Transformers Site Articles News on Seibertron.com

Seibertron.com Creative Round-up - July 19th, 2015

Date: Sunday, July 19th 2015 6:18am CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 67,327

Another edition of the weekend features of Seibertron.com, and we round up all the creative output of the Transtopia section on the boards! Featuring a slew of art, comics, customs, paint jobs, modifications, original characters, kit bashes, scratch builds and more than that, all packaged in one multi-post for your viewing convenience. Make sure to comment if you like what you seen, either on here or the individual threads - appreciation makes the cogs of this wheel turn smoothly, after all.

THE HELP DESK

Fellow Seibertronian herculesbeetle has been wondering how to best achieve a Wreck-Gar custom with the Animated influence - if you have any tips, head here to help them out!


CUSTOMIZATIONS

Klejpull - Overlord Replica




grimlockprime108 - RID15 Ruckus | Warmonger | Marvel Comics Brainstorm | RID15 Ironhide | G1 Skullgrin | Cobra Elite B.A.T.














Jones - RID Strongarm | DOTM Megatron






chonosmoon - IDW Pharma




Omega-Supreme - ROTF Optimus Prime | Metroplex | Omega Supreme








Cadet Longarm - Cadet Longarm




[url=/energonpub/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=100729[list=][/list]]carytheone[/url] - CW Rodimus




SHAPEWAYS STUFF

GlauG - Shapeways Thread




FAN ART

Hired Goons - Lost Light Insider App




SillySpringer - TinkerCAD art




amurowes - Transformers the Movie 2 art




BeastProwl - Art Thread




M3Gr1ml0ck - Profile: Boomdox | Metroplex Team Files






PHOTO BLITZ

Test your metal, mettle and film knowledge with the Name That Film photo game! Latest screenshot offered, and already answered, below - new one coming soon.




Madeus Prime - Wanted




SW's Silverhammer - Alpha Bravoshock

Top 5 Transformer toys sold at retail but NOT in the US

Date: Sunday, July 12th 2015 6:08pm CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88 | Credit(s): william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 104,362

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Transformers toys sold at retail but NOT in the US

I live in Canada and I can say that the US is one of the best places in the world to be a Transformers fan. Transformers usually cost less there than almost anywhere else in the world. Not only that, but the US has a greater access to exclusive Hasbro Transformers such as the SDCC and Botcon sets. Even lines which were found elsewhere first, like GDO, Masterpiece and Prime First Edition, eventually find their way to US retail. However, a few figures sometimes fall in the cracks and never make their way. Either Hasbro wont pick up distribution of particular Takara products or a particular figure will simply never be spotted. Even laws can come into play. These are a handful of such cases, just to give an idea of the variety of stuff that was found elsewhere throughout the years, and I didn't want to just stick to G1. Let us know which toys you would have loved to find in stores but never did.


5. The Transformers Alternity Line

For some reason, there is a bunch of criticism over the Alternators line and I don't understand it. This was a great project from Hasbro and Takara, going back to the Diaclone roots of favoring the alt mode and making perfect model cars that can fit with other lines from different companies. Except the technology changed and you could get more articulated robot modes by then. I thought it was an incredible line and I still think so. In any case, the alternators line lost some steam in the US and when Japan came up with the follow up Alternity line featuring a 1:32 scale (rather than 1:24), Hasbro didnt pick it up. That is too bad because it had some very cool ideas, like having the seekers be cars with the car's shell forming the robot wings. Like that they keep their distinctive seeker motif while also having an alt mode that stray from tradition (which would still scale with the rest of the line). They also featured die cast parts, rubber tires and style money can't buy (check out that Megatron below!). There were only a handful of original molds but they all exuded style and are the most minute toys ever made. And they were never distributed outside Japan.





Transformers Alternity Banzai-Tron (Crystalo Black) Gallery


Transformers Alternity Optimus Prime (Vibrant Red) (Convoy (Vibrant Red)) Gallery

4. Transformers Arms Micron War Breakdown

From the beginning, the Prime line and the States were at odds. The First Edition figures were available worldwide aside from the US at first for quite a while. Instead, they had the less accurate and less detailed Robots in Disguise subline toys in stores. Sure, some were fine (like Vehicon and Arcee) but for a while, it seemed the collector oriented First Edition line would never see the light of day. Eventually though, every toy found its way to Toysrus though not every location got them and there were not too many to go around. Worse, by that time, many fans had already paid a premium to get these toys they thought they would not see at retail.

That was not the end of woes with the Prime line though. While there were a bunch of fun redecos like the seekers and Transformers Arms Micron Ironhide (who was supposed to be the original version of the Kup mold Hasbro released, just look at that head) found in the Takara line that Hasbro never distributed, none of those decisions hurt more than not distributing Breakdown. Unlike most other toys never gotten in the US, this was an actual show character. Someone who simply wanted to have the Decepticon team on his shelf just couldn't depend on retail releases. And unlike the Unicron mold that was also Japan exclusive, this was a phenomenal mold. I can't confirm that though since none of the other uses of that mold (such as Swerve and Silas Breakdown) were distributed by Hasbro either. While he leaves the biggest gap in the Prime line, there were other cool releases for the line that never came to the states, and actually were distributed by Hasbro, such as Beast Hunters Cyberverse Ultra Magnus, Unicron Megatron (both the Construct bot and the Cyberverse toy) and freaken BLUDGEON!








3. MP-5 Destron Leader Megatron (Masterpiece)

This is the only mold from the Masterpiece line that is guaranteed to NEVER EVER be released in the US, due to toy gun laws. And it happens to be Megatron, the main antagonist in all the Transformers brand. Your Walmart 20th Anniversary Optimus is thus left rivaless unless you import him. You would think that this alone would propel him to the top spot but he is held down a bit by a week design. While it is impressive that he was designed in two weeks, the thin legs and ultra fiddly transformation do give a hint at the rushed process. However, the engineering present here is utterly insane, by far one of Takara's most complex transformers ever engineered. While the toy has its faults, its take on the transformation is so smart that this has been the default guide for companies trying to make their own unofficial version years later.




2. Transformers Victory Liokaiser


G1's best combiner never came to the US. He was part of the Victory line where quite a few other molds never came (that could be a list of it's own)and he is the very first combiner to integrate the fists and feet with the components. This is something Hasbro couldn't even pull off with Titan Devastator in 2015. All you needed to keep was his combiner head. But beyond that, there is a lot to love in this toy. The design itself was totally unique at the time, with an animal themed combiner while none of the alt modes were animals. Instead, the individual robots had shamanistic helmets representing their animal link as well as a breastplate which could transform into an animal and serve as a gun. Don't be surprised if you see this guy again on a list of most needed reissues.








1. Transformers Super God Masterforce Overlord

This number one is almost by default. This is one of the bigger G1 Transformers sets, with three modes (like G1 Scorponok) and made up of a bunch of parts including two seperate alt modes. It was available in Japan, Europe and Australasia. However, unless the planets align and some miracle like an "encore" happens, it will never come out in the North America, let alone the US. Instead of feeling sad (please don't check EBay), just sit back and bask in his glory:









Honourable mentions: SO MANY. Let's see, there's G1 Thunderclash, Binaltech Arcee, the Action Masters Elite (at least those somewhat transformed), BWN Chorada, the G1 Predators, G1 Star Saber and so much more. It would be easier saying which ones we'd rather not get (like the Big Rescue Force) so let us know in the comments which ones you wished came out in the US. Or even better, let us know which ones you wished came to your country.

Seibertron.com Creative Round-up - July 5th, 2015

Date: Sunday, July 5th 2015 5:27am CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Transtopia
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Transtopia

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 73,328

You will have noticed we've been on a bit of a break on frontpaging Transtopia on Seibertron.com. But Transtopia itself does not rest, at all! Check out below a long-needed round-up of all the production of the creative side of the Transformers fandom, featuring fictions, comics, artwork, photos, mash-ups, 3D printing, designs, concepts, Alpha Bravo, customs, mods, paintjobs and more - and a lot of it. Head on down below to find out what we've been up to in the past month!



CUSTOMIZATIONS

This first project has been months in the waiting, so it deserves just a line to introduce donny1975's Masterpiece scale G1 Control Center diorama. Go look at it. It's magnificent.








cloudballoon - CW Megatron Feet Extension Mod




mcrobocreations - Convoy Conversion Helmet




VonDoom - Caminus




Hip-Hoptimus Rime - RID15 Jazz Legs




spark crusher - DOTM Megatron




KnightAero - G1 AOE Ironhide




jcartwork - CW Powerglide | Destroy Mode Roadbuster






grimdragon2001 - Easy Generations Slammer




autobotx23 - Generations Ironhide




Flashwave - Arms Micron Heavyweight




hinomars19 - Energon Rodimus and Demolisher




MarkNL - Generations Legends Optimus Prime




Fuhzimota - CW Minerva




Crosshairs Customs - TFP Rodimus




grimlockprime108 - Generations Serpentor | RID15 Targetmaster Scourge | BW Uprising Shatterpoint









BUILDING BOTS

Noideaforaname - Kreon Customs




SHAPEWAYS STUFF

Tresob - Legendary Accessories




GlauG - Shapeways Thread




NON-TF

Wraith Verge - 1/60TH MAZINGER Z, BASE AND JET SCRANDER




FAN ART

OptimalOptimus2 - Transformers: Advanced Combat - The Quest for Energon




KirbyForce1 - Kirbyformers: Alpha Trion




Caelus - Transformers/Assassins' Creed Propaganda




smdudajr - TF Prime: Lockdown





Demonology7789 - Art




Cyrax2112 - Apples in the Sink: Fantasy Football




SillySpringer - gIMP art




amurowes - Transformers the Movie 2 art




Cobotron - Cobotron's Art-o-tron




Soundwavesvisor - Soundwave Cosplay




M3Gr1ml0ck - Wrath of the Ages 6 | Untold Marvels | Lost Seasons: Solaris








Verno - Transwarp: Csirac 3




FAN FICTION

Stormtalon - TF Prime: Proving Grounds 4


amurowes - Transformers The Movie 2 - The Untold Story




Verno - The Warning After


PHOTO BLITZ

Test your metal, mettle and film knowledge with the Name That Film photo game! Latest screenshot offered, and already answered, below - new one coming soon.




Madeus Prime - Wanted




MagnusLabel - Transformers Music Albums




SW's Silverhammer - Random TF Pictures




keelo1027 - Cooking With Grimlock | Pics

Top 5 Best Shellformers Transformers Toys

Date: Saturday, June 27th 2015 1:09am CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 72,699

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 best Shellformers

Shellformers get a bad rap among the community due to the loads of panels which end up clumsily gathered around the robot mode. However, they can also make for very interesting and effective transformations by helping conceal the robot element. They help add the "disguise" part of "robots in disguise" and it is a treat to see the lengths designers will go to make the shell work in robot mode. The last list was about how they could go terribly wrong, so this week we look at how a good toy can come from this design approach.

5.Transformers Generations Sky-Byte

This toy has flaws, sure (the Hasbro deco doesn’t help), but no one complains about its shell. This is a shellformer done right by using the shell to help disguise the robot and enhance the alt mode while not distracting from the robot in robot mode. It gets the top 5 spot by being a great improvement in terms of the shell over its original toy. What used to look like an amazon canopy in the back is now reduced to two small wings that can be rearranged any way that suits you making it customizable kibble. And if you add that sweet Takara deco, then that's just the icing on the cake (chocolate icing with bits of Reese and Toblerone crumbled across it).





4. Transformers Dark of the Moon Sentinel Prime

Leader Sentinel Prime makes it on this list simply because we know how horribly wrong this could have gone if poorly executed. Unlike the voyager class figure, which relies on a fake kibble chest and does nothing with the shell, the Leader version owns up to his shellformer self and wears his shell with pride and dignity. Firstly, the front of the firetruck folds away inside his chest cavity and the window front contorts to create a stylish chest. The top of the firetruck splits into several panels to circle the figure and create an intergalactic cape which does not look like just the the roof of a firetruck. It adds to the complexity of the figure, and makes this one of the most arduous transformations you will ever undertake. That complex transformation shows how much the designers and engineers wanted to integrate the shell and use it to embellish the robot mode instead of detracting from it.





3. Transformers Beast Wars Neo Big Convoy

Probably one of the biggest example of a shellformer. Yet, you can’t help yourself but marvel at the awe that is Big Convoy. This is one of the most interesting forms Prime/Convoy has ever taken. The sculpt is filled to the brim with the most amount of minute details I have ever seen (to this day). The details are asymmetrical all over the place (chest, arms, thighs, shoulder-pad missile holes) yet it all looks uniform at the same time. And he is the first Convoy to ever have a removable matrix! This amazed fellow reviewer Ben Yee so much that he was a bit let down with Fire Convoy (another amazing toy) not having one. This is a fun toy to transform and despite all that kibble, he is super poseable. The fact that he is totally covered up enhances the transformation process by uncovering one of the most imposing robot modes from the beast era and the most detailed sculpt ever made. This is what shellformers are all about, having two incredible modes that look nothing alike and uncovering different colours and aesthetics without being lazy in design. This guy knows he is a shell former and does so with great pride. Most of the shell becomes a gigantic gun, freeing up the robot mode, and the rest is worn like the total Nordic badass he is.





2. Transformers Beast Wars Megatron and Transformers Classics Megatron

Both of these deserve the number two spot because they are there for the same reason. The use of the shell in both of these is genius. They both have great alt mode integration in the form of arms and feet that stick out but the shell surrounds the contortioned robot in a way to give the complete illusion that everything is cohesive and all part of the very same object. In both cases, you can’t tell where the shell starts and ends until further scrutiny. In both cases, the shell goes onto the robot’s back giving the mode a more regal appearance. These are shellformers done right. They also happen to both be Megatrons. Yessss





1. Transformers Prime: Robots In Disguise Vehicon

This is a shellformer, think about that for a second. Isn’t that pretty amazing? The shellformer without the shell gets the easy number 1 pick. No shell was ever managed and stored this effectively and I doubt we'll be seeing anything like this again for a long time.





Honourable mentions: I was hard pressed to not be able to include Beast Wars Cybershark as he is another great example of a shellformer done right, however it results in a restrictive alt mode and both Megatrons are similar toys but more accomplished. Also, I didn’t want to include more than one shark on this list.

IDW Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #42 Review

Date: Wednesday, June 24th 2015 3:54am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 37,158

Synopsis
“We should’ve known. Being happy: always a sign that somebody was about to die.” —From Knight Quest: The Quest for the Knights, by SWERVE of Helex.



Story

Hitting the 42nd issue, More Than Meets the Eye also reaches the conclusion of the first arc post game-changing Elegant Chaos, and the two heavy pauses in between - but beyond the puns involving murder on the dance floor and other Sophie Ellis Bextor lyrics, what horrors does the Vis Vitalis hold? Read on!



James Roberts's script takes some time in this issue to use a previously trodden ground and path to actually send us in a new direction, at least for some of the characters involved. If space thrills are part of the manifest plot, it's the latent threads that really shine through, with a series of twists that are more humorous than horrorous.



Nautica in particular gets some very nice development, and we're enabled to see her in action and in her own element even when facing the multiple, very different moments of clash with other characters (threating or not) in the issue. Nightbeat is another spotlighter, and one that reveals how MTMTE actually operates after all.



However, the issue does not feel as though it reaches the full throttle of what the arc could've done, despite what it does do. Not entirely sure what I was expecting, and this was definitely not it of course, and welcome though it may have been, *something* felt off. Perhaps the shortness of the arc? More below.

Art

Visually, the horror is palpable. Even with the opening dance scene, we are plunged back into the Alien-esque side of story; and forget the Sparkeater from early on in the series, the creatures that Alex Milne conjures up in this issue are the stuff of someone's twisted, shifting yet somehow strangely enticing nightmares - despite, or perhaps also because of, the barnacles.



In fact, there is a wonderful echo of the recently cancelled Hannibal series, also due to the stunningly elaborate colour work by Joana Lafuente, giving all the hues of terror - and its complete opposite in the resolution of the plot-thread, as we enter the final act of the story.



Tom B. Long, as seen above, just keeps shining, too. Some of the highest peaks of tension in the story, and their consequences, just look great in the voices that he helps shape out with the lettering. And on the cover front, the main Milne/Josh Perez variant sets one tone, the vibrant Nick Roche/Josh Burcham Nautica (thumbnail) sets the other, Naoto Tsutshima and Yamaishi capture the atmosphere of the latter part of the issue, and we get SDCC exclusive Combiner Hunter Chromia, by Sara Pitre-Durocher.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

The concluding issue to this post-Elegant Chaos arc undoubtedly has a lot of heart and charm (perhaps charisma, too?) in its doings, both from a character perspective, and pacing for invested readers, particularly in the concluding act. It does also, however, feel very quick, and perhaps pleasingly so - leaving a small blip of satisfaction in a wider comedown from the Ratchet issue (eventually, I know). I am still unsure as to what it is that did not convince me as much.



While things do happen, especially in the character-developing and relationship establishing sections, I cannot shake the feeling that this may have been the most 'filler' arc we have seen so far in the MTMTE series. However, there is just enough lightness and much needed self-undermining and humbling humour to create a dangerously uneasy feeling of content, as we subtly Swerve into the next arc...

IDW Transformers: Windblade #4 Review

Date: Wednesday, June 24th 2015 2:25am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 38,069

Synopsis
MORE WORLDS-MORE PROBLEMS! After the events of COMBINERS WARS, WINDBLADE and STARSCREAM race to recruit the lost CYBERTRONIAN colonies to the Council of Worlds-but which of them will control the fate of Cybertron?



Story

Once more, we look at the almost immediate aftermath of Combiner Wars, as one of the minds behind the arc's story takes her writing back to the series that first launched the multiverse. Mairghread Scott dwells on Cybertron, and the many worlds that refer back to it, more or less, and some old-but-new friends make their appearance.



Scott's script manages to be fresh while drawing from a number of sources, from Animated to Prime to older material still, and we finally also get a look another of the colonies: Velocitron, and its peculiarly self-assured inhabitants, as Starscream begins to build his empire Council - just as the Transformers fiction re-expands, too.



Having someone like Knock-Out, with his Prime personality, is a magnificent counterpart to the snark that Starscream brings to the scene, and provides some great character bouncing off for both Blurr and Windblade. The latter, however, is even better placed next to the more humble Moonracer, while louder egos clash in ..er.. negotiations.



Character-establishing, world-building, great interactions, fabulous characters from previous strengths and preferences, the first fully-fledged Windblade issue is a great venture into a wider verse and the smaller realities of the individuals populating it. And it's darn good fun, of course.

Art

While we have seen Corin Howell debuting in the previous issue of Windblade, this is the first time we get to see a full issue featuring her linework, from pencils to inks. And, despite some expected criticisms from readers expecting a 'Stone continuation', I enjoy the Animated-influenced perspective we get in the issue. Some sequences are full of life, and even joy - with some excellent homages and call-backs to what Windblade has already been established as in the previous run.



Thomas Teyowisonte Deer is another very nice addition to the creative team on the book, and the colouring style does fit quite nicely with Howell's line-and-ink performance. Some of the backgrounds are magnificent, though there are some more muted, almost silently contrasted to the otherwise joyous atmosphere of the party scenes. Nonetheless, you can see below what he can do elsewhere.



Lettering is left to Tom B. Long once again, a mainstay in the TFverse by now, and his work blends particularly aptly with Howell's small sound additions in the linework, both in font work and subtlety, and keeps some level of continuity with previous comics. As for the covers, we have another impressive array, with Priscilla Tramontano on main variant, the dramatically splendid Casey Coller/Joana Lafuente Cityspeaker, the stunning Windblade by Naoto Tsutshima and Jet Enter plus the SDCC exclusive Combiner Hunter version, by Sara Pitre Durocher (thumbnail).


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

There are many Seibertron.com staff words and thoughts in this review, and thought I should acknowledge them here before I get lost in my own - and overall, we agree on its merits. It's a fun, well-dialogued interaction between different cultures, characters and references that fans from across the franchise will enjoy as it starts laying out the steps to something bigger.



So big, in fact, that we may have seen the beginning of Titan Wars dropped in, very casually, in the early pages. There are cameos, there are homages, there are redesigns and reworkings of established elements of the mediatic Transformers universe, and most of all - it's fun. Light enough after the heavy-fisted Combiner Wars, without drifting off, or going off track. Chapeau.

IDW The Transformers #42 Review

Date: Wednesday, June 17th 2015 3:22am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 31,596

Synopsis
THE AFTERMATH! The COMBINER WARS are over, and OPTIMUS PRIME faces the aftermath. Meanwhile on Earth, ARCEE confronts GALVATRON over the fate of two worlds.



Story

Combiner Wars is over. Sort of. There were many plotlines and threads left more or less dangling, some tidier than others, at the end of the fifth chapter of the IDW event. As both John Barber and Mairghread Scott were responsible for the arc, it's only appropriate that Barber takes the reins again in his view of the CW aftermath in his own title.



There are two major plots being explored in this issue, with the focus splitting between Cybertron and Earth once again. On the latter, Arcee and Galvatron have a not really amicable (but more than expected, really) confrontation, allowing all external parties to Prime, Prowl, and Scoop's swift defection to the newly forming Council of Worlds, to catch up and start progressing out of the crossover arc.



The other point of focus, and a magnificently executed one, is Prowl. Prowl and whatever has been chewing at him in the IDWverse. Prowl and his problems with Optimus. Prowl facing his turmoil, and Optimus responding in kind, in an exchange which is just... really well done. I cannot say more than that really, as it has to be followed and read to be fully appreciated.



The issue has all the excellence of early xRID stories, in pacing and dialogue, with the added emotional power of dragging the personal back into the wider scheme of things. Arcee, Prowl and Galvatron obviously take the spotlight, with Prowl above the others - but even Optimus is finally more of a rounded character than he has been at certain turns, and one which confirms the raised eyebrow from past CW issues.

Art

The two plots are complemented by two separate art teams, with a welcome return from artist Andrew Griffith, whose bulky, solid Galvatron and Astrotrain (now with visible mass shifting) bring a good contrast to the edgier, sharper, stealthier Arcee - and which colourist Josh Perez makes sure to give suitable masterful (and toy appropriate) decos to them all, with some dusking, cold lighting surrounding them.



The Prime/Prowl thread, on the other hand, keeps the continuity of Livio Ramondelli, in what is probably his best work so far on a prolonged sequence, and what a sequence it is. His cinematographic sensibilities, take on the angles, shots and choice of pacing to align with Barber's dialogue is the most suited to such a powerful exchange, that we couldn't have asked for better.



Both the sides of the issue, of course, could not carry their voice strongly enough without the work that Tom B. Long brings to the lettering, adding extra font work where characters make more of an impact, and with D.O.C.'s adorable voice. The cover roster this month sees the established Optimus Prime by Griffith and ..Perez? Burcham? (IDW! CREDITS!), the viscerally stunning Casey Coller/Joana Lafuente Prowl vs Optimus, a maniacally beautiful Galvatron (thumbnail) by Naoto Tsutshima and Lei Kagami plus the SDCC exclusive Combiner Hunter Arcee, by Sara Pitre Durocher.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

As I said, we get both a blend of what worked in older, pre Dark Cybertron xRID issues and stories, coupled with the heightened political is personal/personal is political aspects of both Combiner Wars and the general direction that IDW writers seem to be taking of recent, and no punches are held back. Or elbows. Or heads. Literally.



This was a stellar issue, managing to transition effortlessly from the event storyline back into Earth, the Decepticon commune and still deal with the aftermath of some of the major players from both pre- and during Combiner Wars. Transitions which worked from both the writing and the artistic perspectives, and a welcome return to the more political (and personal) side of The Transformers. You do not want to miss it.

Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys

Date: Saturday, June 13th 2015 10:35am CDT
Categories: Site Articles, Editorials, Top Lists
Posted by: william-james88

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 97,686

Every two weeks, Seibertron.com brings you a Top 5 list related to all things Transformers written by me, your fellow editor. These are my opinions (just like movie or game reviews hosted by sites are still just the opinion of one person) so what matters most is what you guys think of the topic or list, and I hope to see your own lists or comments on omissions and ranking. Let's have fun! All previous lists can be found here.

Top 5 Worst Shellformers Transformers Toys


As Beast Wars fan, I grew up on shellformers. Since an animal is not metallic in nature (they soon found a way around that)it always made sense to me that part of the animal couldn't integrate completely into the robot mode. I only realized later that they got a bad rap and I understand why now: it can yield to very lazy and unattractive designs. Shelformers are a sad sight when you know it's possible for the robot to have some alt mode integration or, even worse, when the character model shows alt mode integration. In that scenario, a fake piece of kibble is made to make up for the shell kibble that they couldn't bother integrating. That's DOUBLE KIBBLE!!!! Before I pull an aneurysm, let's just get to the list...

5. Transformers Dark of the Moon Voyager Sentinel Prime

The extent of how poor a shellformer this is, is entirely due to the contrast against the leader size mold of this character that actually uses the shell in a far more interesting way. For one, this toy doesn't incorporate the shell into the figure in any way. While the leader version uses the front of the firetruck as his chest, this one resorts to leaving the front of the truck to fold on it's back and relies on a fake kibble piece to make up the chest. Also, while the leader figure uses the shell of the truck to create a stylish cape or celestial garment of sorts, the voyager just has the entire truck shell just stay unfolded in it's back making it look like a robot just skinned a truck to wear it like a tortoise shell. It also makes a horrible backpack that is placed far from the figure as if neither modes want anything to do with one another.




4. Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Human Alliance Sideswipe

What did I write above again? Oh, right: Using a shell can result in a very lazy looking and unattractive design. It is made worse when the excess shell kibble results in a massive backpack, which detracts from the sleek robot. Man, Sideswipe here must be studying for all his courses tonight because look at the big backpack he needs to carry all his books!



3. Beast Wars Neo Break

While the Beast Wars Neo line took the idea of a shellformer to a whole other level, the results were usually very intriguing, and sometimes pretty bad ass, making its use of kibble endearing to the line as a whole. But Beast Wars Neo's Break is just too much to bear. While animals disguised as robots may get more of a pass over being a shellformer, due to necessity, this guy just pushes it too far. He looks like a giant kinder surprise egg that someone smash opened to find a robot inside. Without hyperbole, this is the equivalent of a G1 Pretender who's robot mode had pieces of the outer pretender shell glued all over it. That penguin head just sitting there among the debris right in the open is the icing on this terribly tasting cake.




2. Transformers Age of Extinction: Generations First Edition Optimus Prime Amazon Exclusive

You would think that by 2014, robots entirely covered by a shell and just brought to the back would be a thing of the past. But no, they were (are) still alive and well and that year even gave us one of the biggest shellformer offenders. There are even photos all over the internet showing both the robot and truck mode of First Editions AOE Optimus side by side, WHILE USING THE SAME TOY!





1. Transformers Cybertron Thunderblast (Chromia)

This is an extremely inefficient transformer whose body length shell serves as the main disguise to a robot that doesn’t pose at all. It also has barely no alt mode integration (only her feet). The joke of having a robot surprise in a shell that is usually done to poor Break above is brought to the extreme here. The shell is so big and overwhelming that she can’t stand on her own and it limits any motion she might have. If anyone cares, this mini review was quite easy as I simply used something I had written for Beast Wars Cybershark and just wrote the opposite of every positive aspect about that figure. And Thunderblast came out 10 years after that figure! I really could not think of a better toy to show how bad shellforming could be.




Honourable mentions: I didn't want to fill this list entirely with Beast Wars Neo figures for several reasons. Firstly, as mentioned in the intro, the use of a shell for robots disguised as animals makes sense. If you went for total alt mode integration, Long Rack would look like a buffoon (more so). However, as you saw I couldn't resist but include the biggest shellformer offender that line had to offer. I would say Beast Wars Ironhide is probably the most intense shellformer ever but it works for the awesome combined form of Magnaboss and I didn't find it fair to fault him on that.

I would like to thank Cobotron for the image.
In two weeks, the BEST Shellformers. Talk to you then!

IDW Transformers: Combiner Wars #5 - Windblade #3 Review

Date: Wednesday, June 10th 2015 7:31am CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Reviews, Site Articles
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): IDW, Va'al

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 37,434

Synopsis
FINAL BATTLE! The last of the Combiners face off… but who is in control of the ultimate combiner? And who will emerge with the key to dominating the galaxy?



Story

The final chapter, more or less, of the IDW Transformers Combiner Wars Mairghread Scott/John Barber crossover arc, takes place in the third issue of the new Windblade ongoing, with Scott taking the lead on the writing once more, and dwelling a little further on what Combiners actually are, and the ever expanding universe of our favourite transforming robots.



I'll say this immediately - I am still pondering about this issue, for a number of reasons. I like Scott's writing, and the dialogue between the multiple characters (perhaps too many for one issue?) is sharp, well-paced and placed, and gives some good insights on them. The overall script, on the other hand, feels like it suffers from similar problems that affected the middle portion of the arc, and may again be due to the sheer number of sides, plots and stories it's trying to combine together under the event banner.



What does emerge from it all, though, is Good Stuff: Starscream is a questionable, but also capable ruler after all, in his own way; Optimus is a good leader, but there is something uncomfortable about his influence; Prowl is still being used, by his own self and others, but may find peace eventually; the Camiens and their dynamics are shifting, slowly but surely, and we might see further friction - just to name a few repercussions on the IDWverse.



Additionally, this ending (and the ending of the book itself, which is fabulous) leaves some extremely tantalising openings for what's to come in Windblade and The Transformers, for sure, and it does enough to show a more ominous side to characters who we'd think we'd be able to place on a political chessboard by now. And for that, it leads in nicely in what I hope the ongoings will develop - it's unfortunate that it feels attached to a wider story that could've done much more.

Art

The art took a surprise turn, and one that also still leaves mixed feelings, as the expected Sarah Stone saw instead two new artists take her place: Marcelo Ferreira and Corin Howell. The former, working on just over half of the issue, takes a ragged edge to the art we've seen by them previously, and together with Yamaishi's colours and the inks by Brian Shearer and John Wycough, does an impressive inside job of the workings of many minds as one in a very good sequence in the book - though with some unexplained moments in character palettes.



Howell, on the other hand, begins to show the Animated-esque work she will bring to the Windblade series, with some excellent body language, facial expressivity and interactions between the diplomatic sides of aggressive negotiations in the new, wider world(s) of the Spacebridge network far far beyond Cybertron, and her line and inks work well with Thomas Teyowisonte Deer's smooth colour skills.



I have nothing to add on Tom B. Long's fantastic lettering work, nor on the selection of covers: Optimus Maximus, from Marcelo Matere's packaging art, is shown again in the retailer incentive, while Prowl takes Enigmatic centre stage with Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente, and we finally get to see the second half of Livio Ramondelli's ensemble combiner poster on cover B (thumbnail). The one thing that does not work as much, art-wise, is the sudden arrival of the very different styles that, taken on their account I have no qualms with at all (crosshatching and expressions, put me down for those any time) - but in a series dominated by sudden art shifts, feel a little jarring as a shift into the final issue.


Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

As the conclusion of the Combiner Wars event, which has done some interesting, if wavering, things to the Transformers universe as we currently know it in IDW - this issue was not up to any expectation I had. It did some things very well, such as show the inner workings of gestalt technology, establishing Starscream's role, and some added very intriguing ramifications for the two series to continue - especially with Windblade, as we have seen practically nothing of Earth these past months. But.



I think I'm pleased that we will see a little more of what happened here, and what is starting to happen, in the Combiner Hunters one-shot and 'arcs' in the coming months, but much like the middle chapter in this particular event, there was an uncomfortable feeling of rushed, unfinished, rough script, which did not allow the two artists to shine as much as they could. I am, however, hopeful about both ongoings from this point onwards.

Seibertron.com Interviews New IDW Windblade Artist Corin Howell

Date: Saturday, June 6th 2015 12:12pm CDT
Categories: Comic Book News, Site Articles, People News, Interviews
Posted by: Va'al | Credit(s): Corin Howell, Va'al

Discuss This Topic · Permanent Link
Views: 55,882

Hello again, fans of Transformers from Seibertron and beyond! We continue our journey in the world behind the scenes of everyone's (we assume) favourite transforming robots by having a good chat with one of the latest entries at IDW - the new artist on the ongoing Windblade series, whose work we have started to see in Windblade #3 (out on 10th June, sneak peek here): Corin Howell! Check it out below, as we look at her development as a fan and an artist.



Va'al - Corin, it is an extreme pleasure to have you talk to us here at Seibertron.com - it's always great news to hear we have some fresh talent brought into the franchise! And we do hope we'll make you feel welcomed, of course. But maybe we should get to know you a little more first, too: How did it all begin for you? When did Transformers enter your life?

Corin - It's incredibly awesome to talk with you guys! Seibertron.com was one of the first sites I visited when I was starting out in my wee early stages of TF Fandom, so it's really exciting!

It really started when I was kid in the 90s, I grew up around a lot of boy cousins when I was young so I was exposed to Transformers early on (along side TMNT, ThunderCats, G. I. Joe, Batman, comics in general, etc). I think I really got into it when Beast Wars came out and I was a huge fan of Cheetor and Primal. By the time TF Armada came around, I had started drawing all these robots.



Va'al - We're delighted to hear that! More Seibertronians, even if lurkers, making into the professional lands of Transformers is always a big boost. Were you into any of the toys as well, either before the arrival of Beast Wars, of after that stage? Or was it mostly the fiction, on screen and on the page?

Corin - It was actually all of the above! I didn’t get into the toys till I was a little older, so after Beast Wars ( high school methinks, those Master Pieces caught my eye), but before that it was the fiction, the comics, TV shows -- visual media was the primary thing that fueled the need to draw giant transforming robots.

Va'al - What was it about the visuals that appealed to you, do you think? I mean, you've mentioned Beast Wars but also previous iterations of the franchise, and the aesthetics can be really quite different at times - what drew (hah!) you in?

Corin - I’m a sucker for details. I like drawing landscapes: interiors, exteriors, cars, motorcycles, etc. What fascinated me as I got older (because as a kid it was just “Giant talking robots!”) is the amount of details that go into each character -- like how did they transform, how it fit their personality, which part goes WHERE -- it was all really interesting to me. There was one thing I did like adding in, and that was making them more expressive -- after Beast Wars, I dont remember a series that included a lot of expressiveness in their facial features. At least until TF Animated came around.



Va'al - There was also a blight of 'constipated grimace' expression with the toys.. especially during Beast Wars! So was it mainly the screen media that you were interested in, or were the comics on your radar too?

Corin - It was mainly the screen media that got me interested first. However, when Armada came around I started reading the comics, especially when Alex Milne's work started popping up. Armada comic series was great, never really read Energon, and I was a huge sucker for the “Stormbringer “ series. But no Transformers series really drove me to really start pushing my Transformers drawings more then when Milne did “Megatron Origin”.



Megatron being one my favorite characters ( you can thank David Kaye and his Beast Wars Megatron for that ), the story was amazing (thank you Eric Holmes) but the art was what really caught my eye. The attention to detail, the fact that they look like they can TRANSFORM on the page was incredibly awesome and looking at my work, I knew I needed to get better to reach that caliber of work. Of course my style really took its shape when I started college, but I still look at Milne’s work whenever I draw Transformers.

Va'al - Milne has had a significant impact on fan artists, that is indisputable. What other influences, Transformers-related or not, would you say you have in your style of drawing in general? Anyone else creep in from the sidelines?

Corin - There’s actually a few that have had a major impact on the development of my style. One of the top being Glen Keane -- I grew up with all of the movies he worked on with Disney, and I've always admired his ability to really pull the characters personality out in their expressions. So when I finally acquired “The Art of Tangled”, I was able to study the way he draws expressions more and put them in my work.



Another artist is Sean Murphy - his inks and the way he draws vehicles and cities have always been something I've admired. I had the wonderful opportunity to be one of his students last year when he hosted an apprenticeship in Portland, ME. Getting that chance to finally understand how to draw and ink vehicles and landscapes using his techniques really helped me on a new approach in developing my style.

Other artists include Becky Cloonan (By Chance or Providence, Demo) , Klaus Janson (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight), Juanjo Guarnido (Blacksad), and the list just goes on and on. But these artist really influenced me on my work.

Va'al - Those are some serious names right there, and great models to work with/from! At this point, I believe, the question is: how did the transition happen? When did you go from student artist to professional? IDW isn't your first gig, is it?

Corin - No it isn't actually. My first project was actually right out of college back in 2013. The SCAD sequential department hosts a “Mini Comics Expo” after every Editors Day and I decided to table since it was my last quarter. It worked out because I met my editor from VIZ Media who right after the expo, put me on a short “Ben 10” Halloween comic. I worked well with cartoons, so after that they put me on the “40th Anniversary of Hello Kitty” anthology (which was nominated for an Eisner!) and then I worked on a few projects with "Bravest Warriors" with VIZ, doing a Seek-and-Find page and then a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book.

I was still in the starting phase, but I also wanted to branch out and try new things. Then that same year, around September I think I applied for the Murphy Apprenticeship, then the next thing I knew I was working on “Cafe Racer” with the other students (Clay McCormick, Tana Ford, Jorge Coelho, Stephen Green, and Joe Dellagatta).



I guess the transition happened right after I got out of the Apprenticeship. I wanted to work more on establishing myself in different areas of comics, so I started making plans for con season. I went to Heroes Con 2014, I tabled and met with one of my first contacts with ONI Press, then came SDCC 2014 -- that's where I met John and Mairghread thanks to Marcelo Matere who introduced me (and also where I geeked out without realizing that these guys were editors/writers and possibly showed that I was biggest nerd in the universe). I basically made it my goal to meet with as many people as I could so I can establish myself, and after that long summer of traveling I was getting contracts.

Va'al - And now you're here, to the big robots! How did you actually get to the Windblade series position, after your meeting with Scott and Barber? Did you pitch something in your geek-out, or were you asked to step in?

Corin - And here I am! I actually didn't get the call till earlier this year (I think it was late Jan or Feb). I think my geek out session had something to do with it, I can't help but be a fangirl sometimes. But John knew I was a major TF fan, so when I got that email to do a test page I was like “SERIOUSLY??” and proceeded to bounce with glee. I was practically giddy when I learned that I got the part too because it's like “CHILDHOOD DREAM ACHIEVED”.

Va'al - I can only imagine the feeling coming from a call like that. If you are able to discern, at this stage, what is your favorite part of working with Mairghread Scott on Transformers: Windblade? How does it compare so far to other projects?

Corin - Mairghread is a lot of fun to work with, especially since she’s so open to the artist’s suggestions. We especially work well with grasping the character’s expression at specific moments. I also love how she’s specific on character personalities -- like when we were talking about the project, she went into detail about how characters acted and their body language, hand gestures. How Chromia as Windblade’s bodyguard, she stands tall and presents herself as a powerful individual, for example.



Compared to other projects? I’m not sure to be honest, I have fun with all of my projects because it gives me a chance to try new things!

Va'al - That sounds like the Mairghread we've come to know! And do you colour your own art, or are you joined by someone else on the series? Is Tom Long returning on lettering too?

Corin - We have Thomas Teyowisonte Deer on coloring for the Windblade issues I’m working on. I don't usually do my own colors for pages because I’m more of an inker, only with single illustrations will I color. I’m not sure who's lettering this round but we’ll find out!



Va'al - We sure will, and we're quite intrigued about the Combiner Wars aftermath already! Are there any highlights so far that you actually tell us about the series, anything you're particularly excited about yourself?

Corin - New worlds and new characters! I know it's been hinted at Velocitron in the June and July listings, so I’m excited to draw some awesome racing scenes! There’s more characters coming, but unfortunately I can't spoil too much.



Va'al - That's a tease and a half, especially after all the work we're currently seeing in Combiner Wars and seeded all the way back in Windblade (volume 1) #4! But I'm sure all good things will come to those of us who can patient just a little longer..

Corin, it has been a pleasure talking to you, and thank you for taking some time out for us - any last things you'd like to mention, or plug?

Corin - It's been a pleasure having a chance to talk to you guys! This is really exciting!
Also there's more of my Transformers work online (Twitter, Tumblr, etc.) right here: http://rin636.wix.com/rinpin

I also have a book with DC Comics coming out called “Bat-Mite”, so if you’re interested you should check it out!


That is all from the Seibertron.com and IDW backstages for this time, readers. Make sure to pick up Windblade #3 for an appetiser, and Windblade #4 when it hits later this month, to see Corin's art in action, and let us know if you'd like more of this type of feature in the comments!