Titan TF Issue 9

[legios]

Simon Fur-Man's blog currently hosts some info about ish#9 of TFUK (be warned there are some spoilers for the content)

simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/script-wrap-uk-3/

I had a little chuckle when I saw the title of the new strip in the issue. Wouldn't be surprised if it was another in Furman's long line of nods to movies (not sure that the actual story is going to have much in common with the film, but wouldn't be surprised if the title was a nod.)

Karl

[charlesrocketboy]

Well, that's a good way of doing strips without having to worry about the movie's plots. Should be fun!

[Andy Turnbull]

It is indeed a handy way of doing things. Not keen on Simon William's take on Megatron, the face veers too far away from the Movie design.

Andy

[primenova]

Sounds like Simon could be heading this universe towards UK #298

[grahamthomson]

Preview blurb and interior pencils on the TTFUK Myspace/Blog page... here!

[charlesrocketboy]

The Dreadwings-over-the-city page is awesome.

the Autobot's last, best hope might just lie with Mikaela Banes!

We're in big trouble.

[Andy Turnbull]

I still think drawing movie Megatron with a humanish face is poo. Other than that the pencils look good.

Andy

[grahamthomson]

A sneak-peek of the colours of that splash page are here.

Excellent job on the colouring, I reckon.

[primenova]

Does anyone else get the feeling that the Con base can transform? Could we be seeing a certain toy base - seeing Scorponok name is already in the movie.

[grahamthomson]

I've long had a strong hunch that TomyTakara might release an "Encore" Scorponok in the near future.

[charlesrocketboy]

grahamthomson said:

A sneak-peek of the colours of that splash page are here.

Oh wow.

[andrewbcalculating]

Did anyone else see Steve White on the bachelor channel that is Nuts TV last night?

|<o>|

[Bogatan]

Alt reality fun goodness and playing cards, what an issue. Really liked the art and colours this issue.

Next issue. FOAM MISSILE LAUNCHER!

Andy

[Mark_Stevenson]

Bit of a Movieverse re-telling of 'Rhythms of Darkness' but I suspect it won't go anywhere near as nasty. Good art, though.

Mx

[Andy Turnbull]

Like Mark says, a bit of a riff on Rythms of Darkness. Quite enjoyable though, I still don't like the face of Megatron though. The design doesn't suit having a more human face, keeping it closer to the movie version is much more effective I feel.

Still top notch effort in every other department though.

Andy

[charlesrocketboy]

It's a fun issue.

I do like how just two panels after the Autobots on the moon say the element of surprise is all they have going for them, it's shown they're being watched. Now that is economical pacing.

[The Doctor]

A noticeable step-up in quality on the lead strip this issue. Nice to see a sense of direction. The 'each issue focusses on one main character' set-up was starting to wear a bit thin.

I think the humanoid face on Megatron massively improves a really shit design, for my tastes.

-Ralph

[charlesrocketboy]

Pity Megatron doesn't feel the same way - look how angry he seems!

[Deleted]

What do the playing cards look like? I'm going to get the issue tomorrow but I'm going to leave the free gift attached to the front of the comic like I have done all previous issues so I won't know what the cards look like.

[The Doctor]

Talking of free gifts, good luck on finding an unmauled comic as the cards are quite heavy and the tape is weak. Every copy I've seen of the issue has suffered damage as a result. It's the kind of thing that drives me anally mad. Comics are too expensive to purchase pre-mutilated. Yes, I am one of those nerds who checks the spines of comics and picks the least-creased ones! Well, we all have our foibles!

-Ralph

[kayevcee]

Anally mad? Do you have to see a psychiatric proctologist for that?

I have yet to see this comic anywhere. I shall keep my eyes open.

-Nick

[legios]

kayevcee said:

I have yet to see this comic anywhere. I shall keep my eyes open.

-Nick

Glad it is not just me, I kept one eye open for it today but hadn't seen any sign of it.

Karl

[The Doctor]

Only one eye? Perhaps the other eye saw it!

-Ralph

[kayevcee]

How? It was closed.

-Nick

[The Doctor]

Via the power of the mind!

-Ralph

[legios]

kayevcee said:

How? It was closed.

-Nick

Blindsight? Mutated super-senses like Daredevil?

Karl

[Bogatan]

I was surprised that the comic I got in th mail was fairy intact. I dont even hope to find an intact spine after delivery orbeing chucked out on a shelf in a shop.

Andy

[Nigel]

"Fairy intact"? Well, there's your answer: magic.

Mine was fine when I got it yesterday morning, but then, the newsagent had only just put them out. (Ralph, I was always choose the best possible one, too.)

A good issue. I liked the art on the whole - modern without being cartoony or childish, yet with a hint of a classic Marvel UK influence. Except for Mikaela. She was modern whilst cartoony. I didn't like Megatron's face. I hope they keep the same art team throughout the story. (Nice of them to use a Welsh artist for the issue available around St David's Day.) The multi-issue format improved the pacing over the one-off stories and the premise allows Furman some creative freedom without straying too far from the movie. (Who in the sweepstake had nine issues before an alternative universe story?) A shame the picture of Optimus on the contents page spoiled the reveal.

I actually felt quite relieved to see the How to Draw use normal techniques for a change, rather than the bizarre deleting-lines-from-the-artist's-finished-drawing that they've employed so far.

A free foam gun next issue! Why is it, the more childish the gift, the more excited I get? Plus, Animated!

To the person who enquired about the cards (sorry, I don't recall who that was and I'm using Quick Reply), they are just your bog standard playing cards. A decent enough covermount, but nothing all that inspiring. If you want a good set of Transformers playing cards, I'd recommend the deck by Underground Toys, which has a different image on every card. Available at specialist shops. (Plug, plug.)

[grahamthomson]

I really enjoyed the start to this new storyline. Artwork was very good and the colours really set the tone for the story. Excellent stuff.

I see what people mean about Megatron's face. I think I would have preferred something closer to the look of the actual Megatron as he appeared in the film itself. Still, I liked the artist's translation of the designs to the printed page.

[legios]

I see what folk mean about the lead strip this issue being effectively a remake of "Rhythmns of Darkness ". That said it is a perfectly competent remake of a decent story, so it has that in its favour. Actually of all the Transformers comics out this week it was actually the story that I enjoyed so it comes out well and truly ahead on that basis.

Not particularly bothered about the backup stories to be honest. I haven't enjoyed the Beast Wars story this time round any more than I enjoyed it's first issue originally, and the movie prequel just simply doesn't engage me at all. It feels like it is telling a story that doesn't really need to be told.

Still, for the lead strip alone TFUK is the best Transfomers comic of the week.

Karl