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Richard Branson Removed From Transformers Comics

Published Thu, 29 Nov 2018 11:00:37 -0600

Last updated Fri, 30 Nov 2018 10:55:40 -0600

British publisher Hachette has been reprinting the old Marvel UK Transformers comics in handy hardcover volumes. But they came a bit of a cropper when it came to rerpinting the Salvage! storyline which featured Virgin busnessman Richard Branson. Who used to hang around with comic book people back then.

Originally Richard Branson had given his permission to use his likeness, between then and now, the paperwork can no longer be found.

So Hachette commissioned original artist Lee Sullivan to redraw Richard Branson as Mister Johnson .

Hachette Johnson vs Original Branson pic.twitter.com/eWtuxulsJf

— Wilson Jim (@_wilsonjim_) November 27, 2018

pic.twitter.com/8hrD7evhdI

— Wilson Jim (@_wilsonjim_) November 27, 2018

pic.twitter.com/qBgxqPzkGI

— Wilson Jim (@_wilsonjim_) November 27, 2018

With original writer Simon Furman ezplaining what happened…

In the absence of actual paperwork from those dim distant days proving we had Branson's permission to use his likeness, it was decided to err on the side of caution. I did actually try and contact Branson. But in the end we got Lee Sullivan to make art changes… to his own art.

— Simon Furman (@SimonFurman3) November 28, 2018

Anyone bump into Branson recently? Maybe revert it for a second printing?

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