Comic website interview with Shane McCarthy.

[griffin]

I'm not saying Drift is the traitor. I just used the 'traitor element' as an example of a plot device that would be best suited to *one of several* original characters. Obviously a single original character is like a star trek 'red shirt' - we all know who's gonna die in the episode.
I just think that if a writer was pitching a story idea that included a character with traits not in the first few years of TFs, or wants to have a central character killed off, maybe Hasbro and IDW would prefer a new original character to fill that role.
After all, SMac is saying that Drift isn't exactly his favourite character, just one that he 'kinda has to use' because Hasbro liked it so much (so much they are looking to do a toy of it). How's that for pressure, to include a character that probably wasn't even a significant element of the pitch to IDW and Hasbro to begin with?

[griffin]

BTW, if the traitor is one of the original series characters, and is an intentional traitor, I think I'll be one of the people unhappy about it. I'm just one of those geewunnrrs who couldn't bear to see 'my' classic characters corrupted to that extreme.

[Lord_Zed]

Got it yet? And at least when that issue came out, the 1989 Pretenders were new and thus there weren't the extra twenty intervening years to realise when a G1 character is clearly an original creation like Warmonger or Drift. (That said, I don't think for a moment that the Autobot traitor in AHM is Drift. That would just be ridiculous. I honestly think [or at least hope] that McCarthy will make the traitor one of the 1984-5 Autobots [and hopefully not Mirage.] Personally, I want it to be Cliffjumper.)

It better be Ironhide damnit!

The interview shows some insight into the writters mind, and yes there is a pretty cool theme behind AHM, but how come we had to slog through 6 issues to get to it? The interview seems to dodge around the whole part of AHM being a bit slow.

BTW, if the traitor is one of the original series characters, and is an intentional traitor, I think I'll be one of the people unhappy about it. I'm just one of those geewunnrrs who couldn't bear to see 'my' classic characters corrupted to that extreme.

Well I'll be one of the people happy about it! It means AHM is actualy breaking new ground, it does seem unlikely though, as unlikely as any of the Autobot main crew getting offed. Don't worry if one of the G1 Autobots is a traitor they will forgive him, then spike will tell a joke and everyone will laugh.

[roller]

Mrmm- Suddenly I'm wondering whether the Drift toy will end up having a Henkei appearance?

i thought they said ages ago that Hasbro would be releasing one in some line

[FFN]

Griffin, I don't think you'll need to think about AHM picking up any plot threads from Furman's storyline. AHM will reference them, but judging by the first six issues and comments from McCarthy himself on other Furman plot threads, will not continue them.

After Maximum Dinobots, I figure Furman's storyline will be finished.

It also mentions a bit why an original character was generated (introduction of an unknown plot element can't use an existing character), while Hasbro seemed to be more of a driving force behind Drift's exposure than the writer. Kinda like Sunstorm, or Ultra Magnus as a white Optimus.

After all, SMac is saying that Drift isn't exactly his favourite character, just one that he 'kinda has to use' because Hasbro liked it so much (so much they are looking to do a toy of it). How's that for pressure, to include a character that probably wasn't even a significant element of the pitch to IDW and Hasbro to begin with?

From everything I've read (including this interview), IDW is the driving force behind Drift. Hasbro has not said a word about Drift, either officially or unofficially, to the point that all the claims that Hasbro is making a toy for him have come entirely from IDW.

[blackie]

From everything I've read (including this interview), IDW is the driving force behind Drift. Hasbro has not said a word about Drift, either officially or unofficially, to the point that all the claims that Hasbro is making a toy for him have come entirely from IDW.

thats what they want you to think.......

[griffin]

This interview of his suggests that Hasbro were just as much behind Drift as IDW. It says they were 'happy' with it, but any approval by Hasbro would be more than just a passing tick of approval, especially IF they plan to make a toy out of it. IF the toy is true, then Hasbro would be on SMac's back to make sure 'their product' is represented in the way they want it to.

[Golden Phoenix]

This interview of his suggests that Hasbro were just as much behind Drift as IDW. It says they were 'happy' with it, but any approval by Hasbro would be more than just a passing tick of approval, especially IF they plan to make a toy out of it. IF the toy is true, then Hasbro would be on SMac's back to make sure 'their product' is represented in the way they want it to.

Which would explain why he is everywhere

[Kyle]

I think I'll be one of the people unhappy about it. I'm just one of those geewunnrrs who couldn't bear to see 'my' classic characters corrupted to that extreme.

Look what they did to Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Iron Man! I'm sure years later they can claim the traitor character was in fact being mind controlled by Megatron or Unicron or whoever...

I'll be ok if this traitor turns out to be Wheelie. I re-watched a couple of episodes of G1 Season 3 a few days ago and gosh he annoyed the heck out of me.

[GoktimusPrime]

Drift = hot potato.

Look what they did to Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Iron Man! I'm sure years later they can claim the traitor character was in fact being mind controlled by Megatron or Unicron or whoever...

Skrull.