So here's a question... Has anyone else read all the different Transformers comics? The Marvel, the Dreamwave and the IDW? If so, what do you think, and which do you prefer?

The recent Generation 1 stuff was too violent. They went way overboard on the gore and it just didn't fit the Transformers.

I liked the first 24 issues of the original series and then some of the later issues but that book seemed to always be in one rut or another. When Grimlock and Ratbat were leading the factions it was pretty bad but then got better when Starscream killed 75% of the Transformers and the series refocused itself. Though it got old with them killing off Optimus Prime every 15 issues.

I liked the Generation 2 series from the early 90s. Good story, good art and they managed to not kill Optimus.

Have you read the IDW stuff? It's actually a re-start on the continuity, and they've updated the look of some of the Transformers

And I agree about the Dreamwave comics. Too many characters, and too much violence. And too many spin-offs, as well

The pacing also bugged me in the first series. They would devote entire issues to the first appearance of Omega Supreme or Predaking and you'd be lucky if you ever saw them for more than a panel here or there afterwards.

I also would've prefered for them to go from Megatron to Galvatron. After Megatron was gone they just flailed around for leaders. Scorpinok was ok but he's no Megatron/Galvatron.

No, what's the name of the series?

I think it would have done them well to accept the movie as canon, because explaining Galvatron and Megatron being in the same comic is just ridiculous. Though Galvatron taunting and killing Rodimus hanging between two buildings is one of the most haunting images of my childhood

Transformers. The sub title is Infiltration.
HERE'S A LINK!

Generation 1 also pissed me off because it was originally supposed to be telling what happened between the cartoon and the movie and I never really got that vibe from the issues I read.

Yeah, I never got that vibe, either

Yeah, I was about done with it when Megatron escaped in one of the early issues and there were just pages upon pages of people dying in gorey fashion.

I've actually wanted to finish off my run of the original Transformers series but the last 20 or so issues are really pricey. I wouldn't mind buying the entire G.I. Joe run from Marvel one day either.

They actually got really good when Simon Furman took over. The whole Primus-Unicron battle really brought some focus to the whole series.

Funny thing: People always think that there needs to be human element to make it something people can relate to, but some of the best Transformers stories, comic or cartoon, take place without people involved. Especially considering the recent Transformers series.

I dropped out on Transformers around issue 18 of the Marvel series. Just wasn't feeling it. Blackrock the evil tycoon, or whatever his name was....

Plus, I was getting older and the toys weren't as appealing to me anymore. I liked the normal, everyday cars...not the spaceships, robotic tigers and other weird shit.

When my dad went to work for the publishing company in late 87, I got all the remaining issues of the series, from #38 until the series died. I'd only read 'em if I was really bored. I just remember too many characters and that the art sucked.

Yeah, there were way too many characters for awhile. As mentioned earlier Starscream killed off 75% of the characters in issue 50 and the series manages to refocus with fewer characters.

I picked up some of the TPB's at Barnes & Noble the other day, and my wife laughed at how cheesy the artwork was.

Of course, she complained about the art in V for Vendetta too. Said it looked too much like Mary Worth

Of course, that's what's good about the IDW stuff. The art's pretty good, and there aren't that many characters. There are humans, but I think they're in the books to provide a perspective, not to make us sympathetic.

And IDW has said that they will limit the appearances of Megatron & Optimus. Make it more important when they do show.

I think the Japanese cartoon series have had the right idea of starting with maybe 10 Transformers and then expanding the roster. If I were starting I'd probably go with this for traditional guys:

Autobots:
Optimus Prime
Ironhide
Wheeljack
Jazz
Bumblebee

Decepticons:
Megatron
Starscream
Soundwave w/ Rumble, Ravage and Lazerbeak
Astrotrain
Shockwave

The only thing I haven't liked about the newer comics is their focus on Prowl & Ratchet. I've always liked Jazz more, myself. He's like the Steven Van Zandt character of the series. The Syl to Optimus Prime's Tony Soprano, if you will.

And I've always liked the dynamic between Starscream, Megatron & Shockwave. But I've always wanted to get more from Soundwave

So this is how I'd write my series with that cast.

The first 5 issues will basically just be the Autobots getting beat up by the Decepticons because they don't have the sheer brute force needed. So in issue 6 Wheeljack presents his plan for the Dinobots and Prime tells him to go ahead and build them. At the end of issue 6 Prime, Ironhide, Jazz and Bumblebee head off to fight the Decepticons and of course get easily beaten. So issue 7 sees the Dinobots come to the rescue and the Autobots getting their first real victory in the war. Issue 8 would see the Decepticons los yet again at the hands of the Dinobots.

So we head to issue 9 where Megatron leaves with Astrotrain to Cybertron so that he can get forces to counter the Dinobots. He of course finds the Constructicons. Issue 10 and 11 would see the Dinobots facing off with Devestator. Shortly after, say issue 13 or 14 I'd have the Autobots suffer sabotage at the hands of Ravage and Lazerbeak and have Prime deicide he needs a soldier that specializes in espionage as well and recruits Mirage from Cybertron.

So there's almost a year worth of stories and I haven't introduced that many characters.

Not bad...

You should try the IDW series.

When I do mycomicshop preorder for July in a few days I'll add that series.

You'll be getting in at the perfect time. The first few issues have been introductory issues where they explain everything. I feel like the real action is just starting