MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

The Void! (UK)

2011-08-06T10:53:07Z

95.148.9.61: /* Errors */ added quote

{{disambig3|Void}}
{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #251
|prev=The Greatest Gift of All!
|next=Yesterday's Heroes!
|title="The Void!"
|image=MarvelUK-251.jpg
|caption="This reminds me of the time—"<br /> "Was that before or after history changed?"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[December 31|31st December]] [[1989]]
|coverdate=[[January 6|6th January]] 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Staz]]
|letterer=[[Gary Gilbert|Glib]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Rodimus Prime leads the Autobots to Earth - but there's a traitor on board...'''

==Synopsis==
New Year's Day, 2010. Following the [[Aspects of Evil!|timeline reset]] that left Galvatron in charge of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Rodimus leads the [[Autobot|Autobots]] in a retreat to [[Earth]]. As the Autobots enter hyperspace - or the Void, as it's nicknamed - Rodimus is feeling the widespread unspoken resentment at the idea of running away.

Doubleheader and Pincher discover the [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|ship]]'s guidance systems have been destroyed, leading Kup to realise there's a saboteur onboard and they're flying blind. Soon afterwards, Rodimus Prime goes missing. Kup begins to crosscheck lifesigns against crew listings in the hope of identifying the unknown enemy - who two guards run into and recognise as an Autobot before being gunned down. As the ship emerges from hyperspace too close to Earth and with emergency retros dead, Kup discovers there are no extra lifesigns - "the saboteur is ''one of us''!".

{{note|This story is continued in "[[Edge of Impact]]".}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (1)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (2)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (5)
* [[Big Shot]] (6)
* [[Sidetrack]] (7)
* [[Flak (G1)|Flak]] (8)
* [[Doubleheader]] (9)
* [[Pincher]] (10)
|c2=
* [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]* (4)
}}
''* Seen in flashback''

==Quotes==
"Once you're in, you're in for the duration - no short cuts on this road, lad!"

"How true. He doesn't know it but Kup's analogy holds true for the Autobots as a whole! For us, there's no going back! We returned to Cybertron from Earth's past, to find everything horribly changed. Galvatron still lived, and the Decepticons now ruled! Through my troops understand the reason to withdraw, this 'retreat' still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It goes against the grain to turn and run - however logical it may be! Perhaps its the unspoken resentment that's getting to me or, like the others, this trip through hyperspace has got me spooked... but I can't help feeling... ...that things are going to get worse!"
:—'''[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]''' has an internal monologue in response to '''[[Kup (G1)|Kup]]''', just before things get worse.

==Errors==
* The opening narration gives the date as New Years Day, 2009, instead of 2010. The previous two years, the UK comic's "future" storylines had started on the New Years Day 20 years from the publication date. January 1988's "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]] was set at the start of 2008, while January 1989's "[[Time Wars (issue)|Time Wars]]" began in 2009. [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] confirmed that the 2009 date was an error and that 2010 is the correct date in issue [[Perchance to Dream|#258]]'s [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]].<ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/comics_guide_detail.php?id=352 Issue #258's Dread Tidings at transfans.co.uk]</ref>

==Items of note==
* The future Autobots last appeared in the Galvatron segment of "[[Aspects of Evil!]]", which directly precedes this story. Their story continues into "[[Edge of Impact]]" and the two following issues. Multi-part stories with a different title for each part would be the norm from this point on.
* ''Whoever'' the saboteur is, they kill three [[generic]] Autobots.
* This issue begins the 4-part story that will be the last appearance of the post-movie cast and era.

==Reprints==
* Reprinted in the [[Titan Books]] trade paperback ''[[Aspects of Evil]]'' in [[2005]].

== Footnotes ==
<references />

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

White Fire

2011-08-06T10:38:18Z

95.148.9.61: /* Items of note */ added quote

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #254
|prev=Shadow of Evil
|next=Perchance to Dream
|title="White Fire"
|image=Marvel-UK254.jpg
|caption="Let [[Code of Hero|Dinobot's Spark]] become one with the Matrix... so Unicron can eat it."
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[January 21|21st January]] [[1990]]
|coverdate=[[January 27|27th January]] 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Cam Smith]]
|letterer=[[Stuart Bartlett]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Rodimus battles Unicron for the Matrix... and loses.'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|This story follows on from "[[Shadow of Evil]]".}}
As the [[Autobot|Autobots]] prepare to use lethal force on the possessed Rodimus, they notice the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] erupt with light - Rodimus has begun fighting back. Prime has realised that Unicron is using his doubts and fears to possess him, that he's turned the Matrix towards evil, but that the Matrix can be turned ''back''.

Kup wrestles Rodimus to the ground while, inside the Matrix, Rodimus drives Unicron into retreat. Unicron had to turn the Matrix so he could bear to be [[The Legacy of Unicron!|trapped inside it]], and Rodimus will now cleanse it and destroy Unicron at the same time...

...at which point Kup, thinking the Matrix's lightshow was a sign from Rodimus, rips the Matrix out of his chest. This stops the possession and returns Prime to normal, but it means they've lost their chance to destroy their enemy. He'll have to go back and face him again - and this time, Unicron will be ready...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (2)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (3)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (4)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (5)
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (7)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (8)
|c4=
* [[Unicron]] (6)
}}

==Quotes==
"Aaah! No! Resistance is futile! You are mine -- mine!"

"N-no! Never! I know what you're doing! Using my doubts and fears to possess me! You're my dark side personified! But I can and will fight you! You showed me despair - and Matrix knows I've had plenty to despair about! The loss of our homeworld Cybertron, to Galvatron, and the deaths of many of my warriors and friends! You were waiting for that moment, weren't you? When I was weak enough for you to take control! The answer lies within the Matrix -- it became tainted with your evil! Like a living creature it can be turned, swayed! But it can be turned back! By resisting you, I'm also fighting for the Matrix!"

"Curse you! Fight if you want -- but I'll still destroy you all!"

:—'''[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]''' finds the strength to overcome '''[[Unicron]]''' while in the Matrix who responds by killing Strafe in the real world.

==Items of note==
* The is the last published story featuring the movie cast. Chronologically, this story is followed by the Unicron segment of "[[Aspects of Evil!]]", and then by the Rodimus Prime framing story, both of which continue the Unicron-Matrix plotline. "[[Peace]]" may also be a followup.
* In ''[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]'', the big bad was made stronger by the presence of the Matrix in his mind. When he's within ''it'', he suffers.
* Both here and in the previous issue, Arcee is the only Autobot shown to be completely willing to use lethal force on Rodimus to stop the massacre and advocates it even when Rodimus appears to be fighting back.
* As was shown earlier in "[[Aspects of Evil!]]", Unicron goes on to possess Rodimus again in 2010, reform his physical form, and demolish much of Cybertron. In the year 2356, Rodimus is still possessed and sick as a result, with the Chaos-Bringer's influence sneaking free to corrupt people. Tearing the Matrix out was a ''great'' idea - nice one, Kup.
* The theme of the Matrix being corruptible ties in with the earlier "[[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer]]" story and the then-upcoming "[[Matrix Quest (Marvel)|Matrix Quest]]" storyline.
* Add Strafe and possibly [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (MIA since last issue) to the casualty list. Conversely, Red Alert shows up in a one-panel cameo at the end to show he's okay. Perhaps [[Simon Furman|someone]] up there is looking out for him. [[Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Perhaps not]].

==Reprints==
* Reprinted in the [[Titan Books]] trade paperback ''[[Aspects of Evil]]'' in [[2005]].

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Shadow of Evil

2011-08-06T10:23:46Z

95.148.9.61: /* Items of note */ added quote

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #253
|prev=Edge of Impact
|next=White Fire
|title="Shadow of Evil"
|image=MarvelUK-253.jpg
|caption=''You're MY WIFE now!''
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[January 14|14th January]] [[1990]]
|coverdate=[[January 20|20th January]] 1990
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Cam Smith]]
|inks=
|colours=
|letterer=[[Annie Halfacree]]
|editor=
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

'''Unicron has possessed Rodimus - everyone's buggered...'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|This story follows on from "[[Edge of Impact]]".}}
The possessed Rodimus is slaughtering the [[Autobot|Autobots]] by the dozen, and, as they are reluctant to kill him, their weapons are set to stun. Kup has called for help from [[Autobot City]], and until it arrives, he feels they owe it to Rodimus to let him have a chance fighting against the real enemy...

Rodimus flees through a nightmare world, pursued by Unicron, now in the form of a walking shadow. Rodimus is running scared when he should be fighting, and he is lost.

The possessed Rodimus pauses due to this psychic battle, and as reinforcements arrive, Arcee makes Kup realise they have to take this chance and shoot to kill...

{{note|This story is continued in "[[White Fire]]".}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Getaway]] ''(deactivated)'' (1)
* [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] ''(deactivated)'' (2)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Siren]] (4)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (5)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (6)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (7)
* [[Doubleheader]] (8)
* [[Hosehead]] (9)
* [[Longtooth]] (10)
* [[Afterburner (G1)|Afterburner]] (12)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (13)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (14)
* [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (15)
|c4=
* [[Unicron]] (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"Ah, the taste of revenge is sweet indeed! It is somewhat fitting that your executioner is your own leader, Rodimus Prime! What is this, Autobots? Do I detect a certain reluctance? Blasters set to stun? Do you think you can save your pathetic leader? Let me set your minds at rest. You can no more save him... than you can save yourselves!"
:—'''[[Unicron]]''' having possessed [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], while killing various Autobots.

==Items of note==
* Unicron's name is not mentioned either here or in "[[White Fire]]".
* Rodimus/Unicron appears to take out a fair number of Autobots in this issue. As well as the deactivated Getaway and Quickmix, we see him blasting Siren, Doubleheader, Hosehead and Longtooth (along with some poor sod in silhouette who is pretty much ''disintegrated''). It would be the last time we would see these characters in the future timeline, leaving their eventual fates uncertain.
* The Autobots really are in trouble; the "heavy artillery" ordered in by Kup consists of Blaster, Perceptor, Afterburner and Strafe. We could be charitable and assume the other [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] are just off-panel, but they're still not more heavily armed than, say, any other group of random Autobots.

==Reprints==
* Reprinted in the [[Titan Books]] trade paperback ''[[Aspects of Evil]]'' in [[2005]].

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]