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Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2012-01-14T21:16:25Z

184.41.46.228: /* Continuity */

{{disambig3|Cybertron}}
{{nav-cybertron}}

'''''Transformers: Cybertron''''' is a cartoon series produced by [[GONZO]] and ran in the United States in the years 2005-2006, serving as the third and final part of the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]" begun by its predecessors, ''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''. The series premiered in the United States in July 2005.

The story centers on a [[Unicron Singularity|giant black hole]] that threatens to devour [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and other worlds. Only the power of the [[Omega Lock|Omega Lock]] can stop it; [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and a small(?) team of [[Autobot]]s travel to various worlds in search of the lock and the four [[Cyber Planet Key|Cyber Planet Keys]] needed to activate it. [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], even more obsessed with power and godhood, attempts to seize the lock and the keys to boost his own personal power.

The series' Japanese counterpart ''Galaxy Force'' was confirmed by [[We've]] Inc. in an October 2004 press release to be a continuation from the ''Energon'' series, but it was soon clear that this was not the case.<ref>[http://www.fantofan.jp/newsarchive2004.htm 22 October 2004 and 10 November 2004, Fantofan.jp]</ref> '' Galaxy Force'' afterwards was presented as a continuity reboot, willfully ignoring Hasbro's intent for the series. The ''Cybertron'' dub and toyline were consistently presented as a sequel to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', and eventually, later Japanese materials eventually retconned ''Galaxy Force'' back into being the continuation it was conceived as. [[Japanese themes|Songs]] include opening "[[Call You... Kimi to Boku no Mirai|CALL YOU... Kimi to Boku no Mirai]]" and ending "[[Itsumo]]", and opening "[[Ignition!|IGNITION!]]" with ending "[[Growing Up!!]]" in the latter half of the run.

:''Preceded by: [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]''

{{bigquote|Our worlds are in danger! To save them and the galaxy we ''must'' find the four Cyber Planet Keys before the Decepticons can use them for evil. ''It'' is our ''mission.'' Hot Shot! Jetfire! Vector Prime! Landmine! Scattorshot! Optimus Prime! Transform and roll out!|Optimus Prime|''Cybertron'' opening credits}}

==Storyline==
When the destruction of [[Unicron]] results in the formation of a massive black hole, [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is threatened, and its population is evacuated to [[Earth]], taking the forms of local vehicles and machinery to hide from humanity. As this occurs, [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]'s elite team of [[Autobot]] warriors are approached by the ancient Transformer [[Vector Prime]], who has emerged from his resting place outside of time to inform them of the legendary [[Cyber Planet Key]]s, ancient artifacts of power which can stop the black hole and save the universe. Lost due to an accident during an attempt to create a cross-universal [[space bridge]] network, the Cyber Planet Keys now reside on four worlds somewhere in the universe—unfortunately, Vector Prime's map showing their location is stolen by [[Decepticon]] leader [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]], and both forces relocate to Earth as the race to find them begins.

On Earth, the Autobots befriend three human children named [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] and [[Lori]], who aid them in locating the [[Omega Lock]], the control device for the Cyber Planet Keys' power. With new "Cyber Key Powers" awakened in them, the Transformers battle on many fronts, searching for the Lock on Earth while [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] head for [[Velocitron]], the "Speed Planet", resting place of the first key. As Hot Shot competes in the planet's grand racing championship to win the key from planet leader [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], the Lock is located on Earth in the bulk of the crashed Transformer spaceship the ''[[Atlantis]]''. Soon after, Autobot [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] heads for the next world, [[Animatron|Jungle Planet]], where the power of its Cyber Planet Key reformats him into Leobreaker. Megatron ingratiates himself with Jungle Planet ruler [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]], while at the same time, his scheming lieutenant [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] teams up with the mysterious [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]], working towards his own goals.

Ultimately, the Autobots succeed in acquiring the Keys of both Velocitron and Jungle Planet, at which point the existence of Earth's own Cyber Planet Key is revealed. Starscream makes his power play and overthrows Megatron, stealing the Omega Lock and all three keys from the Autobots and using them to grow in size and power. Their forces bolstered by the ancient Autobots from Earth and the arrival of [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]], who combines with Optimus Prime, the Autobots fight their way through a vengeful Megatron and defeat Starscream - but the battle is not without casualties, as Hot Shot, Red Alert and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] are gravely wounded and rebuilt into the even more powerful [[Cybertron Defense Team]].

Returning to Cybertron, the Autobots use the Omega Lock and Cyber Planet Keys, which awaken the spirit of their deity and creator, [[Primus]] and transform Cybertron itself into the god's body. After a battle in which Starscream taps the power of Primus and grows to planetary size—only to be defeated by Primus himself—the location of the fourth and final key is determined as [[Gigantion]], the Giant Planet. Bested by Gigantion's leader [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]], Megatron taps into the power of Gigantion's Cyber Planet Key to become Galvatron. Sideways, now joined by the equally mysterious [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]], reveals himself to be an inhabitant of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], a world destroyed by the Gigantions, upon whom he and Soundwave seek revenge. Galvatron blasts them and Starscream into another dimension and finally acquires the Lock and Keys for himself, intending to use their power to accelerate the universal degeneration caused by the black hole and remake the cosmos in his own image. Vector Prime sacrifices his life to get the Autobots back to Cybertron, and the five planet leaders confront Galvatron within the black hole and defeat him. With all the Cyber Planet Keys now in his possession, Primus uses their power to finally seal the black hole, ending its threat.

As the planet's various civilizations attempt to return to life as normal, Galvatron attacks the Autobots for one final time. Without any troops to call his own, Galvatron engages Optimus Prime in a one-on-one duel, and is finally destroyed for good. With this final victory, Optimus Prime begins a new space bridge initiative, and the Transformers set sail for the four corners of the universe, and new adventures.

==Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] ([[Garry Chalk]])
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] ([[Kirby Morrow]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
* [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] ([[Paul Dobson]])
* [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul/Leobreaker]] (Paul Dobson/[[Dave Ward]])
* [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] ([[Brian Dobson]])
* [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] ([[Richard Ian Cox]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]] ([[Lisa Ann Beley]])
* [[Brakedown (Cybertron)|Brakedown]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Clocker (Cybertron)|Clocker]] (Brian Dobson)

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Snarl (Cybertron)|Snarl]] ([[Scott McNeil]])
* [[Backstop (Cybertron)|Backstop]] (Scott McNeil)

'''Earth Native'''
* [[Evac (Cybertron)|Evac]] ([[Ty Olsson]])
* [[Crosswise (Cybertron)|Crosswise]] ([[Michael Donovan]])

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]] ([[Ron Halder]])
* [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]] ([[Michael Daingerfield]])

'''Others'''

* [[Vector Prime]] ([[Richard Newman]])
* [[Wing Saber (Energon)|Wing Saber]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''[[Mini-Con|Mini-Cons]]'''

* [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]]
* [[Recon Mini-Con Team]]
** [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] ([[Brian Drummond]])
** [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]]
** [[Six-Speed]]

|c2=
'''Cybertron Native'''

* [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron/Galvatron]] ([[David Kaye]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] ([[Mark Oliver]])

'''Speed Planet Native'''

* [[Crumplezone (Cybertron)|Crumplezone]] ([[Mark Acheson]])
* [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack]] ([[Louis Chirillo]])
* [[Dirt Boss (Cybertron)|Dirt Boss]] ([[Michael Donovan]])

'''Jungle Planet Native'''

* [[Scourge (Cybertron)|Scourge]] ([[Trevor Devall]])
* [[Undermine (Cybertron)|Undermine]] (Mark Oliver)
* [[Brimstone (Cybertron)|Brimstone]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

'''Earth Native'''

* [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]] ([[Maryke Hendrikse]])
* [[Lugnutz]] (?)

'''Giant Planet Native'''

* [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]] ([[Sam Vincent]])

'''Planet X Native'''
* [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] ([[Ted Cole]])
* [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]] ([[Robert O. Smith]])
* [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]]
* [[Noisemaze Mass Production Type Version]]
* [[Laserbeak drone]]
* [[Lugnutz|Lugnutz drone]]

'''Other'''

* [[Mudflap (Cybertron)|Mudflap]] ([[Dale Wilson]])
* [[Nemesis Breaker]]

|c3=
'''Regulars'''
* [[Coby Hansen]] ([[Sam Vincent]])
* [[Bud Hansen]] ([[Ryan Hirakida]])
* [[Lori]] ([[Sarah Edmondson]])
* [[Lucy Suzuki]] ([[Tabitha St. Germain]])
* [[Mikey Franklin]] ([[Michael Dobson]])
* [[Tim Hansen]] ([[Terry Klassen]])

|c4=
* [[Primus]] ([[Michael Donovan]])
* [[Scrapmetal (race)|Scrapmetal drones]]
|nonumbering=true
}}

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Cybertron episodes}}

{{collist|4|
# [[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]
# [[Haven|Haven]]
# [[Hidden|Hidden]]
# [[Landmine (episode)|Landmine]]
# [[Space (episode)|Space]]
# [[Rush|Rush]]
# [[Speed|Speed]]
# [[Collapse|Collapse]]
# [[Time (episode)|Time]]
# [[Search|Search]]
# [[Deep|Deep]]
# [[Ship|Ship]]
# [[Hero (episode)|Hero]]
# [[Race|Race]]
# [[Detour (episode)|Detour]]
# [[Savage]]
# [[Sand|Sand]]
# [[Champion|Champion]]
# [[Ice|Ice]]
# [[Honor|Honor]]
# [[Primal|Primal]]
# [[Trust (Cybertron)|Trust]]
# [[Trap|Trap]]
# [[Invasion|Invasion]]
# [[Retreat|Retreat]]
# [[Revelation (episode)|Revelation]]
# [[Critical|Critical]]
# [[Assault|Assault]]
# [[Starscream (episode)|Starscream]]
# [[United]]
# [[Cybertron (episode)|Cybertron]]
# [[Balance|Balance]]
# [[Darkness (episode)|Darkness]]
# [[Memory|Memory]]
# [[Escape (episode)|Escape]]
# [[Family|Family]]
# [[Titans|Titans]]
# [[Warp|Warp]]
# [[Giant|Giant]]
# [[Fury|Fury]]
# [[City|City]]
# [[Ambush|Ambush]]
# [[Challenge|Challenge]]
# [[Scourge (episode)|Scourge]]
# [[Optimus (episode)|Optimus]]
# [[Showdown]]
# [[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]
# [[Homecoming (episode)|Homecoming]]
# [[End|End]]
# [[Unfinished|Unfinished]]
# [[Beginning|Beginning]]
# [[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]] ("Lost" episode)
}}

==Differences with ''Galaxy Force''==
[[Image:GalaxyForcevsCybertron.jpg|thumb|150px|right|It rarely got this extreme.]]In contrast to ''Armada'' and ''Energon'', the dubs of which had stuck quite closely to their original Japanese counterparts (unrelenting plethora of errors notwithstanding), ''Cybertron'' went to much greater lengths to localize ''Galaxy Force''. English scripts for the series were written by [[David McDermott]], [[Marc Handler]], [[Seth Walther]], [[Stephanie Sheh]] and [[James W. Bates]] (but the series does not include episode writer credits, so precisely who wrote which episodes is left unknown).

On the most basic level, dialogue was frequently re-written, sticking to the ''intent'' of the original but adding many more colorful turns of phrase, flavor and character, doing away with much of the formality and unflappability with which the Autobots handled every situation (a common trait of the Autobots in Japanese ''Transformers'' cartoons). ''Cybertron'' would also ''add'' more dialogue to scenes that were silent in ''Galaxy Force''; in particular, the show's extensive use of [[stock footage]] was livened up with new dialogue from characters as they transformed. Paraphrased dialogue from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' was common. The show's soundtrack mostly remained unaltered; the only new music was a new theme tune recorded by [[Paul Oakenfold]], which was often used during transformation stock footage (but not with 100% consistency) and would sometimes be extended to replace the background music of the scenes that immediately followed said transformations. In other, more sparing instances, music would be replaced with ''different'' pieces from the original soundtrack; usually, this involved replacing melodramatic or "evil" music with more exciting tracks to ramp up action sequences.

A few aspects of the plot of the series were consistently modified or excised by the ''Cybertron'' dub, while some were created whole cloth. For instance, one of most notable changes of the series was the transformation of the male Nitro Convoy into the ''female'' Override, at the request of Cartoon Network. Other examples include the removal of suggestions in early ''Galaxy Force'' episodes that Coby had an unsteady relationship with his family, and the notion that Cybertron was consumed by the black hole in the first episode (since the characters were able to return to the planet later in the series without ill effect). In terms of newly-created ideas, ''Cybertron'' justified the continued presence of the Autobots' human allies Coby, Bud and Lori after their usefulness had realistically ended by crafting the concept of the [[Omega Frequency]], the signal of the [[Omega Lock]] which only they could hear, making them necessary in the search for the Lock and Keys. This particular example is indicative of ''Cybertron'''s efforts to make as much technical and logical sense as it could, where ''Galaxy Force'' was content to hand-wave many things off with [[Burning justice|Burning Justice]]. Innumerable times in the course of the cartoon, characters glow with energy that comes from nowhere; while ''Galaxy Force'' does not address this strangeness, treating it as a normal thing for Transformers to do, ''Cybertron'' regularly inserts explanations, or at least has the characters react in an amazed fashion to this unusual thing that is happening to them.

Outside of these major overarcing examples, there are sometimes other changes both major and minor made to the content of individual episodes for numerous reasons. TFWIKI.Net notes such changes on the individual episode articles.

==Praise and criticism==
With the bad taste of ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' still lingering in the mouths of the fandom, ''Cybertron'' had a long way to go to make itself seem like an appealing prospect. On the English side of things, it generally succeeded: the show's dub is ''much'' more polished, lacking the myriad errors that had plagued the previous shows and bringing many distinct voices and accents into the mix, along with numerous pop-culture and ''Transformers'' references. Since the scripts had comprehensible context and some actual ''work'' put into them, the voice actors were likewise able to turn in stronger performances than they had in prior years. This effort was not appreciated by all viewers, unfortunately; those who had previously viewed subtitled ''Galaxy Force'' episodes online objected to the English dub taking greater liberties and occasionally altering aspects of the series, and were not shy about letting people know it.<ref>[http://www.shortpacked.com/blog/comic/book-3-is-totally-gay/05-iacon-one-sketches/screwball/ The result of people watching the subbed version first.]</ref>

Like ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' before it, ''Cybertron'' was animated using shaded [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for the Transformers characters, and cel animation for most everything else. Though [[GONZO]]'s ''Cybertron'' work was more advanced than that of [[Actas Inc.]] and [[Studio A-CAT]]'s work in ''Energon'', the CGI still suffers from most of the problems of its predecessor, including a restricted range of motion, a tendency for the Transformers to stand around like statues, and crude walk cycles. Few facial expressions exist beyond "mouth open" and "mouth closed" (though to the animators' credit, there is an occasional smirk, smile, growl, etc. And Optimus Prime at one point manages to look furious ''with his mouthplate up''.) The shading techniques used on the Transformer characters also means they look very strange alongside their traditionally-animated human cohorts.

There is a sense that ''Cybertron'' actively attempts to avoid the main problem that plagued ''Energon''—that is to say, running out of plot. Consequently, while the basic plot of ''Cybertron'' is far more focused and coherent than that of ''Energon'', its first half is quite ponderous and drawn out, ''especially'' in the case of the [[Velocitron]] story arc, in which ''thirteen solid episodes'' are taken up by race after generic race, doing ''very'' little to advance the plot. Conversely, then, in the final quarter of the series, the stories of [[Gigantion]] and [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] seem ''very'' truncated, as if the drawn-out first half left no room to see these plots through to their fullest extent.

In addition, ''Cybertron'' delights in the use of [[Stock footage|stock transformation sequences]], using them to pad out episodes like the cinematic equivalent of Styrofoam packing peanuts. What's worse, even the ''battle scenes'' frequently recycle the same "two characters charging at each other, their fists colliding in mid-air" stock footage.

==Continuity==
As noted above, the Japanese version (''Galaxy Force'') originally treated the story as a stand-alone, unconnected to any previous story. The American version draws connections to the ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' cartoons, but various incongruities still exist:

* In general, nobody really seems to remember the events of ''Energon''. The Autobots act as though they've never been to [[Earth]] before and have no familiarity with its culture, despite having spent ten years there in places like [[Ocean City]].
* The Autobots are utterly dependent on the three human kids to help them blend into human society, when they previously had numerous human allies including Dr. Jones and his family, Rad, Alexis & Carlos, and the innumerable human inhabitants of Ocean City and the other Cybertron settlements on Earth.
* Likewise, despite the Autobots' presence being fairly common knowledge in ''Energon'', it is considered urgent to hide the Autobots from Earth's population in ''Cybertron''.
* The Energon cities themselves are never seen or mentioned.
* [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]] both have distinctively different voices than in the previous cartoons. [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] has essentially the same voice, but with a newly added accent. Also, Red Alert seems to have a bit more emotion and acts less mechanical as he did in Armada.
* Formerly prominent characters like [[Rodimus (Energon)|Rodimus]], [[Ironhide (Energon)|Ironhide]], the [[Omnicon|Omnicons]], and Kicker have vanished without a word; new characters [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] appear out of nowhere; and Red Alert returns after being absent for all of ''Energon''.
* Returning characters are ''all'' in brand-new bodies with no explanation.
* When he first combines with [[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]], Optimus Prime declares that he's never heard of two Autobots combining into one before. This is a rather odd statement, considering that such combinations were commonplace during ''Energon'', and Optimus himself had been combining with other Autobots since ''Armada''; given later events, it's possible he was referring to the specific manner in which they combined, though this is at best an awkward rationalization.
* Nobody seems surprised that Megatron and Starscream are alive and well again.
* The grand black hole is explained as a by-product of "Unicron's destruction". In ''Energon'', that event happened in [[Alpha Q's universe|Alpha Q's alternate universe]], a fact that's not mentioned in the show. Likewise, Cybertron was last seen in that same alternate universe. It's not much of a stretch to assume the Autobots moved it back where it came from, but in that case, why is it so close to the black hole?
* The collapse of the Energon sun would mean that everything the Autobots fought for during ''Energon'' was in vain, and Alpha Q's worlds would die again, left in darkness without a sun and consumed by the black hole. Nobody seems to notice this little setback. To the contrary, Red Alert's report mentions an uninhabited planet that's ''not'' one of Alpha Q's planets as the black hole's first victim.
* Some returning character's personalities, like Wing Saber and Sideways, are different from their portrayals in other series. Furthermore, Hot Shot, after being portrayed as a mature veteran throughout all of ''Energon'', is again depicted as an immature rookie in ''Cybertron''.

Within the show, most of these problems were never directly addressed; the cartoon simply went about telling its story without much regard to previous events. Indeed, vanishing characters and new bodies had previously occurred in the changeover between ''Armada'' and ''Energon'' with equally little attention, though the second show at least established the existence of a ten-year fictional gap between them, making it ''somewhat'' less intrusive (such a gap also exists between ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'', but it was never noted in dialogue in the series).

However, external material has addressed some of the problems. The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline ''[[Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act|Balancing Act]]'', for example, [[Vector Prime|Vector Prime]] claims that the Autobots are suffering memory problems, caused by temporal disturbances from the [[Unicron Singularity|Unicron Singularity]]. Jetfire's new accent was explained on the Hasbro web site as a result of time spent on the planet [[Nebulos|Nebulon]].

===Energon comic===
Some fans believe that the cartoon follows the unfinished [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic book series]] from [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]. Unsubstantiated rumors to this effect have swirled since the cartoon's debut, though the only "evidence" comes from media outside the cartoon:

* The [[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club (magazine)|''Cybertron'' comic]] storyline ''Balancing Act'', written by Hasbro copywriter [[Forest Lee|Forest Lee]], is set the same universe as the ''Cybertron'' cartoon series. But the story references events from the ''Energon'' comic, such as the [[Mini-Con|Mini-Con]] [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] hooking himself into the Planetary Database — a plot point begun by the [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'' comic]], which would have been carried through if the book hadn't been canceled.

* The bio of the ''Cybertron'' toy [[Scorponok (Energon)|Dark Scorponok]] references his death at the hands of Megatron, as happened in the ''Energon'' comic but not the cartoon. However, this was overwritten when "Balancing Act" depicted Dark Scorponok as being pulled into the cartoon timeline from ''another'' universe.

The idea doesn't solve any problems; most of the contradictions between the ''Energon'' and ''Cybertron'' cartoons also exist between the ''Energon'' comic and the ''Cybertron'' cartoon. The cartoon contains no references to any events of the ''Energon'' comic.

The entire notion of a network television cartoon following up on a comparatively obscure, unfinished comic book seems counter-intuitive; furthermore, Hasbro material has presented many explanations for contradictions between the two cartoons. Why bother explaining why ''Cybertron'' Jetfire sounds different if he's not the same guy seen in ''Energon''? Why have Vector Prime explain the differences between the two cartoons if they're not in the same continuity? It would have been simpler to retract the statement that Cybertron was a sequel series.

==Home video releases==
===Galaxy Force===
{{main|Victor Entertainment}}
The ''Galaxy Force'' version of ''Cybertron'' was released on DVD by Victor Entertainment in [[Japan]] while the series was still on air. Several of the DVDs were packaged with exclusive [[redeco]]s of toys, such as a ''Masterforce'' [[Minerva (Masterforce)|Minerva]]-themed [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Chromia]] and a ''Generation 1'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]-themed [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion]].
[[Image:Tf galaxy force vol 01.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 01 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 02 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 03 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 04 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 05 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 06 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 07 (2005)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 08 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 09 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 10 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 11 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 12 (2006)
*''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 13 (2006)
{{-}}

===Cybertron===
{{main|Paramount Pictures}}
[[Image:Cybertron Ultimate Collection DVD.jpg|thumb|150px|]]
Paramount Home Entertainment released a single ''Cybertron'' disc in 2005 as a follow-up to their four separate ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' releases. They then took some time off to concentrate on the [[Transformers (2007)|live-action movie]] before finally releasing a complete box set in 2008.
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (2005)
*''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection (2008)

====Other====
Sometime in 2007, a complete DVD boxset of the ''Cybertron'' series was released in Malaysia which, despite initial appearances, was apparently ''not'' a bootleg, given that it was region-encoded (Region 3, to be precise). The set featured two English audio tracks (2.0 and 5.1) and was fully subtitled with an accurate transcription of the English dialogue. All told, this was more than the eventual American release managed. The set also moved "[[Inferno (episode)|Inferno]]", from its ill-sitting placement as episode 52 back to being the second episode on the set.
{{-}}

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC_%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9 ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' at the Japanese Wikipedia]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cybertron (cartoon)}}
[[Category:Cybertron media| ]]
[[Category:Cybertron episodes| ]]
[[Category:Television series]]

Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)

2012-01-14T21:15:47Z

184.41.46.228: /* Continuity */

All Hail Megatron issue 11

2011-12-29T03:21:41Z

184.41.46.228: /* Quotes */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' #11
|prev=All Hail Megatron issue 10
|next=All Hail Megatron issue 12
|image=All Hail Megatron 11a.jpg
|caption="Asskicking: imminent"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 20]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=May 2009
|written by=[[Shane McCarthy]]
|art by=[[Guido Guidi]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] and [[Felix Serrano]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Andy Schmidt]] and [[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|All Hail Megatron]]
}}

'''The Autobots return to Earth to save it from the Decepticons.'''

==Synopsis==
In a ruined parking garage, Cmdr. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] hoists the duffel bag containing the super-weapon onto his back. He tells [[Bridge]], [[Sarah]], and [[Charles (G1)|Charles]] that they don't need to risk their lives by helping him, but Sarah protests. As dirt and debris fall from the ceiling, Bridge insists that the [[European Union]]'s impending nuclear strike will mean their deaths anyway, so they might as well try to help the fight while they can. Spike relents and leads his three companions in a dash outside, where they see [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] fighting off a swarm of [[Europe]]an jets.

Meanwhile, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] stand side-by-side, firing up at the planes. Starscream says that the attack's timing seems suspiciously convenient, and Megatron replies that it's the remaining human forces' last-ditch attempt at victory. Starscream is shocked that Megatron had known this, and Megatron explains that it had all been planned meticulously from the beginning: When the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] started, Megatron needed an army so ruthless it could conquer a planet. But when the [[Autobot]]s rose up to stop them, he needed more than just ruthlessness; his army had to become a "vile machine" for whom no cost was too great in the service of victory over their enemies. Once the Autobots were defeated, Megatron planned to "kill" what he had created. He would remake the [[Decepticon]]s into what he had first meant them to be, at which point their reign would truly begin: No infighting or dissent, but rather a "perfectly controlled peace through unparalleled strength."

Just as Megatron declares that "nothing comes as a surprise" to him, he is shocked to find himself harried by blaster-fire from above. [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and his [[Autobot]]s fall from [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]'s rocket mode and face off against the [[Decepticon]]s, first with their guns and then with their fists. Starscream chides Megatron on having not anticipated this, but Megatron simply reassesses the situation, deciding that the Autobots are scattered and desperate enough that the Decepticons still have a chance to win if they can quickly regroup. But before he reenters the battle, Megatron tells Starscream one last thing: He predicts that someday Starscream ''will'' overthrow him and take command of the Decepticons, and in fact this is the ''only'' rightful way for power to change hands. But that day is not today; today Megatron holds the power, and if Starscream helps him create "a new age" now, then later Starscream will rule. After a moment of consideration, Starscream radios battle orders to the Decepticons, ending with the fist-raised cry of "all hail Megatron!"

As Starscream joins the battle in command of the aerial forces, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] worries that Devastator and the others will be on the Autobots in seconds. To the Autobots' relief, Prime responds with a plan: [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] is to block the Decepticons' communications as the Autobots fall back, misleading the Decepticons into thinking it's a retreat. This allows room for Omega Supreme to plow through the Decepticon column in robot mode and slam Devastator into a building. Optimus, fearing further damage to the city, orders Omega to take their fight elsewhere. Omega obeys, grabs Devastator in a bearhug, and flies into the air.

In [[Central Park]], Gen. [[Sparkplug Witwicky|"Sparkplug" Witwicky]] expresses confusion at the sight of ''two'' building-sized robots soaring above the skyline. [[Colonel Hawke]] thinks that the new one is on the humans' side, based on European Union reports that a rocket ship had dropped off a bunch of robots who started fighting the original invaders. Witwicky says that it doesn't make any sense, and he orders the evacuation to continue. When Hawke protests, Witwicky explains that nothing has truly changed: They have no control over the European Union plane carrying the nuclear bomb, so they still need to move everyone to a safe distance away. Moreover, there's no way for them to know if the new robots are friendly or hostile to the humans anyhow.

Back in the city, [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] slams into [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], who hits a wall and falls to the ground. As Roadbuster stands over his foe, Megatron blasts the Autobot through the chest from behind. Optimus Prime then calls Megatron out, and the two begin circling each other. Megatron accepts that Prime somehow survived the [[space bridge]] ordeal, but he doesn't understand why he came back to [[Earth]]. When Prime speaks of the planet being under Autobot protection, Megatron insists that Prime cares nothing for it, that all he wants is his [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] back. After all, Prime had already abandoned Earth once, and they both know that war means "acceptable losses." Prime rejects this, declaring that he will stop perpetuating a war that destroys innocent worlds. Megatron mocks him for developing a conscience at the wrong time, since the "innocent" race he's trying to save is about to kill millions of its own members to destroy the Transformers. Prime doesn't believe him, but Megatron explains about the European Union bomb, boasting that the Decepticons have the ability to take control of it. Once he has finished Prime, he plans to use the nuke to kill the humans.

[[Image:AHM11-specialgueststar.jpg|left|thumb|200px|[[Shane McCarthy]] is a shoo-in for this year's Best Use of Chronic [[Shelfwarmer]] award.]]

The evac continues, but one soldier has trouble moving his tank. Suddenly, [[Dropshot (Universe)|it]] transforms into a Decepticon and fires on the soldiers. As Sparkplug and Hawke drag a wounded soldier away, they remark on how the robots had been playing with them, hiding in plain sight. Sparkplug begins shouting hysterically, asking where else they might be hiding. Meanwhile, the nuclear bomber soars above the ocean, a Decepticon symbol displaying on a screen in the console of its empty and very [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]ic-looking cockpit.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (14)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (15)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (16)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (17)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (18)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (19)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (20)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (21)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (22)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (23)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (25)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (26)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (27)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (30)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (31)
|c2=
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (5)
*[[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (7)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (8)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (9)
*[[Viewfinder]] (10)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (24)
*[[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (28)
*[[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (29)
*[[Dropshot (Universe)|Dropshot]] (34)
*[[Octane|Tankor]] (35)
|c4=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
*[[Bridge]] (2)
*[[Sarah]] (3)
*[[Charles (G1)|Charles]] (4)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky|Daniel Witwicky]] (32)
*[[Hawke]] (33)
}}

==Quotes==
"When the war first began, I needed an army, one ''ruthless'' enough to overthrow a planet. With the rise of the Autobots, my army had to become ''much'' more—a ruthless, vile machine capable of winning at ''any'' cost. The goal was to defeat the Autobots no matter ''what.'' Once the Autobots were defeated, I would kill the very creature I created to wipe out my enemies in the first place. Once the Decepticons were remolded, recreated into what I ''originally'' intended them to be, then and ''only'' then, would our reign begin. No infighting, no dissent, nothing but perfectly controlled peace through unparalleled strength."
:—'''Megatron'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s master plan, using about 100 words to say, "Peace through tyranny".

"One day, you ''will'' lead the Decepticon armies. You will rule over them as you've ''always'' wanted and will have done so by crushing me beneath your heel. The right to lead is one that cannot be given, it ''must'' be taken. This ''is'' something I see before you."
:—'''Megatron''' gives Starscream way too much credit.

"None of this makes any sense!"
:—'''General Witwicky''' pretty much sums up ''All Hail Megatron'' for us.

"Freedom is the right of all—" 
"Oh, ''shut up''."
:—'''Optimus Prime's''' catchphrase fails to catch on with '''Megatron''' (most likely because Prime stole it from him in the first place).

==Notes==
* The missile tank revealed to be Dropshot was first seen in [[All Hail Megatron issue 5|''All Hail Megatron'' #5]]. For a guy who loves to fight all the time, he was surprisingly patient while his comrades were tearing up the globe.

* The juxtaposed dialogue implies that the bomber is actually a Decepticon (confirmed as [[Octane]] by McCarthy),<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=136813#136813 Post by McCarthy on the IDW Forums]</ref> but how he managed to come to be carrying the bomb without a crew is unclear. Presumably he could've reconfigured his alt-mode to be whatever vehicle the European Union had chosen, but he's still lucky they decided to only use ''one'' bomb.

* It is also unclear why Megatron would need to use the European Union's nuke at all, since ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer]]'' revealed that the Decepticons already have enough nukes and other weapons of mass destruction to shatter whole planets. Perhaps this Megatron is as much a lover of irony as [[The Transformers (cartoon)|other incarnations]].

* This is not [[Rhythms of Darkness!|the first continuity]] [[Prime Directive|to feature a nuclear strike]] [[Transformers Comic issue 10|on a Decepticon-occupied]] major [[United States of America|American]] city.

* Apparently, the European Union uses ''propeller-driven nuclear bombers''. Out here in the real world, prop-powered bombers disappeared in the 1950s (though [[Russia]], not a Union member, continues to use the turboprop-driven TU-95 bomber). But hey, if Astrotrain could find a steam locomotive to emulate, maybe it all makes some kind of bizarro sense. It's also possible the European Union heard about Soundwave's ability to jam guidance systems from the first issue, and felt a more low-tech bomber was the better approach.

* In one early draft of this issue's script, Roadbuster was meant to die when Megatron blasted him.<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=8033&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=105 Post by Andy Schmidt on the IDW Forums]</ref>

* When Megatron talks about Prime having abandoned Earth in the past, this refers to Prime's decision to divert his Earth-based troops to investigate the [[Garrus-9]] incident at the end of ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]''. Indeed, Prime had appeared remarkably detached about the planet's fate until now. Where in other continuities Prime tends to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|immediately]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)|bond]] [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|with humanity]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|and put their welfare]] [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|above all]], this incarnation of Optimus has needed to grow into that mindset.

* Megatron's view of the Decepticons' early days seems a little rosy. He blames the Autobot resistance for forcing him to turn the Decepticons into a "vile machine" with no regard for the costs of victory, but considering that they started as a band of [[Megatron Origin issue 3|murderous pit fighters and criminals]], it doesn't seem like they had far to fall.
* Megatron's view of the Decepticons' future is a little blurry. The context of Megatron's speech to Starscream seems to indicate that he thinks openly fighting the humans will bring about the redemption of the Decepticon army, eliminating internal conflict and ushering in a tightly-controlled peace. How this is meant to happen is uncertain.
* The theme of Autobots and Decepticons both having been twisted into something wrong and needing to change had been previously raised in [[All Hail Megatron issue 9|''All Hail Megatron'' #9]] and "[[Spotlight: Drift]]". This seems to indicate both sides are going to stop following the infiltration/phases model and change to something <s>closer to the 1980s</s> more ideologically-driven.
* At last, Optimus Prime and Megatron throw down while engaged in deep philosophical banter! It's [[Power Play!|the battle]] you've been [[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2|waiting for]] for <s>[[Prime Directive issue 3|twenty-five]]</s> <s>[[Escalation issue 5|seven]]</s> two years!

===Errors===
* When Dropshot reveals himself and starts destroying stuff, Hawke mistakenly gets a word bubble clearly meant for Gen. Witwicky. ("Where else...")

===Covers (2)===
*'''Cover A:''' Omega Supreme vs. Devastator; art by [[Casey Coller]] with colors by [[Joana Lafuente]].
*'''Cover B:''' Marching Autobots; art and colors by [[Trevor Hutchison]].
<gallery>
Image:All Hail Megatron 11a.jpg|Clash of the Titans
Image:All Hail Megatron 11b.jpg|Cue "When Johnny Comes Marching Home".
</gallery>

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===Reprints===
*[[2009]] — ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 2]]''
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]''
*[[2011]] — ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|The Transformers: The Complete All Hail Megatron]]''
*[[2011]] — ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Five]]''

==References==
<references />

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]