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Post by Kingoji on Nov 18, 2009 20:51:30 GMT
I plan on picking this up *if* I see it... I'm not going out of my way to look for it though. Me and my bro will be going to Birmingham this weekend for the memorabilia show at the NEC, so if it's there, great. If not, whatever.
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Post by KnightBeat on Nov 18, 2009 21:01:19 GMT
There's nothing special in the unpreviewed pages (P2 & 3 are wasted on an obligatory battle tablaeu) However, they do improve the story's cohesiveness.
it's worth mentioning that the 3 pages mentioned in the first post are not the final pages of the issue. There are another 3 pages afterwards that contain a major plot twist (that can be easily guessed by looking at the #2 cover preview)
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Post by blueshift on Nov 18, 2009 21:08:33 GMT
Oh jeez, is that this weekend? The entrance price is getting madder and madder to that thing.
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Post by Kingoji on Nov 18, 2009 21:26:33 GMT
Well, y'know, I don't smoke, I can't drive, I rarely drink... I can afford to splash out on this sort of thing maybe three times a year.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2009 23:24:41 GMT
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Post by KnightBeat on Nov 18, 2009 23:42:26 GMT
I notice that IDW's latest press release also contains the spoiler. I'm all for promotion, but giving away the entire story seems like a quick way of killing interest.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Nov 18, 2009 23:50:54 GMT
The only thing I can think of is that they are concerned about alienating the existing fanbase (as opposed to trying to get in some new ones) with the designs and the way the story is planned and trying to placate them by "spoiling" the ending they devalue the shock value of the two events - Ironhide and the other thing so the fanboyz don't pitch a hissy fit and bail on the title completely.
Andy
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Post by charlesrocketboy on Nov 19, 2009 1:22:38 GMT
Wait, hang on...
[spoilers]Optimus Prime spent MOST OF AHM IN A COMA and his return was supposed to be a big deal, and his absence a thing that cripples the Autobots actually. And now he's leaving again after a few months? Eh?![/spoilers]
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Post by dinogrrl on Nov 19, 2009 1:27:18 GMT
It's the reason that bothers me the most - it's classic pussy willow Autobot, not really what he was like earlier in IDW. Maybe he incurred some brain damage while in that coma?
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Post by Benn on Nov 19, 2009 8:38:39 GMT
I'm fairly certain that I posted that this was going to happen over on the IDW boards, but I can't find the post now. Wonder if it got lost in the DanielW fracas... So, to me, it's not a big shock.
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 19, 2009 15:04:51 GMT
I gave #1 a try. My overall impression is like that of Don's one facial expression the robots now have: DULL SURPRISE.
A competant comic, but deeply boring, not helped by the entire plot already revealed beforehand.
-Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Nov 19, 2009 20:14:56 GMT
It's sold out at the distributor level with a second printing on the way as stated here. Maybe the ass-backwards promoting of the comic has worked. That being said the proof of the pudding is after the inevitable Issue 2 drop off! Andy
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Post by blueshift on Nov 19, 2009 20:23:41 GMT
It's pretty easy to sell out of a comic if you do low print runs. Obviously the adage 'there's no such thing as bad publicity' has paid off big time!
I have heard a lot of good reviews of it so far though, we shall see!
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Post by karla on Nov 19, 2009 22:45:54 GMT
lmao! "Goodbye" The amount of comics you have to buy to understand what the story is, is unbelieveable. Will it have insecticons? If not I won't get it
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Post by jameso on Nov 20, 2009 1:29:10 GMT
It was ok, the lack of suprise meant a lack of emotion for me. I can just about get on onboard with Optimus' angst, but there are a lot of unanswered questions.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2009 13:45:39 GMT
I'll have to get this soon just to see what it is like but judging by what I've seen and read on the net so far it doesn't look hopeful.
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Post by andrewbcalculating on Nov 21, 2009 15:06:02 GMT
There are a number of things that bother me about this, mostly this incarnation of Optimus.
The exchange between Optimus and Hot Rod seems to be a metaphor for IDW and the common sense readership. Optimus & IDW seem to be making some nonsensical decisions and Hot Rod & the common sense readership seem to be dissecting the respective decisions in a logical manner. Now I have always had a vision of G1 Optimus as always knowing what is the right decision with unwavering certainty and if he didn’t know, he wouldn’t let on to others that he didn’t know because he projected a perception of being hugely confident. This IDW incarnation of Optimus seems to be coming out with illogical statements, his judgement seems to be uncertain and uncharacteristically swayed when questioned and he seems to have a tunnel vision interest in the humans on Earth despite the x amount of other life in the universe that the Decepticons could attack
Away from Optimus, there are a number of other issues that puzzle me. Firstly, if Prowl cared so much about Breakdown, why didn’t he insist on the Autobot rescue team taking Breakdown with them when they escaped the Skywatch compound? Secondly, how can one human shot kill Ironhide but a shed load of Decepticon punishment in AHM only puts Optimus at Death’s door? Thirdly, is Optimus not the supreme other all leader of the Autobots? Optimus says “I am removing myself as your active commander” making it seem as if he is only in charge of that specific group of Autobots. Also the decision not to name a successor seems reckless and selfish. Lastly, what was behind the decision to put lines on the some of the Decepticons eyes on pages 2 & 3 and does anyone know who the Decepticon is in between Optimus’s left shoulder and Megatron’s cannon on page 2?
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Post by Kingoji on Nov 21, 2009 18:02:56 GMT
I think that Decepticon is Sludge.
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Nov 23, 2009 18:37:57 GMT
Detailed thoughts later but Issue 1 arrived today and I actually quite liked it. Seems like an interesting direction could be in the offing. Still think the colouring is too bright though.
Andy
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2009 13:43:03 GMT
I might give my own opinion of the issue when I receive it but the previews haven't filled me with much joy as yet.
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Post by blueshift on Nov 24, 2009 14:41:37 GMT
It's certainly competant, but it just hits all the buttons that I personally dislike. Mainly - Modern day Earth-based setting
- Transformers needing to stay in disguise
- Humans as much as a threat as the Decepticons
- Core' cast of '84
- Gritty serious 'realism'
My 'era' is the madcap exciting space robot adventures of '87 onwards. Doesn't mean this is bad by any means, but I'm obviously not the intended audience.
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Post by grahamthomson on Nov 24, 2009 15:26:36 GMT
In the last year I think I've only bought Spotlight Jazz and Spotlight Metroplex. Nothing else really appealed to me, I'm afraid. To be honest, I wasn't expecting this first issue of the "Ongoing" to buck the trend. It did, though!
What I like most about Mike Costa's script is the pacing and the way he has structured the narrative. There was a lot of incident and also some spot-on characterisation and inter-personal conflict. We don't get enough of that in Transformers.
In fact, this is probably the most interesting "Autobot-only" Transformers issue I've ever read!
Another note-worthy element of Mike's writing is the subtle wit running through some of the dialogue.
The premise and set-up are both baffling and intriguing at once. Either way, it's enough to get me hooked.
Don's artwork suits the story just right. Apparently there's been some controversy about the way he draws robot faces now. I prefer his earlier style, but after the first couple of pages I didn't find the new look as jarring as I thought.
I do have one major problem, however: There are some quite dramatic and emotional moments in this issue (which is all good), but these faces do very little to convey the necessary and appropriate reactions. Maybe it's me, but all the Transformers just look hungry all the time; mouths agape with teeth showing. Someone's been captured, someone's told their god-like leader to "man" up, and someone's been killed, but the only reaction seems to be one of vague hunger.
If I could offer one piece of (hopefully) constructive criticism, it would be to tweak the new look to offer some kind of facial expression, be it a smile, a frown or whatever.
But, aside from that, I really enjoyed the issue. Times are tough, and sometimes editorial need to make some tough decisions to shake things up and whip up interest again. It's early days yet, but I think this title is certainly on the right track!
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Post by KnightBeat on Nov 24, 2009 22:18:22 GMT
Who are you and what have you done with the real G? :-)
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Post by dinogrrl on Nov 25, 2009 1:59:19 GMT
As pointed out on the AllSpark, Andy Schmidt has the following to say regarding feedback on Issue 1 of the ongoing: "You guys are still here? AWESOME! Sorry i disappeared.
About Prowl, I have to admit that the reaction to that scene has taken me a bit off guard. Not saying there isn't a reason for Prowl's behavior--there is, but I was suprised that it has caused such a stir.
What your feedback has done (and Prowl is a case in particular) is actually helped me and Mike and others move some things around. We have a Prowl centric issue that we've decided to move up since people seem to want those answers sooner rather than later.
Anyway, thanks for all your feedback, guys, it's helped make the book stronger. Thought you'd want to know. And thanks for the help!
Andy"forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=6965&start=300#159171
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Post by grahamthomson on Nov 25, 2009 10:36:33 GMT
Who are you and what have you done with the real G? :-) He's under the floorboards with staples in his eyelids, relying on dried orange peel for sustenance.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2009 14:12:47 GMT
I received my copy of #1 today and I'll get around to reading it either tonight or tomorrow.
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KoshNaranek
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Post by KoshNaranek on Nov 25, 2009 15:33:45 GMT
I got the issue last week and after reading through and seeing the full context of the events, I quite enjoyed it. The two things that did bother me a bit were Prowl's actions and the whole human's killing Transformers way too easily stuff. Other than that, I agree with G that the issue was well paced and the dialogue was OK.
As I've said before, I really enjoyed Mike Costa's work on GI Joe: Cobra, so maybe I'm willing to give him much more of a chance. Seeing one issue of AHM filled me with dread of what was to come, this however is a bit more optimistic.
With regards to my two niggles, I do see light at the end of the tunnel. The Prowl situation has already been addressed which is a very good sign. As for the humans killing Transformers. it's something that was obviously going to come after the events of AHM #12. I don't like it, but at least Costa is following on from what came before in a logical fashion. Shane McCarthy just seemed to write what he wanted and to hell with previous events. When the backlash started it just seemed he tacked on the backstory to try and fit what he was doing. What really annoyed me was when he started re-writing scenes that Simon had done.
I'll always remember an interview that Harlan Ellison did while he was working on Babylon 5. He used to sit in his office writing and when he finished a page, he taped it to the window so that passers by could read it. That meant he had to continue moving forward and not rewrite events as those who had read his previous pages knew what had came before. IDW really should have taken a similar approach with AHM and made Mr McCarthy go back through Simon's work, as well as get them both together so Simon could let Shane know what he had planned to avoid contradictions.
Still, IDW have been trying to fill in the gaps and fix problems with the Coda issues, albeit with mixed results. I didn't like AHM, but I accept it as part of IDW's Transformers history. I wish Mike Costa the best with it's continuation, and for the first time in over twelve months, I'm actually looking forward to it.
With the art, it would seem to me that it's being heavily influenced by Hasbro to bring the G1 and Movie versions closer together. It's probably a good marketing decision to bring in new fans who are only familiar with the Movie asthetic, but I can see how it would annoy some Geewuners. Don needs to work on his expressions a bit more and improve his humans, but otherwise I think he doing a sterling job.
- Tony
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Post by The Doctor on Nov 25, 2009 18:33:48 GMT
As pointed out on the AllSpark, Andy Schmidt has the following to say regarding feedback on Issue 1 of the ongoing: "You guys are still here? AWESOME! Sorry i disappeared.
About Prowl, I have to admit that the reaction to that scene has taken me a bit off guard. Not saying there isn't a reason for Prowl's behavior--there is, but I was suprised that it has caused such a stir.
What your feedback has done (and Prowl is a case in particular) is actually helped me and Mike and others move some things around. We have a Prowl centric issue that we've decided to move up since people seem to want those answers sooner rather than later.
Anyway, thanks for all your feedback, guys, it's helped make the book stronger. Thought you'd want to know. And thanks for the help!
Andy"forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=6965&start=300#159171When the editor has to be online to placate readers and explain things after only 1 issue, the comic is broken. -Ralph
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Nov 25, 2009 18:35:35 GMT
I don't think the comic is broken, it's the forum members that are.
Andy
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KoshNaranek
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Post by KoshNaranek on Nov 25, 2009 19:44:08 GMT
Agreed, I stopped visiting the IDW forums a long time ago.
- Tony
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