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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011

IDW PUBLISHING'S NEW TRANSFORMERS TITLES

IDW Publishing revealed details about its two new Transformers monthly books debuting in January during an online press conference with editor John Barber and Hasbro's Michael Kelly on Wednesday.

The two books are titled Transformers: Robots in Disguise and Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye.

Robots in Disguise is written by Barber (who has since also become an editor at IDW), with art and cover by Andrew Griffith. Marcelo Matere provides four inter-connected covers for #1.

More Than Meets the Eye is written by James Roberts, with art and cover by Nick Roche. Alex Milne provides four inter-connected covers for #1.

"The War for Cybertron is over," Barber said. "Now the hard part begins. Welcome to the new world of Cybertron and you have two choices: stay or go."

Barber described how the books reflect the different approaches the characters use to forge their new future.

"More Than Meets the Eye focuses on Rodimus, who calls for his fellow Transformers to leave Cybertron in search for the Knights of Cybertron," Barber said. "They're a legendary lost tribe of Transformers who, the story goes, are the guardians of the original Cybertronian culture. No one knows if they're real any more, they've been kind of lost in the mists of history. Some of the people who go with Rodimus are believers, some just want freedom from Cybertron and some just have reasons we'll get to as the story goes on.

The series deals with the Transformers' quest as they to restore Cybertron to its golden age.

"Robots in the Disguise focuses on the Autobots who remain on Cybertron," Barber said. "Bumblebee, with Optimus Prime gone, still finds himself in command of the Autobots. When the Autobots voted him leader back on Earth, nobody thought it would last this long, now he has to face a future with nobody backing him up."

Cyberton now features the remaining Autobots, the surviving Decepticons who are prisonsers of war and thousands of Transformers who had left the planet during the war.

"It's a struggle for Bee to remain control over a planet while there's an increasing population who doesn't care about the distinction between Autobots and Decepticons," Barber said.

Barber said the goal is for books that will satisfy long-time Transformers readers and fans, but will also serve as a jumping-on point with a "clean entry" for new readers.

Barber said a lot of characters will show up, but core characters will be featured in each title. "There are two comics in one universe," he said. "will get a cohesive view. Early on, you will definitely see some (overlap), but the two series will be going their separate ways."

Barber said he has been working with Roberts since the Death of Optimus Prime for a cohesive view of the Transformers universe. Barber said he and Roberts are both on board for "the long haul," and he has been managing to say well ahead despite his other editing responsibilities. He said there will be different artists coming in and "if you have favorite artists on the books, there's a good possibility you will see them show up here and there."

Turning to questions from the press:

* Barber said there will be characters readers haven't seen much of, including Metalhawk.

* Barber said there "is a chance" of a profile book featuring the character.

* Asked about Decepticons, Barber said Starscream will play a role in Robots in Disguise, and while he's not a Decepticon in the IDW Universe, Cyclonus will be featured.

* For now, Barber said there are no plans for any additional Transformers limited series. "All of our energy is being focused on these two books," he said.

* Barber said more announcements about the previously announced digital Transformers: Autocracy will be coming.

* Asked about more Transformers Prime comics, Barber declined to comment.

* Asked about a crossover with G.I. Joe, Barber said, "That could be interesting. We'll have to wait and see."

* Barber said there very few artists who can maintain a monthly schedule, let alone on the time-consuming creation of Transformers books. "We'll be switching off artistically," he said. "We'll be doing it logically."

* Barber said there will Decepticons will play a key role in Robots in Disguise with their attempts to find a place in the new world of Cybertron.

* From the Hasbro perspective, Kelly said he tells his publishing partners, "You guys go crazy and we'll reel you back in if we need to." He said it's a collaborative creative process, and "veto is not a word I like to use."

* Kelly said the Transformers novels with Random House Del Rey will continue. The Exodus and Exiles novels fall into what Kelly calls the "Prime continuity," in line with the television series.

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