@’s by TRANSFORMERS AUTOCRACY’s
Jon Barber!!!
AMBUSH BUG (BUG): So AUTOCRACY seems to be the next big event for the TRANSFORMERS Universe. What's it all about?JON BARBER (JB): AUTOCRACY is set during the war on Cybertron—in the era before Orion Pax had even become Optimus Prime. There’s fighting between the Autobots and Decepticons, but the conflict hasn’t reached the intergalactic scale it eventually will. And amidst this, Orion Pax comes to question his loyalties and realize that there may be a bigger threat to his people than Megatron.
BUG: Which Transformers will be involved in this event?
JB: Oh, man—lots and lots. Orion leads a counter-terror strike team composed of Prowl, Ironhide, Bumblebee, and Hound—with plenty of assistance from some other familiar faces. On the Decepticon side, we’ve got Megatron, Soundwave, Starscream, Shockwave—but what’s exciting here is that everybody isn’t really familiar with each other yet, or with what roles other ’bots will play in the future. Or, indeed, what some ’bots may have done in the past.
BUG: Does this story fit in with the TV show continuity, the movie continuity, both, neither?
JB: It’s in continuity with the two ongoing comic book series, TRANSFORMERS: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE and TRANSFORMERS: ROBOTS IN DISGUISE which are both debuting this month in comic book stores and digital platforms.
BUG: What makes you most excited about this new storyline? JB: Well—the story itself is packed full of action, pathos, and character; it’s an important story in terms of the development of the characters—and one we haven’t seen before—and the art is astoundingly beautiful. But even given all that, I’d have to say the thing that’s most exciting is getting to work with this creative team.
Flint Dille is a legend in the world of the TRANSFORMERS brand, and Chris Metzen is a legend among gamers. And these two guys bring so much storytelling know-how and enthusiasm, you can’t help but get swept along. Then, we’ve got Livio Ramondelli doing the best work of his career—if you’ve seen his previous TRANSFORMERS work, prepare to be blown away by this new stuff. And then—as always—Hasbro has been a fantastic partner on telling this story in an exciting new format.
BUG: Did you play with Transformers as a kid?
JB: Oh, yeah. Prowl and Cliffjumper were my first, but by no means my last. Actually, I almost bought a new TRANSFORMERS toy over my lunch break…
BUG: What can you tell those who might be hesitant to check out this story if they aren't fans of Transformers?
JB: Even if you’ve never even heard of these characters, this is a fantastic, beautiful story. It’s a universal story—betrayals, lies, questioning oneself and one’s role in life—that doesn’t require any knowledge. Come in with an open mind, and I think you’ll be impressed.
BUG: So when will TRANSFORMERS AUTOCRACY be available at stores and for download?JB: AUTOCRACY will be available exclusively in digital formats. It’s going to be twelve 8-page stories, running every two weeks starting January 18. You can find it in IDW’s Apple iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch®, apps – TRANSFORMERS Comics and IDW Publishing, and on the Web at read.idwpublishing.com. The series is also featured in the Comics by comiXology platform for iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire, and Comics + by iVerse.
Ambush Bug is Mark L. Miller, original @$$Hole / wordslinger / reviewer / co-editor of AICN Comics for over nine years. Mark has just announced his new comic book miniseries GRIMM FAIRY TALES PRESENTS THE JUNGLE BOOK from Zenescope Entertainment. He is also a regular writer for FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and has just released FAMOUS MONSTERS first ever comic book miniseries LUNA (co-written by Martin Fisher with art by Tim Rees) You can order it here! Support a Bug by checking out his comics (click on the covers to purchase)!
(Just announced: NANNY & HANK is soon to be a major motion picture from Uptown 6 Productions!)
THE DEATHSPORT GAMES’ Facebook Page
FAMOUS MONSTERS PRESENTS LUNA: ORDER OF THE WEREWOLF’s Facebook Page
Proofs, co-edits & common sense provided by Sleazy G
