Focus On Decepticons Review (SPOILER)

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:38 pm

Manchester Devil wrote:
Apparantly, Furman had let slip something called "Maximum..." while responding in his Spotlight: Cyclonus/Revelations part 1 script wrap.

Maximum Cyclonage?

Manchester Devil · Post by **Manchester Devil** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:09 am

Maximum Mayhem?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:23 am

Maximum Headroom?

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:35 pm

Maximum persons?

Impactor returns 2.0 · Post by **Impactor returns 2.0** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:12 pm

Fortress Maximum Maximuss

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:35 pm

Maximus Jhiaxus Straxus Braxus Sex Us.

It's the world's first TF porn.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:01 pm

Just....no.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:52 pm

Also, not technically correct.

World's first in-continuity TF porn, perhaps.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:55 am

Head on over to the IDW website for an in-depth Q&A session with Ryall and McCarthy.

Me thinks there's going to be quite a number of disgruntled voices on this board.

Me? I'm all game.

But suprised to find that Simon isn't employed by IDW but rather freelances for them. Looks like neither Simon nor Shane is steering this ship, but Ryall.

Drastic changes ahead. Hoping for the better.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:37 pm

Yaya wrote: But suprised to find that Simon isn't employed by IDW but rather freelances for them. Looks like neither Simon nor Shane is steering this ship, but Ryall.

I'd say it's more like they're working shifts at the helm, with Ryall as their captain.

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:49 pm

Similarly, being able to get work--PAYING work--for as many of the people that got left hanging by DW also made me feel good. It's not often you get a chance to make up for other peoples' wrongs, but in this case, we had that chance. I liken it to when you sit in class being taught by some moron, and you think "if I'm ever a teacher, I swear I won't be like this buffoon, I'll treat people properly and do things right."

Chris gets the April Pat Lee bashing award.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:30 am

I respect the fact that he's been blunt and open and not suger-coated it. But I don't think the comic needed invigorating either. Yet with Furman on space epics and this McCarthy on this 12 part series, maybe we're getting the best of both worlds. It's just the abrupt 4-part wrap up that grates on me - surely there were other options.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:49 am

It very much feels like we're back in the late 80s again, when we got half a year of Bob's stuff, with Simon's epics taking the front seat for the other half.

Post by **Best First** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:11 am

i found most of the topic very assuring.

The only things that mildly irk me are the suggestion that people were claiming "sky was falling" when , probably on or two post asides people said the previews they saw raised more questions about the direction of the franchise then they were comfortable with - no one was particularly rude/apocalyptic in their responses and compared to the outrage you get on other boads and with regard to similar properties so to chracterise it as such seems far too sensetive.

Equally this whole - forget DW, you must learn to trust us shtick - fine mate, don't publish DWesque toss like Megatron: Origins then.

Post by **spiderfrommars** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:30 pm

Best First wrote:don't publish DWesque toss like Megatron: Origins then.

Good to see the admittance of lack of editorial control on that one. Though we could have guessed that.

Sunyavadin · Post by **Sunyavadin** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:33 pm

Oh, how I laughed...

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:53 pm

Defiinitely feel reassured following the interview, but agree with comments about the book not really needing invigorating. Surely the spotlights and spin off series should be able to handle this without detracting from the main series?

sprunkner · Post by **sprunkner** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:18 pm

Uh, I think Chris's comments about invigorating it are adept. He doesn't say there's something wrong with what they've got, they're just trying to gain more readers for what's already an entertaining franchise.

BB Shockwave · Post by **BB Shockwave** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:49 pm

Posts like Ryall's sometimes made me consider registering (again) at the IDW board...

But then again Transfans and TFW2005 are enough for one day (and I still have to work sometimes during the day...

)

Thing is, I just wish Ryall would understand that TF is quite unique amongs comics. It's not like X-men or Superman, where if some new writer comes in and say, writes a totally out of character story for Batman in Detective comics, you have to re-write the whole character. In this DC case, you'd still have the othet titles like - Batman, Gotham Knights, Robin, Nightwing, etc... for your monthly Batsy fill... And that 'big change' episode will most likely written around until it's erased from memory and continuity.

In Transformers, we currently have only one (pseudo-G1) existing continuity... finally... that has been more cohesive and concurrent then anything else done before (in Marvel Simon had to explain Bob's fumblings, in DW he had to incorporate elements of Mad Brick's cartoon universe...) And if someone messes that up, I cannot say 'oh well I'll just go and read the spotlights then' because now that messed-up part is greatly influencing future storylines (I imagine a 12 parter will do that to the main story, especially if as Chris hinted it won't just take place on Earth).

And it's not surprising Simon often expressed in interviews that the biggest enjoyment at IDW is that he can start fresh, not stepping in to clean up the mess of another writer (like in Marvel or DW's Armada).

So I don't see why Ryall cannot see this. Sales are good, people were (at least ones I know) excited about the current storylines, especially the dead universe... If Ryall wanted to shake things up, he could have given Shane a whole new seriers... the same way the Devil's Due TF/Joe crossovers don't take place in any continuity. They could have made AHM in the Evolutions branch. I think the cartoon/Pat Lee lovers would have been happy with that bone too.

Although, Ryall deserves praise for their Dreamwedgies project...

Oh and Btw, Besty, is Halfshell on IDW boards = you?

Post by **Best First** » Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:07 pm

Uh, know, Best First at the IDW boards is me. It's this whole system i have.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:32 am

BB Shockwave wrote:So I don't see why Ryall cannot see this. Sales are good, people were (at least ones I know) excited about the current storylines, especially the dead universe...

I think those are all assumptions. Probably incorrect ones.

I think Ryall made this drastic move because he had to.

You'd be surprised how many TF fans there are out there who are tired of Furman, or never liked him in the first place.

If you look at sales of the TF comic, they have remained steady, but dropped quite a bit from when they first started.

This is Chris' attempt at infusing more life, so to speak, into the franchise.

And I'm fully behind him for trying it. Sure, it could be disaster i.e. M:O. But though Simon's stuff to date has been good, I've grown bored of just "good". I want great, as in Shockwave/Kup Spotlight great (which to me really are the only two issues to deserve that status in all the ones we've had so far).

Post by **Best First** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:00 pm

Yaya wrote: You'd be surprised how many TF fans there are out there who are tired of Furman, or never liked him in the first place.

actually what mainly suprises me is your continued insistence that you have some kind of greater insight than everyone else despite this rarely proving to be the case.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:33 pm

Best First wrote:
Yaya wrote: You'd be surprised how many TF fans there are out there who are tired of Furman, or never liked him in the first place.
actually what mainly suprises me is your continued insistence that you have some kind of greater insight than everyone else despite this rarely proving to be the case.

You know, you're the only person I have ever met on any message board or in real life that insists that I qualify every statement I have with a "IMO" or some sort of anecdotal evidence for everything that I say.

I mean, what is this, math class? "Show your work" ?

Actually, I base my statements on postings at message boards other than TFArchive and TransFans.net, both UK TF websites where you rarely read anything negative about Simon.

TW2005 favored more of what DW did with alot of Mick fans, the Allspark are a bunch of Beast Wars and toy fanatics. I think Seibertron probably strikes the most balance and has all kind of fans.

When Megatron:Origin outsells Devestation, you tell me if there aren't fans who prefer others over Simon?

This doesn't mean those fans are right, or that they have any semblence of good taste. But numbers don't lie. And Ryall isn't either when he says it's time to shake things up.

Tell you what. Anytime I read a fan diss Simon, I'll PM you the link? How bout that? Will that work for you?

To believe that there aren't fans that don't like Simon's writing is naive. Seriously.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:22 pm

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:
Yaya wrote: You'd be surprised how many TF fans there are out there who are tired of Furman, or never liked him in the first place.
actually what mainly suprises me is your continued insistence that you have some kind of greater insight than everyone else despite this rarely proving to be the case.
You know, you're the only person I have ever met on any message board or in real life that insists that I qualify every statement I have with a "IMO" or some sort of anecdotal evidence for everything that I say.

I mean, what is this, math class? "Show your work" ?

Actually, I base my statements on postings at message boards other than TFArchive and TransFans.net, both UK TF websites where you rarely read anything negative about Simon.

TW2005 favored more of what DW did with alot of Mick fans, the Allspark are a bunch of Beast Wars and toy fanatics. I think Seibertron probably strikes the most balance and has all kind of fans.

When Megatron:Origin outsells Devestation, you tell me if there aren't fans who prefer others over Simon?

This doesn't mean those fans are right, or that they have any semblence of good taste. But numbers don't lie. And Ryall isn't either when he says it's time to shake things up.

Tell you what. Anytime I read a fan diss Simon, I'll PM you the link? How bout that? Will that work for you?

To believe that there aren't fans that don't like Simon's writing is naive. Seriously.

That's "Mr Furman" to you Yaya

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:12 pm

Yaya wrote: You know, you're the only person I have ever met on any message board or in real life that insists that I qualify every statement I have with a "IMO" or some sort of anecdotal evidence for everything that I say.

First, I agree that it's possible to have people on TFW2005 who like DW over IDW. It's a US based website, and after all, we DID elect GW Bush twice.

It's even possible for people to dislike Furman, although again, those people are clinically insane because Furman should be able to eek out the rest of his writing existence on Transformers living off of his Marvel TF cred.

But, and I don't want to start a flame war here, nor bring in other crap from other threads, but I think what pisses off people in your posts is the way in which you say things in addition to what you say, Yaya. You certainly want to appear all knowing, condescending, and above the rest of us. And in context of the way you view women and marriage, I just want to point out that we are not your wives, and you do not have some sort of gold standard of an opinion, no matter how you slyly try to back up your opinions with general agreement. I'm not saying this is a deliberate decision, just that your role of being the shining star, main player, and person whose opinion counts most in your personal life does not necessarily translate over to the Internet, although your tone of discussion has.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:30 pm

Shanti418 wrote: And in context of the way you view women and marriage, I just want to point out that we are not your wives, and you do not have some sort of gold standard of an opinion, no matter how you slyly try to back up your opinions with general agreement.

You know, that's a very personal attack that is completely uncalled for and of very poor character. It's called hitting below the belt.

I opened up my personal life and feelings because everyone else does, thinking that such a move would at least be respected, as everyone's elses troubles and problems see to be. I'm going through some marital issues here, and to attack me where it hurts most, well, certainly says something about you.

If you don't like my opinions, that's fine. You can even call me a pompous ass, if you like.

But bringing in my marital life as a means of attack is just dirty.

Won't make a mistake again of getting personal here.

Post by **Best First** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:31 pm

Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote:
Yaya wrote: You'd be surprised how many TF fans there are out there who are tired of Furman, or never liked him in the first place.
actually what mainly suprises me is your continued insistence that you have some kind of greater insight than everyone else despite this rarely proving to be the case.
You know, you're the only person I have ever met on any message board or in real life that insists that I qualify every statement I have with a "IMO" or some sort of anecdotal evidence for everything that I say.

i love the way, despite the knowing tone you attempt to adopt, you always miss the points of such criticisms. My issue is not with euggestion thagt some people dont like SF, its with with statements like "you would be suprised" - why? What do you know that he doesn't? Do you have access to some secret part of the internet? Do a large section of transfans only confide in you? Are you psychic? Unless any of that is true every time you make comments like that all you do is come across as a patronising dick and undermine any valid points you do make

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:44 pm

Best First wrote:
Yaya wrote:
Best First wrote: actually what mainly suprises me is your continued insistence that you have some kind of greater insight than everyone else despite this rarely proving to be the case.
You know, you're the only person I have ever met on any message board or in real life that insists that I qualify every statement I have with a "IMO" or some sort of anecdotal evidence for everything that I say.
i love the way, despite the knowing tone you attempt to adopt, you always miss the points of such criticisms. My issue is not with euggestion thagt some people dont like SF, its with with statements like "you would be suprised" - why? What do you know that he doesn't? Do you have access to some secret part of the internet? Do a large section of transfans only confide in you? Are you psychic? Unless any of that is true every time you make comments like that all you do is come across as a patronising dick and undermine any valid points you do make

See Shanti? He called me a patronising dick.

Couldn't you have done the same?

Shanti418 · Post by **Shanti418** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:35 pm

Yaya wrote:

You know, that's a very personal attack that is completely uncalled for and of very poor character. It's called hitting below the belt.

It was a bit personal, but also a bit justified, but yes, if I had it do to over again, perhaps I would not have worded things such a way.

I opened up my personal life and feelings because everyone else does, thinking that such a move would at least be respected, as everyone's elses troubles and problems see to be.

I'm glad you told us about your personal life. But that also opens yourself to respectful criticsm.

I'm going through some marital issues here, and to attack me where it hurts most, well, certainly says something about you.

In the previous thread, you said nothing about any marital issues, only that you thought marriages were better served with two like minded individuals. If I'm somehow supposed to infer from the fact that we're discussing the ideals of marriage that you are stressed, vulnerable, and hurting, then I apologize for the lack of inferral, but I harshly disagree with your portrait of my character.

If you don't like my opinions, that's fine. You can even call me a pompous ass, if you like.

Apparently you like the name calling as opposed to logical challenge to things you believe to be truth or fiction. No surprise here.

But bringing in my marital life as a means of attack is just dirty.

Not your marital life so much as your general views towards the place of half of the human population ie women.

See Shanti? He called me a patronising dick.

He did. Just not my style. When your friends are pissed off at you, some may call you names and hit you in the face. Others may want to grab a pint and talk things out.

Yaya · Post by **Yaya** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:37 pm

Shanti418 wrote: Not your marital life so much as your general views towards the place of half of the human population ie women.

So now I'm sexist too? How do you know how I treat women? When did I ever say how I thought less of women? I tell you what I prefer for a soulmate, and now I'm sexist?

Seriously, man. You crossed the line. Instead of an apology, you dish out more crap?