Word from Hasbro regarding TF comics

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:27 am

From Lord Shockwave on the TFW2005 boards:

Okay, got some news for you guys that I think you will like.

This time, its from Hasbro themselves. I talked to Hasbro's Media Relations Manager, Gail Carvelli, on the phone today. I asked her what the status of the TF comics were. She said she would find out, then left me the following message on my cell phone mailbox:

"Just wanted to get back to you to let you know that Hasbro ended their relationship with Dreamwave comics in December 2004. With regards to the Transformers comic, we are currently meeting with other publishers and I wanted to let you know that the Transformers comic will be back soon. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. "

Oh, and before you naysayers who think I'm pulling this jive out of my ass, here's her contact information so you can officially confirm it yourselves:

Edited because we don't want her e-mail and phoneline being flooded - 2005 Staff

That sounds encouraging, right?

Post by **Computron** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:06 am

Starts chanting...

*Bring back James Raiz, bring back James Raiz, bring back James Raiz*

Post by **Best First** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:28 am

*Bring back basic comic book principles, Bring back basic comic book principles, Bring back basic comic book principles*

somewhere that actually uses editorsd would be good...

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:02 am

Computron wrote:*Bring back James Raiz, Bring back James Raiz, Bring back James Raiz*

Agreed. I loved his art!

Best First wrote:
somewhere that actually uses editorsd would be good...

Unintentional hilarity!

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 1:35 pm

Good news.

There's a chance that Energon may get concluded officially then.

The other titles... I'm not so sure.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:03 pm

Hmm... maybe Marvel/Image/DD will have the guts to turn TWW into an ongoing series...

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 2:35 pm

hopefully they will just go to marvel... FFS GO TO MARVEL!!!

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:55 am

From Joe Moore on the TFW2005 boards:

Cory from Decepticon-Matrix posted an update from Diamond Distributors.

Dreamwave Productions Ceases Operations
Lead Stories, Diamond Daily, Thursday, January 06, 2005

Due to mitigating financial factors, Dreamwave Productions has ceased operations effective immediately.

As a result, no further products will ship from the company. However, an announcement regarding a new publisher for Dreamwave's titles -- including the best-selling Transformers line -- is expected in the near future. Once the publisher is announced, all pending new product orders for Dreamwave titles will be made order adjustable, and will eventually ship from the new company.

In addition, previously published Dreamwave titles are still available for reorder. Refer to the end of this article for a linked listing of Dreamwave products that are currently in stock at Diamond.

“Any time a vendor closes its doors, it impacts every level of the industry -- especially retailers and fans,” said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes. “Fortunately, in Dreamwave's case, there are a number of companies actively pursuing their licensed and original titles, and we fully expect all Dreamwave series to continue once the dust has settled.”

Dreamwave and Diamond regret any inconvenience caused by this event. Retailers with additional questions regarding the effect of Dreamwave's closure on their orders should contact their Diamond Customer Service Representative.

Be sure to check Decepticon-Matrix to pick up any back issues of Dreamwave comics you may need.

FULLY EXPECT ALL DW SERIES TO CONTINUE???? YES!!!

Post by **Best First** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:45 am

Blimey.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:43 pm

NOOO! Not DW G1 V3 #12! The wedding of Prime and Elita!

well, I can live with it, as long as TWW becomes an ongoing...

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:54 pm

Well. Hmph. That was unexpected.

Chosen · Post by **Chosen** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:36 pm

Shanti418 wrote:From Joe Moore on the TFW2005 boards:

Cory from Decepticon-Matrix posted an update from Diamond Distributors.

.....

“Any time a vendor closes its doors, it impacts every level of the industry -- especially retailers and fans,” said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes. “Fortunately, in Dreamwave's case, there are a number of companies actively pursuing their licensed and original titles, and we fully expect all Dreamwave series to continue once the dust has settled.”
FULLY EXPECT ALL DW SERIES TO CONTINUE???? YES!!!

It's far too easy to read further in that quote than it should be. At this point, I seriously doubt that he knows any more about what precisely is happening to the various TF series than we do. And just because the non-TF series that Dreamwave did will all get picked up (and I doubt all of them will in the first place) doesn't mean War Within, G1 ongoing, BW, Energon and whatever else we had coming will all return as if nothing happened.

If any of the series end up returning, it will probably be Energon and G1.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:56 pm

Chosen wrote:It's far too easy to read further in that quote than it should be. At this point, I seriously doubt that he knows any more about what precisely is happening to the various TF series than we do.

"...and we fully expect all Dreamwave series to continue once the dust has settled."

I'd agree, but the intent is there regardless.

If any of the series end up returning, it will probably be Energon and G1.

That's a severe underestimating of the War Within saga, and the highly anticipated and what may be pending Beast Wars series. In my opinion of course.

Chosen · Post by **Chosen** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:12 pm

Señior's Covenant wrote:"...and we fully expect all Dreamwave series to continue once the dust has settled."

I'd agree, but the intent is there regardless.

What intent, precisely? The whole press release sounded more like superfluous confirmation of DW's death and words attempting to console fans, and little else.

If any of the series end up returning, it will probably be Energon and G1.
That's a severe underestimating of the War Within saga, and the highly anticipated and what may be pending Beast Wars series. In my opinion of course.

I thought that those two series had the best chance of returning because they were the most relevant to Hasbro's primary markets, fans who grew up on G1 and the current mainline series. I have no doubt that War Within has done well for Dreamwave, but how certain is it that the next company to take up the TF license would be interested in it?

As for Beast Wars, I'm not expecting any miracles, and I did have my worries about what Dreamwave had in mind for the series - if it does see the light of day, all the better.

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:23 pm

Chosen wrote:What intent, precisely?

The intent to imply there's a chance all series will continue. You are likely correct in that the p.r. is something to tide the bulk of DW fans over, thereby not superfluous in the definition of the word. That term would be better slapped to former Press Releases where Dreamwave was essentially patting itself on the back. Superfluous to an extreme damn near. For this? Me thinks a better label might be suggestio falsi complicated by attempt to avoid pitchforked-armed mob of fanboys.

Chosen · Post by **Chosen** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:31 pm

I see just what you mean about that - consider the "superfluous" remark stricken from the record.

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:03 pm

While I do think that the press release is a bit of Band Aid PR, it does come from Diamond, not Dreamwave, therefore giving it IMO a slight bit more credence.

Do you think Hasbro's line of thought on this is:
A. We need to get another comic out there pronto because we need to promote our product and our upcoming movie.
or
B. We don't need to alienate the fanbase that buys TF comics anymore than they already are, so we need to placate them or at the very least have the comics back up and running asap?

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:06 pm

(A) denotes greed. (B) is representive of concern. I'm thinking (A) under a mask of (B). While I do wish I could honestly believe it's a concern for the fanbase, how likely is that?

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:17 pm

Considering Hasbro's actions regarding the Sentinel Maximus fiasco, I'd like to believe that they do have the fanbase's interests at heart. I'd also very much like to believe that we'll see the rest of the Age of Wrath, if nothing else...

Señior's Covenant · Post by **Señior's Covenant** » Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:18 pm

Hmm, I forgot about that. Good call.

Lord Shockwave · Post by **Lord Shockwave** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:08 pm

Yeah, well, the news I received from Hasbro was encouraging.

I have also been in contact with other former DW bigname employees who are kind enough to give me some of the inside scoop.

KingMob · Post by **KingMob** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 3:11 pm

Hooray!

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:45 pm

Lord Shockwave wrote:Yeah, well, the news I received from Hasbro was encouraging.

I have also been in contact with other former DW bigname employees who are kind enough to give me some of the inside scoop.

Would you please then consider to give that inside information to TransFans?

gforce99 · Post by **gforce99** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 8:55 pm

You guys heard the new rumor that Hasbro is shopping the license to Devils Due and DC right?
Same rumor says no way Marvel will get it.

Predabot · Post by **Predabot** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 9:01 pm

Slightly ahead of you Gforce99, as you know by now.

On another note, Hasbro catered to the collectors a little bit more even, as the collector plates from OTFCC 2003 has begun shipping.

http://www.seibertron.com/news/view.php?id=4538

One might acctually think that Hasbro cares for it's customers, in all markets..unlike certain other toy-companies.