Happy New Year to one and all! And the arrival of 2008 brings with it a whole slew of exciting new script work. Transformers (of course), Turtles, Torchwood and more! Let’s kick off with Transformers. No movie this year, but plenty of major-league comics goodness in the works. First off from me, a trio of Spotlights: Blaster, Arcee and Grimlock. All feed into the main ‘ongoing’ storyline to greater or lesser extents, with all three characters having scores to settle or something to prove (or both). Arcee is perhaps the most pivotal, but Blaster has definite repercussions, as does Grimlock, which in and of itself leads into one of my main IDW/TF projects for 08. But that’s NOT the only special project in the pipeline for me. There’s also a series that goes back to a time before anything we’ve seen so far in the new IDW/TF-verse, one that will underpin the entire Infiltration/Escalation/Devastation/Revelation continuity. ‘Epic’ doesn’t even begin to cover this one! And, of course, there’s Revelation itself, the fourth (fifth including Stormbringer) arc in the IDW/TF-verse, as the Dead Universe storyline that’s been bubbling under for a while now explodes into (un)life! And that’s just what’s on my plate so far. Expect more Spotlights/projects to be announced as 08 progresses! And over in TF-UK, the storyline erupts into a multi-part epic that will forever change the way you look at the new movie-verse. Honest! More on that very soon. And… new for me (and comics in general) is Torchwood (based on the hit BBC TV series), a new magazine from Titan (with original comic strip content). Two scripts already under my belt and more to come. Again, more news on that (plus artwork!) soon. There’s more in the way of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles stories to come too, also for Titan, including one that sees the (Fast Forward) Turtles of 2105 meet the Turtles of 2005. Seriously. It it doesn’t end there… I’ve Doctor Who stories in the works for the UK and (hopefully) the US and a project for Tokyopop that I can’t talk about… yet. Plus a second (spec) movie script with co-writer Mark Salisbury. Phew! Enough blogging (for now), I’d better get scripting…
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simon furman 
Yay! Good to hear about all the TF goodness, it seems I joined this fandom just in time XD (Though I weep to see that Don is leaving)
I’m the biggest fangirl of Nova Prime-oops, Nemesis Prime and I can’t wait to see what you have for the Dead Universe setup.
Happy new year dude.
Will Andy Wildman be illustrating any TF stories for IDW?
Peace.
“There’s also a series that goes back to a time before anything we’ve seen so far in the new IDW/TF-verse”
Before the flashbacks in the Galvatron/Prime Spotlights? Or to the time of them? I be intrigued.
I demand all these comics be released right this instant. Or, you know, tomorrow. Or when you get round to it. Don’t rush on my account. 😮
Will the Torchwood stuff feature rude words and naughty behaviour, to remind us the series is aimed at a “mature audience”? Bear in mind your answer may dictate whether or not I buy it. 😉
Happy 2008!
Sounds like 08 is going to be another good year for TF comics. I personally am looking forward to this series that goes back in time. Sounds like it’ll be the original Ark crew with Nova Prime and Galvatron. Or maybe a new take on the origin story.
Happy new year!
Steve
Can’t wait Simon, have really loved reading your blog, 2008 is gonna rock!!!
You’ve got your hands on Torchwood? Hmmm…
This is going to be a tough one. I liked the idea of a mature Doctor Who spin off, but the first season’s approach to “mature” seemed to be “everyone sleeps with everyone else regardless of gender or likability.” I felt like I was watching a twisted version of a Robert Heinlein novel. It had some good points story wise though–which I’m hoping is what you’re going to be focusing on.
Interesting to hear you’ve got a time travel story in the works for Transformers as well (how does time travel work in the IDW universe anyways? TFs seem to travel in time quite frequently it would seem). Means more interesting Cybertronian molds on the horizon for 2008. Yea!
Keep writing things that defy our expectations 🙂
Happy New Year, Simon. Looking forward to the new TF stuff, particulalrly the spotlights and longer story-arcs for TF:UK.
And congrats on the Torchwood job! I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Happy new year.
Really looking forward to see more of your works this year.
Importing books to here (farthest east of Asia) takes time, but it’s worth waiting. 😉
Hi Simon
I have a question for you but I can’t seem to find anywhere how I can send you an email. Are you able to send me an email please at bahrag@yahoo.ca – my question is regarding your book about You can draw transformers – I need to know how I can license to use your optimus prime drawing to print on coffee mugs and resell.
Thanks
happy new year man!
hope the head was ok. word to the wise, avoid a drink called “jagermeister”. the hangovers like getting kicked in the head by metroplex 🙂
im already jazzed up for 08 thanks to the tidbits you released in your 20questions and it really looks like the slow burn approach to TFs universe building is paying off in heaps now. really looking forward to this stuff.
very interested in torchwood! whats the story. is it going to be done along the lines of a vertigo title? if so theres some great potential for some radically differnt stuff from you than were used to. like black bumblebee said “adult” usually means bed hopping but my favourite eps of the first series was “small worlds” by p j hammond (of sapphire and steel fame) which touched on some disturbing themes and i hope this comic series takes that approach and really delves into stuff thats scary because its real world too.
also any idea who the artist could be? i could see rotating working very well depending on the storyline
argh, more money sucked out of my wallet 🙂
Hi !
Kudos to the great projects for the past years!
Are there any plans for the Trainbots, Star Saber, Dai Atlas, Star Convoy, the Japanese gestalts, etc to appear in the comics or have their MTMTE / Sourcebook? How about titles for the Brave Transformers (Exkizer, DaGarn, Baan Gaan, Might Gaine…)?
More power & thanks!
So, will the Thirteen be the usual lot this time around (Liege Maximo, Maccadam, Primon, Vector Prime, Fallen etc.) or are we getting a whole new gang of wizards?
Okay, Torchwood. It won’t feature ‘mature readers only’ content, like season 1 of the TV show, but neither is it pitched at kids. It’s more in line with season 2 of the TV show, edgy but not extreme. That said, expect some Vertigo-esque art styles and hard-hitting storylines.
Hey, Anna, any queries regarding re-use of images from books like You Can Draw Transformers need to go via the publisher in the first instance and, ultimately, Hasbro.
As for ‘The Thirteen,’ expect surprises there. Lots of ’em.
I hope the biggest surprise is that there’s only seven. Just to shut a certain person up with their “every Transformers continuity has the exact same origin, despite the tangible lack of supporting evidence” spiel.
And I hope that one of them’s Flywheels.
I don’t know exactly what Chris N is talking about, the continuing TF Fanclub comic revelations by Forest Lee maybe? True, if you’ve been following all the stuff from the Fan Club comics then it’s been established that while continuities can vary quite a bit Primus and Unicron are singularities that only exist once in all the multiverse: Primus in all realities at once (like a string streatched between rooms) and Unicron in only one at a time (like a ball thrown between rooms).
While it hasn’t been outright stated, events in these comics strongly suggest that the 13 are also singularities with only one of each in all the multiverse. Granted that’s only implied by the Fan club stories, but fairly clearly so and IF that’s true than it would be the same exact same 13 (all Primes) in all universes/continuities: ie. Prima, Fallen, Vector Prime, and whatever they call the fanclub gestalt Prime (whose been revealed to be one of them as well. )
Again IF that’s the case than we know the basics of their story: Made by Primus to fight Unicron and each given guardianship of one facet of the multiverse, betrayed by the Fallen (guardian of entropy) battled Unicron and most of them are killed… Given how much of that we know I can’t see Simon sticking THAT close to established events I’m sure it’ll be full of twist and turns and surprises… if it’s connected to the established story at all.
-ZacWilliam, it’s almost more interesting if it’s a total departure (though I’d love to see what exists fleshed out) because that means the current “retcon” about Primus and Unicron being thesame beings and HAVING to exist in all continuities or the multiverse dies might be on its way out.
I’m not sure how to say this without being rude, but the idea that ALL the continuities have to be interconnected like that is… not good. It honestly diminishes the Unicron and Primus concpets by severely limiting how they can be used.
Zac – don’t worry. Random reference to ongoing argument at a certain message board. 🙂
Basically somebody taking the line of “if one bit of the fiction claims something, it’s true for all of it, regardless of lack of evidence for it / weight of evidence to the contrary”. It would be funny if it weren’t so mind numbing! Essentially grounded in the Primus/Unicron/13 bit, but also extending to… how should I say, more controversial aspects. I’ll leave it there so as not to drag the argument to here. Here should be a happy place. 🙂
Was meant more as a throwaway aside. I generally dislike the retcon of “this is the actual origin, always has been and always will be”. Any dramatic variation / dismissal gets a thumbs up from me.
I can see both sides of the issue myself.
On the one hand I like to try to see ways for things to fit together to build on past stories and revelations already around to make things deeper and more interesting. On that front I’d LOVE to see Simon expand on the story of the 13 that we allready have the bare bones of and give it a real deep, detailed, Mythological Epic feel.
On the other hand, I hear what you guys are saying, variety is the spice of life and while the “Multiverse” retcon does give us a nice framework for every TF univerese to fit in so they can interact with each other and “crossover” it *has* also set up some rules that can be a bit stiffling in some ways, especially in relation to Primus, Unicron, and the origin of TFs.
–>> Gaw .. i hope there is a chance ..at least at some point to see the TMNT FF shorts in some form over here in the U.S. ..
been snaggin’ them from my friend Rosemary ..
and they are flippin’ awsome.
Man it’s so weak that they won’t allow Titan to publish TMTN magazine globally .. 😡
>v<
All the best for 2008.
thanks so much Simon!
I will try to contact Hasbro.
My son has thoroughly enjoyed drawing Optimus Prime and Megatron 🙂
I agree with you Zac. Although the work so far in the IDWverse is amazing, and kudos to all involved, it does leave an empty feeling in relation to some points.
It would be good to see a ‘Bible’ type Genesis story from year dot, intergrating all of the stories from accross the Verses. Impossible to do no doubt but worth giving a go
I’m probably being over cynical but it seems that the current IDW comics seem to be aimed at a new generation of fans, and as someone who grew up with Formers i’m from the old school where the Bots and Cons crash landed on Earth in the Ark. I’m very much a G1 fan.
It would be good to have the Spotlights show the characters developing from an earlier time -I mean Galvatron did this sort of. It just seems that sometimes there are holes or loose ends to tie up it is bolted together by a Spotlight.
Listen to me, i’m sounding like a bitter twisted old man who has woken up and found the world isnt his anymore!! I dont mean to, but seeing the IDW TF Universe be rebooted from the start with Unicron and Primus, the Thirteen, Quintesson Invasion, Golden Age etc would be awesome.
Would Simon consider this to be a worthwhile enterprise?
Thanks for reading this guys