Original article by: John Geddes, USA Today
Andy Schmidt is the editor and author of IDW Publications' soon-to-be-released Transformers: Continuum, a 32-page book that provides an overview of all the key players and important events in the Transformers universe. In addition to Continuum, IDW will launch a monthly series — the first new Transformers comic book series in five years. Schmidt discussed the state of the Transformers universe and shared sneak peeks at art from the new IDW projects with USA TODAY.
Q: How would you best describe Transformers: Continuum?
A. Continuum is almost like a history book for Transformers. It's written very much as a third-person account of this universe. The book contains actual art from some of the past comic series, so readers get a true visual overview of this history, as well.
Q. Is Continuum a good entry point for fans of the movies who might not be familiar with any of the Transformers comic books that are out there?
A. Yeah, I think that's really the purpose of this book. The book fills in the components for those who know the movies but might not be familiar with the comic books. They'll be able to recognize the iconic characters and follow the basic story of Autobots vs. Decepticons. Reading this, you'll get some interesting back-story.
Q. Can you briefly outline what Continuum will cover?
A. It comes from a timeline perspective, from a time before the Autobots-Decepticon war on (home planet) Cybertron, to the time that they came to Earth, to the time that Decepticons took over Earth. It's written in a way that really follows a story arc, though. We tried to put everything in context so it all lines up for readers. It also allows us to give a proper introduction to the uninitiated.
Q. What would you say fans of the two Transformers movies are missing if they choose not to read the comic books?
A. They're missing out on versions of these characters that have more personality — a much richer, deeper portrait of these robots as actual characters. I think in comparison to the movies, we're able to develop more of a theme in the comic books. They're still very much Transformers stories, it's just that you have more time to get to know the characters than you might get in a two-hour action movie. I think readers will be surprised at the depth of these characters.
Q. You're a fan of the content; when did you first discover Transformers?
A. I had a birthday party when I was a kid, and a friend gave me Bluestreak (an Autobot Transformer action figure that changed from a robot into a race car). That became my favorite toy, which then led me to the cartoon, which then led me to the comic books. From there, I got to know the characters. I mean, I really grew to like Optimus Prime. I feared Megatron. I became interested in the lesser-known characters, too. I really took an interest in their stories. It just kind of stuck with me.
Q. At its core, it seems that Transformers has always essentially been about good vs. evil. Is that a fair assessment? What are some other major themes that readers will discover?
A. I think most stories in this genre have, at their heart, that sense of good battling evil. But with Transformers… well, first of all, it's just a cool premise — robots in disguise, all around you — around every corner there are these robots disguised as cars or trucks or planes. That's cool. But there's no story if you just have that as a premise. Now, add good robots vs. bad robots and you have the start of a story. Add the characters, main ones and secondary ones, then it becomes a much deeper story. I hate to keep harping on it, but it's really the characters, the human qualities within these robotic shells, that make the story endure.
Q. Now, speaking more to the hardcore Transformers fans out there, are there features in Continuum and the new series that are aimed at the diehards?
A. Yeah, definitely. There are lines of dialogue that hearken back to older Transformers appearances, like the animated movie, for example. We definitely plant some Easter eggs there for the hardcore fans. I mean, we don't want to make these new series so uncomplicated that they hold no interest from the diehard fans. In speaking directly to the diehards, this whole thing probably leads to a much larger question among them, which is why create a new series now? At the end of the last series (All Hail Megatron), the Decepticons had apparently won the war in a very definitive way. I didn't want to erase that. I wanted to continue from there and move forward with a new theme. That theme is change. You learn more about these characters when you put them in new situations.
Q. There's this incredible mythology that's developed as a back-story for these characters, similar to the universes that evolve from sci-fi shows and movies. Do you ever marvel at the scope and complexity of it all?
A. I think it's natural for fans to want to know more or to create more about the characters in these types of stories. They crave more depth and more back-story. It's natural that these universes expand in that way.
Q. Do you think it's driven more by fan demand or are there writers out there who just refuse to let go of great characters?
A. The fan base is really vocal. They're there to remind me about characters, about timelines, about continuity and details. And all of these different fans like different characters. There's a lot of diversity within the fan base and a lot of different characters that they can latch on to in the Transformers universe. And, at the same time, writers and artists come along and re-create or re-envision the way certain characters are portrayed or use new tactics to tell stories using these characters.
Q. Who is your favorite Transformer character?
A. Omega Supreme. He was this huge robot who could be really intimidating if he wanted to be, but he never really chose to act that way. He was very protective. At his core, though, you always felt like he was mellow and maybe a little sad. He just wanted to find something beautiful in life. I really liked that notion.
Q. Which is your favorite Transformer action figure?
A. Bluestreak
Q. Aside from Continuum and the new series, what's your favorite Transformers comic book series?
A. As a kid, probably the Unicron story line.
Q. What non-Transformers comic book are you most excited about right now?
A. Wednesday Comics, Green Lantern, and Lock & Key.
Q. For readers who have never gone to a comic book shop before in their lives, what are some graphic novels and comic books that you would recommend they purchase in order to make their visit a success?
A. Clearly, Transformers. I'd also recommend, for mature readers, V for Vendetta , Lock & Key, Wednesday Comics , the first Sandman trade paperback and The Killing Joke . For those a bit younger, I'd recommend Hellboy for its sense of humor and cool art. And for really young readers, I'd say pick up Marvel Adventures or Transformers Animated.
Q. What was the first comic book you ever read?
A. It was a copy of World's Finest with Superman on the cover that was drawn by Neil Adams.
Q. What was your favorite comic book series growing up?
A. I bounced around a bit. Probably X-Men was my favorite. I started reading it right before the mutant massacre story line and didn't stop until I was in college. It was the first series that I bought every month, no doubt about it. I was also into Teen Titans and Transformers and John Byrne's run on Fantastic Four. Now, I'm really into the current Green Lantern.
Q. Who were your favorite comic book artists and/or writers?
A. George Perez, John Byrne, and Jim Lee.
Q. Which current artists and/or writers currently amaze you with their work?
A. The work that Ryan Sook and J.H. Williams are doing these days really blows me away. In terms of writers, I think the ones who can go from title to title and still create compelling stories are the ones that I respect. Right now, I'd say my list has to include Peter David, Mark Waid, Brian Michael Bendis, Geoff Johns and Alan Moore. I'd read anything that Alan Moore writes.
Q. From an editor's perspective, which characters in the comic book universe would you most like to work with?
A. When I was at Marvel, I never had a chance to work on Daredevil which I would have loved. Batmanwould be another one, too … because everyone in the industry wants to work on Batman. And the last would be New Gods by Jack Kirby.
Q. Any surprises for Transformers fans in Continuum or in the new series?
A. Yes, definitely.
You can view the rest of the sneak peak images here:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/gallery/2009/l090915_transformers/flash.htm?gid=1213