IDW Transformers solicits for Jan 2010

Sorry these are a bit late, but I reckoned that these might be wanted anyway. Enjoy.


THE TRANSFORMERS #3

Written by MIKE COSTA
Art by DON FIGUEROA
Colors by JAMES BROWN
Covers by Figueroa, ANDREW WILDMAN

HOT ROD’s desire to get off-planet leads to some desperate measures, OPTIMUS PRIME and Spike sit down for an unpleasant conversation, and a new arrival to the AUTOBOT camp comes at their most vulnerable time possible. Costa and Figueroa continue to make history, bringing the AUTOBOTS to their (almost) darkest hour.

32 pages, USD$3.99.


TRANSFORMERS: BUMBLEBEE #2

Written by ZANDER CANNON
Art by CHEE YANG ONG
Colors by MOOSE BAUMANN
Covers by Chee, GUIDO GUIDI

“Things Fall Apart,” Part 2: BUMBLEBEE’s human-allied Skywatch team tracks down their latest target: the AUTOBOT BLURR. With this forced betrayal, the team’s morale takes a deep plunge until BUMBLEBEE and WHEELJACK devise a dangerous mission to free them all from the kill-switches that compel them to obey Col. Horiuchi’s commands.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

TRANSFORMERS: LAST STAND OF THE WRECKERS #1

Written by NICK ROCHE
Art by  NICK ROCHE
Colors by JOSH BURCHAM
Covers by Roche, TREVOR HUTCHISON

The AUTOBOT special ops crew, THE WRECKERS, are sent to investigate Garrus-9, a prison that fell to the DECEPTICONS three years ago with no communication in or out since. Who’s really behind the prison siege, and what dark secret awaits SPRINGER there? Writer/artist Nick Roche (Maximum Dinobots) does all the dirty work.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN: ARCEE

Written by CHRIS MOWRY
Art by ALEX MILNE
Colors by JOSH PEREZ
Covers by Milne

Setting out in search of OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS, ARCEE is captured by the vicious THUNDERCRACKER. And what better punishment for this AUTOBOT warrior than being the catalyst for a new squad of DECEPTICONS? ARCEE must learn that a good leader conquers all, especially in war.

32 pages, USD$3.99.

Posted by Fanbot at 12:15 am, SATURDAY 16 January

TRANSFORMERS #3 REVIEW

OK. I'm sorry. I really haven't done enough on this blog. I promise I'll make an effort to do as as much as I can without inconveniencing certain people. But anyway. Here's my first attempt at an unbiased, general-comics-fan-approach review for IDW's Transformers #3...

SYNOPSIS: In an old army hangar, Jetfire whines about a headache. Hot Rod comes in and reveals he's changed his mind about getting off Earth ASAP, instead wanting to get all the Autobots in human custody out as well. He shows JF their new Decepticon comrades, saying there are no sides anymore. Meanwhile at Autobase, Ultra Magnus explains to the bots he's here to investigate what they've been up to. Bumblebee explains the situation, from which Magnus somehow discerns that Ironhide has died. The scene cuts to Skywatch HQ, where Spike tries to talk to Optimus. Spike wants to make things easier for him but Optimus just accepts his fate and broods. Spike's colleague asks why he's doing this and Spike says he's trying to have something to give his dad when he arrives. Back at Autobase, Magnus investigates the events on Earth as if it was a crime scene. He thinks that Bee might not be a capable leader, especially when more Autobots - Hoist, Tracks, Beachcomber and Blurr - leave. Magnus leaves to find Hot Rod. Back in Hot Rod's group, Jetfire says he can't build things, to which Roddy replies that he isn't building, just disassembling. Also, Red Alert and Mirage aren't too keen on their new Con comrades. At Skywatch, Spike has detected Blurr's group and sends guys to capture them. Blurr thinks his friends are slow when a Skywatch mine blows him up. Hoist, Beachcomber and Tracks are quickly subdued by Skywatch, but Blurr runs away, breaking the sound barrier. The others are brought back to Skywatch where Spike asks Prime again if he wants to talk.

THE ART: I have to say that I was dubious of Don's new art style at first. But he seems to have made it a bit better -  the radiator grille teeth are gone, thank Primus. And the artwork is once again takin on the stunning, oh-my-god factor that he used to have. The bots are wonderfully drawn, and though the faces all look the same (which is very annoying since it can confuse less educated readers) the expressions are realistic and cool - Swindle's expression on page 15 is priceless! Don continues to give distinctive and cool redesigns to some obscure generic bots from the G1 cartoon - as well as giving Magnus a sweet-looking altmode reminiscient of his original car carrier mode - which further demonstrates his artistic cred. James Brown continues to deliver highly detailed, expertly rendered colors that complement Don's art very nicely.

THE STORY: Mike Costa does an overall great job on scripting for this series, putting our bots in different situations  that make them react differently than we'd think - but at the same time acting relatively in keeping with their original 1984 cartoon personalities. He also gives some obscure characters that don't get a lot of pagetime some spotlight, Huffer (depresed little truck), Seaspray and Hoist among others. But unfortunately some holes show in his story. We're told why Magnus has come to Earth but the reasoning is dubious since he couldn't have known anything about the events previously and he hadn't done anything about the other Autobots' antics in Infiltration-Devastation. This is slightly confusing. Roddy, also, seems to be very aimless in his motivations. He is trying to get off Earth which is understandable but now has changed tack on a whim (Prowl would have loooved that) and wants to get the captured Autobots from Skywatch - which he wanted to in issue 1 and forgot about in issue 2.  But overall the dialogue and action is well-paced (the little scene with Swindle trying to cuddle up to Mirage is funny. So, this issue's results are:

THE TRANSFORMERS #3 (iDW, 2010)

Written by MIKE COSTA

Aart by DON FIGUEROA

Colors by JAMES BROWN

Covers by Figueroa, ANDREW WILDMAN

ART RATING: 9 out of 10

STORY RATING: 8 out of 10

OVERALL RATING: 8.5 out of 10

VERDICT: An enjoyable though slightly boring issue where not much happens. Don's artwork continues to amaze and has regained it oh-my-god factor. Costa continues to cameo obscure characters which should keep the geewunners happy for a couple days at least. A well-executed issue overall.Next month: Thundercracker returns! Ooooooooh! Rated 8.5 out of 10.

Posted by Fanbot at 11:37 pm, FRIDAY 15 January

Extra TRANSFORMERS #3 page

An extra page from Seibertron.com. Stupid UM, he assumes Prime's dead.

Posted by Fanbot at 1:34 pm, THURSDAY 14 January

TRANSFORMERS #3 PREVIEW

Newsarama.com has updated the fandom with a five page preview of IDW's Transformers #3. Here it is:

THE TRANSFORMERS #3
Story by MIKE COSTA
Art by DON FIGUEROA
Colors by JAMES BROWN
Covers by Figueroa, ANDREW WILDMAN

HOT ROD’s desire to get off-planet leads to some desperate measures, OPTIMUS PRIME and Spike sit down for an unpleasant conversation, and a new arrival to the AUTOBOT camp comes at their most vulnerable time possible. Costa and Figueroa continue to make history, bringing the AUTOBOTS to their (almost) darkest hour.

32 pages, USD$3.99

Posted by Fanbot at 4:13 pm, WEDNESDAY 13 January

Bumblebee poster art

A pic of Bumblebee I colored up in Photoshop. Go to my deviantart page (minimus-minor.deviantart.com) for more of my art. See you soon!

Posted by Fanbot at 9:27 am, WEDNESDAY 13 January

RFC #1 redo: A FANBOY'S REVENGE

I've just finished my new RFC~ webcomic redo. I can't get it onto this blog but you can view it on my deviantart page here.

This isn't really how I feel about Shane, but it was very fun to do. Word on the grapevine is he's doing another Transformers book, and I'd bet my fanboy status that he's writing the Spotlight: Prowl coming out in April (and I'd also bet that Casey Coller's drawing it!). Anyway, enjoy ...

Posted by Fanbot at 6:05 pm, SUNDAY 10 January

Hellboy: Pancakes - Happy 2010!

A little two-page story that demonstrates in essence the mix of comedy and paranormal horror that is Mike Mignola's Hellboy (he wrote and drew this). Enjoy, and happy 2010!

Posted by Fanbot at 10:24 pm, WEDNESDAY 6 January

Tales From Outer Suburbia book review

Another book from Aussie surrealist goes under the knife. I received this one along with The Lost Thing for Christmas 2009. This one’s a real pick ‘n’ mix of stuff, so here it is … a synopsis isn’t really applicable. It’s a collection of short stories, so see below for the lowdown. And I think that you're all really going this one!

SYNOPSIS: Tales From Outer Suburbia features, among other short stories:

• BROKEN TOYS – A Japanese man in an old diving suit shows up in suburbia and brings happiness to a grumpy old woman. Painted in flat, Japanese print-style that fits the story perfectly.
• DISTANT RAIN – a magical explanation for where all your unwanted poetry goes. Again, the change in art style (a haphazard collage) is tailor-made to perfectly fit the story’s subject.
• GRANDPA’S STORY – A story of how things were done back in the day – though not what you’d expect (Wild televisions for one thing). Drawn in loose, expressive pen illustrations.
• STICK FIGURES – photorealistic artwork tells of upside-down sapling people in a hostile environment. Poignant and more than a little eerie.
• ALERT BUT NOT ALARMED – innovative suburbians find better uses for thermonuclear missiles. Done in Tan’s usual style.
  OUR EXPIDITION – two brothers discover the unnerving reason for maps stopping at a certain point. Loose, flowing pastel artwork adds to the surreal mood.
  

And several more I can’t fit in.

THE ART: Straying away from his usual surrealist/ steampunk painted artwork, this book is largely experimental; Tan plays around with different and varied media in each short story. It’s a very clever thing that he does; each story features different art styles that fit the story exquisitely. The wide range of media includes sgraffito, pastel, acrylic, oil, pencil and biro. The layout of the book is simple and elegant, in a mail package graphic style that goes well with the haphazard, compilation-style way the book is written and drawn. Tan blows newcomers away with his diverse range of art and deceivingly simple prose, while still adding in some references for regular fans – the textbook collage, hand-written layout for Make Your Own Pet (previously seen in The Lost Thing), the matter-of-fact, let-the-art-tell-the-story writing (Lost Thing again) and Arrival-esque art in Eric. All up this book is beautifully illustrated and stunningly packaged. An artistic masterpiece to be sure.

THE STORY: This short story menagerie is a clear demonstration of the different things Tan can do with words. The tales carry varying amounts of meaning; some are just fun and simple (The Water Buffalo, Make Your Own Pet, and Distant Rain) while others carry dense, deep symbolic meaning that really makes you think. There are themes of environmentalism and oppressive society (Night of the Turtle Rescue); cultural issues, societal hostility and racial differences (Stick Figures) and more. Tan is a sophisticated writer who delivers exquisite quality writing. Therefore, I say:

ART RATING: 9 out of 10

STORY RATING: 8.5 out of 10

OVERALL RATING: 9.5 out of 10

VERDICT: a meaningful and elegantly written book that shows the cred that Shaun Tan wields in the arts. Perhaps not as dystopian and postmodern as his other works (a la The Lost Thing and Red Tree) but still enjoyable. Rated 9.5 out of 10. Go to shauntan.net for info!

Posted by Fanbot at 9:34 pm, Wednesday 6 January

Tales of the Fallen: Arcee preview

TRANSFORMERS: TALES OF THE FALLEN" ARCEE
Story by CHRIS MOWRY
Art by ALEX MILNE
Colors by JOSH PEREZ
Covers by Milne, CARLOS MAGNO

Setting out in search of OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS, ARCEE is captured by the vicious THUNDERCRACKER. And what better punishment for this AUTOBOT warrior than being the catalyst for a new squad of DECEPTICONS? ARCEE must learn that a good leader conquers all, especially in war. 2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.

32 pages, $3.99.

Posted by Fanbot at 12:46 pm, SATURDAY 2 January

Final cover for Last Stand of the Wreckers #1

It's finally here! The final, trouser-shatteringly awesome final for IDW's Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers #1. Here it is, in all its glory:

Posted by Fanbot at 12:21 pm, SATURDAY 2 January

The Lost Thing book review

Hi everybody, I'm sorry I haven't done anything on BSC for ages 'n' ages - I was planning to do a Christmas post but I just had no time - so much stuff! Now that I've settled down a little (I'm currently in Nelson) I've finally been able to sit down and do some serious reviewing! This book is not really what I usually do here but since Shaun Tan is such a brilliant and awesome artist I just had to. Here's the low down:

THE LOST THING (LOTHIAN, 2009)

Story & art by SHAUN TAN

Reprinted FIFTEEN TIMES

SYNOPSIS: A young bottle-top collector stumbles upon a strange creature on the beach. It seems friendly enough but seems to have no real place -- it is just lost. He takes the lost thing home but realizes he can't keep it hidden forever. A shady organization offers to take it away but the boy eventually finds a place for the lost thing to live -- a utopia of other lost things. At the book's end, the boy reflects on how he doesn't see many lost things anymore; "Maybe there aren't many lost things around anymore. Or maybe I've just stopped noticing them. Too busy doing other things, I guess."

THE ART: Shaun Tan is a brilliant surrealist with a wacky fetish and a slight steampunk fixation. He is an expert painter, and this books demonstrates fully the masterful work he does. The exaggerated, surreal and yet quite mundane setting is expertly rendered and, despite the slight looseness of the painting, it looks amazingly realistic. The architecture and objects suggest a grubby, rubbish-infested, conformist, half-utopian half-dystopian society that has little time or place for anything out of the ordinary. The background on which the photo-like illustrations are placed is a collage of Shaun's father's old physics textbooks, which gives a scrapbook look that is simply beautiful. Though the characters are cartoony and surreal, they interact very well together. Shaun's plain weird design for the lost thing amazes me; a giant pebble-crab-cum-squid creature inside a large bright red pot-belly stove - that eats Christmas decorations? That's cool. Shaun obviously wanted to create something that would be completely out of place in this suburban town - it's umcomfortably large, organic, and has no apparent purpose - hence the little time others have for it. Truly, this sophisticated picture book is a work of pure art. A surrealist triumph.

THE STORY: With this book I was tempted to focus only on the art and not touch on the story, but it must be done. Though this book can be enjoyed by all ages, it works on multiple levels and has immensely deep meaning; the "retro-future" setting references to dystopian futures, the suburban setting showing the spread of humanity across everywhere - there are virtually no animals or plants left (only pets). The lost thing is the embodiment of anyone that has been excluded from life, anyone who never seems to fit in and is alienated by everyone. Shaun Tan has packed this book to bursting with symbolism, and if you know where to look you'll fins it in almost every panel. One of the recurring symbolistic devices is the squiggly arrow that the boy uses to locate the lost thing utopia appears on every page, usually juxtaposed by another, straight and ordinary, arrow that points the other way; signifiying the utopia goes against the norm, that no-one's interested in it. The boy's ending words (seen in the synopsis) clearly show that much-used - though not cliched - theme of kids losing their imagination and ability to notice magical/ weird creatures. The matter-of-fact prose gives nothing away of the nature of the creature or setting, instead the art combines beautifully with it to create a quirky and well-executed book. And the last images of the tram, zooming out into an eerie image of thousands of trams driving along. A conformist reference that intrigues and scares. So, the results overall:

ART RATING: 10 out of 10

STORY RATING: 9.5 out of 10
OVERALL RATING: 10 out of 10

FAVE QUOTE: Boy: I hid the thing in our back shed and gave it something to eat, once I found out what it liked. [The lost thing likes to eat Christmas decorations. Go figure.]

VERDICT: A beatiful book with stunning art that blows you away. Able to be enjoyed by all ages but with deeper meaning that suggests a darker side. Prose and art combine synbiotically to make a masterful sophisiticated picture book. This one will probably be at your local library, and check out Tan's website! Rated 10 out of 10.

Posted by Fanbot at 11:59 am, FRIDAY 1 January