Editing IDW Publishing

[[Image:Idw_logo.png|right|75px|Idw logo.png]]
'''Idea and Design Works, LLC''' currently owns the [[Transformers brand|Transformers]] comic book license as of May [[2005]], following the financial collapse of the previous license holder, [[Dreamwave Productions]], at the tail-end of 2004.  

IDW's flagship storyline is a [[IDW timeline|rebooted Generation 1 continuity]], which started out being written by longtime Transformers scribe [[Simon Furman]] and told through a succession of mini-series and one-shot [[Spotlight (comics)|''Spotlight''s]], before finally producing a monthly comic in [[2009]]. IDW has also been authorized to re-release trade paperbacks published by [[Dreamwave Productions]], such as the ''[[War and Peace]]'' mini-series and ''[[The War Within]]'' and ''[[War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages]]''. In May 2008, IDW's relationship with [[Hasbro]] proved to be quite healthy indeed as they snapped up the ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comic book license as well.

IDW mocks your nerdy belief that writers and editors should be able to remember things that happened in previous issues.

==Series published==
=== G1 rebooted ===
Initial ideas for IDW's Transformer line included a ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''-style story crossing over with the new [[Cybertron (toyline)|''Cybertron'' toyline]], starting ongoings in both G1 and ''Cybertron'' continuity. The G1 cast would suffer Cybertron's destruction and learn [[Unicron]]'s death had destabilized the entire [[omniverse]], forcing them to try and assemble an artifact called the 'Decepticon Matrix' in order to ''resurrect'' Unicron. This would parallel with the ''Cybertron'' plot, in which the Autobots seek out the [[Cyber Planet Key]]s to revive [[Primus]], and [[Vector Prime]] would have appeared as a guide in both series. It seems that series would then have come together with the concurrent ''Cybertron'' comic as Transformers from across the [[multiverse]] were brought together for a final, epic clash.<ref>Pitch printed in ''[[The Best of Simon Furman]]''</ref> 

This was considered too confusing for new readers, however, and dropped for a [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|continuity reboot of ''Generation 1'']]. Furman mostly oversaw this, creating a more sophisticated universe around the familiar characters and tropes: Marvel Comics' ''Ultimate'' line was the inspiration, and Furman deliberately borrowed the more leisurely pacing of Ultimate Marvel. <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSyBtqe67uk Moonbase 2m AA2010 interview]</ref>

Instead of an ongoing civil war on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] which spills over to [[Earth]] by accident, Furman presented us with an interstellar war between the [[Autobot|Autobots]] and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]], a war of Codes of Interplanetary Conflict and alt-form-and-dagger covert operations, with [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] the prize and whole planets at stake.  A surprising development on Earth heats up the war and turns our planet from just another proxy battleground into the ultimate prize.

This slow, measured storyline was eventually abandoned in an attempt to bring in more casual fans with a more G1 Cartoon-inspired revamp in ''All Hail Megatron''. This failed to have the desired effect both in terms of sales and fan-response, so ''another'' revamp was attempted with the start of ''The Transformers'' ongoing series. It has met with sharp fan criticism as well. ''(sigh)'' 

The general order of publications to date is as follows:

* ''[[Infiltration]]'' ([[2005]]–06)  Establishes the presence of the Transformers on modern-day Earth and re-establishes the theme of "robots in disguise" as central to the new continuity; a seven-issue story arc (issues #0 to #6).
* ''[[Spotlight (comics)|Spotlight]]'' ([[2006]]–present) Series of one-shot stories focusing on a single Transformer per issue; this series has no fixed publication format and is ongoing. It went on hiatus since "[[Spotlight: Metroplex]]" while the new ongoing series was getting established, but has since returned.
* ''[[Stormbringer (comics)|Stormbringer]]'' (2006) A four-issue miniseries tie-in to ''Infiltration'', establishing Cybertron's current situation in the re-boot and focusing squarely on the Transformers.
* ''[[Escalation (IDW)|Escalation]]'' (2006–07) Sequel to ''Infiltration''; a six-issue story arc detailing a conflict with the Decepticons in [[Brasnya]] and the abduction of [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Hunter O'Nion]].
* ''[[New Avengers / Transformers|New Avengers/Transformers]]'' ([[2007]])  A collaboration between [[Marvel Comics]] and IDW featuring the first ever crossover between the Transformers and New [[Avengers]]. Though it has minimal effects on the overall universe, it was specifically designed to fit into continuity between ''Infiltration'' and ''Escalation''.
* ''[[Megatron Origin]]'' (2007)  A four-issue story arc detailing the events surrounding [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s rise to power and the founding of the Decepticon faction.
* ''[[Devastation (IDW)|Devastation]]'' (2007–08) Sequel to ''Escalation''; a six-issue story arc following up on what happened to Sunstreaker, as well as the Decepticons' battle with the [[Reaper]]s and seeds are planted for the upcoming [[Dead Universe]] arc.
* ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'' ([[2008]]) Sequel to ''Devastation''; composed of 4 ''Spotlight''s; [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], [[Doubledealer]] and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]. This series wraps up the events of the Dead Universe.
{{note|The sequel to ''Revelation'' at one point was to be titled '''Expansion''', but it was canceled in favor of ''All Hail Megatron''.  However, Furman stated that some of the ideas from the series may pop up in other series.}}
* ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' (2008–[[2009]]) A twelve-issue maxi-series, extended to sixteen to include the ''All Hail Megatron Coda'' series. It chronicles the aftermath of the defeat of the Autobots and the Decepticon conquest of Earth. The publication schedule overlaps with ''Revelation'' and ''Maximum Dinobots''. Issues 13–16 each consist of two 11-page stories that help strengthen the flaws in ''All Hail Megatron'' and tie into the ongoing series.
* ''[[Maximum Dinobots]]'' (2008–2009) A five-issue which takes place chronologically between ''Revelation'' and ''All Hail Megatron'' (which it was published concurrently with).  The series wraps up Furman's story arcs with the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], Sunstreaker, the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Skywatch]] and the [[Machination]].
* ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' (2009–present) An ongoing series which began in November 2009 [http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/idw/guide.php?s=ongoing]. The series is penned by [[Mike Costa]] with art on the first arc by [[Don Figueroa]].  Different artists have contributed as well.
* ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'' (2009–[[2010]]) A four-issue miniseries chronicling Bumblebee's journey on Earth after the events of ''All Hail Megatron'', focusing on the conflicts and decisions 'Bee makes (sort of like a ''Spotlight''). It began in December 2009, written by [[Zander Cannon]] with art by [[Chee Yang Ong]] (the team that worked on the second story of [[All Hail Megatron issue 16|''All Hail Megatron'' #16]]).
* ''[[Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' (2010) A five-issue miniseries which began in January 2010, written by [[Nick Roche]] and [[James Roberts]] and drawn by Roche with colors by [[Josh Burcham]]. It chronicles the antics of the [[Wrecker]]s in deep space after ''AHM''.
* ''[[The Transformers: Ironhide]]'' (2010) A four-issue miniseries covering Ironhide, with story by Mike Costa and art by [[Casey Coller]]. It was published from May through August, 2010.
* ''[[Transformers: Drift]]'' (2010) A four-issue miniseries that chronicles [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]'s origins as the Decepticon Deadlock to becoming an Autobot. It's written by Shane McCarthy, with art by Alex Milne and colors by Josh Perez. It's being released bi-weekly in September, 2010.

====See also====
* [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
* [[IDW timeline]]

===''Beast Wars''===
Taking place within the ''[[Beast Wars (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon universe, this line eschews the previous [[3H Productions]] fan club comics that previously continued the show's story to strike out in a new direction, focusing mainly on the non-show toy characters.

* ''[[The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]'' (2006) A four-issue mini-series marking the 10th anniversary of the ''Beast Wars'' franchise. 
* ''[[The Ascending|Beast Wars: The Ascending]]'' (2007–08) A four-issue sequel to ''The Gathering'' that began publication in October 2007.
* The ''[[Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' (2007) profile series of the Beast Era.
====See also====
* [[Beast Wars timeline (IDW)]]

===''Evolutions''===
Intended to be a series of [[wikipedia:Elseworlds|Elseworlds]]-like stories that exist in their own separate continuities, each taking different takes on Transformers.  Only one has so-far been produced. (Reportedly, Hasbro has asked IDW to hold back on ''Evolutions'' as to not confuse customers looking for merchandise based on the 2007 film.){{fact}}  [[Chris Ryall]] stated that with the Movie and ''Animated'' series, it is unlikely we will see any more of these series.{{fact}}

* ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' (2006) Places the G1 Transformers in the American West during the Industrial Revolution.

===Live-action film series===
* ''[[Movie Prequel (2007)|Transformers: Movie Prequel]]'' (2007) A four-part series detailing the lead-up to the [[Transformers (2007)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie]].
* "[[Planetfall (Movie)|Planetfall]]" and "[[Interlude]]" (2007) [[Target]] [[exclusive]] prequel comics for the 2007 film.
* ''[[Movie Adaptation|Transformers: Movie Adaptation]]'' (2007) A four-part comic adaptation of the film, released weekly in June 2007.
* ''[[The Reign of Starscream]]'' (2008) IDW's official sequel to the 2007 film, continuing where the ''Movie Adaptation'' left off.  It began in May 2008.
* ''[[Saga of the Allspark]]'' (2008) Reprinting the [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|UK Movie comics]] from Titan Magazine.
* ''[[Destiny|Transformers: Destiny]]'' (2008–2009) The 2-miniseries prequel to ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''.
* ''[[Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation]]'' (2009) A four-part comic adaption of the film, released weekly in May and June 2009.
* ''[[Tales of the Fallen]]'' (2009–2010) A series of spotlights for six ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' characters.
* ''[[Nefarious|Transformers: Nefarious]]'' (2010) A 6-issue sequel to ''Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen''.
* ''[[Transformers: Sector 7]]'' (2010-2011) A 6-issue series telling the history of Sector 7.
* ''Transformers: Foundation'' (2010-2011) A 4-issue prequel to ''[[The Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: The Dark of the Moon]]''.
* ''Transformers: Rising Storm'' (2011) Second 4-issue prequel to ''[[The Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: The Dark of the Moon]]''.

===''Transformers Animated''===
* ''[[Transformers Animated (IDW Publishing)|Transformers Animated]]'' (2008) — An ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' cartoon adaptation series with screenshots from the series.
* ''[[The Arrival|Transformers Animated: The Arrival]]'' (2008) — A six-issue mini-series set in the same continuity as the ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' cartoon.
* ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac]]'' (2009) — Covers ''The Arrival'' and seasons 1 and 2 of the cartoon.
* ''[[Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II]]'' (2010) — Covers season 3 of the cartoon and other information.

===Reprint series===
* ''[[Generations (comic reprints)|Generations]]'' — Reprints old [[Marvel Comics]] issues, specifically ones that did not feature Marvel-owned characters such as [[Circuit Breaker]].
* ''[[Target: 2006|Target 2006]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Transformers: Magazine]] (2007)'' — Reprints three comics per issue from the Marvel, [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]], and IDW runs.
* ''[[Best of UK: Dinobots]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Best of UK: Space Pirates]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Best of UK: Time Wars]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Classic Transformers]] (2008)'' — Collects old [[Marvel Comics]] issues in trade paperback format, starting with [[The Transformers (issue)|Transformers #1]] and summarizing those featuring Marvel-owned characters such as [[Spider-Man]] and [[Circuit Breaker]] (until Volume 5, by which point the Marvel-owned characters are allowed).
* ''[[Best of UK: City of Fear]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Best of UK: Prey]]'' (2009)

===Others===
* ''[[Transformers: The Animated Movie]]'' (2006) A four-issue adaptation of the original ''Transformers'' film, 1986's ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''; marks the film's 20th anniversary and new DVD release.
* ''[[The Best of Simon Furman]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Best of Don Figueroa]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Art of IDW's Transformers]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Premiere Collection#Volume 1|The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 1]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Ark: A Complete Compendium of Character Designs|The Ark]]'' (2007) — A Complete Compendium Of Transformers Animation Models
* ''[[Balancing Act]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Ark II — A Compendium of Japanese Character Designs|The Ark II]]'' (2008) — A Compendium of Japanese Character Designs
* ''[[Transformers: War Within Omnibus]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Robot Heroes (comic)|Robot Heroes]]'' (2009) — A comic based around the [[Robot Heroes (toyline)|Robot Heroes]] toyline.
* ''[[Premiere Collection#Volume 2|The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 2]]'' (2009)
* ''[[The Complete Ark]]'' (2009) — Combines the first and second volumes.
* ''[[The Transformers Continuum: The Definitive Chronology]]'' (2009) — A book theoretically chronicling the history of the Transformers Universe.
* ''[[The Best of Optimus Prime]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The IDW Collection Volume 1]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The Best of Megatron]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The IDW Collection Volume 2]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The IDW Collection Volume 3]]'' (2011)

==Editorial policies==
IDW has a somewhat unconventional editorial policy, at least as far as their ''Transformers'' titles are concerned: Whereas other companies such as [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] or DC often tend to dictate writers their stories, IDW takes the opposite approach and gives its writers pretty much free rein, regardless of whether it contradicts previous stories or even makes little sense by itself. What's worse, whereas [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] had enforced a rigid "house style", IDW actively encourages artists to use their own style... which appears to extend to Transformers characters' ''designs'' and even ''[[alternate mode]]s''.
*Regarding ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', [[Simon Furman]], who had been the head writer of the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]] up to that point, confirmed that that there had been no collaboration or communication between himself and ''All Hail Megatron'' writer [[Shane McCarthy]], and it was up to then IDW editor [[Denton J. Tipton]] to sort out the continuity.<ref name="furmanahm">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=5032 Simon Furman November Q&A]</ref>
*Editor [[Andy Schmidt]] wrote ''[[The Transformers Continuum: The Definitive Chronology|Continuum]]'', the self-declared "Definitive Chronology" of the IDW Generation 1 continuity up to that point, which was chock-full of inaccuracies, blatant omissions and even ''chronological errors within the issue itself''.  Schmidt revealed in an interview<ref name="tformersint">[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=12679 TFormers interview with Andy Schmidt]</ref> that all of these changes were ''intentional'', in order to ''simplify'' things, because he had hoped to attract new, younger readers he didn't want to "confuse" or confront with concepts unfamiliar to them. To his credit, Schmidt formally admitted to the poor quality of ''Continuum'' five months after it had been released.<ref name="schmidtapologizes">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=175715& Continuum "apology"]</ref>
*As of ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'', recurring characters in the Generation 1 stories started getting redesigned. Depending on which artist was on a comic, several characters repeatedly alternated between Cybertronian alternate modes, [[E. J. Su]]'s modernized robot mode designs, entirely new designs, and almost slavish rehashes of the ''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1]]'' [[character model|animation models]]. At the IDW forums, artist [[Guido Guidi]] stated that he had been ''specifically'' asked to ''ignore the designs Don Figueroa had used in previous issues'' and "do [his] own thing", which resulted in him having to re-draw almost half of issue 9 from scratch.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=192461#192461 Guido post in which he says that IDW asked him to not bother with Dons designs, and to redraw half of the issue he already made using his own preference in design.]</ref>
*Artist [[Alex Milne]] deliberately drew background [[generic]]s to resemble ''[[Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and ''[[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] that were killed as cannon fodder in ''[[The Transformers: Drift|Drift]]'' [[Drift issue 2|issue 2]]. He ''specifically'' elaborated on this, stating that he had included them at the suggestion of a friend because they were two of the favorite characters of [[David Willis]], an outspoken critic of Milne's art.<ref name="milnewillis">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=8525&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=288 Post by Alex Milne on IDW's forum]</ref> In response to this, then editor Denton J. Tipton stated that Milne had no control over which characters live or die, and that these were just generics and this was only an issue because of the "fascination with 'canon.'"<ref name="dentonmilne">[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=205076#205076 Post by Denton Tipton on IDW's forum]</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.idwpublishing.com/ IDW Publishing]
*[http://www.tfarchive.com/comics/idw/guide.php?s=ongoing TF Archive's guide to the Ongoing ''Transformers'' comic]

==Footnotes==
<references />
[[Category:Comics]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:IDW| ]]