Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
132) Beast Wars: Transformers showed through various points in the series, whether through dialogue (Possession, Other Visits) or actions (The Probe, The Agenda Part 1), that Cybertron is filled with numerous political conflicts. With the Tripredacus Council, a major political group in the Predacon government, revealed to be part of a major plot to destroy the time stream in Beast Wars, will there be any type of political action taken in Beast Machines? (and if this cannot be answered, will there still be political conflicts in Beast Machines?)
Political action. Well, actually, expect something more like philosophical action! (Trust me, it won't take the form of dialectical arguments over thick textbooks -- except for Episode #4: "Debate Team!"). Seriously, though, the major conflicts will be more philosophical in nature than political -- and I think you'll like the result!133) In Beast Wars, Cheetor was hinted at having some type of premonition powers (in episodes like The Web, The Spark, Feral Scream 2,and Other Victories), but it was never fully explored. Will these powers continue to be hinted at, or explored, in Beast Machines?
Not so far. But it *is* an interesting notion!134) Do the Maximal Elders have possession of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership? Are the Maximal Elders really the few autobots that have survived the Great Wars? Will we see the maximal leaders carrying the matrix around in their bodies?
The Maximal Elders don't have possession of very much at all! (Let's just say they're having a *real* bad week!)135) First of all: I'm scared, but I'm excited. (BTW, Bob, thanks for Gargoyles "Future Tense." THAT ALONE makes me sure you can do this thing right.)
I *loved* writing "Future Tense". Story Editor Michael Reaves offered me the story, and I realized that I couldn't say No, I just HAD to write it! And it came out great, too! (Did you know it was, at one point, supposed to be produced in 3-D? No lie!) Anyway, Michael is returning the favor of letting Marty and I write "Future Tense" by writing several episodes of Beast Machines for us, including episode four (which is *not really* called "Debate Team"!)Come on--STARSCREAM? "Even if it takes a thousand years, I'll be avenged on you"?? Don't tell me you can ignore that. Okay, just SAY there was going to be a season three. Will you ease all our minds and write that episode THEN? (Please?)
No, we're going to keep you in suspense a while longer. Starscream is not slated to appear *so far*... but like a bad penny, you never know when he'll turn up!
136) This is not a question, but rather a suggestion/comment. If you don't plan to do any cross-references to G1 continuity, DO IT! (ahem) It adds a rich back story, and gives anti-BW factions something to think about. If you are doing so, my commendations.
G1 continuity will play *some* role in our series, but be aware, we are taking most of our cues from Beast Wars.137) Regarding the answer that you gave on repeativness, and your willingness to hear our opinions on it, my only complaint on the Godzilla series is that you always have Godzilla jump out at the right moment to save the day and beat the crap out of the monster/s. Why not have the monsters come to him, or show Godzilla throughout the whole episode and then have the monster appear? In other words try to see if there are other ways besides Deus Ex Machina to have Godzilla save the day, and to have our new/(old) heroes save the day in Beast Machines.
Yeah, I wasn't always happy with the Deus Ex Reptilicus aspect myself... a few times it felt just a little too convenient. Still, you'll be seeing some reversals on that device in the second twenty airing on Fox this fall... The next set features some of our very best work!138) Please, please, PLEASE, don't solve a solution ( strategy to beat the bad guys ) to a problem ( bad guys, schemes ) the same way every time, as was done in Power Rangers and that pitiful excuse for a show Voltron: The Third Dimension!
At the risk of offending the creators of those shows, I won't be taking many cues from them largely because I've never actually watched them. Marty and I have a ton of stuff out there, so you can see how we set up problems for our heroes and then let them figure their ways out of it. Watch the episodes, and let us know what *you* think!139) When is the official premier date for BM? Or if there isn't, what's the rough estimate?
Early September, when the new season of Saturday Morning stuff premieres on Fox. The executives over there just watched episode #1, and are crazy in love with our work!The episode also played at BotCon 1999, and the fans apparently loved it there, too.
And for those of you who missed BotCon... Episodes #1 and #2 of Beast Machines will be playing at the San Diego Comic Con! Marty and I will be there to answer questions, along with producers Dan Didio, Ace Fipke (I think), and several executives from Fox, such as Dan Evans and David McDermott.
The guys at Fox totally get the show, and have been 1,000% supportive, so rest asssured, this show is at the exact right network!
140) In Beast Machines will if Optimal Optimus is still the leader will other members of team be questioning his leadership all the time, like characters from Beast Wars?
Sadly, yes! But he's a Big Bot, and he can take it! (Challenging authority, questioning people's judgement, is the only way to be certain that they are right! Always suspect people who will not allow their methods, theories, or beliefs to be questioned!) The Maximals challenging Optimus is *not* a measure of distrust; it's totally healthy, and adds a measure of conflict by which we can better understand *all* of our characters!141) Will we be able to see more people in the cast of characters? In Beast Wars Larry and Bob F. and a few others gave us decent insights to characters...Dinobot's honor or Silverbolt's romantic side. Will the new cast of characters be given a just as detailed history or will we be given the G1 deal and only 1-2 people on each faction are given a history?
You like insights... you got'em! Every one of our characters has a through-line, a dramatic arc by which they will grow. These will be character-based, not merely story/plot based.142) Will anymore information be provided for the missing 300 years(G1-BW gap)?
Sorry, but we've got our hands full with the current history! And trust me, it's *real* eventful!143) Hi! Having read your comment about Paul Dini (Which I wholeheartedly concur with, anyone who can make a Masters of the Universe episode not just good but fascinating earns my undying admiration) have you considered inviting him to put a story forward for Beast Machines? Even as a one-off it could be great fun (Not that I'm suggesting you haven't got your own ideas, but as you say, if you want a new, oblique and FUN spin on a cliche, there's no one even _close_ to him). Best of luck with the new series from this side of the Atlantic(England, UK)!
Inviting Paul Dini hadn't occurred to me... largely (and soley) because he is contractually tied to Warners on Batman Beyond and several other major (and hush-hush) projects. I'd *love* to work with him again -- every time I read one of his scripts it reminds me just how much I have to learn as a writer! (And that goes for many of the writers on our current series as well, including (but not limited to) Michael Reaves and Brynne Chandler Reaves!144) One quick comment. After seeing your insight on so many things (the talk of villains earlier, for instance), I've decided as a fan, that you will be perfect for this job. I have no doubt that you will do good on this series and I hope other fans feel the same. My quick question is, will Silverbolt be on the next series; you can't have a Blackarachnia w/o a Silverbolt?
Thank you so much for your confidence; I'm hoping it will be well-rewarded. In terms of Black Arachnia and Silverbolt... well, true love never *does* run smoothly, does it?145) This isn't a question, just a comment: You are one of the most BRILLIANT show writers whose material I have experienced! Your work on Batman episodes was spectacular, Spiderman leaves me speechless in awe, and let's not forget Superman! You are truly awesome, and will make this series a champ!
Head... swelling up! Can't... write... Must... find humility!Seriously, the reason you liked my work on those shows probably had a lot to do with the fact that I love those characters so much. As a kid, in high school, in college... comics has always been a vibrant storytelling medium, but beyond that... those characters just kick major ass! And the opportunity to work on characters that have captivated you throughout your life is too good an opportunity to pass up with anything less than your full effort. (It also didn't hurt that I was working for people I deeply admired! You don't want to give them any less than your best, either!)
146) I am a big fan of Batman, Superman and Gargoyles. Your stories for those shows gave it a mature and real aspect to the series. My friend and I have always said that these "cartoons" are not just for kids anymore. I know I have you and the other story editors to thank for that.
The creators of the above mentioned shows love the characters, "get" the characters, and most importantly RESPECT the characters. They write these shows for themselves (as do I), and the result is a higher caliber of show which reaches a far broader, more mature audience than the 2-11 year olds that the networks are trying to target (this is not a put-down of networks, just a reality of the business based on advertising dollars and other nicities that never cross my mind while I'm at the keyboard on a script.)147) During all three seasons of Beast Wars - The Matrix and The Pit - protoform factories are mentioned, will we get to see them inside and out? Will we ever get to see the Pit (the area where Predacons are created) and the Matrix Center (where Maximals are created)?
Trust me... you'll be seeing a *lot*!148) This isn't a question (so there's no need to put it in the FAQ) so much as it is a big "Thank you". "Beast Wars" was a show my son and I could enjoy together. Plenty of action, great graphics, but also actual stories and characters supported by solid writing. We were both concerned when we heard the show was going to Fox; we thought it was going to be turned into another Power Rangers. But judging by your resume (which includes some of the best animated series we've ever seen) and the responses in your FAQ, I think we can look forward to another series that engages the brain as well as the senses. Keep up the good work!
I'm glad you and your son like Beast Wars so much, but the people to thank for that are Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio! They did a great job on that run!As far as Fox goes, don't judge a whole network on one show! Fox gave us X-Men, the original animated Batman series, Beetlejuice, and so many other killer shows! And all of these had major network input, from execs who truly understand good storytelling and who are working overtime to make the shows smarter, sharper!
The people we're working with at Fox now *totally* understand this series, and are very encouraging and supportive! They're great guys who are looking forward to watching the finished programs just as much as you are!
149) Just wanted to tell you that you and the pictures released by Mainframe have convinced me that I will like Beast Machines. In the old Transformers cartoon(mainly season 1) when the bots and cons were on Cybertron, it looked deserted but we knew there were transformers living there. So in Beast Machines will we see other transformer civilians in the background or will it look deserted and we'll just have to imagine that the tf civilians are in their homes hiding from the Preds or what ever they are now. Thanks.
Well, that's a tough question to answer without giving away too much. Sadly, we *won't* be seeing too many civilians on Cybertron. And if that makes you unhappy, just imagine how unhappy our heroes are going to be when they find out *why* !150) Will Megatron be grieving over the death of his departed Predacons (i.e. Inferno)?
No, he's too busy revelling over his newfound fortunes! (Megs isn't the kind of guy who mourns too heavily over *anybody* once they've served his purposes!)151) This isn't really a question, just an interesting observation. I watch Batman the animated series and recently they showed the episode "His Silicon Soul" written by Bob Skir. In the beginning of the episode there is a building with an interesting name. It's called "Cybertron Warehouse". Looks like Transformers and Bob are meant to be.
Was it called Cybertron? Really? I think we inherited the name from "Heart Of Steel", written by Brynne Chandler Reaves. But you know what? The more time I spend on Cybertron, the more I think I was born to be here!(By the way, "His Silicon Soul" was written by Marty Isenberg & Bob Skir. We both worked together really hard on that script, but since Marty did a lion's share of the work on that while I was enjoying my big chance to live in the X-Men universe, I'd like to give credit where credit is due and say, "Great scripting, Marty!")
152) Just saw "His Silicon Soul" again, very moving. Will we see emotionally gripping stories or just action, action, action?
Would you believe.... *both* -- at the very same time! (When in doubt, we like to go for emotion over action. Our mantra is "Character, character, character", since it's your love for Optimus and Black Arachnia that'll bring you back for the next episode, and not, say, the Really Boss Explosions.)153) Are the good guys going to have some sort of trump card to balance out the vehicons? Tanks and Jets do slightly overpower cats and dogs.
But... these are really well-trained cats and dogs!154) Will there be a populace of characters that main characters will appear out of, or will there be a plot-device, like Beast Wars' Stasis Pods, to help introduce new characters?
New characters.... Hmmmmmmmm! Where *will* they come from? Hmmmmmmmmm!