The Rest is GIANT ROBOTS

We continue our retro workload round-up, circa 2018-19, including Transformers '84 and Shane the Chef, and some more... oddball one-offs.Reimaginations were all the rage, as Transformers '84 delved back into the earliest (Marvel) TRANSFORMERS stories and Titan's Robotech stirred another oldie-but-goodie in new and interesting ways. Meanwhile, our eclectic workload/output also included Horrid Henry, Magnificent Racehorses (no kidding) and a re-airing of Brute Force. When we shake these memory pots you - and we - just never know what's going to drop out.More at wildfur.net

EP43: SEMPER VIGILISThat means 'forever vigilant' by the way, which we both are and we discuss, by way of our joint/parallel careers and a large dash of nostalgia.We're back to our pro timelines this episode, circa 2018/2019, as we wax nostalgic about British comics of yore (and their reinvention as The Vigilant) and The Clangers (no kidding), plus Shane The Chef gets an airing and Marvel Comics hits 80 (allowing Death's Head out of his cupboard once again). Who knew there was so much going on in our careers back then - not us, that's for sure.Keep those questions coming in to [email protected] more content and the podcast as a video, visit WILDFUR.NET

Actually, we don't. After all, this is a family-friendly podcast. But we do give our verdict on a bunch of movies and TV, including I Swear.We've packed in a few more big and small screen watchings since we last vented (um, critiqued). And  we swear to tell the whole, if as spoiler-free as possible, truth, and nothing but the truth about... The Housemaid (reprise), Send Help, Sinners, I Swear, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, Wuthering Sh*te (as Andrew so quaintly re-named it) and more. We are running off at the mouth, speaking our mind, and generally letting it all out - uncensored!All correspondence to [email protected] at wildfur.net

We check back in on Transformers (The Animated) Movie, in its 40th anniversary year, and we're still pretty darn impressed.It's a year of big anniversaries for TRANSFORMERS, and none bigger than the original animated movie. Does it still hold up? Does that 80s metal soundtrack still rock our world? The movie that spawned countless comic sequels is re-released this year, and we travel back in time to our respective first encounters, and how it shaped our craft thereafter. Out of it even came, the honest-to-gosh ORIGIN of The Transformers.Send us your questions for an upcoming Q&A to, [email protected]

As our (joint and solo) career credits progress into 2016/2017 those robots in disguise still have a lot to say for themselves!We continue (after a gap) the chronological progression through our joint and respective careers with another couple of years' worth of storyboards, scripts and (editorial) stuff. There was a surprising amount going on in 2016, with screen credits galore (Poldark, Jericho, Shut In, Bear Grylls Young Adventurer) on the one side and TRANSFORMERS-related stuff (Definitive G1 Collection, Earth Wars) on the other. Plus, Kung Fu Panda, To The Death and even a novel!Want to ask a question? Simple, just ping us an email at [email protected] 

Once again, we take a sideways step into the world of movies (and a little TV), to offer our humble opinions on the latest crop of cinematic offerings.We fight a duel with poisoned blades over Hamnet (well, not quite), dress down Downton Abbey The Grand Finale, dust off The Housemaid, blow hot and cold on House of Dynamite, mull over the Holdovers, endlessly dissect One Battle After Another, review Life of Chuck back to front, and sing the praises (?) of The Choral. The rest, as someone once wrote, is silence.correspondence to [email protected] fun at wildfur.net

We turn our attention to our much-neglected mailbag, endeavouring to provide meaningful answers (fat chance!) to your burning questions.It's long overdue trawl through the feedback we rashly suggested you send in (we accept Patreon, social media or via our Wildfur email - [email protected]), shining bright, interrogative lights on otherwise dim corners of our minds and memories. We address Andrew's restless drumsticks, the voice of Death's Head, scripting density, the storyboard/comics dynamic and MORE!

We rehash– um, review 2025's high spots (and low blots) and look forward to what's coming up in 2026 for us both, maybe even a 'team-up'.It's been a year! 2025 gets a thorough shakedown as we consider Kickstarters, signings, live events, and even an award wedged in there somewhere, as well as our respective creative outputs - be it on page or screen. And we look forward to 2026 and what that might hold, not least several anniversaries, conventions and maybe even a new Furman/Wildman collaboration. One thing's for sure, come this time next year, neither of us will remember any of it!More shenanigans at WILDFUR.NET

We continue our occasionally dizzying journey through our respective self-published works, and just about manage to keep things from falling apart.We go ever deeper into To The Death, Oxygen, Horizon and Five Points (and its' the in-the-works sequel, The Gyre), examining mistakes made and lessons learned along the way... like don't make your first go at creator-owned ten 48-page prestige-format print comics... but somehow we're still gung-ho to go to do something together with The Engine down the line. Some lessons, it seems, are never learned!As ever, we welcome your comments, questions and feedback. [email protected]

The perils, pitfalls and perks of self-publishing come under scrutiny, as we delve into our respective creator-owned projects.We go in deep on To The Death, Oxygen, Horizon and Five Points (not to mention the in-the-works sequel to Five Points, The Gyre), both in terms of conception and the sometimes rocky road to print (or otherwise). It's been a learning curve since we both started developing our creator-owned projects and the how-to/when-to/in-what-form decisions, some good, some not-so, we've made along the way. The pluses and minuses, the highs and lows, we're putting it all out there! Part 1 (of 2, at least!)For more stuff and video etc come see us at WILDFUR.NET

Another abrupt U-turn sees us back at the tail end of 2004, as the Dreamwave era of TRANSFORMERS implodes. But... it never ends!As TFNation continues to unearth and reconstitute buried (unpublished) treasures from the dying days of Dreamwave, we take a deep dive into those troubled last months of the company's tenure as TRANSFORMERS (comics) license holder to explain why it happened, what it meant to the creators affected, and why the script and art from those unpublished issues is only now seeing the light of day.EXTRAS:TFNation One Day Convention https://tfnation.com/mini-con-reading-25A piece of history. The 2004 Convention with all those names that had no idea what was about to happen https://www.seibertron.com/transmissions/dreamwave-at-area51-comic-convention/3872/FOR MORE info and free content and this whole podcast plus more as a video, why not become a PRIME MEMBER. So much to love. Take a look at the MEMBERSHIPS page and start your 7 day free trial.

Not a Star Trek spin-off,  rather life - and workload - after RG1, as we disseminate the art of scaring up new work without looking desperate.We turn the spotlight on the period post-TRANSFORMERS: REGENERATION ONE, circa 2014-15, as TV storyboarding and Titan Comics - in the shape of Dragons: Riders of Berk - come to the rescue. There's an art to hitting up people for work without appearing needy, and we get into that a bit, as well as just our usual round-up of what else was on our respective plates. As ever, as some doors close, new ones open. Such is the nature of the biz!Want to see this as a video and with a load of extra natter from us? Just sign up as a PRIME MEMBER and your wishes will be granted :-)You can check out the patroen that Simon mentions ; TRANSFORMERS: The Basic HERE

EP32: (RE-) START YOUR ENGINESWe loop back again, to get the inside story on our early 2000s shenanigans as Wildfur Productions, and answer other listener questions!The Engine: Industrial Strength - our first foray into creator-owned self-publishing - gets a fuller review, prompted by a listener request, as does the overall output of Wildfur Productions itself (though 'output' might be stretching the definition), plus we dip into our mailbag for more questions (and try and give semi-intelligible answers). FEATURES BONUS MATERIAL FOR PATREON SUBSCRIBERS.wildfur.net

By popular demand (well, one listener) we U-turn and backtrack to GENERATION 2, and go in-deep on the second coming of TRANSFORMERS.It's 1993 (again) and Marvel unleash TRANSFORMERS: GENERATION 2 on an unsuspecting comics buying public. Something of a continuation of the original TRANSFORMERS series, and at the same time something new and very 90s in its stylings and attitudes, G2 lasted only 12 issues but its impact resonates to this day. Plus we talk about TRANSFORMERS DAY (and the debut of a new Titan-class Transformer) and even put The Thursday Murder Club (movie) our of its misery.Get your questions inIf you want to ask us anything about our careers in Comics Games Film and TV just visit the website or drop us an email to; [email protected] GIANT stuff at wildfur.net

We continue our movie round-up from a few podcasts ago, and find that while we believe a man can fly, that was about it.  Join us for another savaging of recent silver screen (and small screen) offerings, as we take a step back from the hype and expectations of The Man of Steel's new cinematic incarnation and apply our patented movie credulity curve to proceedings. Plus, we consider F1, Mission Impossible Final Reckoning, Thunderbolts, Peacemaker, Alien: Earth and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.WILDFUR.NET

We chat, on stage, in front of an actual live audience, about Kickstarters and the enduring legacy of Marvel's TRANSFORMERS comics. We're at TFNation, bringing you our 29th The Rest is Giant Robots from a never-before-seen vantage point (it seems we have legs, both literally and metaphorically... who knew?), i.e. live, on stage, in front of a hugely appreciative crowd at the UK's premier TRANSFORMERS event, dissecting the recent Skybound compendium editions and just why it became the most subscribed comics Kickstarter of all time! This one really does have to be SEEN to be believed!wildfur.net

EP 28: THE REST OF WHAT WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THENWe delve into other stuff that kept us busy while Regeneration One was in full swing, inc. Death's Head, Doctor Who and The Ramones (??).Join us for a mixed bag of now and then, as we discuss the recent (and best yet?) TFNation (TRANSFORMERS convention) and revisit former career glories from nearly fifteen years ago, including the bits where Death's Head briefly returns to his rightful Marvel Comics place in print (and toy). Plus, a plan of sorts for next year's Draw Death's Head Day comes together and we hint at what's happening on TRANSFORMERS DAY (Sept 17). It's a bit of this, and a bit of that, yes?For more stuff and to become a Prime Member, visit wildfur.netHave questions? Email us at [email protected]

We go to the movies, again, and do a lot of shoulder-shrugging and mutter 'meh' a lot as we 'review' Fantastic Four and other recent releases.With more than enough movies in our quiver, we take aim at the recent crop of multiplex-friendly summer blockbusters, including Fantastic Four: First Steps, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and - in less blockbustery and more bonkers way - 28 Years Later. Plus a bunch of others, culled from more home-based viewing, in which, faced with Galactus and a bunch of dinosaurs-that-never-were, the penguin wins fins down. Sequel coming soon!Fror more stuff visit WILDFUR.NET

We pick up the threads of our TRANSFORMERS Regeneration One discourse and go all the way to issue #100 in a 4-issue limited series!2013-14 saw us both in full Regeneration One swing, until one of us wasn't. We analyse the whys and wherefores of that, and how the series grew and evolved from a five-issue pitch into a 20+ issue beast, featuring guest artists Geoff Senior, Guido Guidi, Jose Delbo and more. Naturally, we lose the thread a few times, but we get to the end in the end. For those of you not signed up as Prime members, now would be a great time to try it out. The podcast as a video with extra content in the podcast and other interesting images and files to see or download. Just go to the membership section to start your free trial :-)

It's our RIGR anniversary special - and our very special guest is TRANSFORMERS UK editor and ZOIDS writer Ian Rimmer!We debrief former IPC/Marvel UK editor and writer, Ian Rimmer, the man who shaped TRANSFORMERS UK (from the shadows) into the mid-80s market leader boy's adventure comic fans still talk about to this day. But who is this editorial enigma? What forces honed a clandestine photo-strip scribe into a publishing powerhouse? If you're expecting serious, in-depth discourse then you're new to this podcast!WILDFUR.NET

We chart the sometimes rocky and certainly twisty road to Regeneration One, IDW's continuation of the original (Marvel) TRANSFORMERS series.As far back as 2009, discussions with IDW editorial were underway that would reunite us - and inker Stephen Baskerville - as the creative team on Marvel's founding/grounding TRANSFORMERS comic, picking up from issue #80 of that series, But getting it off the ground would take three years, helped along by comics new site Newsarama and a fan petition (not to mention G.I. Joe mainstay Larry Hama)!For News, Extra content and access to the podcast as a VIDEO CAST, check out WILDFUR•NET

Both of us get whisked off into a Multiverse of (Matt Hatter) madness as we join the Pinewood-based production team at Platinum Films.It's a continuation of last episode's chatter, as we delve deeper into our respective roles on the hit animated CITV show The Matt Hatter Chronicles. Four seasons plus a feature length episode and even a foray into the world of Bear Grylls makes for much to discuss, and our prime listeners get advance word on our upcoming 25th episode's SPECIAL GUEST!LINKS:Simon SigningMatt Hatter on PrimeTO THE DEATH available in WH SMITHSMore at wildfur.net

We talk comic (and TRANSFORMERS) conventions, and how they've changed - for us and for the attendees - from the mid-80s to now. Plus, we kick-off our mutual Matt Hatter recollections.Back in the day, conventions were more about promoting whatever work we were doing at the same, while these days - while that remains true - they're also a revenue stream for us freelance writers and artists. Good thing? Bad thing? If you're expecting us to reach any hard and fast conclusions, you really haven't been paying attention thus far. And we turn back the clock to 2011 (ish) for part 1 of... The 'Matt Hatter Chronicles' era!If you want an extra 12 minutes of this podcast and extras every two weeks take a trip to WILDFUR.NET and become a Prime member. You won't regret it :-)A&S

The full-steam ahead nature of the IDW TRANSFORMERS -ations series gets derailed somewhat, and we reflect on the need for plan Bs.Timetable-wise, it's 2008 (ish), and as All Hail Megatron rears its head, the progress of Infiltration, Escalation, Devastation (and so on) hits the buffers. A lot of radical condensing is required as multiple storylines are tied up ahead of this not-so-soft reboot. Meanwhile, in the Wildman sidings, Draw The World Together comes... together... and other seeds are sown, as the need for having alternate journey plans on the rail network of life and career comes to the fore.EXTRAS: A link to the TF MOSAIC book - https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/02/15/mosaic-a-go-go/For more information and added content take trip to WILDFUR.NET

A couple of complete unknowns consider another clutch of cinematic confections, spoiler-free and, as critics, credential-free.What we've enjoyed - and haven't - on the big screen recently is here for your delectation, from A (Anora) to B (Bridget Jones) to C (Captain America)... and other letters of the alphabet too. We spare no one's blushes as we gushes, pontificating on the highs and lows of our cinematic outings, but generally it's a big thumbs up!WILDFUR.NET

A live-action TRANSFORMERS movie had us all worked up, and working on spin-off stuff, back in 2007. We assess the impact and legacy of the 'Bay-verse'.All our collective jaws dropped in London's Leicester Square one evening in 2007 as we attended a special screening of Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS, introduced by Bay himself and members of the cast. Live-action, big-screen... The toy line had truly come of age. We go deep into the movie's legacy, its prequel comics and cinematic sequels, and what, if anything, it did to our careers... and the public perception of TRANSFORMERS as a whole.And if you want to check out the AMM it is at https://dollarbinbandits.buzzsprout.com/1817176/episodes/17010352-bob-budiansky-simon-furman-return-transformers-us-uk-compendium-setAll other cool stuff at WILDFUR.NET

We go cosmic, baby, and creepy, as we dial back the years to Annihilation (for Marvel) and explore the Weird Wild West in Frontier. It's 2005/2006 (or thereabouts) and the feast or famine rule applies to us in different degrees. On the Furman side, there's a veritable flood of work for Marvel, Dynamite and IDW, while on the Wildman side it's more in the way of tumbleweed. That said, Andrew dredges up some forgotten creative endeavours and seeds that will grow into Shane the Chef and Horizon are planted.As promised here are some links to some of the things discussed.WEBTOON HORIZON - tinyurl.com/horizonwebGI JOE SKETCHBOOK CHALLENGE - andrewwildman.artSKYBOUND KICKSTARTER - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/skyboundent/transformers-compendium-set?ref=5wenmgFor more stuff, visit wildfur.net

It's the dawn of the IDW era, and the beginning of what would turn out to be an epic 17-year tenure as publisher of TRANSFORMERS comics. Okay, so the license eluded us (and Titan), but perhaps that was for the best as it turned out. We wind back to the year to 2005, and the humble beginnings of what would go on to become an epochal era of TRANSFORMERS comic publishing. Find out how we both got involved in those formative, lore-laying days, and how Infiltration, Stormbringer and Spotlight: Shockwave came to fruition. We had the ideas, the designs, and it worked!More content and chat at WILDFUR•NET

More listener/viewer questions send us into a tailspin of umm-ing and aah-ing, as we struggle to sound coherent about stuff we really should know about. Join us as we manhandle insightful queries about... Skybound, characters we'd like to have worked on (but haven't), iterations of TRANSFORMERS we'd like to have dipped our toes into (but failed to do so), the creative process, post-11-page/colour UK TRANSFORMERS stories and what they might have been, and some sure-to-see-us cancelled issues with question-asker gender! Overall, we cope (just about). For more stuff and video and chat take a trip to WILDFUR.NET

As the dust settles on the Dreamwave era of TRANSFORMERS we... reassess (i.e. panic) as we hit another of those pesky but oh-so-predictable lean periods. No one ever said being a comics creative would be easy, and into every career some rain must fall. But, wait, actually, there was a LOT going on in early 2005. And we even dip back into 2004 for some - non-Dreamwave - stuff we forget to even mention in previous podcasts! It's another painstaking trawl through our unreliable memories, as stuff that even surprises us gets an airing. For more stuff and a VideoCast visit wildfur.net

As we begin our second half-year of The Rest is Giant Robots, we delve into the virtual mailbag to answer 'some' of your burning questions.There's been a huge response from our loyal listenership to our open door policy on asking us, well, anything (though whether we answer absolutely everythingis another matter). And here we lay back on the digital couch and, prompted by your enquires, lay bare the innermost mechanics of our working minds... Which accounts for 2 mins at least! Then we get on with who our favourite TRANSFORMER is!More for grabs at WILDFUR.NET. See you there :-)

All good things come to an end, just some sooner rather than later. The catastrophic crash of Dreamwave and MORE!The up and down, ins and out, topsy-turvy nature of the comics biz is best highlighted by the meteoric rise and subsequent nosedive of Image offshoot (and TRANSFORMERS comics publisher) Dreamwave, who dreamed big, bought Porsches, then crashed and burned. But what happened after? Now it can be told (a bona fide Rest is Giant Robots exclusive!)For exclusives and more check out WILDFUR.NET

A new year for the Rest is Giant Robots and a new dig into the archives, excavating the bones of a past publisher of TRANSFORMERS comics.We enter the Dreamwave era of Transformers, circa 2002, as an offshoot of Image Comics grabs the hottest license going - before anyone even knew it was hot! We, of course, are dragged into this new flurry of TF comics storytelling, but the road ahead is bumpy to say the least. Part 1 of 2, with a BIG revelation to come in that second instalment!!!For News and all the extras and the podcast as a video cast, visit wildfur.net

Festive fun! Santa hats are donned as we explore the tinsel-clad covers of Transformers comics past.A frivolous, festively-themed diversion sees (or hears) us go in-deep (as much as we ever go in-deep) on the subject of a British comics institution - the Xmas-themed cover and story, and the ones we've contributed to in Christmases past. Plus we wrestle with the greatest ever seasonal conundrum - is Die Hard a Christmas movie???S&ATo become a PRIME member for added bonus material and to see the pod as a videocast, visit wildfur.net

We get animated (finally!) as the Beast Wars era dawnsJoin us on a journey into the world of TV animation, as Beast Wars: Transformers and a meeting of minds at Botcon’97 opens doors for us both… eventually… after a few twists and turns! There’s connective tissue galore as our parallel courses converge. Screen credits ahoy!for more and extra etc visit wildfur.net

Circa 1999.With the bottom well and truly fallen out of the comic book industry we go headlong into IP development and self-publishing, and WildFur is born... somewhat out of desperation. We explore the steampunk world of The Engine: Industrial Strength, the imagination of Monster-Maker and a Geoff Senior project that never was - Ms. Matador. Plus a whole bunch of other stuff... Some of which went nowhere, some of which is still around today!S&ATo become a PRIME member for added bonus material and to see the pod as a videocast, visit wildfur.net

A comic creator's survival guide: The mid-90s saw the comic industry crash, and our work from Marvel US dry up. How did we endure? What's Captain Birdseye got to do with it all? And what's the deal with this thing called Beast Wars? Witness the highs and lows (mostly the latter) of being a comic book creator and how, from lean times, we emerged into a brave new world of... fandom?Simon and AndrewIf you would like to have your episodes as a Videocast with extra content, visit us at wildfur.net to find out how to become a PRIME MEMBER :-)

In this episode we decided on something a little different. We are talking about movies that we have recently seen, our thoughts about them and where we see the industry at the moment. We also took a look back at some of the movies from out past that have insiped us as creatives. Some you will like, others you may not but rest assured, we have plenty to say about them :-)For more information about the podcast and to become a PRIME member with access to additional content and the Videocast, visit WILDFUR.NET

Into the 90's and all it had to offer. What were we doing and what was the general state of the comics industry back then. And what even is a chicklet?For more information about the podcast and to become a PRIME member with access to additional content and the Videocast, visit WILDFUR.NET

The 80's becomes the 90's as we cast our minds back to some of the UK Marvel created output. Homegrown ideas from homegrown talent. That and Wildman taking up the reins on the US Transformers book and how it nearly didn't happen at all!!

Episode 4.The latest - and greatest - TFNation 24. This is the BIG Transformers Convention in the UK. As we discuss this year's amazing even it sparks a conversation about conventions, TRANSFORMERS-centric and otherwise, of yore. Those we attended, those we loved and just when did it all start. Come back with us for a trip down convention memory lane.

Okay, maybe now we'll get to that auspicious meeting with Bob Budiansky in 1989. Or maybe not. There was a LOT going on!

The early days of Marvel/Transformers UK and more, including - maybe - a certain fateful meeting with US TF scribe Bob Budiansky.

It's back to 1984, baby, as the seeds of the burgeoning careers of Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman take root, and giant, transforming robots ruled the world.