Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies
From Transformers Wiki
Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies is a four-issue comic book miniseries from IDW Publishing which debuted in July 2020. A follow-up to the Transformers '84 one-shot released in 2019, the series is a prequel to the original Marvel Comics The Transformers series, following events on Cybertron before and after the launch of the Ark.[1]
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Contents |
Overview
Secrets and Lies follows events surrounding the Autobot-Decepticon war yet unseen, particularly the events leading up and following the launch of the Ark. The events are centered around several interconnected events: Punch's infiltration of Megatron's inner circle, the tumultuous development of Project Dreadnought sowing conflict between Megatron and Shockwave, and the power struggle that arises on Cybertron after the departure of both factions leaders'.
Like Transformers '84, Secrets and Lies introduces a number of characters who never appeared in the original Marvel US continuity, from creating a new incarnation of the Wreckers to introducing characters who were Japanese-exclusive at the time Marvel's comics were being produced, such as Star Saber, using them as players for events never depicted. Secrets and Lies also does a fair bit of retconning, adding elements from other series into the Marvel setting, from Jetfire now having a backstory on Cybertron to the very continuity-bending move to present sparks as something that's always existed in this universe.
Creative team
Secrets & Lies reunites the creative team behind the Transformers '84 one-shot: writer Simon Furman, artist Guido Guidi, and colorist John-Paul Bove.
Collections
- Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies (March 3, 2021) ISBN 1684057329 / ISBN 978-1684057320
- Collects the Transformers '84 #0 one-shot and Secrets & Lies issues #1–4.
- Bonus material
- Compiled author commentary from issues #1-4, plus short Addendum clarifying comments from issue #3 regarding Scourge and Cyclonus.
- Clean cover art from all regular and retailer incentive covers, except the RI cover for issue #4. (Exclusive covers for East Side Comics and for conventions are not included.)
- Changes from individual issues
- Counterpunch has apparently reviewed the audiovisual data he acquired and made corrections to the compiled version of his report.
- From issue #3, Straxus now has "other chondrichthyes to fry".
- From issue #4, Grimlock no longer mixes up the Coneheads. The art now matches his later recollection that Ramjet (rather than Dirge) is the one to warn him about Megatron. (Alas, Dirge is still wearing Ramjet's colors in the panel from issue #2 just before all three Coneheads are infected.)
- Transformers: Best of Grimlock (October 19, 2022)
- Collects Secrets & Lies #4, The Transformers (1984) Annual 1986: "Victory!", Generation 2 #4: "Devices and Desires!", King Grimlock #1: "Grimlock the Rebel!", and Lost Light #15: "Kill All 'Cons!".
- Bonus content includes an art gallery.
Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies TPB; cover art by Guido Guidi
Transformers: Best of Grimlock; cover art by James Biggie
Other notes
- Originally slated for April 2020, the comic was pushed back to July as part of IDW Publishing's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [2]
