IDW Publishing Forums

[Ryall]

Hey, everyone--

In the time we've been doing Transformers comics, there have been highs and lows for the fans, I know. As there's going to be on anything -- some projects work better than others, for various reasons.

This one seems to be ranking somewhere near the first issue of the TF Animated Series for most of you, from the responses I've seen.

Which sucks all around--the last thing we want to do is release product that doesn't work for you. Especially since this particular book took so long to finally arrive. And because so many artists and colorists labored over it. And because Simon and Ben Yee did the same, and then waited patiently for the book to finally be assembled and released.

So for the person who just e-mailed me very angry and said "once again, IDW screws its fans," well, that's hardly true and hardly a sound approach to business, I would think. And nothing we would ever set out to do.

So what happened?

That's a good question. But there's really no need for me to make excuses or air any beasty-smelling laundry, so I'll just say that the book is, like everything we publish, ultimately my responsibility. This book was one that sort of slipped through the crack while I was dealing with an editorial shift, and it went out with some errors. Book Two was completed during this same period. But Andrew is here as the TF Editor now, and is extremely competent and he and I will do what we can to ensure the rest of the books are produced as they should be. As many errors are able to be corrected in the collected version will be fixed, too.

I know that this book was a bit of a disappointment for fans who waited so long. Transition with art teams or editorial teams can cause hiccups that are evidenced in the finished product, but certainly not on purpose.

So know that I share your pain on this--maybe moreso, since so many people have shared their pain with me--but also know that putting out something you don't love is never our intent. We'll get 'em next time.
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Chris Ryall
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
IDW Publishing

[Galmorzu]

For the record, I think the writing is great so far. I've been rereading this thing nonstop since I got it. Simon and Ben, I feel, did a great job as far as that goes.

Some of the artwork bugs me a little (Arachnid looks like the toy was copied onto page. Even the two-part mini figures that came with it are colored the exact same, with the day-glo green legs. Same color for the little transports. It seemed a number of characters were drawn to look exactly like the toys instead of as actual characters), but like Ascending, I think some of the coloring choices hampered what are otherwise very nice art pieces. It's not quite as sharp as I would have preferred, but all in all, I'm happy with it.

I was a little suprised that not all the forms were included for all the characters. Probably the prime example I could think of for this was Cybershark, with his two forms taken from separate toys instead of sticking with one. It's a bummer, because I saw the artwork for Cybershark 1 and it's great. I really do hope to see these in the trade when you aren't as hampered by pagecount.

And to be honest, even though I would have really preferred Blackarachnia 2 to be in her proper colors, I can't help but think how it might have been more neat, and fitting, if her toy were released in that color scheme. I actually wouldn't mind a recolor rerelease someday. Either way, hopefully it can be touched up for the trade.

Oh, and Clawjaw rocks.

Any other problems I had with this book I felt would be touched up for the trade, as you said. Unlike the Animated Movie adaptation, which I was pretty much bored and underwhelmed with from page 1, I really do love having this so far. And as "The Gathering" showed, you guys do fix problems in the reprint for the trade, so I know when that comes out, most of my own issues will be resolved, though I speak only for myself.

[DanielW]

Like I said in the other thread, the book's on my shelf, rather then in the "read me" folder, which in my own idiosyncratic way is a tribute to how good I think it is (I've very little shelf space) despite the few flaws.

I know you don't like having to say "ohh that'll be fixed in the trade" but will Blackarachnia be coloured correctly in the trade (my biggest problem)?
Also, for the record, either B'Boom or Apache need to be coloured slightly differently, (unless their identicality is going to be something mentioned in the Ascending, which would make for an interesting approach.


I like it, and intend to buy the trade when it comes out, flaws and all.




If anything, Beast Wars: the Ascending has caused more 'debate' on the forum for it's faults then the Sourcebook.

[DanielW]

I've stickied this so everyone can see it, and comment as they wish.
I'll unpin it in a couple of days after everyone has seen it.

Thanks for the honesty Chris, this is why I love IDW!

[synapse]

Hey Chris, thanks for your honesty as Daniel said. You may remember me saying in another thread "hey guys just calm down, IDW hasn't disappointed us yet so just let's wait and see what happens" (in relation to Ramjet's Spotlight I think). Well, in the time I've been buying IDW's comics this has been the first time I didn't really like one of your products, and I think that's actually the best feedback I can give you, I mean, two years buying TF stuff without getting to dislike a single issue!!

So... we all make mistakes, and I'll be getting the TPB for this anyway hehe. IDW has really made our standards a lot higher than most of us were used to see in comics so one not-so-good issue in two years is not that bad Thanks once again for a great communication
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Everything I post is ok to print

[NeoSpringer]

I'm not really a Beast Wars aficionado but I bought the book anyway because I like profile books, and I'm surprised there's been so much criticism of it (granted, I probably wouldn't be able to tell if someone had been coloured incorrectly or their character profile wasn't accurate). To me it looks like a lot of hard work has gone in to it, and my only criticism would be that some of the pictures are too small and don't have dramatic impact on the page. But so long as the character profiles are good then any problems with pictures and colouring is purely aesthetic.

I think its real good of you to comment, Chris, but I don't think you have anything to apologise for. And if you feel you do, then to me that just shows what high standards you're aiming for and that we're lucky to have IDW in charge of Transformers.

[Denyer]

[Ryall]

[Galmorzu]

[Commander Shockwav]

Fortunately, I'm not that big a Beast Wars fan, so I wouldn't know an error if it came up and bit me in the ass.

Which means I'll probably enjoy The Ascending and The Sourcebook (bought both copies today) more than the average BW fan.

[Limabean]

i think that especially with transformers fan people are way to anal (myself included)
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http://limabean01.deviantart.com/

[synapse]

[Thunderwing]

Thanks for being frank with us, Chris.
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Everything is okay to print.

Whenever Drift is not on-panel, all the other characters should be asking "Where's Drift?"

http://mikepriest83.deviantart.com/

[Maximus Scranton]

Same here.

[Primus C-00]

Awww, *love* Chris!


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Hear the OK to print ilqa'at-e malakiyyah of Primus...

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I forge the atoms' harmony, the elements' concourse <3