TF-UK A-GO-GO #9

Out today, Feb 28th (in the UK only I’m afraid) — issue #9 of Titan’s blockbusting Transformers comic/magazine! Within, you’ll find myriad delights, not least of which is an all-new, exclusive 10-page comic strip, spinning out from the Transformers live action movie but in a most unexpected way. Forget happy endings, reality has splintered and a whole new world, one ruled by Megatron and the Decepticons, is the result. In Twilight’s Last Gleaming (part 1 of 5) the UK comic takes a bold new direction, forging its own distinct post movie continuity. Things are looking bleak for planet Earth, with just handful of Autobots pitted against Megatron’s massed forces and the planet itself in a state of massive upheaval, being literally transformed by the power of the All Spark. Can the beleaguered resistance kick back? What Machiavellian machinations is Starscream hatching? Why is Mikaela Banes mankind’s last best hope (well, apart from the obvious)? And what is the fearful fate of Optimus Prime? The answers and more can found within! Story is by me, art by Simon Williams. Oh, and there’s more comic strip, stuff to win, FREE Transformers playing cards (how cool is that?) and features galore. Don’t miss it. For a better look-see at #9’s cover, click on the thumbail below, and for more details on the TF-UK comic visit its MySpace page here.

ALL THIS AND DEVASTATION #6

In stores this week — the final all-out issue of Transformers Devastation (#6)! Should be Wednesday 27th in the US, a day later in the UK. Warning: possible spoilers ahoy! So what can you expect? Well, a glance at EJ Su’s gleefully nightmarish cover (click on the thumbnail below) should give you some idea. At last… Galvatron makes his presence well and truly felt in the ‘ongoing.’ Help for the beleaguered Decepticons comes from an unlikely direction as the Reapers threaten to end their (previously covert) occupation of Earth once and for all (which, ironically, would then spell the end for planet Earth). All I’ll say is, it ain’t pretty, and not everyone makes it out alive! Plus, the ‘head’ of the Machination is finally revealed (and if anyone hasn’t got that revelation already, go to the back of the class!). Hunter/Sunstreaker ‘get it on’ (in a Headmasterly way), Hardhead faces a tough decision, Nightbeat gets a blast of deja vu and a certain Jhiaxus makes his full IDW debut! As some things wrap up (really wrap up!), other stuff (Dead Universe, Dinobots) comes barrelling to the forefront. Do not miss this one. Just don’t! Story is by me, art by EJ Su. Details of all IDW’s Transformers titles can be found on their website.

ARCEE A-GO-GO!

This week sees the in-store release of the much anticipated (not least by me, because, even moreso than usual, I’ve been waiting with bated breath to see what the reader reaction will be) Transformers Spotlight – Arcee. Depending on whether President’s Day impacts on the ship date, it’ll either be Wednesday 20th (US)/Thursday 21st (UK) or Thursday 21st (US)/Friday 22nd (UK). Why so trepidatious and ill-at-ease? Well, I’ve always been fairly outspoken about the redundancy of ‘female’ Transformers (or ‘fembots’). It’s not a sexist thing, it’s just that they’re robots. Why would they have genders at all? Anyway, Arcee (being one such ‘fembot’) was always going to be a contentious issue, especially as (in common with other IDW/TF-verse reinventions) I was expected to put something of my own spin on the character this time around. And I figured I’d attempt to apply a rationale to the whole issue! So, I expect Arcee to be divisive. Though I hope also, regardless of the whole he-she-it thing going on, people will enjoy it for the rattling good actioner I believe it to be. And boy, does a lot happen this issue. Guest-stars abound… Ultra Magnus, Fortress Maximus (taking his full IDW bow), Banzaitron, the Combaticons (also debutees), Jetfire, the Technobots and more! And it all revolves around a certain character whose name has been uttered more and more frequently in various Spotlights (and even the ‘ongoing’ by now… I think), and will play a big part in what’s to come this year. So, while self-contained, this is without hyperbole a KEY issue. And then there’s the breathtaking art of Alex Milne. I can honestly say I’ve never seen Alex so up for a job, and the results will simply knock your socks off (or “shatter your trousers”, whichever is applicable). Anyway, while you (and I!) wait restlessly for Wednesday/Thursday/Friday, here’s a look at Alex’s cover (one of two) for the issue. Click on the thumbnail to view, and (as always) let me know your opinions right here. Putting my ‘flame’-proof gear on as we speak. For more information on all IDW’s Transformers titles check out their website.

MOSAIC A-GO-GO!

It’s been a while in the making (hey, we have to do some paying work too!), but finally the Transformers Mosaic one-page story written by me is finally ready for your delectation. The question will be asked, inevitably, if ‘Hail and Farewell’ (click on the thumbnail below) is ‘canon’ in terms of the in-progress Infiltration/Escalation/Devastation series. And the answer is emphatically ‘YES.” And boy does it tease big-time! Set two years hence, a lot’s happened to our Hunter O’Nion/Sunstreaker combo. I shall say no more. Credit where credit’s due for Steve Buccellato (and check out the amazing Mad Science Media too), who both pencilled and coloured the story, Don Hudson who inked it and Richard Starkings/Jimmy Betancourt of Comicraft who lettered it (check out the wonderful Hip Flask here), all of whom gave generously of their precious time in the name of Transformers fandom. And thanks also to Shaun Knowler and Josh Van Reyk who set the estimable Mosaic project up in the first place, and IDW’s Chris Ryall (who kindly let us ‘play’ in the IDW/TF-verse). Now… enjoy (and let me have your comments!).

SCRIPT (W)RAP – UK

Okay, here we go with a tease (some inevitable spoilers, but I’ll go easy on those) of what’s in store, script-wise, in Transformers (UK) #10. The all-new UK continuity, which kicked off in the previous issue (spiralling out of the end of the live-action movie, but in a radically different way) in explosive/dramatic style, continues (escalates) in the shape of part 2 of (the 5-part) Twilight’s Last Gleaming. As bleak as things were looking for the Autobots (and pretty much the whole of humankind) in part 1, in part 2 things get that much worse. The Autobot counter-offensive against the ruling Decepticons looks to be derailed before it’s even started, with Bumblebee and Mikaela both hunted (by Megatron and Frenzy respectively) inside the former Sector 7/Hoover dam base and the moon-based Autobot reinforcements compromised, and Earth’s military response targeted (by Starscream and Dreadwing). Only Ratchet and Ironhide’s side of the main strike seems still to be proceeding on course, but (realistically) how long can that last? Chaos, carnage, all-out action, things haven’t been this epic since the days of Marvel UK. Whatever you do, don’t miss it. TF-UK #10 is out on the 27th of March, and in the meantime here’s a glimpse of Jeremy Tiongson’s dazzling art (colour by Jason Cardy) from the story. Click on the thumbnail below to view larger image.

ALL THIS AND DEVASTATION #5

Out this week (Feb 6th in the US, 7th in the UK) is the penultimate issue of Transformers Devastation (#5), and if you think we’re taking our collective feet off the collective gas pedal after last issue’s tumultuous battle between the Autobots and Sixshot think again. Just when you thought more story strands couldn’t possibly squeeze into the cut and thrust of Devastation, the Reapers make their move, besieging the Decepticons’ Command Bunker. And when we say Reapers, we don’t just mean the six badass mechs from Spotlight Sixshot, we mean Reapers… ad infinitum. Events set in motion in the aforementioned Spotlight Sixshot come to a head, but perhaps not in the way (or ways) you might have been expecting. A certain Starscream also makes his move (and let’s face it, he’s been pretty darn immobile since way back in Infiltration #6), and a grudge stretching back to wartime Cybertron (cue flashback!) goes all full blown. Plus, of course, more Headmasters, more Machination, more Hunter/Sunstreaker, more on the fate of Verity/Jimmy, a fateful decision for Optimus Prime and Skywatch… well, look for options! Story is by me, art by EJ Su (back in the driving seat… and how!). EJ’s cover art can be viewed by clicking on the thumbnail below.