Transformers VS. GI Joe (IDW)

[Verno]

IDW produced a TF offerings as part of this year's Free Comic Book Day, with Issue #0 of Transformers vs. GI Joe

Did anyone else pick up this... comic?

[Paulbot]

Yep. And it was nice that I could read part one for free and won't waste any money on this series.

I don't mind new/different takes, but this feels like a mocking parody of both franchises.

[Verno]

Yep. And it was nice that I could read part one for free and won't waste any money on this series.

I don't mind new/different takes, but this feels like a mocking parody of both franchises.

I really can't see people lining up to buy this steaming pile each month. There is stylised artwork, and then there is a total abandonment of artistic progress. It's disappointing.

[Paulbot]

It's going for a very particular kind of look with all it's big pages with lots of activity. It reminds me of old-time art and children's books, and that contributes to the sense of mocking I get with the book.

[CBratron]

The 6 page preview (http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalogimages/STK_IMAGES_PDF/STK620001-640000/STK634540.pdf) convinced me not to pick this up. Went for Zombie Tramp fanservice instead.

[llamatron]

Really wanted to pick this up. Is it available on the internets for free? (I realise that runs contrary to the point of FCBD...)

[griffin]

The 6 page preview (http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalogimages/STK_IMAGES_PDF/STK620001-640000/STK634540.pdf) convinced me not to pick this up. Went for Zombie Tramp fanservice instead.

My eyes, my eyes...

WTF did I just see?

The art style is so two dimensional, it looks like a kid was doing a bad impression of early 80s comic style.
Even if it was intentional, that just looked so bad, I skipped over half of it because it was too bad to follow.
And the "translated cybertronian".... really annoying the way they did that.
I can't imagine this comic going beyond the first issue. If they hadn't given a sample on FCBD, people might have pre-ordered the first issue on faith.... but now I can imagine a lot of people cancelling their orders, or just not buying it at all.

It wasn't good for either GIJoe or Transformers.

Really really bad.

[Verno]

The most terrifying thought -- What ideas got turned down in preference to this?

[Sinnertwin]

The most terrifying thought -- What ideas got turned down in preference to this?

Good ones?

[Verno]

Good ones?

I hope not :( But it's possible.

Let's just hope they pull the plug on this.

[Sinnertwin]

Let's just hope they pull the plug on this.

I think that's a given from what we've seen.

[UltraMarginal]

Really wanted to pick this up. Is it available on the internets for free? (I realise that runs contrary to the point of FCBD...)

usually FCBD turns up on comixology in the following month.


Wow, given the responses above, I need to go home and read this tonight, How can it bee That bad?

[Megatron]

I missed out on this one :( so if anyone has a spare copy they can give away it'd be much appreciated. Will pay for postage. Please send me a PM. Thanks.

[autobreadticon]

The most terrifying thought -- What ideas got turned down in preference to this?

Don Figueroa has an amazing concept for this crossover but was never picked up by IDW

[Verno]

Don Figueroa has an amazing concept for this crossover but was never picked up by IDW

That is terrifyingly unfortunate. I could look at his work for hours.

[Sam]

I missed out on this one :( so if anyone has a spare copy they can give away it'd be much appreciated. Will pay for postage. Please send me a PM. Thanks.

Assuming you haven't read the preview pages yet, check them out first, because you may want to bleach your eyes after reading the whole thing.

Preview pages: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalogimages/STK_IMAGES_PDF/STK620001-640000/STK634540.pdf

[Megatron]

Assuming you haven't read the preview pages yet, check them out first, because you may want to bleach your eyes after reading the whole thing.

Preview pages: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalogimages/STK_IMAGES_PDF/STK620001-640000/STK634540.pdf

You assumed wrong; I've seen the preview. It's got Starscream in it, that's all I care about. :)

[CBratron]

usually FCBD turns up on comixology in the following month.

And here it is. (https://www.comixology.com/Transformers-vs-G-I-Joe-0-FCBD-Special/digital-comic/99618) Read at your own peril fellow trans-fans.

Five minutes later:
http://ionegiantmag.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/vomit.gif

[DELTAprime]

It's up on Comixology now. Download it now if you hate yourself.

[UltraMarginal]

And here it is. (https://www.comixology.com/Transformers-vs-G-I-Joe-0-FCBD-Special/digital-comic/99618) Read at your own peril fellow trans-fans.

Five minutes later:
http://ionegiantmag.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/vomit.gif

I don't know if it was that bad.


It's up on Comixology now. Download it now if you hate yourself.

but I'm not about to rush out and buy the trades. this will be the first transformers comic in I don't know how long that I won't be buying in some format.

I can see what they were going for and 20 years ago it might have gone down well, maybe but I don't really like it at all yet.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Yep. And it was nice that I could read part one for free and won't waste any money on this series.

I don't mind new/different takes, but this feels like a mocking parody of both franchises.


I really can't see people lining up to buy this steaming pile each month. There is stylised artwork, and then there is a total abandonment of artistic progress. It's disappointing.


My eyes, my eyes...

WTF did I just see?

The art style is so two dimensional, it looks like a kid was doing a bad impression of early 80s comic style.
Even if it was intentional, that just looked so bad, I skipped over half of it because it was too bad to follow.
And the "translated cybertronian".... really annoying the way they did that.
I can't imagine this comic going beyond the first issue. If they hadn't given a sample on FCBD, people might have pre-ordered the first issue on faith.... but now I can imagine a lot of people cancelling their orders, or just not buying it at all.

It wasn't good for either GIJoe or Transformers.

Really really bad.


I hope not :( But it's possible.

Let's just hope they pull the plug on this.


I think that's a given from what we've seen.



Assuming you haven't read the preview pages yet, check them out first, because you may want to bleach your eyes after reading the whole thing.

Preview pages: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalogimages/STK_IMAGES_PDF/STK620001-640000/STK634540.pdf


And here it is. (https://www.comixology.com/Transformers-vs-G-I-Joe-0-FCBD-Special/digital-comic/99618) Read at your own peril fellow trans-fans.

Five minutes later:
http://ionegiantmag.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/vomit.gif


Well, I hate to dissapoint you good folk, but they have just announced issue #1

http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tom-scioli-john-barber-interview-idw-transformers-vs-gi-joe-1/30478/






but I'm not about to rush out and buy the trades. this will be the first transformers comic in I don't know how long that I won't be buying in some format.



Yep, same here. I missed out on issue #0 on Free Comic Book day and had already decided from the sneak peaks, before I read all the negative reviews, that I would bypass this. Looks like I had the right idea.

[griffin]

Well... I did say "not beyond the first issue", ;) as it would take a "sellable" issue to lose enough money for comic stores not to order any more in. The FCBD could get some feedback, but isn't a financial risk to comic stores.

Now to see if we get a second issue... or see if Issue 1 sells enough to even rate on the top 300 monthly list.

[BigTransformerTrev]

Well... I did say "not beyond the first issue", ;) as it would take a "sellable" issue to lose enough money for comic stores not to order any more in. The FCBD could get some feedback, but isn't a financial risk to comic stores.

Now to see if we get a second issue... or see if Issue 1 sells enough to even rate on the top 300 monthly list.

Ah, I was thinking of Issue 0# as the first issue :o - makes sense for them to see if they can get some money out of it first I guess and if it would actually sell, though you would think they may have heard all the negative feedback and maybe not bothered.

[Paulbot]

It will sell due to name/brand recognition but for many people who want to read a Transformers/GI Joe crossover it wont be what they expect.

[Sharky]

i read it again and you know what its worse then i fiirst thought.....

crappy art

crappy story

the crappy way they made the tf speak and then translate what they say what a waste of space...

it really is a bad book

[GoktimusPrime]

I missed out on #0, and today I picked up #1.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y227/goktimusprime/avatars/jaam_pain.gif
...not sure if I wanna keep getting any more issues or just stop now...
The art is just so BAD. :eek: I can't tell if it was drawn by a kid, or a MAD Magazine parody artist. Half the time I feel like I want to fold the pages in (http://hateandanger.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/mad-fold-in-whats-the-only-thing-unavailable-on-the-internet-privacy-mad-magazine.jpg). :rolleyes:

[griffin]

IDW have said a number of times that it had pre-sold more copies of this than any of their recent issues of Transformers comics... so if that is true, we should see it reflected in the weekly stats, and, if the sales figures continue over the next few issues, a lot of people must be liking it for some reason we are missing.

[Lord_Zed]

Yeah I don't think this series quite does it for me. I can deal with the retro art, but combined with weird colouring and hodgepodge story it's not working. The over self congratulatory notes at the end didn't help either.

I recognise that IDW need to do something new with GiJoe TF crossovers, because Marvel, Devils Due and Dremawave have already flogged them to death, but this isn't working for me.

Sad thing, as much as the art is jarring with it's absent perspective, I can't help but note that this guys humans actually look more consistent than many TF artists. I'd be happy if this artist keeps drawing the humans and gets someone else to do the backgrounds, props and Transformers.

[griffin]

IDW have said a number of times that it had pre-sold more copies of this than any of their recent issues of Transformers comics... so if that is true, we should see it reflected in the weekly stats, and, if the sales figures continue over the next few issues, a lot of people must be liking it for some reason we are missing.

Looks like IDW were telling the truth on this, as Issue One sold about 23,009 copies (http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2014/2014-07.html) to comic shops (not to customers), which is about double the other three Transformers titles at the moment, and one of their best numbers for Transformers since Infiltration was selling 25,000 copies in early 2006, and the Movie prequel selling 23,000 copies in mid 2007.
In comparison for July...
MTMTE sold 10,063
Windblade did 9,130
RID did 8,706 (not looking good, as they stopped doing Movie comics when they got down to 6,000 copies)

The site does note that the GIJoe/TFs comic allowed for returns - I think that means that comic stores are allowed to return any unsold copies if they want. If that is what that means, I think comic stores would have ordered more if there was less risk... so I'd be wondering how many of those 23,000 ended up being sold to customers.
Next month's stats should be more accurate if the "returns" option isn't there.

[Sinnertwin]

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/...
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/!!! /\/\/\/ :confused:

[griffin]

I guess no matter how poorly the individual issues sell, we are likely to see a TPB in December (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/transformers-vs-gi-joe-trade-paperback-volume-1-181023/)... and... it is noted as Volume 1, so this comic series is indeed meant to be "ongoing", not a mini-series.

I'm thinking that when John Barber of IDW mentioned in an interview somewhere recently, that the writer of this comic had put together two years worth of story when just asked to submit a plot idea... it wasn't hyperbole. (an exaggerated figure of speech)

[UltraMarginal]

I guess no matter how poorly the individual issues sell, we are likely to see a TPB in December (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/transformers-vs-gi-joe-trade-paperback-volume-1-181023/)... and... it is noted as Volume 1, so this comic series is indeed meant to be "ongoing", not a mini-series.

I'm thinking that when John Barber of IDW mentioned in an interview somewhere recently, that the writer of this comic had put together two years worth of story when just asked to submit a plot idea... it wasn't hyperbole. (an exaggerated figure of speech)

yea but every trade they release that's not part of an existing series of trades is numbered number one. If it doesn't do well it will not last. plain and simple.
hopefully RID and MTMTE maintain the numbers, I'm really enjoying both, but I'm a cheapskate so only buy the trades. I wonder what the numbers are like on the trades for these series vs the single issues.

[GoktimusPrime]

I cancelled my subscription to this series on Sunday. No regrets (other than the money I've already wasted on #1 :rolleyes:)

[Paulbot]

The preview for issue 2 is the best I've seen of the book. Maybe because it's focused on the Transformers rather than the Joes.

I still get the feel of "making fun of GIJoe and Transformers" though and don't want to buy it, but it was better.

[GoktimusPrime]

Gah, #2 already shipped into my comic store before I made the cancellation, so it ended up still creeping into my standing order! :rolleyes: I agree that it was better than #1, but uhm... that ain't hard. :p I remain unconvinced to re-subscribe.

[griffin]

The numbers are in (http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2014/2014-08.html), and issue 2 also did pretty well. But like issue 1, this one had "returnability", which allows for return of unsold issues, which distorts the actual demand as comic shops would be more likely take on extra issues without risk, just in case.

My Little Pony is still their strongest selling comic, with two titles taking their two top spots, selling 39,000 copies between them.

15,472 - #2 GIJoe Vs Transformers
10,472 - #1 Primacy
-9,857 - #32 MTMTE
-9,762 - #32 RID

That's a pretty good turn around for RID, as it was about 1,300 below MTMTE last month... but despite picking up 1000 units on last month, it only closed in on MTMTE because that series lost about 300 units.
Primacy just got in above the two ongoings, but I don't think that's a good number to start on.
Still doing better than the GIJoe ongoing, which was surprising to see only did about 6,500 copies.

For some reason, #1 GIJoe Vs Transformers was on this month as well at 5,600 copies. I wonder if that was the actual figure after returns last month, or extra copies they sold this month.

[Sharky]

this is the worst comic book i have ever read..

do we know if these figures include digital purchases or are these just physical books sold, and i wonder of those 6,500 copies sold are collectors that get all 3 covers of the book?

[Ploughmans Lunch]

I really like how exploitative this book is and how it straddles the "Don't care" and "Care too much" line. It's like reading (close to) the dumbest yet most consistent fanfiction ever. Like, I dunno, all it needs is for Tom Scioli to start projecting his sexual insecurities on it and then you've got the natural successor to Sonichu (NSFW)

[griffin]

The numbers are in (http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2014/2014-08.html), and issue 2 also did pretty well. But like issue 1, this one had "returnability", which allows for return of unsold issues, which distorts the actual demand as comic shops would be more likely take on extra issues without risk, just in case.

My Little Pony is still their strongest selling comic, with two titles taking their two top spots, selling 39,000 copies between them.

15,472 - #2 GIJoe Vs Transformers
10,472 - #1 Primacy
-9,857 - #32 MTMTE
-9,762 - #32 RID


Checking on the stats for last month (http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2015/2015-02.html) with Issue 5 of GIJoe/TFs being released, and now that they are not returnable by the stores, the number has dropped down to the regular Transformers level of about 10,000 units (10,590 to be exact)... but that is still very high for a "visually-unusual" comic ;) that has been plagued with delays, to the point of being two months behind now. It is still outselling the other Transformers comics. :confused:

Not sure what happened to My Little Pony, which was their biggest selling title last year. Maybe they lost the license?

Aside from a one-off title hitting first place for IDW (because of half a million copies going to Loot Crate - which they probably didn't make any money from), the TMNT was their number one regular series comic in March, sitting at 14,551 copies.

To compare with their other Transformers comics last month...
GIJoe/TFs #5 - 10,590
MTMTE #37 - 9,138
Drift #4 - 7,033 (ouch... poor Drift continues to get no love, and yet IDW keep featuring him - maybe they thought the Movie Drift or RID Drift, or even the upcoming Kreo Drift would be in people's minds to sell it)

[Paulbot]

Not sure what happened to My Little Pony, which was their biggest selling title last year. Maybe they lost the license?


No, still going, all the latest TF comics I purchased have adds for MLP comics. There was a month delay on the February issue of their ongoing comic and they put out two issues out in March (according to their wiki).