Christopher Ryall started a new Q&A thread over at the IDW forums. It's still running so if you've got a question and would like to ask, here’s the place to do it:
http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=2095p
He's reluctant to answer any story-specific questions -- however he has answered some, or at least given hints. Accordingly, these appear at the end of my summary, so be warned if you don't like spoilers. Right, here's my list of all the important points so far (Some artwork in my next post -- w00t):
General Info
More spotlights after Prime -- only one planned so far, with others pending. Coming in November -- not written by Furman/Ryall/Roche.
No current plans for Evolutions. Ryall hopes to get back to it in 2008.
"Art Of IDW" contains pretty much every cover released before Devastation (Not including Avengers crossover).
Devastation #1 will be out in September.
Armada/Energon TPBs -- doubtful.
No Ashley Wood/Ben Templesmith covers -- Hasbro's decision
No plans to make Beast Wars an ongoing.
"Best of books" release dates: Simon - July 25. Don - August 1
Beast Wars issues: 48 ad-free pages -- 4-issues total
Best of the U.K.: "Just that we want to run some of those harder-to-find comics, so we're doing Dinobot Hunt next. I'm open to what people would want to see after that."
Peeps
Raiz is busy with other stuff at the mo -- so don't expect any Raiz stuff any time soon.
No new artists making their Transformers debut for the moment.
Klaus will definitely be doing something at some point [/vague]
New Musso project to be announced soon.
Zac Atkinson (Colourist) will remain on the main title
Josh Burcham (Colourist) -- Beast Wars
No more Ashley Wood/Ben Templesmith covers – Hasbro’s decision
Derek Yaniger, Jeff Anderson, Manny Galan and Herb Trimpe have all been contacted -- those who replied weren't interested.
Story-Specific Stuff
SPOILER! (select to read)As in previous incarnations, Starscream has a background in science/exploration
Rumble and Frenzy will be in the main books soon.
Buzzsaw will be making an appearance soon
There will be deaths in Devastation
Plans for Cyclonus or Scourge: "Quite possibly, at least one of the two."
Q. "Sparks - any plans to delve into their origins? Or how new Transformers are created for that matter?"
A."No plans right now, no. At least, not the first part of the question."
Revelation will take place partially on earth
Magnus will eventually come to Earth
Brawn -- there are plans, but nothing immediate.
Q. "Any Combiners (that will actually combine) coming in the next few months?"
Q." Will we ever actually see Bluestreak's team as mentioned in Stormbringer? "
A."You know these are all story-related Qs that I don't like to answer, just because I don't want to spoil things for people. But yes to at least one of your questions."
Regarding the non-IDW Transformers designs in the previews of the Avengers crossover:"Eh, I chalk it up to artist interpretation."
Regarding Laserbeak's size in Spotlight: Soundwave -- artist interpretation.
Dogfight's appearance in Stormbringer is the only Triggerbot appearance planned for a while, but it's always possible.
Either Sideswipe or Hot Rod will play a very big role in Devastation.
There will definitely be more IDW-originated Transformers.
We haven't seen the last of Bludgeon.