We have some sad news to report today for fans of IDW‘s Transformers vs. GI Joe series. Comics Alliance is reporting that the comic will unfortunately be coming to an end with the extra-sized, 48-page issue #13. You can read on to see a few words from Tom Scioli and John Barber regarding the conclusion, plus the official solicit and cover for #13.
What are your thoughts on the series coming to a close? Let us know in the discussion thread.
From Tom Scioli:
“I’ll say it. It’s the greatest crossover of all time. This is the new standard by which all crossovers will be judged.
What a rare privilege in comics to begin something and to end it exactly as you envisioned. To create a universe and then torch it in the most explosive way imaginable. In the end, the creative challenge is the only thing that matters. When you push the limits, the world gets bigger. We wanted to see just how much juice you can squeeze out of these concepts and out of the comics page itself. How much story can fit into a comic book before the staples pop out? I look forward to seeing how the next generation of cartoonists builds on these innovations, the way we built on the work of those who came before us. I look forward to seeing the inevitable movie adaptation of this comic.”
And from John Barber:
“It’s the number-one thing that people come up and say, “Man, I grew up with that,” or, “That mattered to me,” or whatever. I was 19 when we made that, and I wish I’d been a little older or a little smarter, because… [Hesitates.] I wish we had known what we were doing when we were doing it. You know? It’s been such a part of my life, and I wish in the process of making it I had enjoyed it a little more.”
Official solicit:
“Transformers vs. G.I. JOE #13: Armageddon
Tom Scioli & John Barber (w) • Tom Scioli (a & c)
THE END IS NIGH! Final battle erupts—the forces of G.I. JOE and the AUTOBOTS head-to-head (or head-to-toe, depending on the size difference) with the DECEPTICOBRA alliance! The fate of the universe hangs on every decision!”
Reask
I've been late in catching up with it but it was an enjoyable series. I was hoping it wouldn't end not long after new-RID being canned, but thankfully it looks like this had a planned ending they wanted to go for from the beginning. Will be rereading this series in celebration. It took me back to the Classic Marvel comic days and made it better.
Chris McFeely
Well, 13 issues plus the #0 issue IS about 300 pages, so he has managed that at least!
Goldimus Prime
RIP.
I'm just glad its gone as far as it has. Genuinely the best TF comic I've ever read. I wonder if we'll get to read about how the story got truncated in the authors commentary at the back? It seems like its coming to a natural conclusion in the book– but I can recall early interview's with Tom where he stated that he hoped to be working on this for years/100s of pages. I'm betting its not being cancelled for sales, but rather I'd bet that Scioli's got too many other projects and aspirations. How lucky for us that he took this excellent detour through the toybox!
noble_prime
I never read an issue of this Series, could never get past the horrible art. I'll shed no tears over it finally ending.
Haywired
This series probably ran to its end, that's all.
ZeroiaSD
I checked the sales on comichron, numbers were fine (not as good as the main books, but reasonable, and I think did well in trade which is probably more important. A book like GIJoevTF can sell on bookstore shelves for some time), critical reviews were great, I think it's just ending because the story's ending.
I do wonder if they'll do something else after.
Feralstorm
I was satisfied to read the preview issue when the series started and knowing it was really really really not for me.
MegaRoadbuster
Well I guess they can lock my thread. I seem to be a day late on this news.
As it were, I am sad, but also glad that Scioli will be able to end it with his full vision for it intact. In any case, the story had gotten so big that I'd have found it hard grasp in seeing it continue with just smaller stories and what not. Sure it would have been great, and no doubt Scioli would have kept the crazy coming, but I'm glad it's ending here. My only real issue with the series as a whole was the compression was a little to much at times, but other than that a great success IMO.
His art was always great, IMO at least, but he had really gotten good with his human characters over the last few issues. Just take a look at the original promo art for the series compared to now and you'll see the difference.
Scioli should pitch a He-Man comic at DC
EDIT: Would really love to read the original outline for the comic. Scioli said it was like 100 pages. So that should answer the question as to why so much story felt crammed in at times.
GAUGE
though the art was NOT my thing in the least, hearing news of any TF title ending is always a tad sad to see.
RIP
Autovolt 127
It's for the best it ends there.
Fast_Draw
Damn. Well, at least there are 2 issues left. Hasbro is doing their best to erase GI Joe though lately. Oh wait, there's that 3rd movie…which they haven't even started yet.
DarkWarGrimlock
I don't think my girlfriend has ever read or seen anything Joe, and loves it. I have very limited experience with that franchise (The last two cartoons and the movies being my main exposure), as well. My brother has barely seen any of either and can get right into it. The book follows its own rules and tells its own story. If one needs a little bit of additional context on either world, Barber and Scioli have a wonderful creator commentary at the end of each issue, giving further insight into just how much craft went into this book.
GoLion
Well said. It's a shame that this book didn't get more traction.
NormanB
It's polarizing work, no doubt. But count me in the column of those who loved it.
Chris McFeely
Not knowing anything about G.I. Joe shouldn't be a roadblock (snerk) to reading this, Gaga. The book's approach is to basically ask "What if Transformers and G.I. Joe were created in the early 70s?" – not just in reference to the art style, but the entire creative mantra of the book. Its story is built by using the toys as a starting point and inventing a new world around them. Hyperbolically, it positions itself as the "original" TF and Joe story, the "definitive" version from the 70s that "predates" the 80s cartoons and comics, in the way that Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four is the original, definitive take on those characters, from which all other versions derive.
Starscream Gaga
I'd argue that the art is actually very good. I haven't read it myself because I don't know anything about GI Joe, but just by looking at the previews I can tell that a hell of a lot of love, skill and effort has gone into making every single page uphold the same old-school art-style. It's quite impressive, really.
Chris McFeely
You're my new friend.
DarkWarGrimlock
A shame to see it end. Huge fan of the book, but I think all of the delays hurt the pacing and probably sales. I'll have to give it a reread all in one go one of these days. Guess when it ends, I'll be giving Scioli's American Barbarian a go. Can't wait to read more Kirby-fueled comics from the guy.
Also, this book got me into IDW's Transformers comics and licensed comics in general. I turned my nose up a bit at them and felt they lacked creativity (From my experience, they mostly had). Grabbed this on FCBD and I was immediately in love. Like Afterlife with Archie before it, this radical reinvention was bursting with enough creativity to get me to check out the more traditional books.
Windsweeper II
We are richer for having lost him.
HARD RAINBOW
Awwww man!
Other than the toys, this is the only thing with the Transformers name that I liked. Ditto for GI Joe.
Welp, it was a fun ride guys. The Funnest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11