Simon Furman has updated his blog with an entry dedicated to issue two of the IDW Transformers comic book series Tales of the Fallen.  Issue two focuses on Sideswipe and the back story which bought him to Earth on a quest for vengeance with utter disregard for the organic life he finds teeming on the planet.   Such is the level of his disregard that he actually becomes the target that the other Autobots must confront.  Tales of the Fallen #2 hits stores this week, September 9th in the US, 10th in the UK. Art is by Carlos Magno, who Simon describes as "a new talent and definitely one to watch!"

Head over to Simon's blog to read more details abotu the issue as well as taking a peek at the cover art.

If you are a fan of Transformers Animated and can get to Burbank California on Saturday the 22nd August then you'll be very pleased to hear that a Allspark Almanac signing will be taking place between 2 and 3pm at the Emeral Knights, 4116 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505.  You can ring then on (818) 588-3631.  The authors of the book Jim Sorenson and Bill Foster will be on hand along with Derrick Wyatt himself.

You can check out the official flyer here.

Transformers legendary writer Simon Furman has updated his blog with an entry on IDWs next Transformers movie universe mini-series, Transformers: Nefarious.  You can read a copy of the entry below, but visit Simon's blog to view he cover and to leave him and comments and feedback

"the news is out, my next series for IDW will be Transformers: Nefarious, a six-issue movie continuity mini-series that picks up from the end of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and introduces an all-new adversary for the Transformers (Autobot and Decepticon) in the shape of a mysterious, far-reaching and very powerful group of humans with access to enhanced Transformer-tech and maybe even the odd actual Transformer! Seeds for the new series will be sown in the final Tales of the Fallen issue, Ravage, and he (along with Soundwave) play key roles in the unfolding drama. Expect lots more character depth and exploration for both. Actually, make that all characters. We’re going to be highlighting some Autobots and Decepticons that did and didn’t make it into the second movie and many, just maybe, throwing in the odd new character too! Plus, we’ll be exploring the post-movie NEST/Autobot human alliance in more detail too! For more info check out the IGN interview I did recently (see link in update below). Transformers: Nefarious kicks in shortly after Tales of the Fallen #6: Ravage. Don’t miss either!"

At the SDCC it was announced that IDW will be releasing a follow-up story ot Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen entitled Transformers: Nefarious. Well ComicsContinuum.com have a little snippet of information which they have published regarding the series.

Transformers: Nefarious will be a six-issue mini-series, written by Simon Furman, with art by Carlos Magno. It is scheduled to launch early next year.  The story will follow a shadowy organization with devious designs on the Transformers. "The latest Transformers movie added several very cool elements to the tapestry -- Soundwave and Ravage being my favorites -- and we¹re keen to explore them," said Andy Schmidt, IDW's Transformers editor. "Our story tracks a new organization with 'nefarious' designs on the robots in disguise. Their technology gives them a tactical advantage not yet seen in the films." Brian Rood will provide variant covers for the mini-series.

Simon Furman has posted a new update to his blog regarding the release of issue 13 of IDW's Transformers All Hail Megatron series.

"The Earth-shaking, 12-issue All Hail Megatron maxi-series spills over into a thirteenth issue this week, which was certainly lucky for me, as I got to tell a decidedly different Transformers tale in which Ironhide and Optimus Prime regroup/reassess in the light of the tumultuous events of Megatron’s all-conquering spree. I also lucked out in the shape of fan-favourite artist Don Figueroa, who returned to the fold to draw this special 11-page story (each of these ‘Coda’ issue features two stories per issue). Can’t tell you too much about the story itself, but rest assured that as well as providing something of a retrospective on the intertwined life and times of Prime and Ironhide it sets the scene for more momentous twists and turns to come. All Hail Megatron #13 hits stores this week, July 22nd in the US (nicely in time for my appearance at the San Diego Comicon) and July 23rd in the UK." blogs Simon as well as posting an image of the cover

Simon Furman updated his blog yesterday with a post regarding his appearance / signings at this years San Diego Comic Con which takes place later this month.

"Next stop on the 09 signing/convention trail is the annual San Diego comicon. I’ll be attending this year, Friday through Sunday (July 24th to 26th), and apart from hanging around the Hyatt bar I’ll be popping up here and there for official events/signings throughout the weekend. So far, what’s been locked in are two DK (Dorling Kindersley) signing events, one on the Saturday (4-5PM at the DK booth) and one on the Sunday (2-3PM, also at the DK booth), where I’ll be signing copies of Transformers: The Movie Universe, plus, of course, Transformers: The Ultimate Guide and You Can Draw Transformers (and other stuff too!). Soon as I have details of other locked-in events/signings, I’ll update this post accordingly. Look forward to seeing you there!"  writes Simon on his blog.

Titan Magazines have sent through­ two wallpapers from issue 1 of the new UK Transformers comic, Transformers 2,1.  The wallpapers are by the main article John Davis Hunt.

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Titan Magazines have sent through an interview with John Davis Hunt the main artist on the UK Transformers 2.1.­­

1.When did you start drawing comics?
I’ve always drawn comics in my spare since I was a little boy. I can remember my Mum buying me the very first issue of TRANSFORMERS, back in the early 80’s, when I must have been about 5 or 6 and I would spend hours copying the art from that!

3.How did you get into drawing comics for a job?
I was working as a concept artist and designer in the computer games industry, but I had always really wanted to get into comics. One day I just decided that it was now or never and so I spent a summer preparing a portfolio that got me my first work for a comic here in the UK.

5.What comic artists do you most admire and why?
My favourite comic artist is a Japanese artist called Katsuhiro Otomo who drew the original Akira manga in the 80’s. His work is just stunning, particularly a book he did before Akira called Domu. My favourite contemporary artists are Frank Quietly, Travis Charest and John Cassaday. Frank Quietly in particular is amazing. His sense of form and composition are exemplary.

6.Who do you think you’ve been most influenced by?
Probably the artists I’ve just mentioned above, but as an avid comic fan, I’m constantly coming across new (or old) artists who influence my work. In the early days, Geoff Senior (who used to draw Transformers TRANSFORMERS in the 80’s) was my favourite artist and he had a massive influence on making me want to get into comics.

7.Is there a TRANSFORMERS character that you particularly like drawing and why?
Well, apart from  OptimusOPTIMUS, who is always great to draw because he’s so iconic, I do really enjoy drawing the Twins, Skids and Mudflap, just because Simon has written them so well and they get up to so much cool stuff. But aside from that, I do love how cool and iconic G1 Megatron MEGATRON looks! I’ve always loved his massive arm cannon – it just looks so cool!

8.What have you worked on before TRANSFORMERS Comic?
I’m a relative newcomer to comics, but prior to  TransformersTRANSFORMERS, I’d worked on several stories for 2000AD. Prior to that, I worked in the computer games industry and was the Senior Designer on the racing game GRID.

9.Apart from working on TRANSFORMERS Comic, obviously, what would be your dream comic job?
That’s a tough one! Probably to have a go at drawing Spiderman or Batman as along with Transformers TRANSFORMERS, they are the two comics that I used to read the most when I was young.

10.What was your first encounter with TRANSFORMERS?
I can remember being about 5 years old and seeing the toys for the very first time on Blue Peter. They had only just come over from Japan at that point, and you couldn’t get them in the shops yet. At the time, everyone was into He-Man or Action Man ACTION MAN, so TRANSFORMERS Transformers were this whole new thing and they looked totally awesome! Then I got the first issue of the TRANSFORMERS Transformers comic and from then on I was hooked!

11.If you were a TRANSFORMER, what would you be and why?
When I was young, my favourite TRANSFORMERS character Transformer was the original  JazzJAZZ. I thought he had the coolest car mode (a GT Racing Porsche) so I’d probably have to say him.

12.What are you most looking forward to in the new movie?
Without question – DEVESTATOR!!!!!!!!!

13.What do you think the next 25 years have in store for TRANSFORMERS?
Hopefully a continuation of the Movie series, which is would be totally awesome! I think as well that once the cost of CGI effects comes down in price, we fans will could one day get a weekly live action Transformers TRANSFORMERS TV series, which will would be amazing! I’ve just had a little boy too, so I’m looking forward to introducing him to the wonderful world of TRANSFORMERS

­­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!"

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."