IDW Publishing

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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 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 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, 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 Codes 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 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 (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 (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 (2006–07) 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.
• Megatron Origin (2007) A four-issue story arc detailing the events surrounding Megatron's rise to power and the founding of the Decepticon faction.
• 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 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 events of the Dead Universe.

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 Dynobots, Sunstreaker, the Headmasters, Shockwave, Skywatch and the Machination.
• The Transformers (2009–present) 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).
• 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 Wreckers 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'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 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.

• Beast Wars: The Gathering (2006) A four-issue mini-series marking the 10th anniversary of the Beast Wars franchise.
• 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 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 G1 Transformers in the American West during the Industrial Revolution.

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.
• 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 UK Movie comics from Titan Magazine.
• Transformers: Destiny (2008–2009) The 2-miniseries prequel to Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
• 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.
• 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 Transformers: The Dark of the Moon.
• Transformers: Rising Storm (2011) Second 4-issue prequel to Transformers: The Dark of the Moon.

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.

Reprint series

• Generations — Reprints old Marvel Comics issues, specifically ones that did not feature Marvel-owned characters such as Circuit Breaker.
• Target 2006 (2007)
• Transformers: Magazine (2007) — Reprints three comics per issue from the Marvel, 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 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)
• The Transformers: The Premiere Collection, Volume 1 (2007)
• Greatest Battles of Optimus Prime and Megatron (2007)
• The Ark (2007) — A Complete Compendium Of Transformers Animation Models
• Balancing Act (2007)
• The Ark II (2008) — A Compendium of Japanese Character Designs
• Transformers: War Within Omnibus (2009)
• Robot Heroes (2009) — A comic based around the Robot Heroes toyline.
• 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)

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 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 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 modes.

• In Spotlight: Cyclonus, written by Simon Furman, Cyclonus himself established that Galvatron is the Dead Universe-aligned Transformer who can stay in the "normal" universe for long amounts of time without being destroyed. Then IDW editor Andy Schmidt wrote the second half of All Hail Megatron issue 14, "Rebirth"... which claims that Cyclonus is the one who can survive the longest outside the Dead Universe. Schmidt later admitted that he had misremembered what had been established in Spotlight: Cyclonus, and that this was just a flat-out biff. Then Schmidt wrote Continuum, the self-declared "Definitive Chronology" of the IDW Generation 1 continuity up to that point, which was chock-full of inaccuacies, blatant omissions and even chronological errors within the issue itself. In an interview with TFormers, Andy Schmidt revealed 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, book. Five months after it was released. He also stated that Denton J. Tipton and Carlos Magno were making fun of him at the office for it.
• For the IDW Generation 1 continuity, E. J. Su gave Bumblebee a new, modernized robot mode design and transformation (though retaining his classic Volkswagen Beetle alternate mode) starting with Infiltration. This design continued being used until, and including, early issues of the the current ongoing series, although artist Don Figueroa gave Bumblebee (as well as all other Transformers characters appearing in it) a style overhaul, adding a lot of details more reminiscent of the live-action movie designs than the classic pre-movie Transformers aesthetics. However, in the Bumblebee limited series set concurrently with the early issues of the ongoing title, artist Chee Yang Ong drew Bumblebee in an almost slavish recreation of his Generation 1 animation model, not only in terms of style, but also including the general robot mode design. The Bumblebee limited series concluded with Bumblebee getting an "upgrade", abandoning his Volkswagen Beetle alternate mode in favor of an all-new Dodge Challenger alt mode, including a corresponding redesign of his robot mode. Don Figueroa then drew Bumblebee in a more "movie-fied" version of this design in issues 5 and 6 of the ongoing... then E.J. Su took over art duties with issues 7, and inexplicably drew Bumblebee in his own Infiltration design again. For his next appearance in issue 9, artist Guido Guidi drew Bumblebee in a cross between the simplified Chee rendition of the new Dodge Challenger-based design and Don's more detailed version.
• For All Hail Megatron, Guido Guidi abandoned the designs for Starscream, Thundercracker and Skywarp E. J. Su had created for Infiltration, which were based on F-22 Raptor alternate modes, in favor of much older F-15 Eagle alternate modes, with the robot bodies directly based on their Masterpiece toy designs. Writer Shane McCarthy claimed that he had intended an in-universe explanation for the change, but that he had decided to cut this explanation as it was not particularly relevant to the story.. When Thundercracker reappeared in the second issue of the Ongoing, he has a Don Figueroa re-imagining of E. J. Su's F-22 design. This shift was in fact explained during a flashback to a damaged F-15 Thundercracker being rebuilt by Scavenger in issue 4.
• Blurr initially sported a Cybertronian alternate mode when he debuted in Spotlight: Blurr. Don Figueroa eventually gave himn a new Earth-based alternate mode staring with issue 2 of the ongoing title... then Chee reverted to his Cybertronian alternate mode in issue 2 of the Bumblebee limited series. Although editor Andy Schmidt insisted that this was an error he had missed, E. J. Su also used Blurr's Cybertronian design in issue 7 of the ongoing title.
• Likewise, Don Figueroa gave Jetfire a new, larger body with an Earth bomber plane alternate mode for the ongoing title, but when E. J. Su took over art duties with issue 7, Jetfire reverted to the design Don had previously created for Stormbringer.
• And then Guido Guidi reverted almost everyone (with the exceptions of Bumblebee and Optimus Prime) to their Generation 1 character models with issue 9. Guido himself explained this at the IDW forums, stating 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.
• Bizarrely enough, Guido also stated on the IDW message boards that starting with issue 8 of the ongoing title, Spike Witwicky's new haircut was "official", meaning that every artist had to draw it that way from that point on. Yes, this little change is apparently more important to the story than keeping the Transformers' designs consistent.

External links

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