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On the Edge of Extinction!

2010-05-05T14:34:32Z

195.240.16.74: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[The_Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #75
|prev=The_Void! (US)
|next=Still_Life!
|seriesissue2=[[The_Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #319-322
|prev2=The_Void! (US)
|next2=Still_Life!
|title="On the Edge of Extinction!"
|image=MarvelUS-75.jpg
|caption=OM NOM NOM NOM NOM
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=December 1990
|coverdate=February 1991
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|artist=[[Geoff Senior]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Unicron drops by for a light lunch.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Tastybrainstorm.jpg|left|200px|thumb|The in-between meals snack that won't ruin your appetite!]]
With [[Unicron]] looming over the planet [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the assembled [[Transformer|Transformers]] flee in a blind panic. The dark god rips into the planet's surface, sampling its metal (and Brainstorm) and declaring it "succulent".

Primus — still possessing the form of Emirate Xaaron — urges Prime and Scorponok to calm their warriors and unite them in battle against the Chaos-Bringer, but even the two leaders are overwhelmed by the sheer immensity of their foe. Primus himself initiates an attack on Unicron — but the dark god sees through what is essentially a ruse, and destroys Xaaron.

[[Image:Xaaronpossessed.jpg|left|125px|thumb|"Eat me, and I'll shred the roof of your mouth!"]]
Galvatron blasts Unicron at full power; while it does virtually no damage, it does what Galvatron had hoped — inspires the Transformers to stand and fight. Soon a planet-wide battle is raging; many Transformers are killed in the fighting, most notably Scorponok, who makes a final stand to live up to his legacy as a [[Decepticon]] warrior. The [[Neo-Knights]] also attempt to engage, but their powers are no match for Unicron, and Circuit Breaker remains catatonic, despite G.B. Blackrock's attempts to revive her.

[[Image:Edgeofextinction-someonefight.jpg|right|200px|thumb|How do the physics of this even work??]]
Reinforcements arrive in the form of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], which is filled with [[Autobot|Autobots]] reactivated by the [[Nucleon]] retrieved by Grimlock. Grimlock has the ship sideswipe Unicron, damaging it and forcing them to abandon it in flight.

As Prime struggles to keep his [[Powermaster]] bond from coming apart, the tainted Creation Matrix suddenly arrives at Cybertron, with the possessed Thunderwing at its core. The Matrix confronts its old foe, Unicron. But with its virtuous nature stripped away, the Matrix no longer has any advantage over Unicron, who unleashes a power burst that tears Thunderwing limb from limb and devastates the surface of Cybertron. As the blast passes, Prime spots the Matrix.

[[Image:Circuitbreakervsunicron.jpg|left|125px|thumb|Consequence of the "Dine-and-Dash".]]
Tiring of the battle, Unicron reverts to his planet mode and prepares to devour Cybertron entirely. But as he begins, he is blasted by the revived Circuit Breaker, who pours every bit of her power at him in an insane rage. The distraction gives Prime enough time to reach the Matrix. His mind free from doubt, he reclaims it, purges it of darkness, and plunges it — and himself — into Unicron's maw. Overloaded with "terrible, wonderful life", Unicron explodes while the survivors on Cybertron's surface look on in awe.

Some while after the battle, Battletrap and Runabout are walking somewhere on Cybertron. Runabout goes to investigate some movement in the shadows. He is promptly snatched underground by a clawed hand and, as observed by a hidden Hi-Q, devoured.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Cloudburst]] (8)
* [[Brainstorm]] (9)
* [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (20)
* [[Siren]] (21)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (22)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (23)
* [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (24)
* [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (27)
* [[Waverider]] (30)
* [[Joyride (Autobot)|Joyride]] (31)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (32)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (33)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (34)
|c2=
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (1)
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (4)
* [[Octopunch]] (5)
* [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (7)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (10)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (11)
* [[Galvatron II]] (17)
* [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (18)
* [[Darkwing]] (19)
* [[Finback]] (25)
* [[Misfire]] (26)
* [[Bomb-Burst]] (28)
* [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] (29)
* [[Battletrap]] (37)
* [[Runabout]] (38)
|c3=
* [[Thunderpunch]] (12)
* [[Circuit Breaker]] (13)
* [[Dynamo]] (14)
* [[Rapture]] (15)
* [[G.B. Blackrock]] (16)
|h4=[[Nebulos|Nebulans]]|c4=
* [[Hi-Q]] (36)
|c5=
* [[Primus]]/[[Emirate Xaaron]] (2)
* [[Unicron]] (6)
* [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]/[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (35)
* A [[Demon]] (39)
}}

==Errors==
* There are, of course, the errors of [[scale]] typically associated with the supposedly planet-sized Unicron.

==Items of note==
* When Primus is killed when it inhabits Xaaron's body, it's ''Scorponok'' who screams out Xaaron's name in shock and Optimus who calls out for Primus (despite being an old comrade of Xaaron's).
* While Primus is outright said to be [[death|dead deadity dead]], the [[Primus#Fleer and DK|later retcon]] of the Primus/Unicron plan would say he isn't.
* Among hundreds, thousands, maybe millions of Transformers... Circuit Breaker's the only being on the planet who can manipulate electricity? [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] hadn't been seen in donkey's years and may have been [[Dark Star (issue)|long dead]], so this isn't as jarring as it could have been.
* Grimlock's (shown) reinforcements are the same cast as [[Earthforce]], more or less.
* Those apparently killed in this issue include Brainstorm, Xaaron, Cloudburst, Highbrow, Finback, Misfire, Hardhead, Bomb-Burst, Joyride, Waverider, Scorponok, Thunderwing, [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], and Runabout.
:It's "apparently" because Joyride and Mindwipe show up alive and well in ''[[Generation 2 (Marvel Comics)|Generation 2]]''. Quake, who was with Joyride and Waverider when they were blasted, is not shown getting hit — and is fine just a couple of issues later.
* The next issue's opening page would reveal several more deceased Transformers: [[Apeface]], [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], [[Hosehead]], and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (who nevertheless appeared in ''Generation 2'' long enough to die again.) Prime's gruesome fate would be revealed as well, as he was still within Unicron during the explosion.
* Most of the surviving Transformers, including [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Prowl, Wheeljack, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and Jazz show up in the [[Action Master]]s line. While most never transform after this issue, Prowl clearly retains his ability to do so.
* ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay]] are found after the main story.
*This was the last Dutch Generation 1 comic printed by [[Junior Press]].

===References===
* The grand battle with Unicron concludes a storyline that began way back in issue [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]].
* Grimlock's reinforcements were fueled with Nucleon in the previous issue.

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-75.jpg|'''US issue #75''' - Cybertron - with delicious crunchy filling!
Image:MarvelUK-319.JPG|'''UK issue #319''' - UK Cybertron - strawberry flavoured.
Image:MarvelUK-320.jpg|'''UK issue #320''' - I can hear the fangirls crying...
Image:MarvelUK-321.jpg|'''UK issue #321''' - "Wasn't me guv, it was that big orange guy with horns."
Image:MarvelUK-322.jpg|'''UK issue #322''' - Come on, how ''awesome'' is this?
</gallery>

* '''US issue #75 cover:''' Unicron devouring Cybertron by [[Geoff Senior]].
* '''UK issue #319 cover:''' recolored version of U.S. cover by [[Robin Bouttell]].
* '''UK issue #320 cover:''' Unicron destroying Xaaron by [[Staz|Stewart Johnson]].
* '''UK issue #321 cover:''' Optimus Prime and the defeated Scorponok by Stewart Johnson.
* '''UK issue #322 cover:''' Prime entering Unicron with the Matrix by Stewart Johnson.

===Advertisements===
* None yet identified.

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

The Void! (US)

2010-05-05T14:33:36Z

195.240.16.74: /* Items of note */

{{disambig3|Void}}
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #74
|prev=Out of Time!
|next=On the Edge of Extinction!
|title="The Void!"
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #317–318
|prev2=Out of Time!
|next2=On the Edge of Extinction!
|image=MarvelUS-74.jpg
|caption=Bet I can kill more of them than you can!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=November 1990
|coverdate=January 1991
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Rick Parker]]
|editor=[[Rob Tokar]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''And lo, it is the time of the Gathering...'''

==Synopsis==
Once again, the origin of the [[Transformer|Transformers]] is related, this time by Primus through his possessed body of Emirate Xaaron. He has gathered the combined [[Autobot|Autobots]] and [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] of [[Earth]] and [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to their home planet in order to battle Unicron in his name. As Primus names Optimus Prime leader of the combined Cybertronian forces, a lone Autobot slinks away from the rear of the gathering.

Aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] are surprised to return to the ship and not only find it completely empty of life, but the planet Earth totally devoid of Transformers as well. As they set course for Cybertron, Grimlock commands Sludge to begin pumping [[Nucleon]] into the stasis pods to revive the fallen warriors. As the process begins, the panels gently remind us of Megatron's presence among those in inactivity.

Back on Cybertron, Circuit Breaker's fragile little mind is about to pop, as she is surrounded by her worst nightmare. G.B. Blackrock asks Prime to get Primus to return him and the [[Neo-Knights]] to Earth, but the god teleports away instead of listening to Optimus' plea.

Nearby, the mind-controlled [[Unicron cultist|hordes of Unicron]] have gathered, and are preparing to carry out his will and bring death to Optimus Prime.

As Scorponok makes an excuse to speak to Prime alone, he confesses to his opposite number a growing fear of dying. Optimus expresses a similar sentiment, and also confides in Scorponok his growing distaste for being manipulated by their "god", against their will. Still, he is bound and determined to face his death with nobility and resolve, if his time has truly come. As the two leaders grow closer, they are suddenly besieged by Unicron's cultists.

[[Image:DEATH.jpg|left|300px|thumb|Look! DEATH!]]
Scorponok quickly realizes that the cultists are completely uninterested in him, and seek only Optimus Prime's death. After briefly toying with the idea of leaving Prime to his doom, Scorponok vigorously returns to the battle and saves Prime from oncoming death. One cultist prepares to drop a grenade down on the fighters, but is caught by Galvatron, who forces the Cybertronian to eat his own grenade before sending up a signal flare to summon reinforcements for Prime and Scorponok.

Meanwhile... the Creation Matrix has finished repairing its vessel, the deranged Thunderwing. It hungers for a new sensation... revenge!

As the various Autobots and Decepticons rush to their leaders' aid, the battle quickly turns in their favor. Scorponok is slowly torturing the last of the cultists, when Prime steps in and stops him. He suspects the Cybertronians aren't acting of their own accord, and therefore are innocent victims of Unicron.

Primus confirms Optimus Prime's suspicions, explaining that Unicron managed to place a "sleeper program" in several of Primus's creations eons ago, creating hidden wolves in the fold. Primus deliberately named Optimus Prime leader in order to draw out these cultists, and test the strength of the Cybertronian Alliance.

Just as Optimus is about to give Primus a piece of his mind for all these manipulations, Kup delivers one of the best lines in history, as Unicron has arrived.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (6)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (13)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (14)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (15)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (16)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (17)
* [[Getaway]] (20)
|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (8)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (9)
* [[Stranglehold]] (10)
* [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (11)
* [[Octopunch]] (12)
* [[Galvatron II]] (18)
|c3=
* [[G.B. Blackrock]] (3)
* [[Thunderpunch]] (4)
* [[Circuit Breaker]] (5)
|c4=
* [[Unicron]] (1)
* [[Primus]]/[[Emirate Xaaron]] (2)
* [[Creation Matrix]]/[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (19)
}}

==Errors==
* Slag "head" the boss, when he should have "heard" the boss.
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] is misspelled "Rachet" on his stasis pod door.

==Items of note==
:''Cameos'': [[Apeface]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Triggerhappy]], [[Cloudburst]], [[Waverider]], [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], [[Runabout]], [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], [[Bomb-Burst]], [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], [[Siren]], [[Hosehead]], [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], [[Darkwing]], [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], [[Fangry]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Weirdwolf]], [[Dynamo]], [[Rapture]], and [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (splash page) [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]], [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]], [[Backstreet]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], [[Battletrap]], [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], and [[Squeezeplay]]
[[Image:Void-UKspread.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The United Kingdom - double the emptiness]]
* The UK version of this story is one page longer. The opening page was expanded into a double-page spread in UK issue 317, incorporating the inside-front-cover of the comic, where a description of the issue's contents usually resided.
* This issue is the first US appearance for [[Battletrap]] and [[Quake (G1)|Quake]].
* In a nice bit of continuity, after being transported to Cybertron, the Autobot Pretenders still don't have their [[Pretender shell]]s. The Decepticons confiscated them when the Autobots surrendered in [[Surrender!|issue 71]]. They will somehow get them back in time for next issue, however.
* Snarl finds only one Transformer life-sign on Earth, seemingly split into two parts. This may seem to be a reference to [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], but Fort Max is stored aboard the Ark. Another option might be Spike and his control helmet.
* ''[[Transformers Universe (Marvel comic)|Transformers Universe]]'' profiles for [[Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] are found after the main story.
* Little character moments and jokes can be seen in the page 4-5 splash. Bludgeon is grimly cleaning his sword; Nightbeat has noticed the Neo-Knights helicopter that he brought with him; Dreadwing is ignoring the speech to tell Darkwing a funny joke, which confuses [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and annoys [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Cloudburst]] (who is being held back by [[Waverider]]); an Autobot in the back is pretending to shoot Soundwave; Starscream is looking at his woozy "ally" Shockwave with contempt; [[Apeface]] is peeling himself a yummy banana, much to [[Horri-Bull]]'s amusement; and [[Triggerhappy]] is looking the other way entirely for no reason.

===References===
* The history of Unicron and Primus was previously related, in slightly different forms, by Unicron in UK issue [[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]] and the [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]] in US issue [[Primal Scream (issue)|#61]].

===Covers===
<gallery>
Image:MarvelUS-74.jpg|'''US issue #74''' - We hate cosplayers!
Image:MarvelUK-317.jpg|'''UK issue #317''' - Xaaron - now with added chrome
Image:MarvelUK-318.jpg|'''UK issue #318''' - Head-poppingly fun!
</gallery>
* '''US cover:''' Scorponok and Prime vs the hordes of Unicron by [[Andrew Wildman]]
* '''UK issue #317 cover:''' Xaaron as servant of Primus by Andrew Wildman and Robin Bouttell
* '''UK issue #318 cover:''' recolored version of US cover by [[Robin Bouttell]]

===Advertisements===
* None yet identified.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Void! (US)}}
[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]