(MORE) SENIOR SERVICE

With the launch of Titan’s Transformers UK magazine still an interminable 5 weeks off (issue #1 hits stores 19 July), here’s a very special treat. A page of the new (movie continuity) interior strip art by Geoff Senior, rough layout first (click on the first thumbnail image) then finished pencils/inks (second thumbnail image). If this doesn’t whet your appetite, nothing will! Scroll back through my blog for more details on the upcoming Transformers UK mag! For more information and subscription details go here.

SCRIPT (W)RAP

Almost caught up with myself. I’m mid-way through the Devastation #3 script and about to embark on Transformers (UK) #5, so I thought now would be a good time to wax retrospectively about Beast Wars The Ascending #2 (which I wrapped a week or so ago). As always, what follows is a series of teases rather than the exact content. This is a spoiler-free zone (more or less). For those of you who’ve read my earlier (more general/introductory) ‘In Ascending Order’ item, this is something of a more focused look at issue #2 of the four-issue series. Lots going on here. The strands culled from Beast Wars II and Beast Wars Neo are paramount in this issue, as we start to see exactly what (and who) is causing things to go so badly wrong on Cybertron and why Predacon General Magmatron is so desperate to stop it (even it means declaring a truce with his bitter enemy, Razorbeast). It’s been great fun trying to pull all these various story strands from the US and Japanese TV series together for this series (a process started back when Ben Yee and I collaborated on the upcoming Beast Wars Profiles series), not to mention bringing yet more characters into one, cohesive (I hope) Beast Wars universe. So, we have debuts for the likes of Drancron, Rartorata and Elephorca, plus the Magnaboss trio of Prowl, Ironhide and Silverbolt (the G1 characters). For those who enjoyed his fleeting appearance in The Gathering, there’s more of Big Convoy to savour. Oh, and on Earth, we continue a humungous battle between Razorbeast’s Maximals and Ravage’s Predacons (which ties directly into events in the US BW TV series), plus the arrival (in that era) of Lio Convoy and The Pack (Stampy’s fast becoming a favourite of mine). Grimlock’s in there too… of course! And, well, all I can say is, poor Razorbeast! Beast Wars The Ascending #2 hits stores in September.

ORBITAL UPDATE

Further to my previous post about next Saturday’s (June 9th) signing at Orbital Comics, with myself, Chris Ryall and Nick Roche, it’s now been confirmed that the event will be staged at Orbital’s new manga-themed store on Upper St. Martin’s Lane (same time, 12 noon to 1PM). The full address is:
ORBITAL MANGA
4C ORION HOUSE
UPPER ST MARTINS LANE
LONDON WC2H 9NY
TEL: 0207 2405577
Nearest tube is Leicester Square. Thanks to Jon S, who informed and then confirmed the change of venue. Hope to see you (all) there!

… AND THEN TWO COME AT ONCE!

Yep, June 7th is a busy day in the Furman-verse. Not only does TMNT #2 hit the UK stands (see previous entry) but Panini’s A.T.O.M. #24 (that’s Alpha Teens on Machines for uninitiated) does too. Inside, you’ll find ‘Out of Control’, a story written by yours truly and drawn by Jack Lawrence. In the story, Tilian (he of the Mu-Team) imbibes a genetic accelerant and goes all ‘Hulk’ on Axel and his crew. For a taster of Jack’s stunning art, click on the first link below, and for the front cover experience click on the second.
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TURTLES A-GO-GO

Hitting UK newsagents next week is issue #2 of Titan’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Fast Forward comic/magazine. It contains, in amidst features, competitions and still more strip, a new 10-page story by yours truly. The story’s called ‘No Place Like Home’ and reunites the timelost Turtles with their former home turf of the Manhattan sewers. Unfortunately for them, there’s truth in that old adage ‘you can never go home again.’ For an exclusive preview page from the story click on the image below (artwork by Andres Ponce). And to feast your eyes on issue #2’s cover (so you know exactly what to look for) click on the second image. The comic is on sale on June 7th, priced just £2.60. For more information on all Titan’s magazines, including the upcoming Transformers (UK) comic magazine, go here.