MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Straxus

2008-02-13T07:18:47Z

76.114.89.13: /* Trivia */

:''Straxus is a [[Decepticon]] in the [[Marvel Comics]] portion of the [[Generation 1]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Straxus.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Mercy is not dispensed here, fools, only Pez.]]

A ruthless, fearmongering dictator, Lord High Governor '''Straxus''' is a threat to all under his rule - including his own inner circle. From his throne in [[Darkmount]], there are none in [[Polyhex]] who don't feel his crushing influence. Straxus' word is law, unbound by reason or facts, and can and will change from thought to thought. A brutal powerhouse, he is more than able to enforce his policies, usually with a deadly blow from his battle axe. Do not try to appeal to his sense of pity; he has none.

{{quote|'''Mercy''' is not dispensed here, fools... only '''death!'''|Straxus, [[The Smelting Pool!]]}}

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
[[Image:Straxusholdscourt.jpg|left|thumb|200px|He's got a metal palm tree and he's not afraid to use it!]]
''Following the assassination of the Decepticon warlord [[Trannis]] by the [[Autobot]] commando unit, the [[Wreckers]], Straxus assumed his position as Decepticon leader on Cybertron.''

When a Decepticon transmission beamed from the planet [[Earth]] circa the Earth year 1985 reached Cybertron, Straxus immediately arranged for the capture of the scientist [[Spanner]] so that a [[space bridge]] between the worlds could be constructed. Attempting to locate Spanner, the Autobot spy [[Scrounge]] learned of this plot, but was captured by [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] and brought before Straxus, who maliciously destroyed his unique recording-device arm before consigning him to death in the [[smelting pool]]s. In turn, [[Blaster]] came searching for Scrounge (against orders), was captured and brought before Straxus, and sentenced to the pools. There he discovered the dying Scrounge, was given the information he had acquired, and escaped with the aid of his Autobot friends who had come looking for him (against orders). {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[Image:Straxusaltmode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Yeah, but where does the axe go?]]The space bridge was subsequently completed, but its earliest tests reduced Straxus to rage when a malfunction caused the death of [[Crosscut (Decepticon)|Crosscut]], and he sent another unfortunate to instant death in an attempt to figure out what had gone wrong. As the tests went on, an Autobot raiding party planted explosives within Darkmount, destroying it, and sending an enraged Straxus after their heads. With the bridge unattended, Blaster intended to destroy it, but was confronted by Straxus in a one-on-one duel. Crippling Blaster with his axe, Straxus was duped into accidentally severing the bridge's fuel line, destabilizing its teleporting arch, through which Blaster then kicked Straxus, destroying him. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

[[Image:Straxushead.jpg|left|thumb|Teletraan-1, Rita's escaped, recruit a team of teenagers with attitude...no, er wait...]]
''However, while Straxus's body was reduced to ash, his head was salvaged and placed in a life-support pod that allowed him to continue on in his position as leader. Soon after, when [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] arrived on Cybertron, Straxus immediately set in motion a scheme to restore himself to life, calmly following Megatron's directions to hunt down [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], who had arrived on the planet with him. After Prime carried out several successful raids alongside the Wreckers, Megatron began to grow more and more unstable, and Straxus more and more impatient with his deranged houseguest. Despite the warnings of his technicians as to the "unpredictability" of the machinery involved, Straxus made the final step, activating a device that would exchange his and Megatron's minds, giving him a body once more. Megatron resisted the transfer, however, leaving the two minds within Megatron's body, fighting for dominance, each one in control at a different moment. In battle with Prime and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], Megatron prepared to unleash his destructive anti-matter powers, but in order to stop him, [[Ratbat]] activated the space bridge, teleporting the three Transformers back to [[Earth]].''

''Before this could occur, having failed to oust Megatron's mind, Straxus activated his contingency plan, "[[Project Re-Birth]]," and his consciousness fled into a body he had specially prepared - a duplicate of Megatron created from a "hapless trooper," complete with a copy of his brain patterns, beneath which Straxus's personality lay dormant. Upon hearing of the true Megatron's seeming death aboard the space bridge a short time later, the project technicians activated the clone, sending it to the sewers beneath [[London]] where it came into conflict with a small group of Autobots, [[G.I. Joe|Action Force]] and [[Centurion]]. Straxus's mind had yet to take over the clone at this point, and it genuinely believed itself to be the true Megatron, but it was soon dealt with when an oil tank explosion sent it and Centurion tumbling into the Thames river.''

''Some time later, seeking a weapon to use against the deranged future Decepticon [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] recovered the Megatron clone, also believing it to be the genuine article, only to find that "Megatron"'s mind had retreated into itself. Shockwave subjected the clone to the [[psycho probe]], intending to force "Megatron" to face his fears - but instead, Straxus emerged, intending to fight Megatron's fears for him and finally take control of the body. Megatron fought back, however, ripping the mental image of Straxus to pieces and finally taking over their shared mind.''

[[Image:MegatronStraxusDeath1.jpg |right|150px|thumb|No, no! Aim ''away'' from the face!]]

''This Megatron proceeded to battle Galvatron, and then sided with him to battle Autobots of the present and future in the "[[Time Wars]]". Faced with destruction on all sides, the Megatron clone opted instead to return to Cybertron, where he dethroned the decadent ruling [[Triumvirate]] and took control of the Decepticons on the planet once more. Soon, however, he began to suffer from nightmarish visions of the lives lived by both the trooper whose body became his, and of Straxus, just as the true Megatron - having recovered his memories after a period of wandering amensia in the [[Dead End]] - attacked his base. The two Megatrons battled, with the true one revealed the clone's nature to him, and all at once, everything made sense to the clone. Along with this revelation, another immediately arose - Straxus's mental defeat was a sham, and he had been dwelling within the clone's mind all along, steadily growing in power as the clone weakened. Straxus made one final attempt to seize control of their mind, and the clone committed suicide, blowing his own head off with his [[fusion cannon]], rather than allow Straxus to win.''

''It is possible that in the original un-altered pre-Time Wars timeline, the Straxus-Megatron clone may have been the Megatron transformed into Galvatron, but the shifting nature of the timelines makes this open to debate at best.''

''All very simple, isn't it?''

{{note|The true nature of the Megatron clone was not revealed until the story which depicted his death. This was because, for all of the clone's other stories, he was regarded by characters, readers and writer [[Simon Furman]] as actually being the ''real'' Megatron, having survived his supposed death in the US comics. The US comics, however, continued to treat Megatron as pushing up daisies, so when Simon Furman took over writing that title and penned Megatron's return, he needed an explanation that would reconcile Megatron's continual appearances in the UK title with his lack of activity in the US. Relegating the Megatron of the UK comics to a clone was that explanation, revealed in UK-exclusive strips which ran concurrently with the reprints of Megatron's US return.}}

====''Generation 2''====

[[Jhiaxus]] referred to Straxus as one of the petty, small-minded dictators he left in charge of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when he left to start the [[Cybertronian Empire]]. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

===IDW comics continuity===
[[Image:Straxusidw.jpg|left|thumb|250px|I may or may not be here in subsequent panels, depending on how the artist feels today.]]
At the beginning of the war, as the Decepticon menace was just beginning to reveal its true menace, Straxus (or a robot who looked remarkably like him) worked security at the [[Kaon Security Headquarters]]. When the Decepticon [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] was brought to trial before an emergency session of the [[Kaon Council]], he started a prisoner revolt. Though Straxus was initially present, his fate was not depicted. {{storylink|Megatron Origin}}
{{-}}

==Trivia==
*For some reason, Straxus' colors changed drastically between the two sole issues he was in for the US comic. Also, sometimes between panels.
Probably because Nel Yomtov was a horrible colorist.

==External links==
*[http://s90690880.onlinehome.us/jhiaxus/uscomics/straxus.htm Straxus at the Obscure Transformers Website.]

{{-}}

[[Category: Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category: Comic-only characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Back from the Dead

2008-02-13T07:15:33Z

76.114.89.13: /* Items of note */

[[Image:MarvelUS-56.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Oh boy! ''More'' Micromasters!]]

'''Some British guy starts writing the title. This won't last...'''

{{comicnav | Generation 1 (Marvel Comics) | 56 | seriesname= | prev=The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship! | next=The Resurrection Gambit! | series2=Generation 1 (Marvel Comics) | seriesname2=Generation 1 (Marvel UK) | issuenumber2=Issue #s 240-242 | prev2=A Savage Place! | next2=Out to Lunch!}}

=Marvel US issue #56=
''(Story also appears in: Marvel UK issues #240-242)''

'''Writer:''' [[Simon Furman]] <br>
'''Pencils:''' [[Jose Delbo]]<br>
'''Inks:''' [[Dave Hunt]]<br>
'''Letterer:''' [[Jim Massara]]<br>
'''Colorist:''' [[Nelson Yomtov]]<br>
'''Editor:''' [[Don Daley]]<br>
'''Editor-in Chief:''' [[Tom DeFalco]]<br>
'''Cover:''' [[Dan Reed]]<br>

*''Major Characters (in order of appearance):'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Detour]], [[Hyperdrive]], [[Blackjack]], [[Road Hugger]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Whisper (Decepticon)|Whisper]], [[Storm Cloud]], [[Tailwind]], [[Nightflight]], [[Hot Rod]]
*''Originally published:'' September, 1989

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Zombiesbackfromthedead.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Blaster's not dead, he's just a [[Headmaster]]!]]
In Ratchet's nightmares, the dead walk. Because he has failed to restore them to life, they have become the un-life, and thirst for his spark. As the scrambling corpses pile over him, Ratchet decides he deserves to die for his failure, and gives in to his attackers as they violently -- RATCHET!!

Suddenly, he startles awake. Optimus Prime has come into the medical bay and shaken Ratchet out of involuntary systems shutdown. Prime has been desperate to replenish his ranks after [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s rampage through their forces, but he starts to realize how much an effect the stress has had on Ratchet. He orders the surgeon to take some downtime, but worries his demand for troops might have already damaged Ratchet's sanity. Ratchet, in turn, shows he has hardly been comforted by Prime pep-talk, and laments the lack of any real advanced medical technology, like he's heard exists on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] now.

Meanwhile, on that very planet, a mysterious figure is addressing the [[Micromaster]] [[Sports Car Patrol]]. As these tiny Decepticons demonstrate they are ready for their covert mission and show off their faction-switching insignias, the figure contacts his other agents on Earth, the [[Air Strike Patrol]], and tells them to begin their part of the mission.

The Air Strike Patrol stage an attack at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], taking the humans hostage while making empty demands for the new mid-air refueling jet being unveiled. Unknown to all involved, their only true purpose is to get the Autobots' attention. They succeed. Despite their low numbers, Optimus Prime feels compelled to gather a strike team and take a shuttle down to Earth to defend the humans.

With the [[Ark]] virtually deserted, the Sports Car Patrol teleport in using a new trans-time dimensional portal. Working from a nearby circuit panel, Blackjack reprograms some crucial systems to give him remote control over the fallen Autobots. He animates them and provides a voice in order to physical and psychologically batter Ratchet into submission. With his recent nightmares coming to life around him, Ratchet almost submits to his attackers, but manages to shake loose his guilt and fight back. He breaks free and prepares to hit the emergency cut-off switch to short-circuit the "zombies", but hesitates at doing any more damage to their systems.

Fortunately for Ratchet, the choice is taken out of his hands. Blackjack's psychological torture was supposed to force Ratchet to tear apart his fallen comrades with his bare hands in order to survive, breaking him mentally. Instead, the Micromaster is forced to shut down the reanimates before they kill Ratchet, and he ceases to be of any use. Time for Plan B. Stepping out of the shadows, Blackjack and friends introduce themselves as the Autobot Sports Car Patrol. Claiming to be on their way back to Cybertron, the Micromasters offer to take Ratchet with them and let him make use of their shiny new med-tech.

Ready to jump at the chance, Ratchet quickly attempts to contact Optimus Prime and receive permission. Static on the line prevents him from getting through, however. Ratchet decides to go to Cybertron anyway, and brings the bodies of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] with him to be the first revitalized. He immediately realizes his mistake when the Patrol leave Blackjack behind on the Ark, though, and his suspicions are confirmed when the Micromasters turn their guns on him as they rematerialize. Whatever worries he had, they are soon trumped by the arrival of his old nemesis...Megatron.

==Errors==
*There are several glitches on page 4. It is apparently supposed to be Road Hugger who says "Right on!", as the next text bubble suggests, and Blackjack discussing the need for subtlety and sneakiness in that panel and the next. Also, the text bubble about what Blackjack excels in would make more sense switched with the one about changing their symbols.
*Even assuming he got suspicious at the end, Ratchet is not very bright. Someone reanimates the fallen Autobots by remote control and turns them against him then, out of nowhere, some Transformers he's never seen before step out of the hallway and offer to take him on a magical journey. Right -- when was the last time you EVER saw an Autobot wearing purple?
*There are a few problems with page 15 as well. The third panel seems to suggest Road Hugger remains on the Ark. However, two panels later, he is shown with Detour and Hyperdrive on Cybertron. Also, Ratchet asks "Why aren't ''they'' coming with us?", but only Blackjack is actually left behind.
*On the last page, Yomtov colored one of Ratchet's hands red and the other one is black. Way to go, Nel.

==References==
*Starscream's devastation of the Autobot forces occurred in US #50.
*Megatron installing flip-change faction symbols on his minions is suitably ironic, as Shockwave had the Predacons use the same trick on him in US #25.
*Ratchet's attempt to contact Optimus Prime will be shown from Prime's perspective next issue.

==Items of note==
*The first US series issue scripted by [[Simon Furman]], who took over the run from [[Bob Budiansky]].
*The [[Dan Reed]] cover of this issue marks the first time a "UK" Transformers artist would provide original material for the US comic. Reed would later be followed on the book by true Brits [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Andrew Wildman]].
*The inactive bodies of [[Blaster]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] are shown in Ratchet's workshop.
*Transformers Universe profiles for [[Battletrap]], [[Blot]], [[Cutthroat]], [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]], Goldbug and [[Wide Load (G1)|Wide Load]] are found after the main story.

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Back from the Dead

2008-02-13T07:14:45Z

76.114.89.13: /* Items of note */

[[Image:MarvelUS-56.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Oh boy! ''More'' Micromasters!]]

'''Some British guy starts writing the title. This won't last...'''

{{comicnav | Generation 1 (Marvel Comics) | 56 | seriesname= | prev=The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship! | next=The Resurrection Gambit! | series2=Generation 1 (Marvel Comics) | seriesname2=Generation 1 (Marvel UK) | issuenumber2=Issue #s 240-242 | prev2=A Savage Place! | next2=Out to Lunch!}}

=Marvel US issue #56=
''(Story also appears in: Marvel UK issues #240-242)''

'''Writer:''' [[Simon Furman]] <br>
'''Pencils:''' [[Jose Delbo]]<br>
'''Inks:''' [[Dave Hunt]]<br>
'''Letterer:''' [[Jim Massara]]<br>
'''Colorist:''' [[Nelson Yomtov]]<br>
'''Editor:''' [[Don Daley]]<br>
'''Editor-in Chief:''' [[Tom DeFalco]]<br>
'''Cover:''' [[Dan Reed]]<br>

*''Major Characters (in order of appearance):'' [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], [[Detour]], [[Hyperdrive]], [[Blackjack]], [[Road Hugger]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Whisper (Decepticon)|Whisper]], [[Storm Cloud]], [[Tailwind]], [[Nightflight]], [[Hot Rod]]
*''Originally published:'' September, 1989

==Synopsis==
[[Image:Zombiesbackfromthedead.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Blaster's not dead, he's just a [[Headmaster]]!]]
In Ratchet's nightmares, the dead walk. Because he has failed to restore them to life, they have become the un-life, and thirst for his spark. As the scrambling corpses pile over him, Ratchet decides he deserves to die for his failure, and gives in to his attackers as they violently -- RATCHET!!

Suddenly, he startles awake. Optimus Prime has come into the medical bay and shaken Ratchet out of involuntary systems shutdown. Prime has been desperate to replenish his ranks after [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s rampage through their forces, but he starts to realize how much an effect the stress has had on Ratchet. He orders the surgeon to take some downtime, but worries his demand for troops might have already damaged Ratchet's sanity. Ratchet, in turn, shows he has hardly been comforted by Prime pep-talk, and laments the lack of any real advanced medical technology, like he's heard exists on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] now.

Meanwhile, on that very planet, a mysterious figure is addressing the [[Micromaster]] [[Sports Car Patrol]]. As these tiny Decepticons demonstrate they are ready for their covert mission and show off their faction-switching insignias, the figure contacts his other agents on Earth, the [[Air Strike Patrol]], and tells them to begin their part of the mission.

The Air Strike Patrol stage an attack at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], taking the humans hostage while making empty demands for the new mid-air refueling jet being unveiled. Unknown to all involved, their only true purpose is to get the Autobots' attention. They succeed. Despite their low numbers, Optimus Prime feels compelled to gather a strike team and take a shuttle down to Earth to defend the humans.

With the [[Ark]] virtually deserted, the Sports Car Patrol teleport in using a new trans-time dimensional portal. Working from a nearby circuit panel, Blackjack reprograms some crucial systems to give him remote control over the fallen Autobots. He animates them and provides a voice in order to physical and psychologically batter Ratchet into submission. With his recent nightmares coming to life around him, Ratchet almost submits to his attackers, but manages to shake loose his guilt and fight back. He breaks free and prepares to hit the emergency cut-off switch to short-circuit the "zombies", but hesitates at doing any more damage to their systems.

Fortunately for Ratchet, the choice is taken out of his hands. Blackjack's psychological torture was supposed to force Ratchet to tear apart his fallen comrades with his bare hands in order to survive, breaking him mentally. Instead, the Micromaster is forced to shut down the reanimates before they kill Ratchet, and he ceases to be of any use. Time for Plan B. Stepping out of the shadows, Blackjack and friends introduce themselves as the Autobot Sports Car Patrol. Claiming to be on their way back to Cybertron, the Micromasters offer to take Ratchet with them and let him make use of their shiny new med-tech.

Ready to jump at the chance, Ratchet quickly attempts to contact Optimus Prime and receive permission. Static on the line prevents him from getting through, however. Ratchet decides to go to Cybertron anyway, and brings the bodies of [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] with him to be the first revitalized. He immediately realizes his mistake when the Patrol leave Blackjack behind on the Ark, though, and his suspicions are confirmed when the Micromasters turn their guns on him as they rematerialize. Whatever worries he had, they are soon trumped by the arrival of his old nemesis...Megatron.

==Errors==
*There are several glitches on page 4. It is apparently supposed to be Road Hugger who says "Right on!", as the next text bubble suggests, and Blackjack discussing the need for subtlety and sneakiness in that panel and the next. Also, the text bubble about what Blackjack excels in would make more sense switched with the one about changing their symbols.
*Even assuming he got suspicious at the end, Ratchet is not very bright. Someone reanimates the fallen Autobots by remote control and turns them against him then, out of nowhere, some Transformers he's never seen before step out of the hallway and offer to take him on a magical journey. Right -- when was the last time you EVER saw an Autobot wearing purple?
*There are a few problems with page 15 as well. The third panel seems to suggest Road Hugger remains on the Ark. However, two panels later, he is shown with Detour and Hyperdrive on Cybertron. Also, Ratchet asks "Why aren't ''they'' coming with us?", but only Blackjack is actually left behind.
*On the last page, Yomtov colored one of Ratchet's hands red and the other one is black. Way to go, Nel.

==References==
*Starscream's devastation of the Autobot forces occurred in US #50.
*Megatron installing flip-change faction symbols on his minions is suitably ironic, as Shockwave had the Predacons use the same trick on him in US #25.
*Ratchet's attempt to contact Optimus Prime will be shown from Prime's perspective next issue.

==Items of note==
*The first US series issue scripted by [[Simon Furman]], who took over the run from [[Bob Budianski]].
*The [[Dan Reed]] cover of this issue marks the first time a "UK" Transformers artist would provide original material for the US comic. Reed would later be followed on the book by true Brits [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Andrew Wildman]].
*The inactive bodies of [[Blaster]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Goldbug]], [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] are shown in Ratchet's workshop.
*Transformers Universe profiles for [[Battletrap]], [[Blot]], [[Cutthroat]], [[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]], Goldbug and [[Wide Load (G1)|Wide Load]] are found after the main story.

[[Category:Marvel US issues]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>