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With Tales of The Fallen #6 set to hit stores tomorrow, I'm glad to see such a positive reaction to the new character, FLATLINE. Truth is that Flatline was originally going to make his appearance in the Reign of Starscream story's first draft. Basically, he would operate on the monstrosity that was Devastator (who was made with the fused bodies of some construction bots like Mixmaster, Huffer, etc.), turning him into the first gestalt. Since that idea was not approved, he had to wait.
The character stuck with me and while I was kicking around ideas and trying to figure out a way to get into the G1 universe with a story, I asked artist-extraordinaire, Ben Templesmith, if he wouldn't mind sketching up a rough of what Flatline might look like. Ben has a wicked sense of a humor and a taste for the macabre, so he was perfect. What you see here is that G1 version. Based on a 1960's model Hearse, Flatline is ready for some battlefield resurrection.
Oh, and a well-deserved plug for Ben. If you haven't checked out Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse or Welcome To Hoxford, do it. You don't know what you're missing. Besides, they're the perfect appetizers for his upcoming Choker series by Image.
Enjoy.
Happy New Year, everyone. To start this new year, and new decade off, here's the first 5 pages of the upcoming Tales of The Fallen #6: ARCEE story. Artwork is by Alex Milne with colors by Josh Perez. Can't say how happy I was to be able to work with these two again.
This issue also features a new character I created named FLATLINE. He's a Decepticon medic, basically their version of Ratchet. While Ratchet may work to save lives, Flatline merely gets his soldiers operational again. Because as I'd like to think of him saying "to cease to serve, is to cease to function."
The story takes place after Reign of Starscream #5 and before the Alliance series. Set on a remote Decepticon outpost on a distant planet, Thundercracker is left thinking that he's one of a few Decepticons left. With the help of Flatline, some protoform "hatchlings," and a few unlucky Autotbot "donors," their aim is to create their own platoon and eventually take the fight back to Cybertron.
The final issue of TALES OF THE FALLEN has been approved to print and will show up on shelves sometime in January. Shown here is Alex Milne's (who is also doing the interior art!) awesome cover. So what is so special about this issue you may ask? For me, a few things.
First off, this is my final TF issue for the time being. Second, this book wraps up the REIGN OF STARSCREAM storyline by showing us what happened to ARCEE and THUNDERCRACKER after that last issue. Finally, it's allowed me to introduce a new character to the already vast TF universe.
This character was originally set to appear in the REIGN OF STARSCREAM book, but was left out when the ending was changed. For those of you that have the trade, the ending that featured this character was the one that featured a mutated DEVASTATOR basically tearing up the city. When STARSCREAM finally "saves" the day, this new character helps to refine and create the combiner technology for future use. Basically, a semi-nod to the "Starscream's Brigade" episode of the original cartoon series.
So who is this character? Well, it's going to be a bit longer before he's revealed, but in the meantime, I'll give you his name: FLATLINE.
It's been far too long since I've updated this thing, but that will change soon. The script for Tales of The Fallen #6 is done. That's the one featuring Arcee, if you didn't know. It was a lot of fun to work on because of how much Arcee changed for the film. It allowed me to introduce an original character into the mix, while at the same time finishing off the Reign of Starscream storyline. It's fitting that the RoS story ends with this issue because it will also feature Alex Milne on art duties with Josh Perez doing the colors.So what does the future hold? Unfortunately, nothing Transformers-related for me. TOTF #6 will be my last issue for the foreseeable future. But there are a few projects in the works that I might be attached to. One of which you could say would be a dream come true.If you haven't yet, pick up Tales of The Fallen #3. It's the story featuring JETFIRE (the covers are up top) and how he managed to end up on Earth and why he chose to fight for good, rather than do those evil things like destroying planets and what not. After issue #4 is out, I'll be happy to answer any questions... just don't want to spoil anything for anyone.
...and TRANSFORMERS: ALLIANCE and TRANSFORMERS: DEFIANCE are kicking ass on the iTunes store! Yeah, yeah, it's all because of the new movie, but what's most surprising is that people seem to enjoy the format. Could this be a new door opening to comics as we know them? Who knows, but in the meantime, I'll just enjoy the stories doing well for as long as I can. Major kudos to the teams on these books (and a special shout out to Gilberto Lazcano—the guy at IDW who's been piecing these books together), without them it just isn't possible. Plus, all that delicious artwork transfers over so well! We'll just have to watch the overlapping panels in the future.In somewhat related news, Starscream returns! Well, kind of. Just found out today that TRANSFORMERS: THE REIGN OF STARSCREAM is going back to press. I'm seriously stoked about that because not only is the first thing I ever wrote professionally, but it's also my favorite story. I just love that guy and have some great memories of working on that. Heh, there's some not -so-great ones, too, but we'll save those.Matter of fact, I was toying around with the idea of getting another tattoo and having it be Starscream (movie version), but then the idea of some of his tattoos from the new movie instead was kicked around. What do you think?
So I found out today that both prequels are on the New York Times Best Seller list for Graphic Books (fancy speak for trade paperback). While this is absolutely because of the franchise, I wanted to take a moment and imagine that it's not and that it's really because of the great team I've been able to work with. Let's just say that it's really because of these people (in no particular order):Josh Perez: The guy amazes me and has grown to be one of my best friends that I hardly talk to. Seriously, his talent is only matched by his passion for the franchise. What can I say? I love the guy. It's hard not to.
Alex Milne: The other third of "Team Scream," Alex continues to deliver art that blows me away. The detail, the thought that goes into the designs, it's all there. Doesn't smile as often as he should though. If I were him, I'd be grinning ear-to-ear.
Dan Khanna: This was the first time Dan and I worked together and I couldn't be more pleased. Dan took some very tight deadlines and laid out some fine work. I still remember getting that first Defiance splash page and having to pick my jaw up off of the floor. Nice job, Dan.
Andrew Griffith: I think somewhere, somehow, Andrew and I were separated at birth. We like the same music (mostly), same art styles, it's quite amazing. But for someone that is new to the comic book industry (and HATES the movie), he's done some fine work so far. Be on the lookout for him in the future I'm sure.
Don Figueroa: What can you say that hasn't been said about Don before? He's a god, a legend, and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. It was a great honor to work with someone that I admire so much finally. The day that Denton told me Don would be doing an issue, was one of the best.
Denton J. Tipton: Last but certainly not least, Denton. I couldn't ask for a better editor (say it five times fast). When there were problems arising, Denton handled it. When things were tough for me and I was ready to walk away (back in Issue #2 of Alliance, #1 of Defiance), he was ready to talk me through it and get me back on track. And by the way, he's a hell of a storyteller, too. You'll see.
Kris Carter, John Wycough, and Andy Schmidt. Please know that every contribution you made to the projects were not only needed (as in saving our butts), but very, very appreciated. Hats off to you all and a very sincere "thank you."
And finally, Chris Ryall. Without whom none of this would have happened. Although we differ in height, I'm always looking up to him. Sorry, had to go there.
Great job,everyone!
Wow. The New York Times Best Seller list. Crazy. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
-Chris
Wow, what a fun show. Seriously, it was the best one yet. It's always so cool to get to meet new fans and see familar faces once again. Highlights were definitely meeting Josh Van Reyk & Shaun Knowler. These two guys have been some of the most supportive and critical friends I've had. The biggest surprise for me had to have been the really nice things that people had to say to me. Hard to believe that this time last year, we were premiering Transformers: Reign of Starscream #1 at Botcon. This year, I've officially written 15 issues as of the show. What a blur last year was.
It's late here, so I'll have to continue this later. But in leaving, I'll leave you with a photo of me, Nick Roche, and Jetfire (not really Jetfire, but it's an SR-71 here in San Diego) that was taken this evening.
