Needless to say, the launch of the Energon Universe from Skybound is an incredible success for Skybound. No one ignores younger readers, but Skybound is the recently released Transformers: The Worst Bot: Meet Ball Point. This is the first series of graphic novels in a new series by authors Brian “Smitty” Smith and Artist Marz Jr., under the Skybound Comet imprint. Beat introduced the opportunity to chat with creatives to discuss how this new graphic novel appeals to Transformers fans of all ages, and to become a breakout character in the Transformers franchise.
Taimur Dar: As I’ve learned, the majority of creators working on the Transformers Project were fans who grew up. I think it’s for both of you, but do I want to hear your earliest memories in Transformers?
Marz Jr. : I was a huge fan of growing up. I love manga and I was able to go home after school and see it. Me and my friends bounce from playing transformers to Joe and Legos. I also loved the ’86 movie.
Brian “Smitty” Smith: I think I was 10 when Transformers first hit. It was definitely a big part of my childhood toys and cartoons. It’s crazy to tackle that.
Taimur DAR: Transformers franchise features iconic characters such as Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. This worst bot graphic novel features a few characters I didn’t know existed, like Gnaw the Sharkticon. How did you choose the Autobot and Decepticon characters, and did you have a free rein?
Brian “Smitty” Smith: There were some requirements. I had some Dinobot ideas, but they wanted to make the cast relatively small. Gnaw was all Marz.
Marz Jr. : I think sharks are funny and stupid creatures. It’s beneficial for me to keep the cast down, so I don’t need to draw a billion transformers.
Taimur DAR: The beauty of transformers is that they can be redesigned and rethinked for each project. I’m not afraid to explain how Martz draws transformers as adorable, especially the laser beak with big goofy eyes. What came into the design?
Marz Jr. : I love the G1 stuff and I love the first animated series. So I start there and tweak the percentages so I can shrink my head, get the laser beak’s eyes wider and put them close to make him a bit of dope (like). That was the general idea. Keep them close to G1 and ruin your proportions.
Taimur Dar: Move to nominal character, ballpoint pen. I didn’t think he was very affectionate. He has many unlucky confidence like Michael Scott in the office. Despite this rog arrogance, he is still sympathetic. How did you develop a ballpoint pen as a character?
Brian “Smitty” Smith: I think he’s confident in his mistakes, but he has some empathy. For example, his best is the blender in our story’s restroom, thinking that the blender is a real transformer but not. He thinks he is very quiet. Much of the book is about him being humble and learning humility as part of his journey. I definitely wanted him at the starting point where he was firmly a deceptive con and he thought he was the worst of them. He thinks everyone loves him. But he quickly gets a reality check on all sides.
Marz Jr. : He’s a little paranoid and overconfident. I think the big reason you feel for him is that everyone is so mean to him. You automatically resonate with him despite him saying some FIBs. In the office, Michael has a positive personality. He encourages people.
Taimur Dar: Previously mentioned the ’86 Transformers Movie. The worst bot graphic novel of all time features great callbacks to the film, including the songs “The Touch” and “Dare to Bathe.” Are there any other Easter eggs that you’ve made into jazz, including?
Marz Jr. : I think the song is fun. And I was listening to the soundtrack while designing the characters and drawing a few pages. The song was in my mind.
Brian “Smitty” Smith: We tried to do a good job of incorporating some of the classic humor and playing the original Transformers thing. We have a little bit of a way and frenzy that anyone can keep them straight. I know it was a toy issue. Red or blue. If you are a dad reading this with your child, there is something there for adults. But the kids will still laugh.
Marz Jr. : I had to look into the rumble and the frenzy a few times. Which is red and which is blue? Who is saying what?
(Laughter)
Taimur Dar: Like you said, I think the best kids media appeals to both kids and adults. One of my favorite scenes in the worst bot of all time was when Ballpoint tried to sabotage the printer, but he ends up fixing it. Anyone who worked in the office can be completely involved in the frustration of a broken printer. How did you appeal to both children and adults?
Brian “Smitty” Smith: I use the term “all age.” I know it’s popular in comics, but in the book market they tend to split it further into emerging readers and intermediates. Often, parents intend to read this with their children. So I hope there’s full entertainment for everyone. Even if some of the jokes go over the child’s head and land with the adults, there’s something that will make the children laugh. It’s a happy marriage I’m trying to achieve.
Marz Jr. : I’m a Muppets so much fun. Muppets make it beautiful. They have some fun, stupid goofy things and fun jokes for adults.
Taimur Dar: Previously, you mentioned that you wanted to feature Dinobot. Are you curious about what their role was?
Brian “Smitty” Smith: The gags I had for Dinobots and the crossed gags I could have done a little more. One of the Autobots was in charge of cleaning after Dinobots. They left their energy shells after eating it as waste. The gag was that they didn’t even turn into a dinosaur when they did it. They were walking around everywhere, like robots pooping. Hopefully someday. That will make your dream come true. Dinobot with poop!
Taimur Dar: Was this worst bot graphic novel always meant to be a continuity of its own, or was there a debate that took place in Skybound’s Energon Universe?
Brian “Smite” Smith: It’s always been a solid, own jam. It is a kind of history of G1, the original manga. That was our launch point. The energy universe is amazing, but we are not part of it.
Taimur DAR: Want to see ballpoint pens become part of the universe of energy?
Brian “Smitty” Smith: That would be funny if he were a bloodthirsty killer or something crazy. Even a cameo in the background would be great as if he were on someone else’s workstation in the background.
Taimur Dar: What’s next for the character?
Brian “Smite” Smith: Skybound has announced that it will be part of the series we are currently working on. I can guarantee that the ballpoint is still there and he goes into an even more crazy high jink. I can’t say much!
Taimur Dar: It was a great joy to chat with both of you. I hope that in the near future, the ballpoint pen will get his own action figure!
Brian “Smitty” Smith: We want to see it badly.
Marz Jr. : I love that.
Transformer: The Worst Bot of All Time: Meet Ballpoint Pen (ISBN: 978-1-5343-2799-3 | SRP $12.99) is available in comic book shops and bookstores along with digital platforms such as Amazon Kindle, Apple Books and Google Play.
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