rumor: IDW to lose Transformers license in 2022?

[andersonh1]

It's Bleeding Cool, so take it with a grain of salt:

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/idw-to- ... e-in-2022/

"Over the weekend at San Diego Comic-Con 2021: Special Edition, there was plenty to talk about the state of the comic book industry as it stands, as well as the many moves that have been happening of late and will be happening in the very near future. And as big publishers chose not to attend the show, it meant that there was much less management of the information that flowed. One such nugget was the news that IDW Publishing, based just up the road in San Diego, is to lose their licence to produce comic books based on the Transformers franchise from Hasbro.

Back in August, Bleeding Cool broke the news on IDW losing the Marvel Action kids line of titles, which IDW then confirmed, and the Star Wars All-Ages line – which IDW did not reply to, but that Dark Horse Comics claimed last month.

IDW did not respond to inquiries made earlier today, on this, or a number of related stories. If true, there is also no date as to when this may occur but on current form, I would expect in the summer of 2022."

[Dominic]

Rumor, yes. But, if Bleeding Cool called similar changes in the recent past, it is worrisome.

[andersonh1]

Rumor, yes. But, if Bleeding Cool called similar changes in the recent past, it is worrisome.

It is worrisome, and I hope not true. I'm really enjoying the current series and don't want to see it end any time soon.

[Ursus mellifera]

Rumor, yes. But, if Bleeding Cool called similar changes in the recent past, it is worrisome.

It is worrisome, and I hope not true. I'm really enjoying the current series and don't want to see it end any time soon.

I can't do another reboot, man. Not this soon.

I CAN'T do it, MAN!

[andersonh1]

Yeah, I'm not sure I have the energy for starting over again either. Let's hope the rumor doesn't pan out.

[Dominic]

I am still reading comics, so I would be willing to give "Transformers" another shot, depending on creative team and direction. (Though, removing "Transformers" removes an ongoing series from my pull-file. The only other 2 are published by DC, so those are unlikely to last more than a year or so.)

IDW has had the license for 15+ years. It was not all good. It was not all bad. Reboots can be healthy. And, Marvel proved that they are often necessary. (After about a decade, "Ultimates" needed a reboot, despite being intended as being ever-green.)

lDW is the first license holder to being "Transformers" to an ending (2005-2018) that was not mandated by losing the license (and less rushed over-all).

3+ years is longer than the license lasted with Dreamwave, and longer than some runs have been at other publishers. (Furman's US run was ~2 years.)

The current series is good. But, the art has kept it from being something truly great, despite some of the best writing that I have seen on TF in years.

[Ursus mellifera]

The current series is good. But, the art has kept it from being something truly great, despite some of the best writing that I have seen on TF in years.)

I think I'm done if this run gets cancelled, barring some spectacular art AND story from a reboot. I mean, it'll have to impress the crap out of all y'all if I'm going to get it at this point.

[Dominic]

Been looking around other forums. Nothing more than the basic rumor, but with some added speculation about where the comics would go.

The most realistic guesses are either Boom! Studios or some kind of digital only model.

I have heard that Boom! does well with the Power Ranger license (a Hasbro property). And, their WWE comics have been good (when I can find them).

As long as the next run with the license did not have the shipping that has characterized IDW, and (hopefully) better art, I would likely stick around for it.

Digital only would put me off the hobby.

[Shockwave]

If this does turn out to be true, I'll be pissed, honestly. There's no reason I can think of for Hasbro to pull the license and, according to the owner of my comic shop, it does well in sales. BUT, as pissed as I would be, I would still follow it where ever it goes. I've stuck with this franchise in comics through some of it's most dubious offerings, I'm not giving up now. The only time I've ever passed on something with TF on it was the last TF/GI Joe crossover with the really shitty art. Still, count my in with the "I'm enjoying what's current, hope it's not true" crowd.

[Sparky Prime]

More possible bad news for IDW? John Barber rumored to be out as IDWs EiC.