SDCC 2016: Details Behind IDW's REVOLUTION UnM.A.S.K.ed!

IDW has used the platform of San Diego Comic Con International 2016 to fill us in on some of the details surrounding the REVOLUTION event that will tie together G.I. Joe, Transformers, Micronauts, and the upcoming ROM and M.A.S.K. series into a cohesive single universe!

I'm a child of the '80s, meaning I grew up with these properties. I watched the cartoons, I bought the toys, I pretended to be characters from the franchises, and always dreamed of them coming together and crossing over. And now, thanks to IDW, I get to see that dream that I'm sure many of you out there also dreamed come true!

This September, IDW starts a REVOLUTION as the licensed properties collide for the first time ever on this scale. Sure, we've seen G.I. Joe and Transformers cross over before, but mostly in an alternate timeline or whatever you want to call it. And now they are expanding the crossover by adding in other favorites in Micronauts, Rom and M.A.S.K.

As the REVOLUTION mini-series event kicks off with the first two issues shipping in September, we know from solicitations that some of those titles will be on the "Road to Revolution," and others, like M.A.S.K., will receive one-shots. What was unclear was exactly what would be happening to those titles after REVOLUTION. And now we have some light shed on that question.

Following REVOLUTION, several new series will be launching, as indicated by a press release IDW sent out during SDCC. They are as follows:

G.I. JOE - Relaunching as an ongoing series with a new creative team and new #1 this December following a REVOLUTION tie-in one-shot in October. Aubrey Sitterson (Street Fighter X G.I. Joe) will be writing the series, and Giannis Milogiannis (Prophet) will be illustrating. They will be "putting a unique spin on the Joe legacy in a post-Revolution world while delving into the cast's deep roster of iconic characters." Sitterson stated in a panel at SDCC that all of IDW's G.I. Joe continuity would remain intact, and this is true for all properties involved.

M.A.S.K.: MOBILE ARMORED STRIKE KOMMAND - Launching as a monthly series for the first time under the creative team of writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: Deviations) and artist Tony Vargas (Rot & Ruin). September sees a one-shot REVOLUTION tie-in, followed by the ongoing series in November of this year. As stated in previous press releases, "The take on this beloved series will be contemporary but with a slight touch of nostalgia to satisfy fans of the 1980s cartoon."

TRANSFORMERS: LOST LIGHT - James Roberts (More Than Meets the Eye) will continue writing adventures of the Transformers in this new ongoing series illustrated by Jack Lawrence (Doctor Who Adventures). This series launches in December and sees Rodimus and the crew of the starship Lost Light continuing into the farthest reaches of the universe, searching for the long-lost Knights of Cybertron.

OPTIMUS PRIME - For the first time ever, fan-favorite Autobot leader Optimus Prime stars in his own series, illustrated by Kei Zama (Scarlet Witch). Taking up writing duties is John Barber, no stranger to Transformers or Hasbro, as he recently stepped down as IDW's Hasbro Group Editor. "Optimus Prime has declared Earth to be under his protection - and this November, he'll have to face the consequences."

Those titles are joined by currently running titles TRANSFORMERS: TILL ALL ARE ONE, MICRONAUTS and the upcoming ROM. Each of these series will continue on, but their storylines will now converge with this newly established universe as their backdrop.

As excited as I am personally about the prospect of these properties crossing over and coexisting, I have to admit I am most excited for M.A.S.K. I've long awaited the return of this property in some capacity, and thus far it's the thing I'm most excited about this year in comics.

Only time will tell what exactly brings these forces together, and how they are able to occupy the same space.

  

  

  

  

Did you grow up with any of these popular franchises? Are you reading any of them now? What has you most excited about REVOLUTION and all the books it encompasses? Let us know in the comments below!

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