Original artist for Transformers Generation 1 box art Mark Watts has a new project going on Kickstarter, and it includes several pieces of original Transformers art for backers! The project is a “transforming” table which turns into a framed piece of art that you can hang on a wall. He’s been doing shows with these for a little while and is looking to ramp up production with this Kickstarter.
You can decide to back the project and get the transforming table in silver or black with 2 or 4 different interchangeable prints and Transformers themed ones are included in the options. Or, if you don’t really care about the table aspect and want to support Mark Watts you can grab Digital Downloads of the Transformers Art or Signed Giclee prints of the Transformers Art in 2 different sizes.
Head on over to check out this legend’s project on Kickstarter and support him if you dig it. We wish him the best of luck with his new project!
NormanB
I'm aware of kickstarter failures. That's still slightly different that a straight-up scam, which this pretty clearly is not. Sure there's risk. That's how crowdfunding goes.
Also, sorry about your John K losses. He is an absolutely terrible human being, and I would be really mad too if he had any of my money.
lordsmurf
Yeah, don't be so sure of that. So many Kickstarters never finish, even after funding.
Even "big names" screw you. A perfect example is John K (John Kricfalusi), and that's before it was revealed that he was a pedophile/rapist POS. I'm disgusted that the SOB got some of my money in that Kickstarter.
There have been many stories on failed Kickstarters over the years, and all of the recipients just shrug it off. I don't know that any criminal charges have been brought, or lawsuits having gone anywhere, despite the fact that some appear to have been fraud from the start.
I quit gambling my money on those things years ago. If a person has a great idea, go to a bank and get a loan. I'll buy it when you're done.
HunterGreen2005
Kitschy!
—
kitsch·y
/ˈkiCHē/
adjective
"kitschy souvenir shops"
LoserBroadside
I didn't realize it's by the original artist. I'm still not sold on the table-as-wall-art, but just getting a nice print would be pretty boss.
G.B. Blackrock
Just what kinds of tables are you imagining? Most folding tables (the category into which this naturally falls) aren't all that heavy.
Think of this as more of a glorified dinner tray you might eat off of while sitting on the couch.
Shade 20×6
It seems like this would either be too heavy to hang on the wall, or too light to use as a table.
LoserBroadside
I certainty hope it's not. Something about it just feels off to me
NormanB
It might be something that you're not interested in, but it's definitely not a scam.
LoserBroadside
This seems like a scam. Or…something? So it's a table you hang on the wall? And pretend the aluminum bits are a frame?
LoserBroadside
Holy crap, I'd never heard the term "gicless" before but damn. Yeah, literally fancy-talk for "inkjet print."
mcmc
\"Changable\" art – anyone else read this in Chang\'s voice from Community?
G1 Deconstructor
Thanks for the link, but it's not the same. I would like a book where each page is a full spread of his Character art and battle scenes.
G.B. Blackrock
I'm pretty sure that prints and giclees, without tables, are among the options in that Kickstarter….
ILoveLuci4
I love the original art, and I REALLY want to support the original artists and creators behind the brand, but I have no need for the art to be made into tables.
Now, if this fellow were to make nice prints, giclees, or very nice large format book, I'd be all over like flies on dookie.
Hans
Mark Watts did the ones he shows on his website, but not Optimus Prime and Jazz. As far as I know, Optimus, Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and the back-of-the-box posters for 1985 and 1986 were done by Jeff Mangiat. See here: Jeffrey Mangiat – Transformers Wiki
The 1984 box poster was done by David Schleinkofer.
The Japanese boxart for Optimus Prime/Convoy and Sideswipe is slightly different from the US releases and were painted by Shin Ueda. He also did the recent Generations book that has MP-44 on the cover.
If the original Diaclone toys had art instead of a toy photo on the box (see the Dinobots and Insecticons for example, or the likes of Hoist and Tracks) that art was copied from the Takara Diaclone boxes (with swapped colors), artists for those are unknown I think.
I believe most of the art from 1987 and onwards (Japanese and US releases) was done by Hidetsugu Yoshioka, although Richard Marcej did some linework that was painted in by other artists as well (Powermaster Optimus Prime and Horribull for instance). Marcej also did the "comic style" posters on the back of the box for the Micromasters and Pretenders.
The 1984 TV Series poster featuring Optimus Prime on Earth with Cybertron floating above him (also used on the Panini sticker book) was done by G.M. Eggleston.
The awesome Japanese 1986 Transformers movie poster was done by Yoshiyuki Takani, who also recently did a Hero-X G1 comic TPB cover.
As far as I know, these are the artists we know by name. But if anyone would like to add to this list, please do
RKillian
I don't like that the second print has to be a sailboat.
The selection is confusing as well. I know alot of 1984/1985 TransFormers art actually appeared on Diaclone boxes in 1982/1983. The rest, like for the minibots, was supposed to mimic that style to some degree. My question is not so much how he can sell the Constructicons or Jazz/Starscream (OK, looks like Starscream, and Thundercracker, were _slightly_ modified but still) but why there isn't a larger selection if he can?
And, not related to this specifically, but it looks like he forgot to let the background show through on parts of Breakdown, Wildrider, and Dead End.
Vector Oracle
Yeah, I like the idea behind this project, but I think I'll just stick with the upcoming reprint of the Legacy artbook for my G1 box art fix.
lordsmurf
Exactly.
Furthermore, I have a problem paying $25 for a single 8×11 color inkjet print ("gicless" is a fancy word to fool suckers), from art that appeared on a product box 35 years ago, for which the artist was long ago paid by a large company. I'd never pay more than $5 for an 8×11 ink print. Kickstarter is full of lousy projects, and this is another one.
I've bought some amazing 11×17 art from Dan Khanna, and his prints were all under $25 each.
NormanB
https://www.amazon.com/Transformers…/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Capperclawed
Its super neat that the original artists are doing this on kickstarter, and its sorta funny how they're art pieces of transformers, that transform into tables.
Doesn't change the fact that those are some brutally ugly tables. G1 boxart was charming in its own right, but i personally think that has something to do with the medium they were put on. Blowing up an image thats designed to be put on a small box and super saturated with color in order to draw the eyes of parents makes for a piece that looks pretty garish hanging on a wall or as a beer pong table. Its just too much it feels. I love the idea of putting new life into the art that started it all, but damn i dont think this is the way to do it.