Transformers #49
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
CONQUERORS: CONCLUSION! The most dramatic action ever taken by an AUTOBOT sets the stage for next month’s mammoth issue 50. Earth and CYBERTRON. OPTIMUS PRIME and GALVATRON. SOUNDWAVE and COSMOS. It all comes together at four billion miles an hour.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Transformers #48
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
CONQUERORS, part 3! It all comes down to this… the fate of the AUTOBOTS, the survival of the human race, and the existence of a post-war CYBERTRON depends on the two greatest heroes in TRANSFORMERS history: BUSTER the dog and D.0.C. the drone.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Transformers #47
John Barber (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a) • Andrew Griffith (c)
CONQUERORS, part 2! OPTIMUS PRIME ventures into the SEA OF RUST, looking for the truth about his role as a PRIME. Instead, he comes face-to-face with the new female combiner, VICTORION, who has some questions of her own!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Transformers #46
John Barber (w) • Sara Pitre-Durocher (a) • Andrew Griffith (c)
CONQUERORS part 1! OPTIMUS PRIME struggles to find his place on CYBERTRON where half the population hates him and the other half worships him. Meanwhile, on Earth, GALVATRON doesn’t care what anybody thinks.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Coming in February, Transformers #50 will see Optimus Prime will declare Earth to be a part of Cybertron’s Council of Worlds—and the Decepticons and the people of Earth won’t take it lying down! The story starts here, but the repercussions will last forever. Transformers fan-favorites John Barber and Andrew Griffith continue their acclaimed run, with celebratory covers by Jonathan Hickman, Mike Choi, Andrew Griffith, Casey W. Coller and a retailer incentive cover by Alex Milne.
Transformers #45
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
JETFIRE and KUP lead a team to investigate the mysterious ONYX system. Meanwhile, GALVATRON… well, GALVATRON just doesn’t like anybody.
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
There’s some spoilers here, so if you don’t want to find out what happens in Transformers #44, out today from IDW Publishing, then you might want to leave and come back later.
Still here? Ok, lets begin.
Written by John Barber with art by Andrew Griffith, issue focuses on Tracks and Needlenose, brothers split due to the war. The issue focuses on their relationship and history before, and after the war. Needlenose in the beginning is swayed to Megatron’s cause by Horri-Bull. Needlenose’s cause is more about disenfranchisement, and haves and have nots, while Megatron was much grander and focused on the corruption of the ruling class as a whole. While the two views align, they’re not quite the same thing.
And now some more background about the relationship that was Needlenose and Horri-Bull. For those that don’t know, Needlenose and Horri-Bull teamed up post war harassing bots that took neither side in the war referred to as Nails. This led to a confrontation where Horri-Bull refused to back down in his harassment forcing Bumblebee to detonate a chip blowing up Horri-Bull’s head.
That incident has clearly stuck with Needlenose, who in a confrontation with Tracks in a bar declares that Horri-Bull was the “one bot I’ve ever loved.” Wait…. what!?
In the Transformers world there’s a concept called Conjux Endura. Some have said this is the idea of a spouse, but it might be better to describe it as power of attorney. It has come out more when a bot’s life is on the line and a decision has to be made. The concept isn’t universally accepted in the Transformers universe, with some dismissing close relationships like this as embarrassing.
For those that have been reading IDW’s Transformer comics for a while now, this isn’t the first “male” bot pairing though, while it might be the first to use that word “love.”
In Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, Chromedome and Rewind have been an inseparable couple for quite some time now. A “same-sex” couple that stay by each other’s side through the ages. At times the coupling to me felt more Maverick/Goose in Top Gun (yes, I chose that pairing specifically), but it’s hard to argue the two aren’t together in ways that are more than friends.
More recently, with the introduction of the female Transformer dominated world of Caminus, we’ve also been introduced to the concept of Amicua Endura, which Firestorm and Nautica (two female bots) are. This one though did have a different tone, with Firestorm referring to Nautica as her “best friend,” and they “lived together.” Later on the word “platonic” is used in reference to the concept. It’s a similar concept to Conjux Endura, but clearly more “best friend” than real relationship. In this particular case Sorority Sister might not be too far off either.
The only other instance where the word “love” was used was with Chromedome and Rewind. Upon his death, in a final message good-bye Rewind says something “he doesn’t say enough” “I love you.” If there were doubts about how deep the two’s relationship went, this scene clearly defined it.
In an email from Transformers writer John Barber in response to my inquiry, he said I’m “not reading too much into it.” And reminded me Needlenose and Horri-Bull weren’t the first.
Many might see a comic based on a toy line and dismiss it. But, for years now the comic has been one of the most politically, and socially aware comics on the market. It has not only explored revolution, governmental collapse, nation building, class warfare, and more. The series in the last year has introduced more female named characters than many comic universes currently have. Arcee, Windblade, Chromia, Nautica, Firestorm, Proxima, Acceleron, Velocity, Skystalker, Javelin, Exocet, Skimmer, a whole planet dominated by female bots in Caminus, and the all female combiner Victorion. The series has grown to not just be politically aware, but also one of the most progressive comics out there. The fact it can have a scene such as Needlenose as if it’s just an everyday occurrence is energon icing on the cake.
This series and universe is expanding its representation while other companies are retrogressively shrinking it. For that we should celebrate and give props where they’re due.
Official Press Release
“Two Titles, One Universe”
Two Series to follow shattering TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME issue in December
![[Transformers: Death of Optimus Prime Image]](http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/files/TF_DeathofOptimusPrime.jpg)
San Diego, CA (December 21, 2011)— Launching in January, IDW Publishing is proud to offer TRANSFORMERS and comics fans everywhere two new ongoing TRANSFORMERS comics series– TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE and TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE. Under license from Hasbro, the two interrelated series are a direct continuation of IDW’s CHAOS event and spring directly out of the special TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME issue releasing in comic stores and online on December 21st. Both series will appeal to existing TRANSFORMERS fans and new readers. Featuring two great stories under one TRANSFORMERS comic universe, each series offers never-before-seen action, new threats and new villains that both current readers and those new to the series will enjoy.
“The response to the TRANSFORMERS ongoing series has been phenomenal,” says IDW senior editor John Barber. “This relaunch is a chance to jump onboard for anybody who might have been missing out. We’ve got big stories planned, and there’s never been a better time to read TRANSFORMERS.”
Created as a stepping on point for both fans of super-heroic and science fiction comics, as well as fans of the TRANSFORMERS characters, TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE and TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE each explore the new status quo coming out of IDW’s CHAOS event including BUMBLEBEE’s new leadership position for all TRANSFORMERS. The war between AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON is over, and now the hard part begins. In the new world of CYBERTRON, there are only two choices: stay or go.
![[Transformers More Than Meets the Eye #1]](http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/files/Transformers_MoreThanMeetsTheEye_01_CvrA.jpg)
Helmed by writer James Roberts with art and covers by Nick Roche, RODIMUS calls on his fellow AUTOBOTS to leave CYBERTRON in search of the KNIGHTS OF CYBERTRON in TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. This lost tribe of TRANSFORMERS characters is, according to legend, the guardian of the original Cybertronian culture and RODIMUS and his followers begin a quest that will stretch to the farthest reaches of the galaxy to find the KNIGHTS and restore CYBERTRON to its past glory.
TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, written by John Barber, with art and covers by Andrew Griffith, follows BUMBLEBEE and the AUTOBOTS remaining on CYBERTRON. Without OPTIMUS PRIME, BUMBLEBEE finds himself in command of a world gone mad. TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DIGUISE brings readers through the struggle to rebuild CYBERTRON as the AUTOBOTS, DECEPTICONS and civilian TRANSFORMERS, who don’t distinguish between the other two groups, all vie for control.
![[Transformers Robots in Disguise #1 Cover]](http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5792cac24346d164eb0cf6ad2/files/Transformers_RobotsinDisguise_01.jpg)
Each series will feature four interconnecting covers for issue #1. Marcele Matere creates the Cybertronian mosaic for TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DIGUISE, with Alex Milne bringing the explorers to life for TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE.
These two new, action-packed series are the direct result of IDW’s CHAOS event, culminating in December’s TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME and TRANSFORMERS #31.
In addition to the print editions, IDW’S TRANSFORMERS comics are available digitally through Apple’s App Store in the free TRANSFORMERS app, which features every TRANSFORMERS comic in one place. Many TRANSFORMERS comics are available in the Sony Digital Comics store.
TRANSFORMERS #31 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in December 2011. Diamond order code OCT11 0323.
TRANSFORMERS: THE DEATH OF OPTIMUS PRIME ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in December 2011. Diamond order code OCT11 0326.
TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE #1 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in January 2012. Diamond order code NOV11 0260.
TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE #1 ($3.99, 32 pages; full color) will be available in January 2012. Diamond order code NOV11 0264.
TRANSFORMERS comics are available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch through the Apple App Store.
Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books.
About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS and G.I. JOE, Paramount’s Star Trek; HBO’s True Blood; the BBC’s DOCTOR WHO; Toho’s Godzilla; and comics and trade collections based on novels by worldwide bestselling author, James Patterson. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints; Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio.
IDW’s original horror series, 30 Days of Night, was launched as a major motion picture in October 2007 by Sony Pictures and was the #1 film in its first week of release. More information about the company can be found at IDWPublishing.com.
About Hasbro
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro’s multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2011 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Apple, the Apple logo, and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Content purchased from the iTunes Store is for personal lawful use only. Don’t steal music.
IDW Publishing is splitting Transformers into two new series come January. Here’s some of the details and covers for the first issues.
Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #1
Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1
And the covers….
