iTunes Preview for IDW Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel #1

John Barber had a lot of fun writing this.You can feel it in these preview pages.

His skin couldn't breathe? That just sounds awkward. Makes me think of stinky feet.

I had the James bond theme in my head while reading that.

WreckerJack wrote:His skin couldn't breathe? That just sounds awkward. Makes me think of stinky feet.

<cough> James Bond reference <cough>

Thanks to the SyFy Wire, we have a full preview available now for the IDW Bumblebee Movie Prequel comic! The full preview includes all 4 covers as well as the first 5 pages of the story, with some very James Bond-esque vibes coming from the story. And we do get to see Bee begin to transform, though it appears as though page 6 is where we will get his full reveal.

Check it out below, and let us know what you think of this new IDW movie series comic, the first in a long time (other than that one about the Schick Hydro bot) we might add! And be ready, for the first issue is set to hit the streets here very soon!

Corr blimey. He certainly was a bit snookered there, apples and pears. Red buses full of pudding Gov'ner

Has anyone here picked up or read #1 yet? There's a very detailed TFWiki page already!

RotorstormNZ wrote:Has anyone here picked up or read #1 yet? There's a very detailed TFWiki page already!

Review incoming! Just had a bad connection this week..

Synopsis
Some call him Goldfender, but the name's Bee... Bumblebee. On loan to MI6 and teamed with a human partner, Bee's trapped in the middle of a Cold War plot to disrupt British Secret Intelligence. But when things go wrong, it's up to Bee to discover if there's a traitor in their midst. In the spy world, allegiances can change just as easily as a Transformer.



Story
It has been a very long time since we saw anything in print or digital as a tie-in or lead-in or even just promotion, for the Paramount live action universe, as directed by Michael Bay. It looks as though, now that the plans are changing - and very much so - we're back in business however, and the old movie comics making team is back for the ride!



John Barber is clearly having fun with this mini-series, even just from the first issue, as the puns are aplenty, the references even more so, and the dynamic between Bumblebee and Omega Zero / David Reeve is hard to shake too far away from Ian Noble-Action Man and Kup, from the pages of Revolutionaries. The action is worthy of something that can be a movie blockbuster for sure, but it's their dialogue (and the acronyms) that sticks the most.



That said, I am a little confused at the pitching of this series - as it's intended to be aimed at a younger audience, yet has very pulp, noir, crime references and context which a younger audience may very well not get at all. Plus, if it is indeed to lead into the upcoming Bumblebee movie, I'm very curious to see what this story established about the current Cybertronian situation on Earth.


Art
As team is back, Andrew Griffith returns next to Barber to work on the visuals for the former's script as the A.R.T.I.S.T., and as we already knew, his mechanical-but-organic, movie designs work amazingly (as does his architecture), and are dynamic without fault in their execution - which cannot otherwise be entirely said about some of the human renditions of the other side of the cast, unfortunately. It may, at this point, just be my personal taste getting in the way, however.



Priscilla Tramontano does some seriously impressive work as the C.O.L.O.R.I.S.T. to go with the excellent base lines, and manages to bring both a fresh coat over some old-style looks, and make it all work as a new perspective on an old visual aesthetic. Partnering that up with some well placed, even spot on, SFX from regular L.E.T.T.E.R.E.R. Tom B Long, and you get an explosive mix that works extremely well with the punchy script for this opening issue.



The covers for this series so far have been a huge selling point for myself and several other fans online, be it the regular Griffith / Tramontano variant, the Fico Ossio, Megatron-cameoing version, or the pulpy Sara Pitre Durocher take on the story - you can view them all in our comics database here, with credits!

Thoughts
Spoilerish ahead

Consider my interest very slightly piqued, at least insofar as we're getting some more human-bot interaction from Barber - as well as his usual net weaving, with Sector Seven, various continuity issue jugglings and fun dialogue - along with what this story will say about Bee losing his voice, how the movie version we saw develops from this very different character, and what other cameos might make it in both character and style.



The movie aesthetic may turn off a fair few regular IDW style accustomed readers, but keeping the target in mind, younger fans will probably have grown up with this style and it's a great idea to have something Transformers comics based for them in the hands of Griffith and Tramontano. The covers are definitely also a big draw, and not one to be underestimated.

This does look pretty fun and doesn't seem to take itself too seriously which is a plus for me. Depending on other reviews I may pick this up when completed.

I bought it because I really miss having movie comics and it's the only TF thing from IDW I really used to enjoy. This issue was alright though my main problem with it was I'm really not a James Bond fan and so this whole Bond homage thing doesn't do much for me. Also a bit strange having movie Bee actually talk. I'm so used to his soundbites and such that it feels like too different a character. Still, what I did like were some more movie-style Decepticons with Wild Rider, Runabout and Diabla joining the roster even if just in comic form. Toys would be nice.

And finally, from the iTunes page for the next issue, we also have a three page preview for the movieverse comic book that will tie in to the upcoming Transformers Bumblebee Movie - written by John Barber with art by Andrew Griffith and Priscilla Tramontano - all mirrored out below for your convenience!

THE LIVING HEADLIGHTS! In swinging 1960s London, Bumblebee teams with a pair of bickering master spies to unravel a Decepticon conspiracy— but is one of Bee’s friends a double agent?

Out this week with IDW Publishing are three new issues in their Transformers comics as we rush towards the end of it all in the Summer of Transformers - starting below with the second part of the Bumblebee Movie prequel comic: From Cybertron With Love! Check out the preview and join the conversation in the Energon Pub discussion boards.

Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel #2 (of 4)—Cover A: Andrew Griffith
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
THE LIVING HEADLIGHTS! In swinging 1960s London, Bumblebee teams with a pair of bickering master spies to unravel a Decepticon conspiracy—but is one of Bee’s friends a double agent?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel #2 (of 4)—Cover B: Fico Ossio
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a)• Fico Ossio (c)
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
The prequel to the new Bumblebee film (coming this winter), geared toward a younger audience!
Sometimes serious, sometimes campy action spy adventure for fans of James Bond or Mission Impossible!
Variant cover by Andrew Griffith!

From Previews World, we have three new covers - with two effectively new pieces of artwork, as you'll see - for the third issue of the Transformers Bumblebee Movie tie-in comic, written by John Barber and with art by Andrew Griffith and Priscilla Tramontano.

The third chapter (out of four) features the usual main and retail incentive work from Griffith, coloured (without credit, again) in the former and with plain line art in the latter, while Fico Ossio (plus colourist) takes on the B variant for the issue. Check them out below!

Energon is Forever. It's war in the streets of swinging 1960s London, baby-and it freaks Bumblebee out! The Decepticon scheme to lure the world's top espionage organizations into war shifts to high gear-so Bee and his super-spy friends call in some international help!
In Shops: Aug 29, 2018

Va'al wrote:

Oh my god, that island underneath Bumblebee.. Le Mont Saint-Michel in France! That's awesome! I've been there several times. Last time was the summer of 2017. This comic surely is a must have for me now, haha!

In comics news from IDW Publishing, we have a quick iTunes preview of next week's release in Transformers comics, with the third issue of the four-issue prequel mini-series to the Bumblebee Movie due this December - From Cybertron With Love - by John Barber, Andrew Griffith, and Priscilla Tramontano!

Energon is Forever can be seen in the images below, and we get the first (chronological, at least) appearance of jet Blitzwing, plus more wordplay, references and acronyms than a single news post can handle. Check it out, and let us know what you think!

Description

Energon is Forever. It's war in the streets of swinging 1960s London, baby—and it’s freaking Bumblebee out! The Decepticon scheme to lure the world's top espionage organizations into war shifts into high gear—so Bee and his super-spy friends call in some international help!

So blitzwing is a triple changer in the comics at least...everyone looks like they are having a lot of fun making this series.

Insert Starscream/Blitzwing memes here

I'm glad we are getting Blitzwing introduced here, actually! It clarifies more about why he's the one we see in the movie (though clashes with the alleged Cybertron opening).

Va'al wrote:I'm glad we are getting Blitzwing introduced here, actually! It clarifies more about why he's the one we see in the movie (though clashes with the alleged Cybertron opening).

I was wondering about that myself, the weird thing is that this series could easily work with the previous films. I have to wonder why there's a disconnect between this and how the Bee movie opens...unless this prequel ends with bee back in cybertron to set up the movie.

This week sees the release of the third issue in the four issue mini series that serves as a prequel to the Transformers Bumblebee Movie due out this December 2018 - From Cybertron With Love! Still riffing on the James Bond / 007 theme for the titles, this week's issue from IDW Publishing sees John Barber, Andrew Griffith and Priscilla Tramontano dive into Energon is Forever, bringing in Decepticon Blitzwing and some more ..external help.

Check it out mirrored below thanks to flickeringmyth, and let us know what you think in the discussion thread!

Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel #3 (of 4)—Cover A: Andrew Griffith
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
Energon is Forever. It's war in the streets of swinging 1960s London, baby—and it’s freaking Bumblebee out! The Decepticon scheme to lure the world's top espionage organizations into war shifts into high gear—so Bee and his super-spy friends call in some international help!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
The prequel to the new Bumblebee film (coming this winter), geared toward a younger audience!
Sometimes serious, sometimes campy action spy adventure for fans of James Bond or Mission Impossible!
Black and white variant cover by Andrew Griffith!

Blitzwing should be grateful that prime isn't there otherwise he would have lost his head/face already.

i still find it extremely jarring to see bumblebee with a human like face and talking. Like my brain can't seem to accept that's the same character I've watched in movies the past decade and have multiple toys of.

Carnivius_Prime wrote:i still find it extremely jarring to see bumblebee with a human like face and talking. Like my brain can't seem to accept that's the same character I've watched in movies the past decade and have multiple toys of.

I have a feeling that in the final issue, he won't be looking the same

ZeroWolf wrote:

Carnivius_Prime wrote:i still find it extremely jarring to see bumblebee with a human like face and talking. Like my brain can't seem to accept that's the same character I've watched in movies the past decade and have multiple toys of.

I have a feeling that in the final issue, he won't be looking the same

maybe but it kinda bugs me that they've even done that to him to begin with.

Directly from the direct market source of Previews World, we have two new covers for the next issue of the miniseries introducing the new, upcoming live action movie Transformers Bumblebee - both by Andrew Griffith, as they are the same art with and without colours as the A cover and the incentive cover for issue #4!

Take a look below, with a reminder of the blurb, and join the conversation in the Energon Pub!

(W) John Barber (A/CA) Andrew Griffith
In 1960s England, Bumblebee and his super-spy allies infiltrate the Decepticons' clandestine island headquarters. Is it a trap? Of course it's a trap. But in the high-stakes game of counterintelligence, who's trapping who?

The prequel to the new Bumblebee film (coming this winter), geared toward a younger audience!
Sometimes serious, sometimes campy action spy adventure for fans of James Bond or Mission Impossible!
In Shops: Oct 03, 2018
SRP: $3.99

Once more from the order page over on iTunes, the first three page preview for the next issue in the prequel mini series for the upcoming Transformers Bumblebee Movie are now available to be seen - and we've mirrored them below for your viewing convenience!

The comic is allegedly out next week, but in the world of direct markets and IDW Publishing scheduling, all is possible. Stay tuned for updates once we have them, and join the discussion in the Energon Pub discussion boards.

In 1960s England, Bumblebee and his super-spy allies infiltrate the Decepticons’ clandestine island headquarters. Is it a trap? Of course it’s a trap. But in the high-stakes game of counterintelligence, who’s trapping who?

The final issue in the Transformers Bumblebee Movie prequel comic from IDW Publishing is due for release this week, with John Barber, Andrew Griffith, and Priscilla Tramontano taking on the live-action universe one more time - in the 1960s! Take a look at the full preview below, and join the discussion about the book in the Energon Pub discussion boards.

Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel #4 (of 4)—Cover A: Andrew Griffith
John Barber (w) • Andrew Griffith (a & c)
In 1960s England, Bumblebee and his super-spy allies infiltrate the Decepticons’ clandestine island headquarters. Is it a trap? Of course it’s a trap. But in the high-stakes game of counterintelligence, who’s trapping who?
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Bullet points:
• The prequel to the new Bumblebee film (coming this winter), geared toward a younger audience!
• Sometimes serious, sometimes campy action spy adventure for fans of James Bond or Mission Impossible!
• Black & white variant cover by Andrew Griffith!

I really hope none of the Decepticons die! They are so interesting! and want to see them in maybe later movies!