IDW Publishing has posted to its Instagram the complete cover artwork that veteran Transformers artist James Raiz has contributed to its Unicron miniseries. As shown in previous comic solicitations, this art’s going to be separated into the six-issue miniseries’s B covers, although it’s nice to have a good look at what the complete image looks like! As expected of the grand finale to IDW’s current Transformers continuity, the art features a ton of characters, including Optimus Prime, Windblade, and Starscream, with other characters from the Hasbro comic universe such as G.I. Joe and the Micronauts in the mix as well. You can check out a larger look at the image after the break, and then sound off on the TFW2005 message board!
fishpop
I don't read G.I. Joe so TC/SW's design differences slipped my mind.
I'd completely forgotten about Ayana and i couldn't remember what Marissa looked like.
GrimLocke
That’s my guess and hope, too.
I know her hydra or Queen Ghidora form would be no small feat to make into a figure, so I’d be fine with Strafe as a Protoceratops.
And, I hope that the Camiens survive the reboot, along with the idea of distributing characters from other continuities throughout the galaxy.
I also think issues #5&6 of Unicron will take place after LL & OP are over, @sharkrainbow, so there’s hope for a well earned reunion, yet.
Finally, I did enjoy the Fall of Cthulhu cycle from Boom Studios, @RodimusSupreme, but that was about a decade ago, @Uncle Yetibacca. Still, I’ve also seen glowing reviews of MMPR at io9, so I get that they’re still going strong.
MrNiceGuy
It could be an ironic name.
Danny-Boy
Livia, Space Glider (she isn't a bird, she just has a flight pack), Virulina, Matt Trakker, Marissa Faireborn, Acroyear, Baroness/Cobra Commander, Doctor X, Leoric, Rom, Miles Mayhem, Baron Karza, Roadblock, Action Man, Scarlett, and Ayana Jones.
A bit surprised you didn't recognize Marissa and Ayana.
Sockie
That's actually Thundercracker, not Skywarp (you can tell because TC's using that design right now and SW isn't), and I'm pretty sure "Streetwise" is Strafe, given how she's with the other Dinobots.
fishpop
Let's see if i can name all the relevent characters: Clockwise from top-left.
Windblade, Arcee, Aileron, Pyra Magna, Bumblebee, Bludgeon, (looking like The Fallen) Elita-1, Starscream, Chromia, Jetfire, Skywarp, Soundwave, Metroplex?, Optimus, Ironhide, Prowl, Superion, (Silverbolt must of changed his mind about combining, probably helps that Galvatron is dead) Swoop, Streetwise?, (Shouldn't he be on the LL? I thought it could be Sideswipe 2 but there's too much white on this bot) Slaug, Stardrive, Trypticon, Snarl, Sludge, Shockwave, (Who is back BTW if you haven't been keeping up) Cosmos and of course Unicron.
Also Rom's Bitchy Friend, Bird-Lady Micronaut?, Bitch From Visionaries, Mr M.A.S.K, (Matt Tracker?) Scarlett?, Acroyear, (I'm surprised i'd remembered his name) Ms Cobra Commander, Scarlett? Leoric, ROM, Mr V.E.N.O.M, Bad-man from Micronauts, Luke Cage? (More likely Roadblock ) Action Man, Scarlett? & Cape-Lady.
I didn't even notice that Cobra Commander was a lady till i looked up at GWolfv2's comment. (I'm posting from the news article)
RodimusSupreme
Ooooh yeah, I remember them now. I haven't read the Power Rangers comics, but I've learned a little bit about what they're doing with their stories, and they sound great. I bet they could do an interconnected universe and multiverse very well!
I guess if these brands are gonna share a universe, Unicron's gonna want to kill them all too.
I guess he's no more MrNiceGuy?
Lore Keeper
Ya know, for someone named MrNiceGuy, you're awfully cynical.
Dyno98
I don't like James Raiz's art, although this is better that what I've seen of him until now.
And I don't mind Rom there, but I feel that Unicron is special to Transformers, it shouldn't include Micronauts and G.I. Joe.
MrNiceGuy
I stopped reading IDW before Windblade showed up. I'm glad I did.
Sockie
Sunstreaker hasn't been in MTMTE/LL since the end of Dark Cybertron.
sharkrainbow
I'm super stoked that Roberts is gonna get to finish LL without having to do any Dark Cybertron stuff, but i feel a profound sense of loss when i think about how many beautiful gay robots i adore that he could have mercilessly thrown into the maw of Unicron.
I mean i assume since this is The End Of The Universe the characters will be involved in some way towards the end but it's not the same as being in on the ground floor… Perceptor shredded beside Wheeljack, Sunstreaker hand in hand and very dead with Cliffjfumper…. oh well, i'm sure the end of LL will be vicious enough
Uncle Yetibacca
Oh! Ok then. The reason I want BOOM! Studios to take over the Transformers and Hasbro franchises comic books is because in my opinion, BOOM! is really one of the most competent current comic publishers, and is a very progressive, very positive-energy place to work. I admit that I'm a recent fan and have only read four of their titles (the very first I read being the very reason I know about them in the first place).
But from what I read from them, their works are very well written and they have talented artists on their side. To make things more clear, the titles I read from BOOM! are: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, its spin-off Go Go Power Rangers; Mech Cadet Yu; and Heavy Vinyl (formely named Hi-Fi Fight Club) and all of those titles show what makes BOOM! special (I'm also looking forward to their upcoming graphic novel Pandora's Legacy). Power Rangers in particular is how you reboot a series for modern audiences but keep what made the original special (just like Disney's DuckTales reboot), the story is serious but relatable particularly what we see in GGPR, it has a great pace and nothing feels forced, and for once there are real stakes there are consequences. Shattered Grid, the series current storyline and franchise first event, is the ultimate Power Rangers story and fan service.
All of that is why I believe BOOM! would be a very ideal place for not only Transformers (but obviously mainly TF) but an all-new Hasbro universe. I hope I've explained myself xDU.
RodimusSupreme
Sorry, I meant please continue with your thoughts about why you want BOOM! Studios to take over. I’m curious.
Uncle Yetibacca
Uhmm, is that sarcasm or is it genuine? If it's the latter I would like to but I don't want to post spam or anything.
RodimusSupreme
Whoa. Continue please…
Uncle Yetibacca
You know, I'm divided with the fact that the LL's crew isn't present. Dont get me wrong, I totally understand that James Roberts wants to end the story his way without unnecessary crossover intervention, however I'm still sad they won't be reunited with the others for this big finale.
The picture itself is pretty cool to me, and I have seen a lot of group covers. Pretty surprise at some of the characters present like Shockwave, Stardrive and the other Hasbro heroes. (Yes I like the concept of a Hasbro universe, sue me).
Now as we all already know that this is the end of the current universe, there is an idea I want to express about the future of the franchise in comics, although is more wishful thinking thant anything xD… I want BOOM! Studios to be the next publisher to have the Transformers (and the rest of the Hasbro franchises) comic license.
Danforth
I'm glad no Lost Light crew are in this pic. Means James Roberts gets to finish his long-planned story without crossover interference (don't get me wrong, I'm expecting a linked ending… but not a Dark Cybertron type thing). Let the A-listers handle the Chaos Bringer, these sad gay space robots have a quest to complete!
Grimlock_13
It's definitely Snarl. You can see his tail "wings" clear as day. And Sludge's IDW design has the vertebrae going down his chest with boney protrusions.
Edit: Sludge is right behind Snarl in the pic.
TargetmasterJoe
So whatever happens in "The Falling", Shockwave will (probably) live. I can also see Prowl behind Optimus, so hopefully he shows up soon.
I'm surprised that Jazz isn't around… He's gotta show up at some point, right?
Also rather surprised to not see anyone from Lost Light. I guess James Roberts wants to end LL on his own terms. Kind of a little selfish, but whatever. (Side note: if Unicron is the Destroyer of Worlds, what if the Grand Architect is the Yin to Unicron's Yang? Doubt it's going to come to that, but it sounds like it'd be cool to think about…)