MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Loose Ends, Part 2

2012-08-09T23:41:30Z

94.169.105.57:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #82
|prev=Loose Ends, Part 1
|next=Loose Ends, Part 3
|title="Loose Ends" Part 2
|image=RG1 82 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 1]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=August 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''The Wreckers face Megatron on Earth, while Grimlock has troubles on Nebulos.'''

==Synopsis==
As [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] fires upon their ship, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and the [[Wrecker]]s are able to bail out in escape pods at the last minute, and crash-land on the ruined [[Earth]] in the middle of the [[Mojave desert]]. They quickly depart their landing site, but with [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] injured and [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'s neural circuits scrambled by the crash, things are already off to a bad start, and they only get worse then [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] reports back from recon that Megatron is hot on their tail with a pack of [[Decepticon]]s. What the Wreckers do not realize is that these Decepticons are virtual [[zombie]]s, brought back from death and lobotomized by Megatron into loyal, brain-wiped servants, with only two allowed to retain a fragment of consciousness: [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], as punishment for his legacy of treachery, and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], whose decapitated but still-living head now adorns Megatron's battle-sled!

Across the galaxy, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] arrives in the vicinity of [[Nebulos]] on his quest to find a cure for the effects of [[Nucleon]]. On approach to the planet, he reviews a science log on "[[Project Lazarus]]", an attempt by [[Nebulan]] senior scientist [[Borx]] to reconnect the [[Autobot]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]]' original heads to their bodies following the deaths of their Nebulan partners during the [[Unicron]] war. After some initial difficulties, the process is coming along, and Grimlock figures that his head—and those of the other Nucleon-afflicted Transformers—could thus be transplanted onto new, transforming bodies. Given that he has broken so many rules already, Grimlock is unconcerned with the fact that the planet has been declared out of bounds by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], but upon setting down in [[Koraja]], he finds the city deserted. When he is attacked by mesmerized Nebulans in jet fighters, he cannot bring himself to cross that final line and fire back on the organics, and so he is defeated and knocked out. As he falls, he is approached by [[Scorponok (G1)|something]] that walks on rows of spindly green legs.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] informs [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] that Kup and the Wreckers are missing, having stolen a shuttle. Assigning Trailbreaker the task of finding out who helped them in getting away from the planet, Magnus waits until he is gone before exploding with fury, punching out a monitor screen and howling that he ''wants'' to join Kup in his efforts, but that he has to obey the rules of their new society if they want it to work.

Back on Earth, the Wreckers target the [[Deep Space Network]] in [[Goldstone]], intending to use its dish to broadcast a message to Cybertron. While [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], [[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] draw off most of the pursuing zombie-cons, Kup, Whirl and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] make for the dish. When more pursuers appear, Kup peels off to deal with them, urging Springer and Whirl to get the message through. Although he is able to take down [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]], Kup is felled when [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleports out of the path of his blasts and appears behind him to gun him down. Kup is brought before Megatron, who explains with maniacal glee that his destruction of Earth is not in the name of conquest: he simply did it to get some ''attention''! He ''wants'' the Wreckers' message to get through to Cybertron, so that Optimus Prime will finally come and face him!

Back in the relative safety of the desert, where [[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack 'n' Ruin]] watch over the injured Topspin and Broadside, a small group of humans passes by, and immediately flee at the sight of the robots. Attempting to talk to the humans, Rack 'n' Ruin are forced back by a bolt of energy... a bolt fired by the humans' protector — the cybernetic superhuman [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (13)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (14)
*[[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] (15)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (16)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (17)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (18)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack 'n' Ruin]] (19)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (20)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (21)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (22)
*[[Brainstorm]] (24)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (25)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (26)
|c2=
*[[Hun-Gurrr]] (1)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (2)
*[[Octane]] (3)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (4)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (5)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (6)
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (7)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (8)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (9)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Spindly green legs]] (27)
|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (28)
|h4=[[Nebulan]]s
|c4=
*[[Borx]] (23)
}}

==Quotes==
"Ah, instant, unquestioning obedience! I should have lobotomised the lot of you '''''centuries''''' ago!"
:—'''Megatron''' believes individuality is overrated.

==Notes==
*Megatron's zombified troops are casualties of the [[Underbase Saga]], all save Ratbat having been felled by Starscream while he was high on Underbase power. Apparently, we are to assume from this that the Decepticons never bothered to gather the bodies of their fallen, and that they have lain on Earth all this time until Megatron got his grubby fingers on them. Ratbat, though, was killed while aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], so presumably his body was kept there by the Autobots and removed from the wreck by Megatron.
*When last seen at the close of the original Marvel series, Megatron and Ratchet were mentally linked in a way that required both to live, or neither would. This, then, is why Megatron is keeping Ratchet alive.
*The fate of the Autobot Headmasters' original heads was one of the great dangling plot threads of the ''[[The Transformers: Headmasters|Headmasters]]'' mini-series, with it being repeatedly stated that unlike other depictions of the Headmaster process, the heads were kept intact and alive and in remote contact with their bodies. Resolution at last!
*The [[Grax Communications Facility]] on the [[Plains of Thok]] puts in a brief appearance.
*Grimlock specifically singles out [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] as an especially badly-afflicted victim of Nucleon. Back during the writing of the original series, it was Furman's intention that Slag would be driven insane by the Nucleon, and it sounds like we're still heading in that direction.
*Grimlock refers back to the period when Transformers were not welcome on Nebulos, seen in "[[People Power!]]"
*While the narration in "[[Counterpoint]]" made reference to protective stasis aboard the Ark maintaining each Transformer's "spark of life", here Megatron unequivocally talks about snuffing out the Autobots' [[spark]]s, cementing the concept's retroactive inclusion in Marvel [[canon]].
*Skywarp's teleporting makes a "VVOP" sound effect—previously used by Furman in IDW's [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|-ations series]].

===Errors===
* Trailbreaker's hood-chest is colored like a windshield.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Grimlock being attacked by Nebulans, by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
* '''Cover B:''' Grimlock in dinosaur mode, by [[Guido Guidi]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Dinosaur-mode Grimlock crushing robot-mode Grimlock, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]].
<gallery>
Image:RG1 82 cvrA.jpg|'''Cover A:''' Me, Grimlock am kinder, gentler Grimlock and look what happens.
Image:Image-RG1 82 cvrB.jpg|'''Cover B:''' Me, Grimlock go all Jurassic part on you!
Image:RG1 82 cvrRI.jpg|'''Cover RI:''' Me, Grimlock!<br />No! ME, GRIMLOCK!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #8
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' #8
*''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]'' Annual
*''Popeye''
*''More than Meets the Eye'' Annual
*''Rocketeer: Cargo of the Doom'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-regeneration-one-82-preview/25508/ Preview]

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

Loose Ends, Part 1

2012-08-09T23:40:45Z

94.169.105.57: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #81
|prev=Counterpoint
|next=Loose Ends, Part 2
|title="Loose Ends" Part 1
|image=RG1 81 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 11]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=July 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Frustrated by Optimus Prime's pacifism, Kup goes rogue in order to tie up as many loose ends as he can.'''

==Synopsis==

At the [[Wrecker]]s' headquarters, [[Debris]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] runs through a holographic training session in which he takes down two of the biggest unresolved threats left over from the war—[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]—but the session is stopped by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] just before the third and final holo-opponent, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], takes Kup down from behind. Springer brings news that a group of Neo-[[Decepticon]]s have holed up in a weapons-decommissioning depot in [[Kalis]], and are threatening to detonate a clutch of reclaimed warheads. The Wreckers ready for action, only to have [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] inform them that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s refusal to permit hostile action against insurgents is still in effect.

Meanwhile, inside the facility, the insurgents in question—the [[Skyscorcher]]s—are arguing amongst themselves over their raid going wrong. [[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] contacts Ultra Magnus in order to arrange a surrender, intending to then trigger a small explosion using a warhead detonator cap that will cover their escape, but before terms can be arranged, [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] infiltrate the depot and take all four of them down. The three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s have been sent into action by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] with the order to make martyrs of the Skyscorchers by detonating one of the warheads, but the Wreckers suddenly burst into the room in defiance of orders, restrain the Insecticons in a [[detention sphere]], and with a little off-site help from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], disarm the ticking warhead.

Presently, Ultra Magnus and Kup visit [[Nova Point]], where Optimus Prime grudgingly admits that the Wreckers' actions saved countless lives, leading him to refrain from handing down punishment. Magnus presses the issue, concerned about the influence of the Wreckers' war-hero reputation is having on his cadets, but Prime does not hear him, his mind consumed by a vision of [[Unicron]], threatening to return and kill him again. Outside Prime's chambers, Kup and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] argue about over Prime's new outlook, with Kup angrily concluding that Prime's decision to mentor Hot Rod is a case of him looking for someone to take over leadership so that he can forget about the war entirely. Deciding that a more proactive attitude—like that displayed by the currently-absent [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], off looking for a cure for [[Nucleon]]—is needed to deal with the threats that still exist, Kup returns to Debris and gathers up the other Wreckers. He announces his intent to visit [[Earth]], [[Nebulos]] and the other worlds touched by the war to try and actually make a difference, and the whole team elects to join him.

Kup is not the only one going proactive—at [[Fort Scyk]], Soundwave receives a communication from Bludgeon, off in the depths of space, who announces that he has gathered together the means to take revenge on the Autobots for his defeat on [[Klo]]. Only one element remains, and if Soundwave can acquire it for him, Bludgeon promises him all the firepower he will need to wage his campaign...

Kup and the Wreckers hitch a lift with the [[Cosmic Carnival]] to Earth's [[Solar System]] in return for a favour to be collected on later, and once at their destination, quickly release surveillance drones to scan Earth. The images the drones beam back are nothing short of horrifying: the entire planet has been devastated, great cities laid to waste, bodies of water boiled dry. And amidst the devastation, on a throne of rubble... sits Megatron! Remotely taking control of one of the drones in order to address the Autobots, Megatron mockingly wonders why it took so long for his actions to be noticed before launching a volley of nuclear missiles at the Wreckers and blowing their ship out of the sky!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (5)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (6)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (7)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (8)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack 'n' Ruin]] (9)
*[[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] (10)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (11)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (12)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (22)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (23)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (25)

|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (1)
*[[Galvatron II]] (3)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (14)
*[[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (15)
*[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (16)
*[[Chop Shop]] (17)
*[[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] (18)
*[[Afterburner (G2)|Afterburner]] (19)
*[[Terradive (G2)|Terradive]] (20)
*[[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]] (21)

|c3=
*[[Berko]] (26)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (24)

}}

==Quotes==

"What do '''I''' think? I think Prime's '''lost''' his edge. His death and subsequent rebirth have turned a visionary leader into a '''blinkered, unrealistic optimist.''' And those years spent "mentoring" you are just symptomatic... of him '''passing the buck!'''"
:—'''Kup''' gives Hot Rod a talking-to

==Notes==

[[Image:Soundwave Insecticons.jpeg|right|200px|thumb|Surprise! We've been hiding in here since 1985!]]
*Kup's hologram version of Bludgeon is missing the left prong of its helmet-crest, just as Bludgeon was when he was last seen at the end of the original Marvel run.
*We get to see the Wreckers' base, [[Debris]], for the first time—up until now, it's only been mentioned in passing, or appeared in prose stories.
*[[Twin Twist]] is conspicuous by his absence from the ranks of the Wreckers. He ''did'' die during the [[Time Wars]], but we know that the UK stories don't count for ''Regeneration One'',<ref name="nouk">[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/rg1-81-is-here/#comment-6607 Simon Furman]: "There are no direct follow-ons from UK stories in RG1."</ref> as evidenced by the fact that Topspin, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Sandstorm all died during that conflict as well and appear alive here.
*Taking Twin Twist's place on the Wreckers is Leadfoot, which is probably a reference to [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|''Dark of the Moon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Leadfoot]] being part of the movie universe's version of the team. Leadfoot was created during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comic, but as the events of that story didn't occur in the ''Regeneration One'' timeline, where he came from here is as yet unknown. Maybe he's just a pre-existing guy!
*The provincial term "[[Polities of Cybertron#Orbital Torus State|Orbital Torus State]]", which originated with [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s comics, makes its Marvel continuity debut here.
*Kup refers to Ultra Magnus as (formerly) "Cybertron's greatest warrior", the appellation he bore in the Marvel UK series.
*The [[Dark Ages]] get a mention, a portion of Cybertronian history that also originates with the Dreamwave comics.
*Ransack makes his Marvel continuity debut with this issue; Chop Shop and Venom previously appeared during the Time Wars, and like a chunk of the Wreckers, died. Just as the more famous Insecticon trio were able to do in the Marvel comic, these three are able to shrink to the size of actual insects, an ability Soundwave exploits to smuggle them around in his chest compartment!
*Kup notes that instead of inhibiting transformation across the board, Nucleon left other Transformers "mental or physical wrecks". The idea that Nucleon would have various different effects on those dosed with it was a story hook Furman was intending to explore back in the 90s before the Marvel series was cancelled, and he's obviously returning to it here.
*Some kind of mold-thingy is mounted on the wall behind Bludgeon, and is pretty clearly cast in the shape of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. The idea of Bludgeon attempting to resurrect a former Decepticon leader as part of his revenge scheme isn't new, as he did the same thing with Megatron in the original post-#80 continuation, "[[Another Time & Place]]". But Megatron isn't dead in this timeline!
*Seems that Berko returned to the Cosmic Carnival and took control of the whole shebang since his last appearance in "[[Recipe for Disaster!]]"
*That the first ruined city we see in this issue is [[San Francisco]] seems intended to echo the Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic, where Frisco was blown to atoms in [[Dark Shadows!|issue #11]].
*Megatron still has a black helmet! Woooooooooooo!
*A few elements from IDW's own [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|Generation 1 continuity]] have evidently filtered into this universe in the intervening twenty-one years, including Kup as a member of the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus as an officious bureaucrat and Bludgeon engineering the return of Thunderwing.

===Errors===

*The shape and design of Springer's chest constantly changes throughout the whole issue.
*As Terradive and Afterburner argue, either their speech bubbles are mixed up or Wildman has drawn in the wrong characters, as their names are swapped.
*On the penultimate page of the story, poking between Kup and Springer, is the entirely grey face of some dude. He sorta maybe ''kinda'' looks like Sandstorm’s toy? But if it's him, it's got a bunch of details he wouldn't normally have and is missing its entire over-head propeller rig.
*It's not clear how Kup can know anything about Galvatron, as up until this point in continuity the only Autobots to have gotten so much as a clear look at that character were Fortress Maximus{{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and Xaaron. The former never learned Galvatron's name or role, and the latter died soon thereafter.

===Cover===
* '''Cover A:''' Megatron on his throne amid the ruins, asking the audience "What kept you?", by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
* '''Cover B:''' Hot Rod, Kup and Ultra Magnus by [[Guido Guidi]], in authentic retro-Marvel style, and featuring the Optimus Prime "corner box" that was a staple of the original Marvel run.
* '''Cover RIA:''' Optimus Prime charges into action, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]], in a retro-''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' style.
* '''Cover RIB:''' Blank white cover featuring unique hand-drawn sketches by [[Dan Khanna]].
<gallery>
Image:RG1 81 cvrA.jpg|Well, being cancelled for one.
Image:RG1 81 cvrB.jpg|It's 1986 again.
Image:RG1 81 cvrRIA.jpg|"I hope Geico covers this!"
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' #8
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' #8
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series: Casey Jones''
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]/Danger Girl''
*IDW ''Mars Attacks'' comic
*IDW ''Popeye'' comic

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

Loose Ends, Part 1

2012-08-09T23:36:56Z

94.169.105.57:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #81
|prev=Counterpoint
|next=Loose Ends, Part 2
|title="Loose Ends" Part 1
|image=RG1 81 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 11]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=July 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Frustrated by Optimus Prime's pacifism, Kup goes rogue in order to tie up as many loose ends as he can.'''

==Synopsis==

At the [[Wrecker]]s' headquarters, [[Debris]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] runs through a holographic training session in which he takes down two of the biggest unresolved threats left over from the war—[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]—but the session is stopped by [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] just before the third and final holo-opponent, [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], takes Kup down from behind. Springer brings news that a group of Neo-[[Decepticon]]s have holed up in a weapons-decommissioning depot in [[Kalis]], and are threatening to detonate a clutch of reclaimed warheads. The Wreckers ready for action, only to have [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] inform them that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s refusal to permit hostile action against insurgents is still in effect.

Meanwhile, inside the facility, the insurgents in question—the [[Skyscorcher]]s—are arguing amongst themselves over their raid going wrong. [[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] contacts Ultra Magnus in order to arrange a surrender, intending to then trigger a small explosion using a warhead detonator cap that will cover their escape, but before terms can be arranged, [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]], [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] infiltrate the depot and take all four of them down. The three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s have been sent into action by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] with the order to make martyrs of the Skyscorchers by detonating one of the warheads, but the Wreckers suddenly burst into the room in defiance of orders, restrain the Insecticons in a [[detention sphere]], and with a little off-site help from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], disarm the ticking warhead.

Presently, Ultra Magnus and Kup visit [[Nova Point]], where Optimus Prime grudgingly admits that the Wreckers' actions saved countless lives, leading him to refrain from handing down punishment. Magnus presses the issue, concerned about the influence of the Wreckers' war-hero reputation is having on his cadets, but Prime does not hear him, his mind consumed by a vision of [[Unicron]], threatening to return and kill him again. Outside Prime's chambers, Kup and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] argue about over Prime's new outlook, with Kup angrily concluding that Prime's decision to mentor Hot Rod is a case of him looking for someone to take over leadership so that he can forget about the war entirely. Deciding that a more proactive attitude—like that displayed by the currently-absent [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], off looking for a cure for [[Nucleon]]—is needed to deal with the threats that still exist, Kup returns to Debris and gathers up the other Wreckers. He announces his intent to visit [[Earth]], [[Nebulos]] and the other worlds touched by the war to try and actually make a difference, and the whole team elects to join him.

Kup is not the only one going proactive—at [[Fort Scyk]], Soundwave receives a communication from Bludgeon, off in the depths of space, who announces that he has gathered together the means to take revenge on the Autobots for his defeat on [[Klo]]. Only one element remains, and if Soundwave can acquire it for him, Bludgeon promises him all the firepower he will need to wage his campaign...

Kup and the Wreckers hitch a lift with the [[Cosmic Carnival]] to Earth's [[Solar System]] in return for a favour to be collected on later, and once at their destination, quickly release surveillance drones to scan Earth. The images the drones beam back are nothing short of horrifying: the entire planet has been devastated, great cities laid to waste, bodies of water boiled dry. And amidst the devastation, on a throne of rubble... sits Megatron! Remotely taking control of one of the drones in order to address the Autobots, Megatron mockingly wonders why it took so long for his actions to be noticed before launching a volley of nuclear missiles at the Wreckers and blowing their ship out of the sky!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (5)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (6)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (7)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (8)
*[[Rack'n'Ruin|Rack 'n' Ruin]] (9)
*[[Leadfoot (G2)|Leadfoot]] (10)
*[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]] (11)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (12)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (22)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (23)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (25)

|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (1)
*[[Galvatron II]] (3)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (14)
*[[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (15)
*[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (16)
*[[Chop Shop]] (17)
*[[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]] (18)
*[[Afterburner (G2)|Afterburner]] (19)
*[[Terradive (G2)|Terradive]] (20)
*[[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]] (21)

|c3=
*[[Berko]] (26)

|c4=
*[[Unicron]] (24)

}}

==Quotes==

"What do '''I''' think? I think Prime's '''lost''' his edge. His death and subsequent rebirth have turned a visionary leader into a '''blinkered, unrealistic optimist.''' And those years spent "mentoring" you are just symptomatic... of him '''passing the buck!'''"
:—'''Kup''' gives Hot Rod a talking-to

==Notes==

[[Image:Soundwave Insecticons.jpeg|right|200px|thumb|Surprise! We've been hiding in here since 1985!]]
*Kup's hologram version of Bludgeon is missing the left prong of its helmet-crest, just as Bludgeon was when he was last seen at the end of the original Marvel run.
*We get to see the Wreckers' base, [[Debris]], for the first time—up until now, it's only been mentioned in passing, or appeared in prose stories.
*[[Twin Twist]] is conspicuous by his absence from the ranks of the Wreckers. He ''did'' die during the [[Time Wars]], but we know that the UK stories don't count for ''Regeneration One'',<ref name="nouk">[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/07/11/rg1-81-is-here/#comment-6607 Simon Furman]: "There are no direct follow-ons from UK stories in RG1."</ref> as evidenced by the fact that Topspin, Roadbuster, Rack 'n' Ruin and Sandstorm all died during that conflict as well and appear alive here.
*Taking Twin Twist's place on the Wreckers is Leadfoot, which is probably a reference to [[Leadfoot (DOTM)|''Dark of the Moon''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Leadfoot]] being part of the movie universe's version of the team. Leadfoot was created during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comic, but as the events of that story didn't occur in the ''Regeneration One'' timeline, where he came from here is as yet unknown. Maybe he's just a pre-existing guy!
*The provincial term "[[Polities of Cybertron#Orbital Torus State|Orbital Torus State]]", which originated with [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s comics, makes its Marvel continuity debut here.
*Kup refers to Ultra Magnus as (formerly) "Cybertron's greatest warrior", the appellation he bore in the Marvel UK series.
*The [[Dark Ages]] get a mention, a portion of Cybertronian history that also originates with the Dreamwave comics.
*Ransack makes his Marvel continuity debut with this issue; Chop Shop and Venom previously appeared during the Time Wars, and like a chunk of the Wreckers, died. Just as the more famous Insecticon trio were able to do in the Marvel comic, these three are able to shrink to the size of actual insects, an ability Soundwave exploits to smuggle them around in his chest compartment!
*Hot Rod's color scheme has been changed since issue #80.5, and he now sports an orange chest and silver fists, more in-line with his cartoon appearance. Below the waist, he's still rocking the Marvel-originated silver thighs and magenta boots.
*Kup notes that instead of inhibiting transformation across the board, Nucleon left other Transformers "mental or physical wrecks". The idea that Nucleon would have various different effects on those dosed with it was a story hook Furman was intending to explore back in the 90s before the Marvel series was cancelled, and he's obviously returning to it here.
*Some kind of mold-thingy is mounted on the wall behind Bludgeon, and is pretty clearly cast in the shape of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]. The idea of Bludgeon attempting to resurrect a former Decepticon leader as part of his revenge scheme isn't new, as he did the same thing with Megatron in the original post-#80 continuation, "[[Another Time & Place]]". But Megatron isn't dead in this timeline!
*Seems that Berko returned to the Cosmic Carnival and took control of the whole shebang since his last appearance in "[[Recipe for Disaster!]]"
*That the first ruined city we see in this issue is [[San Francisco]] seems intended to echo the Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic, where Frisco was blown to atoms in [[Dark Shadows!|issue #11]].
*Megatron still has a black helmet! Woooooooooooo!
*A few elements from IDW's own [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|Generation 1 continuity]] have evidently filtered into this universe in the intervening twenty-one years, including Kup as a member of the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus as an officious bureaucrat and Bludgeon engineering the return of Thunderwing.

===Errors===

*The shape and design of Springer's chest constantly changes throughout the whole issue.
*As Terradive and Afterburner argue, either their speech bubbles are mixed up or Wildman has drawn in the wrong characters, as their names are swapped.
*On the penultimate page of the story, poking between Kup and Springer, is the entirely grey face of some dude. He sorta maybe ''kinda'' looks like Sandstorm’s toy? But if it's him, it's got a bunch of details he wouldn't normally have and is missing its entire over-head propeller rig.
*It's not clear how Kup can know anything about Galvatron, as up until this point in continuity the only Autobots to have gotten so much as a clear look at that character were Fortress Maximus{{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and Xaaron. The former never learned Galvatron's name or role, and the latter died soon thereafter.

===Cover===
* '''Cover A:''' Megatron on his throne amid the ruins, asking the audience "What kept you?", by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
* '''Cover B:''' Hot Rod, Kup and Ultra Magnus by [[Guido Guidi]], in authentic retro-Marvel style, and featuring the Optimus Prime "corner box" that was a staple of the original Marvel run.
* '''Cover RIA:''' Optimus Prime charges into action, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]], in a retro-''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' style.
* '''Cover RIB:''' Blank white cover featuring unique hand-drawn sketches by [[Dan Khanna]].
<gallery>
Image:RG1 81 cvrA.jpg|Well, being cancelled for one.
Image:RG1 81 cvrB.jpg|It's 1986 again.
Image:RG1 81 cvrRIA.jpg|"I hope Geico covers this!"
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'' #8
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'' #8
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*IDW ''Mars Attacks'' comic
*IDW ''Popeye'' comic

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

Counterpoint

2012-08-09T23:36:20Z

94.169.105.57:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #80.5
|prev=End of the Road! (US)
|next=Loose Ends, Part 1
|title="Counterpoint"
|image=RG1 80pt5 cvr.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 5]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=May 2012
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Everything old is new again!'''

==Synopsis==

From the realm of [[Zero Space]], at the end of existence where all of time and space has collapsed into a perfect singularity, the history of the [[Transformer]]s is examined, from the battle between [[Primus]] and [[Unicron]], to the birth of the first Cybertronians and the outbreak of the [[Autobot]]/[[Decepticon]] civil war... from the arrival of their war on [[Earth]], through the rise of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], the fall of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], and the creation of [[combiner]]s and [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], to the devastation of the [[Underbase Saga]]... from [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and the tainting of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] through the return of Unicron and his herald [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], to the death of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]... and to Prime's resurrection at the hands of the [[Last Autobot]], who then restores [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to glory once again!

[[Image:Neo-decepticons counterpoint.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Here's the plan: we put the band back together, do some gigs, earn some bread, bang! We'll have 5,000 bucks in no time.]]
Twenty-one years have passed since Cybertron's restoration. The world is at peace, populated by Autobots and Decepticons alike, and is presided over by the Last Autobot, perpetually standing sentinel atop a tower in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. But history has a habit of repeating itself, and once again, malcontents rally under the mantra of "Peace through tyranny", as [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] gathers several Decepticons at [[Fort Scyk]] and inspires them to retake for themselves the destiny Megatron had always envisioned.

Catching wind of this dissident activity, [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] travel to [[Nova Point]], where a brooding [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] has sequestered himself to mentor [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], and petition their leader for permission to send the [[Wrecker]]s in to stop the uprising before it begins. Believing that such an action would only galvanize support for the Decepticons, Prime forbids it, brusquely dismissing both Kup and Magnus, and their concerns that the threat is real.

Unfortunately, Prime could not be more wrong. Soundwave leads a Decepticon strike team to [[Kalis]] in a raid on the [[Baird Beaming Transmitter]], killing the Autobots manning the facility and hijacking control of one of Cybertron's orbital defense satellites. Normally used to destroy asteroids, Soundwave redirects the satellite to face the planet, and fires upon Iacon and the Last Autobot!

==Featured characters==
''(Characters in italic text appear only in flashbacks.)''<br>
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (6)''
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (8)
*''[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (11)''
*''[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (16)''
*[[Last Autobot]] (17)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (35)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (36)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (37)
*''[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (38)''
*''[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (39)''
*''[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (40)''
*''[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (42)''
*''[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (43)''
*''[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (44)''
*''[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (47)''
*''[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (48)''
*''[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (49)''
*''[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (50)''
*''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (53)''

|c2=
*''[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (1)''
*''[[Darkwing]] (2)''
*''[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (3)''
*''[[Galvatron II]] (4)''
*''[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (7)''
*''[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (12)''
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (15)
*[[Battletrap]] (18)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (19)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (20)
*[[Sparkstalker]] (21)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (22)
*[[Needlenose]] (23)
*A generic (24)
*[[Pounce]] or [[Wingspan]] (25)
*[[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]] (26)
*[[Half-Track (G1)|Half-Track]] (27)
*[[Direct-Hit (G1)|Direct-Hit]] (28)
*[[Meltdown (G1)|Meltdown]] (29)
*[[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] (30)
*''[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (31)''
*''[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (32)''
*''[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] or [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (33)''
*''[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (34)''
*''[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (41)''
*''[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (45)''
*''[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (46)''
*[[Flywheels]] (51)
*''[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] (52)''
*''[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (57)''
|c3=
*''[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (5)''
*''[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (10)''
*''[[Thunderpunch]] (54)''
*''[[Rapture]] (55)''
*''[[G.B. Blackrock]] (56)''
|c4=
*''[[Demon]] (9)''
*''[[Primus]] (13)''
*''[[Unicron]] (14)''
}}

==Quotes==
"No kidding! 'It's over--finished!' He really '''said''' that?"

:—A passing Cybertronian is introduced to the concept of the [[Furmanism]]

==Notes==
*This issue was released as part of [[Free Comic Book Day]] 2012.
*The inside front cover contains an introduction from author Simon Furman, explaining the premise of the series for new readers.
*While the sections of the story set in the present day draw and colour characters with their more "standard" recognizable designs, flashbacks do their best to accurately represent the characters as they appeared in the Marvel Comics series by replicating the color layouts and limited palette of the comic at the time. The most prominent example is Soundwave, who is coloured purple in the flashbacks, as he was in the comics, but appears in his more familiar blue in present day scenes. Flashbacks depict Megatron with a black helmet, and use various shades of blue to represent black, while in the present day, Kup is actually teal, instead of the various blues the original comics required him to be. By contrast, though, Hot Rod is still using his Marvel color layout even in the present day, though he's a much lighter magenta, as opposed to his Marvel purple.
*In his first flashback appearance, Megatron is even drawn to the specifications of his [[:Image:Earlymegatron.jpg|early character model]], with a different head design and a hand-held [[fusion cannon]], which was how he appeared in the first few issues of the Marvel series.
*Twenty-one years have passed both in the real world and in-story between the publication of this issue and [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #80]] of the original series.
*The Cybertronian who delivers the line quoted above is carrying on a conversation via a [[communicube]].
*Optimus Prime sequestering himself at Nova Point and brooding about the future was also how the ''original'' continuation of issue #80, the UK-exclusive story "[[Another Time & Place]]", began.
*In Fort Scyk there is a Decepticon who is obscured by Soundwave standing in front of him, but by a process of elimination, it's probably [[Power Punch (G1)|Power Punch]].

===Errors===
*The indicia calls the issue "The Transformers: Regeneration #80.5", rather than "Regeneration One".
*On page one, Dreadwind and Darkwing flying over [[Gardens of Eternal Peace and Harmony Macrobiotic Restaurant]] on [[Nebulos]] are colored to instead be [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] flying over the [[space bridge]] pipe-drill seen in "[[Aerialbots over America!]]".
*[[Galvatron II]] does not have a Decepticon [[insignia]] on his chest.
*Fort Scyk, which originally appeared in "[[The Magnificent Six!]]", is said to be in [[Polyhex]], when that story placed it in [[Stanix]]. This issue does present it as an isolated location, consistent with the original tale, and we're sure that its use as a meeting place for the neo-Decepticons is not coincidental, given the original story's description of it as a dumping ground for undesirables.
*Sparkstalker should be dead.
*So should Crankcase.
*As Optimus Prime dismisses Ultra Magnus and Kup's concerns, "assault" is misspelled "assualt".
*The flashback panel depicting the initial discovery of the Last Autobot shows him with a completely different face design, including a "normal" mouth.

===Cover===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus Prime atop a fractured field of images from the original Marvel series, by Andrew Wildman, Stephen Baskerville and Jason Cardy.

<gallery>
Image:RG1 80pt5 cvr.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers Classics]]''
*''[[The Transformers Classics UK]]''
*''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection]]''
*IDW ''Transformers'' comics in general
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Autocracy]]'' (including three-page preview)
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Retaliation'' prequel
*IDW ''G.I. Joe'' comics

==External links==
*Commentary from Simon Furman:
**[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/countdown-to-regeneration-one-81-day-1/ Pages 1–3]
**[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/countdown-to-regeneration-one-81-2/ Pages 5–7]
**[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/07/05/countdown-to-regeneration-one-81-day-3/ Pages 8–11]
**[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/countdown-to-regeneration-one-81-day-4/ Pages 12–16]

[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]