Transformers return, Marvel UK style!

Picking up the story 21 years later, IDW Publishing, in association with Hasbro, has released more information about Transformers: Regeneration One, an all-new monthly series continuing from the original Generation One Transformers comics originally published by Marvel UK.

 

IDW will kick off the event by offering fans a free Transformers: Regeneration One #80.5 for Free Comic Book Day, 5th May 2012, as a Gold Sponsorship comic - then continue with Transformers: Regeneration One #81 in July.

Writer Simon Furman and legendary Transformers artist Andrew Wildman (who will be signing at London's Orbital Comics on FCBD, see earlier story), are back to their original roots with all-new stories. Starting after 1991’s Transformers #80 comic epic conclusion, the free issue picks up as Optimus Prime watches over a Cybertron that hasn't faced Megatron for decades. But that peace shudders to an end and dives headlong into July's new series.

“The original Transformers saga is back - with a vengeance!” enthuses Simon Furman. “‘Epic’ doesn’t cover it!”

Transformers: Regeneration One #81 comic will feature many fan-favourite Generation One Transformers characters including Optmus Prime, Grimlock, Kup, Rod, Ultra Magnus and more.

Marvel UK's licensed Transformers was one its most successful news stand tiles, running new stories originated for the UK market that writer Simon Furman carefully dovetailed into the US comic stories also published into the title. These early stories have since been re-published as albums by Titan Books.

“It's always nice to complete unfinished business, even after 20 years,” says Andrew Wildman. Artist Stephen Baskerville, the original inker on the classic issues, joins Wildman on interiors as inker, as Wildman also provides eye-catching covers.

“Transformers: Regeneration One comic is an important book to Transformers fans,” IDW Senior Editor John Barber commented, “and expectations are high. Fortunately Simon, Andrew, and Stephen have only gotten better since the last issue!”

- Transformers: Regeneration One #80.5 (Free, 32 pages; full colour) will be available on May 5, 2012 as part of Free Comic Book Day. Transformers: Regeneration One #81 ($3.99, 32 pages; full colour) will be available in July 2012. Visit IDWPublishing.com to sign up for updates and learn more about the company and its top-selling books.