The relaunch of Skybound’s Transformers as part of the shared “Energon Universe” (which also includes GI Joe) was a huge success, with superstar creator Daniel Warren Johnson serving as writer and shepherd of the beloved franchise. But now Johnson has announced his permanent exit as a Transformers writer and explained exactly how much longer fans can expect to see his work – and there’s still a little time left.
According to a Reddit AMA conducted with Johnson and artist Riley Rossmo to promote their new comic, The Moon is Following Us, Johnson plans to stay with Transformers until issue #24.
With Transformers #12 coming out in September, we still have about a year of stories to go before Johnson leaves.
“I’m having a lot of fun writing it now, and Jorge (Corona) and Mike (Spicer) are absolutely artistically skilled. I’ll be writing 24 issues in total,” Johnson explains, and his fans hope he continues working on the title indefinitely.
“Honestly, I’m having so much fun that I’d love to. But when I’m making something, writing, drawing, or both, I just know how to give it 110 percent,” Johnson explains. “All of this is to say, I’m killing myself and I can’t keep going much longer. My decision to leave at 24 is more a decision for my mental health and my family than for how I feel about my wonderful Cybertronians. Thank you for your support!”
Johnson and Rossmo’s AMA includes a few more “Transformers” questions. Fans ask if he would introduce a new, original Transformer of his own creation — “Wait and see,” Johnson says — and ask about his major Transformers influences, with the author reiterating his love of 1986’s “Transformers: The Movie.”
“Transformers No. 12” will be in stores on September 11th.
Soon Transformers will introduce its worst bot everwhich turns into a ballpoint pen.
