Armada, Energon and Furman

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 12:02 am

Can also be titled "Yet another of my pathetic attempts at getting some life into this forum."

Okay, while Furman's work on Armada/Energon clearly pummels the G1 competition DW has offered (WW is a mini-series, and written by Furman, so I'm leaving it out when I write this), how good has it been, really? While there has been great praise for Worlds Collide and the latest Energon stuff, are we merely happy to have decent stories, even though they fall below Furman's old Marvel work. Undoubtedly the end of the Marvel run stands as the standard against which all TF stories are measured, but what about the rest of his work? Granted, he's only worked on Armada/Energon for some 24 issues, but I think at least some comparison to his old UK stuff could be made because....well.... you read the opening sentence, right?

Post by **Computron** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 6:12 am

You do have a good point. Yes, Energon/Armada is the best current DW stuff, but how it fares in comparison to the old stuff is up for grabs.

That being said, I think Armada ranks up there with the best of the UK comics. The Mini-Con angle was extremely interesting and original, as was the take on Unicron as a multidimensional beast.

Plus it was nice to have a Starscream and Megatron that weren't idiots.

Energon is good, but is probably equivalent to average UK stories.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:55 am

I think now with Multiplicity, Furman is in his true form, introducing lots of characters with a few great lines. Heck, when Energon came out, I instantly hated most of the toys, but now I consider picking up Beachcomber just because the characterisation he got.

Post by **Best First** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:55 am

Computron wrote:
That being said, I think Armada ranks up there with the best of the UK comics. The Mini-Con angle was extremely interesting and original, as was the take on Unicron as a multidimensional beast.

i wouldn't go that far - T2006 and Legacy laugh in the face of the ARmada run.

Do we all agree its the best stuff coming out of DW at the moment?

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 12:06 pm

I think AoW is the best thing coming out of DW. Except for that pic of Pat Lee, of course. But to compare Furman's Armada/Energon run with his G1 stuff is misleading - sure it's about as good as one of his "epics", but what made G1 for me was the fact that sheer volume of stories meant that characters like Carnivac could become heroes (or villains) in their own right, over the course of a few issues, rather than in a couple of panels when we get a brief look at characters other than the principals. That alone puts the Marvel run ahead. Worlds Collide and Multiplicity have been damn fine TF stories, don't get me wrong, it's just that there isn't enough supporting material to make them truly stand out as greats. IMO.

Post by **Best First** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 12:10 pm

indeed, there is no inertia of character development in most cases and thus you are never going (or unlilkly) to get a 'death of Scorponok' moment. The potential exceptions being Jetfire and The Street Action Team.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 2:30 pm

Yep I think Energon is the best DW product at present. I think what helps it is that its now got nearly 30 issues of backstory and its not shackled by any other titles (it has its own continuity). This means I actually care about a lot of the characters.

However, Furman packed a lot more into a Marvel US G1 issue than a typical Energon issue. Some of his recent comics are a bit 'thin', but thats the same with most comics in general nowadays.

Best First wrote:The potential exceptions being Jetfire and The Street Action Team.

You mean... they die?

Post by **Best First** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 3:02 pm

no - i meaqn by being vaguely prominat through the two continuities they have a bit more about them...

..of course thay may still die.

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:40 pm

Metal Vendetta wrote:I think AoW is the best thing coming out of DW. Except for that pic of Pat Lee, of course. But to compare Furman's Armada/Energon run with his G1 stuff is misleading - sure it's about as good as one of his "epics", but what made G1 for me was the fact that sheer volume of stories meant that characters like Carnivac could become heroes (or villains) in their own right, over the course of a few issues, rather than in a couple of panels when we get a brief look at characters other than the principals. That alone puts the Marvel run ahead. Worlds Collide and Multiplicity have been damn fine TF stories, don't get me wrong, it's just that there isn't enough supporting material to make them truly stand out as greats. IMO.

Well, I personally think that once Furman has been on Armada/Energon/Cybertron/Whatever long enough, he should be able to give us that kind of character development. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if we wouldn't have already seen greater development if Hasbro wasn't continually meddling with things. If Furman just had two-three years or so to just write, with no reboots or interruptions, we probably would be seeing stuff that would surpass War Within. Already in Energon we finally have a Megatron that is consistently entertaining, and really tends to steal scenes. Plus, he actually kills prisoners! ( I love that smile in issue 18 ) Not to mention the Mini-Con work in Armada....just thinking about all the potential storylines that were wasted by the Energon reboot makes me want to harm someone.

So, in short - Energon is really the most consistently entertaining book for TF fans, since we have gaps in between WW series. If we had a WW ongoing, then that title would take the cake, but we don't.

Gah.... amazing that the two ancilliary (read: write off) books are the ones that produce the best material. Yay Furman!

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Dec 02, 2004 10:31 pm

Jetfire is a great character. I'm glad he makes it into Cybertron. There will be Minicons in Cybertron too, and they absolutely have to call Vector Prime's Minicon Over-Run or there'll be trouble. It's just irritating that Furman is going to have to write in another reason why they all change bodies again...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:04 am

That's easy. Shockblast did it.

Oh, wait...

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:16 am

Kinda sweet how Furman's going to be writing Vector Prime who's loosely based on the Last Autobot, a character he created. Like he's come full circle...

bobaprime85 · Post by **bobaprime85** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 1:27 am

Metal Vendetta wrote:Kinda sweet how Furman's going to be writing Vector Prime who's loosely based on the Last Autobot, a character he created. Like he's come full circle...

It may come full circle, but it never ends!

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Sun Dec 05, 2004 5:15 am

Metal Vendetta wrote:Kinda sweet how Furman's going to be writing Vector Prime who's loosely based on the Last Autobot, a character he created. Like he's come full circle...

This is not your Fathers Autobot?

A toy I would want

Osku · Post by **Osku** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:20 pm

Seems like a good place to ask.

Background:I enjoyed most of Armada (though Worlds Collide was a big disappointment after all that hyping). Was a little disappointed with the first Energon arc, they should have kept focus on minicons but I blame Hasbro/Takara for that

.

I usually buy my comics in bigger lots, as I have to import them, to save on postage, so I'm way behind regarding the storyline. So, my question; is there a reason to get the rest Energon issues (#24- ? )? I'd like to read more, but also want to know how badly the story is left hanging.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:13 pm

Energon really picks up after the rather average opening arc. I'd say pick up from 24 onwards, though the action really starts hotting up by issue 26.

By issue 30 you'll be hooked, but yes, that is the last issue and you'll be left utterly hanging.

Curses!

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 4:36 pm

Curses indeed!

Let's just hope whatever company gets the license does the sensible, human thing and finishes it. Un-shorted, I want no cuts in that beutiful script.

Chosen · Post by **Chosen** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:12 am

Metal Vendetta wrote:...they absolutely have to call Vector Prime's Minicon Over-Run or there'll be trouble.

I'd better brace myself before I let you know, but... as obvious a choice that would be, he's gonna be called Safeguard.

As a very irregular comic reader, I didn't expect any sort of masterpiece from TF comics. I'm still quite ignorant of the Marvel run (I've got them all on disc, I just never seem to find the time), but after I kept getting bored and disappointed with DW's G1 ongoing, I would flip through an issue or two of Energon.

While it's too late to worry about now, I definitely made the wrong choice in ongoing series.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:55 am

Chosen wrote: I'd better brace myself before I let you know, but... as obvious a choice that would be, he's gonna be called Safeguard.

Grrr!

We'll just see about that! Online petition, here we come! (But on the other hand I haven't heard anything official..link please!

)

after I kept getting bored and disappointed with DW's G1 ongoing, I would flip through an issue or two of Energon.

While it's too late to worry about now, I definitely made the wrong choice in ongoing series.

Yes, foo!

And you'll be ridiculed and pointed fingers on for it here on TransFans for the rest of your days! BWAAHAHAHA!

Chosen · Post by **Chosen** » Wed Feb 02, 2005 6:42 pm

Predabot wrote:(But on the other hand I haven't heard anything official..link please! )

Cybertron pre-orders and listings of wave one at BBTS. Other stores might have the same information as well.

Damn Mudflap - it's Duststorm!

Predabot wrote: Yes, foo! And you'll be ridiculed and pointed fingers on for it here on TransFans for the rest of your days! BWAAHAHAHA!

Crap.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:19 am

Thanks for the link, or maybe not. Since I'm sad now too.

Anybody wanna start a petition to get him re-named before the launch of Cybertron to Over-Run? Who's with me? Who's got the know-how and dedication to help me send this around the entire internet-fandom?

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 10:46 pm

Predabot wrote:Thanks for the link, or maybe not. Since I'm sad now too. Anybody wanna start a petition to get him re-named before the launch of Cybertron to Over-Run? Who's with me? Who's got the know-how and dedication to help me send this around the entire internet-fandom?

You can call him Teddy Bear and that doesnt change anything at all. The problem when you start changing names to fit other stories (From Japan to Us) is that in the translation things end very wrong.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 7:45 am

Yes, yes. But we're talking Western-Toy-Simon-Furman-comic-wise here.
I don't give a slag what he's called in the show, it's the comic that matters. But for the comic-name to be allowed the toy has to be called Over-Run too, I believe.

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Fri Feb 04, 2005 9:20 pm

Predabot wrote:Yes, yes. But we're talking Western-Toy-Simon-Furman-comic-wise here.
I don't give a slag what he's called in the show, it's the comic that matters. But for the comic-name to be allowed the toy has to be called Over-Run too, I believe.

Yup, but if they change the toy name, dont you think they would do the same with his animated counterpart?

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Sat Feb 05, 2005 7:18 pm

Automatically, yes. Therefore a campaign for Over-Run is in it's order don't you think?

Chosen · Post by **Chosen** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:07 am

It's far too late to change anything (unless Safeguard reveals himself as some sort of rebuilt Over-Run or something in the comics - and that assumes any Cybertron comic continues on from Energon!). Hasbro ships these babies out in May, and to get them out by then manufacturing has to have begun already.

There's also trademarking, printing boxes, etc. Safeguard he will stay, unless the comic says otherwise.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:18 am

They can say otherwise... I mean, the MInicons are still beeping poketrons in the cartoon, so I doubt 'Safeguard' will have any role at all in there.

Besides, only time they showed him is when Vector Prime transforms...

Post by **Best First** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:32 am

Safeguard wouldn't be a bad name change for Overrun - he has already set himself up as a guardian of sorts.

The Last Autobot · Post by **The Last Autobot** » Tue Feb 08, 2005 4:33 pm

BB Shockwave wrote:They can say otherwise... I mean, the MInicons are still beeping poketrons in the cartoon, so I doubt 'Safeguard' will have any role at all in there.

Besides, only time they showed him is when Vector Prime transforms...

Well in the original jap version the microns talk.