IDW Publishing

Idea and Design Works, LLC currently owns the 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 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 Spotlights, 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. In May 2008, IDW's relationship with Hasbro proved to be quite healthy indeed as they snapped up the G.I. Joe comic book license as well, and in 2010 obtained the license to Dungeons & Dragons. Then in 2012 they started publishing My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic comics. Hasbro definitely seems to like them.

For a few years IDW used to mock your nerdy belief that writers and editors should be able to remember things that happened in previous issues, but then they hired John Barber. Now they expect us to remember things.

"Phase Three" of the Aligned continuity was going to be IDW doing comics with Aligned backstories instead of the established ones. Hasbro first proposed a "New 52" reboot event (uh oh)... and then instead agreed that IDW had put five years of work in, upcoming plans would have to be cancelled, and it'd be too confusing for readers to do another reboot, so they let IDW carry on. Hasbro definitely seems to like them.

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, 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 Keys 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.

This was considered too confusing for new readers, however, and dropped for a 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.

Instead of an ongoing civil war on Cybertron which spills over to Earth by accident, Furman presented us with an interstellar war between the Autobots and Decepticons, a war of Code of Interplanetary Conflict and alt-form-and-dagger covert operations, with 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 was met with sharp fan criticism as well. Yet another revamp was attempted with two concurrent ongoing series, More Than Meets The Eye and Robots In Disguise. Positive fan response came at last.

The general order of publications to date is as follows:

• The Transformers: Infiltration (2005–2006) 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).
• The Transformers: 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 after "Spotlight: Metroplex" while the new ongoing series was getting established, but has since returned, although at a greatly reduced pace.
• The Transformers: 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.
• The Transformers: Escalation (2006–2007) Sequel to Infiltration; a six-issue story arc detailing a conflict with the Decepticons in Brasnya and the abduction of Sunstreaker and Hunter O'Nion.
• 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.
• The Transformers: Megatron Origin (2007) A four-issue story arc detailing the events surrounding Megatron's rise to power and the founding of the Decepticon faction.
• The Transformers: Devastation (2007–2008) Sequel to Escalation; a six-issue story arc following up on what happened to Sunstreaker, as well as the Decepticons' battle with the Reapers and seeds are planted for the upcoming Dead Universe arc.
• Revelation (2008) Sequel to Devastation; composed of 4 Spotlights; Cyclonus, Hardhead, Doubledealer and Sideswipe. This series wraps up the first set of Dead Universe-related events.
• The Transformers: 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.
• The Transformers: 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 Dynobots, Sunstreaker, the Headmasters, Shockwave, Skywatch and the Machination.
• The Transformers Continuum (2009) — A one-shot intended as a 'catch-up' for new readers, ahead of the new ongoing series.
• The Transformers (2009–2011) An ongoing series which began in November 2009 [1]. 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 #16).
• The Transformers: 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 actions of the Wreckers in deep space after All Hail Megatron.
• 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.
• The Transformers: Drift (2010) A four-issue miniseries that chronicles 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 was released bi-weekly in September, 2010.
• The Transformers: Infestation (2011) A two-issue story set within the larger Infestation, a cross-over in which zombies invade multiple IDW properties. In addition to Transformers, Star Trek, G.I. Joe and Ghostbusters are all invaded by the cross-dimensional zombies. The Transformers segment involves the Autobots teaming up with Galvatron's crew to stop the menace. It is written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, with art by Nick Roche and colors by Joana Lafuente and Josh Perez. The entire series was released weekly over 10 weeks, starting in February, 2011.
• The Transformers: Heart of Darkness (2011) A four-issue miniseries featuring Galvatron and crew, following the events in Infestation. It's written by Abnett and Lanning, with art by Ulises Farinas. Released March through June, 2011.
• The Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime (2011) IDW #125 written by James Roberts and John Barber, with art by Nick Roche. Optimus Prime makes a decision about his role in a post-Great War Cybertron.
• The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye (2012–present) An new ongoing written by James Roberts, with art by Alex Milne. Following the revitalization of Cybertron and the departure of Optimus Prime, Rodimus sets out to find the legendary Knights of Cybertron with a crew of like-minded Autobots aboard the Lost Light.
• The Transformers: Autocracy (2012) A twelve-issue digital comic starring Orion Pax and featuring his transformation into Optimus Prime. It's written by Flint Dille and Chris Metzen, with art by Livio Ramondelli, and was released bi-weekly from January to June, 2012.
• The Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2012–present) Another new ongoing written by John Barber, with art by Andrew Griffith. Bumblebee, Starscream, and Metalhawk attempt to forge a government and maintain control on the revitalized Cybertron, while personal mistrusts, old grudges, and new problems seek to shatter the fragile peace. This title was renamed to The Transformers starting with issue #35 to avoid confusion with the new Robots In Disguise franchise, including an IDW tie-in comic.
• The Transformers: Monstrosity (2013) The sequel to Autocracy by the same creative team.
• Dark Cybertron (2013–2014) — [12 issues] A maxi-series largely within the ongoing series focusing on Shockwave's machinations to change the universe and the powerful repercussions; written by John Barber and James Roberts with a variety of artists.
• The Transformers: Windblade (2014) A four-issue miniseries focusing on Windblade in the wake of the "Dark Cybertron" crossover event, written by Mairghread Scott and drawn by Sarah Stone.
• The Transformers: Punishment (2014) A five-issue motion comic miniseries starring Optimus Prime investigating a series of murders on Cybertron after the events of "Dark Cybertron", written by John Barber and illustrated by Livio Ramondelli.
• The Transformers: Primacy (2014) The sequel to Monstrosity by the same creative team.
• The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone (2014–2015) — [4 issues] As Drift rights wrongs in the galaxy, he is joined by Ratchet and winds up facing an old enemy. Written by Shane McCarthy with artwork by the Regeneration One team of penciller Guido Guidi, inker Stephen Baskerville, and colorist John-Paul Bove.
• The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 (2015) — [7 issues] Windblade returns in a story advancing the Combiner Wars, trading issues with the main series; at the conclusion of the event, the Cityspeaker helps Starscream seek out the lost colony worlds while trying to prevent the ruler of Cybertron from forming an empire; written by Mairghread Scott and drawn by Corin Howell.
• The Transformers: Combiner Hunters (2015)
• The Transformers: Redemption (2015)
• The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers (2015-2016) - [5 issues]
• The Transformers Holiday Special (2015)
• The Transformers: Till All Are One (2016)

See also

• IDW continuity
• IDW timeline

Beast Wars

Taking place within the 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.

• Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering (2006) A four-issue mini-series marking the 10th anniversary of the Beast Wars franchise.
• Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending (2007–08) A four-issue sequel to The Gathering that began publication in October 2007.
• Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook (2007) profile series of the Beast Era.

See also

• Beast Wars timeline (IDW)

Evolutions

Intended to be a series of 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.) Chris Ryall stated that with the Movie and Animated series, it is unlikely we will see any more of these series.

• Hearts of Steel (2006) Places the Generation 1 Transformers in the American West during the Industrial Revolution.
• Infestation 2 (2012) The sequel to Infestation. This time, it's Lovecraftian demons that invade the various licensed properties. The Transformers-specific issues take place in the Hearts of Steel universe.
• The X-Files: Conspiracy (2014) Another multi-brand crossover, this time involving The X-Files series, whose Transformers-specific issue takes place in the present day of the Hearts of Steel universe.

Live-action film series

• Transformers: Movie Prequel (2007) A four-part series detailing the lead-up to the 2007 Transformers movie.
• "Planetfall" and "Interlude" (2007) Target exclusive prequel comics for the 2007 film.
• Transformers: Movie Adaptation (2007) A four-part comic adaptation of the film, released weekly in June 2007.
• Transformers: 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.
• Transformers: Saga of the Allspark (2008) Reprinting the UK Movie comics from Titan Magazine.
• Transformers: Destiny (2008–2009) The 2-miniseries prequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
  • Transformers: Alliance (2008-2009) A 4-issue prequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
  • Transformers: Defiance (2008–2009) A 4-issue prequel to Revenge of the Fallen.
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation (2009) A four-part comic adaptation of the film, released weekly in May and June 2009.
• Transformers: Tales of the Fallen (2009–2010) A series of spotlights for six Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen characters.
• Transformers: Nefarious (2010) A 6-issue sequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
• Transformers: Sector 7 (2010-2011) A 5-issue series telling the history of Sector 7. The first prequel to Transformers: Dark of the Moon
• Transformers: Foundation (2011) A 4-issue series telling the history of Optimus Prime and Megatron on Cybertron. Second prequel to Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
• Transformers: Rising Storm (2011) A 4-issue series. Third prequel to Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
• Transformers: Dark of the Moon Movie Adaptation (2011) A four-part comic adaptation of the film released in July 2011.
  • Transformers: Convergence (2011) A prose story published in the adaptation's individual issues.
• How to Ride a Dinobot! (2014) One-shot digital comic based on a series of web videos loosely related to Age of Extinction.

Transformers Animated

• Transformers Animated (2008) — An Animated cartoon adaptation series with screenshots from the series.
• Transformers Animated: The Arrival (2008) — A six-issue mini-series set in the same continuity as the 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.
• Transformers Animated: The Complete AllSpark Almanac (2015) — An omnibus volume containing the two books and The AllSpark Almanac Addendum with some new information added.

Regeneration One

• The Transformers: Regeneration One (2012–2014) — A limited series set in the main Marvel Comics continuity that continues on from the final issue of the Marvel's original Transformers series 21 years later, ignoring the events of both of the Marvel UK material and the Generation 2 comics.

Aligned continuity family

• Transformers: War for Cybertron (2010) — A partial adaptation of the novel Transformers: Exodus.
• Transformers: Prime (2010) — A graphic novel prequel to the television series, later released as four issues.
• Transformers: Prime (2011) — A Prime cartoon adaptation series with screenshots from the series.
• Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (2012) — A digital-first prequel/tie-in to the video game, focusing on the Dinobots.
• Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots (2012–2013) — A four-part mini-series which continues the Dinobots' story and leads into the television series' third season.
• Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (2013) — An eight-part maxi-series depicting the Dinobots' efforts to survive on a desolate Cybertron.
• Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015-2016) — An six-issue series tying in the second Robots in Disguise TV series.

Reprint series

• The Transformers: Generations (2006–2007) — [12 issues] Reprints old Marvel Comics issues, specifically ones that did not feature Marvel-owned characters such as Circuit Breaker.
• The Transformers: Target: 2006 (2007) — [5 issues] Reprints the titular Marvel UK story.
• The Transformers: Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron (2007) — TPB reprinting Prime vs Megatron fights from the Marvel, Dreamwave, and IDW runs.
• Transformers: Magazine (2007) — [5 issues] Reprints three comics per issue from the Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW runs.
• The Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman (2007) — Hardcover collection reprinting Simon Furman-written stories from Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW.
• The Transformers: The Best of Don Figueroa (2007) — Hardcover collection reprinting Don Figueroa-illustrated stories from Dreamwave and IDW.
• The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 1 (2007) — Hardcover reprinting IDW's first three arcs plus the first volume of Spotlight.
• The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots (2007–2008) — [6 issues] Reprints of UK Dinobot stories.
• The Transformers: Best of UK: Space Pirates (2008) — [5 issues] Reprints the UK "Space Pirates!" saga and other stories.
• The Transformers: Best of UK: Time Wars (2008) — [5 issues] Reprints the UK "Time Wars" saga and other stories.
• Classic Transformers (2008–2010) — [6 volumes] Collects old Marvel Comics issues in trade paperback format, starting with 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).
• The Transformers: Best of UK: City of Fear (2009) — [5 issues] Reprints the UK "City of Fear!" saga and related stories.
• Transformers: War Within Omnibus (2009) — Smaller sized TPB reprinting Dreamwave's The War Within (including the preview) and War Within: The Dark Ages.
• The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 2 (2009) — Hardcover reprinting IDW's Devastation, Revelation and volumes 2 and 3 of Spotlight.
• The Transformers: Best of UK: Prey (2009) — [5 issues] Reprints the UK "Prey!" and related stories.
• Transformers Movie Collection Volume 1 (Hardcover 2010), (TPB 2013) — Collects Movie Prequel, the 2007 Movie Adaptation and The Reign of Starscream.
• Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2 (Hardcover 2010), (TPB 2013) — Collects Defiance, Alliance and Revenge of the Fallen Movie Adaptation.
• The Transformers: Best of Optimus Prime (2010) — TPB collection reprinting Optimus Prime stories from Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW.
• The Transformers: Best of Megatron (2010) — TPB collection reprinting Megatron stories from Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW.
• The Transformers: Best of Grimlock (2010) — TPB collection reprinting Grimlock stories from Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW.
• The Transformers: Best of Starscream (2010) — TPB collection reprinting Starscream stories from Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW.
• The Transformers: The IDW Collection (2010–2013) — [8 volumes] Hardcover collection reprinting the IDW Transformers stories in a "suggested reading order" up through the end of the Ongoing series.
• The Transformers Classics (2011–2015) — [8 volumes] Second run of Classic Transformers with the missing issues restored.
• The Transformers Classics UK (2011–???) — [5 volumes to date] Reprints the Marvel UK stories in order of publication, including the Annuals.
• The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two (2014–???) — [??? volumes] Hardcover collection reprinting the IDW Transformers stories in a "suggested reading order" starting with the one-shot "Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime".
• The Transformers: Phase One Omnibus (2014) — Smaller sized TPB reprinting IDW's Infiltration, Escalation, and Devastation.

Others

• Angry Birds Transformers (2014-2015) Four-issue limited series based on the crossover video game.
• Mars Attacks: The Transformers (2013) One-shot crossover comic with the trading card franchise.
• 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.
• Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act (2007)
• Transformers: The Ark (2007) — A Complete Compendium Of Transformers Animation Models
• The Art of IDW's Transformers (2007)
• Transformers: The Ark II (2008) — A Compendium of Japanese Character Designs
• Transformers: The Complete Ark (2009) — Combines the first and second volumes.
• Alex Milne Sketchbook: The Transformers (2011)
• The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron (2012)
• Transformers: The Art of Prime (2013)
• Transformers vs. G.I. Joe (2014–present) Ongoing crossover series set in a separate continuity.
• Transformers: Deviations (2016)

External links

• IDW Publishing
• TF Archive's guide to the Ongoing Transformers comic