Devastation and Beast Wars The Ascending, but tried to limit the amount of ’spoilers.’ I think I did reveal that while there will indeed be IDW Headmasters, it’s more character multiples than multiple characters (at least to start with). Might have also mentioned that while there will be no Unicron in the Infiltration/Escalation/Devastation (and so on) storyline, there might, possibly, be a passing mention of the planet-devourer in Beast Wars!! Panel done, I did a brief radio interview and then it was pretty much bar until the early hours. Very good to see my old mate Barry Kitson again and catch up with him. Chance of my being at the upcoming Dublin convention in September, just to prolong the old convention season! Next up, though, San Diego comicon in July!

BRISTOL EXCLUSIVE!

One more quick reminder, then I’ll shut up about the Bristol Comics Expo this weekend. Those attending will have the chance to purchase (and immediately have devalued by my and Andrew’s scrawl) the Draw The World Together variant cover/exclusive edition of Transformers Movie Prequel #3 (featuring art by the Wildman). And it’s all in good cause. For more details of both the cover itself and the cause in question visit the DTWT site here.

TALKIN’ ‘BOUT MY DEVASTATION…

Effectively, this falls under the script (w)rap category, as I’ve just put the finishing touches to issue #2 of Transformers Devastation, the third (fourth if you count Stormbringer) arc of the ‘ongoing’ IDW G1 series. But, as my blog wasn’t entirely up and running when the script to issue #1 was wrapped, I figured it was best (first and foremost) to go back and intro the whole series. As always, these are teases rather than spoilers. I’ve been reading, with great interest, the feedback on Escalation (the final issue of which came out last week), taking onboard the good and the bad. A lot of people felt that enough stuff wasn’t conclusively wrapped up to merit calling it a final issue. Now, although I don’t tend to think of these issue #6s as ‘last’ issues, I do appreciate where they’re coming from, especially as Devastation doesn’t kick in until September. Devastation, I swear, will endeavour to draw a line under a several of the dangling plot threads (even as others kick in/off). So, what can we expect from Devastation? Well, for starters, Sixshot. He’s the spur that sets off a whole heap of other stuff, very much the cat among the pigeons. His appearance on Earth heralds… the return of Starscream (and yes, for those who’ve wondered, he’s been in a regenerative C.R Chamber since Infiltration #6, repaired but ‘on ice’ as it were), the Reapers’ (final?) rampage and Skywatch’s (first?) pre-emptive strike against the Transformers. Also, our ‘B’ plotline focuses very much on the Machination as we reveal (yes, reveal!) startling developments for Hunter, the fate of Sunstreaker and, yes, the ‘head’ of the Machination. Oh, and the IDW-verse Headmasters make their presence felt. Then there’s the build-up to Revelation, with more on Galvatron, the Dead Universe, [blank] Prime, (Double)Dealer (!) and Nightbeat (did he kill the Koska facsimile? You’ll have to wait until Revelation for that!). As mentioned previously, the Galvatron and Optimus Prime Spotlight issues (July and August respectively) are pretty essential reading and do actually bridge the gap between Escalation and Devastation somewhat. Sideswipe’s appearance in Galvatron is the foreshadowing of his ‘ongoing’ debut and the two (IDW) debuts in Optimus Prime set up the titanic fifth (sixth if you count Stormbringer) story arc. Anyhow, I’ve said enough (for now at least). I’ll be back with a formal (w)rap on Devastation #2 in due course.

BRISTOL ROVER (UPDATE)

The schedule of events (as relates to me anyway) for this coming Saturday’s Bristol Comics Expo has now expanded to include a signing at the Titan Books/Magazines table. Also confirmed for the signing is Geoff Senior (and Steve White will be around too, hopefully with more news about the TFUK magazine). I’ll be packing a bunch of (photocopied) original scripts from Transformers (Marvel US) #80, on sale (signed if you so wish) for a mere £5. The full schedule for the day (Saturday 12th May) is now:

12 noon - 1PM: Titan signing (at the Titan table in the main dealers room)
3PM - 4PM: Draw The World Together signing (at the DTWT table) with Andrew Wildman.
5PM - 6PM: Talking Transformers panel (at the Ramada Park Suite), with Andrew, Geoff and (hopefully) others.

For full details of venues, etc, go to the official Comics Expo site here.

NEW RELEASES

Just a quick note (a touch late in the day if you’re in the USA) to say that IDW has two new Transformers titles on sale this week, both of which are either penned or co-penned by yours truly. Out this week (Wednesday 2nd Stateside, Thursday 3rd in the UK) are Transformers Escalation #6 and Transformers Movie Prequel #4. The former wraps up the second main arc of the quote-unquote “ongoing” IDW (G1) Transformers series, setting the stage for September’s Devastation arc, while the Prequel also wraps up with (dare I say it, essential) stuff that leads directly into July’s blockbuster movie release. Oh, and if you’re following the Infiltration/Escalation/Devastation storyline, do check out July’s Transformers Spotlight: Galvatron and August’s Transformers Spotlight: Optimus Prime. Both (more than usual perhaps) feature key story points that feed back into the ongoing and somewhat bridge the gap between Escalation and Devastation. For more information on all IDW’s releases go here.

SCRIPT (W)RAP

Another Transformers script done and dusted, another tease/trailer for what’s to come (note: this is largely spoiler-free, so don’t expect anything too revelatory). Something a bit different this time out, an 8-page story (for an exclusive mini-comic) set firmly in the TV cartoon/animated movie continuity (somewhere between the end of animated series 2 and the movie itself). This, as has been reported elsewhere, is part of the bonus extras in Madman’s upcoming (Australian) DVD release of the entire animated series in one special edition package. Really can’t go into any detail on the story, except to say that it attempts to bridge the gap between TV show and (animated) movie, show the current state of play on both Earth and Cybertron, and foreshadow a defining event in the movie itself (yeah, I know, in 8-pages!)! Art on this one-off comic story is by the one and only Nick Roche, whose involvement may just give you a hint about one or maybe even two of the featured characters! I shall say no more (unless you’re at the Bristol convention on Saturday week and ply me with beer).