New Drift TPB

[138 Scourge]

Yeah, and using 'bots from other continuities as background characters or cannon fodder is a long-time tradition in Transformers comics. People getting bent out of shape about this kind of thing is amazing.

[Dominic]

Sparky, neither of us have evidence to support us beyond what Milne said.

But, even if it was his friend's suggestion, do we really think that he drew in Hotshot without understanding why his friend thought it was funny? He could have drawn *any* characters, or even tweaked just about any character model, for the scenes in question. The fact that there are two characters associated with one of Drift's more vocal and obnoxious detractors getting killed on the same page in a "Drift" comic is too perfect.

And, O6 is right, it is petty. This as petty as "look how kewl it is that we kill GoBots in the background". If nothing else, it gives Walky's drama cult a legitimate reason to complain. Do we really want them to have any more reason to complain, legit or otherwise?


Dom
-notes that I am attacking the "Drift" comics while *Sparky* of all people is.... What is the forum coming to?

[Onslaught Six]

It's only this point that's really a niggle about the book, and I wish it weren't there because then, yeah, there actually *is* more fodder for the McCarthy haters.

[Sydew]

I am willing to bet that Atlas the most of the Circle of Light will be dead by the end of issue 3. Gut feeling.

I'm betting that too, but one could hope.

It's only this point that's really a niggle about the book, and I wish it weren't there because then, yeah, there actually *is* more fodder for the McCarthy haters.

I actually don't think McCarthy minds the controversy that much, after all it's something that most comic book writers have to deal with in this medium; for example if they decide to revamp a comic series, kill an established character or revive him/her it will create a reaction on some of their fanbase.

[Sparky Prime]

Sparky, neither of us have evidence to support us beyond what Milne said.

But why are you doubting what Milne said about his work in the first place? Milne is well known for adding these kinds of "Easter Eggs" to his work. Take "Megatron: Origin" for example... Grapple and Inferno (or bots that happen to look like them) are shown about to be crushed by the shuttle shot down during the Decepticons opening attack on Kaon. Or during Bumper and Fastback's funeral we see Orion Pax with his arm draped around Elita-1 no less, pre-armor Ultra Magnus and Alpha Trion among the bots in the crowd.

But, even if it was his friend's suggestion, do we really think that he drew in Hotshot without understanding why his friend thought it was funny?

Regardless of his friend's motivations, it's Milne's that is the issue here. And as he said, he had no malice on his part for drawing the character getting toasted. It's just another example of canon fodder as we've seen him do before. This one just happen to start out at one of his friend's requests.

-notes that I am attacking the "Drift" comics while *Sparky* of all people is.... What is the forum coming to?

I'm not really defending the comic. I'm simply questioning why you'd doubt Milne's comments.

[Onslaught Six]

I actually don't think McCarthy minds the controversy that much, after all it's something that most comic book writers have to deal with in this medium; for example if they decide to revamp a comic series, kill an established character or revive him/her it will create a reaction on some of their fanbase.

And from everything I've read, he doesn't seem to at all, which is great. Remarkably patient and laid-back, that man is. It's just that it makes it so much harder when you go somewhere that isn't here and go, "I like All Hail Megatron," and everyone stares at you like you've just admitted you're a sex offender.

[Dominic]

Regardless of his friend's motivations, it's Milne's that is the issue here. And as he said, he had no malice on his part for drawing the character getting toasted. It's just another example of canon fodder as we've seen him do before. This one just happen to start out at one of his friend's requests.

It just sounds *very* unlikely. Milne's friend says, "Hey, how about you draw Hotshot getting his ass killed?" Milne would answer, "Well, I can think of no reason that you would find that so funny, not do I anticipate it causing any drama. Sure." Then, his friend would say in a quiet voice, "No, no drama at all."

At the very least, Milne must have known this would stir up something. And, maybe it was intentional. Either way, killing a character just to poke at one fan or another, even an obnoxious ass like Willis, is childish.

And from everything I've read, he doesn't seem to at all, which is great. Remarkably patient and laid-back, that man is. It's just that it makes it so much harder when you go somewhere that isn't here and go, "I like All Hail Megatron," and everyone stares at you like you've just admitted you're a sex offender.

It certainly does not bother him as much as other writers let things bother them. McCarthy does not seem prone to tantrums like Claremont was in the 90s for example. And, he does not show the ridiculous amounts of despair that Moore does about "Watchmen". But, every so often, he posts something that I would read as indicating annoyance on his part. (And, who could blame him. When people are *intentionally* misreading your work, that has to grind on you.

I am willing to bet that a big part of the reason he does handle it so well is that he does other things besides write, and writes other things besides "Transformers". The man travels and has all manner of adventures.



Dom
-McCarthy needs to come to Boston and sign copies of AHM.

[andersonh1]

They seem every bit as petty and territorial as the typical Autobot or Decepticon, even if they have gone to great lengths to avoid the war. I suppose it remains to be seen how they will be used in the rest of the story.

I do not see wanting to avoid a war as petty. It makes perfect sense.

I agree, and that's not what I find petty about them.

I can even see Atlas not even wanting Drift in the building. The Circle built a good thing and did not want it getting wrecked by guys with a track record for wrecking things.

I suppose, given how Drift turns out in the future (AHM/Spotlight Drift) that I expected the third faction to be more noble and idealistic than they seem to be right now. Drift is right about one thing. Despite the fact that the Circle of LIght have preserved Cybertronian society as it was before the war, and despite the fact that they seemingly have a utopia, they are essentially hiding in a hole in the ground, terrified of strangers who might destroy their way of life. Wing has some courage and conviction, but the others that we meet seem to be clinging to the past and deathly afraid that something might happen to them.

I don't know, just my impression.

[Sparky Prime]

At the very least, Milne must have known this would stir up something. And, maybe it was intentional. Either way, killing a character just to poke at one fan or another, even an obnoxious ass like Willis, is childish.

I see no reason to assume Milne thought it would stir up anything, as he is known to have drawn recognizable characters as cannon fodder before. Why should this instance be any different? I doubt it would have even gotten this much attention had Milne not commented that a friend, who apparently hates Willis, made the request in the first place. And again, why doubt it when Milne himself essentially said it wasn't meant to intentionally stir things up.

[Dominic]

Like I said above, how likely is it that Milne just happened to draw two characters that are closely associated with Walky getting killed on the same page, without once making the connection before being asked about it? Yes, it could happen by coincidence. But, it is very unlikely. Do you really think his friend suggested it and Milne had no idea at al what was being suggested or what the ramifications would be?

I am not saying Milne is evil. But, I am saying that he is not too credible on this one.

And, near as I can tell, Walky's Wanky Whining is more about Tipton's comments than what Milne drew.

Despite the fact that the Circle of LIght have preserved Cybertronian society as it was before the war, and despite the fact that they seemingly have a utopia, they are essentially hiding in a hole in the ground, terrified of strangers who might destroy their way of life. Wing has some courage and conviction, but the others that we meet seem to be clinging to the past and deathly afraid that something might happen to them.

Actually, they seem to have improved on pre-war society. Either way though, I cannot see sitting out the war as being that bad. It actually makes more sense that a bunch of guys who want nothing to do with the war would make that choice based on a desire to not be in a war zone more than any sort of noble ideal.