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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 2, 2011 12:55:53 GMT
My dear Polaris Magazine subscribers, please do start your letterbox vigils as the first batch of the latest issue is ready to go! twitter.com/#!/GrahamT77/status/76268811996766208 |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jun 3, 2011 18:41:06 GMT
It was waiting for me when I returned home. Not read it all yet, but so far it's great stuff!
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 3, 2011 19:56:27 GMT
Mine was waiting for me too. It is being placed in the reading pile until this cold shifts.
-Ralph
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 3, 2011 20:00:21 GMT
Yay! Glad to hear they are starting to arrive already! And it seems to have bypassed the sorting office gremlins that usually plague you, Ralph! Not read it all yet, but so far it's great stuff! Thanks! I hope that you will enjoy the entire issue. |
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Post by Andy Turnbull on Jun 3, 2011 22:06:24 GMT
Mine was waiting for me today at home as well!
Andy
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Jun 3, 2011 22:58:18 GMT
Mine too!
It's the usual well-crafted package of thoughtful writing wrapped in a colourful glossy outer shell.
Nice to see 'In the National Interest' get some recognition. I always thought it a better story than its more celebrated neighbour in chronology, 'Target: 2006' - certainly more skilfully plotted. Probably Simon Furman's best use of humans in his Marvel run too. And it was a rare treat to have four consecutive UK issues all drawn by the same writer. Made it feel more polished than stories that switch art styles.
Xaaron was a welcome addition to the A-Z. I thought the on-line teaser was blacking out his vehicle mode for a big reveal in the printed publication, but it domehow feels appropriate that you kept it mysterious and blacked out. If we ever did see it, it could only be an anticlimax after the big deal he made about it in 'Meltdown'.
The three Pretender Beasts come together fortuitously in the A-Z Commentary. I like the way you explain the detail of Catilla's death for those like me who found it unconvincing as it was portrayed, but you make rather an unwarranted leap in describing Chainclaw as "turning up dead" at the end of 'Double Deal of the Century'. I don't think he was ever intended to be seen as dying in that story! But others can correct me if they read it differently.
Your two stories are challenging and thought-provoking as always. My preferred one this issue was 'The World Through David's Eyes' (not really a Transformers story at all, but that's OK with me), in which Chip has it drawn to his attention by someone wiser than himself that he is unfairly judging everyone in the way he imagines they unfairly judge him. The first two thirds of the story set up Chip's prejudices very well, but I was sorry not to see a more detailed description of what he learnt about the twelve subjects, rather than just having them appear as blue glows. I suspect we've all been guilty many times of labelling people we don't know as shallow based on surface appearances. The best cure for this in my experience has been stepping into the lives of others through really, really top-notch fiction. Tolstoy is the very best I've come across, in terms of portraying numerous diverse lives and making me see through all their eyes and realise that inside they are as real and three-dimensional as I am. (I don't think you can do this in any medium other than writing.) But I have veered way off-topic...
'Badly Drawn Robot' is a dark and disturbing piece. I would say it's even less of a Transformers story than 'The World Through David's Eyes' and perhaps better suited to human characters, but then that's my aversion for excessive humanising of alien robots. You have a tendency and talent for portraying characters troubled in their mind, which doesn't make for easy reading, and like other instalments of this parallel universe saga I find myself unable to reconcile the characters here with those seen in the Marvel comics. (I try looking back at Wheeljack's past appearances and telling myself he's unhappy and insecure, but it doesn't work in my mind - he always appears before me as a cheerful, confident, absent-minded genius, one of the most valued Autobots and aware of it, and their most skilful driver - not to mention Hoist's commander, a rank 8 to his rank 4.) Yet it's thought-provoking to find that you see the character differently, and it provokes an emotional response nonetheless - which is what good writing is meant to do!
Martin
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Post by legios on Jun 5, 2011 20:16:31 GMT
My copy had safely arrived on Friday evening, but I am only partway through reading it. I have done the non-fiction first so that I can lead up to the best bit. Further thoughts in a day or so once the fiction has been absorbed.
Karl
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 6, 2011 11:03:17 GMT
Mine too! It's the usual well-crafted package of thoughtful writing wrapped in a colourful glossy outer shell. Nice to see 'In the National Interest' get some recognition. I always thought it a better story than its more celebrated neighbour in chronology, 'Target: 2006' - certainly more skilfully plotted. Probably Simon Furman's best use of humans in his Marvel run too. And it was a rare treat to have four consecutive UK issues all drawn by the same writer. Made it feel more polished than stories that switch art styles. Xaaron was a welcome addition to the A-Z. I thought the on-line teaser was blacking out his vehicle mode for a big reveal in the printed publication, but it domehow feels appropriate that you kept it mysterious and blacked out. If we ever did see it, it could only be an anticlimax after the big deal he made about it in 'Meltdown'. The three Pretender Beasts come together fortuitously in the A-Z Commentary. I like the way you explain the detail of Catilla's death for those like me who found it unconvincing as it was portrayed, but you make rather an unwarranted leap in describing Chainclaw as "turning up dead" at the end of 'Double Deal of the Century'. I don't think he was ever intended to be seen as dying in that story! But others can correct me if they read it differently. Your two stories are challenging and thought-provoking as always. My preferred one this issue was 'The World Through David's Eyes' (not really a Transformers story at all, but that's OK with me), in which Chip has it drawn to his attention by someone wiser than himself that he is unfairly judging everyone in the way he imagines they unfairly judge him. The first two thirds of the story set up Chip's prejudices very well, but I was sorry not to see a more detailed description of what he learnt about the twelve subjects, rather than just having them appear as blue glows. I suspect we've all been guilty many times of labelling people we don't know as shallow based on surface appearances. The best cure for this in my experience has been stepping into the lives of others through really, really top-notch fiction. Tolstoy is the very best I've come across, in terms of portraying numerous diverse lives and making me see through all their eyes and realise that inside they are as real and three-dimensional as I am. (I don't think you can do this in any medium other than writing.) But I have veered way off-topic... 'Badly Drawn Robot' is a dark and disturbing piece. I would say it's even less of a Transformers story than 'The World Through David's Eyes' and perhaps better suited to human characters, but then that's my aversion for excessive humanising of alien robots. You have a tendency and talent for portraying characters troubled in their mind, which doesn't make for easy reading, and like other instalments of this parallel universe saga I find myself unable to reconcile the characters here with those seen in the Marvel comics. (I try looking back at Wheeljack's past appearances and telling myself he's unhappy and insecure, but it doesn't work in my mind - he always appears before me as a cheerful, confident, absent-minded genius, one of the most valued Autobots and aware of it, and their most skilful driver - not to mention Hoist's commander, a rank 8 to his rank 4.) Yet it's thought-provoking to find that you see the character differently, and it provokes an emotional response nonetheless - which is what good writing is meant to do! Martin Wow, Martin! I'm really pleased the stories this issue have been so thought-provoking! I'll be honest, I've been quite nervous about certain parts of Timecode becoming too controversial, but they are all (I think) important parts of the story that I want to tell. I see your point with Wheeljack's history, but my intent was to show that his paranoia (hinted at, very very slightly during Earthforce) got the better of him. I know it wasn't light reading but hopefully it will be worth it to see Wheeljack get better and overcome his troubles. Though I should warn you, the story will get worse for some more of the Autobots and Decepticons before it gets better. But it does get better for them! Some of them. Myself, I see the story more as an "alternate continuation" of the Marvel comics rather than being a "parallel universe". All of the characters are [supposed to be] the same as their Marvel incarnations up until the end of Generation 2, so the characters themselves aren't [supposed to be] alternate versions, just characters we already know but whose futures will take a different path that has already been documented. If that makes sense! As for Xaaron's AtoZ, the non-reveal of his alternate mode was all Ed's idea. He has actually drawn what he thinks it might look like, but he suggested we maintain its mystery! Thanks, as always, for your detailed and thoughtful feedback. I always appreciate it and absorb it! |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 6, 2011 11:08:21 GMT
My copy had safely arrived on Friday evening, but I am only partway through reading it. I have done the non-fiction first so that I can lead up to the best bit. Further thoughts in a day or so once the fiction has been absorbed. Karl I look forward to your thoughts! |
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Jun 6, 2011 17:18:29 GMT
Myself, I see the story more as an "alternate continuation" of the Marvel comics rather than being a "parallel universe". All of the characters are [supposed to be] the same as their Marvel incarnations up until the end of Generation 2, so the characters themselves aren't [supposed to be] alternate versions, just characters we already know but whose futures will take a different path that has already been documented. If that makes sense! Point taken! I suppose it seems a bit parallel-y because (as previously commented) some of the characters like Prowl, Jazz and Wheeljack don't seem to be the same people that I (thought I) met in the Marvel comics, plus I haven't got my head around how the David and Jennifer in Timecode relate to those in Globequake, which was itself (I think) set in yet another universe visited by characters from the post-Eugenesis TMUK future. And I don't think I will get my head around how all these universes relate until it's spelt out for me in a nice explanatory Robot War feature, hint-hint... (As an aside, it took me until I was a page or so into 'Badly Drawn Robot' before I realised that it was part of Timecode and not my default Transformers 2011 post-'Legacy of Unicron'/'Space Pirates'. I read the first part thinking you were telling the story of Wheeljack coming back on-line after being deactivated in the Movie or 'Space Pirates'.) Martin |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 7, 2011 10:40:06 GMT
Point taken! I will write up a nice explanatory Robot War feature soon. I am sure it will all make sense then. It's got to.
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chrisl
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I still think its the 1990s - when I joined TMUK
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Post by chrisl on Jun 7, 2011 11:58:15 GMT
*panics that the postie has lost it*
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Post by The Doctor on Jun 7, 2011 18:38:45 GMT
Urinates all over TFCC rag #39 like the way a muffin rules over a Special K bar. The Xaaron profile and art is especially lovely.
-Ralph
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Post by legios on Jun 7, 2011 19:26:48 GMT
As ever, the overall presentation it superb, so I am not going to dwell on that and will just move straight on to the content.
The Marvelpiece on In The National Interest is wonderful to see. You clearly mirror a lot of my own thoughts about this somewhat underappreciated story, although I think I am probably fonder of Will Simpson than you are. As ever your cogent, but relaxed style makes the article a joy to read.
The Xaaron A-Z is great – Ed's image is a cracking rendition, and I have to concur that blacking out the vehicle mode is the right choice. Whilst I'd love to see Ed's take on it at some point in the context of the profile it feels very appropriate – “we'd show you Xaaron's alt-mode but we can't find anyone who can remember what it was....” I do like the motto as well. It seems both appropriate and something that I can hear him say. The rest of the bio is almost all spot on – both in terms of what we saw in the comics, and with what various TMUK writers have done with Xaaron over the years. He is fairly iconic and I think you have done him justice. Indeed the only thing I disagree on is a matter of semantics. I don't think he is really a tactician of note, more a strategist, I tend to think that he has people to win battles for him, whilst he gets on with winning the war. But like I say, semantics.
The A-Z commentaries were rather enlightening to me, especially as they concern characters, in the Pretender Beasts, that aren't terribly well fixed in my mind (due to having the misfortune to appear towards the latter part of the Marvel comics run). Between this and a couple of the pocketbook sized reprints I recently picked up I am getting a nice education regarding these characters. As ever they were solid nuggets of information delivered in a wonderful, slightly dry style.
“The World Through David's Eyes” and “Badly Drawn Robot” make for an interesting double-feature. Both of them, to some extent concerned with what is going on inside a characters head and the things that their perspectives do to them. “The World Through David's Eyes” is very effective in both giving the reader a sense of Chip Chase's very narrow perspective at the beginning of the story and the change wrought in him by being able to see the world from another point of view. It is a good theme, the idea that what we know to be true can depend on where we happen to be standing at the time and I think you handle it well. A good example of why a story only doesn't need to be about anymore than two characters sitting in rooms talking if they have something interesting to talk about. “Badly Drawn Robot” by contrast is a far darker piece, chronicling the collapse of Wheeljack's self-esteem. It is an good metaphor that you are going for, an exo-suit to shut himself away from a world he is no longer coping with. I will admit that I did find it quite hard-going to read, as it had a little bit of real-world resonance for me. Which probably says something positive about the quality of the writing if it manages to find that nerve in me. I'm not sure that it entirely rings true for Wheeljack with me. But that is just a difference in how we interpret the character, and I am certainly curious to see where you take your version of the character. (Nice to see that you still managed to get a slim ray of humor in there alongside such grim subject matter to – the “revolving door” thing built to its punchline with a wonderful inevitability). All told, two very good stories rooted very firmly in character and with some ideas to get the mental teeth into.
As ever, the whole makes for an absolutely great package. Frankly it outshines some officially sanctioned publications that I shall not name. Good stuff.
Karl
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 8, 2011 12:46:05 GMT
*panics that the postie has lost it* I think yours went out with the second or third batch at the beginning of this week. But it is definitely on its way! |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 8, 2011 12:46:40 GMT
Urinates all over TFCC rag #39 like the way a muffin rules over a Special K bar. -Ralph Well that's one way of putting it!  |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 8, 2011 12:50:09 GMT
As ever, the overall presentation it superb, so I am not going to dwell on that and will just move straight on to the content. The Marvelpiece on In The National Interest is wonderful to see. You clearly mirror a lot of my own thoughts about this somewhat underappreciated story, although I think I am probably fonder of Will Simpson than you are. As ever your cogent, but relaxed style makes the article a joy to read. The Xaaron A-Z is great – Ed's image is a cracking rendition, and I have to concur that blacking out the vehicle mode is the right choice. Whilst I'd love to see Ed's take on it at some point in the context of the profile it feels very appropriate – “we'd show you Xaaron's alt-mode but we can't find anyone who can remember what it was....” I do like the motto as well. It seems both appropriate and something that I can hear him say. The rest of the bio is almost all spot on – both in terms of what we saw in the comics, and with what various TMUK writers have done with Xaaron over the years. He is fairly iconic and I think you have done him justice. Indeed the only thing I disagree on is a matter of semantics. I don't think he is really a tactician of note, more a strategist, I tend to think that he has people to win battles for him, whilst he gets on with winning the war. But like I say, semantics. The A-Z commentaries were rather enlightening to me, especially as they concern characters, in the Pretender Beasts, that aren't terribly well fixed in my mind (due to having the misfortune to appear towards the latter part of the Marvel comics run). Between this and a couple of the pocketbook sized reprints I recently picked up I am getting a nice education regarding these characters. As ever they were solid nuggets of information delivered in a wonderful, slightly dry style. “The World Through David's Eyes” and “Badly Drawn Robot” make for an interesting double-feature. Both of them, to some extent concerned with what is going on inside a characters head and the things that their perspectives do to them. “The World Through David's Eyes” is very effective in both giving the reader a sense of Chip Chase's very narrow perspective at the beginning of the story and the change wrought in him by being able to see the world from another point of view. It is a good theme, the idea that what we know to be true can depend on where we happen to be standing at the time and I think you handle it well. A good example of why a story only doesn't need to be about anymore than two characters sitting in rooms talking if they have something interesting to talk about. “Badly Drawn Robot” by contrast is a far darker piece, chronicling the collapse of Wheeljack's self-esteem. It is an good metaphor that you are going for, an exo-suit to shut himself away from a world he is no longer coping with. I will admit that I did find it quite hard-going to read, as it had a little bit of real-world resonance for me. Which probably says something positive about the quality of the writing if it manages to find that nerve in me. I'm not sure that it entirely rings true for Wheeljack with me. But that is just a difference in how we interpret the character, and I am certainly curious to see where you take your version of the character. (Nice to see that you still managed to get a slim ray of humor in there alongside such grim subject matter to – the “revolving door” thing built to its punchline with a wonderful inevitability). All told, two very good stories rooted very firmly in character and with some ideas to get the mental teeth into. As ever, the whole makes for an absolutely great package. Frankly it outshines some officially sanctioned publications that I shall not name. Good stuff. Karl Thank you, Karl, once again for such a detailed review! I'm pleased you rated the two stories so highly, and I can appreciate them not being light subject matter, so I am glad you stuck with them. Plus I'm glad you liked the dash of humour as well! Please also that you liked the Xaaron profile. Once again, we must bow to Ed's wisdom for the idea of not showing the alternate mode! Until next time! |
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Post by Kingoji on Jun 8, 2011 15:19:32 GMT
Wisdom? Nah! I just thought my attempt at creating an alt-mode for him was utter shit.  |
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Post by Grand Moff Muffin on Jun 8, 2011 17:26:03 GMT
I am sure it will all make sense then. It's got to. I wouldn't go quite that far. I mean, you'd still be in good company (thinks of Simon Furman) if it didn't. Martin |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 10, 2011 11:34:10 GMT
Hopefully everyone that subscribed has now received their copy of issue 18.
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Post by jameso on Jun 10, 2011 12:51:51 GMT
I'm well upset we didn't get Xaaron's alternate mode, there I was thinking to myself 'finally, after all these years' but no. |
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 10, 2011 13:01:28 GMT
I'm well upset we didn't get Xaaron's alternate mode, there I was thinking to myself 'finally, after all these years' but no. I am sure if you asked Ed nicely enough, he'd email you his interpretation of Xaaron's coffee machine tank mode. Or not. Depends how precious he is with these things. |
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Post by Jaymz on Jun 11, 2011 0:09:41 GMT
I received mine, but have been very slow and still need to read all of Hubris first, before being allowed to touch Polaris.
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Post by grahamthomson on Jun 14, 2011 9:33:50 GMT
I received mine, but have been very slow and still need to read all of Hubris first, before being allowed to touch Polaris. Wow. You're quite behind. By about 5 years. But even if you don't get round to reading them, they're nice to collect! |
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Post by Kingoji on Jun 14, 2011 13:45:05 GMT
I'm well upset we didn't get Xaaron's alternate mode, there I was thinking to myself 'finally, after all these years' but no. I am sure if you asked Ed nicely enough, he'd email you his interpretation of Xaaron's coffee machine tank mode. Or not. Depends how precious he is with these things. It's ingeniously bad. Like a cardboard church that fell on it's back. Never show anyone! |
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Post by Shockprowl on Jun 20, 2011 20:02:05 GMT
Magnificent issue, as always. I'm a big Xaaron fan, and his bio is spot on, a real gem. The stories were awe inspiring in there scope and complexity. I love this about Polaris/Hubris- it constantly presents characters I've 'known' and loved for years in fascinating new dimensions. The portrayal of Wheeljack's descent if I can call it that into, what, madness? Is utterly compelling and frankly blew me away. And as always the marvel studies are informative, amusing and nostalgic. Top top work.
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Post by grahamt77 on Jun 21, 2011 10:35:45 GMT
Magnificent issue, as always. I'm a big Xaaron fan, and his bio is spot on, a real gem. The stories were awe inspiring in there scope and complexity. I love this about Polaris/Hubris- it constantly presents characters I've 'known' and loved for years in fascinating new dimensions. The portrayal of Wheeljack's descent if I can call it that into, what, madness? Is utterly compelling and frankly blew me away. And as always the marvel studies are informative, amusing and nostalgic. Top top work. Many thanks for your comments, Ian! And thanks for posting them during this time of bayhem! (That's baby-mayhem, not Michael Bay-mayhem!) Glad you liked the issue! |
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chrisl
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I still think its the 1990s - when I joined TMUK
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Post by chrisl on Jun 21, 2011 12:17:50 GMT
Awesome work all-round on this one |
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Post by grahamt77 on Jun 23, 2011 8:07:15 GMT
Awesome work all-round on this one Thanks! |
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