I figured out the problem with this design. It looks less like the "Teen Titans" style and more like the style of CN's goofy slapstick shows, such as Powerpuff Girls and Dexter. It's like it was designed to be comical.

Or for kids.

 

You can bitch about artistic laziness or whatever, but the fact is that this *is* a popular style for cartoons today. And Hasbro (and Cartoon Network) aren't a bunch of starving artists; they create product that is intended to be successful and make money. If you're going to bitch about Transformers following the trends of the day, you may as well bitch about every single iteration of Transformers ever, going all the way back to G1, because all they have EVER produced is what was popular at the time.

Still convinced that this line will be a mix of ACTION MASTERS-style 7 inch Multipolsable stylized figures (that would fit in with the TEEN TITANS toy displays) and transforming, non-stylized versions that look like a new wave of Classics.

This art style would've been great for.. the Doom Patrol vs the Brotherhood of Dada..

Gaaaah!

 

That was my first response. Not sure if i could ever warm up to this design though.

 

The point however is that the show should appeal to kids but I am not sure if this will. Only time will tell. I was REALLY sceptical about the new Fantastic Four cartoon. The FF had never worn white uniforms before and the 4 symbol that was sprayed on Ben's chest looked really bad.

 

However, after seeing the cartroon I loved it. But that was at least well animated.

 

And then people complain about the negative effects Manhunt 2 will have on the minds of young children. It is a weird world indeed.

Gaaaah!

 

That was my first response. Not sure if i could ever warm up to this design though.

 

The point however is that the show should appeal to kids but I am not sure if this will. Only time will tell.

My kids think it looks cool... FWIW

You can Starscream about artistic laziness or whatever, but the fact is that this *is* a popular style for cartoons today. And Hasbro (and Cartoon Network) aren't a bunch of starving artists; they create product that is intended to be successful and make money. If you're going to Starscream about Transformers following the trends of the day, you may as well Starscream about every single iteration of Transformers ever, going all the way back to G1, because all they have EVER produced is what was popular at the time.

On a closer look, I guess the design isn't as bad as I thought it was. I was wrong, it is more like TT than PPG. it was the wavy arm and elongated faceplate that threw me off.

I figured out the problem with this design. It looks less like the "Teen Titans" style and more like the style of CN's goofy slapstick shows, such as Powerpuff Girls and Dexter. It's like it was designed to be comical.

Or for kids.

 

You can Starscream about artistic laziness or whatever, but the fact is that this *is* a popular style for cartoons today. And Hasbro (and Cartoon Network) aren't a bunch of starving artists; they create product that is intended to be successful and make money. If you're going to Starscream about Transformers following the trends of the day, you may as well Starscream about every single iteration of Transformers ever, going all the way back to G1, because all they have EVER produced is what was popular at the time.

The "you know, for kids" point is something most Transfans seem to forget when it comes to the cartoons.

 

None of them have really been intended for an adult audience (well perhaps Beast Machines might have been, since I seem to recall the first couple of episodes airing at the very beginning of Fox's Sunday night animation block - but they may have just been filler until what ever show they intended to air was ready).

 

Since Batman's come up in this thread and others, it's probably the best example to use: it seems that DC is more than happy if there is a "movie" Batman and a "cartoon" Batman that really have no relation to each other than the settings and the characters. And that this cartoon, which is intended more for kids, is "reset" every couple of years with the "story" basically starting over with a completely different execution, that way kids that are now four years old and have just begun watching a Batman cartoon don't have to follow a continuity that's been unfolding for years. Batman fans seem to accept that the events of "The Batman" don't directly relate to those of "Batman: TAS" - we'll just have to learn to do the same.

 

There is no uber-Transformers continuity, nor will there ever be. Shoot, even the original G1 cartoon had different backstories for half the characters depending on which episode one watches.

Gaaaah!

 

That was my first response. Not sure if i could ever warm up to this design though.

 

The point however is that the show should appeal to kids but I am not sure if this will. Only time will tell.

My kids think it looks cool... FWIW

 

 

Since kids are the target group, I would say that is somewhat reassuring. I will wait untill I have actually seen the show before passing judgement. I mean the stories is what counts most.

 

And that has got to be better than those Japanese shows with their eternal quests for power.

So is the faceplate going to disappear before battle? I hope so!

i can draw better pissing in the snow, than that P.O.S....WTF