­­Titan Publications have sent out the following press release regarding the 25 years of Transformers

­25 years of Transformers comic!

Simon Furman, one of the best known Transformers comic writers, tells Totalscifionline.com why Transformers has remained so popular over the past 25 years

From the classic 80s versions of the characters to Beast Wars to the movie universe and beyond, Transformers is always keeping pace with each successive generation of kids, and many of those kids stay engrossed and excited by Transformers all the way into adulthood. Why? Because of the amount of detailed and loving background work and story content that goes into each reinvention, both from Hasbro and the creators involved in comics, animation and movies. There's a real three-dimensional nature to both the characters and the world(s) they inhabit. ­

Back when we doing the UK Transformers comic in the 80s, my approach was never to write down to kids or pull punches with the nature and reach of the stories we were telling. Our audience responded very positively to that, and it's another part of why, I think, those young fans kept reading, watching and enjoying Transformers as they grew up. I still try bring those 'adult' sensibilities to my Transformers work today, because the movies have brought another new generation of kids into the fold and my aim is to keep them reading!"

Source:
http://totalscifionline.com/news/3475-25-years-of-transformers-comic

Thanks to Simon Furman for submitting timely reminder that he will be in London this weekend at Forbidden Planet doing some signings. 

"Just a sneaky reminder that I'll be at London's Forbidden Planet Megastore this coming Saturday (25th April) between 1-2PM, ostensibly signing Torchwood graphic novels but in reality signing anything anyone wants signed (within reason). So, if you're in the area, pop down and get your copies of Maximum Dinobots (or whatever) signed. Be great to see/chat to one and all.

Cheers

Simon Furman"

Simon Furman posted a new blog entry yesterday regarding his 2009 signing / convention schedule.  Visit his blog for the full entry or read the quote below for a rough idea.

"The ‘when’ is Saturday, April 25th (from 1-2PM or thereabouts). For more details, check out FP’s signing schedule here, and don’t feel too limited by the Torchwood tag. If you can make it along, I’ll be happy to sign copies of Transformers, Terminator or whatever else you care to thrust under my nose (within limits!). After that, it’s to Bristol for Comics Expo on May 9th, then onwards to Derry in June and the San Diego Comicon in July. More details, right here, on all those (and probably more) nearer the time or as they get firmed up!"

Simon Furman has updated his blog with information on Maximum Binobots, a five part story on everyone's favoritie transforming dinosaurs.

Out this week, Wednesday December 10th in the US, 11th in the UK, is the first issue (of five) of Maximum Dinobots, the no-holds barred return of Grimlock, Sludge, Slag, Snarl and Swoop. Plus Scorponok, Sunstreaker, Hot Rod, Headmasters and more! And though issue #1 picks up on story strands laid in various Spotlights and Escalation/Devastation, this one kicks off from the ground level, bringing the five Dinobots—last seen together way back in Spotlight Shockwave—back together again in a raging battle-filled storyline that pulls no punches. Featuring Nick Roche’s amazing art and Josh Burcham’s scintillating colours, Maximum Dinobots is just a must-have. We confidently predict a roaring success! Click on the thumbnail below for a look at #1’s cover and check out the IDW website here for more news on upcoming Transformers comics releases.

Transformers guru Simon Furman has updated his blog with a new post regarding the out-tomorrow Maximum Dinobots issue one comic from IDW.� The post contains the cover art for the issue (which you can find on his blog), but you can read the text below.�

"Out this week, Wednesday December 10th in the US, 11th in the UK, is the first issue (of five) of Maximum Dinobots, the no-holds barred return of Grimlock, Sludge, Slag, Snarl and Swoop. Plus Scorponok, Sunstreaker, Hot Rod, Headmasters and more! And though issue #1 picks up on story strands laid in various Spotlights and Escalation/Devastation, this one kicks off from the ground level, bringing the five Dinobots—last seen together way back in Spotlight Shockwave—back together again in a raging battle-filled storyline that pulls no punches. Featuring Nick Roche’s amazing art and Josh Burcham’s scintillating colours, Maximum Dinobots is just a must-have. We confidently predict a roaring success! Click on the thumbnail below for a look at #1’s cover and check out the IDW website here for more news on upcoming Transformers comics releases."

Simon Furman has published his answers to the latest batch of 20 questions raised to him on the IDW boards. You can view the first 15 questions on the IDW forum and the last 5 on his message board, as well as below.

Simon Furman has updated his blog with an article regarding the latest issue of the UK exclusive Transformers comic from Titan Magazines.� The comic is officially released today though those who subscribe online may have already received their copies.� Here are some quotes.

"More Transformers goodness hits this week in the shape of Transformers (UK) comic/magazine #17, a packed, oversized issue featuring not but two new/UK-exclusive Transformers stories!" The first of these is set firmly in the new movie-verse, or at least the alternate one established by events in the epic ‘Twilight’s Last Gleaming.’ Get ready now for an all-new multi-part epic in the shape of ‘Return to Cybertron,’ a positively world-shattering tale that takes the Autobots back to their homeworld (not the nicest of places to be currently) and into one of their biggest and most fraught battles.� Featuring a whole host of new characters making their strip debut, at least this side of the Atlantic, ‘Return to Cybertron pt1’ is simply not to be missed. Story is by me, art by Jon Davis-Hunt

The second strip is a a bonus 5-page Transformers Animated story, featuring the Dinobots and is also written by Simon Furman.

Transformers Animated Free-to-air Petition Reminder

Just a quick reminder to urge you all to sign the petition we created over at PetitionOnline.com to show your support for GMTV To aquire the rights to broadcast Transformers Animated on their UK terrestrial channel ASAP.� GMTV are in slow negotiations over the rights with Entertainment Rights and fan support may help them pick up their feet and clinch the deal.

Simon Furman has updated his blog regarding issue 16 of the UK Transformers Comic by Titan Books.  The issue, which is out on the 11th September features the return of Transformers Movie Jazz!

pulse-pounding, knee-trembling, trouser-shattering (apologies to Nick Roche) TransformersSaga of the All Spark too, as that reprints/repackages the UK strips for the US market), which features an all-new UK originated strip — ‘Dark Spark,’ written by me and drawn by Jeremy Tiongson (colour by Jason Cardy). comic (though look out for IDW’s series

If you’ve been following the ‘Twilight’s Last Gleaming’/'Aftermath’ storyline you’ll know we’re knee-deep in the alternate Transformers movie universe by now, rolling out and onwards from a not-so-happy ending to 2007’s big screen opus. Well, in ‘Aftermath,’ a precious fragment of the All Spark was recovered by Skyblast and it’s now in the hands of Autobot medic Ratchet, who’s busy weighing up the pros and cons of some fairly drastic action regarding that very fragment. Sure, it might give them a much needed edge in the ongoing battle against Starscream’s Decepticons, but how high a price might they have to pay for victory? The All Spark was well and truly corrupted by Megatron’s malign influence, and any Autobot given a new lease of life, may not be an ally for long. Get ready for the return (maybe happy, maybe not) of… Jazz! Yep, ‘Autobot’ Jazz is back, and the repercussions for, well, just about everyone, will be huge! And there’s more!

More strip (Beast Wars: The Ascending, Megatron: Origin), more features, more competitions, more news and previews of the October debuting UK-exclusive Transformers Animated comic and a fantastic FREE Rotor Blaze Battle Launcher. Phew!

In his latest blog update Transformers writer Simon Furman talks about the Return to Cybertron story ark that will begin in issue 17 of the UK Transformers comic.

"Right, let’s talk Cybertron. In fact, let’s talk ‘Return to Cybertron,’ the next four-part mini-epic from the alt. movie universe saga running in the Transformers (UK) comic/magazine. As always, the following contains teasers (rather than out and out spoilers), but if you’d rather not know at all, look away now. Okay, it all kicks off in TF-UK #17, as the escalating crisis on Earth necessitates a desperate plan and—for Ironhide, Bumblebee, Arcee and Armorhide—a not so happy homecoming. But, first things first! The current (sad) state of planet Earth necessitates some expert know-how, which leads Optimus Prime to summon a team of specialists (headed by Evac, making his comic strip debut). In the wake of the destruction of the All Spark (in ‘Twilight’s Last Gleaming’), things are looking decidedly terminal for terra firma, and the President wants action. He gets it. ‘Subtle’ just ain’t in Evac’s crew’s toolkit. And what of Cybertron itself? What could possibly merit a virtual combat drop into a world currently as barren hostile as they come? One word: Nucleon! What’s waiting there for Ironhide and his team? All I can say is, someone hasn’t given up on Cybertron. In fact, they’ve gone to great lengths to see the planet rise like a phoenix from the ashes. But, of course, there’s a price… a really, really BIG price! You won’t believe where we’re going with this one! TF-UK #17 is out on the 9th of October. Hoo-hah! Art for part 1 of ‘Return to Cybertron’ is by Jon Davis-Hunt. Check out his amazing work by clicking on the image below.

Transformers comic writer Simon Furman has updated his blog with some details on the Transformers Spotlight on Doubledealer, which comes out in the United States tomorrow and in the United Kingdom on Thursday.

Spotlight Doubledealer is the third part of the four part Revelations Saga story arc.

At the same time Chris Mowry has posted a 5 page preview for Transformers: Reign of Starscream part 5 on the IDW Message Boards. This issue is the final one in the story arc, out is out next week.

Simon Furman has upated his blog with an entry regarding the latest IDW spotlight, Transformers Spotlight: Doubledealer. The story is the third part of the Revelation with Simon promising that things "kick into high gear" in this issue.

"the Dead Universe cast (Nemesis Prime, Cyclonus, Galvatron, Straxus, Grindcore and Jhiaxus) make their presence well and truly felt. As two universes begin to mesh, perhaps irrevocably, the Autobots struggle to understand exactly what has been set in motion (and how to stop it). They need answers, and what better place to get them than from “the font of all knowledge, known and unknown” (aka The Magnificence). Last seen in Spotlight: Hot Rod, this mysterious alien artefact has been carefully hidden away ever since, but now—with the end of everything looming—it may be the universe’s last best hope. It’s up to Hot Rod and Dealer to retrieve the Magnificence, but (unknown to Hot Rod) Dealer has only his own interests at heart. Dealer’s dalliances with Banzaitron’s Decepticon secret service earned him the sobriquet Doubledealer, and he’s about to make it his own by ensuring that the job he started in Spotlight: Hot Rod is comprehensively finished this time around. Deceptions, doublecrosses and deceit abound as events steam headlong towards their shocking conclusion. Plus, more on the Autobot ‘Pretenders,’ Optimus Prime vs Nemesis Prime (at last!) and a shocking reappearance by ... well, wait and see. Transformers Spotlight: Doubledealer hits stores this Wednesday (20th) in the US, Thursday (21st) in the UK. Interior art is by Dan Khanna, with covers by EJ Su and Nick Roche."

Click the link to Simon's blog for the full post as well as the cover art.

Simon Furman has updated his blog with information on Transformers UK Issue 15.

Out this week from Titan, in the UK only, is issue #15 of their utterly essential Transformers comic/magazine. The lead strip, written by me and drawn by TF newcomer Kieran McKeown (inked by Kris Justice), is the second part of the 2-part ‘Aftermath’ story, which picks up on our still reeling cast of Autobots and humans (and planet Earth too for that matter) from the epic ‘Twilight’s Last Gleaming’ arc. Set, as that story was, in the alternate post-movie universe unique to the Titan TF comic, ‘Aftermath’ shows the extent of the fallout from the Decepticon occupation of North America (and their attempt to rewrite the essential geological structure of the planet). Right now, though, the Autobots are an endangered species, Starscream (via his mind-controlled human puppets in high places) manipulating events to rid himself of Earth’s protectors.

Under attack from NATO mobile artillery, defending the sick and wounded in a field hospital, Optimus Prime’s forces have their backs well and truly up against the wall. And as bad as it seems right now, it’s going to get much, much worse. In just two issues’ time, the biggest TF-UK storyline of all kicks into high gear. If you thought ‘Twilight’s Last Gleaming’ was the pinnacle of excitement, think again. The countdown has begun to… ‘Return to Cybertron.’

Look for the Script (W)rap for the first part of that arc very soon. TF-UK #15 is in-store on Thursday August 14th.

Simon Furman has updated his blog with some information regarding the main story that will be published in Titan Magazines UK exclusive Transformers comic. The story, a stand-alone story, is called Dark Spark and is written to bridge the gap between the Aftermath story arc and the Twilight's Last Gleaming arc. Here are some quotes from the blog.

"It’s called ‘Dark Spark’ (I know, I know!) and it centers around the return of a character many might have thought gone for good .... [it will] define this second batch of 13 UK issues. It’s also more character led than other recent issues, which I do like to do from time to time .... If you’ve read issue #14 (’Aftermath pt1′), you’ll have some idea already where the ’spark’ of ‘Dark Spark’ comes from, but who gets it and what it does to them may surprise you. And it’s all connected to what’s happening (and trust me, it’s all bad) to Earth. The story sees the debut of one Decepticon and paves the way for that of four Autobots. And that’s all I’m gonna tell you, except that issue #16 hits UK stores on September 11th and the art is by Jeremy Tiongson".

You can view a preview image here.