Starting off with the main IDW continuity, we’re getting The Transformers Spotlight: Cyclonus (Revelations Part One), which follows on from Transformers: Devastation, and The Transformers Spotlight: Wheelie, the fifth independent Spotlight issue of 2008 (which will make you love the character).

Transformers Animated, Vol. 3 continues the Animated cartoon in comic form, again using scans from the animation to produce the art.

Transformers Movie Prequel Special is a reprint of the two Target exclusive comics, one that were given out in theaters in the USA and one as an extra for Transformers on DVD at Target Stores (as well as Play.com in the UK).

Finally, Transformers Beast Wars Sourcebook TPB collects together the 4 individual sourcebooks and fixes many of the errors and omissions.

As a bonus, Chris Ryall has posted the final two covers for Spotlight Cyclonus and the one for Spotlight Wheelie. All comics are out on 18th June.

Gary voiced Optimus Primal in Beast Wars and Beast Machines and Optimus Prime in Transformers Armada, Energon and Cybertron.

Issue #10 continues the alternate Transformers movie storyline, with Twilight’s Last Gleaming: Part 2, which tells of what would have happened if Megatron had got the Allspark. There is also Part 10 of Beast Wars: The Gathering and a preview of the Transformers: Animated cartoon which starts on 25th March. The free gift is a missile blaster with target.

The full details and cover art for the issue can be found on Titan’s website.

New IDW Editor Denton J. Tipton has posted on the IDW forums asking for a complete list of errors in the books so that they can be corrected for the TPB release. Dan Khanna will be helping with colour corrections, with the added bonus that some extra artwork will be included as well as the missing glossary. Ben Yee will also be involved.

So if you want a more complete and accurate collection, get involved.

Transformers Movie Sequel: The Reign of Starscream #2
Chris Mowry, Chris Ryall (w); Alex Milne (a); Alex Milne, James Raiz (c)

The official continuation of the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS movie continues here!
In part two, “To Be King,” STARSCREAM’s machinations on Mars move forward… but they also catch the vigilant eyes of a team of AUTOBOTS, and the battle begins! The AUTOBOTS, however, will soon learn that STARSCREAM is not alone… co-writers Chris Ryall (Transformers Movie Prequel) and Chris Mowry, along with artist Alex Milne (Transformers Movie Adaptation) continue their tale that explains, expounds upon and expands the world of the TRANSFORMERS movie! Ask your retailer how to get a variant cover by James Raiz, too!

*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: See your order form for special incentives
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Transformers: Best of the U.K.: Space Pirates #3
Simon Furman (w); Lee Sullivan (a); Dan Khanna (c)

Continuing the reprints of the best TRANSFORMERS epics from across the pond! In chapter three of Space Pirates, Rodimus Prime suddenly finds himself stripped of the power of the creation matrix. Now merely Hot Rod once more, how can he hope to stop the power of the Quintessons as they overrun Autobot City? Witness the coming of… Metroplex! Written by Simon Furman, with art by Lee Sullivan and a new cover recreating a classic scene by Dan Khanna.

*Retailers: See your order form for special incentives
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

The Transformers Animated Vol. 3

Continuing a series of books capturing the action of The TRANSFORMERS Animated Series! Share the adventures of AUTOBOT heroes like OPTIMUS PRIME, HOT ROD, and JAZZ as they battle MEGATRON and the dangerous DECEPTICONS. Using actual still frames from the series itself, The Transformers Animated series puts new TF action in your pocket.

TPB • FC • 5” x 7” • $7.99 • 96 Pages • ISBN: 978-1-60010-215-8

The Transformers: Devastation TPB
Simon Furman (w); E. J. Su, Nick Roche, Robby Musso (a); Su (c)

In the aftermath of Escalation’s thundering showdown in Brasnya, factions on Earth stir into bold and demonstrative action. With both the Machination and Skywatch poised to strike, each possessing CYBERTRONIAN tech and inside knowledge of the alien enemy they face, the AUTOBOTS have no choice but to relocate. But the arrival on Earth of the DECEPTICONS’ living super-weapon, SIXSHOT, tells of more Devastation to come. What role do SOUNDWAVE, SCORPINOK, and the REAPERS play in the coming confrontation? Find out in this exciting tale from Simon Furman and E.J. Su.

TPB • FC • 152 pages • 6.625” x 10.187” • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-168-7

The Transformers: Best of the UK: Dinobots
Simon Furman (w); Barry Kitson, Will Simpson, Tim Perkins (a); Nick Roche (c)

A long lost mystery surfaces only to become the pawn of a man bent on revenge and a threat to the AUTOBOTS. The threat… SWOOP, now under the control of another and out of control. OPTIMUS PRIME has no choice but to gather the troops and order a hunt for the rest of the DINOBOTS! This special collection presents a beloved U.K. TRANSFORMERS tale from years past, written by mainstay Simon Furman, and featuring an art gallery of recreated images by artist Nick Roche.

TPB • FC • 144 pages • 6.625” x 10.187” • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-169-4

Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook TPB
Simon Furman & Ben Yee (w); Matt Frank, Don Figueroa, Guido Guidi, Jake Isenberg, Dan Khanna, Robby Musso, Marcelo Matere, Frank Milkovich, Nick Roche, James Raiz, Rob Ruffolo, Jamie Snell, Simon Williams, (a); Don Figueroa (c)

Simon Furman (Transformers: Beast Wars: The Gathering) and Ben Yee (consultant on the Beast Wars TV series) team up to present an all-encompassing, unifying resource book highlighting the characters, worlds and technology from all generations and incarnations of BEAST WARS. From Air Hammer to Wolfgang and beyond, and featuring all-new art from a host of the industry’s top Transformers artists like Don Figueroa, Guido Guidi, Nick Roche, and more! This is the guidebook Transformers fans have been clamoring for!

TPB • FC • 200 pages • 6.625” x 10.187” • $24.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-159-5

The full interview can be read here.

Chris also talks about delays and wrong information posted about release dates. He asks that fans keep faith that there is nothing that can be done about some delays.

Here are the IDW releases for the next month:

16th January:
TF Animated Digest, Vol. 1
TF: Devastation #4

23rd January:
TF: Target 2006 TPB
TF Spotlight: Blaster

6th February:
TF: Devastation #5
TF Beast Wars Sourcebook #4

13th February:
TF Beast Wars: The Ascending TPB
TF Animated Digest, Vol. 2 

Part 1

Part 2

Here is a small sample of what he wrote:

Phew. Suffice it to say, the action starts on page 1 and doesn’t stop until page 22. And inbetween there’s triumph, torment and tragedy aplenty. No one is guaranteed to survive (and many don’t) and no happy endings are assured. In fact, as so often happens, the ending is also a beginning. Those who know their Beast Wars will be pleased the final scenes on page 22 (I hope!).

He also discusses his non-Transformers work, his travelling to conventions and his enjoyment in writing his blog, which only started last March.