Category Archives: Transformers

TransMissions: Jeb Hoge

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Jeb Hoge and son Andrew

Jeb and his #1 Transformers fan, Andrew.

Back when I started my reviews of the original Transformers comic books, I wanted to do something different then what I was seeing on other web sites. I decided one thing I could do differently was post the letters kids wrote to Marvel about the comic books. At the time these where called, TransMissions.

As I sat copying these letters from each comic book into my post I couldn’t help but think how cool it would be if one of the kids who wrote these letters so many years ago found my post and tried to contacted me about it. Well that very thing happened to me just recently.

Jeb Hoge, was one of those kids who wrote into Marvel Comics back in the 80s. On my review of Transformers issue 5, Jeb wrote in to me and commented:

Cracked me up! I was using Google to look for some old things I’d published online and saw my name show up here. Yes. I did write that letter to the editor in 1985. Never thought I’d run across it here. :-) And I think I still have this issue.

Marvels Comics' Transformers Issue #5: The New Order

Marvels Comics’ Transformers Issue #5: The New Order

Praising Marvel on Transformers, Jeb’s original letter from the 1980s read:

Dear Marvel, I would like to compliment you on TRANSFORMERS. I have two of them and they are terrific! Hats off to you! – Jeb Hoge, Tullahoma, TN

Communicating with Jeb since he contacted me about the post, he recalled how excited he was to see his letter printed in issue 5 of the Transformers comic. The cover of issue 5 is so iconic now, I can’t think of a better issue to have your letter published in.

Jeb was kind enough to do a quick interview with me about the Transformers comic book, his life since he wrote that letter and if he is still a Transformers fan today.

Youseph: How did you discover the Transformers?

Jeb: I was born in 1974, so that put me right in the target market when Transformers first came out. I’m not sure if I found the toys or the cartoon first, but I do remember having to go to a friend’s house to watch the cartoon. I also had the first four TF comic books, and then the fifth. I’d say Transformers were in my top three of all toys, along with Lego (naturally) and GI Joe.

Youseph: Where did you get your Transformers comics from?

Jeb: I first started getting comic books at a local drugstore that just happened to have them. My favorite was “GI Joe,” which started up right around when I was just old enough to get into comics and “big kid toys,” but when “Transformers” hit the racks, I started buying them too. Later, I found a proper comic book store in town that was fun, but I never got hugely invested into comic books as a medium.

Youseph: You found my website because I republished a letter you wrote to Marvel about the Transformers comic. What compelled you to write to them? What was it like to see your letter printed in the back of the comic?

Jeb: The letter I wrote to Marvel was just the kind of thing that an excited, avid comic book reader did at the time. I’m sure my mom encouraged me to write it, too, but you’d never expect to get it published. So when I saw my name in Issue #5, it made my year. I showed it off to everyone, I think.

Youseph: Who are you today and are you still a Transformers fan?

SoundwaveJeb: Now, I’m almost 40 and I’m a married dad of three little boys. Two of them are old enough to be Transformers fans too! They watch the original cartoon series thanks to Netflix streaming. I wish I had the old toys to share with them, but those are long gone. I do tell stories about when I had them and how I played with them, so it’s a really nice connection between my kids and my kid-at-heart self. My oldest has even gone online to look at pictures of the original series of TF toys and I’ve given thought to seeing what they go for on eBay, just to surprise him with an old-school Soundwave (“See, son, they used to have these things called ‘Walkmans’…”). Sometimes I get quizzed on different Transformers’ abilities, but mostly they just like them for what they are, and that’s good enough.

As for what I do, I’m a technical writer in Richmond, VA. That’s not terribly interesting, though. :-)

Thank you Jeb, for taking the time to do this interview with me. It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope I get to hear from more of you out there who may have written into Marvel back in the day.

Transformers Review Issue 14: Rock and Roll-Out!

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Youseph-Transformers-issue-14

I can’t help but think that the person or persons behind the story in Transformers issue 14 are Bruce Springsteen fans. I say this because one of the characters is a rock star named Brick Springhorn, or Brick Springstern if you’re sharp enough to notice the spelling change/error. It also seems like a lot of the songs this rock star sings in this issue sound a lot like Springsteen hits. Songs like, ”Dancing in the Night” “Born to Ride” “Born in America” and “Margarita (Jump a Little Lighter)“. With issue 14 we pick up shortly after the last battle of issue 12 and introduce a handful of new Autobots to the mix. Things get hairy when the new Autobots encounter Decepticons on what is supposed to be a simple training exercises to get them accustom to earth. But first, lets check out this cover art.

Transformers cover issue 14

Transforms Issue 14 Cover

The Transformers logo is blue with a purple border and a purple Autobot logo. The white sky background allows for the rest of the images on the page to pop out at you. Hoist, is center stage (pun intended) holding up some damage scaffolding to protect Brick Springhorn and his band.The audience below the stage looks on in awe and confusion. An unidentified jet fires at hoist in the background

The comic opens up with a full page display of Jetfire getting branded with the Autobot insignia. Optimus Prime brought Jetfire to life and with the “Right of the Autobrand” he becomes one of the newest members of the Autobots.

In this issue Optimus Prime says something very profound that I think is worth quoting here.

“By commanding, it is I who serve. For that is what the other Autobots ask of me. If ever they should want me to step down, I will. If ever you want to leave, you may. That is the right of every Autobot.”

Transformers issue 14 brandingI think that really does a great job of explaining to the reader who Optimus Prime is and what the Autobots are all about.

Optimus Prime gives Jetfire a tour of his new home within the Ark. They walk into Ratchet’s medical bay where he struggles to repair several Autobots who where damaged in issue 12. In another part of the Ark five new Transformers have been constructed. Loaded up in their minds are the memories of five Autobot warriors. Minds that where copied and saved before the Autobots left Cybertron. Optimus Prime welcomes the old Autobots in their new forms. Their names are Grapple, Hoist, Smokescreen, Skids, and Tracks.

Optimus Prime sends out Hoist, Smokescreen, Skids, and Tacks with Bumblebee to get acclimated with their new surroundings. He holds Grapple back for him to be involved in another project. While they are out in the world the Autobots test out a new disguise installed by Wheeljack. They now have a new facsimile circuitry that covers up their Autobot symbols and places a mannequin in the driver seat.

Transformers-issue-14-powersiphoneBack on the Blackrock Oil-drilling platform Shockwave returns. He quickly stops Starscream’s complaining about Decepticon leadership and proceeds to show off a new power siphon he has built. Shockwave can use the device to turn the oil from the platform into energon cubes. With the power siphon the Decepticons leave the oil platform detonating one of the energon cubes in front of the surrounding naval fleet allowing them to fly off with out being attacked.

5 cars only cost $82.40 to fill up!!! I miss the 80s.

The Oil Platform has been bugged by the humans. They hear all about the Decepticons’s plans to steal a large release of sonic energy. The Autobots are alerted by G.B. Blackrock.

During a refueling at one of Blackrock’s many gas stations, Bumble and crew learn about an upcoming rock concert. They start to think this might be where the Decepticons will attack and head out to gather information while Optimus Prime heads out to the concert bringing reinforcements.

At the concert, Bumblebee and the other Autobots observe a sonic disruption during the show. They are under orders from Optimus Prime not to take any action until he and his reinforcements arrive. But the disruption device is causing problems for the show and the Autobots choose to act against orders. They get the sound of the show back to normal which causes several Decepticons jets to burst out from the ground.

Transformers-issue-14-DecepticonsThe Autobots defend the people at the concert as gun fire breaks out. The Decepticon jets are fought off. Hoist repairs the stage from the attack. Bumblebee discovers Shockwave’s new power siphon and is able to use energon cubs to fight off shockwave. The crowd looks at the amazing display of fire power and think it is part of the concert. The Decepticons flee  and the Autobots go back to hiding behind the concert.

While heading back to the Ark, Bumblebee and his team meet up with Optimus Prime and his reinforcements. He expects to be punished for not following orders. Prime, being impressed with his team’s performance does not punish Bumblebee.

Transformers-issue-14-group-drive-away

Letters to Marvel called TransMissions.

In several of the issues of Transformers they reprinted fan letters and sometimes answered them. These are the letters that where printed up in issue 14.

Transmissions-issue-14

Photo of Transmissions from Transformers issue 14

Dear Bob,
Issue 9 was great! Circuit Breaker is one of my favorite characters in TRANSFORMERS so far. I admire her determination to come back from an attack by the Decipticons and still want to fight them. She should stop hating the Autobots and join them. She would be a perfect member and a great asset to the group.
Mike Manley and M. Hands make a great art team!! I hope they will be doing more issues soon. I like Shockwave as leader of the Decepticons. I liked Megatron, but I think that Shockwave is a better leader.
Until Megatron becomes and Autobot, MAKE MINE MARVEL!! – M. Rockowitz, Elmhurst, NY

Dear Marvel,
I hae all the TRANSFORMERS comics. I think they are the best comics put out by Marvel. In issue #9 you introduced Circuit Breaker. Her last words where: “But the next time we meet, I’m on my own, and nothing you say will stop me!” Issue #10 did not show her but I’m anxiously awaiting her reappearance. She would be a great challenge for Jetfire. – William Crowson, A Transformers Fan

Circuit Breaker hasn’t returned yet, William, But you can be sure that she will be back soon – even though we don’t think any of the Transformers are anxiously awaiting her return.

Dear Transformers,
I think you guys are doing a great job with the TRANSFORMERS! I have issue 1 through 10 and I love them all! My Favorite characters are Optimus Prime and Jetfire. I hope to see more of Jetfire in future issues. I hope we also get to see all the newer Transformers! Well, thanks for your time and keep up the good work!!! – John Lisidki, Port Reading, NJ

Dear Marvel,
Issue 10 of Transformers was great. The cover was sensational. I have a couple of requests, though. Put Optimus Prime’s head back on his body and bring Megatron back as leader…if he is still alive! Stephen D. Perkins, Cordele, GA

Dear Marvel,
First, I would like to say a few words about TRANSFORMERS – Superb, stupendous, and great, too. I’ve just read TRANSFORMERS #10 and it was fantastic, but I have a few questions.
1. Is Megatron dead?
2. Will Jetfire become an Autobot?
3. Where are the Triple Changers, Omega Supreme, and Perceptor?
You better put them in this book or i might hurt someone. – Alex Nicoll, Bloomington, IN

Thank you for your kind words about TRANSFORMERS. We’re glad you like it! The last few issues have answered some of your questions – Megatron is very much alive and Jetfire is now an Autobot. As for your final questions – well, stick around for the next few issues and you’ll find what you’ve been looking for. That’s a promise! After all, we wouldn’t want any one to get hurt!

Dear Transformers,
I just finished reading TRANSFORMERS #10 and was disappointed to see Prime’s powers used that way! Also, please bring Megatron back and reinstate him as leader of the Decepticons. Shockwae is boring with his logic. Is there an Autobot assault coming up? With Blackrock’s fuel and Prols leadership, an attack might be successful.
One last thing, repair Sunstreaker and switch J to Autobot status like in the show (which I love).
Good Luck to Optimus Prime. – Joe Toscano, Jersey City, NJ

Thanks for your support Joe. Optimus Prime wasn’t too happy about his powers being used in such a way either, but now he’s back in charge – thanks to some help from the other Autobots! As for Megatron, let’s just say that he seems to have the Shockwave situation well in had.

Dear Autobots,
Issue #11 was incredible! Jetfire is my favorite Transformer. Why isn’t he an Autobot? He’s so cool! Maybe if Optimus gets his head back (and he’d better), he will make Jetfire into one.
The creative team on this book is amazing! Herb Trimpe/Tom Palmer are my favorite artists that have been on this book so far. I hope they stay.
One more thing, bring back Megatron! He’s the Jinkiest!
Well, Gotta roll – THE CHED, Co-op City, NY

It’s good to know that you like the book, Ched, Jetfire likes it better as an Autobot, also. We’re glad you like the team of Herb Trimpe/Tom Palmer. They did a fine job filling in on issue #11. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the new creative team of Don Perlin and Al Gorden just as much. Tell us what you think of the new team, readers, we want to hear from you.

Dear Marvel,
I have just read Transformers #10. I liked it a lot! I was thinking that it would be a good idea if you made a comic where the Transformers go back to Cybertron. This would be a good idea because you would then be able to introduce a lot of new Transformers. Will the Transformers go back to Cybertron????? – David Gulick, Hackett, AR

That is an interesting question, David. As a matter of fact, you will again see the homeworld of the Autobots and Decepticons in upcoming issues. These “Return to Cybertron” stories will introduce a lot of new Transormers like… oh, you’ll just have to wait a little while and see for yourself. We wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise, now would we…?

Dear Transformers,
Do you read every letter? If so how? Your comic has millions of fans!! Keep up the good work! – Michael Trzaskowski, Parma Heights,OH

Yup — we read every letter, Michael, because it’s nice to see that all of the work put into this issue is appreciated by you and everyone else who takes time to write us. Keep those letters coming!!!

ISSUE 14′s Ads

Transformers Review Issue 13: Shooting Star!

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Youseph-Transformers-issue-13

Hey, you try taking a picture while looking into the white hot center of the sun.

Issue 13 was quite an interesting read. A real change form the stories I have been reading in the first twelve issues of the Transformers comic. The story is about a small time crook named Joey Slick and Megatron who makes his return in this issue. But before I get started with my review lets talk about the cover art.

The cover for Transformers issue 13 features Megatron in his realistic gun mode taking up most of the cover. He is being held by, one can assume  Joey Slick. The bottom of the cover is littered with tattered buildings, tanks and people with a bright yellow sky above them.  The Transformers logo at the top of the page is orange color while ‘The Menace of Megatron’ sits on the lower right corner of the cover in bold white letters.

Transformers-Issue-13-Cover

Transformers Issue 13 Cover

The comic book opens up on Joey Slick, a small time crook who is running through the woods trying to escape some mafia henchmen who are trying to gun him down. Joey Slick discovers a gun in a stream and tries to use it to defend himself, but the gun does not work. That is, it doesn’t work until the two Laughing mafia henchmen tell it to blast them. Which it does.

Free of the henchmen, Joey finds safety in an empty warehouse and discovers that his new gun is in fact a Transformer calling it’s self Megatron. Due to damage withstood from a fall in a previous issue, Megatron is unable to think for himself. He now responds to what he is told or ask to do.

Jake Lomax, the mafia crime lord becomes enraged when he learns that his Henchmen failed to to collect on Joey Slicks unpaid debt to him. He orders the henchmen to killed Slick immediately.

Transformers-Issue-13-MegatronWhile returning to his run down apartment in an old neighborhood, Joey Slick is greeted by just about everyone on the street. People who he knows for one reason or another. People who all see the best in Joey, but Joey himself only see failure. In his apartment Joey is attacked again by the henchmen. With Megatron in gun mode he is able to escape, but needing money he robs a convenience store and again uses Megatron to stop police who chase after him. By this point Joey is started to see the possibilities of this gun and soon uses Megatron to start a crime spree.

Transformers-Issue-13-Joey-slickSoon after Joey’s realization we see him as a rich man and surrounded by mooches. Feeling sadder and more alone then ever, Joey returns to his old neighborhood to reconnect with his past. What he finds are old friends scared by his new gun. He comes to the understanding that he has man up and face his problems.

Transformers-Issue-13-Megatron-2Joey goes to Lomax’s compound and confronts the mafia crime lord. Lomax starts to begs for his life. Joey tosses his gun away and punches Lomax out. Joey then throws the money he has owed Lomax on his unconscious body. While turning to walk away he finds Megatron towering over him. The impact from having tossed the gun away has reconnected Megatron’s higher level brain functions. Joey tries to command Megatron like he has done in the past, but this angers Megatron as he attempts to kill the fleshling. Joey shows no fear at this which impresses Megatron enough to spare his life.

The comic book ends with Megatron leaving to rejoin the Decepticons and Joey Slick willingly being arrested by the police.

ISSUE 13′s Ads

No letters to Marvel in this issue.

Pictures From IDW’s Transformers Contest

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Youseph-Gudio-Runabout

Signed Guido Guidi Drawing of Runabout

Being a Transformers fan and living in Juneau, Alaska is not easy. For starters, Juneau does not have a single comic book store. The geography around here is such that you can’t simply drive to a neighboring town to find one either. This makes it very difficult for me to get my hands on fresh comics.

I have been able to strike a deal with a nice little comic book shop in Bellingham, Washington called The Comics Place. These guys have been kind enough to hold issues of IDW’s ‘Transformers: Regeneration One’ (and soon the new X-Files comic) and ship them to me.

IDW-boxRecently, a local group of artists calling themselves Alaska Robotics, opened up a graphic novel and art gallery shop in down town Juneau. A good portion of this store is dedicated to graphic novels from DC, Marvel, Image, and IDW. When they first opened up, I asked one of the shop owners if they would be able to carry the Transformers books that IDW Publishing had been putting out. Alaska Robotics was all to happy to oblige me. I now visit their downtown store every Saturday to pick up the latest Transformers books that have come in. This includes the US and UK Transformers Classics, The new Transformers: Regeneration One Volume 1 and several books from Transformers: The IDW Collections.

IDW-Box-Open

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 13th, I was going through my RSS feeds when I happened upon a post from Seibertron.com titled: IDW Limited Collection Contest plus bonus prize for Seibertron.com members. The post on Seibertron told me about a contest that IDW Limited was holding for Transformers fans on Twitter.

The IDW Limited Twitter account has just posted a surprise contest for the upcoming weekend. All you have to do to enter is take a photo of your Transformers collection (toys, comics, bed sheets, whatever you’ve got) and tweet it to their account, for a chance to win some free IDW Transformers goodies!

The post went on to say that if you win the contest and are already a member of Seibertron.com (I am) you will also win a hardcover copy of “The Art of Transformers” book.

Some Awesome 'Beast Wars The Gathering' comics. 1-4

Some Awesome ‘Beast Wars The Gathering’ comics. 1-4

As a big time Transformers fan, I just had to give this a shot. I took to twitter and searched up the hash tag #IDWLTD which the Seibertron post said to use with your photo submissions. Right away my twitter window filled up with posts from people who already had a day head start on me submitting pictures. I clicked on a few of the submitted pics to see what others had been submitting. What I saw were living rooms, bedrooms, bookshelves, closets, and tables just packed with Transformer collections of true fans. Collections that made my personal collection of Transformers seem small and insignificant. Still, I felt I had to try and enter this contest. I mean, whats the worst that could happen?

Right off the bat, I noticed one thing about the pictures I was seeing on twitter. No one was including themselves in any of the photos they where submitting. I figured that was something I could do that would be different and maybe eye catching to the folks behind IDW Limited.

Spotlight Megatron Comic

Spotlight Megatron Comic

Back in February, I started posting reviews on my blog of the original 1980s Marvel Transformers comic books. Starting with Issue 1, I would take pictures of myself holding the comics and just trying my best to look cool while doing it. Along with my reviews, I would include pictures of the ads and write up any letters that fans wrote in about the comic book at the time. These where two things I didn’t see in any of the other Transformers comic book reviews I had read. So, I figured I would start by Tweeting to @IDWltd a picture of me holding issue 1 of Transformers. I followed that with a picture I took of my book shelf and my collection of Transformers books from IDW. Most of which, I bought from Alaska Robotics here in town. From that point on I just kept submitting pictures of myself holding up Transformers comics until I ran out of time late Sunday night. I had to stop for Game of Thrones you see.

The Art of IDW's Transformers

The Art of IDW’s Transformers

The next day, I was at work when my phone alerted me to a tweet from @IDWltd.

“We have another winner! He sent us 2 dozen poses.Youseph, you’re awesome!  @YousephTanha: Shockwave is scary.  pic.twitter.com/1ImDVrdb0T“

I was so excited when I saw this, I could hardly stay in my chair. I replayed back right away thanking IDW for picking me. About a day later I got another tweet from IDW Limited with a tracking number of my prize.

Runabout by Guido

Runabout by Guido

It took thirteen days but the package made it. It was a long wait, but more than worth it. These guys really sent some amazing stuff. The first thing I noticed in the box was an IDW bookmark. It looks really cool. They also sent me the first four issues of ‘Transformers Beast Wars: The Gathering’. They also sent ‘Transformers Spotlight: Megatron’ comic. There was a hard back book called ‘The Art of IDW’s Transformers: Signed Edition’ that was not signed and  for some reason I found that very funny. The book is amazing though. Well constructed and the art inside by all the amazing artists was literally breath taking. Finally there was a drawing of Decepticon, Runabout signed by the artist, Guido Guidi.

I want to thank all the folks at IDW Limited for doing this great contest and for picking me as one of their winners. Being lucky enough to have been one of the winners of this contest has made it a little bit easier for me to be a Transformers fan in Juneau, Alaska. I not only have some great comics and art to enjoy, but I have met some cool Transformers fans from twitter.

Transformers Review Issue 12: Prime Time!

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Youseph-issue-12Transformers issue 12 picks up right from issue 11 with Buster Witwicky attempting to use Jetfire to break into the Decepticon’s headquarters inside Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One in an attempt to help rescue Optimus Prime.. The Autobots are miss directed in an attempt to rescue Optimus Prime before Shockwave disposes of him.

The cover for Transformers issues 12 shows an unforgiving Optimus Prime standing above his Autobot comrades as he blasts them.’Optimus Prime: Autobot Killer’ is written in bold black text on the left side of the cover just under the yellow and white Transformers logo. This attack appears to take lace on an open field in the middle of no were.

Transformers Issue 12 CoverUsing the power of the Creation Matrix in his mind, Buster directs Jetfire to take him to the Decepticon base currently located at Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One. In an attempt to avoid being show down by military aircraft, Buster is knocked unconscious. This causes Jetfire to revert to his programming and deliver Buster to Shockwave as originally programmed so the Decepticons can use the Creation Matrix inside Busters head.

The Autobots, who have been miss directed, head to a location where they believe Shockwave will have the head of Optimus Prime disposed of. They have brought with them the body of Optimus Prime. Jetfire drops a head that looks like Optimus Prime into a near by swamp. The Autobots rescue the head and it is reattached to Optimus Prime’s body. The Autobots are overjoyed to have their leader back when Prime reacts by shooting Prowl right in his chest before brutally attacking the rest of the Autobots. Shockwave appears to inform the Autobots that the head is a fake.

Transformers-issue-12-ZwapAt Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One, Buster come around and is able to use the Creation Matrix to take control of Jetfire again and uses him to take out Shockwave. Then he uses Jetfire to return the real head of Optimus Prime to his body. Optimus is able to pull off the fake head from his body and reattached himself. He then proceeds to dispatch Soundwave’s minions.

Transformers-Issue-12-HeadShockwave recovers from his battle with Jetfire and transformers to find Prime and finish him off. The ensuing battle results in prime throwing Shockwave into the swamp where he sink in and is left. The Autobots beg Optimus Prime to blast away shockwave so he can never return. Prime does not. Rather he races off to the Aerospace Pant to save Buster. Prime feeling very loyal and grateful to Buster, feels this is something he has to do right away.

Transformers-issue-12-last-panel

When Optimus Prime arrives at the plant he discovers that Buster has been rescued by the plant’s human workers that had been enslaved by Shockwave previously. Buster returns the Creation Matrix back to Optimus Prime. The comic book ends with Optimus Prime thinking about the fact that innocent human lives are in danger because of the Transformers war.

ISSUE 12′s Ads

No letters to Marvel in this issue.