I have to somewhat agree with that. Having AHM as part of the main continuity kind of hurts expectations on where Maximum Dinobots would lead particularly when the connection between the Furman side of IDW and AHM is so messy.Originally Posted by roller
Even if Maximum Dinobots was the best thing ever, it is being set up as having a less than satisfying 'continuity damage control' ending. This is particularly bad for fans who are not into AHM.
I agree, at this point in time we need a reboot and I don't mean a half butt one like AHM where 'it is but it isn't' in continuity.
What's needed is something that is not extreme geewhun like AHM but not as Sci-Fi ish and 'out there' like Furman's IDW (which got way too convoluted).
We need something that starts off simple but with a strong story premise that is rooted on earth and begins to slowly introduce and discard characters as the plot progresses and eventually expands in a similar manner that the G1 Marvel comics did in order to reflect the then existing toy line (not random appearances and disappearances like the cartoon). Naturally there will likely be no toy directly associated with the comic but the paced method in which characters came and went also helped to keep things fresh without overwhelming the reader base with 'I don't know who anyone is'.
This way you give all the geewhunners (84-86, cartoon only fans) what they want at the same time that you give the more 'expanded' fans access to the 87-90-G2 characters they enjoy who are slowly introduced into the comic as either 'guest' appearances or replacements for fallen characters for more permanent roles. This way you don't overwhelm the Geewhunner with characters he does not know or care about but allows him to slowly begin to get to know them like it was done with Marvel G1 while they don't alienate the 'expanded' fan by still allowing strong possibilities to feature his/her favorite post cartoon G1 character in a more prominent role even if its for an issue or two to complement the present story.
When it comes to changing writing teams in an ongoing story, I think that is a horrible idea which for some reason the industry has adopted to their own loss. What is needed its not 5-6 issues stories or whatnot but ongoing series in which a core team of cooperative writers with a properly set up 'universe bible' begins to write 1-2 issue stories which are as a whole, part of an over arching story lines which comes together at the end of 6 months or so kind of like TV series (and comics in the past) have done. Most important, in order to maintain variety, having the 'Bible' will also allow them to contract in guest writers to write their own unique stories without the danger of it contradicting the present universe and situation like it happens too often in modern comics when they bring in a new writing team.
The problems with IDW are basically the same problems that ALL modern western comic book publishers have but its more pronounced here because the target audience is less mainstream than the rest. What is needed is to go back to the same storytelling model as the older more successful comics which aimed not at short term appeal but slowly building up a long term sustainable fan base.
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