Transformers: Beast Machines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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115) I am curious if this is following on after the Beast Wars and our 'heroes' are returning to Cybertron will they look different at the very beginning of the first episode or will there be some sort of change or at least an explanation of the new look?

Expect an explanation... and a *hugely* dramatic one at that.

116) What kind of music will be on the show? I always felt that soundtrack is 26% of a good show(take for instance Transformers the Movie) so what kind of music scores will BM boast?

I agree with you wholeheartedly on the importance of music (being a big fan of John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Bernard Hermann, Erich Korngold, James Horner, and Danny Elfman (to name but a few). Although I haven't heard any of the music yet, I suspect it will be in keeping with the kind of music heard in Beast Wars... although flavored differently for the new environment (after all, the music for Tatooine didn't sound like the music written for the Death Star, did it?).

117) Will the characters be more complex?

Absolutely. Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio provided us with wonderfully rich characters, and we're trying to mine them for all they're worth while also taking them in new directions.

118) I am a huuuuuge fan of Blackarachnia and was wondering, will her attitude change or will she still be the same cocky widow?

She will change and evolve as circumstances change around her. But through it all, she'll always be the same cocky widow.

119) Why so few female transformers? I know it's primarily a guy show, but Blackarachnia was my favorite on BW and from what I've heard, the TM2 Blackarachnia toy is already being highly sought after by many fans despite the fact that it hasn't been released yet. I'd think that her popularity would soften you guys up (I say "you guys" because I don't know who makes the final decisions) to the idea of bringing in more female characters.

Like I need to be softened up?! *I* lobbied for years for a Harley Quinn doll, and snatched one up as soon as they became available!

Marty and I love writing strong, well-defined female characters, and really wish this universe contained more of them. While none will be showing up in the first season of Beast Machines, we're lobbying for at least one for Season Two (and there *will* be a Season Two!).

Why didn't we introduce such a character in the first season? Let's just say that's the only "fight" we lost. But since we're getting our way on everything else, we're trying not to be *too* bitter about it (especially considering how our new character is shaping up depite being handicapped by XY chromosomes).

120) I cannot stand the new look for Blackarachnia! Please tell me this isn't the final version. Is it possible for the Blackarachnia image on your site to change completely before rendering?

*Nothing's* final until everything airs... Sorry you don't like the new design, but please wait until you see her in action before passing judgement. (After all, we all hated Jar Jar Binks before finding out how wonderful he turned out to.... uh... bad example.) (Waitaminute... I've grown to actually *like* Jar Jar!) Anyway, give the new design a chance. And I promise she won't say things like "Meesa Maximize!"

121) Will there be 3 or 2 warring factions?

Two. For the most part.

122) In BM will Megatron's ducky be featured? You just can't have a good bath scene without the ducky popping up.

Well, let's just say that every time Megatron takes a bath the duck will be there.

123) I thought that the words the BW used (slag,pit etc.) added character! Will BM be using these pseudo swear words?

Aw frag, I can never remember the answer to that slagging question!

124) Is BM going to be aimed squarely at 'kids' again?

Every episode of every show I write is aimed squarely at *one* kid. Me.

125) Will there be *any* non-beast alt-modes on the show? Will we see other alt modes besides animals?

Yep.

126) Are you still disturbing the timeline in BM?

No. Marty and I are too busy disturbing each other.

127) Will there be any more “names” carried over from g1 for the new show?

Not character names as such. But certain terminology comes up from time to time.

128) What's your view on fanfiction? Especially since the fact that many TF fans will start to go off on their own Beast Machines stories when the first episode airs.

If folks are so inspired by what we're doing (or failing to do) and going off in their own directions, I'd love to see it!

129) Will superpowers come into play in this series as it did towards the end of last season?

Not superpowers as such. Just the abilities that come with their new forms.

130) First off, a mountain of thanks for being kind and patient enough to answer all these questions--even the ones you can't REALLY answer just yet.

You are *very* welcome. I'm really enjoying the interaction here with fans (as limited as the "interaction" is in a Q & A format.).

I have a couple of questions which hopefully won't fall into that latter category...

First, while it's apparent from some of your answers that you draw inspiration from numerous sources, literary and otherwise, what sort of "homework", if any, are you doing with specific relevance to the TF universe? In other words, which facets, if any, of the TF multiverse (toys, G1 comics, G2 comics, U.K. comics, G1 cartoon, BW) are you consulting for background material?

Largely, Beast Wars. Mostly, the characters themselves. But for reasons I can't say right now, we *are* looking yet deeper into the past...

Second, if you are using that reference material, have you developed any overall thoughts on it yet (amid everything else you're doing)?

Any thoughts we have on it will be reflected in how we are using it, I suppose.

Finally, the Blackarachnia sock puppet: silk stocking or fishnet?

I would argue that white silk would be appropriate for Air-Razor.

Black Arachnia is fishnet. All fishnet. (You know that kind that looks all spider-webby..?)

131) Will we be seeing more of the Maximal and Predacon written language? Will you make up any new alien languages for us to see? Thanks.

We're focusing on our core characters, who won't be using alien languages. As to whether or not Maximal or Predacon writing appears in the shows, that remains to be seen.

But if you're really hungry for alien languages, meesa knowing movie out yousa be seeing containing muchly language Gungun!