Via Hasbro Pulse we can share for your a very interesting interview with IDW editor David Mariotte about the new Transformers ’84 Comic Book Miniseries SECRETS & LIES.
This new mini-series will cover events around the classic Marvel G1 Transformers #1 revealing what else was happening on Cybertron before the Ark launched, after the Ark launched, and before the Autobots and Decepticons woke up on earth. Simon Furman is back into this project and he is going to provide a Reader’s Guide of annotations every issue. Read on for more details:
Transformers ‘84: Secrets and Lies #1 (of 4)
Simon Furman returns! The beloved writer, accompanied by the equally accomplished Guido Guidi and John-Paul Bove, return to tell a new tale in the original Transformers comic universe, hot off the heels of the successful Transformers ’84 #0 one-shot! As the Cybertronian Civil War rages, Decepticon scientist Shockwave has encountered a new obstacle to the Decepticon’s victory and subjugation of the planet: an obstacle called… Megatron!
Cover A: Guido Guidi
Cover B: Casey W. Coller
Cover RI-A: Nick Roche (10-copy Retailer Incentive)
Cover RI-B: Geoff Senior (25-copy Retailer Incentive)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Expected in-store date: April 2020
We are glad to see such a great expansion of the original Transformers comic story. Last year we also had an amazing prequel with the IDW’s Transformers ’84 #0 and we hope this new mini-series will please fans, both old and new.
Read the full interview here, or alternatively you can find all the text and amazing cover art gallery after the jump. Some amazing character reveals on this covers! Let us know your impressions on the 2005 Boards!
Behind the Scenes of Transformers ’84 Comic Book Miniseries
To celebrate the debut issue of Transformers ’84 Comic Book Miniseries SECRETS & LIES, we sat down with David Mariotte; editor on this project.
TELL US ABOUT THE NEW SERIES. WHEN DOES IT HIT SHELVES?
Transformers ’84: Secrets & Lies is a prequel to the original run of Transformers comics from 1984. The first issue of this 4-part miniseries will be available April 1st 2020. A little background; in the first five pages of the classic 1984 first issue, Bill Mantlo, Ralph Macchio, and the artists established the Cybertronian Civil War, the Autobots and Decepticons, why Cybertron the planet is out of its orbit hurtling through space. Then, almost immediately, the main cast leaves Cybertron and crashes into Earth. All that happens in about nine pages and on page 10, they wake up in 1984. This new Secrets and Lies series covers what else was happening on Cybertron before the Ark launched, after the Ark launched, and before the Autobots and Decepticons woke up on earth.
HOW DID THIS MINISERIES COME ABOUT?
Simon Furman has written Transformers comics for decades and when we at IDW were discussing doing a book for the franchise’s 35th anniversary in 2019, Simon was the obvious choice to write it. What that book ended up being, Transformers ’84 #0, was a phenomenal issue tying the events of the first U.S. comic original story to the first U.K. comic original story and fleshing out this “lost period” of the past. That book did very well and it was so great to work with Simon, Guido Guidi, and John-Paul Bove (who had previously worked together on Transformers: Regeneration One, a continuation of the original series) that we asked them if they wanted to play in the past some more and flesh out some of the threads that Simon had planted in the #0 issue.
WHERE DOES THE STORY PICK UP AND HOW DOES IT CONNECT TO TRANSFORMERS LORE
This story really happens around the events of Transformers #1. Parts of it take place before the Ark launched. Parts of it take place after, but before the Autobots and Decepticons woke up. There are a number of other classic issues that contribute to the overall story (Transformers #7, #8, #11 and the Transformers ’84 #0 all come to mind), so if you’ve read those, you’ll be really excited to see all the little references and ways they helped build the story. However, if you never have gotten into that first comic continuity, you’ll pick up everything because it’s a smart story with plenty of explanation. And, for readers who might just think “that’s familiar, but I couldn’t place it”, Simon’s going to provide a Reader’s Guide of annotations every issue.
WHAT IS THE BASIC STORY ARC FOR THIS MINISERIES?
The basic story arc is that Optimus Prime has a plan to lead Megatron and other high-ranking Decepticons off of Cybertron to try to end the war. And, as it turns out, that works out just fine for Shockwave, who’s new theory is that the reason the Decepticons can’t win is Megatron’s too caught up in fighting so he’s ignoring the way to win. There’s some intrigue around that as the Autobots and Decepticons head off of Cybertron to crash on Earth and those who are left behind start making new plans for Cybertron’s future. Plus, the Dinobots show up!
G.B. Blackrock
A technicality. It's in the comic, yes, but it's very much not part of the ongoing US storyline.
Foster
Big Broadcast of 2006 was an adaptation from a episode of the cartoon, yes.
artiepants
wasn't BB an reprint of a UK story like "man of Iron"??? (or was it an adaptation of a cartoon episode??? fuzzy memories…)
REMINATOR
In addition to the TFTM Comic, UMagnus did debut in the US Comic regular series in Issue #43, the Big Broadcast of 2006. Whether it's part of the story line continuity or not, that's another story:
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Thundershot
The bad thing about Star Saber being in it… If there’s a fight to the death between him and Straxus, we all know who wins…
Also I hope if Blaster shows up, he’ll have his classic Marvel head and not the crap Wildman gave him at the end of the original run.
samisham
This still isn't out right?
Cyberbot8460
Hey, I know this is a few(months) late, but out of boredom, I would like to say how I prefer the Skyfire incarnation not because how it's been done well, but it has interesting concepts that could use expanding on. For example, his friendship with Starscream.
Fenrys
just put this series on subscription through comixology, cant wait to check it out
Kranix_OZ
Thank you, sir.I missed that completely.
jamarmiller
according to the description in the link I posted on amazon, yes it does !
So glad I waited now. Prefer buying TPBs to individual issues
I actually wish I could buy a TPB every month of new g1 comic continuity stuff
Kranix_OZ
I'm just jumping on board this now so was wondering, does the TPB compilation of secrets and lies #1-4 due at the end of the year, also include the #0 one shot? Thanks
jamarmiller
id love to see the Rain makers and the welcoming committe in this series, being the main seekers as the usual ones are in the ark on earth of a long long time. This series has a lot of potential for sure. Japanese characters ect are a sure welcome. Hope it continues past 4 issues. got my two orders in for the TPB
Prime Noble
I'd love to see Thunderwing feature prominently. His Matrix Affinity AND his valuing his troops made him one of the best Decepticon characters. He wasn't just a one dimensional villain.
I'd also like to see Pretender characters before they got their shells. Catilla and Carnivac on various Mayhem Attack Squad missions.
More Seekers!! Even if it's only the generic drones. Both on Cybertron and on Earth. I want it be shown there were more Seekers aboard the Ark. Bulk up the Decepticon numbers. Make them more of a threat. The horrible colouring of the G1 comic can account for them not being noticeable.
One of the biggest disappointments of Regeneration was the lack of neo G1 Transformers like Sunstorm and Lugnut.
And the lack of newer/modern toy designs. Would have made a lot more sense to see Soundwave back on Cybertron using his War for Cybertron toy as his character model rather than keeping his outdated and pretty useless tape deck mode.
jamarmiller
thats what I would want too
I wish Regeneration 1 would have bridged the gap between the original series and G2 and then they could have done regeneration 2 and finish the g2 story and continue for years and years with maybe it leading up to Beast wars But oh well
as far as this 4 issue series………..
Id love to buy the individual issues of this series to show my support but being overseas I dont know how I can sooooooooooooo
Amazon TPB is already up ! Pre-ordering two to show my support https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1684057329?tag=randohouseinc7986-20
hope it continues ! I want more Star Saber
Magnum Dongus
I’d like to see a series that officially finishes the story set up in the end of G2. (I never actually read G2, but I plan on getting to it eventually. I’m just soooo preoccupied with other transformers stuff I’m trying to catch up on. Oh yeah, college is important too.)
Grimlock528
Whoa. Nice catch!
Grimlock528
Fort Max is shown on one of the Roche covers and for that I give a great big He'll Yes!
artiepants
Thanks, I didn’t think so, but I’ve read enough of the UK stuff that my memories a little hazy between them.
G.B. Blackrock
No. Never in the US book.
samisham
It's already in full swing, but Hasbro's just choosing not to tap into it.