Re-Generation One (IDW retro G1)

[andersonh1]

It's the same situation we had with the old G1 cartoon. Magnus, Springer, Kup, Hot Rod, etc all first appeared in the movie, but we generally assume they existed during the earlier timeframe of seasons 1 and 2, they were just out in space somewhere. One of the "informational trailers" that used to run at the end of some season three episodes comes right out and confirms that for some of the characters.

Regeneration One is the same way. Magnus and the characters who form the Wreckers existed during the timeframe covered by Marvel G1, we just never saw them. The inclusion of those characters doesn't necessarily prove that the events of UK Marvel G1 happened or didn't happen.

[Tigermegatron]

It's the same situation we had with the old G1 cartoon. Magnus, Springer, Kup, Hot Rod, etc all first appeared in the movie, but we generally assume they existed during the earlier timeframe of seasons 1 and 2, they were just out in space somewhere. One of the "informational trailers" that used to run at the end of some season three episodes comes right out and confirms that for some of the characters.

Regeneration One is the same way. Magnus and the characters who form the Wreckers existed during the timeframe covered by Marvel G1, we just never saw them. The inclusion of those characters doesn't necessarily prove that the events of UK Marvel G1 happened or didn't happen.

But the UK Marvel TF G-1 comics was the very first to actually put certain TF character themed toys in a special group called the Wreckers. Springer,twintwist & topspin. The Marvel USA TF G-1 Comics never had a team of Transformers called the Wreckers. So clearly simon Furman is using some elements from the UK Marvel TF comics & putting them in the IDW Re-generation TF comics.

the only debatable things about the Re-generations Wreckers & Ultra Magnus,is if the character persona's & their origin stories are tied to the UK Marvel TF comics or not.

[andersonh1]

But the UK Marvel TF G-1 comics was the very first to actually put certain TF character themed toys in a special group called the Wreckers. Springer,twintwist & topspin. The Marvel USA TF G-1 Comics never had a team of Transformers called the Wreckers. So clearly simon Furman is using some elements from the UK Marvel TF comics & putting them in the IDW Re-generation TF comics.

Sure, in the same way that Roberts and Roche used the Wreckers for IDW's G1 continuity, or Furman himself used it back in Stormbringer, or the way Transformers Prime incorporated the Wreckers, or Dark of the Moon used the idea. It's become one of those many concepts that has become a pervasive part of Transformers lore.

the only debatable things about the Re-generations Wreckers & Ultra Magnus,is if the character persona's & their origin stories are tied to the UK Marvel TF comics or not.

You're arguing that their presence in the story indicates that they are tied to Marvel UK. I'm saying it's not necessarily so. Now if they start referencing plot points from UK stories, then we've got solid evidence. But Ultra Magnus and the Wreckers turn up in many iterations of Transformers, so their presence alone doesn't prove linked continuity. That's all I'm saying.

The Free comic book day issue of Regeneration One has a pretty good summary of Marvel G1 US, but does it mention either G2 or Marvel UK? That might be a better indication of what Furman had in mind. As far as I can recall, it summarized the US series, and if anything else was referenced it was a passing mention, nothing else.

[Onslaught Six]

Jhiaxus is pictured, and has said in interviews that some events of G2 happened (presumably Jhiaxus' invasion) but obviously the events didn't happen verbatim. I'm sure someone can source the quote on his blog, but I just don't have time to dig through it.

[andersonh1]

#86 - bought the issue yesterday and read it last night.

- I'm still not entirely clear on how Scorponok survived. I get that he's just him now, minus Zarak (who is still dead) and that somehow his personality was backed up or something? That's fine, I don't have a problem with his return, even if he's not the approachable and sympathetic version that Unicron killed. I just don't quite get when and how the backup was made. I guess at some point after he became a Headmaster, hence the reason he's on Nebulos. I guess if Optimus Prime's personality can be backed up on a floppy disk (ahem) then Scorponok's personality can be backed up as well. Different continuity, different rules.
- Nucleon did more than shut down transformation abilities. That makes sense... Grimlock was warned it affected everyone in different ways. He should have listened. His general impatience and reckless disregard for consequences are consistent with how he acted in the past, but it seems obvious that he's not really cooperating with Scorponok. And Scorponok can't be just blithely accepting Grimlock's loyalty.
- Starscream and Galvatron are still alive.

[Shockwave]

#86 - bought the issue yesterday and read it last night.

- I'm still not entirely clear on how Scorponok survived. I get that he's just him now, minus Zarak (who is still dead) and that somehow his personality was backed up or something? That's fine, I don't have a problem with his return, even if he's not the approachable and sympathetic version that Unicron killed. I just don't quite get when and how the backup was made. I guess at some point after he became a Headmaster, hence the reason he's on Nebulos. I guess if Optimus Prime's personality can be backed up on a floppy disk (ahem) then Scorponok's personality can be backed up as well. Different continuity, different rules.
- Nucleon did more than shut down transformation abilities. That makes sense... Grimlock was warned it affected everyone in different ways. He should have listened. His general impatience and reckless disregard for consequences are consistent with how he acted in the past, but it seems obvious that he's not really cooperating with Scorponok. And Scorponok can't be just blithely accepting Grimlock's loyalty.
- Starscream and Galvatron are still alive.

I have yet to read this issue but I recall reading somewhere (maybe an earlier issue of Regeneration One) that the heads that the headmasters had weren't actually the original heads of the Transformers but new heads created to accomodate the Nebulan's bodies for transformation and that the original heads were stored somewhere. Then, after the Headmasters left Nebulos the Nebulans built bodies for the orinal heads. This could also explain not only how Scorponok is back but why his personality is different since the original head doesn't have the Zarak component to tame him.

[andersonh1]

I have yet to read this issue but I recall reading somewhere (maybe an earlier issue of Regeneration One) that the heads that the headmasters had weren't actually the original heads of the Transformers but new heads created to accomodate the Nebulan's bodies for transformation and that the original heads were stored somewhere. Then, after the Headmasters left Nebulos the Nebulans built bodies for the orinal heads. This could also explain not only how Scorponok is back but why his personality is different since the original head doesn't have the Zarak component to tame him.

That would explain a lot, if that's the case. And yes, it's clear that it's just Scorponok minus Zarak. One of the most interesting things about the issue is when Scorponok discusses how the two different personalities took on aspects of each other, and he notes that if Zarak had absorbed more of Scorponok's warrior ethic that Zarak might still be alive.

[Dominic]

In the original "Headmasters" series, the characters destined to become Headmasters were shown leaving their heads in labs on Nebulos. What became of those heads was never established. If I recall, the Headmasters who left Nebulos were essentially combinations of the Nebulan and the Cybertronian. Furman's UK comics, and later US issues written by Furman, implied that the "Master" bonding would become progressively more fundamental over time, essentially erasing the distinctions between the parties. (Remember, Hi-Q pointed out that nucleon only accelerated a change that was already taking place in issue 76.)

The implication in the most recent issue of "ReGeneration 1" is that the Nebulans tried to conduct further research, and Scorponok somehow used that to take control of the Nebulans. Scorponok's comments also imply that the Headmasters were transmitting at least some information back to Nebulos.


Dom
-notes that little was ever done with Targetmasters....

[andersonh1]

No one's talked about the last issue, and maybe it's because you all found it just as hilariously bad as I did. Okay, sure, this is a different continuity than IDW's other books, but is Furman seriously making the case that Transformers have no free will? That all it takes to make them murderous Decepticons is to essentially flip a switch, even if it's more complicated than that? Is the reverse true? Could Megatron have been rehabilitated by a reverse application of Scorponok's "genetic" modifications?

The dialogue of the characters turned "evil" was awful. At least the appearance of Primus down at the heart of Cybertron was a bright spot. It will be interesting to see where that storyline goes.

[Dominic]

I could have sworn that I did post thoughts on this.


Ah....well then.



The use of "genetics" in reference to TFs has always bothered me. But, "genetics" is one of those concepts that I just have to accept as being misused in TF (and other sci-fi), not unlike gravity and sound in space. It bothers me, but I am nearly desensitized to it.


I get the feeling that there is going to be some kind of twist. "Their genes made them do it" is too much a simplification for Furman via Tokar. I anticipate something along the lines of Grimlock and co staynig Autobots, albeit slightly meaner, and turning on the still recognizably Decepticon Scorponok. This likely ties in with the fundamental differences between the factions Grimlock and Bludgeon were talking about back in issue 76-78.


Dom
-taking the ride.