This interview was made a few days ago, but I'm just posting it now.
How is artist Phil Jimenez involved with "Dark Cybertron?"
Barber: Phil was with James and I -- and the "Transformers" brand team, and Hasbro's Director, Global Publishing Michael Kelly -- out at Hasbro headquarters in Rhode Island. Phil's had some really serious experience with big stories, and he was anxious to work on "Transformers." He'd actually pitched a comic that hadn't come together, and we started talking about him working on this.
"Dark Cybertron" #1 is co-written by Roberts & Barber and features art by Phil Jimenez & Andrew Griffith
Roberts: As well as an eye for a good story and a passion for character-driven crossovers, Phil brought a real enthusiasm to the project. It wasn't that John and I were unenthusiastic -- not at all -- but it's easy, when writing the monthly books, to focus on the mechanics of moving the story forward: making sure the pieces on the board are lined up, foreshadowing certain events, ironing out continuity creases, etc. Phil's love of "Transformers" ensured that none of us lost sight of the ultimate aim of "Dark Cybertron:" it had to be big, and fun, and memorable, with massive set pieces that would engage your head and your heart.
Barber: Art-wise, he went on to do breakdowns for the first issue -- James and I plotted the issue "Marvel-style," just the plot with no dialog or panel breakdowns, and Phil broke it into panels. Then Andrew Griffith came in and worked his magic and did the finished art. The resulting mix is fantastic. Phil's an amazing storyteller, and Andrew knows the characters inside and out and is a brilliant actor with his art -- he really gets into the subtext of the characters actions with the way he draws them. The finished art is an outstanding blend of the two artists.
On top of that, Phil's doing character-specific subscription-only covers for the whole series, which ties in to the work he's doing with Hasbro on the "Generations" toy line.
What's the tension like between the Autobots and the Decepticons at the moment?
Barber: "Robots in Disguise" has been about that tension -- the story of the first 16 issues was Bumblebee trying to set up a government, dealing with the captured Decepticons from the end of the war. In the story, Megatron showed up -- he'd been missing somewhere on Cybertron -- and got the Decepticons to come back and try to take over the planet. Megatron failed, but the brief flare-up was enough to convince the civilians that these guys wouldn't be putting away their animosities any time soon. That gave Starscream the opportunity to seize control and kick both factions out.
Roberts: "More than Meets the Eye" has an all-Autobot cast, with the exception of Cyclonus, who is non-affiliated (though that doesn't stop everyone presuming he's a Decepticon). While on their quest Rodimus and his crew have had run-ins with rogue pockets of Decepticons, but for them -- away from Cybertron -- the war really has faded into the background. They live dangerous, hectic lives, and they've got a rapidly expanding rogues' gallery of their own, but the Decepticon threat isn't an ongoing concern anymore. Everyone is just relieved that the war's over.
Barber: So, at the start of "Dark Cybertron," the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron are both in the wilderness. They could just start shooting again, but nobody really has it in them at this point -- both sides are sort of feeling like they've lost, and lost in such a way that they can't really recover.
And neither side knows what Shockwave is up to -- Soundwave (who's leading the Decepticons) considers Shockwave a traitor to the cause, and Bumblebee knows he's bad news, but neither know what he's up to. Will they side with each other against Shockwave, or will the Decepticons see Shockwave as a chance to reestablish their superiority?
What does Cybertron look like with Starscream in charge? What real-world leaders would you compare him to?'
Barber: Starscream's got what he's always wanted -- he's got the planet under his thumb. But what he has to deal with now is... well, he's the leader when something really, really bad starts to happen.
At this point, Shockwave having a master plan that he's been working on for millions of years is the last thing Starscream wants to deal with. But when he has to... well, I don't think even Starscream knows what he'll do. Does he take the responsibility that comes with the power, or does he leave it to other people?
As to what real leaders -- I don't know, I think he's an idealized version of everything wrong with politics. He's all ambition and no ideology. He's the nightmare version of a politician, just out for power for its own sake. So, well, pick your own favorite politician you think is no good.
Log in to comment