Daniel Warren Johnson talks TRANSFORMERS

By Jim McDermott

In lower than two weeks, author/artist Daniel Warren Johnson takes the helm of the Transformers comics franchise as a part of Skybound’s new Energon Universe. The challenge has an incredible quantity of buzz going for it, not least due to the artwork that has been launched, which exhibits Johnson’s distinctive fashion bringing an enchanting vulnerability to the characters.

I just lately acquired the possibility to electronic mail Johnson a few questions on how he acquired concerned with the Transformers line and what it’s been like to attract these characters that he’s cherished since childhood.

This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.

How did this challenge come about? What acquired you curious about telling a narrative about them?

I’ve labored very carefully with Sean Mackiewicz since my days at Skybound with my titles Extremity and Murder Falcon. He was an enormous a part of making these books occur, and we had a very nice working relationship with one another.

I used to be wrapping up artwork duties on Do a Powerbomb when Sean known as me up and requested me if I might have any curiosity in doing Transformers. At first I used to be hesitant. My unique plan was to work on one other creator-owned challenge instantly after DAP, however I used to be having hassle honing in on any of my concepts to get began on an actual script. Transformers is one thing that I’ve cherished since I used to be in first grade, and the extra I thought of it, the extra I felt a change of tempo could be actually good and wholesome for me, to present myself a break from the pressures of creating my very own world, my very own tales, my very own characters. Also, I might hear the joy Sean had for the opportunity of us doing this ebook collectively, and naturally with my love of the franchise, all of it simply appeared like a terrific transfer.

I do know you’ve cherished the Transformers because you had been a child. Any particular favorites by way of characters or tales which have particularly impressed you (and your run)?

There’s in all probability three issues that I might wish to spotlight: First must be the TV present. I cherished it. It was my first actual publicity to the characters, and there was a tactile satisfaction simply taking a look at these blocky characters.

I additionally cherished comics again then, so I went in search of the previous TF comics that Marvel had put out within the 80s. They gave me a reference to begin drawing the Transformers, as there was no solution to pause an afterschool tv present to actually work out how to attract Optimus Prime.

Lastly must be the animated film that got here out in 1986. I had a fairly darn good eye for element and high quality even again after I was a child, and I might see that the animation, the design, and the general artwork route of the ‘86 movie were a cut above even the TV show that I loved so much for so many years. The series that I’m engaged on now for Skybound is unquestionably a love letter to the 1986 movie.

Your artwork is so uncooked each in its capability for violence and its sheer physicality. The exertion of your characters actually leaps off the web page. Bringing that fashion into dialog with the Transformers, who whereas undoubtedly succesful of nice violence are additionally constructed round such a special, linear, often shiny form of look and physicality, it’s a wild thought. I do know I’m excited to see that collaboration.

It’s thrilling isn’t it? It’s another excuse why I wished to take this gig within the first place. I really like a problem. It was an enormous drive for me to work on THE GHOST FLEET with Donny Cates again within the day as a result of I knew I must get higher at drawing vans. And one of many essential causes that I did SPACE-MULLET after I first began out in comics was that as a result of it was a sci-fi ebook, I must get higher at perspective and backgrounds.

In the identical means, Transformers has this blocky aesthetic, one that’s simply a part of who the characters are and what they appear like. I wish to have a good time that whereas additionally delivering the motion and the motion that I really feel my work is understood for. It’s been a difficult journey for certain, however a rewarding one. I really feel like I’ve actually introduced a particular taste to characters that individuals have seen earlier than many instances over.

It is lots of enjoyable to have robots battling, but it surely’s much more enjoyable to problem-solve the best way to make them battle with out making them look stiff and awkward. I’ve to shout out Yasuhiko Yoshikazu, who was an enormous inspiration for me in determining the best way to translate that throughout a comic book ebook web page.

How has it been for you? Would you say the fabric is asking new issues from the best way you strategy your artwork? What form of issues are you discovering as a author or artist working with these characters?

As said above, I undoubtedly have needed to rethink the best way I strategy motion and line and motion with such mechanical characters.

To develop on that a bit of bit: I discovered it after I would draw mechanical issues in my earlier comedian ebook work, I might naturally tighten up my wrist, and perhaps pull out my ruler most of the time. I discovered myself doing this a good quantity when first beginning Transformers, and I discovered it simply made issues look actually stiff. I needed to educate myself the best way to loosen up deliberately, and have enjoyable with the characters. I’ve needed to be taught to depend on shapes and an natural line to hold the artwork and to actually make it sing.

Another problem is simply studying the best way to write so many characters directly. The Transformers have a really giant solid, and I wish to be certain that I’m giving every one the time that they deserve. That being stated, it’s been actually enjoyable to try to get inside the top of one among my absolute favourite Transformers, Starscream.

With the ebook popping out so quickly everybody’s getting actually excited. Can you tease something you’re particularly excited for readers to see?

Three phrases: Optimus. Prime. Suplexes.

Transformers #1 will arrive at your native comedian ebook store, on-line, and/or at your public library starting on October 4^th, 2023.