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Golden Disk (Voyager)

2024-09-28T18:56:53Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Golden Disk}}
{{featured}}
[[File:Megatron GoldenDisk.jpg|upright=1.8|thumb|DJ Meggy spins the hits.]]
The '''Golden Disk''' from the [[Voyager spacecraft|''Voyager'' probe]] is a recurring object throughout the Beast Wars. It plays a major role in the escalation of the conflict between the [[Maximal]]s and the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacons]] and leads to the death of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]]. It is eventually destroyed, but the Predacon leader, [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]], recovers one of the shards and shows a [[Ravage (G1)|Cybertronian government agent]] a piece of a message that was enscripted into it by his [[Megatron (G1)|former boss]].

{{bigquote|A seemingly insignificant scrap of metal made by [[human|a small, fragile species hardly worth mentioning]]... and yet this object holds the key to the conquest of the whole of Cybertron. For over three hundred cycles, the Golden Disk has carried the mystery of incredible power under its shimmering surface. I can tell you the tales of a thousand Maximals and Predacons who have hunted this dark relic. Every story had the same ending... ''destruction''.|[[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]]|"[[Theft of the Golden Disk]]"}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
Sometime within roughly a decade of when the Transformers aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] awoke in the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]], the humans of planet Earth launched a primitive robotic spacecraft to study the outer planets in their solar system. Attached to this spacecraft was a gold disk which contained information about Earth. [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the [[Decepticon leader|leader]] of the [[Decepticon]]s, acquired it at some point and encoded an additional message on the disk.

Megatron's message ordered any Decepticons who might, in the future, come across it to use [[unspace|transwarp]] technology to travel to the past {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} and use the [[Teletraan I]] codes encoded on the disk to access the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' while its occupants were inert and kill [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. This, in turn, would change history so that the Decepticons could win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}}

At some point between Decepticon Megatron adding his message to the disk and the beginning of the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]], the spacecraft holding the disk—or perhaps only the disk—fell into the hands of the [[Transformer]]s. It was seemingly considered a precious artifact, even though the general population of Maximals had no idea what it really was (and even some Predacons—like the reformatted Decepticon Ravage—didn't have a clue). The [[Maximal Elder]]s were presumably aware of the Disk's origin.

The group of Predacons led by Megatron stole the Golden Disk; Megatron claimed that the disk held the location of a vast store of energon, with which the Predacon commander believed he could reignite the Great War against the Maximals. {{storylink|Beast Wars (Part 1)}}

[[File:Dinobot GoldenDisk.jpg|left|thumb|"Well look at that. I've ''actually'' talked till I'm blue in the face."]]
[[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]] broke into the [[Darksyde (BW)|Predacon base]] and stole the Golden Disk. He then climbed to a high peak where he pontificated to himself about the potential power the wielder of the Golden Disk could hold, and the potential danger that came with it. On a personal level, he felt that it could either confirm or destroy his own reason for being. He needed to believe himself the master of his own fate, and if history could not be changed, then he could only believe himself a deterministic pawn. He eventually decided that the most prudent thing to do with an item of infinite power was to shove it under a large rock. {{storylink|Coming of the Fuzors (Part 1)}}

Later, he noticed that the Predacons had been setting up installations around their base in a pattern that matched the shape of one of the symbols on the disk. Realizing that Megatron still meant to alter history, Dinobot rejoined him to discover the truth of his own destiny. He led Megatron to the location of the Golden Disk and presented it to him. Shortly afterwards, Dinobot defected to the Maximals once again, but Megatron escaped with the Golden Disk. {{storylink|Maximal, No More}}

Not long afterwards, Megatron began testing history's mutability, discovering through the images contained in the disk that he had the power to alter the timeline. The Predacons attacked the valley from which humanity's ancestors would emerge, but Dinobot launched a one-man berserker attack on the Predacons, single-handedly defeating them and shattering the Golden Disk with his last bit of energy. {{storylink|Code of Hero}}

Megatron was captured by Covert Agent [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] for violations of the [[Pax Cybertronia]], but revealed that he still possessed a lone fragment of the Golden Disk, which contained a message encoded by the original Megatron. He played it for Ravage, convincing the former Decepticon to release the Predacon and join forces with him. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
[[File:Dw theft.jpg|thumb|"With this little bauble I will write a new chapter in the history of... Wait, this isn't... DAMN YOU, JOE NG!"]]
As a Predacon and Dinobot were building up their band of rebels, they infiltrated the Vector Sigma chamber. This irked Dinobot, who didn't understand why they were wasting time "raiding an old library". But his leader was enraptured by his find: A Golden Disk filled with information on individual [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s, the history of Cybertron, details about other planets, and cutting-edge technology in the early 21st century. He said it was the key to his future, and after viewing it, he declared himself "Megatron". {{storylink|Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye #8}}
{{note|Due to an artistic error, the ''Voyager'' Golden Disk in this story is mistakenly drawn as the [[Golden Disk (Vok)|Vok Golden Disk]].}}

====''Theft of the Golden Disk''====
[[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] was tasked by his mentor [[Cryotek (RID)|Cryotek]] to retrieve a [[Data-Con]] that would reveal the location of the Golden Disk. Megatron pulled a double-cross on Cryotek, leaving him to the [[Maximal Command Security Force]] while he uncovered the Disk's location, and went to claim it for himself. {{storylink|Theft of the Golden Disk}}

====''Dawn of Future's Past''====
{{stub}}
{{storylink|Dawn of Future's Past}}

====''Hall of Fame'' bios====
The [[Hall of Records]] was the site of the Golden Disk's theft. {{storylink|Transformers Hall of Fame|Waspinator's 2011 bio}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon===
[[File:WFC-Earthrise-Megatron-sees-Voyager-Golden-Disk.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Though no one knew of its origin, the Golden Disk was eventually used by [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] to record his memoirs throughout the war for [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Comprising of all his strategies, secrets, and the battles he fought, the record only responded to his unique [[energy signature|energon signature]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} Megatron also chronicled his hunt for the [[AllSpark]] on [[Earth]], {{storylink|Kingdom episode 3}} including when he failed during an encounter with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], thereby losing the war. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 4}} After killing Optimus Prime, Megatron lamented on the Golden Disk that they should have worked together, though shortly after he was found by [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] and painfully reformatted into servitude as [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}

Using the [[Dead Universe]] to [[time travel|move through time]] and prevent his enslavement under Unicron, {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}} Galvatron traveled back to when Megatron entered the Dead Universe. After being found by Unicron, Galvatron attempted to turn over the Golden Disk in another desperate chance to change the past, but it disappeared as he did. {{storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} In his proper time, Galvatron, with the Golden Disk in tow, passed by the [[Voyager spacecraft|''Voyager'' spacecraft]] and swore to Unicron that he would find a way to break free from the Chaos Bringer's servitude. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}}

[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Ep1-Predacon-Megatron-shows-Golden-Disk.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
The Golden Disk eventually wound up in the possession of the [[Maximal]]s. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}} Galvatron manipulated [[Megatron (BW)|Predacon Megatron]] and his band of [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] thieves to steal the disk and take it to Megatron in the past, in the hopes that they could change time and avert his servitude to Unicron. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 6}} Predacon Megatron later decrypted a few minutes of the Golden Disk and retraced the original Megatron's steps back to Earth {{storylink|Kingdom episode 1}} but was chased by the Maximals aboard the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', seeking to prevent. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 4}}

Following the Predacon's success, the original Megatron used the Disk to prepare his troops against an Autobot/Maximal assault but the foreknowledge proved for naught as his forces' unruliness allowed their foes to escape. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 2}}

[[File:KingdomEp5-GoldenDisk.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]

Using the Golden Disk, Megatron began closing on the resting place of the Allspark {{storylink|Kingdom episode 3}} and to later get the drop on Starscream's latest bout of treachery. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 4}} Nonetheless, Starscream had managed to draw energon from Megatron allowing Blackarachnia to build a device that would read the Golden Disk via the spilled sample. Realizing Blackarachnia had duped him, Starscream stole the Disk reader and accessed its contents. As he laughed at seeing the record of Megatron being turned into Galvatron and enslaved by Unicron, the Chaos Bringer began speaking to Starscream through the Disk. Traumatized by what he'd heard, Starscream flew off to the ''Ark'' and gave the Golden Disk to [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], trusting the Autobot to make better use of its contents to save Cybertron. To Starscream's horror, Bumblebee proceeded to boldly shatter the Disk, preferring to confront the uncertainty of the future with courage. {{storylink|Kingdom episode 5}}
{{-}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:Kingdom-Golden-Disk-cardback.jpg|thumb]]
{{main|Source:Golden Disk destinies}}
The ''Voyager'' Golden Disk held the power to change the universe forever. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref> It carried three destinies each for the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]], [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], and [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], and only one for the otherworldly [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|Source:Golden Disk destinies|''Kingdom'' Golden Disk destinies}}

===2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic===
The Golden Disk was originally attached to an alien space probe. After making enough trips through time for the Disk to be saturated in unspace energy, the probe crashed on an asteroid in the [[Upsilonus Belt]] where it was found by [[Landquake (BW)|Landquake]] who brought it to the [[Wheeljack Ministry of Science]]. The scientists quickly decoded the surface files of the Disk's planet of origin only to discover more heavily encrypted ones. After decrypting a single file, that revealed the location of a planet rich with [[energon]], the scientists chose to downplay the significance of what they'd found. Disagreeing, [[Reptilion]] leaked word of the Disk to the Predacon separatist [[Megatron (BW)|Galavar]], hoping that the rogue could steal the Disk, decode it and deliver its contents to the whole of Cybertron. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 1}}

Once the theft was complete, Galavar chose to rename himself "Megatron", showing off the relic to [[Tripredacus Council]] as he declared his defection. The separatists fled aboard [[Darksyde (BW)|a stolen warship]] which was engaged by the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'', both crafts crash landing on another world in another time. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 1}}

Confirming the large bounty of energon to be had, Megatron devoted himself to decrypting the remainder of the Golden Disk's files to no avail. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 2}} After a battle with the Maximals who caused the crash, Megatron managed to decode another of the Disk's files, which turned out to be a message from his future self. Before he could hear anything of value, the file deleted itself as it was irreversibly corrupted. {{storylink|Pod Part 1}}

After welcoming [[Razorbeast]] into their ranks, the Maximals attacked the ''Darksyde'' to claim the Golden Disk, {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 1}} interrupting Megatron's latest attempt to decode it. Leaving his chambers unguarded, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] eventually snuck in and found the Disk. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 2}}

Removing the Disk though caused Megatron's quarters to lockdown. As Rattrap waited for rescue, he copied the Disk's files before Optimus and [[Nyx]] saved him. As the three fled, Megatron trapped them in a [[force field]]. Unfazed, Optimus threatened to destroy the Golden Disk, highlighting the ''Darksyde''{{'}}s destroyed [[Transwarp Drive]] and bluffing that the ''Axalon'' was wired to self-destruct, making the Predacons unable to steal another version of it. Unwilling to lose the Disk, Megatron agreed to Primal's terms and released the Maximals. {{storylink|Maximals Strike Back, Part 3}}

When Megatron rematerialized following the death of the Vok, he reminded himself to record the warning on the Golden Disk so that his past self would see it. {{storylink|The End (BW)|The End}}
{{-}}

==Toys & Merchandise==
===''Timelines'' (2006)===
[[File:Timelinestoy-RattrapDoFP.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Golden Cyber Disk Key Power!]]
*'''Dawn of Future's Past'''
:Most of the exclusive toys from [[BotCon 2006]] come with a Golden Disk key. It is a [[redeco]]ed [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]] [[Cyber Key]]. It is meant to represent the Golden Disk as it appears in "[[Dawn of Future's Past]]".
{{--}}

===''Robot Heroes'' (2008)===
[[File:Robotheroessilverboltmegatron.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|"Little bauble," indeed, yesss.]]
*'''Silverbolt vs Megatron'''

:[[Transmetal]] Megatron comes with the disk in his tail-claw projector device.
{{--}}

===''Masterpiece''===
*'''Dinobot (Beast Wars)''' (2018)

:''Masterpiece'' Dinobot comes with the disk as an accessory.
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron: Kingdom''===
[[File:WFC-Kingdom-Titan-Ark-Golden-Disks.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb]]
*'''Autobot Ark''' (Titan Class, [[2021]])
**''Hasbro ID number'': '''WFC-K30'''

:''[[War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Kingdom]]'' [[Ark (G1)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Autobot Ark]] comes with both the Vok and ''Voyager'' Golden Disks. Deviating from its cartoon appearance, the Vok disc features the ''Voyager'' disk's "Sounds of Earth" design on its rear, instead of more alien symbols. The accessories can only be wielded by several figures with poseable hands/open-palms.

{{anchor|Terrorsaur}}
*'''Terrorsaur''' (Golden Disk Collection, [[2022]])
**''Chapter 4: The Terrorfying {{sic}} Conclusion''
**''Accessories'': Golden Disk (Vok), blaster, arm blades

:''Kingdom'' [[Terrorsaur (BW)#War for Cybertron: Kingdom|Terrorsaur]] includes a Golden Disk, identical to the Vok disk from the ''Kingdom'' Autobot Ark (complete with the erroneous "Sounds of Earth" reverse design from the Voyager disc) but with darker paint. The product description refers to it as the ''Voyager'' Golden Disk,<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TQSZQCX Amazon] product description: "Includes a Golden Disk (Voyager) accessory and his blaster accessory."</ref> so maybe this time it's the Vok side which is in error?
{{--}}

===''ReAction''===
*'''Hyper Steel Megatron''' (2023)
**''Accessories'': Golden Disk

: This redeco of ''[[ReAction]]'' BW Megatron features translucent purple plastic and a new Voyager disk accessory. This piece was [[exclusive]] to [[Target]].

{{-}}

===Diamond Select===
*'''Beast Wars Megatron''' (2023)

:Produced by [[Diamond Select Toys]], this "Milestone" statue depicts [[Megatron_(BW)/toys#Milestone|Beast Wars Megatron]] in his season 1 body, holding the Golden Disk. Designed by [[Mark Wong]], only 1,000 pieces were produced, with an MSRP of $500. However, the statue never saw release.
{{canceledtoy}}

===''Beast Wars Again''===
*'''Gyakushin no Taiketsu''' (Multi-pack, 2024)

: Released as part of the ''[[Beast Wars: Super Lifeform Transformers Again|Beast Wars Again]]'' line, the "Treacherous Showdown" (逆心の対決) set contains [[Tarantulas (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Again|Tarans]], [[Dinobot (BW)/toys#Beast Wars Again|Dinobot]] and an unpainted Voyager Golden Disk reused from Masterpiece [[Dinobot (BW)/toys#Masterpiece|Dinobot]].
{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:Statue rockandrollhalloffame.jpg|thumb|A giant statue outside the [[Cybertron Archives|archives]] where it was stored includes <s>a copy</s> copies.]]
*In the show's [[production bible]], the Golden Disk is responsible for "the original discovery of Earth by Cybertron", leading the Autobots and Decepticons to arrive to secure the planet's sources of energon. Megatron really has stolen the Disk to lead them to Earth for its energon! <ref name="Backstory">[https://www2.unicron.com/1996-transformers/media/4377-backstory.html ''Beast Wars'' Series Story Bible "Backstory" excerpt at Unicron.com]</ref> As [[Bob Forward]] and [[Larry DiTillio]] were new to ''Transformers'', they likely weren't aware this would have contradicted [[Ark (G1)|G1's backstory]] and once they became aware, the Disk's role was changed.

*"[[Fires of the Past]]" shows a statue of [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] holding two golden disks outside the [[Cybertron Archives]]. Neither the Optimus Prime statue nor the golden disks in its hands are mentioned in the script. However, writer [[Bob Skir]] suggested that they were either the disks from the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 probes, or that Optimus won them in the 2,395,989th Annual Cybertronian spelling bee.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20080614012630/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Tue_12_Oct_1999.html Q&A from Bigbot's "bobskir.com"] (archive copy)</ref>

===The real Golden Disk===
[[File:Eg2-goldendisk.jpg|upright=0.99|thumb|left|Ow -8 *..]]
The Golden Disk that appears in ''Beast Wars'' is based on a real object: In [[1977]], [[NASA]] launched two spacecraft called ''Voyager 1'' and ''Voyager 2'', which flew by our planetary system's four gas giants. (Jupiter and Saturn were visited by both craft, Uranus and Neptune only by ''Voyager 2''.) The ''Pioneer 10'' and ''11'' spacecraft which preceded them had carried copies of a plaque depicting human beings and showing the location of Earth with respect to several highly-visible pulsars. For the ''Voyager'' mission, a more sophisticated message was composed.

The "disk" consists of a cover or canister—on which a set of pictograms are found—and a phonograph record inside the canister. The record, titled "The Sounds of Earth", has a "data" portion and a sound portion. In the data portion are over a hundred encoded images including photographs of the Earth and its lifeforms, as well as drawings of human biology and reproduction. The audio portion includes sounds of natural environments on Earth, wildlife, human voices, and music. The pictograms on the record's cover explain how to play the disc and decode the images.

As portrayed in ''Beast Wars'', the Golden Disk seems to be an amalgam of the cover and the record itself. It appears to be at least a few centimeters thick and has the cover's pictograms on one side, but the record grooves and title "The Sounds of Earth" on the other. The indication is that the cover is one-sided, and we are seeing the record through the empty rear, as later episodes would present the disc in its real-life, thin, record form.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Golden Disk''' (ゴールデンディスク ''Gōruden Disuku'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/ NASA's web site on the continuing ''Voyager'' mission]
*[http://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/goldenrec.html The message on the actual disks]

[[Category:Beast Wars objects]]
[[Category:Generation 1 objects]]
[[Category:Golden Disks]]

The Transformers: Infiltration

2023-01-30T19:22:28Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the IDW comic series|the protocol out of the Decepticon invasion handbook|infiltration protocol}}
[[File:Infiltration EJ covers.jpg|center|750px|thumb|Wraps around and around!]]
'''''The Transformers: Infiltration''''' was the first in a line of miniseries by [[IDW Publishing]] set in a re-booted [[2005 IDW continuity|Generation 1 continuity]]. The series brought the Transformers' presence on [[Earth]] into the present day and places the "robots in disguise" concept firmly in the forefront of its narrative.

It is issues #0–6 in the IDW overarching "sub-numbering" (shown in later series by a number in an Autobot-sigil shaped shield beside the bar code on each issue—''Stormbringer'' picks up with #7), and was originally published between October, [[2005]] and July, [[2006]].

{{chapters |style=3 |next=The Transformers: Stormbringer
|series=infiltration|content=
* [[Infiltration issue 0|#0]]
* [[Infiltration issue 1|#1]]
* [[Infiltration issue 2|#2]]
* [[Infiltration issue 3|#3]]
* [[Infiltration issue 4|#4]]
* [[Infiltration issue 5|#5]]
* [[Infiltration issue 6|#6]]
}}

==Overview==
The most immediate shift from original continuity is the nature of the Transformers' presence on Earth. In this continuity, there was no ancient starship crash, nor robots awakening from a four million-year slumber; the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s have arrived on Earth fairly recently and on purpose, operating undercover for at least four years. The story is told through the eyes of four main characters: [[Verity Carlo]], a young drifter; [[Hunter O'Nion]], a conspiracy theorist; [[Jimmy Pink]], mechanic and Verity's net-friend; and [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], a medic who puts his conscience over his mission.

The series quickly and consistently establishes a strong Cold War, cloak-and-dagger theme, where secrecy and rules of espionage are as important as, or perhaps even more than, vanquishing the enemy. [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]] and the [[Battlecharger]]s attack the humans and Ratchet to retrieve data on [[SM-40|a palmtop PC]] that might reveal their existence; Ratchet is arrested by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] for breaking cover to rescue the humans; both Autobot and Decepticon operations are small cells instead of full-fledged armies. Also, a third faction is at work: a secret human organization known only as the [[Machination]] which appears to be aware of the Transformers' presence on Earth and has its own plans, as yet unknown, for the robots. Finally, it becomes evident to the Autobots that the Decepticon operation is up to something unusual, and their new human allies may have a part in unraveling the mystery.

The series has taken an interesting and rather unique approach to the standard ''Transformers'' story: introducing only a few new characters with each issue. This enables each issue to focus on a small selection of leads (Ratchet, the humans and later [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]) without overwhelming them and gives each issue space to explore their characters.

The series culminates in a battle between [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], who leads the Decepticons on Earth, and the recently arrived [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] attempting to put his house in order. Their animosity seems to be a constant in any Transformers continuity!

==Creative team==
''Infiltration'' was scripted by long-time Transformer writer [[Simon Furman]] and penciled by [[E. J. Su]]. The two also worked together on multiple follow-up miniseries including ''[[The Transformers: Escalation]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Devastation]]''. Colors were provided primarily by [[John Rauch]], with help from [[Josh Burcham]] on issue #1 and assists on issue #6 by [[Simon Bork]], [[Mark Englert]], [[Aaron Myers]], [[Sunder Raj]], and [[Kevin Senft]].

==Notes==
* The model for ''Infiltration'' and its fellow -ations was very much the contemporary ''Ultimate'' comics by [[Marvel Comics]], which rebooted old franchises in modernised forms (something far less common in the early 2000s). Much like those comics, the plan was to have a slower pace and drip feed the appearances of the characters, but internet feedback was going "GIVE US THE ROBOTS" while the comic was still coming out. ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' would come out earlier than planned to relieve the pressure on the -ations.<Ref>[https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zVnSGOzfwfIbro02yGhnJ?si=d1634ba768a34a54&nd=1 ''AAARGH! MY OPTICS!'' episode 25, 30th January 2023] 35:00 to 37:20</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060629235142/http://fractalmatter.com/main/?p=201 Furman & Wildman interview at Fractal Images (archived)]</ref>
* Each of ''Infiltration''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s seven issues were released in a choice of multiple covers—some issues had as many as ten. As this was apparently too many to include in the normal trade paperback, IDW released an ''Infiltration Cover Gallery'' book which included every cover. This was actually released prior to the normal TPB collection of the series' issues.

==Collections==
* '''''[[The Transformers: Infiltration Cover Gallery]]''''' ([[August 16]], [[2006]]) ASIN: B0039GX7BG
** Includes (almost) all covers from the series.

* '''''The Transformers: Infiltration'' TPB''' ([[September 13]], 2006) ISBN 1600100104 / ISBN 978-1600100109
** Collects ''Infiltration'' #0–6.
** Bonus material includes sketch art by E. J. Su. It bears the number #1 on its side.

* '''''The Transformers: Infiltration'' Manga''' ([[November 29]], 2006) ISBN 1600100198 / ISBN 978-1600100192
** Collects ''Infiltration'' #0–6.
** Small size format: 5 x 0.5 x 7 inches.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The Premiere Collection]]''''' Volume 1 HC ([[December 5]], [[2007]]) ISBN 1600101186 / ISBN 978-1600101182
** Hardcover collection of ''Infiltration'', ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' and the first 5 ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlights]]''.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume One]]''''' HC ([[May 26]], [[2010]]) ISBN 1600106676 / ISBN 978-1600106675
** Another hardcover collection of ''Infiltration'' along with the ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' series and ''Spotlights'' for ''"Blurr", "Cliffjumper", "Shockwave", "Nightbeat", "Hot Rod"'' and ''"Soundwave"''.

* '''''[[The Transformers: Phase One Omnibus]]''''' TPB ([[September 10]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1631401130 / ISBN 978-1631401138
** Smaller-sized TPB collection of ''Infiltration'', ''Escalation'' and ''Devastation''.

<gallery>
File:Infiltration Cover Gallery.jpg|'''''Infiltration Cover Gallery'''''; cover art by [[E. J. Su]]
File:Infiltration_tpb.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' TPB'''; cover art by E. J. Su
File:Infiltration manga.jpg|'''''Infiltration'' "Manga" TPB'''; cover art by E. J. Su
File:Premier Collection 1.jpg|'''''Premiere Collection'' Vol 1'''; cover art by [[Klaus Scherwinski]]
File:IDWCollection1.jpg|'''''IDW Collection Vol 1'''''; cover art by E. J. Su
File:phase-1-omnibus.jpg|'''''Phase One Omnibus'''''; cover art by Klaus Scherwinski
</gallery>

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Compendium, Vol. 1]]''''' ([[July 6]], [[2016]]) ISBN 163140637X / ISBN 978-1631406379
** Reprints the ''IDW Collection Volume One'' and ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Two|Two]]''.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]], Volume 32: Infiltration''''' ([[September 5]], [[2018]])
** Collects ''Infiltration'' #0–6.
** Bonus material includes an article on "Creating the IDW-Verse: From the Ground Up", "The Pitch" — Furman's original pitch to IDW for ''Infiltration'', sketch art by E. J. Su., a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[Transformers: Best of Starscream]]''''' ([[September 21]], [[2022]])
** Contains ''Infiltration'' #6, ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Three Monologues|#20: "Three Monologues"]], ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]:'' "[[Choose Me]]", ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' [[Your First Mistake|#12: "Your First Mistake"]], and [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (IDW)|''Shattered Glass'']] [[Shattered Glass issue 3|#3]].
** Bonus content includes an art gallery.

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionCompendiumV1.jpg|'''''Collection Compendium'''''; cover art by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v32.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 32: Infiltration'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] and E. J. Su
File:BestOfStarscream_cvr.jpg|'''''Transformers: Best of Starscream'''''; cover art by [[James Biggie]]
</gallery>

===International printings===

====Spain====
''The Transformers: Infiltration'' was translated and released in Spain by [[NORMA Editorial]].
*ISBN 978-84-9847-595-1

{{DEFAULTSORT:Infiltration}}
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]
[[Category:Infiltration issues| ]]

Transformers: Energon (comic)

2023-01-30T19:14:32Z

Charles RB:

{{Nav-energon}}

[[File:DW Energon 19.jpg|thumb|right|245px|Here we go again!]]
Following the [[Dreamwave Productions]] series ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'', the '''''Transformers: Energon''''' storyline commenced, beginning with issue #19. Set ten years after the end of the ''Armada'' era, the series follows many of the same characters as they meet new allies and deal with new threats. With the bankruptcy of Dreamwave, the series was abruptly cancelled.

{{chapters|title=''Transformers: Energon'' issues:
|prev=Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)
|content=
*[[This Evil Reborn|#19]]
*[[What Lies Beneath|#20]]
*[[What Lies Beneath, Part Two|#21]]
*[[What Lies Beneath, Part Three|#22]]
*[[What Lies Beneath, Part Four|#23]]
*[[Aftershock (issue)|#24]]
*[[Omni-Potent|#25]]
*[[Multiplicity|#26]]
*[[Multiplicity, Pt. 2|#27]]
*[[Multiplicity, Pt. 3|#28]]
*[[Multiplicity, Pt. 4|#29]]
*[[No Exit|#30]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''Transformers: Energon'' unreleased issues<ref>plots summarized on writer [[Simon Furman]]'s blog.</ref>:
|prev=
|content=
*[[Doomsday Redux!|#31]]
*[[Armageddon Part 1|#32]]
*[[Armageddon Part 2|#33]]
*[[Armageddon Part 3|#34]]
*[[Armageddon Part 4|#35]]
*[[Armageddon Part 5|#36]]
}}

==Overview==
The opening issue features several of the major players from that series recapping the events of ''Armada'', with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] displaying concern that the threat of evil was ever-present. Several characters have received their storyline upgrade to their ''Energon'' forms, while several, including Optimus Prime, have not. The story follows several plotlines: the child-like Omnicons' attempts to learn their way in the world, the attack of Unicron's "four horsemen" on Cybertron, the attempts of Megatron to forge himself a new body out of Unicron's husk, and the attacks of the Energon-ravenous Terrorcons.

The ''Energon'' series was planned to have an 18-issue arc, as did the ''Armada'' series. However, ''Energon'' and all other ongoing series were cut short due to Dreamwave's shutdown at the end of 2004. ''Energon'' ended with its 12th issue, issue #30 (December 2004 cover date); by chance, the issue wrapped up the current plotline, but it also left many overarching plot threads unresolved.

Cover art from issues #31–33 have appeared on [http://www.seibertron.com/database/media/comics/list.php?series_id=25, Seibertron], among other places.

In November 2010, [[Simon Furman]] started to reveal the plot of the unreleased issues on his blog. <ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/energon-%e2%80%94-revisited/ "Energon Revisited"]</ref>

In a 2023 podcast interview, Furman said the early end of ''Energon'' was one of his biggest regrets about Dreamwave; because nobody was as focused on ''Energon'' as they were the G1 titles, he and Milne were left alone and "were just having a blast" running with everything.<Ref>[https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zVnSGOzfwfIbro02yGhnJ?si=d1634ba768a34a54&nd=1 ''AAARGH! MY OPTICS!'' episode 25, 30th January 2023] 32:20 to 33:40</ref>

''See also: [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues]]''

==Creative team==
Like the majority of ''Armada'', the series was written by [[Simon Furman]] and illustrated by a number of artists, including [[Guido Guidi]], [[Joe Ng]], [[James Raiz]], [[Alex Milne]] and [[Marcelo Matere]].

==Collections==
* '''''Transformers: Energon Volume 1''''' ([[October 22]], [[2004]]) ISBN 1840239328 / ISBN 978-1840239324
:*[[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave pocket collection]]
:*112 pagecount
:*Bonus material UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME

* '''''Transformers: Energon Volume 2''''' TPB Pocket Edition ([[January 25]], [[2006]]) ISBN 184023959X / ISBN 978-1840239591
:*Published by [[Destination Entertainment]]
:*Collects issues #23–26
:*Bonus material UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME

* '''''Transformers: Energon Volume 1''''' ([[July 29]], [[2009]]) ISBN 1600104770 / ISBN 978-1600104770
:*[[IDW Publishing]] TPB
:*112 pagecount
:*Collects issues #19–23
:*No bonus material

<gallery>
File:DW-Energon-V1.jpg|Dreamwave Volume 1
File:DW-Energon-V2.jpg|Dreamwave Volume 2
File:DW-Energon-V1-IDW.jpg|IDW Volume 1
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Energon (comic)}}
[[Category:Dreamwave titles]]
[[Category:Energon media| ]]

Simon Furman

2023-01-30T19:09:20Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|Simon}}
{{factions|maximal|hofgold}}

{{bigquote|Who can I kill?|Simon Furman's first question upon being brought on to write for ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]<ref>[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/botcon2002.txt BotCon 2002 appearance]''</ref>}}

[[File:Simon-Furman.jpg|thumb|But... but [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] is neither vast nor predatory nor even a bird! [[Furmanism|What is he playing at?]]]]

British comic book writer '''Simon Christopher Francis Furman''' (born [[March 22]], [[1961]] <ref>[http://www.bwtf.com/interviews/sf399/ Interview at Ben Yee's website]</ref>) is probably the most well-known of all ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' comics scribes, and certainly the most prolific. He wrote most of the UK-original comic stories of Generation 1, as well as the latter 1/3rd of the US comic run, and has been author on innumerable Transformers tales since. As a result, he is often the first, last, and occasionally ''only'' resort in penning ''Transformers'' literature, with a deep involvement in a wide variety of product. He's admitted this has left him typecast and his non-''Transformers'' work gets overlooked, but he's stated he stopped struggling against the association years ago and gives thanks for the opportunities and steady income it's given him.<ref>[http://mindlessones.com/2009/07/20/transformers-terminators-and-the-rest11-questions-with-simon-furman/ Interview at Mindless Ones blog]</ref>

He has also written and created many non-''Transformers'' characters, including [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], "Dragon's Claws", and "To the Death" with [[Geoff Senior]], "Brute Force" with [[José Delbo]], and "The Vigilant" with [[Simon Coleby]]. He was an editor at [[Titan Books]], which published collections of ''Transformers'' comics among other material, and at Tokyopop he 'localised' a translation of a sci-fi gothic romance manga. We're not joking.<ref>[http://link.library.austintexas.gov/portal/Doll-Vol.-1-by-Mitsukazu-Mihara--translation/Bhj0F3bdk1w/ Austin Texas Library entry for DOLL Volume 1]</ref> He was good at it too. <ref>[http://sundaycomicsdebt.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/tokyopops-bubble-bursts.html Sunday Comics: Tokyopop's Bubble Bursts]: "Mihara’s other Gothic works were a popular mainstay of Tokyopop’s Manga line, thanks to Simon Furman’s translation, who was a writer for Transformers. He gave the disassociated vibe of those protagonists such a realistic feel"</ref>

In his spare time, Furman enjoys drinking [[Corona]] and killing off hordes of background characters. And [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]. He's also a fan of West Ham United football club,<ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman3.php Interview on Transfans.co.uk]</ref> which perhaps explains his bloodlust.

==Work on Transformers==

{{quote|The Simon Furman of early 1985, when I was first asked to write for the UK Transformers comic, would have probably said "pull the other one" if you'd told me I'd still be involved with Transformers more than thirty years later|Furman talking to Vice<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/comic-writer-simon-furman-discusses-three-decades-of-transformers-and-new-game-earth-wars-707 Vice interview on Earth Wars]</ref>}}

Furman almost drifted into Transformers, being asked early on to pitch some ideas when they needed new strip fast; he only had an 'in' here because he'd recently left IPC and joined Marvel UK thanks to his friend [[Ian Rimmer]]. He quickly became ''the'' Transformers guy at Marvel UK, also working as assistant editor for years before becoming ''the'' editor and writing [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters pages]] until 1989 when he went onto just writing the scripts. (It was his idea to make [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] the first letters' host)<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]], page 14</ref> Despite this, he hadn't actually wanted to be the editor of the comic after Rimmer as he'd just started editing the new ''Thundercats'' comic; his bosses made it clear he was moving title.<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 4]], page 10</ref> Around 1989, he went on to be [[Bob Budiansky]]'s hand-picked replacement for the US title (as Furman actually knew who all these characters were) and wrote it until it ended. When a ''Generation 2'' comic was wanted a few years later, Furman went back for a year but didn't expect it to last.

His post-Marvel return to Transformers came courtesy of [[BotCon 1997]]: not only was he a guest expected to answer questions he couldn't remember the answers to, there was this thing called a "Beast Wars" they wanted him to write a short comic about. He quickly had to get back into the swing of things. After the Botcon material (and the last episode of ''Beast Wars'' gained via con networking), he'd work for Titan Books and brought to them the idea of Transformers reprints as the conventions he was being invited to proved there was money in it. He would then contact Dreamwave once he'd heard they had the license. <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vpunNgHR4M The Great Derelict] 58:00 to 1:02:50, discussing Botcon, Titan, and Dreamwave</ref> Thus, he was linked forever more with the franchise.

Contrary to the popular opinion that he is an outspoken critic of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon series]], Furman has stated in an interview that he loves the series. He explained that when he was involved with the Marvel comic books as a twenty-something-year-old writer, he thought the show was pitched a little young and that the stories were simplistic and had huge logic flaws, but conceded that he saw them from a different perspective than the generation that grew up watching the cartoon and buying the toys as kids, and so he concentrated on his work, which he believed was more "adult" in tone. He added that, in hindsight, he went back to watch the series and now really enjoys it, particularly Season 2's strong character stories. When he wrote for Marvel comics, he was averse to episodes that dealt with the character back-stories because they clashed with his own back-stories and also caused him to worry that he wasn't presenting the characters as intended. But now he had the freedom to take the series as a viewer and admire the way they were building upon their own mythos.

In the same interview, he thought [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 1986 animated movie]] was "fantastic", and one of his stated reasons was that "characters died."<ref>Simon Furman's interview on [[Madman Entertainment]]'s ''Beast Wars'' Season 3 DVD set</ref>

In terms of other Transformers media, he's a big fan of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'', saying it's the best cartoon since ''Beast Wars'',<ref>[http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/a-touch-animated/ July 4, 2008 blog post]</ref> despite a relative lack of violent deaths. While he liked ''Wars'', he stated in an interview that he considers ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' to be too dark for a children's cartoon.<ref>[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 1|"The Last 'Action' Hero"]]</ref> He's not a fan of the movies either, believing they throw out characterisation and story, though he happily admits he's not the audience for them. He still admires the technical side of the films and [[Michael Bay]]'s vision.<ref>[http://mindlessones.com/2009/07/20/transformers-terminators-and-the-rest11-questions-with-simon-furman/ Interview at Mindless Ones blog]</ref>

A list of all of the issues written by Furman's hand would be overkill; even the list of ''titles'' he's worked on is considerable:

* [[Marvel Comics|Marvel UK]]'s [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'']]: Furman began his involvement with Transformers as editor and author for much of the Marvel UK run, writing stories that integrated with those coming from Marvel US.
* [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel US's ''The Transformers'']]: At writer [[Bob Budiansky]]'s recommendation, Furman took over the US book after Budiansky left, writing issues #56–80.
* ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|The Transformers: Generation 2]]'': Furman penned the entire 12-issue run.
* [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]]: Furman scripted the final episode of the show, "[[Nemesis Part 2]]".
* [[3H Productions]]: Furman wrote a series of BotCon-exclusive stories, including several live-action voice actor scripts, the ''Beast Wars'' comic "[[Ground Zero]]" (the very first BotCon story), and the ''Beast Wars'' text and comic story "[[Reaching the Omega Point]]".
* [[Titan Books]]: while working for them, he pitched the idea of collecting the Marvel Transformers comics into trades, and edited the collections. Titan ended up collecting ''almost everything'' Marvel US and UK had ever done, including being able to get the issues with Marvel characters quite cheaply, ''and'' got the rights for global licensing: at this point, pre-Dreamwave, neither Marvel nor Hasbro had much investment in Transformers! <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSyBtqe67uk Moonbase 2 AA2010 interview], 7:50 -</ref> When the [[live-action film series]] was announced, Titan [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|decided to do a tie-in]] and Furman went on to write almost every issue of the first two volumes, plus a spin-off ''Animated'' issue, for 43 issues in total as of April 2012.
* [[Dreamwave Productions]]: Furman wrote two-and-a-half ''[[War Within (comic)|War Within]]'' G1 mini-series for Dreamwave, as well as most of their ''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Armada]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' comics.
* ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', a book giving an overview of the length and breath of Transformers (toys and fiction) as it existed at the time. The book was arguably somewhat biased towards comic [[canon]] (particularly that which he penned) and, in places, invented new material wholecloth without any precedent in prior fiction. As the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity]] was in full swing at the time Furman tended to treat it as the baseline for many of the entries and new material presented here.
* Micellaneous work in the 2000s would include "[[Alignment]]" for the Transforce UK convention, [[The Transformers (Madman)|several]] [[The Balance of Power|tie-in comics]], [[Panini]]'s [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|short-lived ''Armada'']], and [[Starscream's_New_Body|three]] [[The_Fierce_Fighting_on_Planet_Nebulos|different]] [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Unite for the Universe|mangas]].
* [[IDW Publishing]]: He wrote the first five Generation 1 mini-series for IDW's G1 reboot, as well as numerous ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' issues. His IDW run is notable for being the only instance where he has actually created the mythos from the ground up, rather than coming in after someone else had already set everything up. Other IDW titles include two ''Beast Wars'' mini-series and a ''Beast Wars'' guide book, various comics related to the film series, and the belated "completion" of his Marvel (US) G1 run as ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]''. For the 35th anniversary of the franchise, IDW had him write the Marvel prequel ''[[Transformers '84 issue 0|Transformers '84 #0]]''; it sold well enough to get a [[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|sequel miniseries]].
* ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars]]'': Just when he thought he was out, in 2015–16 he was pulled back in by Hasbro to write the story for the ''Earth Wars'' mobile game. This was his first video game work and he said he enjoyed it as it involved "flexing new creative muscles".<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/comic-writer-simon-furman-discusses-three-decades-of-transformers-and-new-game-earth-wars-707 Vice interview on Earth Wars]: "Usually, storytelling for me is a one-off process, after which it moves on to another level—with the artist, or whatever. But this was much more a case of laying out a rough story framework and then evolving and adapting it to fit the game mechanics, and it was a much more collaborative, team process. I always enjoy flexing new creative muscles, and this was very much that. We tried hard, within what could be a fairly restrictive storytelling medium, to give Earth Wars the kind of narrative integrity that owed more to my comics work. Overall, I think we succeeded."</ref> It was still ongoing five years later with him as writer, which, yes, led to him saying "maybe it does... never end!"<ref>[https://twitter.com/SimonFurman3/status/1397450528024633347 Furman's twitter, 8:12 am · 26 May 2021:] "Hard to believe, but @TransformersWar is 5 years old! Many new characters and sagas later... I'm still loving crafting this mini-universe of its own. Maybe it does... never end!"</ref>
* ''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]'': Late 2016 saw [[Hachette]] hire our man to edit their <s>sixty</s> <s>eighty</s> one hundred-volume partwork collecting nearly every Generation 1 comic ever made.

==Alternate mode==
When Furman became the editor of the UK ''Transformers'' comic, it opened up a dilemma, as Marvel policy, enforced by Marvel US editor-in-chief [[Tom DeFalco]], frowned on editors serving as their own writers. To circumvent this problem, it was agreed that senior editor (and frequent ''Transformers'' letterer) [[Richard Starkings]] would serve in an advisory capacity on Furman's own strips.<ref>Starkings, Richard "Prophetic Words" in ''[[Transformers: Dark Designs]]'' trade paperback (London; [[Titan Books]], 2002), page 4.</ref>
When an editorial credit for the comic as a whole was required, Furman used the credit "Chris Francis", derived from his middle names.<ref>Unknown author "Transformers UK" in ''Second Generation'' Trade paperback (London; Titan Books, 2004), page 6.</ref>

==Fiction==
===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
The flesh creature known as Simon Furman pleased [[Unicron]] with his accurate depiction of Unicron's omnipotent magnificence. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|Letters page for "The End"}}

===Titan movie comics===
According to [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]], Furman was a [[Maximal]] disguised as a "strategically shaved ape. Especially on his head." {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 7|#7's Star Screams}} When Starscream captured the Titan offices, only Furman escaped capture and was still at large, with a vast amount of intelligence regarding [[Nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 21|#21's Star Screams}}

The Autobots, however, were not much nicer. When Furman was writing his alternate universe tale, [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]] "made sure" that it would have an Autobot-friendly ending... {{storylink|Transformers Comic issue 2.12|#12's Law and Disorder}}

[[File:Cameos Invasion.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
====Ask Vector Prime====
Simon Furman was a [[Maximal]] because they had a better dental plan than the [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 16/6/2015}} He was identified as a wielder of the [[Quill]], which allowed him to evade [[death]]. [[Vector Prime]] identified him as the one who had charted many of their destinies, which raises a lot of strange metafictional questions. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 10/8/2015}}

===''Classics''===
When [[Ultra Magnus (SG)|an alternate Ultra Magnus]] threatened to destroy [[Earth]] with the power of his [[Terminus Blade]], Simon Furman was stuck in a collapsing building in [[Canada]]. {{storylink|Invasion (issue)|Invasion}}
{{--}}

==Female Transformers==
Simon Furman has traditionally not been a fan of [[Female Transformer]]s or the idea of gendering Transformers at all, stating on several occasions that he doesn't understand why robots would have women.<ref>[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/arcee-a-go-go/ "Arcee-a-Go-Go"]: "Well, I’ve always been fairly outspoken about the redundancy of ‘female’ Transformers (or ‘fembots’). It’s not a sexist thing, it’s just that they’re robots."</ref> Subsequently he's attempted to explain it in Marvel UK (which inherited [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] from [[The Transformers: The Movie|the 1986 film]]) and at IDW, but both stories have been pretty awkward. "[[Prime's Rib!]]" for Marvel said she was built after a [[feminist mob]] had protested about a lack of female Cybertronians, while Arcee's [[Spotlight: Arcee|origin]] in the 2005 IDW continuity attempted "to apply a rationale to the whole issue"<ref>[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/arcee-a-go-go/ "Arcee-a-Go-Go"]</ref> by saying Jhiaxus had introduced gender to the race. That was unfortunately shown by having Arcee as a genderless Cybertronian that was forcibly changed into a female gendered form, traumatizing her.

His insistence that Cybertronians are genderless, not male by default, extended to a post he wrote<ref>http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/response-to-mairghread-scott/</ref> in response to a blog post by [[Mairghread Scott]] discussing other female Transformers in IDW, wherein she stated that she understood that Arcee's origin could be seen as offensive to women, especially those who are transgender. The two authors later talked in private and settled the beef.

Outside of the origins, Furman's female 'bots are written the same as their male counterparts.

In 2016, during an interview with ''Vice'', Furman said they "almost certainly" "could/should" have done better with female Transformers in the 1980s but views it as a different time and audience and that he doubted he'd do it differently now. When it came to the recent work, he said he applauded what had been done "and done well" with female characters. <ref>[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/comic-writer-simon-furman-discusses-three-decades-of-transformers-and-new-game-earth-wars-707 Vice interview on Earth Wars]</ref>

==Comic bibliography==
===Marvel Comics===
* [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] #13–21, 29–32, 45–50, 59–65, 74–88, 96–104, 113–120, 125, 130–138, 146–153, 160–161, 164–173, 182–189, 198–205, 213–332
* [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel US]] #56–80
* [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'']] #1–12

===Dreamwave Productions===
* [[Transformers: The War Within|''The War Within'' vol.1]] #1–6, [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|vol.2]] #1–6, [[Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|vol.3]] #1–3 (#4–6 unreleased)
* [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|''Armada'']] #6–18
* [[Transformers: Energon (comic)|''Energon'']] #19–30 (#31–36 unreleased)
* "[[Perspective]]", from the ''[[20th Anniversary Transformers Summer Special]]''

===Panini Comics===
* [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|''Armada'']] #1–9

===IDW Publishing===
* ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]'' #0–6
* ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' #1–6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 (story by [[Klaus Scherwinski]]), 16–19 (''Revelation''), unrevealed ''Spotlight'' (status unknown)
* ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' #1–4
* ''[[The Transformers: Escalation|Escalation]]'' #1–6
* ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]'' #1–6
* ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'' #1–4
* ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]'' #1–5
* ''[[Transformers, Beast Wars: The Gathering|The Gathering]]'' #1–4
* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars: The Ascending|The Ascending]]'' #1–4
* ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel]]'' #1–4 (with [[Chris Ryall]])
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Official Movie Adaptation|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen comic book adaptation]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 13|#13 ("Old Ways")]]
* ''[[Transformers: Tales of the Fallen|Tales of the Fallen]]'' [[Tales of the Fallen issue 2|#2]], [[Tales of the Fallen issue 4|#4]], [[Tales of the Fallen issue 5|#5]]
* ''[[Transformers: Nefarious|Nefarious]]'' #1–6
* ''[[Rodimus vs. Cyclonus]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #80.5-100
* [[Transformers '84]] #0-4

===Titan Magazines/Titan Comics===
* [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Transformers'' Comic v1]] #1–25
*Transformers Comic v2 #1-9, #11-14 & #18-21.
* [[Transformers Animated (Titan)|''Transformers Animated'']] #1

===Atari===
* "[[The Balance of Power]]"

===Madman Entertainment===
* [[The Transformers (Madman)|''The Transformers'']]

===Million Publishing/''Henkei! Henkei!''===
* "[[Starscream's New Body]]"
* ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: Unite for the Universe]]''
* "[[The Fierce Fighting on Planet Nebulos]]"

==Bibliography==
===DK Publishing===
*''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Movie Guide]]''
*''[[You Can Draw Transformers]]''
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Movie Universe]]''

===Titan Books===
*''Transformers: The Art of the Movies'' (canceled)

==Voice Roles==
*[[Narrator]] ([[Voice Actor Drama]])

==Convention appearances==
{{collist|3|
*[[BotCon 1997]]
*[[BotCon 1998]]
*[[BotCon 2001]]
*[[BotCon 2002]]
*[[OTFCC 2003]]
*[[OTFCC 2004]]
*[[BotCon 2006]]
*[[BotCon 2008]]
*[[BotCon 2012]]
*[[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2009
*C.O.N.S. (2011)
*C.O.N.S. (2012)
*NordCon 2010
*TFcon 2011
*Auto Assembly 2003
*Auto Assembly 2004
*Auto Assembly 2005
*Auto Assembly 2006
*Auto Assembly 2008
*Auto Assembly 2010
*Auto Assembly 2011
*Auto Assembly Europe 2011
*BotCon 2022}}

==Notes==
* ''Transformers'' was the earliest comic he wrote after leaving IPC's ''Scream!''.
* Outside of ''Transformers'', he's worked on multiple comic strips in the 80s to 10s. His most prolific time was 1980s Marvel UK, where he not only wrote ''Transformers'' but also strips for ''[[Action Force (comic)|Action Force]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who]] Magazine'', and created ''Dragons Claws'' and ''[[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]]'' (both netting ten issues, plus a graphic novel for DH). Editor [[Rob Tokar]] would bring him to ''Alpha Flight'', though that comic would be killed off in the infamous early 90s market crash. Outside of comics, he's written for a few cartoons, was involved in [[Rik Alvarez]]'s first stab at an independent toyline<ref>[http://tformers.com/all-this-and-simon-furman-too-play-with-this-too-update/26076/news.html TFformers article on Furman's involvement]</ref>, and in 2012-2015 was the head writer and script supervisor for UK/Canadian co-production {{w|Matt Hatter Chronicles}}. He and [[Andrew Wildman]] created an IP company, Wildfur, in the early 00s to try and sell new ideas they'd come up with<ref>http://www.wildfur.net/</ref> but that quietly died. He and Senior brought out a webcomic, ''To The Death'', in late 2016 (which harkened back to both ''Claws'' and ''Death's Head'') which would later come out in print (along with a prequel) both on its own and as one of the core strips for the 2020s anthology ''Shift'', doing well enough to get a sequel story in 2022.
* One of Furman's big contributions to the franchise is crafting the Transformers as children of the light god [[Primus]], born to fight the universe-killing demigod [[Unicron]]. How did he sell Hasbro on this? He didn't, he just wrote "[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]" on the assumption they wouldn't object if it was already in print! (He told [[James Roberts]] in a 2014 interview that Hasbro didn't seem to notice anyway.)<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 5]]'', "The Legacy of Furman" feature</ref>
* It is generally accepted that [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] is Furman's signature ''Transformers'' character, although a case could be made for [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]]. His signature ''creation'' (according to the man himself <ref>http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=42871</ref>) is the <s>bounty hunter</s> freelance peacekeeping agent [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], yes?.
* He spent at least some time as the writer of the Marvel UK comics letters page, setting the precedent for having a Transformer "host" reply to the kids' letters, but without patronising them. This tradition has been followed up on in [[Transformers: Armada (Panini)|other]] [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|UK]] comics.
* Chris Claremont, X-Men mega-writer, is one of Furman's key influences in comics: "Mostly how well he managed multiple characters and sub-plots, something I’ve applied to my Transformers work as much as I can ever since". Other influences are Alan Moore's Marvel UK work; 70s/80s sci-fi films like ''Blade Runner'', ''Aliens'', and ''[[Terminator]]'', as well as Assault On Precinct 13; and crime books.<ref>[http://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343 Interview with Transformers Hispanos Forums]</ref>
* If his last words before dying aren't [[Furmanism|"hnng... never ''did'' want to live forever"]], there will be much sadness.
* Apparently, if [[Pat Lee]] wants back in ''Transformers'', he will have to climb over Simon's cold, rotting corpse to do it.<ref>Based upon a comment Furman made at [[BotCon 2008]] when asked if Pat Lee would ever work for IDW Publishing</ref>
* Simon Furman wrote a script for the Auto Assembly 2009 script reading making fun of himself and Furmanisms. He was also present for Auto Assembly 2010 where he provided a Beast Wars related script.
* [[Furmanite]] and [[Simfur]] are obvious enough [[Jhiaxus (G2)|puns]] on his name.
* Due to the impact of Marvel UK's ''Transformers'' on a generation of British and Irish comic readers, ''House to Astonish'' only half-joked that Furman was the underrated influential writer of his generation.<ref>[http://www.housetoastonish.com/?p=3665 H2A: "Holds to Astonish: Mike Quackenbrush"]</ref> Known pros who grew up on his work include [[James Roberts]], [[Nick Roche]], [[Simon Williams]], [[John-Paul Bove]], and {{w|Kieron Gillen}}.

==See also==
* [[Furmanism]]
* 80% of this Wiki.

==External links==
* [https://twitter.com/simonfurman3 Simon Furman on Twitter]
* [http://simonfurman.wordpress.com/ Simon Furman's blog]
* [http://to-the-death.com/ To The Death homepage]
* [http://www.wildfur.net/ Homepage of Wildfur Productions], original properties by [[Andrew Wildman]] and Simon Furman.
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1084210/ Simon Furman on the Internet Movie Database]

===Interviews===
*1987—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPkGN5OaGAc Get Fresh]
*2001—[http://bottalk.com/board/showthread.php?t=115278 BotTalk]
*October 2002—Altered States Magazine ([http://web.archive.org/web/20021111210901/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com:80/features/qanda/sfurman_1.php Part 1], [http://web.archive.org/web/20021114055500/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/sfurman_2.php Part 2], [http://web.archive.org/web/20021220170307/http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/sfurman_3.php Part 3])
*August 2004—TransFans ([http://web.archive.org/web/20090914233035/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php Part 1], [http://web.archive.org/web/20090916001247/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman2.php Part 2])
*October 2004—[https://toynewsi.com/102-4557 Toy News International]
*October 2004—[https://www.seibertron.com/people/interviews/view.php?interview_id=9 Seibertron]
*June 2005—[http://web.archive.org/web/20050608031134/https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/thread75667.html Auto Assembly]
*October 2005—[http://web.archive.org/web/20051222005436/https://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=7960 Comic News International] (with [[Chris Ryall]])
*October 2006—[http://web.archive.org/web/20061023113632/http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=8665 CBR]
*2007—[http://web.archive.org/web/20071023034941/http://www.scifi.co.uk/hub/interview_transformers.asp Sci Fi Channel]
*2007—[http://web.archive.org/web/20071021035303/http://fractalmatter.com/main/?p=538 Fractal Matter] (with Chris Ryall)
*August 2007—[http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/33678 Ain’t It Cool News]
*April 2007—[http://web.archive.org/web/20070927043424/https://comicnewsi.com/article.php?catid=208&itemid=9670 CNI]
*April 2007—IDW Q&A 1 (questions [http://web.archive.org/web/20070907114736/https://www.idwpublishing.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=705 #1-15], [https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/five-questions-and-answers/ #16-20])
*December 2007—IDW Q&A 2 (questions [http://web.archive.org/web/20120510005733/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=42871 #1-15], [https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/another-quick-qa/ #16-20])
*July 2008—[http://web.archive.org/web/20081117222107/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080725-SDCCIDWTformers.html Newsarama] (with [[Chris Mowry]] and [[Shane McCarthy]])
*July 2008—[https://www.cbr.com/cci-idw-rolls-out-more-transformers-in-09/ CBR] (with Chris Ryall)
*December 2008—IDW Q&A 3 (questions [http://web.archive.org/web/20081209144812/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=5032 #1-15], [https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2008/12/06/its-qa-time-again/ #16-20])
*July 2009—[http://mindlessones.com/2009/07/20/transformers-terminators-and-the-rest11-questions-with-simon-furman/ Mindless Ones]
*July 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20110612025753/https://hombreimaginario.deviantart.com/art/Interviews-10-Simon-Furman-130246343 Transformers Hispanos]
*July 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20090729035544/http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/100/1006780p1.html IGN]
*November 2009—[http://www.reviewgraveyard.com/00_interviews/09-11-20_simon-furman.html Review Graveyard]
*November 2009—[http://www.scifilondontv.com/audio/Simon_furman2.mp3 Sci-Fi-London] (defunct)
*December 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20100425000741/https://geeksyndicate.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/q-a-with-transformers-comic-writer-simon-furman/ Geek Syndicate]
*August 2010—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSyBtqe67uk Moonbase 2]
*March 2011—IDW Q&A 4 (questions [https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/that-ol-qa-thing/ #1-6], [http://web.archive.org/web/20110830031839/http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=9505 #7-18])
*April 2011—[http://web.archive.org/web/20110430094502/http://www.newsarama.com/comics/transformers-fans-petition-idw-110425.html Newsarama]
*May 2011—The Allspark ([https://www.allspark.com/2011/05/allsparkcom-interview-with-simon-furman-part-1/ Part 1], [https://www.allspark.com/2011/06/allsparkcom-interview-with-simon-furman-part-2/ Part 2])
*February 2011—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8cKFa2GA1A Auto Assembly]
*October 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-underbase-aa2011-interviews-simon-furman-and-andrew-wildman The Underbase]
*January 2012—[http://web.archive.org/web/20120129013041/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=36515 CBR]
*February 2012—[https://www.allspark.com/2012/02/the-allsparkcom-interviews-transformers-writer-simon-furman/ The Allspark]
*March 2012—[https://www.freecomicbookday.com/Article/118631-FCBD-Interview-Wildman--Furman-Discuss-All-Things-Transformers Free Comic Book Day] (with [[Andrew Wildman]])
*November 2012—[https://www.allspark.com/2012/11/allspark-interview-with-regeneration-one-writer-simon-furman/ The Allspark]
*February 2014—[https://www.cbr.com/furman-shuts-down-marvels-transformers-continuity-with-idws-regeneration-one-100/ CBR]
*March 2014—[https://bleedingcool.com/comics/recent-updates/talking-with-simon-furman-about-the-final-chapters-of-transformers-regeneration-one/ Bleeding Cool]
*March 2014—[https://comicsverse.com/comicsverse-interviews-simon-furman/ ComicsVerse]
*December 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP3oEJFeBqc Urban Species Studios]
*February 2016—[https://eu.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2016/02/10/transformers-land-mobile-earth-wars/80167164/ USA Today]
*June 2016—[https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/070313/we-chat-to-simon-furman-about-how-transformers-earth-wars-relates-to-the-comics/ Pocket Gamer]
*June 2016—[https://www.vice.com/en/article/mvkjvp/comic-writer-simon-furman-discusses-three-decades-of-transformers-and-new-game-earth-wars-707 Vice]
*August 2016—[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/seibertron-interviews-simon-furman-from-the-past-to-the-death/36232/ Seibertron]
*August 2018—[https://venturebeat.com/2018/10/06/transformers-godfather-simon-furman-rolling-out-on-his-first-video-game/ VentureBeat]
*May 2020—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwqy-aVR10Y WonderCon@Home] (with [[John Barber]], [[David Mariotte]], [[Sam Maggs]], and [[Brian Ruckley]])
*December 2020—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2020/12/tmalts17 TransMissions]
*May 2021—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vpunNgHR4M The Great Derelict Podcast]
*May 2021—[https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-h8bcg-10434fb Talking Codswallop]
*August 2021—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tye_0Qe57qY Transformerspodden]
*June 2022—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHmQy1rT-k0 Ben's World of Transformers]
*June 2022—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q3q2wYPvNI Dollar Bin Bandits]
*January 2023—[https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zVnSGOzfwfIbro02yGhnJ AARGH! MY OPTICS!]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Furman, Simon}}
[[Category:Armada humans]]
[[Category:Classics humans]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Productions]]
[[Category:Editors]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame creators]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Mainframe Entertainment]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Maximals]]
[[Category:Movie Transformers]]
[[Category:Real people]]
[[Category:Revenge of the Fallen Transformers]]
[[Category:Titan]]
[[Category:Writers]]

The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds

2022-08-28T21:13:35Z

Charles RB: /* Production notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=50
|prev=Speak, Memory! (Part 2)
|next=No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases
|image=MTMTE50_regcvr.jpg
|title="The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds"
|caption="Why is it us? Why us?" "Because we're here, lad. Nobody else. Just us."
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[More than Meets the Eye issue 50|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]]
|date=[[February 24]], [[2016]] (digital, parts of Europe and Asia) [[March 9]], 2016 (rest of world)
|coverdate=February 2016
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]]
|inks by=Alex Milne and [[Brian Shearer]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]] (pg. 1-10), [[Priscilla Tramontano]] (pg. 11-15, 22-23, 27-32), [[John-Paul Bove]] (pg. 17-21, 24-26)
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[2005 IDW continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[2005 IDW timeline|Current era (2016)]]
}}
'''A psychic attack leads Team Rodimus back to the Necrobot's planet, where a mutiny in the ranks of the ''Lost Light'' spells their doom.'''

==Synopsis==
''On [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] receive a haunting transmission: a series of videos from crewmembers of the ''[[Lost Light]]''—[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]], [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]], [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]], [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Minimus Ambus]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]]—explaining that they are about to die and leaving individual instructions for how they wish to be interred. The broadcast also reaches [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], and the ''[[Weak Anthropic Principle]]'', but the ''Lost Light'' remains silent, unresponsive to any hailing requests. Optimus Prime proposes using the [[space bridge]] to go to their rescue, but Jetfire reveals the awful truth... the message claims the speakers have six hours left to live, but it was sent three weeks ago.''

[[File:HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds-rollout.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|We'd make a comment about jumping the cybershark, but face it; this series has already done a ''lot'' weirder stuff than this.]]
Three weeks earlier, the ''Lost Light''ers help liberate the planet [[Miliarium]] from the clutches of the [[Rust Giant]]s, with the super-strong [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] taking out their biggest, meanest member. [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]—remotely supervising the battle from the ship on account of his newfound pacifism—is a little prickly when he discovers that everyone hid from him the fact that Millarians are organic, but softens when [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] lets him give the "[[roll out]]" order.

A little later, after everyone has returned to the ship, Megatron holds the latest in a series of classes on the [[Knights of Cybertron]], and focuses his attention on the mysterious, gear-like hieroglyph that the crew have come upon several times in the course of their quest. Pooling their knowledge, the class concludes that the symbol is a kind of "coat of arms," representing just one of multiple clans that existed within the Knights' ranks. The discussion is interrupted, however, when Megatron suddenly reels in pain, clutching his head; when Minimus Ambus attempts to go to his aid, the ex-Decepticon reflexively lashes out, punching Minimus across the room. Horrified at his own actions, Megatron retreats to his quarters, where Velocity checks him over and administers his latest dose of [[Fool's Energon]]. She worries that the sedative could be the reason for Megatron's actions, as it has been known to cause fluctuations in a 'bot's personality, but he explains that he was bombarded with agonizing, screaming voices in his mind—an experience, it soon turns out, that a handful of ''other'' crew members also underwent at the same time, each hearing their own unique horrific sound. [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] are able to trace the signal of this "psychic attack" back to its source, and plans are quickly made to go and investigate.

The group all piles into the Rodpod: Rodimus, Magnus, the victims of the attack (Megatron, Tailgate, Rewind, Chromedome, Rung, and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]), their partners and friends ([[Ten]], [[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]], and [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]), "Team Rodimus" (Nightbeat, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]], and Nautica), and team doctor Velocity, who is convinced by Mainframe to bring Whirl along for extra muscle. [[Quantum generator|Quantum jumping]] to the signal's point of origin, the pod materializes in utter blackness, which the team soon realize means they have jumped ''inside'' a huge, hollow object. One more small jump to the object's surface, and they discover they have returned to the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s [[Necroworld|planet]]... but no sooner have they stepped out of the Rodpod than a squadron of attack craft suddenly appears in the skies and opens fire on them! Totally outnumbered, everyone boards the pod again and tries to quantum jump away, only to discover the teleport engines are dead. The team sets course for the Necrobot's fortress, but the Rodpod is shot down right in front of it; everyone manages to survive and haul themselves out of the wreckage before the Rodpod finally explodes.

[[File:Getawayunloads HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds.jpg|right|upright=1.6|thumb|''Hang on, how many bots died because Rod was inexperienced and ruinous?'']]
Taking cover inside the fortress, the team discovers the Necrobot's dead body in the middle of the floor. While Ravage sneaks out to examine the single enemy fighter they managed to bring down during the escape, Nightbeat snaps into analytical mode, and he and Brainstorm piece together what has occurred: the "psychic attack" was originally an ordinary transmission sent by their attackers to lure the group to the planet, but the fatally-wounded Necrobot, with the last of his strength, corrupted the signal in a failed attempt to warn them off. Using the Necrobot's computer, Rodimus re-establishes contact with the ''Lost Light''... but is shocked when the 'bot who answers his hail turns out to be [[Getaway]]! The escapologist explains that he has been freed from his cell by the ''entire crew'', who have finally tired of Rodimus's leadership and the way in which Megatron has been accepted into their ranks, and are staging a full-blown mutiny. Getaway and [[Atomizer]] have been planning this since before the ship left Cybertron, having identified all "Megatron sympathizers" through judicious questioning and application of Getaway's [[nudge gun]], and have now isolated and trapped them on the Necrobot's world, so that the rest of the crew can ''actually get on with their quest'' to find the Knights and save the Cybertronian race. Even the mystery attackers are part of their plan—attackers whose identities Megatron has already figured out, making him severely doubt Getaway's promise that nobody but Megatron will be harmed. As Getaway shuts off the comm-link, a wounded Ravage limps back inside to confirm his leader's suspicions: the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] has arrived... and everyone is going to die.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (1)
*[[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]] (2)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]] (4)
*[[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] (5)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (6)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (7)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] (10)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (12)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (13)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] (20)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (21)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]] (22)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (23)
*[[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]] (25)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (26)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (27)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (28)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (30)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] (31)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (32)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (33)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] (34)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (35)
*? (36) 
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]] (37)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (38)
*[[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] (39)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (40)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] (41)
*[[Hound (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hound]] (42)
*[[Xaaron]] (43)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (44)
*[[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]] (45)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] (46)
*[[Powerflash]]? (47) 
*[[Splashdown]]? (48) 
*[[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] (statue, 51)
*[[Getaway]] (53)
*[[Atomizer]] (54)
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (55)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (56)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (57)
*[[Siren (G1)|Siren]] (58)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (15)
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (16)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (17)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (18)
*[[Fulcrum]] (19)
*[[Ravage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ravage]] (49)
*[[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] (59)
*[[Tesarus (DJD)|Tesarus]] (60)
*[[Helex (DJD)|Helex]] (61)
*[[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]] (62)
*[[Blue Bacchus]] (63)
*[[Killbison]] (64)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drillhorn (G1)|Drillhorn]] (65)
*[[Leozack]] (66)
*[[Guyhawk]] (67)
*[[Vos (DJD)|Vos]] (68)
*[[Dominus Ambus|The Pet]] (69)
*[[Kaon (DJD)|Kaon]] (70)
{{!}}}
|c4=
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (8)
*[[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] (9)
*[[Rust Giant]]s (24)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]] (29)
*[[Ten]] (50)
*[[Mortilus|Censere]] (52)
}}

==Quotes==

"I was particularly impressed by '''your''' efforts, '''Riptide'''. You clearly put in a lot of work." 
"Did I pass?" 
"No, but I'll talk to you afterwards to explain why."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Riptide''' on the latter's academic skills

"I'm not usually a '''fan''' of group discussion, or brainstorming, or waiting for other people to stop speaking, but that was actually pretty impressive."
:—'''Nightbeat''', on the benefits of talking out a problem

"'''Stress''' is another side effect of the chemo-sedatives." 
"It's not stress." 
"How do you know?" 
"Because I've never been happier."
:—'''Velocity''' and '''Megatron'''

'''Ultra Magnus:''' "Hold on. Someone '''fired on us''' and you want to '''run towards the gun'''?" 
'''Rodimus:''' "'''Yep'''—and '''disarm''' them before they take another shot. It's a perfectly good plan! '''Team Rodimus''' are well up for it!" 
'''Ultra Magnus:''' "'''Is''' well up for it. Team Rodimus '''is''' well up for it. Singular. One team." 
'''Rodimus:''' "Whatever. Chop-chop!" 
'''Megatron:''' "When did you first realize that he uses '''bad grammar''' to distract you whenever you raise an objection to something he wants to do?" 
'''Ultra Magnus:''' "He does '''WHAT'''?"
:—'''Megatron''' evidently knows his co-captain better than '''Magnus'''

"This is the new '''teleport drive'''. Nautica built it as a '''thank-you present''' after I stopped going on and on about how much I wanted a teleport drive."
:—'''Rodimus'''

'''Rodimus:''' "I'm sorry if not all of us are catlike and unpanickable." 
'''Ultra Magnus:''' "Not a word." 
'''Rodimus:''' "Jeez, Magnus. Time and place." 
'''Ultra Magnus:''' "No, no, no. You can't have people throwing '''made up words''' around willy-nilly. There are impressionable 'bots on board." 
'''Brainstorm:''' "Magnus is right. Making up words leads to criminanarchy and pandebordination." 
'''Ultra Magnus:''' "Brainstorm! One more and you're on '''remand.'''"

"By what '''tortured logic''' did '''High Command''' conclude that letting an '''unrepentant mass murderer''' off the hook represented anything '''other''' than an '''insult''' to the memory of the '''billions''' he killed? Seriously—can someone explain to me how the war can end with the '''instigator''' being allowed to go about his business '''as if nothing happened'''? The death camps! The massacres! The cities razed to the ground! Apparently all of them were just '''missteps'''—painful but necessary—on Megatron's '''path to self-discovery'''! (...) By helping that '''maniac''' find peace you're excusing his past behavior. And so it falls to us—'''the 99%'''—to remind you how '''wrong''' this is. Forgiveness? Rehabilitation? Reintegration? No. Not him. Not now. Not ever."
:—'''Getaway'''

"I'm not a bad person. I just have strong beliefs."
:—Sure, '''Getaway'''. Sure

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*"Who doesn't want to survive the dying of the light?" Skids asked Nightbeat, back when they first visited Necroworld in "[[The Not Knowing]]"...
*Optimus and Jetfire are in the ''[[Skyroller]]'' when they receive the crew's message, outside [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]]'s "house," placing this story after the events of [[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|''The Transformers'' #50]].
*We see that the Scavengers were sent a copy of the recording of the crew's last requests too. Back in #45 Misfire mentioned that he had a 'contact' among the Autobots. In #46 [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fort Max]] confirmed that the Scavengers had been supplying Brainstorm with parts. It looks like Brainstorm hasn't broken his ties with his handlers after all, especially if he's sending messages to them in last-ditch pleas for help.
*When Nightbeat delivers his part of the message, he talks about how he can prepare himself "this time," and strokes the centre of his forehead: a reference to when he died before, shot right through the head, in ''[[Spotlight: Hardhead]]''.
*Nightbeat requests his funeral ceremony be Neoprimalist, the sect of Primalism that [[Flywheels]] was noted to belong to in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|issue #7]].
*Magnus sputters as he tries to say the word "fun," just as he did back in [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue #5]], but this time, he finally gets it out.
*Rung requests that, should he die in alt mode, he be disassembled—an allusion to the mystery of his alternate form, and the fact that, whatever it is, it may still be able to serve its purpose after his death.
*Chromedome mentions that this is the first time he and Rewind have "died together", alluding to both the "original" Rewind's death in [[Under Cold Blue Stars|issue #15]], and the death of Chromedome's quantum duplicate, as seen in [[slaughterhouse|issue #32]].
*Megatron was previously mentioned to be teaching a class of some sort in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]], of which Riptide was a student.
*Megatron mentions [[information creep]] during his class, the memory-altering mental malady mentioned before in [[Twenty Plus One|issue #31]]. In the same issue, it was established that Riptide was rubbish at exams, which is followed through on here as he fails his assignment in Megatron's class.
[[File:MTMTE50 megatron class dismissed.jpg|right|200px|thumb]]
*After Megatron strikes Minimus, he points his outstretched right arm at him with the wrist canted down. Clearly old habits are hard to break; this seemingly odd pose would, if Megatron still possessed his [[fusion cannon]] on his arm, point it straight at Minimus' head!
*The mysterious gear symbol raises its figurative head once again. Skids remembers how he saw it in [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|issue #21]], Thunderclash remembers seeing it in the map from his dreams in [[The Sensuous Frame|issue #41]], and Perceptor mentions that Rodimus drew it into his own map from [[The Not Knowing|issue #44]].
*Nautica recounts how she spent time on [[Troja Major]], where we know from [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]] she picked up a copy of ''[[Towards Peace]]''. She says she visited a "heritage museum"; presumably, this is the business run by Decepticon antiquarian [[Agonizer]], mentioned in [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|issue #45]] as having set up shop on the planet.
*Rodimus brings "Team Rodimus" together again, who were last referred to by that name back in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]] when they assembled to examine the alternate-Rodimus's coffin.
*The crew previously visited the Necrobot's planet in issue #44. Back in that issue, the Necrobot described it as a "shell of a world," quoting his departed friend [[Tusk]]. That line suddenly becomes a lot more literal with this issue's revelation that the planet is hollow.
*Note how Magnus's right arm takes a bad hit during the explosion of the Rodpod. It's deliberately kept off-panel for the remaining portion of the issue, likely to obscure the fact that the arm has been completely severed—'cause remember, as we know from [[The Gloaming|issue #16]] and [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|issue #21]], that's the arm containing [[Solomus|Tyrest]]'s recall switch/teleporter. No quick escapes with ''that'', Magnus!
*Brainstorm identifies the Necrobot's computers as using elements of the same technology as the guilt-detecting computer [[Aequitas]], from ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'', which is why everyone who suffers from the "psychic attack" experiences a unique, tailor-made terror.
*Getaway says he realised Rodimus was crap when he saw "that ridiculous Rodpod". Getaway's first response to the Rodpod waaaay back in "[[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss]]" was "And this guy is your ''leader''", while later including it in his freakout in "[[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|No Exit]]". And you thought these were just jokes!
*The full extent of Getaway and Atomizer's scheme is revealed, tying back into their attempt to dispatch Megatron from [[The Lopsided Triangle|issue #47]], and Atomizer's manipulation of Rodimus from [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]]. They obviously arrange to have Mainframe suggest that Whirl accompany Team Rodimus not because he holds any favour for Megatron, like the rest of the exiles, but because he discussed having second thoughts about Getaway's methods in #47.
*Getaway also mentions the only real side effect from the nudge gun and its memory wipes is a slight headache. Sure enough, Skids and Nightbeat mention having inexplicable headaches off-hand in [[The Sensuous Frame|#41]] and [[The Not Knowing|#44]], respectively, while Tailgate had one in [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|issue #40]] that was ''implied'' to be the result of too much drink, but about which we now know better. Finally, to spell it out for us, Whirl was shown having a headache after being nudge-gunned in [[The Lopsided Triangle|#47]].
**In Tailgate's case, that revelation also implicitly tells us who ''really'' told Getaway about Tailgate's deathbed confession; not Cyclonus, as Getaway claims, but Tailgate himself, who then had the memory of telling Getaway erased.
**Even sneakier, if one is to look back on the panel in issue #40 when Tailgate complains about his head hurting, Getaway's right hand is obscured by a table leg.
**In Whirl's case, considering the action he took against Megatron in #28 it is likely that he agreed to a potential mutiny from early on, right up until he had second thoughts about Getaway's extreme methods and Getaway decided he couldn't be relied upon.
*The Decepticon Justice Division allied with Deathsaurus' forces back in [[The Permanent Revolution|issue #39]]. 'Bots from that issue who appear among their team on the story's final page include Leozack, Killbison, Drillhorn, and Blue Bacchus.

===Real-life references===
*Both this multi-parter's title and this issue's sub-title are quotes from the poem "{{w|Do not go gentle into that good night}}," by {{w|Dylan Thomas}}. The work urges one to survive, to not willingly embrace death, to "Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
*Roberts has said the creepy video was meant to be an "ISIS-style" execution video,<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 05:40 to 6:00]</ref> referring to the {{w|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|infamous terrorist group}}'s habit of making victims spout propaganda before being killed on-screen.
*The planet Miliarium takes its name from the Latin word for "milestone," in reference to the 50-issue milestone ''More than Meets the Eye'' has reached.
*Velocity's ringtone ("I'm a doctor, not a performance artist!") is, of course, a spoof of [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]]'s catchphrase from the original ''[[Star Trek]]''. She notes it's a gift from Swerve, who has recently indulged himself in all of Earth's television, and refers to Velocity's decision to go into medicine rather than [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]]'s highly venerated performing arts.
*Getaway calls Team Rodimus's trip a "journey into mystery," referencing the {{w|Journey into Mystery|Marvel comic}} of the same name which introduced [[Thor]].
*"The 99%" is a populist political slogan, along with "the 1%": the 99% are the alleged majority being stepped on by the elites of the 1%.
*The concept of one small brave band of heroes facing down impossible odds as legions of enemies close in on their position, unable to retreat, is (as Roberts would acknowledge) lifted from the movie ''[[Zulu]]''—which the crew were shown watching back in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]], in a bit of very deliberate foreshadowing.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/707893702019129344 Roberts' twitter, 10 Mar 2016: "Because not even @tfwiki mentioned it: Zulu being played in #30 foreshadows events in TDOLL"]</ref> Swerve makes the reference explicit with his "Patients - '''thousands''' of 'em!" line.

===Errors===
*For his one-panel appearance, Scoop is his traditional orange, but he ought to be in [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]-green these days, since becoming part of [[Devastator (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Devastator]], as seen in [[All That Remains|''Windblade'' #3]].
*Hard to spot in the rust giant throng on the left of the double-page title spread is [[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]], recognizable by his shoulder cannons, square-head-thing, and the treads on his upper arms, which he had when he appeared on Cybertron in issue #29. This is the first time we've seen him among the ''Lost Light'' crew—but he's colored almost entirely cream instead of his normal red and blue. Not unlike his [[Slamdance (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' counterpart]], actually!
*In Fortress Maximus's early appearance, his name is misspelled "Fotress". This was corrected for the trade paperback collection.
*The headline on the [[Galactic Bulletin]] reads "AUTOBOTS LIBERATE MIL'''L'''ARIUM".
*When Rodimus first convenes the crew after the psychic attack, Brainstorm is missing his face vents.
*In the first shot of the Rodpod's interior, Nautica is missing her yellow accents; in the next panel, the centre of Skids' chest is miscolored blue.
*When Nightbeat discovers the Necrobot's body, his face is colored gray instead of yellow.
*When Skids mentions that Nightbeat and Censere had forged "something of a bond", Censere's name is misspelled "Censerre", with an extra R.
*In the panel that reveals the mutineers, Mainframe's face is colored wrong. The "divider" between his mouthplate and his visor is colored AS the visor, and his actual optic is colored like his forehead, making him look like he's kind of smugly squinting at Rodimus.
*In the group shot of the DJD and Deathsaurus's forces on the last page, Guyhawk is visible in the background, between Helex's legs, but he's colored grey and red with a green face, instead of his usual red and white.

===Production notes===
James Roberts went into lengthy detail about the comic at [http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Comics.]:
*Roberts had actually forgotten to ''do'' the Previously On page until late in the day! <ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 10:10 to 10:41]</ref>
*Originally the execution vid was going to open with a character buying it.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 05:55 to 06:12]</ref>
*The broadcast was inspired by the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' episode "{{w|The Pandorica Opens}}", where characters from across the series cameo at the start. This was to 'ground' the comic into the continuity of its sister titles, as ''MTMTE'' is usually detached from the rest of the line and Roberts wanted to nod to it.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 06:45 to 8:24]</ref>
*Roberts (acknowledging some criticism of the strip being meandering) notes that previous stories had been very insular on the ship but here they are actually ''helping'' people at the start! This flags up that "Heroic Autobot" thing before it all goes wrong. Also intentional was Megatron deliberately giving non-lethal tactics to the Autobots.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 15:59 to 17:40]</ref>
*Megatron was going to teach classes in other issues but there was never space for it. Roberts used it as a way to give some love to lesser-seen characters by giving them a seat.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 22:50 to 23:40]</ref>
*Roberts was told that the are/is thing ''is'' grammatically correct in America. "I didn't know that." <ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 36:47 to 36:54]</ref>
*Alex Milne decided to put the flower in Censere's mouth.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 48:30 to 48:50]</ref>
*Roberts clarifies that Getaway was "treated in a way he would find objectionable" in the previous issue and while it "had to be" done that way due to his skills, it "plays into Getaway's larger plan" as "the rules" are clearly different for ''his'' crimes than Brainstorm or Megatron's.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 53:26 to 54:14]</ref>
*The mutineers shown are deliberately shown to be "B-listers you know and like and trust" for impact. Hoist is specifically there because of his Spotlight and Riptide because he'd once been a 'main' guy.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 54:15 to 55:11]</ref>
*It was noted that what Getaway is saying is similar to what fans were saying back when they learned about Auto-Megs.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 56:30 to 57:10]</ref>
*Roberts alludes to an unplanned reflection of ''[[Community]]'' that a fan noted: that every so often, ''Community'' would show what the main cast look like to other people and what they look like are arseholes.<ref>[http://www.orbitalcomics.com/orbital-directors-commentary-james-roberts-on-transformers-mtmte-50-audio/ Orbital Director’s Commentary – James Roberts on Transformers: MTMTE #50! - Track #1 58:30 to 1:00:00]</ref>

In a later interview with Guernsey Geekout, Roberts said that before Autobot Megatron showed up he'd have had the DJD coming after Drift.<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview with James Roberts, 1:27:00]</ref>

===Other notes===
*The "story so far" page that opens this issue recaps the entire series, summing up each individual story or multiparter with a simple description: a schism ([[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|''The Death of Optimus Prime'']]), an accident (issues [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|#1]]-[[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|2]]), a sparkeater ([[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]]), a virus (issues [[Life After the Big Bang|#4]]-[[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|5]]), a hostage situation ([[Interiors|issue #6]]), an interlude (issues [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|#7]]-[[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|8]]), a calling ([[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 annual]]), a ''Spotlight'' or two (''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]'' and ''[[The Waiting Game|Hoist]]''), a story (issues [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]-[[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|11]]), a mix-up ([[Before & After|issue #12]]), a night out ([[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|issue #13]]), a mistake ([[Remembrance Day|issue #14]]), a death ([[Under Cold Blue Stars|issue #15]]), a funeral ([[The Gloaming|issue #16]]), a lost moon ([[Remain in Light|issues #17-21]]), a diversion ([[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|issues #22-27]]), a trial (issues [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|#28]]-[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|30]]), an exodus ([[Twenty Plus One|issue #31]]), another ''Lost Light'' (issues [[slaughterhouse|#32]]-[[slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|33]]), a loss ([[Births, Deaths, and Interventions|issue #34]]), an alternate universe ([[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|issue #35]]), a race against time (issues [[Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|#36]]-[[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|38]]), an alliance ([[The Permanent Revolution|issue #39]]), a farewell ([[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|issue #40]]), a reunion (issues [[The Sensuous Frame|#41]]-[[The Frail Gaze|42]]), a sitcom ([[The One Where They Go to Earth|issue #43]]), an epiphany ([[The Not Knowing|issue #44]]), another interlude (issues [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|#45]]-[[Animals|46]]), a betrayal ([[The Lopsided Triangle|issue #47]]), and a resignation (issues [[Speak, Memory: Part 1|#48]]-[[Speak, Memory! (Part 2)|49]]).
*Megatron notes that it has been about a year since the ''Lost Light'' left Cybertron after his trial, meaning that about 18 months (one year plus the six-month gap between "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" and "season 2") have passed in the last two years' worth of comics.

===Soundtrack===
For all of "The Dying of the Light":
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCdBc5uByFQ Hurt]" by {{w|Johnny Cash}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/697906882363711489 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>

For this part alone:
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXYT2yy2s24 Heroes]" by {{w|David Bowie}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/699356951868743680 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROlCPlnCIfo Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe]" by {{w|Okkervil River}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/699357596449427456 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsOuOR7TNKc Nonphenomenal Lineage]" by {{w|Grandaddy}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/699359380072955905 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>
*"Family Tree" by TV on the Radio<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/704821189512974339 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>

===Crew manifest===
*Exiled: Brainstorm, Chromedome, Cyclonus, Megatron, Minimus Ambus, Nautica, Nightbeat, Ravage, Rewind, Rodimus, Rung, Skids, Swerve, Tailgate, Ten, Velocity and Whirl were effectively removed from the crew by Getaway's mutiny.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/28256-megatron-seeks-redemption-in-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-50-preview.html Preview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds}}

The Transformers: Robots in Disguise

2022-08-28T21:12:04Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig3|Robots in Disguise}}
[[File:RID vol1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"Ironhide, GoBots ahead!" "ATTACK!"]]
'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise''''' is a comic series begun by [[IDW Publishing]] in [[2012]]. The series initially focused on [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]] and the [[Autobots]] trying to organize peace among the [[NAIL]]s and [[Decepticons]] and bring [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to a new [[Golden Age]]. Later issues follow the adventures of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] as he reassumes command, the further exploits of the Transformers on [[Earth]] and the resurgence of [[Combiner|combination]] technology that ultimately culminates in Earth choosing to join the galactic community.

The series picks off from ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]'', the final issue of the previous [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing]], and intertwines with events from the first new series for 2012, ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'', forming with it the fourth major "act" of IDW's then ongoing [[2005 IDW continuity|Generation 1 continuity]].

The series dropped its subtitle with issue #35, becoming simply '''''The Transformers''''' to avoid confusion with the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'']] franchise. The series concluded with issue #57 and after a ''[[Revolution]]'' one-shot, was relaunched as ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' in November 2016.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise''/''The Transformers'' vol. 2 issues:|style=3 |prev=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|next=Optimus Prime (comic)|align=left|content=
*[[The Autonomy Lesson (issue)|#1]]
*[[The World & Everything in It|#2]]
*[[Stick Together|#3]]
*[[Devisive|#4]]
*[[A Better Tomorrow|#5]]
*[[Syndromica (1)|#6]]
*[[Interference Patterns|#7]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt (IDW)|#8]]
*[[Night and the City|#9]]
*[[Primus: All Good Things|Annual 2012]]
*[[Syndromica (2)|#10]]
*[[The End of the Beginning of the World|#11]]
*[[City on Fire|#12]]
*[[The Verge|#13]]
*[[Before the Dawn|#14]]
*[[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*[[Heavy Is the Head|#16]]
*[[Shockwaves|#17]]
*[[Second Exodus|#18]]
*[[Homecoming (IDW)|#19]]
*[[Three Monologues|#20]]
*[[Shockpoint|#21]]
*[[Soundwaves (issue)|#22]]
*[[Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|#23]]
*[[Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|#24]]
*[[The Dead Are Not Enough: Dark Cybertron Chapter 7|#25]]
*[[Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|#26]]
*[[Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|#27]]
*[[Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|#28]]
*[[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|#29]]
*[[Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|#30]]
*[[Earthfall Part 4: Full Fathom Five|#31]]
*[[Earthfall Part 5: I Dream of Wires|#32]]
*[[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
*[[The Crucible|#34]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|#35]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|#36]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|#37]]
*[[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
*[[First Contact (IDW)|#39]]
*[[The Possible Light|#40]]
*[[You, Me, and the Universe|#41]]
*[[Now and On Earth|#42]]
*[[South of Heaven|#43]]
*[[The Transgressors|#44]]
*[[The Nothing Man|#45]]
*[[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|#46]]
*[[Conquerors Part 2: Lagrange|#47]]
*[[Conquerors Part 3: Helden|#48]]
*[[Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion|#49]]
*[[The Transformers issue 50|#50]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|#51]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 3: The Medium and the Message|#52]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|#53]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|#54]]
*[[All Hail Optimus Part 6: No Fair Fights|#55]]
*[[White Light|#56]]
*[[White Heat|#57]]
*[[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|Revolution]]
}}

==Overview==
Based on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the series focuses on [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]]'s new government, and their attempts to lead and rebuild the primordial planet. They must deal with new arrivals daily —[[NAIL]]s, ex-[[Autobot]]s, and ex-[[Decepticon]]s, along with the Decepticons left around after [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]'s disappearance— and attempt to unify them all. The series employs consistent use of first-person narrative captions, with each issue being narrated by one of the central characters of the series: Bumblebee himself, ineffective in his leadership role and struggling to do anything about it; sanctimonious NAIL representative [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]]; [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]], trying his hand at legitimately gaining power through political manipulations; security chief [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], slowly turning to the dark side as his past weighs down on him; under-appreciated but perennially upbeat [[Wheeljack (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Wheeljack]]; and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]], who has seen a vision of the future and is trying to balance its meaning with present-day reality. Major supporting cast members include [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]], now employed as a secret assassin by Prowl with plans of her own; [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] and [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]], the former hoping that the war may be truly over and he can have a life of his own, the latter there to temper his optimism; and a retired [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]], now running [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]]. A small circle of Autobots, Decepticons and NAILS make up a recurring group of tertiary characters that includes [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], [[Sky-Byte (RID)|Sky-Byte]], [[Zetca]], and others.

[[File:RID28 subcvr.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|left|"Optimus, Kiss Players ahead!" "ATTACK!"]]
===Season 1===
Tensions run high following the apparent destruction of the ''[[Lost Light]]'', and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] plots to have [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] assassinate Bumblebee during a memorial for the ship. Prowl and Arcee foil the attempted murder thanks to Starscream, who sees no benefit to restarting the war, and begins to work with Bumblebee and Metalhawk to form a new united government for Cybertron. Though many Decepticons are provided with jobs and fall into line, [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] continues with mysterious experiments that result in Prowl, at the end of his tether and increasingly emotionally closed-off, executing him. Fortunately, Ironhide is able to prevent events snowballing into chaos by successfully petitioning to have the [[inhibitor/deterrence chip|I/D chips]] installed in the Decepticons turned off, restoring a sense of equality to the Transformer race. Ironhide then recruits the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] to join him in venturing into the wilderness to searching for the missing [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], only to go missing themselves. The other Autobots, Decepticons, and NAILs search for them, but discover a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] has returned to Cybertron. [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]] briefly awakens, to dub Starscream the "Chosen One" - destined leader of the Transformer race. Before Starscream can exploit this new standing to any great extent, Megatron makes a surprising return and is taken into custody, causing the Decepticons to riot in the streets. Megatron has secretly been working with a small team of Decepticons in Iacon to perfect the combination process, and he creates a new, more-powerful [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] out of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] and Prowl, who has been under the mind-control of the still-living Bombshell. Ironhide and the Dinobots return with the Aerialbots— now a combiner named [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]— and battle Devastator, while Megatron himself is neutralized by a failsafe created by Wheeljack. In the chaos, however, Starscream kills Metalhawk and uses his death to secure his position as sole ruler of Iacon, casting the Autobots and Decepticons out into the wilderness.

Simultaneously with this story arc, the adventures of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] are chronicled in a few side-story issues narrated by Orion himself. Alongside [[Garnak]], [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]], and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], Orion discovers that [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], and [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] are carrying out a plan of [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]'s that involves using the different ores of the [[Regenesis]] program to alter the future. With Megatron's defeat on Cybertron, Shockwave turns all his attention to his part of this plan, paving the way for the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" crossover event.

===Season 2===
[[File:TF48 cvrRI.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|right|"Starscream, nervous breakdown ahead!" "ATTACK!"]]
The setting shifts from Cybertron to Earth, Orion reclaims the name Optimus Prime and resumes leadership of the Autobots following Bumblebee's death, while [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]] becomes the new Decepticon leader. New additions to the main cast of Autobots include [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]], [[Jetfire (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jetfire]], [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sideswipe]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], while the Constructicons start working for Prowl. More of Galvatron's backstory is explored, harkening back to his role in the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]] against the Headmasters. The opening story of "Earthfall" chronicles Optimus and Galvatron's attempts to find the missing [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], who was absent after Metroplex returned to Cybertron.

Entering Earth's orbit, the crew of ''[[Ark-7]]'' is attacked by human-built missiles derived from Cybertronian technology. Unwilling to risk the ship, Optimus takes Arcee, Jazz, Sideswipe, Kup, and Prowl down to Earth in Sky Lynx, while Jetfire steers the ship into the Moon's orbit. When they arrive, Optimus, Kup, and Jazz meet the ex-Seeker [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]], who has been living a quiet life on Earth since before Cybertron's resoration. Once in the open, the three Autobots are placed under arrest by the [[Earth Defense Command]], who allied with the Decepticons shortly after "Dark Cybertron". The Autobots escape the EDC's custody and return to their ship, where they manage to track the signal of the "Mind Bomb" —a device which scrambles a Cybertronian's brainwaves— to an EDC base on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]]. Optimus leads an assault on the facility, and the Autobots rescue Alpha Trion, whom the EDC was holding captive. Trion explains that he was on Earth looking for the [[Enigma of Combination]], the artefact of [[Nexus Prime]], which allows for the creation of [[combiner]]s. The Autobots, Decepticons, and humans fight over the Enigma, which is in the possession of [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]], the CEO of the Onyx Corporation. The Decepticons finally acquire it, but Starscream's spy [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] steals it. Optimus returns to Cybertron, leading into the "[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]" crossover event.

Cybertron prepares to make formal first contact with [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] —one of the thirteen colony planets— via Metroplex's [[Space bridge|Spacebridge]]. Once he acquires the Enigma of Combination, Starscream uses Combiners, including the repaired Superion, the reformed [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], and the newly created [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], as pawns in a plot to manipulate the Camiens into forming an alliance with Cybertron. Caminus' [[Forgefire Parliament]] see Optimus as a living god, and he soon convinces them to unite with Cybertron. Receiving word of this alliance through his double agent [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]], Prowl returns to Cybertron with the Constructicons via the Spacebridge stolen from Onyx. Determined to prevent Starscream from forming an empire, Prowl forms Devastator and goes on a destructive rampage. Superion and Defensor stop Devastator and Prowl is arrested, but Starscream later uses the Enigma to integrate Scoop into the Constructicon Combiner. Rattrap betrays Starscream, frees the imprisoned Menasor and brings the Enigma of Combination to Prowl, who uses it to merge himself, Optimus, Ironhide, [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]] and [[Mirage (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Mirage]] into another Combiner: [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]. After Optimus Maximus emerges victorious in a final battle with the other four Combiners, Prowl is re-arrested, but he soon escapes custody and goes on the run.

[[File:TF50 regcvr.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|left|"Optimus, messiah complex ahead!" "ATTACK!"]]

In the aftermath of the Combiner Wars, Starscream and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] reopen diplomatic relations with more lost colonies, paving the way for the interplanetary [[Council of Worlds]]. A fresh wave of immigration reveals that Caminus is not the only religiously inclined civilization, and that the Transformers from other worlds also deify the [[Thirteen]] and Optimus Prime, much to his chagrin. Unsure of his place in this rapidly changing society, Optimus and his persistent agnosticism runs up against the [[Mistress of Flame]] and the [[Torchbearer]]s, who encourage him to use his status as a Prime to help those in need – including the population of Earth, supposedly one of the legendary thirteen colonies. Between Galvatron's attempts to conquer Earth and the machinations of the not-quite-human Blackrock, Optimus Prime uses his clout to make the unilateral – and controversial – decision to annex Earth into the Council of Worlds, sending ructions across Earth and Cybertron. In spite of many setbacks – including an increasingly paranoid and frazzled Starscream's attempts to undermine his authority using the Council of Worlds – Optimus attempts to mediate between Cybertronians and humans to prove his goodwill, culminating in blackmailing Soundwave into forming an alliance with the express intention of putting down Galvatron for good. Only his discovery of [[Metrotitan (G1)|Metrotitan]], slumbering beneath [[Monument Valley]], "proves" his supposed divinity and prompts the Council to reconsider their decisions. Metrotitan subsequently transforms into [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], a new Cybertronian embassy.

The creation of Autobot City kicks off the "[[Titans Return (comic)|Titans Return]]" crossover, as Metrotitan's transmissions across space awaken [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], the former Autobot leader thought dead since the early days of the Great War. Disgusted by the postwar order, Sentinel goes on a rampage across Cybertron and Earth, and in the process reveals his true identity as [[Infinitus]]: an ancient [[Titan Master]] from the bygone era of the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. Proclaiming himself and [[Sovereign]] as the heralds of [[Onyx Prime]]'s return, the two Titan Masters attempt to convince Optimus to stand with them, but Optimus and Soundwave fight back. In the aftermath, Prime and Soundwave rejoin the Autobots in Monument Valley, convinced that if the Autobots, Decepticons, NAILs, and colonists alike stand united, then together they will be enough to defeat the ancient menace.

Unbeknownst to Prime and his allies, however, an entirely different [[Baron Karza|alien threat]] stands poised to imperil the Earth, setting the stage for the ''[[Revolution]]'' crossover event. The final issue of the series, a ''Revolution''-tie in, sees aspiring scriptwriter Thundercracker and some unlikely allies defend the [[White House]] from [[Dire Wraith]]s.

==Creative team==
[[File:Barber and griffith.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Series writer [[John Barber]] (left) and artist [[Andrew Griffith]] (right).]]
The series is written by [[John Barber]], bringing to the book the eye for intricate continuity-handling and first-person-narrative flow that he implemented during his time on IDW's [[Dark of the Moon (comics)|''Dark of the Moon'' comics]]. Barber's ''[[Transformers: Foundation|Foundation]]'' co-creator [[Andrew Griffith]] is the regular artist, basing his depictions of many characters on the designs used for their [[Aligned continuity family]] counterparts in the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Fall of Cybertron|Fall of Cybertron]]'' video games, with [[Josh Perez]] on colors.

[[Livio Ramondelli]] is the regular artist for the Orion Pax side-story issues, drawing and coloring in his unique painterly style. [[Casey Coller]] provides "B" covers for the series, and has stepped in to provide occasional interior pages throughout the series, as have [[Brendan Cahill]] and [[Guido Guidi]], who also illustrated the 2012 annual. [[Joana Lafuente]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]] have also contributed colors. [[Marcelo Matere]] regularly provides retailer incentive variant covers for the series.

==Collections==
*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 1''''' ([[July 25]], [[2012]]) ISBN 1613772912 / ISBN 978-1613772911
:*Contains issues #1 to 5.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers and notes on issue #3 by the author/artists.

*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 2''''' ([[January 2]], [[2013]] ) ISBN 1613775415 / ISBN 978-1613775417
:*Contains issues #6 to 9.
:*Bonus material: cover gallery.

*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 3''''' ([[April 17]], 2013) ISBN 1613776268 / ISBN 978-1613776261
:*Contains Annual 2012 and issues #10 and #11.
:*Bonus material includes cover gallery, and Barber's script notes and Guidi's sketches for the Annual.

*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 4''''' ([[September 18]], 2013) ISBN 1613777655 / ISBN 978-1613777657
:*Contains issues #12 to #16.
:*Bonus material: cover gallery.

*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 5''''' ([[December 4]], 2013) ISBN 1613778368 / ISBN 978-1613778364
:*Contains issues #17 to #22.
:*Bonus material: cover gallery.

*'''''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1]]''''' ([[April 16]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1613778910 / ISBN 978-1613778913
:*Contains issues #23 and #24, as well as ''[[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Cybertron Chapter 1]]'' and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #23 to #25.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

<gallery>
File:RID vol1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:RID vol2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Andrew Griffith and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:RID vol3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by [[Brendan Cahill]] and Josh Perez
File:RID vol4.jpg|'''Volume 4'''; cover art by Andrew Griffith and Josh Perez
File:RID vol5.jpg|'''Volume 5'''; cover art by [[Casey Coller]] and Joana Lafuente
File:DC vol1.jpg|'''''Dark Cybertron'' Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
</gallery>

*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 1''''' (reissue) ([[May 21]], 2014) ISBN 161377964X / ISBN 978-1613779644
:*Contains issues #1 to #5.
:*New cover by Livio Ramondelli.
:*Bonus material: cover gallery and notes on issue 3 by Barber, Griffith, and Josh Perez

*'''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 2''''' ([[June 11]], 2014) ISBN 1613779984 / ISBN 978-1613779989
:*Contains issues #25 to #27, as well as ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #26 and #27, and ''[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|Dark Cybertron Finale]]''.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 1]]''''' ([[September 3]], 2014) ISBN 1631400401 / ISBN 978-1631400407
:*Contains issues #1 to #6, as well as "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]", and ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1 to #5.

*'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 6''''' ([[November 19]], 2014) ISBN 1631401645 / ISBN 978-1631401640
:*Contains issues #28 to #32
:*Bonus content includes covers of. each issue.

*'''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron''''' ([[February 11]], [[2015]]) ISBN 163140072X / ISBN 978-1631400728
:*Contains issues #23 to #27, as well as ''[[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Cybertron Chapter 1]]'', ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #23 to #27 and ''[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|Dark Cybertron Finale]]''.
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''The Transformers Volume 7: Combiner Wars First Strike''''' ([[April 8]], 2015) ISBN 1631402854 / ISBN 978-1631402852
:*Contains issues #33 to #38.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

<gallery>
File:RID vol1 reissue.jpg|'''Volume 1 reissue'''; cover art by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
File:DC vol2.jpg|'''''Dark Cybertron'' Volume 2'''; cover art by Phil Jimenez and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
File:IDWCollectionP2V1.jpg|'''''IDW Collection Phase 2 Vol. 1'''''; cover art by [[Saren Stone]]
File:RID vol6.jpg|'''Volume 6'''; cover art by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
File:DC HC.jpg|'''''Dark Cybertron'' Hardcover'''; cover art by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
File:RID vol7.jpg|'''Volume 7: ''Combiner Wars First Strike'''''; cover art by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
</gallery>

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2]]''''' ([[August 4]], 2015) ISBN 1631403648 / ISBN 978-1631403644
:*Contains issues #7 to #9, the ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' series, ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]'', ''[[The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist]]'', ''More than Meets the Eye'' #6–8, and ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]''.
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''The Transformers: Combiner Wars''''' ([[August 12]], 2015) ISBN 1631403869 / ISBN 978-1631403866
:*Contains issues #39 to #41, as well as the issues #1 to #3 of ''[[The Transformers: Windblade]]'' Volume 2.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''Transformers: Robots in Disguise Box Set''''' ([[December 2]], 2015) ISBN 1631404261 / ISBN 978-1631404269
:*Contains ''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' Volumes 1 to 5.
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3]]''''' ([[February 24]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631405403 / ISBN 978-1631405402
:*Includes the Annual 2012 and issues #10 and #11, as well as ''More than Meets the Eye'' Annual 2012 and #9 to #13, "[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Spotlight: Thundercracker]]", "[[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]", and "[[Spotlight: Megatron]]" and "[[Signal to Noise]]"
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''The Transformers Volume 8''''' ([[March 16]], 2016) ISBN 1631405853 / ISBN 978-1631405853
:*Contains issues #42 to #45.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''The Transformers Volume 9''''' ([[June 29]], 2016) ISBN 163140668X / ISBN 978-1631406683
:*Contains issues #46 to #49.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2'''''; cover art by Saren Stone
File:CW-TPB.jpg|'''''The Transformers: Combiner Wars'''''; cover art by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
File:RID-Box-Set.jpg|'''''Robots in Disguise Box Set'' slipcase'''; cover art by ???
File:IDWCollectionP2V3.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3'''''; cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Tom B. Long]]
File:RID vol8.jpg|'''Volume 8'''; cover art by Andrew Griffith and Josh Perez
File:RID vol9.jpg|'''Volume 9'''; cover art by Andrew Griffith and [[Klaus Scherwinski]]
</gallery>

*'''''The Transformers Volume 10''''' ([[October 5]], 2016) ISBN 1631407481 / ISBN 978-1631407482
:*Contains issues #50 to #55.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4]]''''' ([[October 12]], 2016) ISBN 1631407155 / ISBN 978-1631407154
:* Includes issues #12 to #18, as well as the ''[[The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity]]'' series, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #14 to #16.

*'''''The Transformers: Titans Return''''' ([[January 14]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631408216 / ISBN 978-1631408212
:*Contains issues #56 and #57, as well as the ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #56 and #57.
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 5|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 5]]''''' ([[February 22]], 2017) ISBN 1631408445 / ISBN 978-1631408441
:* Contains issues #19 to #22, as well as the ''[[The Transformers: Primacy|Primacy]]'' series, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' #17 to #22.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 59: Dark Cybertron, Part 1''''' ([[June 14]], [[2017]])
:*Hardcover collection of ''Dark Cybertron'' issue #1, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #23–25, and ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #23–24.
:*Bonus content includes a bio on the Titans and the making of Dark Cybertron with John Barber and James Roberts.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 64: Windblade''''' ([[August 9]], 2017)
:*Contains issues #35 to #38, as well as ''[[The Transformers: Windblade]]'' issues #1 to #4.
:*Includes a bio for Windblade, an overview of her conception, pictures of her ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toy, and early design sketches by Hasbro.

<gallery>
File:RID vol10.jpg|'''Volume 10'''; cover art by Casey Coller and [[John-Paul Bove]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V4.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:TitansReturn TPBcvr.jpg|'''''Titans Return'' TBD'''; cover art by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V5.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 5'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v59.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 59: Dark Cybertron, Part 1'''''; cover art by [[Guido Guidi]] (Ratchet) and [[Phil Jimenez]]/[[Andrew Griffith]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v64.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 64: Windblade'''''; cover art by Guido Guidi and [[Saren Stone]]
</gallery>

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 6|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 6]]''''' ([[October 18]], 2017) ISBN 1684050855 / ISBN 978-1684050857
:* Contains issues #23 to #27, as well as ''[[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Cybertron Chapter 1]]'', ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #23 to #27, ''[[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|Dark Cybertron Finale]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Windblade]]'' issues #1 to #4.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 75: Titans Return, Part 1''''' ([[February 7]], [[2018]])
:* Hardcover collection of ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' issues #1 to #4, ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, ''The Transformers vol. 2'' issues #56 to #57, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' #56 to #57.
:* Bonus content '''unknown'''.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 60: Dark Cybertron, Part 2''''' ([[February 21]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #25 to #27, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #26 to #27 and ''Dark Cybertron: Finale'' one-shot.
:* Bonus content '''unknown'''.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 71: All Hail Optimus''''' ([[March 7]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''The Transformers vol. 2'' issues #50 to #55.
:* Bonus content '''unknown'''.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7]]''''' ([[March 21]], 2018) ISBN 1684051495 / ISBN 978-1684051496
:* Contains issues #28 to 34, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #28 to #34.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 62: Earthfall''''' ([[August 8]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #28 to #34.
:* Bonus content '''unknown'''.

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V6.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 6'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v75.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 75: Titans Return, Part 1'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Arcee) and [[Livio Ramondelli]] (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v60.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 60: Dark Cybertron, Part 2'''''; cover art by [[Mark Brooks]] (Brainstorm) and [[Andrew Griffith]] (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v71.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 71: All Hail Optimus'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Sky Lynx) and Livio Ramondelli (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V7.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v62.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 62: Earthfall'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Galvatron) and [[Andrew Griffith]] (retro)
</gallery>

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 65: Combiner Wars''''' ([[October 31]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #39 to #42 and ''Windblade'' vol. 2 issues #1 to #4.
:* Bonus content '''unknown'''.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8]]''''' ([[December 5]], 2018) ISBN 1684053722 / ISBN 978-1684053728
:* Contains issues #35 to #38, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #35 to #40, ''[[The Transformers: Punishment]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]''

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 54: A Better Tomorrow''''' ([[April 3]], [[2019]])
:*Collects ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #1 to #7
:*Bonus material includes a new interview from by John Barber.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 58: Shockpoint''''' ([[May 15]], 2019)
:*Collects ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #15 to #22
:*Bonus material includes a 2-page history of IDW Shockwave's history-setting plans.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9]]''''' ([[June 19]], 2019) ISBN 1684054842 / ISBN 978-1684054848
:* Contains issues #39 to #43, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #41 to #44, and ''Windblade'' vol. 2 issues #1 to #5.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 67: Conquerors''''' ([[July 24]], 2019)
:*Collects ''The Transformers vol. 2'' issues #43 to #49 and the ''[[An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters]]'' one-shot
:*Bonus material includes development art by Andrew Griffith, a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

<gallery>
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v65.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 65: Combiner Wars'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Defensor) and Livio Ramondelli (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V8.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v54.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 54: A Better Tomorrow'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa and [[Andrew Griffith]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v58.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 58: Shockpoint'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa and Livio Ramondelli
File:IDWCollectionP2V9.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v67.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 67: Conquerors'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa and Andrew Griffith
</gallery>

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 56: City On Fire''''' ([[October 2]], 2019)
:*Collects ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #8 to #14 and the 2012 Annual.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10]]''''' ([[January 1]], [[2020]]) ISBN 1684055849 / ISBN 978-1684055845
:* Contains issues #44 to #45, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #45 to #49, and ''Windblade'' vol. 2 issues #6 to #7, the ''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]'' miniseries, the ''[[An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters]]'' one-shot and "[[Choose Me]]" and "[[The Thirteenth Day of Christmas]]" from ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]''.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11]]''''' ([[June 17]], [[2020]]) ISBN 1684056403 / ISBN 978-1684056408
:* Contains "[[Silent Light]]" from ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Redemption]]'', ''The Transformers'' vol. 2 issues #46 to #50, and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' issues [[More than Meets the Eye issue 50|#50]] to [[The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|#55]].

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 12|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 12]]''''' ([[February 10]], [[2021]]) ISBN 1684057469 / ISBN 978-1684057467
:* Contains ''The Transformers'' vol. 2 issues #51 to #57, ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' issues [[07:00:00|#1]] to [[The Line Between Us|#4]], [[The Last Autobot|''Titans Return'' #1 one-shot]] and ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' issues [[Ten to Midnight|#56]] to [[Last Light (issue)|#57]].

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 1|The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 1]]''''' (September ???, [[2021]] ''*scheduled*'') ISBN 1684058422 / ISBN 978-1684058426
:* Contains ''[[Revolution]]'' [[Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|#0]]–[[Valley Forge|5]], ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'': [[Informed|Revolution one-shot]], ''The Transformers'': [[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|Revolution one-shot]], [[The Modern World|''Action Man'': Revolution one-shot]], ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'': [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|Revolution one-shot]], ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' [[Ping|#5]]–[[Rubicon|8]] and ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' [[Crisis Intervention|#1]]–[[The Iron Klaw|4]].

<gallery>
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v56.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Vol. 56: City On Fire'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Sludge) and Andrew Griffith (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V10.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:IDWCollectionP2V11.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:IDWCollectionP2V12.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection, Phase Two, Vol. 12''''' cover by Marcelo Matere
File:IDWCollectionP3V1.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection, Phase Three, Vol. 1'''''; cover art by ???
</gallery>

===Japanese reprints===
The Japanese reprinted editions have been published from [[Villagebooks]]. Bonus material includes: art from all covers, appearance character commentary, includes a booklet with a commentary written by [[Akihisa Koike]] and [[Yūjin Ishikawa]].

* '''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 1''''' ([[September 28]], [[2019]])
** Collects issues #1-5.
** Translated by Yūjin Ishikawa and [[Ken Rose]].
** There are two covers, regular and exclusive. Produced exclusively for the [https://www.amazon.co.jp/ Amazon.co.jp], [http://versecomics.jp/ verse COMICS], [https://www.shosen.co.jp/ Shosen book tower], [http://blistercomics.jp/?mode=grp&gid=2006960 BLISTER comics] and [https://mamegyorai.jp/net/default.aspx Mamegyorai].

* '''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 2''''' ([[March 28]], [[2020]])
** Collects issues #6-10 and the 2012 Annual.
** Translated by Yūjin Ishikawa and [[Shiori Miyo]].

* '''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 3''''' ([[November 30]], [[2020]])
** Collects issues #11-16.
** Translated by Yūjin Ishikawa and [[Ruby Shōma James]].

* '''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 4''''' ([[August 2]], [[2021]])
** Collects issues #17-22.
** Translated by Akihisa Koike.

* '''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1''''' ([[March 25]], [[2022]])
** Collects issues #23-24, ''Dark Cybertron'' #1 and ''More than Meets the Eye'' #23-25.
** Translated by Akihisa Koike.

* '''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 2''''' ([[March 25]], [[2022]])
** Collects issues #25-27, ''More than Meets the Eye'' #26-27, and ''Dark Cybertron Finale''.
** Translated by Akihisa Koike.

<gallery>
File:Villagebooks RID vol1 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Kazumasa Yasukuni]]. [[Media:Unite Cover.jpg|Unite MTMTE vol.1 cover]].
File:Villagebooks RID vol1 exclusive cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1 exclusive cover'''''; cover art by [[DAI-XT]].
File:Villagebooks RID vol2 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 2 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Yuki Ohshima]].
File:Villagebooks RID vol3 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 3 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]].
File:Villagebooks RID vol4 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 4 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Takeshi Nakamura]].
File:Villagebooks DC vol1 cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1'''''; cover art by Kazumasa Yasukuni.
File:Villagebooks DC vol2 cover.jpg|'''''Volume 2'''''; cover art by Kazumasa Yasukuni.
</gallery>

==Notes==
*Barber, like James Roberts, was told to assume their comics would last a year. Then it became lasting sixteen issues. And then Hasbro wanted ''Dark Cybertron''. And then...<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview with James Roberts, 1:22:30]</ref>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robots in Disguise}}
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]

The Transformers: Lost Light

2022-08-28T21:10:42Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the comic series|the titular starship|Lost Light}}
[[File:LL1_regcvr.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|[[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|His light died]], so Rodimus decided to get this [[Black Rodimus Convoy|cool bad guy deco]].]]
'''''The Transformers: Lost Light''''' is a finished comic series, a rebranded version of and sequel to ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]''. Debuting in [[Calendar|December]] [[2016]], it ran alongside sister titles ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]''. The story is basically 'Season 3' of ''More Than Meets The Eye'' and leads up to "the grand finale" over two years. <ref>[https://boroughcon.com/2017/04/revealing-greatness-with-james-roberts/ Interview with Boroughcon]</ref> ''Lost Light'' concluded with issue #25 in November [[2018]] as part of the ending of the IDW Universe.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers: Lost Light'' issues|align=center|prev=The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|content=
*[[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|#1]]
*[[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|#2]]
*[[Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|#3]]
*[[Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|#4]]
*[[Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production|#5]]
*[[Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|#6]]
*[[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|#7]]
*[[An Axe to Break the Ice|#8]]
*[[Chasing the Infinite|#9]]
*[[The Plotters' Club (Part 1): Full Circle|#10]]
*[[The Plotters' Club (Part 2): Filling in the Blanks|#11]]
*[[The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|#12]]
*[[Sardines|#13]]
*[[The Ties That Bind (issue)|#14]]
*[[Kill All 'Cons|#15]]
*[[The Everlasting Voices (1): Metastasis|#16]]
*[[The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|#17]]
*[[The Everlasting Voices (3): You Are Here|#18]]
*[[Crucible (Part 1): A Dance Before Dying|#19]]
*[[Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|#20]]
*[[Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|#21]]
*[[Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|#22]]
*[[Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|#23]]
*[[Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|#24]]
*[[How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2|#25]]
}}

==Overview==
In the wake of the confrontation with the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] on [[Necroworld]], the marooned [[Team Rodimus]] attempts to return to the ''[[Lost Light]]'' with the help of the "[[Disappeared]]"—the various [[time travel]]ling Transformers plucked from across time and space. Among them are runaway [[blacksmith]]-turned adventurer [[Anode]] and her partner [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]], who struggle to adjust to the present day as they deal with demons from their past.

Before Team Rodimus can get offworld, a rogue [[geobomb]], courtesy of the [[Galactic Council]] shunts the planet into an entirely different universe. When Rodimus and a small crew of Autobots attempt to return to Cybertron, they find themselves in the middle of [[Functionist Universe|an alternate Cybertron]], where [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] was never born and [[Functionism]] reigns supreme. The ''Lost Light'' crew find themselves embroiled in the Council's plot to consolidate their power by crushing the heroic [[Anti-Vocationist League]] and their supporters. With the help of the native universe's [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] — his true function finally revealed — the Autobots manage to foil their plan and return home... but accidentally leave Megatron behind. Taking command of the AVL, Megatron and his old friend [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] start their revolution anew.

The crew of the ''Lost Light'' finally get offworld in a mass displaced [[Skip|Decepticon]], but Tailgate, his mutating [[Outlier (group)|outlier]] powers growing increasingly destructive and erratic, volunteers to stay behind in the hopes that a cure can be found for his condition. [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]], his pride wounded by an earlier encounter with the super-powered Autobot, takes advantage of the situation to bury him alive for another six million years.

{{issuestub|remainder of series}}

==Creative team==
[[File:James Roberts and Jack Lawrence.jpg|thumb|300px|Series writer [[James Roberts]] (left) and artist [[Jack Lawrence]] (right)]]
[[James Roberts]] returns as the writer. Due to IDW editorial wanting a fresh artistic start, UK artist [[Jack Lawrence]] replaces previous MTMTE mainstay [[Alex Milne]], with Milne providing alternate covers for issues.<ref>[http://www.forcesofgeek.com/2016/07/sdcc-idw-announces-post-revolution-debuts.html SDCC – IDW Announces Post-Revolution Debuts!]</ref> Milne later provided art for issue #13 of the series. [[Joana Lafuente]] continues to provide colours for most issues, continuing from MTMTE #29.

[[Priscilla Tramontano]] provided art for #8-#9, while [[Andrew Griffith]] covered the four page interlude of issue #12. The 'Scavengers' arc from #14-15 had its art duties shared by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] and [[Brendan Cahill]]. [[E. J. Su]] returned to the Transformers series for the beginning of the series final arc, issue #19. Scheduled for bi-monthly release until its end, Cahill will return for #22 and #24, with [[Casey Coller]] working on #20.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1014524949179109378, James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2018/07/04]</ref>

==Soundtrack==
Continuing the tradition started in ''MTMTE'', Roberts posted songs on his Twitter as an unofficial soundtrack for each issue leading up to their release. As its predecessor's third "season", it gets its own theme song. Additionally, in October of 2018, leading up to the release of issue #25, Roberts built up a playlist for the series including a mixture of new and old songs; the new ones are listed here.
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxHRXFFigZ0 Graycoated Morning]" by {{w|David & the Citizens}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/778020170325454848 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2016/09/20] — "Oh, alright then. Here's your first musical taste of Transformers: Lost Light. Play loud. No, no - louder."</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7mRYLJLB2w Still Fighting it]" by {{w|Ben Folds}} — theme song for Rung<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1037473125217255425 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2018/09/05] — "And while we’re sharing songs - and given what happened in issues 22 and 23 - now seems like a good time to finally unveil Rung’s theme"</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQmca0NLuq8 Small World]" by {{w|Roddy Frame}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1046851766887829505 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2018/10/01]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXHd4E-YBx0 Wild Roses]" by {{w|Bill Ryder-Jones}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1048190630277664768 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2018/10/05]</ref>
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWWwKDttHnM "Nobody Does it Better]" by {{w|Carly Simon}} — theme song for Skids<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1182796694259404800 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2019/10/11]</ref>

==Collections==
*'''''Transformers: Lost Light''''' Vol. 1 TPB ([[October 25]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631409921 / ISBN 978-1631409929
:Contains issues #1 to #6.
:Bonus material includes a cover gallery.

*'''''Transformers: Lost Light''''' Vol. 2 TPB ([[February 14]], [[2018]]) ISBN 1684051487 / ISBN 978-1684051489
:Contains issues #7 to #12.
:Bonus material includes a cover gallery.

*'''''Transformers: Lost Light''''' Vol. 3 TPB ([[August 15]], 2018) ISBN 1684053315 / ISBN 978-1684053315
:Contains issues #13 to #18.
:Bonus material includes a cover gallery.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 79: Primeless''''' ([[November 14]], 2018)
:Contains issues #9 to #12, along with ''Optimus Prime'' #9 to #12.
:Bonus material includes a one-page editorial by [[Simon Furman]] that mentions the IDW universe's impending end, a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

*'''''Transformers: Lost Light''''' Vol. 4 TPB ([[January 30]], [[2019]]) ISBN 1684054109 / ISBN 978-1684054107
:Contains issues #19 to #25.
:Bonus material CURRENTLY UNKNOWN.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 77: Dissolution''''' ([[September 4]], 2019)
:Contains issues #1 to #8.
:Bonus material includes a sketch gallery by [[Jack Lawrence]], a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

<gallery>
File:LLvol1 TPBcvr.jpg|'''Vol. 1''' cover by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:LLvol2 TPBcvr.jpg|'''Vol. 2''' cover by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:LLvol3 TPBcvr.jpg|'''Vol. 3''' cover by Jack Lawrence and Joana Lafuente
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v79.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 79: Primeless''''' cover by [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Livio Ramondelli]]
File:LLvol4 TPBcvr.jpg|'''Vol. 4''' cover by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v77.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 77: Dissolution''''' cover by [[Dreamwave Productions]] and Jack Lawrence
</gallery>

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 86: The Everlasting Voices''''' ([[July 1]], [[2020]])
:Contains issues #13 to #18.
:Bonus material includes the first half of ''[[Transformers: Historia]]'' (up to ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''), including the [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] profile, a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 87: Crucible''''' ([[July 29]], 2020)
:Contains issues #19 to #24.
:Bonus material includes the second half of ''Transformers: Historia'', including the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] profile, a cover gallery and an intro by Simon Furman.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 88: Unicron''''' ([[August 26]], 2020)
:*Contains ''[[Transformers: Unicron]]'' issues [[Our Darkest|#0]] to [[Ceremony|#6]], as well as ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' [[Post|#25]] and ''Lost Light'' #25.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery, the Hasbroverse backup comics and creator interviews, and an intro by [[Simon Furman]].

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2|The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2]]''''' ([[April 6]], [[2022]]) ISBN 1684058775 / ISBN 978-1684058778
:* Contains ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' [[Heavy|#9]]–[[Your First Mistake|12]], ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' [[New Cybertron Part 1: To Walk Among the Chosen|#1]]–[[New Cybertron End: Feel Safe Without Regrets|6]] and ''Lost Light'' [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|#1]]–[[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|7]].

*'''''[[Transformers: Best of Hot Rod]]''''' ([[May 4]], [[2022]])
**Collects ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy]]'' #10: "[[Rise]]", ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'': "[[Spotlight: Hot Rod|Hot Rod]]", [[Marvel Comics]]' [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #254: "[[White Fire]]", ''Lost Light'' #20, ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' #100: "[[The War to End All Wars, Part 5]]", and Marvel Comics' [[Transformers Annual 1989]]: "[[Peace]]".

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 3|The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 3]]''''' ([[September 27]], 2022 ''*scheduled*'') ISBN 1684059070 / ISBN 978-1684059072
:* Contains ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' [[Strange Visitors|#5]]–[[Ghost in the Machine (IDW)|8]], ''Lost Light'' [[An Axe to Break the Ice|#8]]–[[The Plotters' Club (Part 3): Journey's End|12]], ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' [[The Next Day, and the Next|#7]]–[[Origin_Myths|10]], [[Ghost Stories|''Transformers'' Annual 2017]] and ''[[The Transformers: Salvation]]''.

<gallery>
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v86.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 86: The Everlasting Voices''''' cover by Dreamwave Productions and Jack Lawrence
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v87.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 87: Crucible''''' cover by Dreamwave Productions, [[Casey Coller]] and [[Tom B. Long]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v88.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 88: Unicron''''' cover by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[Alex Milne]]
File:IDWCollectionP3V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 2''''' cover art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
File:BestOfHotRod cvr.jpg|'''''Transformers: Best of Hot Rod'''''; cover art by [[James Biggie]]
File:IDWCollectionP3V3.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection, Phase Three, Volume 3'''''; cover art by Sara Pitre-Durocher
</gallery>

==Notes==
*Roberts had always planned the series would end with them running into the Knights in some way and facing a vague threat, such as Unicron or Quintessons, linked to them, but it's around the time of ''Lost Light'' he'd decided on that final threat being the Functionists.<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview with James Roberts, 1:22:30 to 1:27:00]</ref>
*As with the previous series, bear in mind that James Roberts writes the series with the characters in general all having his English accent.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1024666474500313089 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2018/08/01]</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lost Light}}
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]
[[Category:Lost Light issues| ]]

The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

2022-08-28T21:09:16Z

Charles RB: /* Other notes */

{{disambig3|More than Meets the Eye}}
[[File:MTMTE1 cvrE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|All of your favorite childhood heroes... and Drift.]]
'''''The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye''''' was an ongoing comic series published by [[IDW Publishing]], starting in January [[2012]]. This series follows the adventures of [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] and his team as they travel through space, hunting for the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]] (so they tell themselves) and having adventures along the way. But mostly it's about lonely nobodies hanging out pretending they have friends.

The series picks off from ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]'', the epilogue to the previous [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing]], and takes place at the same time as a second ongoing series, ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'', which together form the fourth major "act" of IDW's then-ongoing [[2005 IDW continuity|Generation 1 continuity]].

Critics in wider comic and sci-fi fandom have praised it, with many a gushing article<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/02/transformers-lost-light-comic-same-sex-partnerships The Guardian (2nd December 2016): "Kiss me, Chromedome: how the Transformers found peace and same-sex partnerships"]</ref><ref>[http://comicsalliance.com/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-lost-light/ Comics Alliance, July 26 2016: "The End Of 'Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye,' And Why It Was (And Probably Will Be) The Best Book On The Stands"]</ref> and [[#Recognition|award nomination]]. The politics, the plotting, and the gender and sexual politics have all come in for favoured nods. Most of fandom holds up 'season 1' as one of the top ''Transformers'' stories ever, though 'season 2' had more criticism and claims of shark-jumping from ''Transformers'' fans (though not critics) after the "Elegant Chaos" storyline.

The series concluded with issue #57, followed by a ''[[Revolution]]''-branded one-shot (which proved polarizing as fans either loved the barbed satire about crossover events or really didn't), before relaunching with a new artistic creative team as ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' in December 2016.

{{quote
|"Everyone on board the ''Lost Light'' is '''cracked in the head!'''"

"Yeah, '''dysfunctional''' isn't the word! There isn't a '''normal''' 'bot among you!"

"And that wouldn't be so bad if you actually '''made progress'''—but as far as I can make out, all you do is '''argue''', crack jokes, and get '''sidetracked''' doing pointless, silly things that only you find amusing!"
|Various members of the '''Circle of Light'''
|"[[Little Victories]]"
|noquote=true
|center=true
}}

{{chapters|series=mtmte|style=3 |prev=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|next=The Transformers: Lost Light|align=left|content=
*[[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|#1]]
*[[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|#2]]
*[[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|#3]]
*[[Life After the Big Bang|#4]]
*[[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]]
*[[Interiors|#6]]
*[[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|#7]]
*[[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Annual 2012]]
*[[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]]
*[[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]
*[[Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|#10]]
*[[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|#11]]
*[[Before & After|#12]]
*[[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|#13]]
*[[Remembrance Day|#14]]
*[[Under Cold Blue Stars|#15]]
*[[The Gloaming|#16]]
*[[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|#17]]
*[[Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|#18]]
*[[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|#19]]
*[[Remain in Light 4 of 5: Arm the Lonely|#20]]
*[[More than Meets the Eye issue 21|#21]]
*[[Little Victories|#22]]
*[[Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|#23]]
*[[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|#24]]
*[[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|#25]]
*[[Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|#26]]
*[[The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|#27]]
*[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|#28]]
*[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|#29]]
*[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|#30]]
*[[Twenty Plus One|#31]]
*[[Slaughterhouse|#32]]
*[[slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|#33]]
*[[Births, Deaths, and Interventions|#34]]
*[[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|#35]]
*[[Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|#36]]
*[[Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet|#37]]
*[[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|#38]]
*[[The Permanent Revolution|#39]]
*[[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|#40]]
*[[The Sensuous Frame|#41]]
*[[The Frail Gaze|#42]]
*[[The One Where They Go to Earth|#43]]
*[[The Not Knowing|#44]]
*[[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|#45]]
*[[Animals|#46]]
*[[The Lopsided Triangle|#47]]
*[[Speak, Memory: Part 1|#48]]
*[[Speak, Memory! (Part 2)|#49]]
*[[More than Meets the Eye issue 50|#50]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|#51]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 3: Your Fierce Tears|#52]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|#53]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|#54]]
*[[The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|#55]]
*[[Ten to Midnight|#56]]
*[[Last Light (issue)|#57]]
*[[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|Revolution]]
}}

==Overview==
In contrast to the [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]-based setting of ''Robots in Disguise'', ''More than Meets the Eye'' is set predominantly within the walls of the ''[[Lost Light]]'', the spaceship captained by [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] that carries his crew on their expedition to locate the [[Knights of Cybertron]], a mythical group who left the planet ten million years prior to the present day to spread peace and enlightenment across the universe. The book features an ensemble cast, who come and go from the spotlight with each passing issue, made up in large part of characters who have been overlooked by past fiction.

The "main cast" at the series outset includes Rodimus himself, a daredevil egotist who could not be more ill-suited to command; his officious second-in-command [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]], whose obsessive-compulsive traits make life on the ship difficult for everyone; third-in-command [[Drift (G1)|Drift]], now with a relentlessly positive outlook on life following a near-death experience; the talkative [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], who immediately became a fan favorite; ship's doctor [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]], now feeling his age and looking for something new in life; dangerously unhinged ex-[[Wrecker]] [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], who soon forms a murderous enmity with disillusioned ancient Cybertronian [[Cyclonus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Cyclonus]]; "ship's genius" [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]], the briefcase-wielding engineer of increasingly improbable weaponry; ship's security officer [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], even more paranoid then ever; timid psychiatrist [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], who slowly seems to be more than he appears; and diminutive archivist [[Rewind (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rewind]] and [[mnemosurgery|mnemosurgeon]] [[Chromedome (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Chromedome]], who would come to draw much attention as the first truly official "gay" romantic couple in Transformers fiction.<ref>Quote marks around "gay" 'cause IDW has previously established that Transformers are genderless in their continuity, but let's not kid ourselves here.</ref> In short order, the crew is joined by [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], a naive Transformer who has been offline for the duration of the war and finds himself forced to choose a side, and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]], a long-missing Autobot who reappears with amnesia and a bad attitude. As the series progresses, more Autobots come into focus on the fringes of the story, like the over-eager, luckless [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], and resentful, boozy, one-trick-pony [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]. The book occasionally takes breaks from the main cast to focus on the misadventures of the [[Scavenger (group)|Scavenger]]s: a group of bungling Decepticon misfits trying to start a new life in the post-war galaxy. ''More than Meets the Eye'' uses its "quest" backdrop to tell multiple smaller adventures, throughout which are threaded many, ''many'' seeds for future stories, together forming a grand tapestry that has clearly been planned out ''very'' far in advance.

[[File:MTMTE28 subcvr.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|All of your favorite childhood heroes... wait, what's ''he'' doing there?]]
===Season 1===
Following an unexpected [[Quantum generator|quantum jump]] upon launch, the ''Lost Light'' is hurled off into the depths of space, where the crew is joined by Skids and contends with a stowaway [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]]. A visit to [[Delphi]] by Ratchet to help cure a plague introduces the threat of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], who then feature in a Decepticon-dedicated story menacing a [[Scavenger (group)|band of misfit Decepticons]], and also brings the facility's surviving patients and staff onto the ship—including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]], whose post-traumatic stress causes him to snap and nearly kill Rung. Hoping to cure Rung's damaged brain, Rewind gathers a small group together to recount a shared story from their past about [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Orion Pax]] foiling a [[Senate]] plot to discredit the burgeoning Decepticon movement in the days of Functionism. Unfortunately, the little archivist is soon badly wounded in battle, sending Chromedome into a grief spiral that allows Drift to manipulate him into carrying out a plan laid out by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]: using his mnemosurgery skills to tap the memories and learn the secrets of mass-murdering Decepticon [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]], secretly hidden on board the ''Lost Light''. Unfortunately, Chromedome accidentally allows Overlord to escape, and Rewind has to sacrifice himself to jettison the monster from the ship. Ultra Magnus is also fatally wounded in the battle, but when his body disappears from the ship's Medibay, the crew track it to [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], where they discover and foil a twisted plot by [[Solomus|Chief Justice Tyrest]] to wipe out all those Transformers he sees as tainted by original sin.

The book then moves into the [[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]] crossover with ''Robots in Disguise''. The ''Lost Light'' crew initially investigate a previous find that leads them to the Titan Metroplex, and Orion Pax's investigation into the Dead Universe's involvement in Shockwave's overall plot. The casts of both series finally meet again in [[Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|''Robots in Disguise'' #26]].

[[File:MTMTE40 Ten's mural.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|All of [[Ten]]'s favorite adulthood heroes.]]

===Season 2===
Following ''Dark Cybertron''{{'}}s conclusion, the cast undergoes a reshuffle, as tertiary crew members like [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]], as well as several newcomers, become the story's focus: [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], recently-resurrected detective; Skids' escapologist partner [[Getaway]], who takes an immediate shine to Tailgate; [[Caminus (planet)|Camien]] bibliophile and quantum mechanic [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]; and [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]], a neurotic [[M.T.O.]] Aquabot. The season kicks off with Megatron's trial and the events that lead to him captaining the ''Lost Light'' set in the six months between ''Dark Cybertron'' and Season 2. In the present day, the resumed voyage does not start well, with the arrival of a [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|coffin]], disappearing objects on the ship, and a chilling addendum to [[The Gloaming|Rewind's Message]]. Answers to the mysteries revolving around the coffin lead to the [[time travel|time-traveling]] "Elegant Chaos" arc, as the ''Lost Light''ers scramble after Brainstorm, who has gone back in time, bent on changing the future. Along the way, the gang inadvertently answers some of the series's longest-standing questions, including the events foreshadowed in season 1's ominous message from the future.

In the aftermath, several characters depart for other comics while new people [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] and [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] join the crew. The ''Lost Light'' discovers a message from [[Dominus Ambus|a dead spy]] within the DJD while helping Swerve with his self-worth issues, in a madcap adventure on a holomatter Earth. Following its directions to the [[Mortilus|Necrobot]]'s [[Necroworld|planet]], they are met with a sobering reminder that all of them are killers and would one day have to face it. Megatron was particularly shaken by the visual representation of the billions of deaths he was responsible for. Meanwhile, the Scavengers return for another two-parter, feeling stagnant and dealing with a mentally disabled [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] in a post-Great War world.
[[File:HowBrightTheirFrailDeeds-LostLightmutiny.jpg|thumb|left|250px|All of your childhood's favourite heroes betraying your childhood's other favourite heroes.]] Back aboard the ''Lost Light'', Getaway and [[Atomizer]]'s true agenda for Tailgate comes to light, and so do Skids' repressed memories — which had left him with deep scars and extinguished his previous faith. Elsewhere, the Decepticon Justice Division learn Megatron had called for an end to Decepticon warfare; they double down and join forces with [[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deathsaurus]]'s splinter faction, determined to kill Megatron for heresy.

The fiftieth issue begins the season finale arc, "The Dying of the Light". Megatron, Rodimus, and the main cast are tricked into going to Necroworld, only to learn the entire Lost Light crew have mutinied under Getaway's lead. Sick of Megatron's presence and Rodimus' incompetent leadership, they intend to continue the Knightquest without them, having informed the [[Galactic Council]] of Megatron's location. Unfortunately, the Decepticon Justice Division is also there to hunt Megatron. Shocking revelations are had, a bunch of old friends and an old enemy return, and a fierce battle is waged. Though the Decepticons are beaten, none of the crew escape unscathed—and some pay the ultimate price. Meanwhile, beneath Necroworld's hollow shell, Nightbeat and Rung discover the true purpose of the unusual planet...

And elsewhere in space, ''Light'' alumni [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Fortress Maximus]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], the ''Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s constant shadow in [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]], and just-got-here [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] face a threat from the past as [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] comes for Luna 1's dormant Titan army!

The finale issue, a ''[[Revolution]]'' tie-in, eclipses them all in stakes as [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] has an awkward first date with someone he met on the internet.

{{--}}

==Creative team==
[[File:Milne roberts.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Series artist [[Alex Milne]] (left) and writer [[James Roberts]] (right)]]
The series is written by [[James Roberts]], fresh from the critical success of ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''. Roberts had already been assigned the series when he wrote the two-part "Chaos Theory" in issues [[Chaos Theory Part 1|#22]] and [[Chaos Theory Part 2|#23]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], and seeded many early plot points for the series into those two issues, including [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] as the prison guard. Also furthering the link between the ongoing and ''More than Meets the Eye'', when Roberts co-plotted "[[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos]]" with [[Mike Costa]], Costa let him script all of the Kimia escape shuttle scenes, populated with characters who would be aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]''.<ref name="Everything">From the 'Everything You Didn't Realize You Needed To Know About More Than Meets The Eye' section of the TPB</ref>

[[Alex Milne]] serves as the series regular artist, with colors by [[Josh Burcham]]. The visual "look" of ''More than Meets the Eye'' that the pair have created is very unique, with slightly exaggerated, cartoonishly stylized character models unlike anything in Milne's past work, cel-shaded with a textured, muted color palette that combines to create something quite unlike any modern Transformer comic. So key is this "visual identity" to the book that almost all other contributors who have worked on the title have striven to emulate it, adapting their own lineart and coloring styles to match the expected look and tone of the book. Frequent Roberts collaborator [[Nick Roche]] provided art for issues #1 and #6, as well as "B" covers for every issue, while [[Brendan Cahill]] co-pencilled #12, [[Guido Guidi]] stepped in for #13, [[Agustin Padilla]] filled in last-minute for #16, and [[James Raiz]] drew the lineart for #22. [[Joana Lafuente]] and [[Josh Perez]] have also lent their colors to the book, while [[Marcelo Matere]] regularly provides retailer incentive variant covers for the series. Following the "Dark Cybertron" crossover event, Burcham stepped down as the book's regular colorist, and Lafuente took his place, bringing a new palette and gradiated shading to the series.
{{--}}

==Soundtrack==
[[File:Nautica-MTMTE42covercropped.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Pick up the latest issue of ''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Indie Disco!'']]
In a unique touch, writer James Roberts would visit the [http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/index.php IDW Publishing forums] shortly before the release of each issue and offer up a "teaser" post containing one or more songs that served as a "soundtrack" that would set the tonal and/or emotional stage for the upcoming issue, usually tending toward the independent- and folk-rock genres. This began at issue #2, with the songs for #1 being provided later; TFWiki lists these songs on each issue's respective article. Non-issue-specific songs for the series and its characters in general include:

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKmZRO8XzyY "Lost Coastlines"] by {{w|Okkervil River}} — an overall anthem for the series
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB5KeLb01CU "I've Got a Plan"] by {{w|My Friend the Chocolate Cake}} — [[theme song]] for Rodimus
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7maZZOQ_hKA "I Would Fix You"] by {{w|Kenickie}} — theme song for Chromedome and Rewind
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcX_JleLsbk "True Men"] by {{w|Jon DeRosa}} — theme song for Ultra Magnus<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/394985192760569857 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2013/10/29]</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DpDxT2q9QE "The Old Man's Back Again"] by {{w|Scott Walker (singer)|Scott Walker}} — theme song for Megatron<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/424300595055300608 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2014/01/17] — "Okay, so I caved in."</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKoS5X4SMrY "Irish Blood, English Heart"] by {{w|Morrissey}} — another theme song for Megatron<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/424312246374633472 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2014/01/17] — "here's another tune that I associate with Megatron"</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Ae0TfhK8M "Let's Make This Precious"] by {{w|Dexys Midnight Runners}} — anthem for the series' second season<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/438091877402050560 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2014/02/24] — "The tagline for MTMTE Season 2 (from April, w/#28) is: Let's Make This Precious"</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuTM2f1PgQc "Fiction"] by {{w|The Lucksmiths}} — theme song for Nautica<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/533899614730989568 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2014/11/16] — "She could be the singer or the sung-about."</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDjwqqFj9_0 "Left to My Own Devices"] by {{w|Pet Shop Boys}} — theme song for Brainstorm<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/536665913660309506 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2014/11/23] — "It's 8:21 'cos it needs to be. Play it all and play it *loud*"</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F-4PomdZgU "Meaningless"] by The Ballet — theme song for the Scavengers<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/646461474915938306 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2015/09/22] — "This *isn't* twinned with #MTMTE45. It's the Scavengers' Theme (mainly for the opening sample, but it all works)."</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_-cUdmdWgU "Chicago"] by {{w|Sufjan Stevens}} — theme song for Cyclonus<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/668546134206504961 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2015/11/22] — "It's been *ages* since I posted a MTMTE character song. With #47 around the corner, it's time we had Cyclonus' theme"</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlg3Y7Z7zDU "Hello Cruel World"] by {{w|Mark Oliver Everett}} — theme song for Tailgate<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/675065838823677953 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2015/12/10] — "Tailgate's Theme - the song that plays on the radio after you've woken up from a 6 million year sleep"</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CETTzv3fTG0 "Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)"] by {{w|James (band)|James}} — theme song for Whirl<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/707169351661707265 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2016/03/08]</ref>
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mimLpZCO5k8 "I Spy"] by {{w|Pulp (band)|Pulp}} — theme song for Getaway<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/800862760724729858 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2016/11/22]</ref>

==Collections==
*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 1''''' ([[June 13]], [[2012]]) ISBN 1613772351 / ISBN 978-1613772355 
:*Contains issues #1 to #3, as well as the preceding ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]'' one-shot.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers, 12 promotional images, "Meet the Crew" page, design sketches from [[Alex Milne]] for various characters and ship locations, and a 2-page editor's comment with "behind the scenes" information about the series.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 2''''' ([[October 17]], 2012) ISBN 1613774982 / ISBN 978-1613774984 
:*Contains issues #4 to #8.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers, "Meet the Crew" and "Meet the 'Cons" pages.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 3''''' ([[March 27]], [[2013]]) ISBN 161377592X / ISBN 978-1613775929 
:*Contains Annual 2012 and issues #9 to #11.
:*Bonus material includes "Meet the Crew", variant covers, and designs for the [[Guiding Hand]].

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 4''''' ([[July 17]], 2013) ISBN 1613776918 / ISBN 978-1613776919 
:*Contains issues #12 to #16.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers, and the prose story ''[[Signal to Noise]]''.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 5''''' ([[November 13]], 2013) ISBN 1613778023 / ISBN 978-1613778029 
:*Contains issues #17 to #22.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers, and the prose story ''[[The Sound of Breaking Glass]]''.

*'''''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|The Transformers: Dark Cybertron]] Volume 1''''' ([[April 16]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1613778910 / ISBN 978-1613778913
:*Contains issues #23 to #25, as well as ''Dark Cybertron'' issue #1 and ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #23 and #24.
:*Bonus material includes art from most covers.
<gallery>
File:MTMTE vol1.jpg|'''Volume 1'''; cover art by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:MTMTE vol2.jpg|'''Volume 2'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
File:MTMTE vol3.jpg|'''Volume 3'''; cover art by Alex Milne and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:MTMTE vol4.jpg|'''Volume 4'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Joana Lafuente
File:MTMTE vol5.jpg|'''Volume 5'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
File:DC vol1.jpg|'''''Dark Cybertron Volume 1'''''; cover art by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
</gallery>

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 1''''' (reissue) ([[May 21]], 2014) ISBN 1613779658 / ISBN 978-1613779651
:*Contains issues #1 to #3, and ''The Death of Optimus Prime'' one-shot.
:*New cover by [[Livio Ramondelli]].
:*Bonus material UNKNOWN

*'''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 2''''' ([[June 11]], 2014) ISBN 1613779984 / ISBN 978-1613779989
:*Contains issues #26 and #27, ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #25 to #27, and "Dark Cybertron: Finale".
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 1]]''''' ([[September 3]], 2014) ISBN 1631400401 / ISBN 978-1631400407
:*Includes "The Death of Optimus Prime", ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1–5 and ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' #1–6.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 6''''' ([[December 10]], 2014) ISBN 163140184X / ISBN 978-1631401848
:*Contains issues #28 to #33.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron''''' ([[February 11]], [[2015]]) ISBN 163140072X / ISBN 978-1631400728
:*Contains issues #23 to #27, as well as ''Dark Cybertron'' issue #1 ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #23 to #27 and "Dark Cybertron: Finale".
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 7''''' ([[May 13]], 2015) ISBN 1631403273 / ISBN 978-1631403279
:*Contains issues #34 to #38.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

<gallery>
File:MTMTE vol1 reissue.jpg|'''Volume 1 reissue'''; cover art by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
File:DC vol2.jpg|'''''Dark Cybertron Volume 2'''''; cover art by Phil Jimenez and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
File:IDWCollectionP2V1.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two Vol. 1'''''; cover art by [[Saren Stone]]
File:MTMTE vol6.jpg|'''Volume 6'''; cover art by [[Casey Coller]] and Joana Lafuente
File:DC HC.jpg|'''''Dark Cybertron'' Hardcover'''; cover art by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
File:MTMTE vol7.jpg|'''Volume 7'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
</gallery>

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 2]]''''' ([[August 12]], 2015) ISBN 1631403648 / ISBN 978-1631403644
:*Contains issues #6 to 8, as well as ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'', ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]'', ''[[The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist]]'', ''Robots in Disguise'' #7 to 9 and ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]''.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 8''''' ([[October 21]], 2015) ISBN 1631404520 / ISBN 978-1631404528
:*Contains issues #39 to #44.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Box Set''''' ([[December 2]], 2015) ISBN 1631404741 / ISBN 978-1631404740
:*Contains ''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye'' Volumes 1 to 5.
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 3]]''''' ([[February 24]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631405403 / ISBN 978-1631405402
:*Contains the Annual 2012 and issues #9 to 13, as well as ''Robots in Disguise'' Annual 2012 and #10–11, "[[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Spotlight: Thundercracker]]", "[[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]", "[[Spotlight: Megatron]]" and "[[Signal to Noise]]".
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 9''''' ([[May 4]], 2016) ISBN 1631406159 / ISBN 978-1631406157
:*Contains issues #45 to #49.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 10''''' ([[October 5]], 2016) ISBN 1631407163 / ISBN 978-1631407161
:*Contains issues #50 to #55.
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V2.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two Vol. 2'''''; cover art by Saren Stone
File:MTMTE vol8.jpg|'''Volume 8'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
File:MTMTE boxset.jpg|'''Box Set'''; cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V3.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two Vol. 3'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and [[Tom B. Long]]
File:MTMTE vol9.jpg|'''Volume 9'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
File:MTMTE vol10.jpg|'''Volume 10'''; cover art by Alex Milne and Joana Lafuente
</gallery>

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 4]]''''' ([[October 12]], [[2016]]) ISBN 1631407155 / ISBN 978-1631407154
:* Contains issues #14 to #16, ''[[The Transformers: Monstrosity|Monstrosity]]'' series, and ''Robots in Disguise'' #12 to #18.

* '''''The Transformers: Titans Return''''' ([[January 14]], [[2017]]) ISBN 1631408216 / ISBN 978-1631408212
:*Contains issues #56 and #57, the ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, and ''The Transformers'' issues #56 and #57.
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 5|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 5]]''''' ([[February 22]], 2017) ISBN 1631408445 / ISBN 978-1631408441
:* Contains the issues #17 to #22, as well as the ''[[The Transformers: Primacy|Primacy]]'' series, and ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #19 to #22.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 59: Dark Cybertron, Part 1''''' ([[June 14]], 2017)
:*Hardcover collection of ''Dark Cybertron'' issue #1, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #23 to #25, and ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #23–24.
:* Bonus content includes a bio on the [[Titan (group)|Titans]], the making of ''Dark Cybertron'' with [[John Barber]] and [[James Roberts]], a cover gallery and a forward by [[Simon Furman]].

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 6|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 6]]''''' ([[October 18]], 2017) ISBN 1684050855 / ISBN 978-1684050857
:* Contains the full ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' series as well as the first ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' series.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 7]]''''' ([[March 21]], [[2018]]) ISBN 1684051495 / ISBN 978-1684051496
:* Contains issues #28 to #34, and ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #28 to #34.

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V4.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two Vol. 4'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:TitansReturn TPBcvr.jpg|'''''Titans Return'' TPB'''; cover art by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
File:IDWCollectionP2V5.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 5'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v59.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 59: Dark Cybertron, Part 1'''''; cover art by [[Guido Guidi]] (Ratchet) and Phil Jimenez/[[Andrew Griffith]] (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V6.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 6'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
File:IDWCollectionP2V7.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 7'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere and Tom B. Long
</gallery>

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 72: The Dying of the Light''''' ([[January 24]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #50 to #55.
:* Bonus content includes the bonus story "[[No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases]]", essential background material on the DJD, a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 75: Titans Return, Part 1''''' ([[February 7]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' #1 to #4, ''[[The Last Autobot|Titans Return]]'' one-shot, ''The Transformers vol. 2'' #56 to #57, and ''More than Meets the Eye'' #56 to #57.
:* Bonus content includes a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 60: Dark Cybertron, Part 2''''' ([[February 21]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''Robots in Disguise'' #25 to #27, ''More than Meets the Eye'' #26 to #27 and ''Dark Cybertron: Finale'' one-shot.
:* Bonus content includes a "blow-by-blow account of Dark Cybertron's hidden secrets", a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 8]]''''' ([[December 19]], [[2018]]) ISBN 1684053722 / ISBN 978-1684053728
:* Contains ''More than Meets the Eye'' #35 to #40, ''Robots in Disguise'' #35 to #38, ''[[The Transformers: Punishment]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone]]''.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 53: Liars, A to D''''' ([[December 26]], 2018)
:* Hardcover collection of ''Robots in Disguise'' #25 to #27, ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1 to #6, ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]'' and ''[[The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist]]''.
:* Bonus content includes an all-new interview with James Roberts, rare archive material from the dawn of ''More than Meets the Eye'', Alex Milne's sketchbook, a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 55: Shadowplay''''' ([[January 9]], [[2019]])
:* Hardcover collection of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #7 to #13, plus the 2012 Annual.
:* Bonus content includes the second of a new three-part interview with Roberts, early pages of scripts, design sketches from Alex Milne, a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

<gallery>
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v72.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 72: The Dying of the Light'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] (Cyclonus) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v75.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 75: Titans Return, Part 1'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Arcee) and [[Livio Ramondelli]] (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v60.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 60: Dark Cybertron, Part 2'''''; cover art by [[Mark Brooks]] (Brainstorm) and [[Andrew Griffith]] (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V8.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 8'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v53.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 53: Liars, A to D'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Whirl) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v55.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 55: Shadowplay'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Chromedome) and Alex Milne (retro)
</gallery>

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 63: Elegant Chaos''''' ([[June 12]], 2019)
:* Hardcover collection of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #35 to #42.
:* Bonus content includes a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 9]]''''' ([[June 19]], 2019) ISBN 1684054842 / ISBN 978-1684054848
:* Contains ''More than Meets the Eye'' #41 to #44, ''Robots in Disguise'' #39 to #43, and ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade vol.2]]'' #1 to #5.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 57: Remain in Light''''' ([[August 21]], 2019)
:* Hardcover collection of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #14 to #21 along with the prose stories "[[Signal to Noise]]" and "[[The Sound of Breaking Glass]]".
:* Bonus content includes a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 66: Speak, Memory''''' ([[December 25]], 2019)
:* Hardcover collection of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #43 to #49.
:* Bonus content includes a one-page article about the [[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]], a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 10]]''''' ([[January 1]], [[2020]]) ISBN 1684055849 / ISBN 978-1684055845
:* Contains ''More than Meets the Eye'' #45 to #49, ''The Transformers vol 2'' #44 to #45, ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade vol.2]]'' #6 to #7, ''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers]]'' miniseries, the ''[[An Uneventful Night|Combiner Hunters]]'' one-shot and "[[Choose Me]]" and "[[The Thirteenth Day of Christmas]]" from ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]''.

* '''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]]: Volume 61: World Shut Your Mouth''''' ([[January 8]], 2020)
:* Hardcover collection of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #28 to #34.
:* Bonus content includes "Season 2" character poster art, a cover gallery and a forward by Simon Furman.

<gallery>
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v63.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 63: Elegant Chaos'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Trailbreaker) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V9.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 9'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v57.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 57: Remain in Light'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Skids) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v66.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 66: Speak, Memory'''''; cover art by [[Dan Khanna]] (Getaway) and Alex Milne (retro)
File:IDWCollectionP2V10.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 10'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v61.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 61: World Shut Your Mouth'''''; cover art by Don Figueroa (Hoist) and Alex Milne (retro)
</gallery>

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 11]]''''' ([[June 17]], 2020) ISBN 1684056403 / ISBN 978-1684056408
:* Contains "[[Silent Light]]" from ''[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]'', ''[[The Transformers: Redemption]]'', [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' vol. 2]] issues [[Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|#46]] to [[The Transformers issue 50|#50]], and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #50 to #55.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 12|The IDW Collection Phase Two: Volume 12]]''''' ([[February 10]], [[2021]]) ISBN 1684057469 / ISBN 978-1684057467
:* Contains [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'' vol. 2]] issues [[All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|#51]] to [[White Heat|#57]], ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' issues [[07:00:00|#1]] to [[The Line Between Us|#4]], [[The Last Autobot|''Titans Return'' #1 one-shot]] and ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #56 to #57.

* '''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 1|The IDW Collection Phase Three: Volume 1]]''''' (September, 2021) ISBN 1684058422 / ISBN 978-1684058426
:* Contains ''[[Revolution]]'' [[Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|#0]]–[[Valley Forge|5]], ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'': [[Informed|Revolution one-shot]], ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'': [[Thundercracker & Buster Save the World|Revolution one-shot]], [[The Modern World|''Action Man'': Revolution one-shot]], ''More than Meets the Eye'': [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|Revolution one-shot]], ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'' [[Ping|#5]]–[[Rubicon|8]] and ''[[Revolutionaries]]'' [[Crisis Intervention|#1]]–[[The Iron Klaw|4]].

*'''''[[Transformers: Best of Megatron]]''''' ([[March 2]], [[2022]])
**Collects [[Marvel Comics]]' [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'']] #70: "[[The Pri¢e of Life!]]" and the following from IDW: ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers (2009)]]'' #22 "[[Chaos Theory Part 1]]", ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]'' [[Megatron Origin issue 1|#1]], ''More than Meets the Eye'' #32 "slaughterhouse" and ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy]]'' #7 "[[Choices]]".

<gallery>
File:IDWCollectionP2V11.jpg|'''''IDW Collection Phase Two: Vol. 11'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:IDWCollectionP2V12.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection, Phase Two, Vol. 12'''''; cover art by Marcelo Matere
File:IDWCollectionP3V1.jpg|'''''The IDW Collection, Phase Three, Vol. 1'''''; cover art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
File:BestOfMegatron cvr.jpg|'''''Best of Megatron'''''; cover art by [[James Biggie]]
</gallery>

===Japanese reprints===
The Japanese reprints have been published from [[Villagebooks]], translated by [[Akihisa Koike]]. Bonus material includes: art from all covers, appearance character commentary, includes a booklet with a commentary written by Akihisa Koike and [[Yūjin Ishikawa]].

* '''''The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Volume 1''''' ([[September 28]], [[2019]])
** Collects issues #1–5 and "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime]]".
** There are two covers, regular and exclusive. Produced exclusively for the [https://www.amazon.co.jp/ Amazon.co.jp], [http://versecomics.jp/ verse COMICS], [https://www.shosen.co.jp/ Shosen book tower], [http://blistercomics.jp/?mode=grp&gid=2006960 BLISTER comics] and [https://mamegyorai.jp/net/default.aspx Mamegyorai].

* '''''The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Volume 2''''' ([[February 28]], [[2020]])
** Collects issues #6–11 and the [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 Annual]].

* '''''The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Volume 3''''' ([[August 28]], [[2020]])
** Collects issues #12-16
** [[Signal to Noise|Prose story]] translated by [[Keisuke Tsubono]].

* '''''The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye Volume 4''''' ([[May 31]], [[2021]])
** Collects issues #17-22

* '''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 1''''' ([[March 25]], [[2022]])
** Collects issues #23-25, ''Dark Cybertron'' #1 and ''Robots in Disguise'' #23-24.

* '''''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron Volume 2''''' ([[March 25]], [[2022]])
** Collects issues #26-27, ''Robots in Disguise'' #25-27, and "''Dark Cybertron: Finale''".

<gallery>
File:Villagebooks MTMTE vol1 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Kazumasa Yasukuni]]. [[Media:Unite Cover.jpg|Unite RID vol.1 cover]].
File:Villagebooks MTMTE vol1 exclusive cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1 exclusive cover'''''; cover art by [[Takahiro Yamada]] and Kazumasa Yasukuni.
File:Villagebooks MTMTE vol2 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 2 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Naoyuki Fujisawa]].
File:Villagebooks MTMTE vol3 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 3 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Tasuku Tajima]].
File:Villagebooks MTMTE vol4 regular cover.jpg|'''''Volume 4 regular cover'''''; cover art by [[Hayato Sakamoto]] and Josh Perez.
File:Villagebooks DC vol1 cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1'''''; cover art by Kazumasa Yasukuni.
File:Villagebooks DC vol2 cover.jpg|'''''Volume 2'''''; cover art by Kazumasa Yasukuni.
</gallery>

===Swedish reprints===
The Swedish hardcover reprints have been published by [[Ades Media]] and translated by [[Johan Boström]].

* '''''Transformers: Mer än Ögat kan Se''''' ([[June 15]], [[2019]])
** Collects issues #1-8, [[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]], [[The Waiting Game|Spotlight: Hoist]], [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|The 2012 Annual]] and a special illustrated edition of [[Bullets]].

* '''''Transformers: Kaos och Skuggor''''' ([[November]] ??, [[2020]])
** Collects issues #9-13, [[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]] issues #22-24, 26, 28 & 30 and [[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]].

* '''''Transformers: Krig och Hågkomst''''' ([[July]] ?? [[2021]])
** Collects issues #14-22, a special illustrated version of [[The Sound of Breaking Glass]] and [[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]

<gallery>
File:MTMTE_SWE_01.jpg|'''''Mer än Ögat kan Se'''''; Cover art by Alex Milne and Joana Lafuente.
File:MTMTE SWE 02.jpg|'''''Kaos och Skuggor'''''; Cover art by Nick Roche and Josh Burcham.
File:MTMTE SWE 03.jpg|'''''Krig och Hågkomst'''''; Cover art by Alex Milne and Josh Perez.
</gallery>

==In fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:MTMTE43_subcvr.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Your childhood's hero you pretended was your favourite after your gran bought it and not that Ultra Magnus you wanted.]]
{{quote|...I didn't say I didn't '''like''' it—I just don't understand all of the words, and it presumes a '''familiarity''' with the Autobot/Decepticon war that I '''still''' don't have...|[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]|"[[The One Where They Go to Earth]]"}}

After being exposed to [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]]'s [[Metafictional bomb|meta-bomb]] and [[Time case|briefcase]], the Autobot [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] somehow created a reiterative time-loop inside him, allowing his [[holomatter]] generator to create a life-sized replica of the planet [[Earth]] to which his mind retreated when he was dying from a rust infection. The only literature on "[[Swearth]]", as it was swiftly dubbed, was a comic book series called ''More than Meets the Eye'' that detailed the adventures of the ''[[Lost Light]]''{{'}}s crew up until that point, which [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] read in order to gain clues as to Swerve's location. {{storylink|The One Where They Go to Earth}}

==Recognition==
*Three nominations for the 2014 True Believers Awards: Favourite American Comic Book: Colour, Favourite Single Story ([[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|#13]]), and Favourite Continued Story ("Remain in Light").<ref>[http://www.truebelieverscomicawards.com/nominees.html True Believers Comic Awards nominees]</ref>
* #85 on [http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/cbrs-top-100-comics-of-2015-100-76#85 Comic Book Resource's top 100 Comics of 2015].
* Winner of Comics Alliance's [http://comicsalliance.com/comics-alliance-best-of-2015-continued-excellence-in-serial-comics/ Best of 2015: Continued Excellence in Serial Comics] (beating ''Saga''!!)
* Winner of Comics Alliance's [http://comicsalliance.com/best-sci-fi-comic-2016/ Best of 2016: The Best Sci-Fi Comic of 2016] (beating ''Saga'' again!!)

==Other notes==
*Roberts, like John Barber, was told to assume their comics would last a year. Roberts, cheerfully saying it was "stupid" in a podcast interview, decided to plan for "Seasons" running for years anyway. That turned out work out as the comic ''did'' run for years! His plan was that when it did have to end, they'd run into the Knights in some way and a vague threat, such as Unicron or Quintessons, linked to this.<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview with James Roberts, 1:22:30]</ref>
*James Roberts has stated that he wrote the series in mind with the characters in general all having his English accent.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1024666474500313089 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2018/08/01]</ref>
*Roberts made [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2kyAylUOecLScdHEmzVhef a Spotify playlist of thirteen Morrissey songs he associates with Megatron].<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/629791825058996224 James Roberts (@jroberts332) on Twitter, 2015/08/18] — "When we make the MTMTE musical, these are the songs Megatron will sing"</ref> Make of that what you will.

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:More than Meets the Eye, The Transformers}}
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]

James Roberts

2022-08-28T21:04:51Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig3|James}}

[[Image:James Roberts.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A proud smile, a sad smile.]]
'''James Roberts''' (born [[November 15]], [[1976]])<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/533729176067801088 "Best tweet ever."]</ref> is a [[United Kingdom|British]] writer and Transformers fan. He was one of the early members of fan club [[Transmasters UK|Transmasters UK (TMUK)]], and wrote a number of text stories and strips. The most famous of these is the ''absolutely'' massive ''Eugenesis'', an unofficial novel he first published back in 2001.

His first shot at pro-work was pitching ''Spotlight: Octane'' with fellow TMUKer [[Nick Roche]] in 2007, where he wrote an extensive outline (some of which has shown up in his later comics). It wasn't picked up and Roberts forgot all about it until reminded in 2016.<ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/737321575976947712 "@NickRoche:In 2007, @jroberts332 and I attempted to pitch Spotlight: Octane. Here's the cover and character design." @joberts332: "*head explodes* I'd completely forgotten about this! Oh my god!"]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/737321240428486656 @NickRoche: "Not a script, but James wrote a very extensive outline which he then hacked down. Some of it has shown up in MTMTE."]</ref> His first successful bit of work was helping out on [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|''All Hail Megatron'' #15]], acting as a "sounding board" for Nick's script. While he didn't write any of the script, Nick made sure to include him in the credits.<ref>[http://moonbase2.libsyn.com/interview-with-james-roberts- Moonbase 2 interview], 29:15 to 31:00</ref>

After that, Roberts was brought in to co-write ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'', in order to lessen the stress and workload for Roche. While the first issue was all pre-planned by Roche, from issue two onwards it became a collaborative effort.<ref>[http://moonbase2.libsyn.com/interview-with-james-roberts- Moonbase 2 interview], 39:40 to 31:00</ref> He went on to write the text story "[[Bullets]]" for the ''Wreckers'' trade. On the back of that, [[Andy Schmidt]] offered Roberts a role as "showrunner" on digital-only 5-page stories called ''War Stories''; most would be written by Roberts but guest writers like [[Simon Furman]] would drop in. This was derailed by, as Roberts remembered in an interview, plans for a digital ''[[Transformers Prime]]'' story that itself went unmade (unless in interviews he's confusing that with ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy]]''). After that, he pitched a one-off Megatron origin story that would become "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]", which saw him brought into a multi-writer "brain trust" modelled on the contemporary writers' room for [[Spider-Man]] after "Brand New Day", co-writing "[[Chaos (IDW)|Chaos]]" with [[Mike Costa]] and then being on the ground floor of the Phase Two soft reboot, co-writing ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]'' and became the sole writer on the new ongoing, ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''.<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview, 1:12:30 to 1:15:10]</ref>

One of his noted habits is massive world-building and drip-feeding character details & backstory throughout a run. He's cheerfully admitted he likes building up a character history in non-sequential order "so [[you]] fill in the blanks".<ref>[http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay "The Underbase Podcast Deconstructs Shadowplay"], 09:11 - 09:24</ref> His characters are prone to language- and literature-related digressions and witticisms, and sometimes self-aware to the point of straining the fourth wall. Due to all his long term plots, he obsesses a ''lot'' over every script and they all start as longhand before being refined ("I have a tower of notebooks full of my barely legible handwriting").<ref>[https://boroughcon.com/2017/04/revealing-greatness-with-james-roberts/ Interview with Boroughcon]</ref>

{{quote|Always start off low, always start off with real people, y'know, because most of us ''are'' ordinary people.|James Roberts,<ref>[http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay "The Underbase Podcast Deconstructs Shadowplay", 1:10:22 - 1:10:30]</ref>}}

{{quote|Let’s just say that my interest in politics stems from time spent working closely with politicians.|Roberts on his job before becoming a full-time writer.<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?p=309699#p309699 IDW Forum Q&A: "Assuming that writing is now your full-time job, what did you do for a living before?"]</ref>}}

==Writing==
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|#15]] (first story, assisting Nick Roche)
* ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' (co-written with Nick Roche)
** "[[Dead Men's Boots]]"
** "[[Bullets]]"
** "[[Zero Point]]"
* ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' [[Chaos Theory Part 1|#22]], [[Chaos Theory Part 2|#23]], [[Chaos Part One: Lamentations|#24]], [[Chaos Part Two: Numbers|#26]], [[Chaos Part Three: Kings|#28]], [[Chaos Part Four: Genesis|#30]], (co-plotter on #24, #26, #28, and #30 with [[Mike Costa]])
* ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime]]'' (co-written with [[John Barber]])
* ''[[The Transformers Classics UK]]'' (essay writer)
* ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]''
* ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|The Transformers Spotlight]]: [[Omega's Conundrum|Orion Pax]]''
* ''The Transformers Spotlight: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]''
* ''The Transformers Spotlight: [[The Waiting Game|Hoist]]''
*"[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" (with John Barber)
*"[[Silent Light]]", from [[The Transformers Holiday Special]]
*"[[The Last Autobot]]" (with [[Mairghread Scott]] and John Barber)
* ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]''

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
James Roberts was the author of a book [[Jimmy (G1)|Jimmy]] owned, whose title began with an ''E''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

===''Legends'' comic===
A resident of the [[Legends World]], James Roberts was saved from a [[Zamojin (species)|Zamojin]] invasion by [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]] and [[Thunder Clash]] toys that revealed themselves to be real Transformers. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Finale: Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two|Legends World in Imminent Danger! Part Two}} When his world was destroyed, Roberts was evacuated to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] of the [[G1 World]]. {{storylink|The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 2}}

==Convention appearances==
* [[BotCon 2014]]

==Notes==
*He first got into Transformers in 1986, in time for the [[Triple Changer]]s, and hunted down older toys and Ladybird Books at second-hand shops and fetes; key memories also include visiting the local shop and poring over their Hasbro retailer catalogue for new toys, with his mind being ''blown'' by Mega and Ultra Pretenders ("they're inside and oh my god that one transforms!"). The earliest toy he bought himself was [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]]. He's even said the [[Action Master]]s were "cool", explaining he felt those toys showed Hasbro's faith in the characters selling toys and not the transformation gimmick itself.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t14540/ Moonbase2's second interview with James Roberts - 49:50 to 59:30]</ref>
*He was nominated for Favourite Writer in the 2014 True Believers Awards.<ref>[http://www.truebelieverscomicawards.com/nominees.html True Believers Comic Awards nominees]</ref>
*His first Transformers comic was [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|issue #113]]. Because of that, the number 113 is [[113 (disambiguation)|constantly showing up]] in his work.
[[Image:Eugenesis easteregg.jpg|thumb|right|200px|James Roberts: ''E(aster Egg)!'']]
* Roche snuck ''Eugenesis'' into a bookshelf in [[Maximum Dinobots issue 3|''Maximum Dinobots'' #3]].
* The original ''Eugenesis'' cover looked like a Penguin Classics book (even sporting the tagline "[[Polyhex]] 21st Century Classics"). Roberts has said this was him poking fun at his own "lofty" aspirations. [http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_roberts.php]
* Shockwave's death in ''[[The Legacy of Unicron!]]'' has haunted Roberts since childhood...<ref>[http://moonbase2.libsyn.com/interview-with-james-roberts- Moonbase 2 interview], 50:26 to 51:08</ref>
* [[Mike Costa]] has joked that because of James's popularity among the nerdier fans, he thought that even if people didn't like ''Chaos'', "they'd have to pretend they did because James' name was on it!"<ref>[http://moonbase2.libsyn.com/webpage/the-underbase-reviews-ongoing-31 The Underbase podcast interview with Mike Costa ("Special Guest")]</ref>
* In ''Eugenesis'', Roberts listed some of his creative influences (circa 2001): [[Simon Furman]], {{w|Martin Amis}}, {{w|Chris Carter}}, {{w|Graham Greene}}, {{w|Neil Hannon}}, {{w|Vladimir Nabokov}} and {{w|Morrissey}}, "who I doubt have ever been acknowledged in the same sentence". He's since brought up his admiration for {{w|Russell T Davies}}' TV work (including his run on ''[[Doctor Who]]''); {{w|Peter David}}, {{w|Grant Morrison}}'s ''{{w|Zenith (comics)|Zenith}}'', and ''{{w|Justice League International}}'' in comics; and {{w|Don DeLillo}}, {{w|Philip Roth}}, and {{w|John Updike}}'s "Rabbit" books in literature. Science fiction prose isn't his thing though, instead gravitating to literary fiction.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalhero.com/t14540/ Moonbase2's second interview with James Roberts - 01:20:00 to 1:22:15]</ref>
* Roberts admitted to being "a control freak when it comes to my scripts", and that they are often 50 pages long with precise panel-by-panel descriptions. However, he concedes artists like [[Alex Milne]] have "a far, far superior grasp of visual storytelling than I do", and "unless the way a particular shot is framed is integral to the plot", they can feel free to deviate.<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?p=309177&sid=47e759963d0b07cbf1c5e7dc2f5a8c4f#p309177 Answer to a post on an IDW Forum Q&A.]</ref> Nick Roche strongly implied in 2015 that these masses of detailed panels are why they hadn't worked together for a while,<ref>[https://twitter.com/NickRoche/status/665246818389856256 "Well, we haven't worked together in three years... make of THAT what you will... :)"] (11:16 a.m. - 13 Nov 2015)</ref> though they are still friends, you paranoid person.
* His biceps are huge.

==External links==
* [https://twitter.com/jroberts332 James Roberts' Twitter feed]
* [https://jrtweetsindex.tumblr.com/ Indexed archive of Roberts' Twitter answers from 2012-2018]

===Interviews===
*February 2007—[https://web.archive.org/web/20090916001317/http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_roberts.php TransFans]
*December 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20091228083352/http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/wreckers.html One Shall Stand] (with [[Nick Roche]])
*April 2010—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/interview-with-james-roberts- Moonbase 2]
*August 2010—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9DPbginVXE Auto Assembly] (with Nick Roche)
*July 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-underbase-talks-sdcc-with-andrew-griffith-and-james-roberts- The Underbase] (with [[Andrew Griffith]])
*August 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-underbase-aa2011-interviews-james-roberts The Underbase]
*August 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-underbase-aa2011-interviews-nick-roche-and-james-roberts The Underbase] (with Nick Roche)
*February 2012—[https://www.mandatory.com/fun/182693-james-roberts-and-the-transformers-renaissance CraveOnline]
*May 2012—[https://www.cbr.com/barber-and-roberts-build-transformers-civilization/ CBR] (with [[John Barber]])
*June 2012—[https://news.tfw2005.com/2012/07/24/tfw2005-interviews-james-roberts-175563 TFW2005]
*August 2012—[https://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-interviews-james-roberts-at-aa2012 The Underbase]
*2012—[https://transformers2015.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/old-interview-with-james-roberts/ transformers2015]
*December 2012—[https://www.facebook.com/notes/363455448043789/ Facebook]
*January 2013—[http://www.multiversitycomics.com/interviews/transformers-one-year-later-with-writers-john-barber-and-james-roberts-interview/ Multiversity Comics] (with John Barber)
*May 2013—[https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472332696170263.1073741834.146805978722938 Facebook]
*August 2013—[http://web.archive.org/web/20130825223633/http://www.fullmetalhero.com/content/fmhsquared-special-episode-1-interview-james-roberts-7442/ Full Metal Hero] (defunct)
*August 2013—[https://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-presents-aa2013-overlord-deconstructed The Underbase] (with Nick Roche)
*August 2013—[https://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay The Underbase] (with [[Alex Milne]])
*September 2013—[https://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-presents-aa2013-idw-comic-panel Auto Assembly] (with Alex Milne, Nick Roche, and Andrew Griffith)
*October 2013—[http://web.archive.org/web/20131005060537/http://www.newsarama.com/19117-transformers-dark-cybertron-architects-unlike-any-event-to-hit-franchise.html Newsarama] (with John Barber)
*October 2013—[https://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-interview-of-more-than-meets-the-eye-season-one The Underbase]
*November 2013—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/episode-268-interview-with-james-roberts Moonbase 2]
*February 2014—[http://www.iaconunderground.net/2014/02/10/one-foot-in-the-dead-universe-iu-talks-to-john-barber-and-james-roberts/ Iacon Underground] (with John Barber)
*February 2014—[http://web.archive.org/web/20140302221213/https://bleedingcool.com/2014/02/16/transformers-james-roberts-in-disguise/ Bleeding Cool]
*April 2014—[https://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-interview-of-season-two The Underbase]
*June 2014—Sequart ([http://sequart.org/magazine/46997/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-interview-with-james-roberts/ Part 1], [http://sequart.org/magazine/48110/a-conversation-with-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-james-roberts-part-two/ Part 2])
*June 2014—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2014/06/transmissions-live-from-botcon-special-chat-with-the-idw-comics-writers Transmissions / The Underbase] (with John Barber and [[Mairghread Scott]])
*July 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MyIoSXX0cs BotCon]
*October 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akFOnU4T9OM TFCon] (incomplete)
*October 2014—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2014/10/transmissions-episode-75-james-roberts-interview-from-tfcon-usa TransMissions] ([https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2015/02/james-roberts-interview-transcript-from-transmissions-episode-75 transcript])
*February 2015—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TvfUAkqqDY Women Write About Comics]
*March 2015—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2015/03/transmissions-episode-94-james-roberts-mtmte-elegant-chaos-interview TransMissions] ([https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2015/04/james-roberts-elegant-chaos-interview-transcript-from-transmissions-episode-94 transcript])
*March 2015—[https://thesolarpool.weebly.com/addendum-11.html The Solar Pool]
*March 2015—[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/twincast-podcast-episode-113-signal-to-noise-includes-interview-with-james-roberts/32531/ Seibertron.com Twincast / Podcast]
*April 2015—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqk26mHhaLc Fanboy vs Transformers]
*July 2015—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2015/07/transmissions-episode-113-tfcon-toronto-james-roberts-interview TransMissions] ([https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2015/07/james-roberts-tfcon-toronto-2015-interview-transcript-from-transmissions-episode-113 transcript])
*July 2015—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNZF8cA55_M TFCon] (incomplete)
*September 2015—[https://www.pajiba.com/science_fiction/an-interview-with-transformers-writer-james-roberts.php Pajiba]
*September 2015—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsoRpO0lyyY&t=1853s GamesRadar]
*October 2015—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVvISkgzDQ Vangelus]
*January 2016—[https://www.mtrnetwork.net/transformers-meets-eye-james-roberts-interview/ Movie Trailer Reviews]
*March 2016—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2016/03/transmissions-episode-159-barber-roberts-on-writing-idw-transformers TransMissions] (with John Barber)
*April 2016—[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/james-roberts-interview-with-tmw-magazine/35144/ Toy Meets World]
*July 2016—[https://comicsalliance.com/john-barber-james-roberts-mairghread-scott-transformers-sdcc-2016/ Comics Alliance] (with John Barber and Mairghread Scott)
*August 2016—[https://io9.gizmodo.com/megatron-faces-the-sins-of-his-past-in-transformers-mo-1763557332 Gizmodo]
*August 2016—[https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/idws-transformers-comics-writers-on-their-ongoing-g1-epic/ Den of Geek] (with John Barber)
*August 2016—[https://podcastmaximus.podbean.com/e/podcast-maximus-episode-18-james-roberts-interview/ Podcast Maximus]
*October 2016—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/moonbase-2-interview-james-roberts-2016 Moonbase 2]
*November 2016—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-l4p7ZYVew Movie Trailer Reviews]
*December 2016—[https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/dec/02/transformers-lost-light-comic-same-sex-partnerships The Guardian]
*December 2016—[https://forcesofgeek.com/2016/12/fog-chats-with-transformers-lost-light-writer-james-roberts.html Forces of Geek]
*April 2017—[http://web.archive.org/web/20180826040900/https://boroughcon.com/2017/04/revealing-greatness-with-james-roberts/ BoroughCon]
*July 2017—[https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/transformers-comics-idw-1.4203312 CBC News] (with John Barber and Mairghread Scott)
*August 2017—[https://podcastmaximus.podbean.com/e/podcast-maximus-episode-24-james-roberts-interview/ Podcast Maximus]
*August 2017—[https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2017-08-16/an-interview-with-guernseys-top-comic-book-writer ITV]
*September 2017—[https://full-autopsy.tumblr.com/post/165936704642/qa-with-james-roberts-tfcon-dc-2017 TFCon Q&A] (incomplete notes)
*October 2017—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2017/10/special-episode-2-tfcon-dc-2017 TransMissions] (with [[Casey Coller]], Andrew Griffith, and [[Josh Burcham]])
*June 2018—[https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-james-roberts-gears-up-for-his-100-issue-spanning-universe-ending-transformers-lost-light-finale/ The Beat]
*July 2018—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IPFJ8HZzBo RetCon] (with Nick Roche)
*November 2018—Instagram Q&A ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgIwc6IMu0s&ab_channel=KB incomplete recording], [https://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/james-roberts-ama-mtmte-ll-questions-answered-transcript.1164603/ incomplete transcript])
*January 2019—[https://transformers.news.blog/2019/01/16/we-talk-to-james-roberts/ Real Transformers News]
*March 2019—[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey Geek On]
*July 2022—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZhJpnRmrr8 AARGH! MY OPTICS!]

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, James}}
[[Category:IDW (2005) humans]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Legends World humans]]
[[Category:Real people]]
[[Category:Writers]]

Transformers: Unicron

2022-08-28T21:03:10Z

Charles RB: /* Buildup */

{{disambig3|Unicron}}
[[File:TFUnicron6 cvrA.jpg|thumb|250px|"The entire time I knew him, he only ever had one goal: to wipe out half the universe."]]

'''''Transformers: Unicron''''' is a six part, biweekly crossover miniseries<ref>[https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/24/unicron-dwarfs-earth-in-this-amazing-transformers-art Unicron Dwarfs Earth in This Amazing Transfomers Art - IGN]</ref> by [[IDW Publishing]] which debuted in May [[2018]] with issue #0 available as part of the [[Free Comic Book Day]] promotion. The third part of a loose trilogy that began with 2016's ''[[Revolution]]'' and continued with 2017's ''[[First Strike]]'', the series serves as the grand finale to the [[2005 IDW continuity]] in advance of [[Transformers (2019 comic)|the 2019 reboot]], introducing [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] as the ultimate threat to the [[Hasbro Universe]].

{{chapters|title=''Unicron'' issues|align=center|prev=Transformers vs. Visionaries|next=|content=
<div class="list-header">''Unicron''</div>
*[[Our Darkest|#0]]
*[[Last Stand (Unicron)|#1]]
*[[Stranger Eons|#2]]
*[[Our Finest|#3]]
*[[Road's End|#4]]
*[[Assembly (Unicron)|#5]]
*[[Ceremony|#6]]
 <div class="list-header">Backup strips</div>
*"[[Ad Infinitum]]"
* "[[Last Stand (G.I. Joe)|Last Stand]]"
*"[[Reunion]]"
*"[[Transition]]"
*"[[A World and a Future]]"
 <div class="list-header">''Optimus Prime'' tie-ins</div>
*[[Unstopped and Unstoppable|#22]]
*[[Time Will Rust|#23]]
*[[A Sunrise Dark|#24]]
}}

==Buildup==
When [[Simon Furman]] was first brought aboard to pitch his vision of IDW's then-nascent Transformers mythos, he explicitly chose to eschew the traditional [[Primus]] and Unicron mythology that he himself had put forth during his run on the original [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]], due in part to the oversaturation of the concept in the then-concurrent [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]. Though no concrete origin was put forth for the Cybertronian species in the IDW universe, various authors would occasionally reference the creator gods as abstract religious beliefs rather than concrete deities—Unicron, specifically was never addressed by name, only fleetingly referred to as the "opposite" of Primus, who himself was not conclusively confirmed to exist.

In 2011, when figuring out there'd be a Autobot schism for 'phase two' to produce two comics, [[John Barber]] and [[James Roberts]] figured out a major threat would bring everyone together and considered using Unicron. They felt they weren't keen on using him... ''yet''.<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview with James Roberts, 1:18:40]</ref>

In 2017, IDW began a ramp-up of the mythos as the [[Hasbro Universe]] took shape; [[Origin Myths|issue #10]] of ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' would provide the most definite look into Cybertron's past, establishing a group of mythical [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s as warriors who had once battled against Primus's "opposite". Finally, in October of that year, Unicron made his first physical appearance on the final page of ''[[First Strike]]'', having been awakened by Cybertron itself after exposure to the [[magic]]al powers of the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]].

==Overview==
[[File:TFUnicron1 cvrA clean.jpg|thumb|left|200px|"I think you’ll find ''our'' will to be equal to ''yours''."]]
''Unicron'' picks up in the immediate aftermath of "[[The Falling]]"; following the events of [[First Strike|Joe Colton's invasion of Cybertron]] and the subsequent clash between [[Transformers vs. Visionaries|Iacon and New Prysmos]], the mysterious Talisman has successfully awoken Unicron, who begins an attack on the galaxy by devouring the scattered [[Cybertronian colonies]]. This monstrous attack has been orchestrated by "[[Onyx Prime]]"—now revealed as [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]]—in a gambit eons in the making; by unleashing Unicron to destroy Cybertronian civilization, Shockwave reasons, then he can rebuild Cybertronian society anew on [[Earth]].

[[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] leads a force to [[Rom]]'s homeworld of [[Elonia]] to try and evacuate the planet, discovering that each world has been targeted by Shockwave's old [[Regenesis]] project as part of his time-travelling exploits as Onyx Prime. Though Elonia is safely evacuated, the planet is not so lucky and is unceremoniously swallowed by Unicron. A subsequent attempt at stopping Unicron over the planet [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]] sees Prime and a small group of allies unsuccessfully try to destroy the monster from within, though they discover an ancient relic in the process: a ruined [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinel robot]]. On returning to Cybertron, Bumblebee links with [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] to learn the full story behind Unicron's creation: eons ago, during the reign of the [[Thirteen|Thirteen Primes]], "Onyx Prime" and his retinue led a colonization mission to the planet [[Antilla]], the first planet to be colonized by the Cybertronian race. The [[Antillan|native species]] fought back against Cybertron's imperialism, and a [[Unicron's creator|desperate scientist]] created a doomsday weapon designed to wreak ultimate vengeance upon Cybertron: the Talisman itself, the device twisting the fabric of reality to create Unicron and the monstrous [[Dire Wraith]]s.

This respite is short-lived, however; having devoured twelve of the colonies, Unicron—having merged with the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Nemesis (BW)|Nemesis]]—approaches Cybertron in his new [[robot mode]], intent on finishing the planet. Having double-crossed [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]]'s "[[Decepticon Vengeance Division]]", Shockwave's lackey [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] leads the mutated Decepticons and the bestial [[Maximal]]s into an orbital dogfight over Cybertron, successfully destroying [[Vigilem|Carcer]] and [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] with it. Though the Cybertronians fight their hardest, they are unable to prevent Unicron from beginning his attack on their homeworld.

Salvation comes from an unexpected source: the [[Spectral Knight]]s of [[New Prysmos]] are capable of using their own [[magic]] to activate the Talisman, projecting a beam of energy which teleports the population of Iacon to [[Earth]], with [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] sacrificing himself to save as many people as possible before Unicron rips the planet in half.

[[File:TFUnicron3 cvrA clean.jpg|thumb|right|200px|"Alright, back up Sam, you’re gonna get your wings singed."]]
Regrouping on Earth, Shockwave begins his final plan to transform [[Toronto]] into the capital of his "New Cybertron," believing that Unicron was felled by the Talisman when the Decepticon scientist tricked it into eating Cybertron. Little does he suspect that his plan has failed, and that Unciron now approaches Earth supported by Bludgeon and the Maximals, having turned on their former master for manipulating them over millennia.

Elsewhere on Earth, heroes and villains unite as Unicron's approach causes havoc, and as the Maximals descend on Earth to find and destroy the Talisman Optimus hatches a risky plan, recruiting Arcee and the three [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] for a mission to activate the Talisman in the heart of Unicron and destroy the monster from within. Events culminate in a massive battle for Earth as heroes and villains from across the [[Hasbro Universe]] join forces to repel the Maximal invasion, and as the battle reaches its zenith Starscream sacrifices himself to bring the Talisman online.

Within the black hole heart of Unicron, Optimus is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, willingly throwing himself into [[infraspace]] in the hopes of bringing Unicron down from within. Bolstered by [[Soundwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Soundwave]]'s own suicide play, tapping into the afterlife to bolster Optimus with the souls of the departed, Optimus relies on their faith in ''him'' as he confronts the vengeful specter of Unicron's creator, eventually convincing the alien to let go of his hurt and move on. Renouncing his title as [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], recognizing that the title was flawed from the start, the alien and Orion Pax die together, collapsing Unicron into a new black hole and ending the threat for good.

In the aftermath, the characters take stock of their victory; Shockwave is arrested by [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] and brought into custody, [[Slide]] learns to let go of her anger at the Prime, [[Pyra Magna]] steps up to lead the Cybertronian refugees on Earth, and the Cybertronian species, freed from their dark past at last, settle into life on their new homeworld: Earth.

==Creative team==
[[File:Unicron-Bcovers-JamesRaiz.jpg|thumb|250px|"In time, you will know what it's like to lose. To feel so desperately that you're right, yet to fail all the same. Dread it... Run from it... Destiny still arrives."]]

The series is written by [[John Barber]], with art by [[Alex Milne]], and colors by both [[Sebastian Cheng]] and [[David García Cruz]].<ref>[https://www.newsarama.com/37795-may-2018-free-comic-book-day-solicitations-updating.html May 2018 FCBD solicitations]</ref> [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]], [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Kei Zama]] provided art in addition to Milne for the series' double-size final issue, which also featured coloring by [[Joana Lafuente]]. Six connecting B-covers were done by ''Transformers'' veteran [[James Raiz]].

==Collections==
*'''''Transformers Unicron''''' ([[April 2]], [[2019]]) ISBN 1684054230 / ISBN 9781684054237
:*Contains the Free Comic Book Day issue #0 and ''Unicron'' issues #1 to #6.
:*Bonus material includes covers for each issue, as well as Hasbroverse backup comics and creator interviews originally published in the series' single issues.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection]] Volume 88: Unicron''''' ([[August 26]], [[2020]])
:*Contains ''Transformers: Unicron'' issues #0 to #6, as well as ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' [[Post|#25]] and ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' [[How To Say Goodbye And Mean It: Part 2|#25]].
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery, the Hasbroverse backup comics and creator interviews, and an intro by [[Simon Furman]].

<gallery>
File:TFUnicron cvrTPB.jpg|'''''Transformers Unicron'' TPB''' cover by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Thomas Deer]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v88.jpg|'''''The Definitive G1 Collection Volume 88: Unicron''''' cover by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] and [[Alex Milne]]
</gallery>

==Notes==
*The series was originally solicited as '''''Transformers: Unicron: The Darkest Hour'''''. It was also initially scheduled biweekly from July to September, but delays forced the last issue to be rescheduled for October, with it finally seeing release in November.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://freecomicbookday.com/Article/207337-FCBD18-Interview-Transformers-Creators-Discuss-Comics-Unicron-and-the-End-of-a-Universe FCBD18 Interview: Transformers Creators Discuss Comics, Unicron, and the End of a Universe?!]
* {{i|Transformers: Unicron}} at the IDW Hasbro Wiki

{{DEFAULTSORT:Unicron}}
[[Category:Crossovers]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) comic series]]
[[Category:Unicron issues| ]]

Andy Schmidt

2022-08-28T21:00:27Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig3|Andrew}}
[[Image:Andy Schmidt.jpg|right|thumb|200px|He's not smug, he just photographs that way!]]
'''Peter Andrewes "Andy" Schmidt''' is a comic book writer and former Senior Editor for [[IDW Publishing]].

Before working for IDW, he was an editor at [[Marvel Comics]], where he handled most titles under the "Marvel Heroes" brand as well as numerous other top titles, and oversaw the multi-title "Annihilation" crossover event.

He moved to IDW Publishing in 2008, starting out editing their ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' and ''[[Star Trek]]'' titles before leaving ''Star Trek'' to work on the ''Transformers'' brand, first as co-editor, and then taking over as full editor when [[Denton J. Tipton]] moved on to other projects. To say that he was overwhelmed with how obsessive Transfans are with the continuity would be an understatement. He would create a short-lived "brain trust" of Transformers writers, modelled on the [[Spider-Man]] "Brand New Day" team, in large part to keep the continuity on track.<ref>[https://www.mixcloud.com/GuernseyGeekOnPodcast/guernsey-geekon-james-roberts-interview-in-full/ Guernsey GeekOut interview with James Roberts, 1:12:30 to 1:17:10]</ref>

In 2011, he was hired by Hasbro directly to work in their new [[HasLab (Hasbro department)|HasLab]] division, and has since been replaced as editor on IDW's Hasbro-licensed properties by [[John Barber]]. In 2013, it was revealed that he was among the Hasbro employees who were affected by a major layoff wave a few months earlier.

He also owns and teaches at the Comics Experience school of comics in California.

{{quote|I'm just constantly surprised at how you guys keep track of all this stuff. It's really impressive. And yes, it's a part of my job, but it's not how my brain works naturally. I have to really work at it. This is part of the job that doesn't come easily to me. ... Back at Marvel we just didn't care ;)|Andy Schmidt<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?p=178902#p178902 Tongue-in-cheek comment made on the IDW forums, on April 20, 2010]</ref>}}

{{quote|If I could go back to the 70s and 80s and stop Marvel and DC from ingraining in comics fans{{sic}} brains that continuity is paramount, I would.|Andy Schmidt<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?p=214908#p214908 December 3, 2010]</ref>}}

==Bibliography==
===IDW Publishing===
====Writer====
* ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight]]'' [[Spotlight: Metroplex|#24 "Metroplex"]]
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 14|#14 ("Rebirth")]]
* ''[[The Transformers Continuum]]''
* [[Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E Special Edition Comic Book]]

====Editor====
(many with [[Denton J. Tipton]])
* ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' [[All Hail Megatron issue 9|#9]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 10|#10]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 11|#11]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 12|#12]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 13|#13]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|#15]], [[All Hail Megatron issue 16|#16]]
* ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'': all issues.
* ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'': all issues.
* ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight]]'' [[Spotlight: Jazz|#22 "Jazz"]], [[Ride-Along|#25 "Prowl"]].
* ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' (ongoing): #1–22
* ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (comic)|Transformers: War for Cybertron]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Prime (graphic novel)|Transformers: Prime]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Sector 7]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Foundation]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Rising Storm]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Jazz]]''

===Games===
* ''[[Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (console)|Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Battle Tactics]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Devastation]]''

==Notes==
===Stealth bomber Megatron controversy===
[[File:DonFigStealthMegatronPitchedDesign.jpg|thumb|right|250px|We're sure it was all just a misunderstanding...]]

*According to [[Don Figueroa]] via his now-defunct Deviant Art account, he designed the stealth bomber Megatron which appeared in IDW's [[Heart Like a Wheel|''The Transformers'' #13]] comic. However, he originally designed it as part of a story pitch which editor Andy Schmidt rejected. Schmidt later told Figueroa he wanted the pitched concept and the two made plans to work out a deal at the Long Beach Comic-Con. Schmidt stood Figueroa up, not attending the Comic-Con, and then proceeded to use the pitched design in ''The Transformers'' #13 with no compensation to Figueroa whatsoever. When Figueroa heard about this, and that Hasbro would be turning the design into a toy (again, with no compensation or credit), Figueroa was less than thrilled.<ref>[http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/don-figueroa-designed-idw-s-stealth-bomber-megatron-but-wasn-t-compensated--t96022s0.php DeviantArt message from Figueroa, archived via Seibertron messageboard post]</ref>

*Presumably, Schmidt doesn't teach any ethics courses at his Comics Experience school.

{{--}}

==External links==
* [http://www.comicsexperience.com Comics Experience]

===Interviews===
*June 2009—[https://www.cbr.com/schmidt-on-khan-transformers-g-i-joe/ CBR]
*September 2009—[https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-09-14-transformers_N.htm USA Today]
*October 2009—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/episode-76 Moonbase 2]
*November 2009—[http://web.archive.org/web/20091107063055/http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23606 CBR]
*November 2009—[https://news.tfw2005.com/2009/11/15/tfw2005-interviews-idw-publishing-editor-andy-schmidt-168776 TFW2005]
*November 2009—[https://tformers.com/transformers-interview-tformers-talks-with-transformers-comic-writer-andy-schmidt/12679/news.html TFormers] (addressing criticism about ''Transformers: Continuum'')
*November 2009—[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/seibertron-interviews-idws-transformers-lead-editor-andy-schmidt/17393/ Seibertron]
*October 2010—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r4lD5-f7pc Silver Cheese]
*April 2011—[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/seibertron-interview-setting-up-some-chaos-with-andy-schmidt/21255/ Seibertron]
*April 2011—[https://moonbase2.libsyn.com/the-underbase-interviews-andy-schmidt The Underbase]
*April 2011—[https://www.cbr.com/schmidt-brings-order-to-transformers-chaos/ CBR]
*March 2016—[https://nerdforaliving.com/episode-56-writing-for-video-games-andy-schmidt/ Nerd For A Living]

==Reference==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schmidt, Andy}}
[[Category:Editors]]
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Writers]]

Ironhide (BW)

2022-08-28T02:05:08Z

Charles RB:

{{faction|maximal}}
{{disambig3|Ironhide}}
:''Ironhide is a [[Maximal]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Ironhide-Beast Wars-Earth Wars.jpg|upright=2.5|thumb|]]

'''Ironhide''' contributes his strength to the new Maximal gestalt warrior [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]].<ref>[http://tftechspecs.com/pics0/10256.jpg ''Beast Wars'' Magnaboss pack-in toy bio]</ref> Once upon a time, he fought in the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] and was known for meeting problems head on, but now with age and experience he has become a calmer, wiser Ironhide respected for his work for peace.<ref>[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:beast-wars-ironhide Earth Wars bio]</ref>

In pachyderm beast form, he's a thundering force of nature.
{{TOCclear}}

==Games==
===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
{{chargamestub|{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}}}

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:Ironhide-bw-magnaboss-toy.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|]]
*'''Magnaboss''' (Ultra Class, [[1997]])
**''Accessories:'' 2 guns

:Sold only as part of an Ultra class 3-Pack, ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' Ironhide transforms from an African elephant via a rather complex process involving numerous hinges and unfolding panels into a rather stumpy robot. Although dumpy, he is nothing if not well-armed: he has a flip-out spike at the end of each arm, and comes with two removable guns that flip out from behind his elephant mode ears, and which can be plugged into the holes at the ends of his arms. Ironhide is packaged with [[Prowl (Magnaboss)#Toys|Prowl]] and [[Silverbolt (Magnaboss)#Toys|Silverbolt]], and combines with them to form his [[Magnaboss (BW)#Toys|Magnaboss]]. Ironhide forms the bulk of the combiner's mass, including all four limbs.

: Ironhide was slightly redecoed by Takara to create [[Santon#Toys|Santon]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Maximal/Ironhide/ironhide.htm More information on Beast Wars Ironhide at TFU.info]''
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The [[1997]] Magnaboss toy included no information about its three components beyond their names and a personality trait ostensibly different from the Generation 1 individuals of the same names. In [[2007]], [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'', written by [[Ben Yee]] and [[Simon Furman]], would characterize the toy trio as the G1 Autobots having survived to become Maximal Elders in the 24th century. By contrast, the ''[[Transformers: Earth Wars|Earth Wars]]'' mobile game in [[2021]] would depict lion Prowl and eagle Silverbolt as Maximal namesakes of the Autobots.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Ironhide''' (アイアンハイド ''Aianhaido'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Wars combiners]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]

Female Transformer

2022-08-21T01:42:25Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig2|female Transformers in general|the Autobot resistance group led by Elita One|Female Autobots}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Synergy-FemaleTFs.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoccSgZag2U "What's it like being a female soldier, I'm often asked. I wouldn't know, I answer. ''I'' am a soldier."]]]

Despite being robotic lifeforms with generally non-sexual methods of [[reproduction]], the [[Transformer]] species has almost always been shown to include both male and female gender analogues, at least mentally if not physically.

'''Female Transformers''' were originally depicted as an anomaly, specifically called out as either a thought-to-be-extinct subgroup or simply never existing in the first place. ''Thanks, 1980s! Always so sensitive!'' Well into the third decade of the franchise, the number of female characters to have received either mass retail toy releases or recurring cartoon appearances was still in the single digits... and some of those had been originally designed as toys for male characters or were portrayed as male in some cartoon markets. While they are still comparatively rare, as the years went on they have increased greatly in numbers, prominence and overall fairness of representation, and are considered an official part of the [[Transformers brand|''Transformers'' brand]] in pretty much every continuity. Nowadays, female Transformers are basically considered a normal part of the Cybertronian population.

There's still a long way to go, since they ARE still uncommon compared to the "guys" and as [[Mairghread Scott]] pointed out, this can inadvertently make any given female Transformer and their stories seem like a comment on real women.<ref>[http://mscottwrites.tumblr.com/post/71325530812/what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-idw-arcee-origin-that Shotgun Mermaid (Mairghread Scott's tumblr), December 27 2013]: specifically, arguing that IDW Arcee being driven insane by her gender change can imply the women-are-hysterical stereotype "because she is the ONLY women [sic]" in the story, being one of the few female Autobots in G1 at all.</ref> That's part of a ''way'' bigger argument for gender equality in entertainment and society at large that's a bit beyond this wiki's scope to fully explore.

A '''[[list of female Transformers]]''' from all continuities is available.

{{quote|Well, I remember bringing up that question early on with Hasbro, "are any of these female?" And then I think Hasbro's attitude was, "this is a boy toy. We don't wanna have, you know, girl robots." So, I said, "OK, just want to clarify that."|[[Bob Budiansky]]|[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954 Rusting Carcass interview]}}

==Fandom and Terminology==
Almost assuredly as a consequence of their rarity in official fiction and toylines, female Transformers are popular in [[fan fiction]], where the term "'''femme'''" is often used to describe them, with "'''mech'''"<ref>While "femme" obviously is related to the French word for "woman", it's occasionally claimed that the use of "mech" as a name for male Transformers is derived from "mec", the French word for "guy" or "dude". This is probably more coincidence than anything, though.</ref> likewise being applied to "male" Transformers. Both terms have recently appeared in a piece of official fiction: [[Venus (magazine)|Venus]] magazine. This is the first instance "mech" has been used to specifically refer to a male Transformer, whereas the term has been used as a gender-neutral common noun for Transformers in various stories.

Alternative words to denote a female Transformer, all used about twice in canon, include: '''femme-bot''',<ref>"Just imagine all the colony worlds: naive small planetoid femme-bots, unsuspecting targets, Unguarded Energon Reserves..." -[[Buzzsaw (Cybertron)|Buzzsaw]], "[[Force of Habit]]" p4 ([[2008]])</ref> '''fembot''',<ref>[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] refers to [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]] as "Ya emasculatin' fembot!" after she cuts the tip from his tail/sword in "[[Nemesis Part 2]]", while ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Animated]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Optimus Prime]] wonders in "[[Endgame, Part II]]" what chance he has in flying combat against the [[Lugnut Supreme|Lugnuts Supreme]] if he "couldn't handle [[Slipstream (Animated)|Starscream's fembot clone]]" on [[Endgame, Part I|his test run]].</ref> '''girl-bot'''<ref>"When we take over Cybertron, I'm gonna have a whole harem of girl-bots! Blue ones, red ones..." - [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], "The Art of War issue 5"</ref> '''robot dame''',<ref>In [[This Is Why I Hate Machines]] Captain Fanzone refers to Arcee as a "robot dame in a room"</ref> and ''perhaps'' '''robotessa'''.<ref>In "[[Enter the Nightbird]]", "Robotessa" is the word missing from the line "Say good night to your [Robotessa], Megatron!"</ref>

==Appearance==
[[File:LegendsBusinessTrip11-heroladies.jpg|right|thumb|Elita didn't expect the Orthia auditions to have this big a turnout.]]
[[File:BMStrika.jpg|left|upright=0.95|thumb|The jury is still out whether Lugnut loves her more than Megatron.]]
The appearance of female Transformers in most continuities would seem to suggest a level of "sexual" dimorphism is present in at least the more humanoid members of the Transformers species (the term sexual is used in a gender-based, rather than physical sense, see the reproduction link above for that whole kettle of robo-fish). In almost all cases female Transformers are portrayed as comparatively more graceful of form, and more rounded and curved in general, than their male counterparts. Often they have a more than passing resemblance to a slender human female made of metal and wearing armor and [[kibble]].

There are exceptions to this rule. Characters with toys could have been bulky and less overtly human-female-like, which was seen in the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] series and some latter expansions of the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] series out of Japan, when the characters are often assigned to pre-existing "masculine" toys. Perhaps the best counter-example of this type is [[Strika (BM)|Strika]], who is female yet neither looks nor acts stereotypically feminine at all. This, however, has dropped away in more recent years as toy technology changes. Numerous female characters from the [[Aligned continuity family|Aligned]] and [[Movie (franchise)|Movie]] lines would turn into motorbikes, giving them thinner, daintier dimensions in robot mode. There are some exceptions, most notably the recently introduced [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] and her distinctly boxy shape.

The main real-world reason for all this can be seen from [[IDW Publishing]]'s plans to introduce more women in 2014. Plans were afoot to make two look less visually 'female' and more like "the default Cybertronian design" so readers wouldn't know they were female until their dialogue. That was dropped to make it more visually clear that ''these'' were the female characters.<ref>[http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2015/02/26/james-roberts-on-idws-transformers-more-that-meets-the-eye/ Women Write About Comics: "James Roberts on IDW’s Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye" 10:00 - 11:21]</ref> Humans are just conditioned to associate certain looks like certain genders. When the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Cybertron]]'' dubbers wanted to make a male character into a female one, it's probably not a surprise that they went with [[Override (Cybertron)|the (relatively) sleek racing car]].<ref>[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/botcon2005.txt Steve-o Stonebraker's BotCon 2005 Notes, Version 2 at his Transformers site]</ref>

{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:G1femmes.jpg|upright=2.5|thumb|"Good morning, Angels".]]
Within this continuity, female Transformers are a rarity, but established to have been around from the species' start. A female named [[Beta (G1)|Beta]] existed back in the slave days under [[Quintesson]] rule, and thus it seems clear females were produced alongside the males as part of the Quintessons' product lines.

No female individuals were explicitly shown to exist among the Decepticon ranks, although the introduction of [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] and implications of an eventual upgrade didn't raise any questions or remarks, suggesting that female Decepticons exist (or that the Decepticons royally don't care about a soldier's gender).

[[The Search for Alpha Trion|27 episodes after Nightbird's appearance]], female Transformers were introduced formally through the [[Female Autobots]]. [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] at various points expresses surprise they aren't extinct, which would seem to imply females were thought to be no longer part of the Cybertronian race. While at the time a decent (though certainly not perfect) explanation for the scarce appearances of female Transformers, it didn't stop more from showing up in the movie and season 3. Possibly Shockwave's "statement" could be considered as [[retcon]]ned and overwritten, or one of the following explanations applies:
# They were all built/"discovered" after the events of "The Search for Alpha Trion".
# Shockwave constantly calls them Autobots, never Transformers or Cybertronians. It is possible female [[Neutral]]s' (and the aforementioned female [[Decepticon]]s') existence was never thought over... and that none of them changed allegiance any time recently.
# "Female Autobot" is not used as a description, but as the team's name.
# This is the Generation 1 cartoon. You're not watching it for the flawless storytelling.

Females can be seen here and there among the [[Junkion (species)|Junkion tribe]], mostly sharing [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]]'s model. [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] has a "[[Nancy|Junkion lady]]" companion according to "[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006]]". Just how relationships function in this isolated, media-based Transformers society is unclear, although it's notable that Wreck-Gar and his lady friend "slept" sitting up next to each other on giant thrones between television broadcast cycles. The lady's character model is actually that of a female [[Lithone (species)|Lithone]], another mechanical race, but whether this is meaningful in any way or simple model recycling is uncertain.

In [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers#European Generation 1 fiction|the French dub]] of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (but not in the TV series), both [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] were referred to as female, with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] calling Starscream "une imbecile" at one point (French articles are gendered), and Shrapnel referred to as "Mademoiselle". The reason for this gender-switch was never fully explained, though it is possible that Starscream's and Shrapnel's rather high-pitched voices were mistaken for women's voices.
{{-}}

====''Super-God Masterforce''====
[[File:Esmeral-manga.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Even murderous space chickens have a special one.]]
A female Transformer was created through the introduction of [[Minerva (human)|Minerva]] to the ranks of the [[Headmaster Junior]]s. The [[transtector]] she was bonded to [[A Battle... and Then...|eventually]] evolved into a being of ''her'' own.

Meanwhile, the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] existed out of two humans before becoming sapient: husband [[Giga]] and wife [[Mega]]. Despite the double gender, Overlord is regarded a "he".

====''Victory''====
In the manga, [[Decepticon]] females make their first (yet still to this day rare) appearance in official fiction as [[Esmeral (G1)|Esmeral]] ([[Deathsaurus (G1)|Deszaras]]'s wife) and [[Lyzack (G1)|Lyzack]] ([[Leozack]]'s [[Relatives|sister]]). Both show up to show the Autobots just what it is Deszaras and his crew have been fighting for all this time: their poor families back home. This spares the Decepticons' lives in the final battle between the two forces. This certainly casts an odd light on the matter of Transformer [[reproduction]] (and on [[Masumi Kaneda|the manga author]]).

Meanwhile, in the animated series, the [[Micromaster]] [[Holi]] is shown to have a girlfriend on the planet [[Micro]], [[Clipper (G1)|Clipper]].

====''Operation Combination''====
''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers (franchise)#Fight.21 Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination|Operation Combination]]'' introduced a total of 24 Micromasters, none of which got a [[bio]]. Ten years later, ''[[The Transformers: Micromaster|Micromaster]]'' did provide them, and the Micromasters [[Windy (G1)|Windy]] and [[Discharge (G1)|Discharge]] were established as female.

====Marvel Comics continuity====
[[File:Nomates.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|And what will happen is like this.]]
No female ''Transformers'' are ever seen or referred to in the US stories. In "[[Recipe for Disaster!]]", [[Cloudburst]] is pressured into a relationship with the beautiful [[First One]] of [[Femax]], but he explains that Transformers, as a species, have "no gender". Despite this, male robots are clearly demonstrated as the de-facto norm. They are coded as male, using pronouns and designs depicting what is typically considered "masculine".

The letters page for #53, where "Recipe" ran, further stated that Transformers have no gender and that they use gendered terms because they picked it up from us, and "most have characteristics that are commonly associated with males" while a rare number like [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] have traits we'd associate with women.<ref>"Transformers have no gender! Since the Transformers do not reproduce sexually, they have no need to be male or female. Most have characteristics that are commonly associated with males, so they are referred to as “he’s”. On a rare occasion, one might come across as female and is referred to as a “she”. Arcee fits into this latter category, but referring to themselves as “he’s” and “she’s” is a convention the Transformers probably picked up from hanging around Earthlings too long."</ref>

[[File:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|right|upright=1.3|thumb|You can't shoot Squeezeplay just because he's a bloke.]]

Furman didn't have that letters page and came up with an alternative explanation for Arcee, who'd appeared in UK's post-[[The Transformers: The Movie|film]] future stories. As detailed in "[[Prime's Rib!]]", she was intentionally created by the Autobots in 1995 to be the sole female Transformer in an attempt to placate [[human]] [[feminist mob|feminists]]. (See her picture above for a hint of how well that went over.)

In "[[Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night]]" and "Prime's Rib", the Autobots don't 'get' gender or humanity's gender relations and sterotypes. This lasted two minutes once Arcee was created: Optimus asked Arcee to hang back, she grumped about men, and Hot Rod went "phwoar!". In "Prime's Rib" this is played for laughs but in "[[Space Pirates!]]", Rodimus Prime can be ambushed by wanting to help Arcee first.

Despite the Transformers having 'no gender', the Marvel continuity was actually the first in introducing a female ''Cybertronian'': [[Aunty]], the onboard computer of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', who was introduced in [[The Transformers (issue)|the very first issue]]. "[[Raiders of the Last Ark]]" gave her a feminine holographic 'face'.

The [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|UK letter pages]] mentioned another two female Transformers: Decepticon Powermaster [[Clio]] and presumed Autobot [[Karmen]], who is Blaster's sister. Provided they are real and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] didn't just make them up, they're unlikely to have been built à la Arcee (unless the 'Cons ''really'' care about gender representation) and could be taken as falling under that 'characteristics' approach. Or the 'Blaster' staffer didn't care.

Two continuations of Marvel would introduce female Transformers. [[BotCon]]'s ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' fiction, while not including the UK material, introduced [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]] in "[[Games of Deception]]", in a manner similar to UK Arcee; and in Furman's ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'', [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] is the first of the second generation of Transformers.

{{-}}

====Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity====
According to DK's ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'' (written by Simon Furman), "Transformers are inherently non-gender specific, and only some quirk of their timelost origins can account for [female Transformers'] difference in appearance and attitude." [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] was [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues|in the process]] of introducing more female Transformers and explicating their links to the Quintessons in this continuity when it went out of business.

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:Spotlight Arcee cvrB.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Information: you are ALL going to DIE.]]

{{quote|what do 'he' and 'she' pronouns connote in a TF context? Do they connote *exactly* the same things as they do in a human context? I don't know. It hasn't been properly explored yet. All that said, let's assume that a Transformer who adopts a particular personal pronoun is doing so for the same reasons that a human would.|James Roberts [http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sj9u8i on TwitLonger]}}

IDW comics are aimed at older readers, so this is where it gets complicated.

Originally [[Simon Furman]] stated that he would not use female Transformers in the IDW continuity until he came up with a reason for them to exist that made logical sense to him. He did not rule out doing so, as he said he had found a similar justification for the [[Pretender]]s, which led to the ''[[The Transformers: Stormbringer|Stormbringer]]'' miniseries. Certainly, however, Transformers do not necessarily identify with the genders of other species while selecting a suitable [[holomatter|holomatter avatar]], under Furman's pen or otherwise; [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], for instance, adopted the countenance of a {{w|Lindsay Lohan}} lookalike, while [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] once replicated his one-time [[human]] traveling partner [[Verity Carlo]]. (The only time anyone treated this as unusual is when Magnus's companions wondered why the legendarily-uptight cop specifically chose the freewheeling ''Verity'' as a template.)

The subject of Cybertronian gender first came to the fore for the first time in in "[[Spotlight: Arcee]]", which presented the [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|eponymous character]] as a product of the mad science of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]; as presented in the issue itself, he had forcibly experimented on Arcee in a Frankensteinian attempt to introduce gender to the species, a process that involved directly tampering with the [[CNA]] of his subject. The experiment did not leave Arcee with the warmest of feelings towards Jhiaxus, and when the scientist abandoned his creation, she began a vengeful rampage that cut a swathe across the galaxy. This... did not sit well with quite a few people, wondering just what all this was saying about women, transgender or otherwise.

[[File:Windblade2coverplain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[:File:MarvelUS-19.jpg|You Asked For Her - You GOT Her]]!]]

When [[James Roberts]] and [[John Barber]] took the reins of the universe in early [[2012]], they repeatedly considered adding more female Transformers into the universe as early as "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]", which would have seen feminine Transformers among the waves of [[NAIL]] refugees. For one reason or another, these plans fell through and were indefinitely shelved until 2014,<ref>John Barber Q&A at TFCon 2017</ref> when Hasbro introduced a new <s>toy</s> female Transformer called [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and a [[The Transformers: Windblade|tie-in IDW comic advertising the character.]] Writer [[Mairghread Scott]] made it clear that Windblade's femininity would not be accidental, nor would it be the product of a sinister experiment.<ref>[http://mscottwrites.tumblr.com/post/71211861958/hey-congrats-on-the-new-comic-i-voted-for-a-lady-robot Scott's tumblr: "That’s not how it works for biological women on Earth and that’s not how it’s gonna work on Cybertron. Anybody has a problem with that, you know where I am."]</ref> (This led to [[Spotlight: Arcee#Trivia|a brief conflict]] as Furman initially read this as a personal attack on his work.) Windblade's arrival was used as leverage to double the number of girls to a shocking ''four'' as her friends Chromia and new Autobot [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] showed up with her in [[Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Chapter 8]] of the ''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]'' crossover.

The IDW comic initially established that Windblade and her female compatriots hailed from the Cybertronian colony of [[Caminus (planet)|Caminus]], long cut off from their ancestral homeworld; originally, as presented in [[A 'Bot and Her City|the first issue]] of ''[[The Transformers: Windblade]]'', the existence of gender on this distant world was treated as a form of {{w|allopatric speciation}} in this isolated culture. Barber and Scott both worked together on developing Caminus' background to avoid falling into the opposite stereotype of a woman-only planet, emphasizing that on Caminus, Transformers of both genders peacefully coexisted.<ref>John Barber Q&A at TFCon 2017</ref> However, it didn't take long before the various IDW series together revealed the truth: Cybertron ''did'' once possess a population of female Transformers, but had somehow changed over the interim, leaving Caminus and other lost colonies, such as [[Prion (planet)|Prion]] and [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Eukaris]], to carry on this ancient aspect of Transformer society. Shortly afterwards, [[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|issue #37]] of ''Robots in Disguise'' revealed-slash-retconned that Jhiaxus's experiments were meant to ''restore'' this lost element of Cybertronian civilization. The [[All That Remains|finale]] of the ''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]'' comic confirmed that female Transformers were alive and well on the rest of the colonies, and [[An Uneventful Night|the ''Combiner Wars'' coda comic]] introduced an all-female [[combiner]] [[Victorion]] and her six components, bringing the number of female combiners up to a grand total of [[Heavy Metal (Energon)|two]].<ref>Some female characters such as [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] serve as combiner components, although the resulting personality identifies itself as a male.</ref>

[[File:DanceAmongTheShadows-butyoudontbelieve.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Pyra, meanwhile, is severly disappointed at those who showed up for the Victorion tryouts.<ref>[[Pyra Magna]], [[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]], [[Rust Dust]], [[Stormclash]], [[Jumpstream]] and [[Dust Up]] are new members of the all-female [[Torchbearer]] team,. while [[Aileron]] is an entirely new character. Other continuity-jumping new arrivals alongside mainstay Transformer female [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] include [[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] and [[Slide]]; the latter is an odd case where the character had been previously depicted as male. Even so, that's ten girls to eight boys - a new record!</ref>]]

At this point, post-''Combiner Wars'' and with the colonies giving an easy-out, female Transformers became just 'a thing' and were frequently added as nothing special. Existing G1 characters like [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] and Elita One (including backgrounders [[Greenlight]] and [[Lancer]]), previously non-G1 characters like [[Override (G1)|Override]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]], new ones like [[Nickel]] (the first female Decepticon in IDW) and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], and previously male characters like [[Slide]] have all shown up.

What, if indeed anything, separates female Transformers from their male counterparts in this universe is not clear. ''Spotlight: Arcee'' established that "male" Transformers could instinctually sense a "difference" about Arcee, and unconsciously used feminine pronouns when referring to her, though it's not clear if this is the product of Jhiaxus's experimentation or some kind of natural ability. [[Twenty Plus One|Issue #31]] of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' initially described [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] as having an "estriol-positive" [[spark]]-type, (no doubt based off the {{w|Estriol|female hormone of the same name}}) but author [[James Roberts]] opted to change this to "ferrum-positive" in the trade paperback, after deciding it was unnecessary and "potentially offensive" to imply that female and male bots were fundamentally different.<ref>[http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/12/18/no-little-bots-james-roberts-retcons-estriol-female-transformers/ Bleeding Cool: "No Little ‘Bots? James Roberts Retcons ‘Estriol’ In Female Transformers"]</ref>

[[File:AfterMegatron-AnodeAndLug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|right|DAWW]]

Despite all of these developments, various artists have freely thrown in a variety of female characters in background cameos, even in instances where these female Transformers couldn't have existed on Cybertron. Most notably, ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' featured a particularly high number of such cameos, including [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]], [[Elita One (G1)|Elita One]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and various [[generic]]s. James Roberts teased the possibility of transgender Transformers for some years,<ref>[http://positronicwoman.tumblr.com/post/87833950888/you-guysssssssss Roberts on the possibility of transgender Transformers on Twitter]</ref> before finally using the concept to explain these cameos in otherwise incompatible situations. Occasionally, Cybertronians, such as those members of the off-world [[Primal Vanguard]], would encounter gendered aliens, with some choosing to adopt female pronouns (and, occasionally, body-types) after feeling that they fit them better. From this revelation, we got [[Anode]] and her partner [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]]: the first two definitively, canonically, transgender Transformer characters. Around this time, ''Robots in Disguise'' author John Barber would delve deeper into Arcee's original backstory, dropping several hints that Arcee had, at least to some extent, consented to Jhiaxus's gender experiments due to identity issues of her own; the [[Post|final issue]] of the original IDW universe would eventually confirm that she, too, had always been transgender, and that she had deliberately sought the services of Jhiaxus, not seeing the mad scientist for what he was, to help her transition.

====Ask Vector Prime====
[[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] considered female Cybertronians to be little more than "window dressing" considering what a big deal [[You|some people]] made of them as opposed to female [[GoBot]]s who were an equal, and essential, part of Cy-Kill's various evil plans. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric (2), 12 January 2016}}

====2019 IDW continuity====
[[File:TF2019 22 cvrA clean.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Flamewar's first imperial decree was to enforce mandatory Floor Time.]]
As a result of changing attitudes in both the ''Transformers'' fandom and the real-world pop culture landscape, the [[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 comic reboot]] has largely done away with the convoluted [[retcon]]s and leaps of logic necessary to increase inclusion of female Transformers in the later years of its predecessor, choosing to instead depict female Cybertronians of all shapes and sizes as an accepted, normal part of Cybertronian civilization.

Female Cybertronians constitute a large percentage of this continuity's ensemble cast. Both Windblade and Chromia return as major characters; new female characters introduced to the mythos include [[Termagax]], [[Leviathan (G1)|Leviathan]], [[Codexa]], [[Accelerator]], and [[Gauge]]. Meanwhile, [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]], [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]], and [[Strongarm (G1)|Strongarm]] make the leap from other continuities to recurring roles in G1-based media. The same can be said for previously-obscure G1 characters [[Vibes]] and [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]].

{{-}}

===Beast Era===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
[[File:CrossingtheRubicron-newbody.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Original spider joke or perish, Silverbolt.]]

Female Transformers seem to be common here, with no one showing any surprise over their presence. [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] both engage in romances with male [[Maximal]]s, the former blatantly and the latter far more subtly. [[Transmutate (BW)|Transmutate]] is genderless but [[Transmutate (episode)#Notes|deliberately given "a face that vaguely indicates it is female" in script]]. (Airazor was made female by the writer's insistence.) Some male Transformers, such as [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] and [[Inferno (BW)|Inferno]], possess [[beast mode]]s based off eusocial insects that would be biologically female, though this does not seem to affect their gender identity.

[[File:BA Silverbolt Agenda3.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|"I tried to commit genocide four episodes ago."]]

[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]] has an old-school human-style view of women as a fairer and more vulnerable gender, as he refuses to fight Blackarachnia out of <s>lust</s> chivalry. {{storylink|Tangled Web}} {{storylink|Bad Spark}} Most of the other Transformers seem unconcerned about this but [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] sees it as part of his nobility. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} Blackarachnia herself used to find it ''bloody annoying'', beating up Silverbolt to try and get him to fight back already. {{storylink|Bad Spark}} She is eventually won over when he keeps following her and telling her what she's really like when she yells at him to go away. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} {{storylink|The Agenda (Part III)}} Some Transformers have another old-school human view, considered those strange fillies to be quite inscrutable: [[Quickstrike (BW)|Quickstrike]] and [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]] being two. {{storylink|Tangled Web}}

For the purposes of humor, over the course of the show characters will make innuendos that suggest that, at least by that era, there may have been something sex-like between Transformers. [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]] dismays Blackarachnia with teenage slobbering, {{storylink|Crossing the Rubicon}} she flirts with him regarding his body for info, {{storylink|Feral Scream Part 2}} [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]] is blunt that he knows Tarantulas had "ulterior motives" for making her a spider, {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}} Blackarachnia is involved in a castration joke... {{storylink|Nemesis Part 2}}

Boy, they sure like doing this with Blackarachnia. Odd that.

Throughout the show [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] makes ''numerous'' innuendos, especially involving Silverbolt and Blackarachnia's relationship, including the rather seedy "find any new ''positions''?" after Silverbolt's been scouting the enemy (cough). {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 2)}} He also makes references to a bar on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] where the wait-staff "are walkin' around minus their torso-plates"... which frankly sounds like it'd be really messy. He didn't want young Cheetor to overhear this. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}}

====''Beast Wars II'' cartoon====
[[Scylla]] is the impetus for a big ridiculous love triangle of hilarity and embarrassment in both the anime and manga continuities. She is in love with the squid-bot [[Scuba]], who wants nothing to do with her. Meanwhile, the Maximal [[Bighorn]] is in love with Scylla, who wants nothing to do with him.

The non-Transformer female robot [[Artemis]] harbors a crush on both Scuba (poor guy) and [[Starscream (BW)|Starscream]].

====''Beast Wars Neo'' comic====
The young Maximal [[Stampy (BW)|Stampy]] has a [[Kitte Shūshū|mother]]. The actual genetics of this was not explained, but we also see a picture of a rabbit with a mustache on the wall behind her, implying a father and sexual reproduction. Just how in the hell an entire planet-wide race of breeding rabbit-robots arose from [[Tasmania Kid]], who was a Tasmanian devil, is ''also'' never explained.

Later, it was explained and it very much was sexual reproduction. {{storylink|Andromeda - Axiom Nexus News Reporter}}

====2006 IDW ''Beast Wars'' continuity====
In the spin-off comics, [[Manta Ray (BW)|Manta Ray]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]] are female Transformers, though the latter was previously established in the [[3H Productions]] [[Transformers: Universe (comic)|''The Wreckers'' comic]]. Neither character was specifically given a gender in their toy bios and this was seized upon as a way to get extra women in.

====''Beast Machines'' cartoon====
[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] end up in a romantic relationship towards the end of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' ("So, I'm a tree-hugger!" Rattrap remarks). What this means for his bar-hopping days is never explored. Innuendo makes a big return when [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] and Rattrap argue about whether he'd rather insert his tail into a computer or be "plowing your little field of dreams". {{storylink|Spark of Darkness}} Yeah.

[[File:Sparkofdarkness-strikacloseup.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Of course I haven't seen 'The Dark Knight Rises', why do you ask?]]

The [[Vehicon general]] [[Strika (BM)|Strika]] is referred to as the "consort" of [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]], and has been serving by his side, seemingly as an equal, for centuries. Some have taken this to mean the two have a romantic interest in each other, but the show itself does not offer any hints to this. This is the first time in Transformers fiction where a female robot has a high rank; where Elita One got to run a small rebel group, we're told Strika is a famous officer who has overseen and won numerous wars. {{storylink|Sparkwar Pt. I: The Strike}}

Story editor [[Bob Skir]] also wanted main character [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]] to be a young female Transformer, patterned after the girl "Newt" from the movie ''{{w|Aliens (film)|Aliens}}''. (When the Powers That Be nixed that, Nightscream ended up becoming {{w|John Connor}} in ''{{w|Terminator 2: Judgment Day}}'' instead.)<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20071202095033/http://bigbot.com/beast-machines-transformers-bob-skir/Beast-Machines-FAQ/Fri_03_Dec_1999.html Bob Skir Q&A 3 December 1999] (archive copy)</ref> This would've given us a Transformers cartoon with a shocking ''four'' female main characters out of sixteen speaking bots!

===''Robots in Disguise'' (2001)===
Female Transformers are seemingly rare in the [[Viron]] [[Universal stream|universal cluster]] as none appear on-screen, if one doesn't count the female Cybertronian intelligence computer, [[T-AI]]. We know they have gender and gender relations due to both the aforementioned T-AI and [[Side Burn (RID)|Side Burn's]] obsessive lust for red sports cars. He was even able to plausibly pretend he had old girlfriend cars in "[[Sideburn's Obsession]]", only getting tripped up by lying it was on Earth.

In 2015, [[Ask Vector Prime]] said that the [[Spy Changer]] [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Spy Changer continuity|Optimus Prime]] from [[Viron 1103.12 Gamma]], and thus [[Scourge (RID)#Spy Changer continuity|Scourge]], as well as the [[Nightcruz (RID)|Nightcruz]] from [[Viron 102.0 Beta]], were female.

===Unicron Trilogy===
[[File:Linkage7 Twirl-Baby.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|But she's got your altmode!]]
The existence of female Transformers throughout the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]] is portrayed as slightly uncommon (it is a fiction aimed at young boys, after all), but hardly remarkable. They just exist, as do "males", and no special attention is called to them. Quite a few appear in various places in "[[Joyride (Cybertron)|civilian]]" roles, as [[Autobot nurse|nurses]], and even on [[Velocitron band|colony worlds]].

There are examples and hints of romantic interest between males and females in both ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' ([[Redline]] and [[Falcia]] in the [[Linkage (comic)|''Linkage'' comics]], plus [[Nightscream (Armada)|Nightscream]]'s eagerness to appease and defend his [[Bulk]] partner [[Airazor (Armada)|Airazor]]), and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' stories (most obviously [[Thunderblast (Decepticon)|Thunderblast]]'s intense infatuation with [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]], [[Ransack (Cybertron)|Ransack's]] secret crush on [[Override (Cybertron)|Override]], plus [[Downshift (Energon)|Downshift]] reportedly has an unnamed "fembot life partner" lost somewhere on [[Earth]]). This too is treated as a fairly common event.

[[File:Cyb ep6 overrides challenge.jpg|left|thumb|225px|''Why do robots have to have gender?'' thought Override. ''Bloody masculinists.'']]

There are female Transformers in positions of very high power as well: in the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]], [[Arcee (Energon)|Arcee]] is the leader of the entire [[Omnicon]] race, while in ''Cybertron'', Override is the leader of the planet [[Velocitron]]. The Unicron Trilogy is the first ''Transformers'' continuity to explicitly ''give'' female Transformers that level of responsibility... but the only other one (so far) does so via a ''direct'' analogue of ''Cybertron'' (see [[#Aligned|the "Aligned" continuity]] below for more on that).

However, in the original Japanese, Override (called Nitro Convoy) is a male Transformer. [[Cartoon Network]], the channel with the airing rights to the dub, felt it needed more female presence in the main cast and Override was chosen to change genders.<ref>[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/botcon2005.txt Steve-o Stonebraker's BotCon 2005 Notes, Version 2 at his Transformers site]</ref>

In the French version of the ''Energon'' cartoon, Arcee is dubbed by a man. ''Why'' she was is currently unknown.
{{-}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:Arceemovie.jpg|thumb|Comic artists ''cry'' when they see this model sheet.]]

[[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] was originally going to be featured as part of the cast of the [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' film]], but was cut early on in the movie's development. The script writers felt they would need to explain the presence of a female in an entirely robotic race, and there was not enough time in the film to do so. Arcee was replaced in the movie by [[Ironhide (Movie)|Ironhide]]. Even so, Arcee was featured in IDW's [[Transformers: Movie Prequel|''Movie Prequel'' comics]] and remains in the movie toyline as both Deluxe and Scout-class toys.

One other female Autobot is featured in the movie continuity family, another Scout-class toy, [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]]. Both Elita and Arcee, however, are featured in [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Titan Magazine's]] alternate reality stories as regular characters, with Arcee getting more prominence. Both also appear in IDW's Movie Sequel comic series ''[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|The Reign of Starscream]]'', with Arcee playing quite a prominent leadership role. Surprisingly, Elita-One does not fare as well as her sister-in-arms, dying at the claws of [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] himself. Although it is unusual for a female Transformer to die in fiction ([[To sell toys|compared to how often Transformer death happens in general]]), it has [[Manta Ray (BW)|happened]] [[Sonar (BW)|before]].

As for Decepticons, [[Fracture (Movie)|Fracture]], based off of the aforementioned Crasher, was added to the end of the movie toyline as a Wal-mart exclusive. She featured in Titan Magazine's comics and in IDW's ''[[Transformers: Alliance|Alliance]]'' series.

After Titan's first volume, the female characters were seen less and less. When a reader asked why in [[Transformers Comic issue 3.4|#4 of the third volume]], editor [[Rona Simpson]] broke character in the letters page and admitted: "This is something we would love to change, but for the moment, the 'mech' figures are more popular and our hands are tied."

In the Tyran cluster romantic relationships between male and female robots seem to be possible; an example are [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] and the aforementioned Elita. [[David Reeve]] (in the [[Transformers: Bumblebee Movie Prequel|IDW's prequel comics]]) refers to [[Diabla (BB)|Diabla]] as [[Bumblebee (Movie)|Bumblebee]]'s girlfriend. Although Bee seems to deny the relationship, their past together on Cybertron and Bumblebee's impetuous rage after realizing Diabla's death allow you to believe the opposite if you want to.

In all the comics where female Transformers do appear in the Movie continuity, their gender is never considered an issue. This raises questions about just how necessary "explaining" them would be in [[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|future]] [[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|movies]].

And apparently, two years later gender was no longer an issue at all, as ''Revenge of the Fallen'' featured [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]], who now inexplicably existed in three separate bodies, as well as [[Alice (ROTF)|Alice]], a Decepticon [[Pretender]]. No comment was given on the subject of the characters' femininity. Frankly, not explaining Pretenders is a bigger oversight than not explaining robot gender.

''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|The Last Knight]]'' introduces [[Quintessa (TLK)|Quintessa]], a female robot (and also the first female main antagonist) but none seem to be surprised. However, this could be explained by the (possibly) not-Cybertronian nature of Quintessa.

The prequel film ''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]'' features a cameo appearance by Arcee in the first scenes of the movie, while main antagonist [[Shatter]] has a bigger role.

{{-}}

===''Animated''===
[[File:Animated females.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Did you ever feel like the only original designs in a sea full of homages?]]
Female Transformers were present in ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' from the very beginning of the cartoon, starting with [[Blackarachnia (Animated)|Blackarachnia]]. What this meant for the state of females in the continuity at large was not immediately apparent; in "[[Along Came a Spider]]", both [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]] and [[Bumblebee (Animated)|Bumblebee]] expressed confusion as to ''what'' Blackarachnia was. Though they were referring to her [[Technorganic|partially organic]] nature, [[Sari Sumdac (Animated)|Sari]] jokes "Duh, she's a girl" as a nod to the rarity of female Transformers.

[[Image:Blackarachnia Venus Mag by BillForster.jpg|200px|thumb|right]]
As the series proceeded, multiple lady-bots were progressively introduced, among which were a [[Slipstream (Animated)|female clone]] of [[Starscream (Animated)|Starscream]], the obligatory [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] and many more. Although they remain distinctly outnumbered by the male Transformers, this makes it clear that while female Transformers may be relatively uncommon, they aren't considered very remarkable or noteworthy—unless you're a young, male Autobot who's spent ''waaaaayy'' too much time fixing space bridges.

Despite Optimus's confusion over where organic babies come from in "[[Transform and Roll Out]]", implying that there is no Cybertronian equivalent to [[Reproduction|sexual reproduction]] in ''Animated'', Transformer ''relationships'' are implied to be a possibility, as in "[[Along Came a Spider]]" and "[[Black Friday (episode)|Black Friday]]", respectively, Blackarachnia takes advantage of [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Bulkhead]]'s and the [[Dinobot (Animated)|Dinobots]]' obvious interest in her, especially [[Grimlock (Animated)|Grimlock]]'s. There's also the fact that [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]] is said to be the "consort" of [[Lugnut (Animated)|Lugnut]].

[[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]]'s role as the Autobot medical officer was originally supposed to be assigned to a character named [[Red Alert (Animated)|Red Alert]], who was originally designed as a female, but then turned male. When brought in at the start of Season 3, Red Alert was female once again as an homage to the original design.

Because Sari was originally a Cybertronian protoform, she could be considered a female technorganic Transformer, although her origins were not revealed until Season 3.

{{-}}

===''Shattered Glass''===
While in most universes the number of females on the side of good is significantly larger than the number on the side of evil, this universe has more evil ladies as a result of its status as a mirror universe. The first two introduced were [[Arcee (SG)|Arcee]] and [[Crasher (SG)|Crasher]]—an (evil) Autobot and a (good) Decepticon respectively—but since then the balance has tilted.

It would seem that female Transformers in this universe are as they are in most: few in numbers, but nothing remarkable. Crasher appeared bewildered when [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (who hails from a [[#Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics-derived universe]]) tried to tell her that he thought her feminine shape was unusual, and no one else seems to regard the females as something noteworthy.

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:Arcee-Prime-stock render-toy packaging.jpg|thumb|right|170px|But ignore all the names we're listing, cos 50% of all female appearances are Arcee.]]

One-thirteenth of Cybertron's population identify as female, and are descended from [[Solus Prime]].<ref>According to [https://twitter.com/DiscFamilyDay/status/87976495074639872 @HubTVNetwork] and comments made at [[BotCon 2011]].</ref>

In ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'', [[Alpha Trion (WFC)|Alpha Trion]] expounds on the nature of gender among Cybertronians. He mentions that Transformers are technically asexual, but divide themselves into two distinct categories based on how they process information. He speculated that Solus Prime required this unique cognitive structure in order to properly utilize her [[Creation Lathe]]. Before making contact with gendered aliens, Cybertronians used a single pronoun to refer to all individuals. After taking a greater role in the galactic community, they began incorporating gendered pronouns into their culture, to demonstrate that they recognized and celebrated differences among themselves while maintaining their equality (here, Alpha Trion breaks the {{w|fourth wall}} to apologize to any readers who might feel insulted by Cybertron's 1:12 gender ratio).

Before the war, [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] worked with a female [[Arachnicon]] doctor named [[Cogwheel]]. The female Transformers [[Azimuth (COP)|Azimuth]] founded the [[Patterner]] movement. The leader of the [[Mutacon]]s is the female Transformer [[Mercury (COP)|Mercury]]. The ruler of [[Velocitron]], [[Override (Prime)|Override]], and the Decepticon soldier [[Slipstream (WFC)|Slipstream]] are also female. Additionally, [[Chromia (Prime)|Chromia]] and [[Firestar (Prime)|Firestar]] are leaders of underground cities which are destroyed when Cybertron is restored. [[Ser-Ket (Prime)|Ser-Ket]], a female member of the [[Forged]], was one of the main antagonists of the ''[[Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots|Rage of the Dinobots]]'' miniseries. [[Ripclaw]] and [[Flamewar (Prime)|Flamewar]] were both toy-only female characters, their only fiction consisting of character bios or roles in prose stories packaged with toys. [[Elita One (COP)|Elita One]], [[Moonracer (COP)|Moonracer]], and [[Akiba Prime]] also exist in the Aligned continuity family as female Transformers.

====''Prime'' cartoon====
The only female Transformers portrayed as cast members are [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]] and [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]]. Solus Prime is also mentioned whenever her [[Forge of Solus Prime|hammer]] shows up on screen, and was momentarily seen in a flashback. Showing up in [[Arms Micron Theater]] segments are [[Arc]], [[Arcee Blade]], and [[Ida]].

====''Transformers Online''====
''[[Transformers Online (2012 video game)|Transformers Online]]'' introduced numerous female Transformers for both factions. Yes, the Chinese MMO that lasted about a year, in the continuity family where female Transformers are canonically rare, introduced more female characters than any single other source in ''years''. Other than getting some minor details and anglicised names in ''Ask Vector Prime'', they've yet to be used by anyone else.

====''Transformers Universe''====
The Decepticons have the female warriors [[Astraea]], [[Diabla (Prime)|Diabla]], and [[Duststorm (Prime)|Duststorm]] on their side, while the Autobots have [[Cameo]] and [[Catapult]].

====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon====
The Autobot cadet [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarm]] is a member of Bumblebee's team, with [[Windblade (RID)|Windblade]] later assisting the team. Among the many evil Transformers are [[Filch]], [[Zizza]], [[Glowstrike]], [[Scatterspike (RID)|Scatterspike]], [[Nightra]], [[Cyberwarp]], and [[Skyjack (RID)|Skyjack]], with variety in body-types. As such, this series increased the number of female Transformers than any show prior, with tie-in material also introducing [[Slink]], [[Retrofit]], and [[Overhead]].

===''Cyberverse''===
[[File:Slipstream after looking through Windblade's memories.jpg|thumb|200px|Slipstream is into some kinky stuff.]]
Much like ''Animated'', female Transformers, namely [[Windblade (Cyberverse)|Windblade]] and [[Slipstream (Cyberverse)|Slipstream]], were present from the start of the continuity and were treated as nothing special by their male counterparts. Introducing many more characters, this series boasts the highest number of female characters in a ''Transformers'' television show.

In a rather unique addition to the franchise, the [[Seeker (Cyberverse)|Seeker]] [[Acid Storm (Cyberverse)|Acid Storm]], traditionally a male character, would be depicted as swapping between a male and female appearance between episodes of the cartoon, with one of the show's writers, [[Mae Catt]], eventually declaring that the character was gender-fluid. Thrust was made female in the Japanese dub of Cyberverse and renamed to [[Red Wing]], inverting the recurring trend of female characters being made male in several Japanese ''Transformers'' dubs.
{{-}}

==Toys==
[[File:Airazorbwtfmtoy1.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Windblade stands on the extremely pointy shoulders of giants.]]

Though many female Transformers were featured in the fiction from the early days of ''Generation 1'', for many years they tended to either: a) not have toys made of them at all, or, b) for those very few that did get a release, end up as repaints of other molds clearly not designed with a female aesthetic in mind. Budiansky told you why that was up at the top there. There were [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|three separate plans]] to have toys of Arcee during G1 and all three were scrapped.

''[[Transmetal]]'' [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is the first Transformer toy designed to intentionally represent a female character that actually came out. Ironically, Airazor was written out of the show in the same year!

The big turning point for female characters came when Hasbro held a "Fan-Built Bot" programme in 2013. Gender was one of the things fans could choose and the fans voted "female", giving us [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. This worked out well enough that Hasbro had another contest for [[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]] in 2015 and fans voted for female Tranformers again: this time ''six'' that made up the gestalt [[Victorion]].

Fans having chats with Hasbro people at conventions have mentioned one bar to more girl toys: they still don't sell as well. Large companies can also be skittish about changing the way they do things unless they're very sure the new way is more lucrative than the old way. Female Transformers selling more toys will beget new toys and, [[to sell toys|of course]], get more major characters in fiction. So go buy [[Strongarm (RID)|Strongarms]].

==Notes==
{{quote|Could we/should we have done more, especially in the depiction of female Transformers? Almost certainly, but it was a different age and our audience was ninety-nine percent male.|Simon Furman, talking to Vice in 2016<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/comic-writer-simon-furman-discusses-three-decades-of-transformers-and-new-game-earth-wars-707 Vice interview on Earth Wars]</ref>}}
[[File:G1RatchetSexchange.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|On the other hand, maybe a medic who enjoyed getting skunked on tainted 40-weight [[oil]] wasn't the best example, either...]]
* As this article's quotes make clear, back in the day toys, cartoons, and comics were mostly split into For Boys and For Girls, which is still often true now but was more intensive in the 1980s. However, girls consumed 'boys' material anyway (and vice versa). We don't know the exact number of girls buying the comics back in the day but it was ''probably'' bigger than one percent. Fan letters from girls appear in both UK and US issues. Women were present in the early days of the organised fandom, having grown up on the cartoon and comics, and the [[BotCon 1995|second BotCon]] was organised by a [[Raksha|then-prominent woman in fandom]].
* In the [[Shout! Factory]] Matrix of Leadership Special Edition DVD set, an interview with [[Bob Budiansky]] features close-ups of his original handwritten notes for several characters. Intriguingly, these notes refer to [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] as "her" and the Autobots' "go-to gal" for repairs. While this obviously was not the final direction the character took, it does show that female characters were being considered for inclusion in the cast before someone at Hasbro told Budiansky otherwise.
* The very first female character created appears to be Arcee, who was created in the first draft of the movie in [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie#Production_timeline|the summer of 1984]], while "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]" was written in the summer of '85. [[Ron Friedman]] says he fought for Arcee's inclusion in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' because his daughter was a fan of similar stuff.<ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>
* It's worth comparing the original G1 to ''[[GoBots]]'', its big competitor. Our very own [[Chromedome (G1)|tumblr]] crunched the numbers and found ''GoBots'' turns out to have more prominent female robots, all with toys, and we had to include [[Nancy]] to have the same ''number'' of talking fembots. That's right: the GoBots were ''better'' than G1 at something.<ref>[http://tfwiki.tumblr.com/post/112170089613/if-someone-asks-why-we-need-more-diverse TF Wiki Tumblr: If Someone Asks Why We Need More Diversity]</ref> More recent franchises lagging behind ''GoBots'' is even more depressing.
* Several modern writers have worked to get more women into the fiction, in particular Scott, Barber, and Roberts at IDW. [[Jim Sorenson]] openly stated he would work to get women into his fiction as often as he possibly could to tip the balance.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/133737-beast-wars-uprising-ama/?p=3360055 Beast Wars Uprising AMA at Allspark]</ref>
* In 2013, Hasbro ran a "Fan Built Bot" poll as part of the "[[Thrilling 30]]" celebration, in which fans chose between numerous options to "build" a brand new character-toy for the 30th anniversary retail line, and "male / female" was one of the options. "Female" [[Windblade (G1)|won!]]
* In 2015, another "Fan Built Bot" poll was held for the "[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]" toyline. Femmes won again and we got our first ever [[Torchbearer|all female combiner team!]]
* The ''[[Transformers: BotBots (toyline)|BotBots]]'' toyline has the largest number of female characters by a ''very'' wide margin. As of Series 5, released barely a year and a quarter after the line's debut, 110 out of 332 characters are female, almost exactly one-third of the cast... and there's several characters who don't have published bios yet, or their bios lack gendered pronouns altogether, so who knows? Of course, ''BotBots'' has a few safeguards against the above-mentioned "they don't sell": the Bots mostly have very gender-neutral designs, and the bios are (mostly) published online rather than on the packaging.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Biology]]
[[Category:Female Transformers| *]]
[[Category:Generation 1]]
[[Category:Transformer culture]]

Ron Friedman

2022-08-21T01:12:29Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig3|Ron}}
[[Image:RonFriedman_Writer.jpg|right|200x|thumb|I killed all your childhood heroes.]]
'''Ron Friedman''' (born [[August 1]], [[1932]]) is an American television writer. Friedman wrote for live action shows such as ''Fantasy Island,'' ''Chico & the Man'', ''Starsky and Hutch'' & ''The Odd Couple'', while in animation, he scripted all four mini series for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', the first season of the ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel Action Hour]]'' shows, ''[[Iron Man]]'' & ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' (in which he played the role of Blastarr), and the developer for ''Bionic 6''.

When he won a talent search to write the ''[[G.I. Joe]]'' pilot, he was wokring as a play doctor and trying to properly break into Broadway. This would kick off his work in animation.<ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>

==Role on ''The Transformers''==

Friedman was credited with "additional dialogue" on the first two seasons of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], his credit ranking just below story editors [[Bryce Malek]] and [[Dick Robbins]]. In practise, this job title meant that Friedman was something of a script editor, revising each and every script after it had been turned in by the original writer, adding, deleting, or altering dialogue as he saw fit. In particular, he was responsible for the vast majority of references to [[:Category: Cybertronic wildlife|Cybertronic wildlife]] and alliterative metal body-parts ("You'll get scorch marks on my selenium shin-guards!" "Ready to feed Megatron a nickel knuckle sandwich!"), as well as the many quirky insults characters would throw at each other ("Watch it, you metallic mini-meatball, or I'll step on you!" "You and what army, you maxi-turkey?"). Additionally, in the second season, with so many episodes being simultaneously written by different writers who had no contact with one another, it was Friedman who was responsible for developing and maintaining the consistency of certain characters' speech patterns across the series; [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]'s colorful boasting, for example, or [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]'s "Bang! Zoom! Pow!" utterances were the product of Friedman's pen.

One thing he says he did in a 2013 interview was to "take that limited information" from the Marvel-created character bios "and create characters somebody cared about", often figuring out how the voices may work. He also claimed if you look at those bios, "it’s not a character... Those descriptions mean nothing. It’s like reading the ingredients on a package of Twinkies".<ref>[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathay]</ref> [[Larry Hama|Some people]] [[Bob Budiansky|would disagree]].

Friedman produced two drafts for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', both of which would have the basic structure of the film but with quite different characters and details. While most of the cast are different in his first draft, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] appeared from the start<ref>[https://twitter.com/chrismcfeely/status/1561079478771748865 Chris McFeely twitter thread on the first draft], 20th August 2022]</ref> and he said he fought with [[Hasbro]] to include her as his daughter was a fan of similar cartoons. (Female Autobots appeared on the show first [[The Search for Alpha Trion#Production information|but the script was written after]] the [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie#Production_timeline|first draft of the film]]) Despite so connected to killing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] that he had an interview titled "He Killed Optimus Prime", he claims he told Hasbro that killing Prime was a bad idea; "to physically remove Daddy from the family, that wasn’t going to work."<ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>

The script he turned in was judged "incoherent" by writer/story editor [[Flint Dille]] and creative director [[Jay Bacal]].,<ref>[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html Flint Dille interview on the Cybertron Chronicle]</ref>, who submitted their own script, "[[The Secret of Cybertron]]", but when it was turned down, Dille spearheaded the re-writing of Friedman's script into the version seen on-screen. Despite Dille's involvement, Friedman had negotiated to receive sole credit as writer, so Dille is only credited as "story consultant" for the film, but his name actually ''precedes'' Friedman's onscreen, signifying the extent of his involvement. A similar situation arose in the production of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', which was predominantly penned by "story consultant" [[Buzz Dixon]], but again, credited solely to Friedman.

==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2073225/ Ron Friedman] at the Internet Movie Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:Friedman, Ron}}
[[Category:Writers]]

Arcee (G1)

2022-08-21T01:11:29Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers|{{factions/icons
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{{disambig3|Arcee}}
{{suite}}
:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]
Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Sure, she's pink, but she'll have swords down on you by the time you remember that's just the color of [[Transformer]] [[energon|blood]]. Arcee is a ruthless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils of which the [[Decepticon]]s are capable. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to keep their wits about them to pull them out of the fire when they get in over their heads.

She's sometimes [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s [[Relatives|sister]], and perhaps also [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]'s "great-aunt." Though she's known to flirt with Hot Rod, she's married to either [[Aileron]] or [[Greenlight]] in some universes. Sometimes she's even [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] to the human [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]].

{{bigquote|Ferocity without compassion is brutality.|Arcee's ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]''<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref> motto}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
{{main|Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
A close associate of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Arcee fought in both the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and the [[Unicron War]] in [[2005]]. Following that, she continued working closely with Rodimus Prime as one of his primary warriors. In [[2006]], she binary bonded with [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] to save his life, becoming a Headmaster.

In a splinter timeline, Arcee was a member of the [[Female Autobots]] and fought in the resistance against the Decepticons on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s crew lay dormant on [[Earth]]. In [[2011]], Arcee had not become a Headmaster in this timeline; she instead becomes a ''secretary'' for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]].
{{--}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel UK future timelines====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future [[1995]] as a goodwill attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered the creation of a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

Arcee was present at the opening of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in [[2004]] when a group of Decepticons led by Shockwave launched an attack, hoping to ruin Autobot-human relations permanently by assassinating several diplomats present. She helped shield the diplomats from harm until Hot Rod drove the attackers away. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:Springer arcee the planet eater.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''Arcee was present when the Decepticons launched a major offensive against Autobot City in the year [[2005]]. She and Springer transformed the outpost into its defensive mode, but the Decepticons nonetheless managed to breach its walls. The Autobots eventually drove Megatron and his troops away, but at a steep cost: Optimus had been fatally wounded in battle against his nemesis. Arcee afterward stood in solemn silence as Optimus passed on the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] before expiring on his death bed.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''After a brief respite, Arcee and the other Earthbound Autobots received dire news from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]]; a monster planet, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], was advancing menacingly towards Cybertron. When perched on Arcee's shoulder, Daniel was apprehensive about what would happen to his father should Unicron attack. There was little time to contemplate the situation, however, as a new enemy then assaulted the Autobots: [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots were forced to split up into two groups and blast off aboard a couple of [[Autobot shuttle|shuttles]] in their attempt to escape him, but Galvatron remained in pursuit. In a last-ditch effort to lose the Decepticon, Magnus ordered an emergency separation of the shuttle. After Galvatron destroyed the jettisoned portion of the vessel (and declared the Matrix destroyed), Arcee's group landed their craft on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] for repairs.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Arcee daniel the final battle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
''When Daniel asked to be allowed to help with the repairs, Arcee brought out one of his father's [[Exosuit]]s from storage and helped the boy put it on. Though Daniel had trouble with the suit's workings, Arcee assured him that he was doing well for his first time operating it. The Autobots barely managed to get any work done before Galvatron tracked them down again. Galvatron blew Ultra Magnus to pieces in the ensuing battle and left with the Matrix of Leadership in hand. Arcee and her teammates gathered to look over Ultra Magnus afterward, only for the hostile [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] to then spring forth! Thankfully, another ship carrying Hot Rod and several other Autobots arrived and managed to talk peace with [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], the Junkions' leader.

Wreck-Gar's troops rebuilt Ultra Magnus, and everyone on Junk readied for a confrontation against Unicron. This clash ended with the Autobots' ship spearing through the titan's eye. Arcee and the others were separated from Hot Rod within Unicron, but her group found Spike, Bumblebee, and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]. Hot Rod soon rejoined them, but in his absence, he reacquired the Matrix of Leadership, which both upgraded him into "Rodimus Prime" and begun a chain reaction inside Unicron, culminating in his destruction! With Unicron's threat now dealt with, the Autobots gathered around Rodimus Prime, who announced that this day would mark a new chapter in Cybertronian history, one that would hopefully contain much peace and happiness.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

[[File:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pigeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Though they had been quite friendly beforehand, Arcee and Hot Rod began to drift apart after his ascension to Prime status in [[2006]]. She remained stationed at Autobot City on Earth but grew bored by her duties. One day in [[2008]], Arcee decided to be a bit adventurous, rationalizing that ditching her duties and returning before anyone noticed wouldn't amount to any harm. After a quick drive through the countryside, she returned to base to find it under siege by the [[Quintesson]]s. Arcee was accosted, wounded, and strategically placed as bait so that Rodimus would see her upon investigating the attack on the outpost. Sure enough, when he spotted her, Rodimus rushed to his "childhood" friend's aid. When he tried to use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to heal her, Arcee tried to warn her leader of the set-up, but the trap was already sprung; the Quintessons stole the Matrix, and Rodimus Prime reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, Arcee was soon back on her feet and assisting Hot Rod in a last-ditch effort to thwart the invaders' plans. While she, and a few cassette-Transformers the Quintessons had overlooked, distracted the enemy army, Hot Rod awakened [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], leading to the devastation of the Quintesson fleet. Arcee witnessed Hot Rod retrieve the Matrix from the Quintesson who had swiped it, [[Ghyrik]], after defeating him through trickery. Seeing him hold his own without the Matrix's power renewed Arcee's wavering faith in her Commander. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In [[2009]], Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the [[Earth's core|planet's core]]. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill. They returned to Autobot City to face the more significant threat: a [[Time rift|timestorm]] that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[File:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]
Arcee, Rodimus, and several other Autobots traveled back in time to [[1989]] to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] explained that they were travelers from the future. Even more, unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset, so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Arcee and the returnees adjusted as best they could, but the odds were hopelessly against them. The resistance on Cybertron ended when Galvatron and his men ransacked a resistance station, killing [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and the other Autobots present. Galvatron mutilated the corpses to drive Rodimus Prime into a killing frenzy, hoping to corrupt the Matrix through its host. As she felt fire in the depths of her soul, Arcee managed to talk Rodimus down, reminding him of the actual values of an Autobot leader; compassion and mercy. Despite this moral victory, the Autobots' resistance movement was quickly crushed, and they were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] possessed Rodimus and disabled the [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|ship]]'s retro-rockets, Kup had Arcee make her way to the damaged systems through the ship's air ducts. She successfully reached the sabotaged machinery and repaired them, but a crash-landing became inevitable by that time. After the Autobots' ship made landfall, their possessed leader began advancing on them, vowing to tear them apart for their interference. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. Kup was more hesitant in doing so but eventually agreed with Arcee that Unicron had to be stopped, even at the expense of Rodimus's life. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}}

Kup changed his mind when Unicron's assault came to an abrupt end; Rodimus was fighting back, distracting Unicron from the goings-on in the physical realm. The dark god regained control briefly, killing [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] in the process, and Arcee declared that Unicron had been "faking it" to lure them into a false sense of security. But Kup suspected otherwise and tackled down Rodimus to rip the Matrix out of his chest compartment. Though this released Rodimus from Unicron's control, it did not eliminate his threat; Rodimus declared that one day, he would have to venture back within the Matrix to confront Unicron again. {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in [[2010]]—an event she witnessed—Arcee's ruthless attitude appeared to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
Hot Rod, sent on a journey through time and space via [[Primus]], was sent to Junkion and came across the deceased crew of an Autobot shuttle. One of the victims was Arcee. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

{{note|Her only other appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation, and a profile in issue #4 of ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]''. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Arcee was part of the crew of an Autobot ship that was studying the Universe. She asked Springer to make a note of a specific star. After being hit by meteors, they were forced to make landfall on the nearby Junk planet. There, she helped Springer and Perceptor fix the ship until the native Junkions attacked them. The fighting stopped when Kup arrived on-world and used the universal greeting to calm down the Junkions. Now friends, the Junkions and the Autobots, worked together to fix the damaged ship. Arcee and the Autobots then blasted off and went on their way. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them but the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====3H comics====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}
{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}
[[File:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. Daniel's death took a severe toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She firmly believed that she had omens of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[File:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Units of time|stellar cycle]]s later when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known simply as Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker]]s and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be the fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[File:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Transformation]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and descended in a ball of fire and smoke—Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glances awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired room, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his following action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But she realized death isn't an ending; it was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Dreamwave MMTE Arcee.jpeg|upright=1.1|left|thumb]]
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She became a member of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s underground rebellion team headquartered in the [[Wastelands]] during the reign of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. She was regarded as one of the team's odd ones along with [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], though neither were unappreciated. Both [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Hot Rod quickly fell in love with her. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} What no one knew, however, was that Arcee was a sleeper agent of the [[Quintesson]]s and a member of [[Female Autobots|their elite warriors]]. Her task was to keep an eye on the war's proceedings, particularly Autobot activity, and the location of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and any Transformers with an affinity for the object. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} As such, Arcee was delighted when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was brought to the rebels' base, much to Hot Rod's misguided annoyance. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were making a mess in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] at the time, Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]] on the polity, forcing the rebels to make their final stand against him immediately. Arcee ended up teamed up with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]—a situation that bugged Hot Rod because he couldn't keep an eye on her. Halfway through the battle, Arcee witnessed [[Shockwave's Tower]] shooting a beam of sorts to an [[Unicron/Generation 1|unknown destination]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shortly after, she also witnessed the Decepticon hijack of [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Even with these setbacks, the Autobots won and reclaimed Iacon. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

[[File:LostandFound Arcee friends.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"I'm glad you said that. I'll invite [[Female Autobots|them]] over [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Generation One|right away]]."]]
The Autobots set up a new [[Autobase]] in Iacon, where Springer and Hot Rod used relative peacetime to win Arcee's affection. Hot Rod had a date of sorts with Arcee to help prepare and watch the shuttle that would send a group of Autobots to [[Earth]] take off, but only after he'd be done training. Springer jumped onto the opportunity and offered to go with Arcee while Hot Rod was busy. Arcee accepted, much to Hot Rod's annoyance. At Landing Platform A, after they were done loading baggage, Arcee was lost in thoughts, of which a few she shared with Springer when he asked what was on her mind: Arcee wasn't sure of her purpose in life and if she belonged on Cybertron. Springer assured her she belonged with her friends.

Over at [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], Arcee's masters observed the proceedings on Cybertron with glee, noting that not only had they found another Transformer with an affinity for the Matrix in Hot Rod, but their own agent Arcee would work perfectly as a key to break his will. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} The Quintessons' plans would even be able to be executed well ahead of time by the Autobots' next move. Arcee was selected to leave with Kup, Springer, and the Dinobots to set up a new moonbase, while Hot Rod was chosen for guard duty at Autobase with only Gnaw and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] to assist him. Arcee's report on this situation got the Quintessons to send her colleagues for Hot Rod and the Matrix. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the shuttle, taking them all to one of Cybertron's moons, Arcee witnessed an amusing conversation between Kup and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]. The view outside drew back her attention, though, where an [[Quintesson Cruiser|odd-looking object]] floated in wait for the shuttle. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
To oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots." {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before the group could do much about him, they were attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warp gate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[File:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5 Arceecrys.jpg|thumb|250px]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Sometime later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{--}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When a surprise party was thrown for Optimus in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Arcee wound up not getting invited. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:SpotlightArcee-ArceeWillBurnJhiaxusDown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|She does this a lot.]]
{{main|Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
Sibling of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], '''Arcee of the [[Darklands]]''' was an ancient warrior, hailing from the prehistoric era that predated modern Transformer civilization, serving under the fearsome tyrant [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] during the wars that led to the unification of Cybertron under the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} "Forged male," Arcee would eventually seek out the assistance of the amoral scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] for assistance, after the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. Seeking to reintroduce the concept of "gender" to the species after its mysterious elimination, Arcee would be altered at the genetic level—but Jhiaxus's callous treatment of his patient would change Arcee into a raging berserker. She could only focus on exacting bloody revenge against him and all that he had created, {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} {{storylink|Post}} finally getting even with her tormentor after the thwarting of [[Nova Prime]]'s [[Expansion]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

It would not be until after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] that Arcee would truly embark on the long road to recovery; first falling in with the amoral [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] as a private enforcer, {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} and later with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} Arcee was able to slowly work past her many demons, finding companionship, camaraderie, and even [[Transformer romance|love]] in her new role as Optimus Prime's advisor—having lived through the era of the Thirteen and experienced their many atrocities firsthand, Arcee remained unafraid to call out her new leader as he verged closer and closer to repeating their mistakes. But when those mistakes came home to roost in the form of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Arcee played an instrumental role in the battle against the planet-eater before settling into a new life on Earth with [[Aileron]]. {{storylink|Post}}
{{--}}

===Robot Heroes===
Arcee was Optimus's strong-willed and humble friend. With the rest of Autobots, they boarded the Ark to search for Energon among the stars. They came to Earth and fought back against the Decepticons when they started trouble. Arcee leaped up to bring Starscream down to the ground, where Drift shoved him into a river! The Autobots then decided to keep vigil over the Earth, should the Decepticons ever return. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Autobots to her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]] so that he could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Arcee could be seen standing side by side with Jazz on one of Synergy's view screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:FuneralForAFriend-megrimlockking.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Known as the guardian of [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Arcee was a [[Rescuebot]], and one of the Autobots stationed in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command when a patrol brought back several captured [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]]. She was opposed to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] decision to sentence the invaders to death and gave them their weapons back so they could fight off the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] used for the execution. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} This compassionate act allowed the Joes to survive and broker a truce with the Autobots, and both sides celebrated with a dance party. As Grimlock explained how he came to be leader after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] fled, Arcee protested that no one knew if that was the real truth. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:TFvsJoe12-rescuebots.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the Decepticon-Cobra alliance attacked Metroplex, Arcee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] took some Joes to [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] to free [[U.S.7]] from within the giant and bring him to his senses. Together with [[Tunnel Rat]], she made her way to Maximus's brain, found that it was being corrupted by [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and defeated her. The three Autobots and their human allies then moved to attack [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], only to be captured. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} They were sent to the [[Polyhex Killway]] and mind-controlled into fighting each other, with Arcee being forced to try and run down [[Dusty]] and [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] with her car mode. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} The captives were then moved to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where the Autobots were trapped, unresponsive, in their vehicle modes but recovered after the Joes used them as getaway vehicles to break out of the city. {{storylink|Headmasters (issue)|Headmasters}}

The Rescuebots swore to protect humanity by forging a "combination lock," merging into the giant Defensor. Arcee became Defensor's... er, crotch. At any rate, Defensor helped take down Trypticon. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} Arcee later participated in the final battle against DeceptiCobra. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
[[File:ABTF4 ArceeCyberHaystack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
Arcee was part of the shuttle crew carrying the [[AllSpark]] and helped defend it from a Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} The AllSpark was lost in space during the battle. Just as Arcee and the others were lamenting the difficulty in finding it, it came back to them, crashing through one of the shuttle's windshield alongside a [[Minion Pig]]. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}
{{--}}

===Legends World===
[[File:Legends Business Trip 10 Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Takara aren't sexist, they just have... ''different'' priorities.]]
The aunt and caretaker of [[Rattrap (BW)#Legends comic 2|Rattrap]], the Arcee of the [[Legends World]] was shocked when her nephew was turned into an actual Transformer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 1|Bonus Edition Vol. 1}} Then, when he was turned into a [[technorganic]] Transformer, she just responded with "Again?" {{storylink|Legends Vol. 15#LG03 Tankor Prologue|LG03 Tankor Prologue}} Eventually, the [[Transformers sickness]] caused by Rattrap's toy collection got to her, too, and she became a full-size transforming version of herself. She didn't worry too much about that, though, as Rattrap was late for work, so she quickly made him lunch and personally drove him to work with her new car mode. [[T-AI#Legends comic 2|Ai]] attempted to arrest Arcee before she could cause any trouble like other Transformers had, but was talked out of it by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Tigatron]], who recognized Arcee's new form from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Out of gratitude, Arcee made dinner for the whole [[Axalon Trading Company]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 10|Bonus Edition Vol. 10}}

Rhinox and Tigatron were jealous of Rattrap's relationship with Arcee, who had bathed him and slept in the same bed as him when he was young until he explained that she hadn't ''always'' been a giant robot. When she was officially diagnosed with [[Transformers sickness]] by [[Bump]] and told to throw out Rattrap's toys so she could recover, Arcee flatly refused, knowing how much her nephew loved his collection. Instead, she just continued living her everyday life as a giant robot body. {{storylink|Transformers Legends: Arcee Chapter|Arcee Chapter}} Arcee was later caught up in the massive world-ending storm summoned up by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} She later heard Rattrap yell out in surprise upon finding his [[Mini-Con]] collection missing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Armada Megatron}}

[[File:TFLegendsAutobotsHalloweenCostumes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Lost the best cosplay trio trophy to Black Widow, Nightbird Shadow, and Slipstream.......booooooooo!.]]
Arcee was among the defenders of the Legends world who helped defeat [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] when she showed up to cause trouble. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}} During [[Halloween]], she dressed up as a maid and set out alongside Windblade and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to stop [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s trick-or-energy scheme, only for Megatron's new minion, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], to web them up. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}} Tigatron later had a dream of Arcee and Chromia wearing each other's armor. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends: Chromia Chapter|Chromia Chapter}} Upon overhearing Slipstream telling Rattrap that she'd gotten a facelift back in her universe, Arcee jealously wished that she could go there too. Rattrap assured her she looked plenty young already and didn't need remodeling. {{storylink|LG-16 Slipstream Sequel}}

The [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] of the [[G1 World]] harbored regrets over a failed relationship with his own universe's Arcee, leading to him traveling to the Legends World to remodel his body into something better looking. {{storylink|LG19 Sprung Prologue}} There, he ran into the local Arcee and decided to try again by asking her out, but she turned him down, explaining she was much too busy taking care of Rattrap. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} She later witnessed [[Drift (G1)|Deadlock]] enter the Legends Universe, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Deadlock}} and was caught up in [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s attack on the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} On accepting a package from [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]]'s delivery service, Arcee was taken aback by how chatty he was. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 25|Bonus Edition Vol. 25}}

While acting as a cheerleader at a soccer game, Arcee found herself targeted by the prank-loving [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who flipped her skirt and kicked soccer balls at her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 29|Bonus Edition Vol. 29}} She later visited Rattrap's job to bring him lunch and made [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] blush by telling him he'd been working hard lately. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 32|Bonus Edition Vol. 32}} Arcee was home when [[Shūta Gō|Shūta]] of the [[Astrotrain Transport Company]] delivered a package, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} was seen driving on the roads of [[Akihabara|Neo Akihabara City]], {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} and got covered in bugs when tiny [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] clones swarmed the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 47|Bonus Edition Vol. 47}} Metroplex later recalled that she was present when he arrived in this world. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Metroplex}} When Windblade attacked again, Arcee kept Rattrap from being blown away. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}}
{{--}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Sumire Uesaka]] (Japanese)}}
Seeking a new way to increase the ''Transformers'' brand's popularity, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] suggested sex appeal and fantasized about Arcee taking a bath. {{storylink|The Road to Winning a New Fanbase}}

====''Legends'' comic====
Arcee summed up the ending of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' to those of [[you]] who didn't watch it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Just in case you only bought one of the toys telling the story, she also recapped [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s journey into the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} as well as Waspinator's possession at the hands of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In a reality where the Cybertronian civil war had ended relatively early, Arcee was a biologist protoformed with a male chassis. Post-war, she was sent to observe several organic-populated worlds, where she discovered the organic concept of "gender dysphoria disorder," something which applied to herself. Returning home, she released a paper on the subject. Arcee and several others like her underwent reformatting and replacing bits of their genetic code to rectify the dysphoria between their neural/spark programming and their [[CNA]].

At some point, Arcee ended up in [[Axiom Nexus]]. She gave a lecture on Cybertronian gender, which [[Vector Prime]] attended. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/12/23}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:POTP vote Arcee.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
{{quote|I will never stop fighting for the future I know is possible.}}
Arcee was a potential bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. As a force for honor, Arcee planned to continue Optimus Prime's legacy by abandoning her past as a warrior and making reparations for the damage caused by the war. Instead, the Matrix went to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Fan polls#2017|''Power of the Primes'' fan poll}}
{{--}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:AwYeah1-earthquake.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Arcee was battling the Decepticons alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee until [[Baron Karza]] abducted the Autobot leader, leaving the two Autobots baffled at the mysterious disappearance of their leader. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}}
{{--}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:PrimesDirectivePart2-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Part of the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when the ship left Cybertron four million years ago, Arcee, the other Autobots, and Megatron's Decepticons crash-landed on Earth some four million years ago, reawakening to wage a secret war for control of Earth's [[energon]]. Eventually, the outbreak of the [[Eugenics Wars]] and [[World War III]] around the turn of the millennium prompted them to flee the planet aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and search for Energon elsewhere in the galaxy. The Autobots were unaware that the Decepticons had done the same until they were attacked by the Decepticon Titan [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] over the barren moon of [[Cygnus Seven]]. In the ensuing battle, the damaged Fortress Maximus crashed into the surface of the planet, knocking him and all of his passengers—Autobot and Decepticon alike—into [[stasis lock]] for some two hundred years.

In the 23rd century, [[Federation]] colonists conducting a routine [[dilithium]] mining operation stumbled on the dormant Transformers, inadvertently triggering the Titan's autonomous repair protocols. First, bringing the Decepticons online, the evil Transformers attacked the Federation colony. At the same time, Optimus Prime gave chase, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} and the other Autobots had only just been restored to full functionality before [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] and the crew of the starship ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' sent an away team to investigate the mineshaft. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart3-Arcee.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Though the Autobots, distrustful of humanity after witnessing their ancient wars, attempted to capture the humans, Kirk convinced them of their good intentions. The two factions brokered an alliance to rescue the wounded Optimus—only for the Decepticons to cave in the mineshaft. It was [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] who hatched a new plan to bring Fortress Maximus back online, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} with Arcee watching as he rigged up a device that would reactivate the Titan by analyzing Kirk's brainwaves. Despite [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s doubts, the plan worked, and Fortress Maximus was restored to full functionality, his alternate mode reconfigured into a copy of the ''Enterprise'' linked to Kirk's consciousness. Blasting his way to freedom, Arcee and the other Autobots rolled out to take on the Decepticons and their new [[Klingon]] allies, with Arcee facing off against her old nemesis [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] until the arrival of Trypticon. After Kirk rescued the Federation miners by beaming them and Arcee aboard, he transformed the ship into the mighty "Fortress Tiberius." {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirective5-autobots.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Though Kirk successfully defeated Trypticon, the heroes learned that [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] already absconded with a load of stolen [[dilithium]], intent on conquering the [[Klingon Empire]] and their capital world of [[Kronos]], {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}} forcing the two ''Enterprises'' and their crews to give chase. Joined by [[Crewbot|a series of custom-built mechanical suit]]s, the Autobots leaped into action against Megatron and his allies. Though one of Soundwave's sonic frequencies paralyzed them, it would be the Klingons themselves who successfully thwarted the attempted invasion. In the aftermath, Arcee and the other Autobots chose not to return to Earth with the crew of the ''Enterprise'', preferring to travel the stars, but Prime pledged that he and his soldiers would be on call if Kirk ever required their assistance. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

===An Arcee Sort of Day===
[[File:ArceeTransforms.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the Great War ended, Arcee was left feeling rudderless in this era of newfound peace. Despite having a bad day in which she had her housing loan rejected, and later picked a fight with a reckless driver, a greeting from her pet robot cat when she came home prompted her to muse that maybe peacetime wasn't so bad. {{storylink|An Arcee Sort of Day}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]]}}
[[File:ArceeGreenlightRun-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"I've only had Gauge for a day and a half, but if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself."]]
Arcee was a particularly feared soldier during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]] and spearheaded at least one assassination mission that targeted one of [[Exarchon]]'s many iterations. Following the end of the war and the ratification of the [[Nominus Edict]], Arcee settled into a peaceful civilian life and eventually romanced [[Greenlight]]. However, she remained a skilled fighter with a short temper. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

Following [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s murder, the Senate authorized the [[Reproduction|forging]] of a new Transformer and selected Arcee to mentor the young Cybertronian. At the customary ceremony at in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]], Arcee and Greenlight met their new ward [[Gauge]] and helped welcome her into the world. Observing these events, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] told [[Rubble]] that the newborn had essentially received two mentors for the price of one. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}}

Arcee grew very protective of Gauge, quick to lash out when people suggested she had been forged as a political move to take people's minds off Brainstorm's death. As tensions grew between the Autobots and [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s, Greenlight initially suggested taking Gauge off-world aboard an outbound [[Reversionist]] vessel: a suggestion that Arcee initially disagreed with, fearing that uprooting Gauge at this crucial stage might impact her development. Following [[Vigilem]]'s destruction of the [[Tether]], however, the three tried to help with rescue efforts until a confrontation with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] and [[Singe]] at a nearby [[energon storage field]] made up Arcee's mind. The three raced to board the Reversionist starship ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]'' on the outskirts of Iacon. Although Arcee nearly sacrificed herself to get her ward safely off-planet, she was able to board the ship at the last moment and rejoined her family. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

[[File:GaugingTheTruthPart2-ExodusBrig.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Throw her in the brig!" "We don't have a brig." "Then throw her in the laundry room. Which will hereafter be referred to as 'the brig'."]]
However, Reversionist plenary [[Heretech]] was displeased by the presence of non-Reversionists aboard the ship, fearing that they would interfere with his grand plan to cleanse Cybertron of heresy. He and the other Reversionists forcibly separated Gauge from her mentors and had them imprisoned in a makeshift brig in the bowels of the ship's engine room. The Reversionist curate [[Accelerator]] reprogrammed Gauge so that she'd forget her old life with her mentors. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} Aware that Heretech was planning something sinister, but unaware of the specifics, Greenlight was able to hack into the ship's systems and sent a message to Gauge telling her to come and find them. When she did so, Arcee and Greenlight introduced themselves to their former mentee and explained that they wanted to tell her the truth. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth: Part One}}

Using a [[Cortical psychic patch|psychic patch]], Arcee and Greenlight got Gauge to trust them by helping her remember what happened before boarding the ''Exodus''. Then they asked her to deactivate the bars to their cage—a dangerous task that would involve infiltrating Heretech's private quarters. Gauge did so, and as the ''Exodus'' returned to Cybertron, Arcee and Greenlight successfully broke out and subdued the guards sent to stop them. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} As the Reversionists began their attack on the planet, Arcee and Greenlight escaped the ''Exodus'' to warn Cybertron's inhabitants of the impending attack, then intervened to help Gauge stop Heretech using their alternate modes. Arcee and Gauge teamed up to incapacitate Heretech with a mass of exploding Energon; in the aftermath, the three elected to stay behind on Cybertron together. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|Moment of Truth}}

Arcee took up arms with Optimus Prime and the Autobots against the conquest of Cybertron by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} As Iacon fell to the Decepticons, Arcee, Greenlight, and Gauge joined Optimus Prime as they relocated to [[Crystal City]] and all formally became Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} She assisted [[Pyra Magna]] at [[Protihex]] to recover who and what they could before the city-state fell. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} Arcee was at the Autobranding ceremony in [[Crystal City]] where those opposed to the Decepticons united under the Autobot badge. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

[[File:DarknessOnceGazedUponPart2-altmodes.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

When they learned [[Termagax]] had the [[Enigma of Combination]] by the [[Sea of Rust]], Arcee joined Pyra Magna and a tactical unit in securing the location. She was positioned on the roof of Termagax's [[House (building)|House]] as a sniper with [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]. They shot down the [[Rainmakers]] when the Decepticons arrived to make their own claim to the Enigma. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|Sea of Rust II}} Still, she and Sureshot were unprepared for the sudden arrival of the teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. He evaded their sniper fire, and the Enigma was ultimately lost in the Sea of Rust. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}}

After returning to Crystal City, Smokescreen recruited Arcee and a small team to break into Iacon and rescue [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from Decepticon captivity. The group used one of Swindle's old tunnels to get into the city, then launched a rooftop attack on the former Senate building to rescue their prisoner. on returning to [[Swindle's|Swindle's casino]] to coordinate their exit strategy. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} However, when the ruling Decepticons caught wind of Autobot intruders working with Swindle, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and his troops launched an attack on the casino, and Arcee was injured in the subsequent shootout before Smokescreen and Chromia could bring down the casino on top of their pursuers and make a clean getaway. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three}} As a result, Arcee was out of action during the subsequent siege of Crystal City; as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] worked to repair her shoulder, Greenlight reminded her that Arcee couldn't recklessly risk her life to protect her family. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

By the time that the Autobots withdrew to neighbouring [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], Arcee had made a full recovery in time to join [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and fend off a last-ditch Decepticon assault intended to prevent the Autobots from leaving the planet, but promised Greenlight and Gauge that she'd make it aboard. Arcee survived the battle, and once their ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' left the planet she, Greenlight, and Gauge all stood together to listen to Optimus Prime's final speech. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. the Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPartThree-Arcee.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Arcee was one of the many dormant Autobots aboard the ''Ark'' in 1984. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}} In the original timeline, she survived long enough to become known to [[Skynet]] and receive a threat level of "maximum."

After being reactivated and reformatted in the altered timeline, Arcee became the reluctant overseer of the [[T-800]], a time-traveling android whose interference spared the Autobots from being executed by the Decepticons. After showing him the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s weapon locker and conducting a perimeter sweep, unaware that he'd secretly scattered explosives around the area, Arcee responded to Bumblebee's call for reinforcements at a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility. Eager as ever for a fight, Arcee threw herself at Thundercracker, impaling the Seeker's nosecone with her sword. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

Though Arcee managed to slay [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], the Autobots were still outnumbered and quickly boxed in. Salvation came when Starscream betrayed the Decepticons and shot Soundwave in the back; the distraction allowing Arcee to slam Skywarp into Thundercracker and take both out of the fight. After Bumblebee and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] had defeated the other two Insecticons, [[Sarah Connor]] called the Autobots to aid the bisected T-800. Arcee threw him into Megatron's open wound and allowed him to destroy the tyrant from inside. After Arcee loaded the captured Decepticons into Optimus' trailer, the Autobots returned to the ''Ark'' to find the volcano destroyed. Recognizing that the T-800 had done this, Arcee cursed herself for trusting the android before the Autobots and Decepticons agreed to a truce. In the months and years that followed, Sarah Connor got a job at [[Skywatch]] and used her connections to keep an eye on her Cybertronian friends, including Arcee. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jessica DiGiovanni]] (English), [[Suzuka Kimura]] (Japanese)|[[Isabelle Auvray]] (French), [[Franziska Endres]] (German), [[Gabriela Bicalho]] (Portuguese), [[Ana Richart]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Adriana Olmedo]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Renu Sharda]] (Hindi)}}
[[File:SiegeEpisode5-WeaponizedCog.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Arcee accompanied the Energon scavenger Bumblebee, and fellow Autobot Cog on a mission to steal a supply of Energon to fuel The Ark. Bumblebee brought them to the den of the [[mercenary]] [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. On approach to Soundblaster's throne, Arcee pointed out that he looked like Soundwave; Bumblebee suggested ''not'' bringing up the topic to Soundblaster, as he was sensitive about being a failed clone. Bumblebee successfully deceived Soundblaster into thinking that Arcee and Cog were his new apprentices in the Energon scavenging business. Taken down to the vault, Arcee sprung into action, with Cog transforming into a weapon for her to use and holding back the guards while Bumblebee stole Energon. However, before the trio could leave, Soundblaster arrived, having caught on from the start thanks to surveillance from [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]. Soundblaster also decided that since Arcee and Cog were valuable as Autobots, he'd cash them in for profit. He then had Arcee, Cog and Bumblebee surrounded. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}

Outnumbered, Arcee and the others prepared for the inevitable fight, but the arrival of Shockwave's virus affected the [[Dome Guard]]s' weapons. The distraction gave the Autobots the chance to escape. Yet, with Bumblebee incapacitated from the sudden loss of the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]], Arcee was left to take the wheel of a speeder, which she used to escape with Bumblebee and Cog. They reached Autobot Command with the needed energon just as the Decepticons launched their attack. Arcee and Cog brought the Energon to the ship, enabling it to take flight. Arcee remained aboard the Ark for the duration of the battle and assisted in holding back the attacking Decepticons. She was aboard the ''Ark'' when it flew into the space bridge. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

Having been knocked unconscious by the jump, Arcee was among the Autobots captured by [[Doubledealer]] and the crew of the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'' and brought to the Quintesson [[Deseeus]] on [[Chaar]] for judgment. However, after teaming up with the Mercenaries that had first captured them, the Autobots fought off Deseeus' private army and escaped back aboard the ''Ark''. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} Arcee joined Optimus, Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Sideswipe aboard [[Nebulos]] Station and helped fight off [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], sealing the door to keep him out and providing cover fire for Optimus. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 3}} While Scorponok was preoccupied fighting the Decepticons, she and the other Autobots made their escape, only for Starscream to fire on the station, sending the ''Ark'' and its crew into the [[Dead Universe]]. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

Arcee remained on board the ''Ark'' while Optimus spoke to [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and later observed Earth once they escaped. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} However, the Decepticons were close behind and boarded the ''Ark''. Their fight was then interrupted by the ''Fool's Fortune''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s arrival, helmed by a Deseeus-controlled Doubledealer. As a result of the Mercenary ship's destruction, the ''Ark'' and its crew were sent crashing down to Earth. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

{{charstubfiction|Kingdom}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Earthrise-Arcee-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
{{bigquote|Ferocity without compassion is brutality.}}
After Cybertron fell, the Autobots left their homeworld aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', traveling through space in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. Arcee was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Command Special Ops Sergeant]], {{storylink|Arcee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' toy packaging}} whose function was a warrior. Her primary objective was to achieve victory, and her primary weapons were [[Energon battle pistol|Energon pistol]]s. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref>

Closer than ever to reaching the [[AllSpark]], the Autobots awakened after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth. While battling the Decepticons, both sides were joined by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, their epic battle changing their combined destinies.

During this period, Arcee [[trans-scan]]ed into a sports car. Her Energon pistols and speed were her powers and weapons, and her core traits were her ferocity, fearlessness, and protectiveness. Arcee's message from the future was that her cooperation with mysterious new allies will lead to heroic ends. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ShineLikeADiamond-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"So, Rarity, have you ever stabbed someone through the chest?"]]
While battling for control of a malfunctioning [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], Arcee was among the many Cybertronians [[magic]]ally transported to [[Equestria]] by [[Queen Chrysalis]]. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}} After crash-landing in [[Manehattan]], she singlehandedly rescued [[Rarity]] and her employees from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. After befriending Rarity, she teamed up with her to defeat Starscream, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Shine Like a Diamond}}

When the Decepticons and [[changeling]]s attacked the [[Crystal Empire]], Arcee was part of the force that defended it, slamming into [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] before engaging [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]]. When the Autobots later returned to Cybertron, Arcee confirmed that everyone who had been dragged to Equestria had been returned home. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

Following the release of [[King Sombra]] on Cybertron, Arcee and [[Greenlight]] began noticing the strange effects his presence was having on Cybertron before they ran across [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]] who were seeking their niece, [[Scootaloo]]. Though Arcee readily offered her aid, a magically enthralled [[Killmaster]] arrived. Though both ponies and Autobots initially tried their hand at defeating the Decepticon, he was only defeated when Greenlight wrapped the ponies' yarn around him, which allowed Arcee to send him flying off. It was then that Scootaloo showed up, accompanied by a few Cybertronian youths. Content that the children were safe, the four adults enjoyed a picnic. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

When the alliance sought to prevent King Sombra from reactivating [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Arcee wielded [[Applejack]] as a weapon and treid out some Equestrian slang before they defeated the [[unicorn]] tyrant and established a temporary truce with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
Arcee was among the many Autobots who fought against the Decepticons as both sides drained the universe of its resources. {{Storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Hold still, you've got a little Aligned on ya.]]
Arcee was part of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita 1]]'s team as they made a series of raids on Decepticon bases. Unfortunately, her nemesis [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]]'s knowledge of her tactics allowed the Decepticon to put a stop to the team's successful run. {{storylink|Fatal Furies}} At some point, she changed her color scheme from blue to pink. She took part in the defense of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|'Til All Are One (Legends)|'Til All Are One}} She and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] encountered a group of Decepticons while hunting for their friends inside the monster. After fending off an attack by Unicron's internal defenses, the pair managed to reunite with their friends and escape before Unicron exploded. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

[[File:TFLegends-ArceeG1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|There. All better.]]
Arcee was still an active participant in the Autobot/Decepticon war when Ultra Magnus decided to reunite with his unit from the planet Junkion, only to be attacked by the Insecticons. {{storylink|Junkion Reunion}} When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] were abducted by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], Arcee, and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] gave chase. Instead of finding the Skuxxoids, they caught up with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], just as their leader had a vision that the [[Quintesson]]s were behind the kidnapping. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}}

Following a Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Arcee, alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Spike, were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]; this did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. This was not to be, unfortunately, as the resurrected Autobot leader left the group stranded after having received the Matrix of leadership from Rodimus. After Optimus regained his senses, the Autobots were left to mourn their leader as he sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}} Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Springer were trapped in human bodies by [[Victor Drath]] and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], but still managed to foil the pair's plan to destroy Autobot City. They were later successfully returned to their robot bodies. {{storylink|Only Human (Legends)|Only Human}}

In the aftermath of the restoration of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Arcee was part of a team led by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] which attempted to map the changes to their planet. They were briefly delayed by [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (Legends)|The Autonomy Lesson}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Stella (AB)#As Arcee}}
Arcee appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events and through Special Missions. Stella portrays her. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|If you ''have'' any loved ones, say goodbye to them now.]]
Arcee participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots, and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of her! She was an Epic character who could be acquired as a reward in the "Combiner Hunters" event and "An Uneventful Night" Space Bridge offer. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{Charstubgames}}{{Storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:ArceeTransformersEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqbFBWjclo Glad we got posted to the Autobot HQ commander?]]]
Appearances... can be deceptive. Quick-witted and formidable in battle, Arcee is compassionate to her allies but utterly ruthless to her enemies. Streamlined bodywork and light alloy construction only mean she's faster, more agile, and ultimately deadlier than most of her fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Arcee Bio}}

Arcee had been dispatched on a mission by Optimus Prime but ran into trouble when [[Nightbird (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nightbird]] caught up to her. The two have been crossing paths routinely as Nightbird tries to put an end to Arcee's do-good acts. However, as the battle on Earth heats up, Optimus sent a signal for Arcee to return to the Autobots.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons''': Arcee uses an ion pistol to blast things. Once she does, she closes in and punches/kicks the target.
*'''Ability: Holo Decoy''' - Deploys a decoy that will soak up damage. It cannot damage targets, but it can stun them.
**'''Cost''' 3 ability points. +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:arcee Arcee at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Arcee-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66| Boom. Bodyshot that counts as a Headshot.]]
Arcee was one of the Autobots pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|her universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. She eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of her running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOArcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left]]
Arcee took part in a series of attacks against multiple Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. 800 Armor, 800 Blaster Strength, Score x6, Coins x3, Blaster Speed: Very Fast {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Arcee (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
[[File:FriedmanAuctionArceeModelEdit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Ready to join Jake and Finn for adventures in the Land of Ooo.]]
[[File:BotCon1996ProgramAMArcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

{{quote|And they were absolutely resistant to Arcee. I said I had a daughter who loves this stuff. There are other girls that like it. Put in a female Autobot!|[[Ron Friedman]], <ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>}}

*As quoted above, [[Ron Friedman]] fought for Arcee's inclusion in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' because his daughter was a fan of that type of cartoon. From the known production timelines, we know [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie#Production_timeline|she was created]] about [[The Search for Alpha Trion#Production timeline|ten months]] before the [[Female Autobots]] were created for the show.
* In the original treatment, Arcee was going to have to put up with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] being sexist and underrating her skills... unaware she's saving his life in the background!<Ref>[https://twitter.com/chrismcfeely/status/1561079546836910081 Chris McFeely's twitter, 20th August 2022: "Wheeljack and Arcee have a bickering relationship throughout the draft, the mysoginistic Wheeljack constantly underrating her skills, oblivious to the fact she's constantly averting disaster and saving his life in the background."]</ref>
*Arcee had two different [[character model]]s in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|basis for her original unproduced toy]], which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]." Meanwhile, her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances used her final model.
*Arcee's finalized character model was used to make many background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]."
*When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!
*In 2010, a set of Arcee's original color models from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' went up for sale on Heritage Auctions, sold from [[Ron Friedman|Ron Friedman's]] collection of [[Sunbow Productions]] materials. In contrast to her final model and her original toy prototype, this early color model depicted her almost exclusively in shades of pink, save for some lavender on her collar, anklets, and [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] seats.
*[[Men in Black|Men in Black Collectibles]], the organizers of [[BotCon 1996]], attempted to produce an original "[[Action Master]]-inspired" Arcee figure as the '96 convention exclusive. As the steel tooling required to produce plastic action figures costs in the tens of thousands of dollars, this idea never went anywhere, and it is unknown whether MiB had entered into any actual discussions to license the use of the character besides. This figure was presumably unrelated to the actual Hasbro/Takara Action Master Arcee conceived a few years earlier.
*In 2000, Japanese publisher Kodansha released "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land", a book paying tribute to various sci-fi toylines produced by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] over the years. As part of a tie-in [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] promotion, Takara released a special redeco of the ''[[Microman|Replica Microman]]'' "Lady Command" figure (itself a reissue of a 1977 toy) in white and gold chrome named [[Microman#Arcee|Arcee]]. Whether or not she represents "our" Arcee is unknown, though the name was likely chosen in homage to the shared history of ''Transformers'' and ''Microman'', as well as due to it beginning with an "A", like the regular Lady Command figures (Ann, Alice, Annie, and Ai). Only five Arcees were produced.
*Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any ''Transformers'' character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics, the Big Looker Storybooks, and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome (and possibly Rodimus Prime) in ''The Headmasters'', Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity, [[Aileron]] in the [[2005 IDW continuity]], and [[Greenlight]] in both the [[2019 IDW continuity]] and the [[My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron|''My Little Pony/Transformers'' crossover miniseries]]. Then there's the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it for their sanity.
*In [[2017]], Arcee was a candidate in the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Fan polls|fan poll]] for the next bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in ''Transformers'' lore. Although [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Power of the Primes|Optimus Primal]] was the ultimate victor, Hasbro created preliminary design sketches and “Evolution” mode names for all the candidates. When asked at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018, Design Manager [[John Warden]] could not remember what Arcee's name was but suggested that it was something along the lines of '''Arcana Magnus'''.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/2018/07/new-info-about-war-for-cybertron-and-more-from-the-hasbro-preview-breakfast/ New Info About War For Cybertron and More from the Hasbro Preview Breakfast]</ref>
*The [[#Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime incarnation]] of Arcee as a transgender Cybertronian had been worked on for a long time; with [[Rachel Stevens]]'s assistance with the language, as well as [[Jim Sorenson]]'s ensuring it got published.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/129168-out-of-printhard-to-find-media-mega-thread/page-9#entry3440904 Post by Verity Carlo on the Allspark Forums, 2017/02/12]</ref>
*Arcee's [[:File:Synergy-Coralus-Arcee.jpg|2019 IDW comic design]] by [[Umi Miyao]] first appeared in the [[Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase|''Synergy'' anthology]].
*Alex Milne based [[:File:TF-vs-Terminator-Arcee-Character-Art.jpg|Arcee's design]] in ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' on a {{w|Ford Mustang (third generation)|1983 Ford Mustang}}.<ref>[https://twitter.com/markerguru/status/1293310158622392322 Tweet by Alex Milne (@markerguru), 11 August 2020]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''French:'' '''Arcie''' (Canada), '''Archère''' (France, ''Dark Awakening'', "Female archer")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''Arcee''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'' and second dub of ''The Movie'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Yǎxī''' (Taiwan, 雅希), '''Arcee''' (China, 阿尔茜 ''Āěrxī'')
*''Russian:'' '''Arcee''' (Арси ''Arsi'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Biologists]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Transgender characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Arcee (G1)

2022-08-21T01:03:48Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers|{{factions/icons
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:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]
Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Sure, she's pink, but she'll have swords down on you by the time you remember that's just the color of [[Transformer]] [[energon|blood]]. Arcee is a ruthless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils of which the [[Decepticon]]s are capable. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to keep their wits about them to pull them out of the fire when they get in over their heads.

She's sometimes [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s [[Relatives|sister]], and perhaps also [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]'s "great-aunt." Though she's known to flirt with Hot Rod, she's married to either [[Aileron]] or [[Greenlight]] in some universes. Sometimes she's even [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] to the human [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]].

{{bigquote|Ferocity without compassion is brutality.|Arcee's ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]''<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref> motto}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
{{main|Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
A close associate of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Arcee fought in both the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and the [[Unicron War]] in [[2005]]. Following that, she continued working closely with Rodimus Prime as one of his primary warriors. In [[2006]], she binary bonded with [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] to save his life, becoming a Headmaster.

In a splinter timeline, Arcee was a member of the [[Female Autobots]] and fought in the resistance against the Decepticons on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s crew lay dormant on [[Earth]]. In [[2011]], Arcee had not become a Headmaster in this timeline; she instead becomes a ''secretary'' for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]].
{{--}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel UK future timelines====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future [[1995]] as a goodwill attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered the creation of a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

Arcee was present at the opening of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in [[2004]] when a group of Decepticons led by Shockwave launched an attack, hoping to ruin Autobot-human relations permanently by assassinating several diplomats present. She helped shield the diplomats from harm until Hot Rod drove the attackers away. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:Springer arcee the planet eater.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''Arcee was present when the Decepticons launched a major offensive against Autobot City in the year [[2005]]. She and Springer transformed the outpost into its defensive mode, but the Decepticons nonetheless managed to breach its walls. The Autobots eventually drove Megatron and his troops away, but at a steep cost: Optimus had been fatally wounded in battle against his nemesis. Arcee afterward stood in solemn silence as Optimus passed on the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] before expiring on his death bed.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''After a brief respite, Arcee and the other Earthbound Autobots received dire news from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]]; a monster planet, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], was advancing menacingly towards Cybertron. When perched on Arcee's shoulder, Daniel was apprehensive about what would happen to his father should Unicron attack. There was little time to contemplate the situation, however, as a new enemy then assaulted the Autobots: [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots were forced to split up into two groups and blast off aboard a couple of [[Autobot shuttle|shuttles]] in their attempt to escape him, but Galvatron remained in pursuit. In a last-ditch effort to lose the Decepticon, Magnus ordered an emergency separation of the shuttle. After Galvatron destroyed the jettisoned portion of the vessel (and declared the Matrix destroyed), Arcee's group landed their craft on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] for repairs.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Arcee daniel the final battle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
''When Daniel asked to be allowed to help with the repairs, Arcee brought out one of his father's [[Exosuit]]s from storage and helped the boy put it on. Though Daniel had trouble with the suit's workings, Arcee assured him that he was doing well for his first time operating it. The Autobots barely managed to get any work done before Galvatron tracked them down again. Galvatron blew Ultra Magnus to pieces in the ensuing battle and left with the Matrix of Leadership in hand. Arcee and her teammates gathered to look over Ultra Magnus afterward, only for the hostile [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] to then spring forth! Thankfully, another ship carrying Hot Rod and several other Autobots arrived and managed to talk peace with [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], the Junkions' leader.

Wreck-Gar's troops rebuilt Ultra Magnus, and everyone on Junk readied for a confrontation against Unicron. This clash ended with the Autobots' ship spearing through the titan's eye. Arcee and the others were separated from Hot Rod within Unicron, but her group found Spike, Bumblebee, and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]. Hot Rod soon rejoined them, but in his absence, he reacquired the Matrix of Leadership, which both upgraded him into "Rodimus Prime" and begun a chain reaction inside Unicron, culminating in his destruction! With Unicron's threat now dealt with, the Autobots gathered around Rodimus Prime, who announced that this day would mark a new chapter in Cybertronian history, one that would hopefully contain much peace and happiness.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

[[File:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pigeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Though they had been quite friendly beforehand, Arcee and Hot Rod began to drift apart after his ascension to Prime status in [[2006]]. She remained stationed at Autobot City on Earth but grew bored by her duties. One day in [[2008]], Arcee decided to be a bit adventurous, rationalizing that ditching her duties and returning before anyone noticed wouldn't amount to any harm. After a quick drive through the countryside, she returned to base to find it under siege by the [[Quintesson]]s. Arcee was accosted, wounded, and strategically placed as bait so that Rodimus would see her upon investigating the attack on the outpost. Sure enough, when he spotted her, Rodimus rushed to his "childhood" friend's aid. When he tried to use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to heal her, Arcee tried to warn her leader of the set-up, but the trap was already sprung; the Quintessons stole the Matrix, and Rodimus Prime reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, Arcee was soon back on her feet and assisting Hot Rod in a last-ditch effort to thwart the invaders' plans. While she, and a few cassette-Transformers the Quintessons had overlooked, distracted the enemy army, Hot Rod awakened [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], leading to the devastation of the Quintesson fleet. Arcee witnessed Hot Rod retrieve the Matrix from the Quintesson who had swiped it, [[Ghyrik]], after defeating him through trickery. Seeing him hold his own without the Matrix's power renewed Arcee's wavering faith in her Commander. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In [[2009]], Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the [[Earth's core|planet's core]]. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill. They returned to Autobot City to face the more significant threat: a [[Time rift|timestorm]] that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[File:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]
Arcee, Rodimus, and several other Autobots traveled back in time to [[1989]] to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] explained that they were travelers from the future. Even more, unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset, so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Arcee and the returnees adjusted as best they could, but the odds were hopelessly against them. The resistance on Cybertron ended when Galvatron and his men ransacked a resistance station, killing [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and the other Autobots present. Galvatron mutilated the corpses to drive Rodimus Prime into a killing frenzy, hoping to corrupt the Matrix through its host. As she felt fire in the depths of her soul, Arcee managed to talk Rodimus down, reminding him of the actual values of an Autobot leader; compassion and mercy. Despite this moral victory, the Autobots' resistance movement was quickly crushed, and they were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] possessed Rodimus and disabled the [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|ship]]'s retro-rockets, Kup had Arcee make her way to the damaged systems through the ship's air ducts. She successfully reached the sabotaged machinery and repaired them, but a crash-landing became inevitable by that time. After the Autobots' ship made landfall, their possessed leader began advancing on them, vowing to tear them apart for their interference. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. Kup was more hesitant in doing so but eventually agreed with Arcee that Unicron had to be stopped, even at the expense of Rodimus's life. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}}

Kup changed his mind when Unicron's assault came to an abrupt end; Rodimus was fighting back, distracting Unicron from the goings-on in the physical realm. The dark god regained control briefly, killing [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] in the process, and Arcee declared that Unicron had been "faking it" to lure them into a false sense of security. But Kup suspected otherwise and tackled down Rodimus to rip the Matrix out of his chest compartment. Though this released Rodimus from Unicron's control, it did not eliminate his threat; Rodimus declared that one day, he would have to venture back within the Matrix to confront Unicron again. {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in [[2010]]—an event she witnessed—Arcee's ruthless attitude appeared to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
Hot Rod, sent on a journey through time and space via [[Primus]], was sent to Junkion and came across the deceased crew of an Autobot shuttle. One of the victims was Arcee. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

{{note|Her only other appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation, and a profile in issue #4 of ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]''. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Arcee was part of the crew of an Autobot ship that was studying the Universe. She asked Springer to make a note of a specific star. After being hit by meteors, they were forced to make landfall on the nearby Junk planet. There, she helped Springer and Perceptor fix the ship until the native Junkions attacked them. The fighting stopped when Kup arrived on-world and used the universal greeting to calm down the Junkions. Now friends, the Junkions and the Autobots, worked together to fix the damaged ship. Arcee and the Autobots then blasted off and went on their way. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them but the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====3H comics====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}
{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}
[[File:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. Daniel's death took a severe toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She firmly believed that she had omens of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[File:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Units of time|stellar cycle]]s later when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known simply as Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker]]s and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be the fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[File:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Transformation]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and descended in a ball of fire and smoke—Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glances awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired room, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his following action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But she realized death isn't an ending; it was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Dreamwave MMTE Arcee.jpeg|upright=1.1|left|thumb]]
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She became a member of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s underground rebellion team headquartered in the [[Wastelands]] during the reign of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. She was regarded as one of the team's odd ones along with [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], though neither were unappreciated. Both [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Hot Rod quickly fell in love with her. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} What no one knew, however, was that Arcee was a sleeper agent of the [[Quintesson]]s and a member of [[Female Autobots|their elite warriors]]. Her task was to keep an eye on the war's proceedings, particularly Autobot activity, and the location of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and any Transformers with an affinity for the object. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} As such, Arcee was delighted when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was brought to the rebels' base, much to Hot Rod's misguided annoyance. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were making a mess in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] at the time, Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]] on the polity, forcing the rebels to make their final stand against him immediately. Arcee ended up teamed up with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]—a situation that bugged Hot Rod because he couldn't keep an eye on her. Halfway through the battle, Arcee witnessed [[Shockwave's Tower]] shooting a beam of sorts to an [[Unicron/Generation 1|unknown destination]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shortly after, she also witnessed the Decepticon hijack of [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Even with these setbacks, the Autobots won and reclaimed Iacon. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

[[File:LostandFound Arcee friends.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"I'm glad you said that. I'll invite [[Female Autobots|them]] over [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Generation One|right away]]."]]
The Autobots set up a new [[Autobase]] in Iacon, where Springer and Hot Rod used relative peacetime to win Arcee's affection. Hot Rod had a date of sorts with Arcee to help prepare and watch the shuttle that would send a group of Autobots to [[Earth]] take off, but only after he'd be done training. Springer jumped onto the opportunity and offered to go with Arcee while Hot Rod was busy. Arcee accepted, much to Hot Rod's annoyance. At Landing Platform A, after they were done loading baggage, Arcee was lost in thoughts, of which a few she shared with Springer when he asked what was on her mind: Arcee wasn't sure of her purpose in life and if she belonged on Cybertron. Springer assured her she belonged with her friends.

Over at [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], Arcee's masters observed the proceedings on Cybertron with glee, noting that not only had they found another Transformer with an affinity for the Matrix in Hot Rod, but their own agent Arcee would work perfectly as a key to break his will. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} The Quintessons' plans would even be able to be executed well ahead of time by the Autobots' next move. Arcee was selected to leave with Kup, Springer, and the Dinobots to set up a new moonbase, while Hot Rod was chosen for guard duty at Autobase with only Gnaw and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] to assist him. Arcee's report on this situation got the Quintessons to send her colleagues for Hot Rod and the Matrix. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the shuttle, taking them all to one of Cybertron's moons, Arcee witnessed an amusing conversation between Kup and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]. The view outside drew back her attention, though, where an [[Quintesson Cruiser|odd-looking object]] floated in wait for the shuttle. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
To oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots." {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before the group could do much about him, they were attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warp gate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[File:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5 Arceecrys.jpg|thumb|250px]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Sometime later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{--}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When a surprise party was thrown for Optimus in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Arcee wound up not getting invited. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:SpotlightArcee-ArceeWillBurnJhiaxusDown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|She does this a lot.]]
{{main|Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
Sibling of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], '''Arcee of the [[Darklands]]''' was an ancient warrior, hailing from the prehistoric era that predated modern Transformer civilization, serving under the fearsome tyrant [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] during the wars that led to the unification of Cybertron under the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} "Forged male," Arcee would eventually seek out the assistance of the amoral scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] for assistance, after the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. Seeking to reintroduce the concept of "gender" to the species after its mysterious elimination, Arcee would be altered at the genetic level—but Jhiaxus's callous treatment of his patient would change Arcee into a raging berserker. She could only focus on exacting bloody revenge against him and all that he had created, {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} {{storylink|Post}} finally getting even with her tormentor after the thwarting of [[Nova Prime]]'s [[Expansion]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

It would not be until after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] that Arcee would truly embark on the long road to recovery; first falling in with the amoral [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] as a private enforcer, {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} and later with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} Arcee was able to slowly work past her many demons, finding companionship, camaraderie, and even [[Transformer romance|love]] in her new role as Optimus Prime's advisor—having lived through the era of the Thirteen and experienced their many atrocities firsthand, Arcee remained unafraid to call out her new leader as he verged closer and closer to repeating their mistakes. But when those mistakes came home to roost in the form of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Arcee played an instrumental role in the battle against the planet-eater before settling into a new life on Earth with [[Aileron]]. {{storylink|Post}}
{{--}}

===Robot Heroes===
Arcee was Optimus's strong-willed and humble friend. With the rest of Autobots, they boarded the Ark to search for Energon among the stars. They came to Earth and fought back against the Decepticons when they started trouble. Arcee leaped up to bring Starscream down to the ground, where Drift shoved him into a river! The Autobots then decided to keep vigil over the Earth, should the Decepticons ever return. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Autobots to her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]] so that he could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Arcee could be seen standing side by side with Jazz on one of Synergy's view screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:FuneralForAFriend-megrimlockking.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Known as the guardian of [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Arcee was a [[Rescuebot]], and one of the Autobots stationed in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command when a patrol brought back several captured [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]]. She was opposed to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] decision to sentence the invaders to death and gave them their weapons back so they could fight off the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] used for the execution. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} This compassionate act allowed the Joes to survive and broker a truce with the Autobots, and both sides celebrated with a dance party. As Grimlock explained how he came to be leader after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] fled, Arcee protested that no one knew if that was the real truth. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:TFvsJoe12-rescuebots.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the Decepticon-Cobra alliance attacked Metroplex, Arcee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] took some Joes to [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] to free [[U.S.7]] from within the giant and bring him to his senses. Together with [[Tunnel Rat]], she made her way to Maximus's brain, found that it was being corrupted by [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and defeated her. The three Autobots and their human allies then moved to attack [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], only to be captured. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} They were sent to the [[Polyhex Killway]] and mind-controlled into fighting each other, with Arcee being forced to try and run down [[Dusty]] and [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] with her car mode. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} The captives were then moved to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where the Autobots were trapped, unresponsive, in their vehicle modes but recovered after the Joes used them as getaway vehicles to break out of the city. {{storylink|Headmasters (issue)|Headmasters}}

The Rescuebots swore to protect humanity by forging a "combination lock," merging into the giant Defensor. Arcee became Defensor's... er, crotch. At any rate, Defensor helped take down Trypticon. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} Arcee later participated in the final battle against DeceptiCobra. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
[[File:ABTF4 ArceeCyberHaystack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
Arcee was part of the shuttle crew carrying the [[AllSpark]] and helped defend it from a Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} The AllSpark was lost in space during the battle. Just as Arcee and the others were lamenting the difficulty in finding it, it came back to them, crashing through one of the shuttle's windshield alongside a [[Minion Pig]]. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}
{{--}}

===Legends World===
[[File:Legends Business Trip 10 Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Takara aren't sexist, they just have... ''different'' priorities.]]
The aunt and caretaker of [[Rattrap (BW)#Legends comic 2|Rattrap]], the Arcee of the [[Legends World]] was shocked when her nephew was turned into an actual Transformer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 1|Bonus Edition Vol. 1}} Then, when he was turned into a [[technorganic]] Transformer, she just responded with "Again?" {{storylink|Legends Vol. 15#LG03 Tankor Prologue|LG03 Tankor Prologue}} Eventually, the [[Transformers sickness]] caused by Rattrap's toy collection got to her, too, and she became a full-size transforming version of herself. She didn't worry too much about that, though, as Rattrap was late for work, so she quickly made him lunch and personally drove him to work with her new car mode. [[T-AI#Legends comic 2|Ai]] attempted to arrest Arcee before she could cause any trouble like other Transformers had, but was talked out of it by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Tigatron]], who recognized Arcee's new form from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Out of gratitude, Arcee made dinner for the whole [[Axalon Trading Company]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 10|Bonus Edition Vol. 10}}

Rhinox and Tigatron were jealous of Rattrap's relationship with Arcee, who had bathed him and slept in the same bed as him when he was young until he explained that she hadn't ''always'' been a giant robot. When she was officially diagnosed with [[Transformers sickness]] by [[Bump]] and told to throw out Rattrap's toys so she could recover, Arcee flatly refused, knowing how much her nephew loved his collection. Instead, she just continued living her everyday life as a giant robot body. {{storylink|Transformers Legends: Arcee Chapter|Arcee Chapter}} Arcee was later caught up in the massive world-ending storm summoned up by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} She later heard Rattrap yell out in surprise upon finding his [[Mini-Con]] collection missing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Armada Megatron}}

[[File:TFLegendsAutobotsHalloweenCostumes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Lost the best cosplay trio trophy to Black Widow, Nightbird Shadow, and Slipstream.......booooooooo!.]]
Arcee was among the defenders of the Legends world who helped defeat [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] when she showed up to cause trouble. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}} During [[Halloween]], she dressed up as a maid and set out alongside Windblade and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to stop [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s trick-or-energy scheme, only for Megatron's new minion, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], to web them up. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}} Tigatron later had a dream of Arcee and Chromia wearing each other's armor. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends: Chromia Chapter|Chromia Chapter}} Upon overhearing Slipstream telling Rattrap that she'd gotten a facelift back in her universe, Arcee jealously wished that she could go there too. Rattrap assured her she looked plenty young already and didn't need remodeling. {{storylink|LG-16 Slipstream Sequel}}

The [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] of the [[G1 World]] harbored regrets over a failed relationship with his own universe's Arcee, leading to him traveling to the Legends World to remodel his body into something better looking. {{storylink|LG19 Sprung Prologue}} There, he ran into the local Arcee and decided to try again by asking her out, but she turned him down, explaining she was much too busy taking care of Rattrap. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} She later witnessed [[Drift (G1)|Deadlock]] enter the Legends Universe, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Deadlock}} and was caught up in [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s attack on the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} On accepting a package from [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]]'s delivery service, Arcee was taken aback by how chatty he was. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 25|Bonus Edition Vol. 25}}

While acting as a cheerleader at a soccer game, Arcee found herself targeted by the prank-loving [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who flipped her skirt and kicked soccer balls at her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 29|Bonus Edition Vol. 29}} She later visited Rattrap's job to bring him lunch and made [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] blush by telling him he'd been working hard lately. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 32|Bonus Edition Vol. 32}} Arcee was home when [[Shūta Gō|Shūta]] of the [[Astrotrain Transport Company]] delivered a package, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} was seen driving on the roads of [[Akihabara|Neo Akihabara City]], {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} and got covered in bugs when tiny [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] clones swarmed the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 47|Bonus Edition Vol. 47}} Metroplex later recalled that she was present when he arrived in this world. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Metroplex}} When Windblade attacked again, Arcee kept Rattrap from being blown away. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}}
{{--}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Sumire Uesaka]] (Japanese)}}
Seeking a new way to increase the ''Transformers'' brand's popularity, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] suggested sex appeal and fantasized about Arcee taking a bath. {{storylink|The Road to Winning a New Fanbase}}

====''Legends'' comic====
Arcee summed up the ending of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' to those of [[you]] who didn't watch it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Just in case you only bought one of the toys telling the story, she also recapped [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s journey into the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} as well as Waspinator's possession at the hands of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In a reality where the Cybertronian civil war had ended relatively early, Arcee was a biologist protoformed with a male chassis. Post-war, she was sent to observe several organic-populated worlds, where she discovered the organic concept of "gender dysphoria disorder," something which applied to herself. Returning home, she released a paper on the subject. Arcee and several others like her underwent reformatting and replacing bits of their genetic code to rectify the dysphoria between their neural/spark programming and their [[CNA]].

At some point, Arcee ended up in [[Axiom Nexus]]. She gave a lecture on Cybertronian gender, which [[Vector Prime]] attended. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/12/23}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:POTP vote Arcee.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
{{quote|I will never stop fighting for the future I know is possible.}}
Arcee was a potential bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. As a force for honor, Arcee planned to continue Optimus Prime's legacy by abandoning her past as a warrior and making reparations for the damage caused by the war. Instead, the Matrix went to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Fan polls#2017|''Power of the Primes'' fan poll}}
{{--}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:AwYeah1-earthquake.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Arcee was battling the Decepticons alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee until [[Baron Karza]] abducted the Autobot leader, leaving the two Autobots baffled at the mysterious disappearance of their leader. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}}
{{--}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:PrimesDirectivePart2-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Part of the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when the ship left Cybertron four million years ago, Arcee, the other Autobots, and Megatron's Decepticons crash-landed on Earth some four million years ago, reawakening to wage a secret war for control of Earth's [[energon]]. Eventually, the outbreak of the [[Eugenics Wars]] and [[World War III]] around the turn of the millennium prompted them to flee the planet aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and search for Energon elsewhere in the galaxy. The Autobots were unaware that the Decepticons had done the same until they were attacked by the Decepticon Titan [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] over the barren moon of [[Cygnus Seven]]. In the ensuing battle, the damaged Fortress Maximus crashed into the surface of the planet, knocking him and all of his passengers—Autobot and Decepticon alike—into [[stasis lock]] for some two hundred years.

In the 23rd century, [[Federation]] colonists conducting a routine [[dilithium]] mining operation stumbled on the dormant Transformers, inadvertently triggering the Titan's autonomous repair protocols. First, bringing the Decepticons online, the evil Transformers attacked the Federation colony. At the same time, Optimus Prime gave chase, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} and the other Autobots had only just been restored to full functionality before [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] and the crew of the starship ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' sent an away team to investigate the mineshaft. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart3-Arcee.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Though the Autobots, distrustful of humanity after witnessing their ancient wars, attempted to capture the humans, Kirk convinced them of their good intentions. The two factions brokered an alliance to rescue the wounded Optimus—only for the Decepticons to cave in the mineshaft. It was [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] who hatched a new plan to bring Fortress Maximus back online, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} with Arcee watching as he rigged up a device that would reactivate the Titan by analyzing Kirk's brainwaves. Despite [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s doubts, the plan worked, and Fortress Maximus was restored to full functionality, his alternate mode reconfigured into a copy of the ''Enterprise'' linked to Kirk's consciousness. Blasting his way to freedom, Arcee and the other Autobots rolled out to take on the Decepticons and their new [[Klingon]] allies, with Arcee facing off against her old nemesis [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] until the arrival of Trypticon. After Kirk rescued the Federation miners by beaming them and Arcee aboard, he transformed the ship into the mighty "Fortress Tiberius." {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirective5-autobots.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Though Kirk successfully defeated Trypticon, the heroes learned that [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] already absconded with a load of stolen [[dilithium]], intent on conquering the [[Klingon Empire]] and their capital world of [[Kronos]], {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}} forcing the two ''Enterprises'' and their crews to give chase. Joined by [[Crewbot|a series of custom-built mechanical suit]]s, the Autobots leaped into action against Megatron and his allies. Though one of Soundwave's sonic frequencies paralyzed them, it would be the Klingons themselves who successfully thwarted the attempted invasion. In the aftermath, Arcee and the other Autobots chose not to return to Earth with the crew of the ''Enterprise'', preferring to travel the stars, but Prime pledged that he and his soldiers would be on call if Kirk ever required their assistance. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

===An Arcee Sort of Day===
[[File:ArceeTransforms.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the Great War ended, Arcee was left feeling rudderless in this era of newfound peace. Despite having a bad day in which she had her housing loan rejected, and later picked a fight with a reckless driver, a greeting from her pet robot cat when she came home prompted her to muse that maybe peacetime wasn't so bad. {{storylink|An Arcee Sort of Day}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]]}}
[[File:ArceeGreenlightRun-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"I've only had Gauge for a day and a half, but if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself."]]
Arcee was a particularly feared soldier during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]] and spearheaded at least one assassination mission that targeted one of [[Exarchon]]'s many iterations. Following the end of the war and the ratification of the [[Nominus Edict]], Arcee settled into a peaceful civilian life and eventually romanced [[Greenlight]]. However, she remained a skilled fighter with a short temper. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

Following [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s murder, the Senate authorized the [[Reproduction|forging]] of a new Transformer and selected Arcee to mentor the young Cybertronian. At the customary ceremony at in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]], Arcee and Greenlight met their new ward [[Gauge]] and helped welcome her into the world. Observing these events, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] told [[Rubble]] that the newborn had essentially received two mentors for the price of one. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}}

Arcee grew very protective of Gauge, quick to lash out when people suggested she had been forged as a political move to take people's minds off Brainstorm's death. As tensions grew between the Autobots and [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s, Greenlight initially suggested taking Gauge off-world aboard an outbound [[Reversionist]] vessel: a suggestion that Arcee initially disagreed with, fearing that uprooting Gauge at this crucial stage might impact her development. Following [[Vigilem]]'s destruction of the [[Tether]], however, the three tried to help with rescue efforts until a confrontation with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] and [[Singe]] at a nearby [[energon storage field]] made up Arcee's mind. The three raced to board the Reversionist starship ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]'' on the outskirts of Iacon. Although Arcee nearly sacrificed herself to get her ward safely off-planet, she was able to board the ship at the last moment and rejoined her family. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

[[File:GaugingTheTruthPart2-ExodusBrig.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Throw her in the brig!" "We don't have a brig." "Then throw her in the laundry room. Which will hereafter be referred to as 'the brig'."]]
However, Reversionist plenary [[Heretech]] was displeased by the presence of non-Reversionists aboard the ship, fearing that they would interfere with his grand plan to cleanse Cybertron of heresy. He and the other Reversionists forcibly separated Gauge from her mentors and had them imprisoned in a makeshift brig in the bowels of the ship's engine room. The Reversionist curate [[Accelerator]] reprogrammed Gauge so that she'd forget her old life with her mentors. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} Aware that Heretech was planning something sinister, but unaware of the specifics, Greenlight was able to hack into the ship's systems and sent a message to Gauge telling her to come and find them. When she did so, Arcee and Greenlight introduced themselves to their former mentee and explained that they wanted to tell her the truth. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth: Part One}}

Using a [[Cortical psychic patch|psychic patch]], Arcee and Greenlight got Gauge to trust them by helping her remember what happened before boarding the ''Exodus''. Then they asked her to deactivate the bars to their cage—a dangerous task that would involve infiltrating Heretech's private quarters. Gauge did so, and as the ''Exodus'' returned to Cybertron, Arcee and Greenlight successfully broke out and subdued the guards sent to stop them. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} As the Reversionists began their attack on the planet, Arcee and Greenlight escaped the ''Exodus'' to warn Cybertron's inhabitants of the impending attack, then intervened to help Gauge stop Heretech using their alternate modes. Arcee and Gauge teamed up to incapacitate Heretech with a mass of exploding Energon; in the aftermath, the three elected to stay behind on Cybertron together. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|Moment of Truth}}

Arcee took up arms with Optimus Prime and the Autobots against the conquest of Cybertron by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} As Iacon fell to the Decepticons, Arcee, Greenlight, and Gauge joined Optimus Prime as they relocated to [[Crystal City]] and all formally became Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} She assisted [[Pyra Magna]] at [[Protihex]] to recover who and what they could before the city-state fell. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} Arcee was at the Autobranding ceremony in [[Crystal City]] where those opposed to the Decepticons united under the Autobot badge. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

[[File:DarknessOnceGazedUponPart2-altmodes.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

When they learned [[Termagax]] had the [[Enigma of Combination]] by the [[Sea of Rust]], Arcee joined Pyra Magna and a tactical unit in securing the location. She was positioned on the roof of Termagax's [[House (building)|House]] as a sniper with [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]. They shot down the [[Rainmakers]] when the Decepticons arrived to make their own claim to the Enigma. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|Sea of Rust II}} Still, she and Sureshot were unprepared for the sudden arrival of the teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. He evaded their sniper fire, and the Enigma was ultimately lost in the Sea of Rust. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}}

After returning to Crystal City, Smokescreen recruited Arcee and a small team to break into Iacon and rescue [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from Decepticon captivity. The group used one of Swindle's old tunnels to get into the city, then launched a rooftop attack on the former Senate building to rescue their prisoner. on returning to [[Swindle's|Swindle's casino]] to coordinate their exit strategy. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} However, when the ruling Decepticons caught wind of Autobot intruders working with Swindle, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and his troops launched an attack on the casino, and Arcee was injured in the subsequent shootout before Smokescreen and Chromia could bring down the casino on top of their pursuers and make a clean getaway. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three}} As a result, Arcee was out of action during the subsequent siege of Crystal City; as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] worked to repair her shoulder, Greenlight reminded her that Arcee couldn't recklessly risk her life to protect her family. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

By the time that the Autobots withdrew to neighbouring [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], Arcee had made a full recovery in time to join [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and fend off a last-ditch Decepticon assault intended to prevent the Autobots from leaving the planet, but promised Greenlight and Gauge that she'd make it aboard. Arcee survived the battle, and once their ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' left the planet she, Greenlight, and Gauge all stood together to listen to Optimus Prime's final speech. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. the Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPartThree-Arcee.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Arcee was one of the many dormant Autobots aboard the ''Ark'' in 1984. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}} In the original timeline, she survived long enough to become known to [[Skynet]] and receive a threat level of "maximum."

After being reactivated and reformatted in the altered timeline, Arcee became the reluctant overseer of the [[T-800]], a time-traveling android whose interference spared the Autobots from being executed by the Decepticons. After showing him the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s weapon locker and conducting a perimeter sweep, unaware that he'd secretly scattered explosives around the area, Arcee responded to Bumblebee's call for reinforcements at a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility. Eager as ever for a fight, Arcee threw herself at Thundercracker, impaling the Seeker's nosecone with her sword. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

Though Arcee managed to slay [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], the Autobots were still outnumbered and quickly boxed in. Salvation came when Starscream betrayed the Decepticons and shot Soundwave in the back; the distraction allowing Arcee to slam Skywarp into Thundercracker and take both out of the fight. After Bumblebee and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] had defeated the other two Insecticons, [[Sarah Connor]] called the Autobots to aid the bisected T-800. Arcee threw him into Megatron's open wound and allowed him to destroy the tyrant from inside. After Arcee loaded the captured Decepticons into Optimus' trailer, the Autobots returned to the ''Ark'' to find the volcano destroyed. Recognizing that the T-800 had done this, Arcee cursed herself for trusting the android before the Autobots and Decepticons agreed to a truce. In the months and years that followed, Sarah Connor got a job at [[Skywatch]] and used her connections to keep an eye on her Cybertronian friends, including Arcee. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jessica DiGiovanni]] (English), [[Suzuka Kimura]] (Japanese)|[[Isabelle Auvray]] (French), [[Franziska Endres]] (German), [[Gabriela Bicalho]] (Portuguese), [[Ana Richart]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Adriana Olmedo]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Renu Sharda]] (Hindi)}}
[[File:SiegeEpisode5-WeaponizedCog.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Arcee accompanied the Energon scavenger Bumblebee, and fellow Autobot Cog on a mission to steal a supply of Energon to fuel The Ark. Bumblebee brought them to the den of the [[mercenary]] [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. On approach to Soundblaster's throne, Arcee pointed out that he looked like Soundwave; Bumblebee suggested ''not'' bringing up the topic to Soundblaster, as he was sensitive about being a failed clone. Bumblebee successfully deceived Soundblaster into thinking that Arcee and Cog were his new apprentices in the Energon scavenging business. Taken down to the vault, Arcee sprung into action, with Cog transforming into a weapon for her to use and holding back the guards while Bumblebee stole Energon. However, before the trio could leave, Soundblaster arrived, having caught on from the start thanks to surveillance from [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]. Soundblaster also decided that since Arcee and Cog were valuable as Autobots, he'd cash them in for profit. He then had Arcee, Cog and Bumblebee surrounded. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}

Outnumbered, Arcee and the others prepared for the inevitable fight, but the arrival of Shockwave's virus affected the [[Dome Guard]]s' weapons. The distraction gave the Autobots the chance to escape. Yet, with Bumblebee incapacitated from the sudden loss of the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]], Arcee was left to take the wheel of a speeder, which she used to escape with Bumblebee and Cog. They reached Autobot Command with the needed energon just as the Decepticons launched their attack. Arcee and Cog brought the Energon to the ship, enabling it to take flight. Arcee remained aboard the Ark for the duration of the battle and assisted in holding back the attacking Decepticons. She was aboard the ''Ark'' when it flew into the space bridge. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

Having been knocked unconscious by the jump, Arcee was among the Autobots captured by [[Doubledealer]] and the crew of the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'' and brought to the Quintesson [[Deseeus]] on [[Chaar]] for judgment. However, after teaming up with the Mercenaries that had first captured them, the Autobots fought off Deseeus' private army and escaped back aboard the ''Ark''. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} Arcee joined Optimus, Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Sideswipe aboard [[Nebulos]] Station and helped fight off [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], sealing the door to keep him out and providing cover fire for Optimus. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 3}} While Scorponok was preoccupied fighting the Decepticons, she and the other Autobots made their escape, only for Starscream to fire on the station, sending the ''Ark'' and its crew into the [[Dead Universe]]. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

Arcee remained on board the ''Ark'' while Optimus spoke to [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and later observed Earth once they escaped. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} However, the Decepticons were close behind and boarded the ''Ark''. Their fight was then interrupted by the ''Fool's Fortune''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s arrival, helmed by a Deseeus-controlled Doubledealer. As a result of the Mercenary ship's destruction, the ''Ark'' and its crew were sent crashing down to Earth. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

{{charstubfiction|Kingdom}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Earthrise-Arcee-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
{{bigquote|Ferocity without compassion is brutality.}}
After Cybertron fell, the Autobots left their homeworld aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', traveling through space in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. Arcee was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Command Special Ops Sergeant]], {{storylink|Arcee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' toy packaging}} whose function was a warrior. Her primary objective was to achieve victory, and her primary weapons were [[Energon battle pistol|Energon pistol]]s. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref>

Closer than ever to reaching the [[AllSpark]], the Autobots awakened after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth. While battling the Decepticons, both sides were joined by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, their epic battle changing their combined destinies.

During this period, Arcee [[trans-scan]]ed into a sports car. Her Energon pistols and speed were her powers and weapons, and her core traits were her ferocity, fearlessness, and protectiveness. Arcee's message from the future was that her cooperation with mysterious new allies will lead to heroic ends. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ShineLikeADiamond-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"So, Rarity, have you ever stabbed someone through the chest?"]]
While battling for control of a malfunctioning [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], Arcee was among the many Cybertronians [[magic]]ally transported to [[Equestria]] by [[Queen Chrysalis]]. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}} After crash-landing in [[Manehattan]], she singlehandedly rescued [[Rarity]] and her employees from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. After befriending Rarity, she teamed up with her to defeat Starscream, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Shine Like a Diamond}}

When the Decepticons and [[changeling]]s attacked the [[Crystal Empire]], Arcee was part of the force that defended it, slamming into [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] before engaging [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]]. When the Autobots later returned to Cybertron, Arcee confirmed that everyone who had been dragged to Equestria had been returned home. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

Following the release of [[King Sombra]] on Cybertron, Arcee and [[Greenlight]] began noticing the strange effects his presence was having on Cybertron before they ran across [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]] who were seeking their niece, [[Scootaloo]]. Though Arcee readily offered her aid, a magically enthralled [[Killmaster]] arrived. Though both ponies and Autobots initially tried their hand at defeating the Decepticon, he was only defeated when Greenlight wrapped the ponies' yarn around him, which allowed Arcee to send him flying off. It was then that Scootaloo showed up, accompanied by a few Cybertronian youths. Content that the children were safe, the four adults enjoyed a picnic. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

When the alliance sought to prevent King Sombra from reactivating [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Arcee wielded [[Applejack]] as a weapon and treid out some Equestrian slang before they defeated the [[unicorn]] tyrant and established a temporary truce with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
Arcee was among the many Autobots who fought against the Decepticons as both sides drained the universe of its resources. {{Storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Hold still, you've got a little Aligned on ya.]]
Arcee was part of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita 1]]'s team as they made a series of raids on Decepticon bases. Unfortunately, her nemesis [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]]'s knowledge of her tactics allowed the Decepticon to put a stop to the team's successful run. {{storylink|Fatal Furies}} At some point, she changed her color scheme from blue to pink. She took part in the defense of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|'Til All Are One (Legends)|'Til All Are One}} She and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] encountered a group of Decepticons while hunting for their friends inside the monster. After fending off an attack by Unicron's internal defenses, the pair managed to reunite with their friends and escape before Unicron exploded. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

[[File:TFLegends-ArceeG1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|There. All better.]]
Arcee was still an active participant in the Autobot/Decepticon war when Ultra Magnus decided to reunite with his unit from the planet Junkion, only to be attacked by the Insecticons. {{storylink|Junkion Reunion}} When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] were abducted by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], Arcee, and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] gave chase. Instead of finding the Skuxxoids, they caught up with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], just as their leader had a vision that the [[Quintesson]]s were behind the kidnapping. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}}

Following a Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Arcee, alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Spike, were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]; this did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. This was not to be, unfortunately, as the resurrected Autobot leader left the group stranded after having received the Matrix of leadership from Rodimus. After Optimus regained his senses, the Autobots were left to mourn their leader as he sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}} Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Springer were trapped in human bodies by [[Victor Drath]] and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], but still managed to foil the pair's plan to destroy Autobot City. They were later successfully returned to their robot bodies. {{storylink|Only Human (Legends)|Only Human}}

In the aftermath of the restoration of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Arcee was part of a team led by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] which attempted to map the changes to their planet. They were briefly delayed by [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (Legends)|The Autonomy Lesson}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Stella (AB)#As Arcee}}
Arcee appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events and through Special Missions. Stella portrays her. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|If you ''have'' any loved ones, say goodbye to them now.]]
Arcee participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots, and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of her! She was an Epic character who could be acquired as a reward in the "Combiner Hunters" event and "An Uneventful Night" Space Bridge offer. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{Charstubgames}}{{Storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:ArceeTransformersEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqbFBWjclo Glad we got posted to the Autobot HQ commander?]]]
Appearances... can be deceptive. Quick-witted and formidable in battle, Arcee is compassionate to her allies but utterly ruthless to her enemies. Streamlined bodywork and light alloy construction only mean she's faster, more agile, and ultimately deadlier than most of her fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Arcee Bio}}

Arcee had been dispatched on a mission by Optimus Prime but ran into trouble when [[Nightbird (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nightbird]] caught up to her. The two have been crossing paths routinely as Nightbird tries to put an end to Arcee's do-good acts. However, as the battle on Earth heats up, Optimus sent a signal for Arcee to return to the Autobots.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons''': Arcee uses an ion pistol to blast things. Once she does, she closes in and punches/kicks the target.
*'''Ability: Holo Decoy''' - Deploys a decoy that will soak up damage. It cannot damage targets, but it can stun them.
**'''Cost''' 3 ability points. +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:arcee Arcee at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Arcee-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66| Boom. Bodyshot that counts as a Headshot.]]
Arcee was one of the Autobots pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|her universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. She eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of her running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOArcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left]]
Arcee took part in a series of attacks against multiple Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. 800 Armor, 800 Blaster Strength, Score x6, Coins x3, Blaster Speed: Very Fast {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Arcee (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
[[File:FriedmanAuctionArceeModelEdit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Ready to join Jake and Finn for adventures in the Land of Ooo.]]
[[File:BotCon1996ProgramAMArcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

{{quote|And they were absolutely resistant to Arcee. I said I had a daughter who loves this stuff. There are other girls that like it. Put in a female Autobot!|[[Ron Friedman]], <ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>}}

*As quoted above, [[Ron Friedman]] fought for Arcee's inclusion in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' because his daughter was a Transformers fan. From the known production timelines, we know [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie#Production_timeline|she was created]] about [[The Search for Alpha Trion#Production timeline|ten months]] before the [[Female Autobots]] were created for the show.
*Arcee had two different [[character model]]s in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|basis for her original unproduced toy]], which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]." Meanwhile, her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances used her final model.
*Arcee's finalized character model was used to make many background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]."
*When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!
*In 2010, a set of Arcee's original color models from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' went up for sale on Heritage Auctions, sold from [[Ron Friedman|Ron Friedman's]] collection of [[Sunbow Productions]] materials. In contrast to her final model and her original toy prototype, this early color model depicted her almost exclusively in shades of pink, save for some lavender on her collar, anklets, and [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] seats.
*[[Men in Black|Men in Black Collectibles]], the organizers of [[BotCon 1996]], attempted to produce an original "[[Action Master]]-inspired" Arcee figure as the '96 convention exclusive. As the steel tooling required to produce plastic action figures costs in the tens of thousands of dollars, this idea never went anywhere, and it is unknown whether MiB had entered into any actual discussions to license the use of the character besides. This figure was presumably unrelated to the actual Hasbro/Takara Action Master Arcee conceived a few years earlier.
*In 2000, Japanese publisher Kodansha released "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land", a book paying tribute to various sci-fi toylines produced by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] over the years. As part of a tie-in [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] promotion, Takara released a special redeco of the ''[[Microman|Replica Microman]]'' "Lady Command" figure (itself a reissue of a 1977 toy) in white and gold chrome named [[Microman#Arcee|Arcee]]. Whether or not she represents "our" Arcee is unknown, though the name was likely chosen in homage to the shared history of ''Transformers'' and ''Microman'', as well as due to it beginning with an "A", like the regular Lady Command figures (Ann, Alice, Annie, and Ai). Only five Arcees were produced.
*Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any ''Transformers'' character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics, the Big Looker Storybooks, and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome (and possibly Rodimus Prime) in ''The Headmasters'', Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity, [[Aileron]] in the [[2005 IDW continuity]], and [[Greenlight]] in both the [[2019 IDW continuity]] and the [[My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron|''My Little Pony/Transformers'' crossover miniseries]]. Then there's the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it for their sanity.
*In [[2017]], Arcee was a candidate in the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Fan polls|fan poll]] for the next bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in ''Transformers'' lore. Although [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Power of the Primes|Optimus Primal]] was the ultimate victor, Hasbro created preliminary design sketches and “Evolution” mode names for all the candidates. When asked at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018, Design Manager [[John Warden]] could not remember what Arcee's name was but suggested that it was something along the lines of '''Arcana Magnus'''.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/2018/07/new-info-about-war-for-cybertron-and-more-from-the-hasbro-preview-breakfast/ New Info About War For Cybertron and More from the Hasbro Preview Breakfast]</ref>
*The [[#Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime incarnation]] of Arcee as a transgender Cybertronian had been worked on for a long time; with [[Rachel Stevens]]'s assistance with the language, as well as [[Jim Sorenson]]'s ensuring it got published.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/129168-out-of-printhard-to-find-media-mega-thread/page-9#entry3440904 Post by Verity Carlo on the Allspark Forums, 2017/02/12]</ref>
*Arcee's [[:File:Synergy-Coralus-Arcee.jpg|2019 IDW comic design]] by [[Umi Miyao]] first appeared in the [[Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase|''Synergy'' anthology]].
*Alex Milne based [[:File:TF-vs-Terminator-Arcee-Character-Art.jpg|Arcee's design]] in ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' on a {{w|Ford Mustang (third generation)|1983 Ford Mustang}}.<ref>[https://twitter.com/markerguru/status/1293310158622392322 Tweet by Alex Milne (@markerguru), 11 August 2020]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''French:'' '''Arcie''' (Canada), '''Archère''' (France, ''Dark Awakening'', "Female archer")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''Arcee''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'' and second dub of ''The Movie'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Yǎxī''' (Taiwan, 雅希), '''Arcee''' (China, 阿尔茜 ''Āěrxī'')
*''Russian:'' '''Arcee''' (Арси ''Arsi'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Biologists]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Transgender characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Arcee (G1)

2022-08-21T01:03:12Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{factions|autobot|maximal|quintesson|wreckers|{{factions/icons
|custom=PotP-Megatronus.png
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}}|hofsilver}}
{{disambig3|Arcee}}
{{suite}}
:''Arcee is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:ArceeG1-2010storypage.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|These aren't high heels, they just forgot to finish building my feet.]]
Most make the mistake of noticing only '''Arcee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Female Transformer|gender]], but these first impressions are quickly expanded upon. Sure, she's pink, but she'll have swords down on you by the time you remember that's just the color of [[Transformer]] [[energon|blood]]. Arcee is a ruthless and deadly warrior who's an expert in hand-to-hand combat and one of the best sharpshooters on record. The reason for her ferocity is how much she cares for her fellow Autobots and especially the [[human]]s they protect. She knows how fragile her organic companions are, and she's equally aware of the evils of which the [[Decepticon]]s are capable. Peers such as [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] may be more durable than the humans, but she no less fights to defend them as well. They get in plenty of trouble, so someone has to keep their wits about them to pull them out of the fire when they get in over their heads.

She's sometimes [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s [[Relatives|sister]], and perhaps also [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]'s "great-aunt." Though she's known to flirt with Hot Rod, she's married to either [[Aileron]] or [[Greenlight]] in some universes. Sometimes she's even [[binary bonding|binary bonded]] to the human [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]].

{{bigquote|Ferocity without compassion is brutality.|Arcee's ''[[War for Cybertron: Earthrise|Earthrise]]''<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref> motto}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:ArceeTFMovie.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
{{main|Arcee (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity}}
A close associate of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], Arcee fought in both the [[Battle of Autobot City]] and the [[Unicron War]] in [[2005]]. Following that, she continued working closely with Rodimus Prime as one of his primary warriors. In [[2006]], she binary bonded with [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] to save his life, becoming a Headmaster.

In a splinter timeline, Arcee was a member of the [[Female Autobots]] and fought in the resistance against the Decepticons on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] while [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s crew lay dormant on [[Earth]]. In [[2011]], Arcee had not become a Headmaster in this timeline; she instead becomes a ''secretary'' for [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]].
{{--}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel UK future timelines====
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Arceeprimesrib.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|They're not men, Arcee. Transformers have no gender. We've been over this!]]
Arcee was constructed by the Autobots in an alternate future [[1995]] as a goodwill attempt to placate [[Feminist mob|angry feminists]] who thought that they were "sexist" for having no women in their group. After trying multiple times to explain that Autobots, being robots, had no gender, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] surrendered and ordered the creation of a new Autobot who would meet the humans' demands for sexual equality. However, when Arcee was unveiled at a public ceremony, her pink, skinny and curvaceous form enraged the very audience Prime intended to placate. [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Horri-Bull]], [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] and [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] immediately attacked, looking to crush the "secret weapon" that was promised. Prime warned Arcee to stay back, lest she get hurt in battle, but the female Autobot, rightfully annoyed at the Autobots' lack of faith in her equal ability, singlehandedly forced the Decepticons into a retreat. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] thought that was pretty hot. The feminists were enraged beyond words. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

Arcee was present at the opening of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] in [[2004]] when a group of Decepticons led by Shockwave launched an attack, hoping to ruin Autobot-human relations permanently by assassinating several diplomats present. She helped shield the diplomats from harm until Hot Rod drove the attackers away. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:Springer arcee the planet eater.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''Arcee was present when the Decepticons launched a major offensive against Autobot City in the year [[2005]]. She and Springer transformed the outpost into its defensive mode, but the Decepticons nonetheless managed to breach its walls. The Autobots eventually drove Megatron and his troops away, but at a steep cost: Optimus had been fatally wounded in battle against his nemesis. Arcee afterward stood in solemn silence as Optimus passed on the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] before expiring on his death bed.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''After a brief respite, Arcee and the other Earthbound Autobots received dire news from [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]]; a monster planet, [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], was advancing menacingly towards Cybertron. When perched on Arcee's shoulder, Daniel was apprehensive about what would happen to his father should Unicron attack. There was little time to contemplate the situation, however, as a new enemy then assaulted the Autobots: [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The Autobots were forced to split up into two groups and blast off aboard a couple of [[Autobot shuttle|shuttles]] in their attempt to escape him, but Galvatron remained in pursuit. In a last-ditch effort to lose the Decepticon, Magnus ordered an emergency separation of the shuttle. After Galvatron destroyed the jettisoned portion of the vessel (and declared the Matrix destroyed), Arcee's group landed their craft on the [[Junkion (planet)|Planet of Junk]] for repairs.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Arcee daniel the final battle.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
''When Daniel asked to be allowed to help with the repairs, Arcee brought out one of his father's [[Exosuit]]s from storage and helped the boy put it on. Though Daniel had trouble with the suit's workings, Arcee assured him that he was doing well for his first time operating it. The Autobots barely managed to get any work done before Galvatron tracked them down again. Galvatron blew Ultra Magnus to pieces in the ensuing battle and left with the Matrix of Leadership in hand. Arcee and her teammates gathered to look over Ultra Magnus afterward, only for the hostile [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] to then spring forth! Thankfully, another ship carrying Hot Rod and several other Autobots arrived and managed to talk peace with [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]], the Junkions' leader.

Wreck-Gar's troops rebuilt Ultra Magnus, and everyone on Junk readied for a confrontation against Unicron. This clash ended with the Autobots' ship spearing through the titan's eye. Arcee and the others were separated from Hot Rod within Unicron, but her group found Spike, Bumblebee, and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]]. Hot Rod soon rejoined them, but in his absence, he reacquired the Matrix of Leadership, which both upgraded him into "Rodimus Prime" and begun a chain reaction inside Unicron, culminating in his destruction! With Unicron's threat now dealt with, the Autobots gathered around Rodimus Prime, who announced that this day would mark a new chapter in Cybertronian history, one that would hopefully contain much peace and happiness.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

[[File:Arceehotrodspacepirates.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Y'know, Arcee, if you'd stop running pigeon-toed, maybe we'd be out of here by now.]]
Though they had been quite friendly beforehand, Arcee and Hot Rod began to drift apart after his ascension to Prime status in [[2006]]. She remained stationed at Autobot City on Earth but grew bored by her duties. One day in [[2008]], Arcee decided to be a bit adventurous, rationalizing that ditching her duties and returning before anyone noticed wouldn't amount to any harm. After a quick drive through the countryside, she returned to base to find it under siege by the [[Quintesson]]s. Arcee was accosted, wounded, and strategically placed as bait so that Rodimus would see her upon investigating the attack on the outpost. Sure enough, when he spotted her, Rodimus rushed to his "childhood" friend's aid. When he tried to use the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to heal her, Arcee tried to warn her leader of the set-up, but the trap was already sprung; the Quintessons stole the Matrix, and Rodimus Prime reverted to Hot Rod. Despite her injuries, Arcee was soon back on her feet and assisting Hot Rod in a last-ditch effort to thwart the invaders' plans. While she, and a few cassette-Transformers the Quintessons had overlooked, distracted the enemy army, Hot Rod awakened [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], leading to the devastation of the Quintesson fleet. Arcee witnessed Hot Rod retrieve the Matrix from the Quintesson who had swiped it, [[Ghyrik]], after defeating him through trickery. Seeing him hold his own without the Matrix's power renewed Arcee's wavering faith in her Commander. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

In [[2009]], Arcee tracked down [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] on Earth, where they were planning to use a laser bore to leech energy right from the [[Earth's core|planet's core]]. Joining a small Autobot detachment, they destroyed the drill. They returned to Autobot City to face the more significant threat: a [[Time rift|timestorm]] that threatened 20 years of history with destruction. As [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had spent months back in the 20th century, the universe was unraveling from the anomaly.

[[File:TimeWars3-ArceeDinobots.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Dinobots 1, Chivalry 0]]
Arcee, Rodimus, and several other Autobots traveled back in time to [[1989]] to retrieve the Decepticon villain. Unfortunately, the Autobots of that day mistook them for imposters and tried to kill them. Arcee was nearly mauled to death by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] before [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] explained that they were travelers from the future. Even more, unfortunately, Galvatron had acquired some allies in the past: Scourge, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], and the mighty [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]]. She joined [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] in trying to triple-team Megatron, but was only swatted aside like a bothersome insect. Arcee survived, however, and managed to take a few cheap shots at Galvatron later on in the fight. Eventually, the timestorm asserted itself on the battle and consumed Galvatron utterly, ending the temporal distortion. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Arcee and the Autobots returned to their time only to find it had reset, so Galvatron never time-jumped and had instead conquered Cybertron. Arcee and the returnees adjusted as best they could, but the odds were hopelessly against them. The resistance on Cybertron ended when Galvatron and his men ransacked a resistance station, killing [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] and the other Autobots present. Galvatron mutilated the corpses to drive Rodimus Prime into a killing frenzy, hoping to corrupt the Matrix through its host. As she felt fire in the depths of her soul, Arcee managed to talk Rodimus down, reminding him of the actual values of an Autobot leader; compassion and mercy. Despite this moral victory, the Autobots' resistance movement was quickly crushed, and they were forced to leave their homeworld. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

Arcee joined a hundreds-strong Autobot team in fleeing to Earth to regroup. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void}} When the Matrix-imprisoned [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] possessed Rodimus and disabled the [[Future Autobot evacuation ship|ship]]'s retro-rockets, Kup had Arcee make her way to the damaged systems through the ship's air ducts. She successfully reached the sabotaged machinery and repaired them, but a crash-landing became inevitable by that time. After the Autobots' ship made landfall, their possessed leader began advancing on them, vowing to tear them apart for their interference. {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} Arcee showed a more ruthless side in being the only one of the Autobots to advocate using lethal force on him. Kup was more hesitant in doing so but eventually agreed with Arcee that Unicron had to be stopped, even at the expense of Rodimus's life. {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}}

Kup changed his mind when Unicron's assault came to an abrupt end; Rodimus was fighting back, distracting Unicron from the goings-on in the physical realm. The dark god regained control briefly, killing [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] in the process, and Arcee declared that Unicron had been "faking it" to lure them into a false sense of security. But Kup suspected otherwise and tackled down Rodimus to rip the Matrix out of his chest compartment. Though this released Rodimus from Unicron's control, it did not eliminate his threat; Rodimus declared that one day, he would have to venture back within the Matrix to confront Unicron again. {{storylink|White Fire}} As Unicron would go on to possess Rodimus again and devastate Cybertron in [[2010]]—an event she witnessed—Arcee's ruthless attitude appeared to have been the right one all along. Yes, Rodimus Prime managed to contain Unicron again, but at what price...? {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}
Hot Rod, sent on a journey through time and space via [[Primus]], was sent to Junkion and came across the deceased crew of an Autobot shuttle. One of the victims was Arcee. {{storylink|Less Than Zero}}

{{note|Her only other appearances in the Marvel U.S. comics were in their [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]] adaptation, and a profile in issue #4 of ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]''. All stuff out-of-continuity with the US storyline.}}

===Sticker Adventures books===
Arcee was part of the crew of an Autobot ship that was studying the Universe. She asked Springer to make a note of a specific star. After being hit by meteors, they were forced to make landfall on the nearby Junk planet. There, she helped Springer and Perceptor fix the ship until the native Junkions attacked them. The fighting stopped when Kup arrived on-world and used the universal greeting to calm down the Junkions. Now friends, the Junkions and the Autobots, worked together to fix the damaged ship. Arcee and the Autobots then blasted off and went on their way. {{storylink|Battle on the Junk Planet}}

===''Big Looker Storybook'' continuity===
[[File:Wildboyofquintessonbattle.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Look, Dinobots, do you get along with Arcee or not?]]
Kup led Hot Rod, Arcee, and the Dinobots on a special mission to take supplies from Earth to a space station on Cybertron's second moon. Despite Kup's warnings, the Dinobots loaded too many supplies onto the ship, and the ship crashed on a planet. Everyone landed safely, but Kup recognized the place. It was the planet [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintesson]]! They were interrupted by a tribal scream and a flurry of firestones. However, the boy who made his presence known was not aiming at them but the Quintessons behind them. The boy's name was [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], and he had been abandoned on the planet when his ship crashed there earlier.

Wheelie led them through the jungle, battling Quintessons along the way until they reached Wheelie's crashed ship. Hot Rod was able to fix it, and everyone left the planet Quintesson, Wheelie included! {{storylink|The Story of Wheelie, the Wild Boy of Quintesson}}
{{-}}

===Marvel coloring books===
Arcee didn't get a seat during a meeting and later shot at Decepticons. {{storylink|The Lost Treasure of Cybertron}}

===''Beast Wars'' cartoon continuity===
====''Beast Wars'' cartoon====
After digging his way out from underneath a sudden rockslide caused by an unexpected energy surge from a damaged [[stasis pod]], Rattrap demanded to know what in the name of his [[Relatives|great aunt]] Arcee was going on. {{storylink|Transmutate (episode)|Transmutate}}

====3H comics====
{{note|The following takes place during the [[Beast Era]], specifically its cartoon continuity, which took from both the original cartoon and the Marvel Comics. However, these stories seem to be written to be specifically taking place solely after the events of the original cartoon.}}
{{bigquote|I liked her better when she had that kid in her head.|[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]]|"[[Betrayal]]"}}
[[File:Arceedeparturemourns.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Gothy 'cuz all her toys get canceled.]]
During a battle against a horde of killer [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbirds]], [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel]] (now an adult) sacrificed their lives to end the threat. Daniel's death took a severe toll on Arcee, who became reclusive, preferring to sit alone with images of her former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster partner]]. Over time, she slipped away from her friends entirely, disappearing within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. After an unspecified event, she took on the form of a techno-organic spider and learned the skills of both [[Crystalocution]] and the previously lost art of [[Tekkaido]]. She firmly believed that she had omens of her friends' deaths before they would happen, and this knowledge had driven her insane. She hid away, hoping to spare herself the pain of experiencing this phenomenon.

[[File:Arceedeparturespider.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Don't underestimate me, I'm more than just a pretty fa— well, just don't underestimate me, okay?]]
Hundreds of [[Units of time|stellar cycle]]s later when [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] returned from [[Earth]]'s past and conquered Cybertron with his army of [[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicons]], Arcee's solitude spared her from the onslaught. [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]], now known simply as Rodimus, had helped form a new team of [[Wrecker]]s and wished to enlist Arcee. But Arcee rejected his offer as she was still too embittered by her experience, though she was touched by the Wrecker [[Fractyl]]'s words. Rodimus's Wreckers were followed by Megatron's new Vehicon generals, [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] and [[Blastcharge (BM)|Blastcharge]], causing a battle that resulted in Fractyl's near-death. Refusing to lose another, Arcee used her spark to save Fractyl, also reformatting him into a Transmetal body. Arcee agreed to depart with the rest of the Wreckers, and she and Fractyl assisted them in defeating a vast Vehicon army to reach an old [[Autobot shuttle]]. {{storylink|Departure}}

But the Autobot bounty hunter [[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] had snuck aboard their ship and attacked some of their group. Arcee and the others raced to the rescue, and Arcee was quickly felled by Devcon, despite his new, smaller Vehicon body. After things were sorted out, Arcee tended to Fractyl, whose new Transmetal form was wildly unstable. At Arcee's insistence, [[Apelinq (BM)|Apelinq]] created a crude medical bot, [[CatSCAN]], to assist Fractyl's recovery. Arcee was oddly unable to foresee the deaths of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] and [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], a result of a yet-unknown saboteur amongst their ranks, as she happily watched CatSCAN discover himself while working on Fractyl. Their ship set down on their [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]]-given destination, the remote planet of [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. Arcee stayed behind with a few others to repair damage to their ship by their mysterious saboteur, who turned out to be the fellow Wrecker [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Cyclonus stole the [[Divine Light]], the artifact the Wreckers were searching for, and returned to his true master, [[Cryotek (Universe)|Cryotek]]. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

[[File:Arceedisclosure.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|Just like old times, but smaller.]]
Arcee blamed herself, as she hadn't been able to foresee death since she saved Fractyl. Demoralized, Arcee and the Wreckers left Archa Nine and headed to another planet at the insistence of their divinely-inspired leader, [[Primal Prime]]. They landed on a small icy planet, and a small scout team, including Arcee, was sent to investigate. After searching for hours, they stumbled upon [[Al-Badur]], a [[Quintesson]] scientist. Arcee immediately readied her weapon, as she and Rodimus had had enough of the Quintessons for several lifetimes, but Primal Prime asked her to lower them. Al-Badur was a somewhat welcome source of information regarding their quest, and before they could leave the planet with him, they were under attack by a horde of [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] sent by Cryotek. Arcee and Rodimus quietly bonded as they battled the Sharkticons; it was just like old times. Slowly but surely, Arcee's demeanor had lightened. After the Sharkticons were defeated, Al-Badur explained their problem. The Divine Light was an ancient Quintesson piece of technology that allowed them to tap directly into the power of [[Primus]], and now Cryotek had it! {{storylink|Disclosure}}

But when they returned to Cybertron, it had changed during their absence into a [[technorganic]] paradise by the [[Great Transformation]]. Quintessons had seized the opportunity to invade the planet, but Primal Prime assured Arcee and the others that Cryotek was their only concern. Primal Prime, Apelinq, [[Ramulus]] and [[Tigatron]] left them to find Cryotek, leaving Arcee and the others to take their injured to safety before joining the counterattack forces on the ground. Instead, their shuttle took heavy damage and descended in a ball of fire and smoke—Arcee, grabbing Fractyl's body and what life support she could, abandoned ship with the rest. Disregarding Primal Prime's orders, Arcee suggested they find Cryotek and help the other Wreckers defeat him. Descending into the layers of Cybertron, they met [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], who joined them on their journey.

Finding the battleground between Cryotek and [[Sentinel Maximus]] (the combined form of Apelinq and Primal Prime, newly merged by Primus), Arcee reluctantly set aside Fractyl and his life support to join the fight. She helped Devcon defeat Cryotek's mutated pet [[Chro]], using her weblines to hold the monster still so the bounty hunter could shoot at it. But Cyclonus and Rodimus had disappeared beneath some rubble, so Arcee, Fractyl (who had been magically repaired by Tigatron expending all of his [[Vok]] powers) and the others went digging for him... and instead found [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]], [[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]... and Arcee's nephew, [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]. They avoided each other's glances awkwardly.

They found Rodimus, but he was in rough shape, having fought nearly to the death with Cyclonus. Arcee and the others agreed to follow Al-Badur's instruction in defeating Cryotek and helped direct the battle between Sentinel Maximus and Cryotek to a chamber deep within Cybertron. Arcee asked Fractyl to keep on Rodimus, who was extremely weak. Their group arrived in the desired room, but Arcee had a bad feeling about the place. It seemed familiar. She recognized it too late. It was a Quintesson banishment chamber, and Al-Badur had activated the containment shield within, locking Sentinel Maximus, Cryotek, and himself inside a forcefield bubble that fed into a strongly gravitational portal into nothingness. To Arcee's initial horror, despite her pleas, Rodimus stood up to deal with the situation. She knew that his following action would kill him in his weakened state, but after his assurances, she resigned herself to the outcome. Rodimus and Cheetor, both [[Matrix Templar]]s, used their skills to drain Cryotek of his Primus-stolen powers. As expected, this was too much for Arcee's long-time friend, and though they succeeded in saving Cybertron, Rodimus was dead.

But she realized death isn't an ending; it was just another change. "And change is what we do." Arcee and Fractyl gathered his body to take it to a secret burial ground that Arcee knew. She promised that this time, she wouldn't disappear forever. {{storylink|Wreckers: Finale Part II}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:Dreamwave MMTE Arcee.jpeg|upright=1.1|left|thumb]]
Before the war, Arcee worked in a hazardous materials treatment plant. {{storylink|Transformers: The Ultimate Guide}} She became a member of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]'s underground rebellion team headquartered in the [[Wastelands]] during the reign of [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. She was regarded as one of the team's odd ones along with [[Gnaw (G1)|Gnaw]], though neither were unappreciated. Both [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] and Hot Rod quickly fell in love with her. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} What no one knew, however, was that Arcee was a sleeper agent of the [[Quintesson]]s and a member of [[Female Autobots|their elite warriors]]. Her task was to keep an eye on the war's proceedings, particularly Autobot activity, and the location of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and any Transformers with an affinity for the object. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}} As such, Arcee was delighted when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was brought to the rebels' base, much to Hot Rod's misguided annoyance. {{storylink|Passive Aggression}} Since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were making a mess in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] at the time, Shockwave unleashed the [[Guardian robot|Omega Sentinels]] on the polity, forcing the rebels to make their final stand against him immediately. Arcee ended up teamed up with [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]]—a situation that bugged Hot Rod because he couldn't keep an eye on her. Halfway through the battle, Arcee witnessed [[Shockwave's Tower]] shooting a beam of sorts to an [[Unicron/Generation 1|unknown destination]]. {{storylink|Countdown to Extinction (issue)|Countdown to Extinction}} Shortly after, she also witnessed the Decepticon hijack of [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Even with these setbacks, the Autobots won and reclaimed Iacon. {{storylink|Revelation (War and Peace)|Revelation}}

[[File:LostandFound Arcee friends.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|"I'm glad you said that. I'll invite [[Female Autobots|them]] over [[Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Generation One|right away]]."]]
The Autobots set up a new [[Autobase]] in Iacon, where Springer and Hot Rod used relative peacetime to win Arcee's affection. Hot Rod had a date of sorts with Arcee to help prepare and watch the shuttle that would send a group of Autobots to [[Earth]] take off, but only after he'd be done training. Springer jumped onto the opportunity and offered to go with Arcee while Hot Rod was busy. Arcee accepted, much to Hot Rod's annoyance. At Landing Platform A, after they were done loading baggage, Arcee was lost in thoughts, of which a few she shared with Springer when he asked what was on her mind: Arcee wasn't sure of her purpose in life and if she belonged on Cybertron. Springer assured her she belonged with her friends.

Over at [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], Arcee's masters observed the proceedings on Cybertron with glee, noting that not only had they found another Transformer with an affinity for the Matrix in Hot Rod, but their own agent Arcee would work perfectly as a key to break his will. {{storylink|Lost and Found (issue)|Lost and Found}} The Quintessons' plans would even be able to be executed well ahead of time by the Autobots' next move. Arcee was selected to leave with Kup, Springer, and the Dinobots to set up a new moonbase, while Hot Rod was chosen for guard duty at Autobase with only Gnaw and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] to assist him. Arcee's report on this situation got the Quintessons to send her colleagues for Hot Rod and the Matrix. {{storylink|The Route of All Evil}}

{{Unreleased DW G1 comic}}
In the shuttle, taking them all to one of Cybertron's moons, Arcee witnessed an amusing conversation between Kup and [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]. The view outside drew back her attention, though, where an [[Quintesson Cruiser|odd-looking object]] floated in wait for the shuttle. {{storylink|Unreleased Dreamwave issues#Issue 11|Generation 1 #11}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:TheArtofWar1 girltalk.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
To oversee the decommissioning of all Cybertronian technology on Earth, Arcee was sent to the planet alongside [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], the last of which whom she had a mutual attraction. Shortly after the group arrived at [[Area 52 (G1)|Area 52]], the facility came under attack by [[Cobra]], and Arcee helped fight them off alongside [[Scarlett]], who was surprised over the existence of "girl robots." {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}} Upon hearing about a security breach in the lower levels of Area 52, the group headed there and, to Arcee's horror, found Bumblebee injured and low on energy. Before the group could do much about him, they were attacked by [[Serpentor|Serpent O.R.]], who took control of [[G.I. Joe battle mech|G.I. Joes' mechs]] and forced them to fight the Autobots before bringing the roof down on everyone. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}}

The Autobots and Joes survived and quickly followed Serpent O.R. through a warp gate to Cybertron, where they were attacked by [[cannibalizer]]s. Arcee didn't think they were very threatening but suggested that they retreat to protect the humans. During their escape, she promised that she'd rotate Bumblebee's tires if he could outrace her... only to run straight into Serpent O.R. and his new army, who remorselessly killed Bumblebee and captured the others. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} They eventually managed to escape thanks to their G.I. Joe friends. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}

[[File:GIJoevsTFArtofwar5 Arceecrys.jpg|thumb|250px]]
After hearing that Serpent O.R. had captured [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Arcee and the others made their way to his chambers, only to find that [[Cobra Commander]] had taken control of Serpent O.R.'s body after he had seized the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. "Serpentor Prime" effortlessly defeated most of the Autobots and Joes, but Arcee dodged his tentacles and managed to rip his chestplate off, allowing [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]] to take the Matrix's power and defeat him. Sometime later, Arcee cried for Bumblebee during a memorial service for him. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}
{{--}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
When a surprise party was thrown for Optimus in honor of the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', Arcee wound up not getting invited. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:SpotlightArcee-ArceeWillBurnJhiaxusDown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|right|She does this a lot.]]
{{main|Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity}}
Sibling of [[Galvatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Galvatron]], '''Arcee of the [[Darklands]]''' was an ancient warrior, hailing from the prehistoric era that predated modern Transformer civilization, serving under the fearsome tyrant [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] during the wars that led to the unification of Cybertron under the [[Thirteen]]. {{storylink|Origin Myths}} "Forged male," Arcee would eventually seek out the assistance of the amoral scientist [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] for assistance, after the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]]. Seeking to reintroduce the concept of "gender" to the species after its mysterious elimination, Arcee would be altered at the genetic level—but Jhiaxus's callous treatment of his patient would change Arcee into a raging berserker. She could only focus on exacting bloody revenge against him and all that he had created, {{storylink|Spotlight: Arcee}} {{storylink|Post}} finally getting even with her tormentor after the thwarting of [[Nova Prime]]'s [[Expansion]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Sideswipe}}

It would not be until after the end of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] that Arcee would truly embark on the long road to recovery; first falling in with the amoral [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] as a private enforcer, {{storylink|A Better Tomorrow}} and later with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]], {{storylink|Earthfall Part 3: The Mind Bomb|The Mind Bomb}} Arcee was able to slowly work past her many demons, finding companionship, camaraderie, and even [[Transformer romance|love]] in her new role as Optimus Prime's advisor—having lived through the era of the Thirteen and experienced their many atrocities firsthand, Arcee remained unafraid to call out her new leader as he verged closer and closer to repeating their mistakes. But when those mistakes came home to roost in the form of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], {{storylink|Unstopped and Unstoppable}} Arcee played an instrumental role in the battle against the planet-eater before settling into a new life on Earth with [[Aileron]]. {{storylink|Post}}
{{--}}

===Robot Heroes===
Arcee was Optimus's strong-willed and humble friend. With the rest of Autobots, they boarded the Ark to search for Energon among the stars. They came to Earth and fought back against the Decepticons when they started trouble. Arcee leaped up to bring Starscream down to the ground, where Drift shoved him into a river! The Autobots then decided to keep vigil over the Earth, should the Decepticons ever return. {{storylink|I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime}}

===''Unit:E'' comic===
Upon approaching the planet [[Earth]], the artificial intelligence [[Synergy]] presented footage of the Autobots to her crew-mate, the young [[Microman|Acroyear]] so that he could learn about his potential allies and enemies on the alien world. Arcee could be seen standing side by side with Jazz on one of Synergy's view screens. {{storylink|Unit:E (issue)|Unit:E}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
[[File:FuneralForAFriend-megrimlockking.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Known as the guardian of [[Plasma Energy Chamber]], Arcee was a [[Rescuebot]], and one of the Autobots stationed in [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] under [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]'s command when a patrol brought back several captured [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joes]]. She was opposed to [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] decision to sentence the invaders to death and gave them their weapons back so they could fight off the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticons]] used for the execution. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}} This compassionate act allowed the Joes to survive and broker a truce with the Autobots, and both sides celebrated with a dance party. As Grimlock explained how he came to be leader after [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] fled, Arcee protested that no one knew if that was the real truth. {{storylink|Form Follows Function}}

[[File:TFvsJoe12-rescuebots.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the Decepticon-Cobra alliance attacked Metroplex, Arcee, [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], and [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] took some Joes to [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] to free [[U.S.7]] from within the giant and bring him to his senses. Together with [[Tunnel Rat]], she made her way to Maximus's brain, found that it was being corrupted by [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], and defeated her. The three Autobots and their human allies then moved to attack [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], only to be captured. {{storylink|Everybody Hates Metroplex}} They were sent to the [[Polyhex Killway]] and mind-controlled into fighting each other, with Arcee being forced to try and run down [[Dusty]] and [[Stalker (G.I. Joe)|Stalker]] with her car mode. {{storylink|Expelled from the Garden}} The captives were then moved to [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], where the Autobots were trapped, unresponsive, in their vehicle modes but recovered after the Joes used them as getaway vehicles to break out of the city. {{storylink|Headmasters (issue)|Headmasters}}

The Rescuebots swore to protect humanity by forging a "combination lock," merging into the giant Defensor. Arcee became Defensor's... er, crotch. At any rate, Defensor helped take down Trypticon. {{storylink|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe issue 12|Transformers vs. G.I. Joe #12}} Arcee later participated in the final battle against DeceptiCobra. {{storylink|The War Never Ends}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds'' comic===
[[File:ABTF4 ArceeCyberHaystack.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
Arcee was part of the shuttle crew carrying the [[AllSpark]] and helped defend it from a Decepticon attack. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers issue 1|Angry Birds Transformers #1}} The AllSpark was lost in space during the battle. Just as Arcee and the others were lamenting the difficulty in finding it, it came back to them, crashing through one of the shuttle's windshield alongside a [[Minion Pig]]. {{storylink|Hard Boiled}}
{{--}}

===Legends World===
[[File:Legends Business Trip 10 Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Takara aren't sexist, they just have... ''different'' priorities.]]
The aunt and caretaker of [[Rattrap (BW)#Legends comic 2|Rattrap]], the Arcee of the [[Legends World]] was shocked when her nephew was turned into an actual Transformer. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 1|Bonus Edition Vol. 1}} Then, when he was turned into a [[technorganic]] Transformer, she just responded with "Again?" {{storylink|Legends Vol. 15#LG03 Tankor Prologue|LG03 Tankor Prologue}} Eventually, the [[Transformers sickness]] caused by Rattrap's toy collection got to her, too, and she became a full-size transforming version of herself. She didn't worry too much about that, though, as Rattrap was late for work, so she quickly made him lunch and personally drove him to work with her new car mode. [[T-AI#Legends comic 2|Ai]] attempted to arrest Arcee before she could cause any trouble like other Transformers had, but was talked out of it by [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] and [[Tigatron]], who recognized Arcee's new form from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. Out of gratitude, Arcee made dinner for the whole [[Axalon Trading Company]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 10|Bonus Edition Vol. 10}}

Rhinox and Tigatron were jealous of Rattrap's relationship with Arcee, who had bathed him and slept in the same bed as him when he was young until he explained that she hadn't ''always'' been a giant robot. When she was officially diagnosed with [[Transformers sickness]] by [[Bump]] and told to throw out Rattrap's toys so she could recover, Arcee flatly refused, knowing how much her nephew loved his collection. Instead, she just continued living her everyday life as a giant robot body. {{storylink|Transformers Legends: Arcee Chapter|Arcee Chapter}} Arcee was later caught up in the massive world-ending storm summoned up by [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 12|Bonus Edition Vol. 12}} She later heard Rattrap yell out in surprise upon finding his [[Mini-Con]] collection missing. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Armada Megatron}}

[[File:TFLegendsAutobotsHalloweenCostumes.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Lost the best cosplay trio trophy to Black Widow, Nightbird Shadow, and Slipstream.......booooooooo!.]]
Arcee was among the defenders of the Legends world who helped defeat [[Slipstream (Animated)|Slipstream]] when she showed up to cause trouble. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 16|Bonus Edition Vol. 16}} During [[Halloween]], she dressed up as a maid and set out alongside Windblade and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] to stop [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s trick-or-energy scheme, only for Megatron's new minion, [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], to web them up. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 17|Bonus Edition Vol. 17}} Tigatron later had a dream of Arcee and Chromia wearing each other's armor. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends: Chromia Chapter|Chromia Chapter}} Upon overhearing Slipstream telling Rattrap that she'd gotten a facelift back in her universe, Arcee jealously wished that she could go there too. Rattrap assured her she looked plenty young already and didn't need remodeling. {{storylink|LG-16 Slipstream Sequel}}

The [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] of the [[G1 World]] harbored regrets over a failed relationship with his own universe's Arcee, leading to him traveling to the Legends World to remodel his body into something better looking. {{storylink|LG19 Sprung Prologue}} There, he ran into the local Arcee and decided to try again by asking her out, but she turned him down, explaining she was much too busy taking care of Rattrap. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 19|Bonus Edition Vol. 19}} She later witnessed [[Drift (G1)|Deadlock]] enter the Legends Universe, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Deadlock)|Bonus Edition Deadlock}} and was caught up in [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s attack on the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 23|Bonus Edition Vol. 23}} On accepting a package from [[Blurr (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Blurr]]'s delivery service, Arcee was taken aback by how chatty he was. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 25|Bonus Edition Vol. 25}}

While acting as a cheerleader at a soccer game, Arcee found herself targeted by the prank-loving [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who flipped her skirt and kicked soccer balls at her. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 29|Bonus Edition Vol. 29}} She later visited Rattrap's job to bring him lunch and made [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] blush by telling him he'd been working hard lately. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 32|Bonus Edition Vol. 32}} Arcee was home when [[Shūta Gō|Shūta]] of the [[Astrotrain Transport Company]] delivered a package, {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 40|Bonus Edition Vol. 40}} was seen driving on the roads of [[Akihabara|Neo Akihabara City]], {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} and got covered in bugs when tiny [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] clones swarmed the city. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 47|Bonus Edition Vol. 47}} Metroplex later recalled that she was present when he arrived in this world. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Metroplex)|Bonus Edition Metroplex}} When Windblade attacked again, Arcee kept Rattrap from being blown away. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. 65|Bonus Edition Vol. 65}}
{{--}}

===''Q-Transformers'' cartoon===
{{voiceactor|[[Sumire Uesaka]] (Japanese)}}
Seeking a new way to increase the ''Transformers'' brand's popularity, [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]] suggested sex appeal and fantasized about Arcee taking a bath. {{storylink|The Road to Winning a New Fanbase}}

====''Legends'' comic====
Arcee summed up the ending of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'' to those of [[you]] who didn't watch it. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rattrap)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} Just in case you only bought one of the toys telling the story, she also recapped [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]]'s journey into the [[Legends World|Legends Universe]], {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Waspinator)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}} as well as Waspinator's possession at the hands of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Rhinox)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
In a reality where the Cybertronian civil war had ended relatively early, Arcee was a biologist protoformed with a male chassis. Post-war, she was sent to observe several organic-populated worlds, where she discovered the organic concept of "gender dysphoria disorder," something which applied to herself. Returning home, she released a paper on the subject. Arcee and several others like her underwent reformatting and replacing bits of their genetic code to rectify the dysphoria between their neural/spark programming and their [[CNA]].

At some point, Arcee ended up in [[Axiom Nexus]]. She gave a lecture on Cybertronian gender, which [[Vector Prime]] attended. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/12/23}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' marketing material===
[[File:POTP vote Arcee.jpeg|thumb|left|upright=0.5]]
{{quote|I will never stop fighting for the future I know is possible.}}
Arcee was a potential bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. As a force for honor, Arcee planned to continue Optimus Prime's legacy by abandoning her past as a warrior and making reparations for the damage caused by the war. Instead, the Matrix went to [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]. {{storylink|Fan polls#2017|''Power of the Primes'' fan poll}}
{{--}}

===''Aw Yeah Revolution!''===
[[File:AwYeah1-earthquake.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Arcee was battling the Decepticons alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee until [[Baron Karza]] abducted the Autobot leader, leaving the two Autobots baffled at the mysterious disappearance of their leader. {{storylink|Aw Yeah Revolution! issue 1|Aw Yeah Revolution! #1}}
{{--}}

===''Star Trek vs. Transformers''===
[[File:PrimesDirectivePart2-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Part of the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' when the ship left Cybertron four million years ago, Arcee, the other Autobots, and Megatron's Decepticons crash-landed on Earth some four million years ago, reawakening to wage a secret war for control of Earth's [[energon]]. Eventually, the outbreak of the [[Eugenics Wars]] and [[World War III]] around the turn of the millennium prompted them to flee the planet aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] and search for Energon elsewhere in the galaxy. The Autobots were unaware that the Decepticons had done the same until they were attacked by the Decepticon Titan [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] over the barren moon of [[Cygnus Seven]]. In the ensuing battle, the damaged Fortress Maximus crashed into the surface of the planet, knocking him and all of his passengers—Autobot and Decepticon alike—into [[stasis lock]] for some two hundred years.

In the 23rd century, [[Federation]] colonists conducting a routine [[dilithium]] mining operation stumbled on the dormant Transformers, inadvertently triggering the Titan's autonomous repair protocols. First, bringing the Decepticons online, the evil Transformers attacked the Federation colony. At the same time, Optimus Prime gave chase, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} and the other Autobots had only just been restored to full functionality before [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] and the crew of the starship ''[[USS Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' sent an away team to investigate the mineshaft. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part One}}

[[File:PrimesDirectivePart3-Arcee.jpg|thumb|300px]]
Though the Autobots, distrustful of humanity after witnessing their ancient wars, attempted to capture the humans, Kirk convinced them of their good intentions. The two factions brokered an alliance to rescue the wounded Optimus—only for the Decepticons to cave in the mineshaft. It was [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] who hatched a new plan to bring Fortress Maximus back online, {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Two}} with Arcee watching as he rigged up a device that would reactivate the Titan by analyzing Kirk's brainwaves. Despite [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s doubts, the plan worked, and Fortress Maximus was restored to full functionality, his alternate mode reconfigured into a copy of the ''Enterprise'' linked to Kirk's consciousness. Blasting his way to freedom, Arcee and the other Autobots rolled out to take on the Decepticons and their new [[Klingon]] allies, with Arcee facing off against her old nemesis [[Airachnid (G1)|Airachnid]] until the arrival of Trypticon. After Kirk rescued the Federation miners by beaming them and Arcee aboard, he transformed the ship into the mighty "Fortress Tiberius." {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Three}}

[[File:PrimesDirective5-autobots.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Though Kirk successfully defeated Trypticon, the heroes learned that [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] already absconded with a load of stolen [[dilithium]], intent on conquering the [[Klingon Empire]] and their capital world of [[Kronos]], {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Four}} forcing the two ''Enterprises'' and their crews to give chase. Joined by [[Crewbot|a series of custom-built mechanical suit]]s, the Autobots leaped into action against Megatron and his allies. Though one of Soundwave's sonic frequencies paralyzed them, it would be the Klingons themselves who successfully thwarted the attempted invasion. In the aftermath, Arcee and the other Autobots chose not to return to Earth with the crew of the ''Enterprise'', preferring to travel the stars, but Prime pledged that he and his soldiers would be on call if Kirk ever required their assistance. {{storylink|Prime's Directive, Part Five}}
{{--}}

===An Arcee Sort of Day===
[[File:ArceeTransforms.jpg|thumb|300px]]
When the Great War ended, Arcee was left feeling rudderless in this era of newfound peace. Despite having a bad day in which she had her housing loan rejected, and later picked a fight with a reckless driver, a greeting from her pet robot cat when she came home prompted her to muse that maybe peacetime wasn't so bad. {{storylink|An Arcee Sort of Day}}
{{--}}

===2019 IDW continuity===
{{first|[[The World In Your Eyes Part Four|''Transformers'' #4]]}}
[[File:ArceeGreenlightRun-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"I've only had Gauge for a day and a half, but if anything happened to her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself."]]
Arcee was a particularly feared soldier during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]] and spearheaded at least one assassination mission that targeted one of [[Exarchon]]'s many iterations. Following the end of the war and the ratification of the [[Nominus Edict]], Arcee settled into a peaceful civilian life and eventually romanced [[Greenlight]]. However, she remained a skilled fighter with a short temper. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

Following [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]]'s murder, the Senate authorized the [[Reproduction|forging]] of a new Transformer and selected Arcee to mentor the young Cybertronian. At the customary ceremony at in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]'s [[Pyramid (Cybertron)|Pyramid]], Arcee and Greenlight met their new ward [[Gauge]] and helped welcome her into the world. Observing these events, [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] told [[Rubble]] that the newborn had essentially received two mentors for the price of one. {{storylink|The World In Your Eyes Part Four}}

Arcee grew very protective of Gauge, quick to lash out when people suggested she had been forged as a political move to take people's minds off Brainstorm's death. As tensions grew between the Autobots and [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s, Greenlight initially suggested taking Gauge off-world aboard an outbound [[Reversionist]] vessel: a suggestion that Arcee initially disagreed with, fearing that uprooting Gauge at this crucial stage might impact her development. Following [[Vigilem]]'s destruction of the [[Tether]], however, the three tried to help with rescue efforts until a confrontation with [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] and [[Singe]] at a nearby [[energon storage field]] made up Arcee's mind. The three raced to board the Reversionist starship ''[[Exodus (G1 ship)|Exodus]]'' on the outskirts of Iacon. Although Arcee nearly sacrificed herself to get her ward safely off-planet, she was able to board the ship at the last moment and rejoined her family. {{storylink|Arcee/Greenlight: Run}}

[[File:GaugingTheTruthPart2-ExodusBrig.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"Throw her in the brig!" "We don't have a brig." "Then throw her in the laundry room. Which will hereafter be referred to as 'the brig'."]]
However, Reversionist plenary [[Heretech]] was displeased by the presence of non-Reversionists aboard the ship, fearing that they would interfere with his grand plan to cleanse Cybertron of heresy. He and the other Reversionists forcibly separated Gauge from her mentors and had them imprisoned in a makeshift brig in the bowels of the ship's engine room. The Reversionist curate [[Accelerator]] reprogrammed Gauge so that she'd forget her old life with her mentors. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} Aware that Heretech was planning something sinister, but unaware of the specifics, Greenlight was able to hack into the ship's systems and sent a message to Gauge telling her to come and find them. When she did so, Arcee and Greenlight introduced themselves to their former mentee and explained that they wanted to tell her the truth. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth: Part One}}

Using a [[Cortical psychic patch|psychic patch]], Arcee and Greenlight got Gauge to trust them by helping her remember what happened before boarding the ''Exodus''. Then they asked her to deactivate the bars to their cage—a dangerous task that would involve infiltrating Heretech's private quarters. Gauge did so, and as the ''Exodus'' returned to Cybertron, Arcee and Greenlight successfully broke out and subdued the guards sent to stop them. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Two: A Truth for a Truth|A Truth for a Truth}} As the Reversionists began their attack on the planet, Arcee and Greenlight escaped the ''Exodus'' to warn Cybertron's inhabitants of the impending attack, then intervened to help Gauge stop Heretech using their alternate modes. Arcee and Gauge teamed up to incapacitate Heretech with a mass of exploding Energon; in the aftermath, the three elected to stay behind on Cybertron together. {{storylink|Gauging the Truth, Part Three: Moment of Truth|Moment of Truth}}

Arcee took up arms with Optimus Prime and the Autobots against the conquest of Cybertron by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} As Iacon fell to the Decepticons, Arcee, Greenlight, and Gauge joined Optimus Prime as they relocated to [[Crystal City]] and all formally became Autobots. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} She assisted [[Pyra Magna]] at [[Protihex]] to recover who and what they could before the city-state fell. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|Test Flight I}} Arcee was at the Autobranding ceremony in [[Crystal City]] where those opposed to the Decepticons united under the Autobot badge. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|Sea of Rust I}}

[[File:DarknessOnceGazedUponPart2-altmodes.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

When they learned [[Termagax]] had the [[Enigma of Combination]] by the [[Sea of Rust]], Arcee joined Pyra Magna and a tactical unit in securing the location. She was positioned on the roof of Termagax's [[House (building)|House]] as a sniper with [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]. They shot down the [[Rainmakers]] when the Decepticons arrived to make their own claim to the Enigma. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust II|Sea of Rust II}} Still, she and Sureshot were unprepared for the sudden arrival of the teleporting [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. He evaded their sniper fire, and the Enigma was ultimately lost in the Sea of Rust. {{storylink|Lord of Misrule: Enigmatic|Enigmatic}}

After returning to Crystal City, Smokescreen recruited Arcee and a small team to break into Iacon and rescue [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] from Decepticon captivity. The group used one of Swindle's old tunnels to get into the city, then launched a rooftop attack on the former Senate building to rescue their prisoner. on returning to [[Swindle's|Swindle's casino]] to coordinate their exit strategy. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two}} However, when the ruling Decepticons caught wind of Autobot intruders working with Swindle, [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] and his troops launched an attack on the casino, and Arcee was injured in the subsequent shootout before Smokescreen and Chromia could bring down the casino on top of their pursuers and make a clean getaway. {{storylink|Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Three}} As a result, Arcee was out of action during the subsequent siege of Crystal City; as [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] worked to repair her shoulder, Greenlight reminded her that Arcee couldn't recklessly risk her life to protect her family. {{storylink|A Dust of Crystals}}

By the time that the Autobots withdrew to neighbouring [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]], Arcee had made a full recovery in time to join [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and fend off a last-ditch Decepticon assault intended to prevent the Autobots from leaving the planet, but promised Greenlight and Gauge that she'd make it aboard. Arcee survived the battle, and once their ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' left the planet she, Greenlight, and Gauge all stood together to listen to Optimus Prime's final speech. {{storylink|Transformers: Fate of Cybertron|Fate of Cybertron}}

{{--}}

===''Transformers vs. the Terminator''===
[[File:EnemyOfMyEnemyPartThree-Arcee.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
Arcee was one of the many dormant Autobots aboard the ''Ark'' in 1984. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Two}} In the original timeline, she survived long enough to become known to [[Skynet]] and receive a threat level of "maximum."

After being reactivated and reformatted in the altered timeline, Arcee became the reluctant overseer of the [[T-800]], a time-traveling android whose interference spared the Autobots from being executed by the Decepticons. After showing him the ''Ark''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s weapon locker and conducting a perimeter sweep, unaware that he'd secretly scattered explosives around the area, Arcee responded to Bumblebee's call for reinforcements at a [[Cyberdyne Systems]] facility. Eager as ever for a fight, Arcee threw herself at Thundercracker, impaling the Seeker's nosecone with her sword. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Three}}

Though Arcee managed to slay [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]], the Autobots were still outnumbered and quickly boxed in. Salvation came when Starscream betrayed the Decepticons and shot Soundwave in the back; the distraction allowing Arcee to slam Skywarp into Thundercracker and take both out of the fight. After Bumblebee and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] had defeated the other two Insecticons, [[Sarah Connor]] called the Autobots to aid the bisected T-800. Arcee threw him into Megatron's open wound and allowed him to destroy the tyrant from inside. After Arcee loaded the captured Decepticons into Optimus' trailer, the Autobots returned to the ''Ark'' to find the volcano destroyed. Recognizing that the T-800 had done this, Arcee cursed herself for trusting the android before the Autobots and Decepticons agreed to a truce. In the months and years that followed, Sarah Connor got a job at [[Skywatch]] and used her connections to keep an eye on her Cybertronian friends, including Arcee. {{storylink|Enemy of My Enemy Part Four}}
{{--}}

===''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' continuity===
====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' cartoon====
{{voiceactor|[[Jessica DiGiovanni]] (English), [[Suzuka Kimura]] (Japanese)|[[Isabelle Auvray]] (French), [[Franziska Endres]] (German), [[Gabriela Bicalho]] (Portuguese), [[Ana Richart]] (Castilian Spanish), [[Adriana Olmedo]] (Latin-American Spanish), [[Renu Sharda]] (Hindi)}}
[[File:SiegeEpisode5-WeaponizedCog.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]
Arcee accompanied the Energon scavenger Bumblebee, and fellow Autobot Cog on a mission to steal a supply of Energon to fuel The Ark. Bumblebee brought them to the den of the [[mercenary]] [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]]. On approach to Soundblaster's throne, Arcee pointed out that he looked like Soundwave; Bumblebee suggested ''not'' bringing up the topic to Soundblaster, as he was sensitive about being a failed clone. Bumblebee successfully deceived Soundblaster into thinking that Arcee and Cog were his new apprentices in the Energon scavenging business. Taken down to the vault, Arcee sprung into action, with Cog transforming into a weapon for her to use and holding back the guards while Bumblebee stole Energon. However, before the trio could leave, Soundblaster arrived, having caught on from the start thanks to surveillance from [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]. Soundblaster also decided that since Arcee and Cog were valuable as Autobots, he'd cash them in for profit. He then had Arcee, Cog and Bumblebee surrounded. {{storylink|Siege episode 5}}

Outnumbered, Arcee and the others prepared for the inevitable fight, but the arrival of Shockwave's virus affected the [[Dome Guard]]s' weapons. The distraction gave the Autobots the chance to escape. Yet, with Bumblebee incapacitated from the sudden loss of the [[Alpha Trion Protocols]], Arcee was left to take the wheel of a speeder, which she used to escape with Bumblebee and Cog. They reached Autobot Command with the needed energon just as the Decepticons launched their attack. Arcee and Cog brought the Energon to the ship, enabling it to take flight. Arcee remained aboard the Ark for the duration of the battle and assisted in holding back the attacking Decepticons. She was aboard the ''Ark'' when it flew into the space bridge. {{storylink|Siege episode 6}}

Having been knocked unconscious by the jump, Arcee was among the Autobots captured by [[Doubledealer]] and the crew of the ''[[Fool's Fortune]]'' and brought to the Quintesson [[Deseeus]] on [[Chaar]] for judgment. However, after teaming up with the Mercenaries that had first captured them, the Autobots fought off Deseeus' private army and escaped back aboard the ''Ark''. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 2}} Arcee joined Optimus, Bumblebee, Wheeljack, and Sideswipe aboard [[Nebulos]] Station and helped fight off [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], sealing the door to keep him out and providing cover fire for Optimus. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 3}} While Scorponok was preoccupied fighting the Decepticons, she and the other Autobots made their escape, only for Starscream to fire on the station, sending the ''Ark'' and its crew into the [[Dead Universe]]. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 4}}

Arcee remained on board the ''Ark'' while Optimus spoke to [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] and later observed Earth once they escaped. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 5}} However, the Decepticons were close behind and boarded the ''Ark''. Their fight was then interrupted by the ''Fool's Fortune''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s arrival, helmed by a Deseeus-controlled Doubledealer. As a result of the Mercenary ship's destruction, the ''Ark'' and its crew were sent crashing down to Earth. {{Storylink|Earthrise episode 6}}

{{charstubfiction|Kingdom}}

====''War for Cybertron Trilogy'' marketing material====
[[File:Earthrise-Arcee-art.jpg|thumb|upright=0.6]]
{{bigquote|Ferocity without compassion is brutality.}}
After Cybertron fell, the Autobots left their homeworld aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', traveling through space in pursuit of the [[AllSpark]]. Arcee was a [[Cybertronian military insignia|Ground Command Special Ops Sergeant]], {{storylink|Arcee (G1)/toys#War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' toy packaging}} whose function was a warrior. Her primary objective was to achieve victory, and her primary weapons were [[Energon battle pistol|Energon pistol]]s. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Earthrise|''Earthrise'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/earthrise ''Earthrise'' website]</ref>

Closer than ever to reaching the [[AllSpark]], the Autobots awakened after crash-landing on pre-Ice Age Earth. While battling the Decepticons, both sides were joined by the [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s, their epic battle changing their combined destinies.

During this period, Arcee [[trans-scan]]ed into a sports car. Her Energon pistols and speed were her powers and weapons, and her core traits were her ferocity, fearlessness, and protectiveness. Arcee's message from the future was that her cooperation with mysterious new allies will lead to heroic ends. {{storylink|War for Cybertron: Kingdom|''Kingdom'' webpage}}<ref>[https://transformers.hasbro.com/en-us/brands/kingdom ''Kingdom'' webpage]</ref>

===''My Little Pony/Transformers''===
[[File:ShineLikeADiamond-Arcee.jpg|thumb|left|250px|"So, Rarity, have you ever stabbed someone through the chest?"]]
While battling for control of a malfunctioning [[Space bridge|spacebridge]], Arcee was among the many Cybertronians [[magic]]ally transported to [[Equestria]] by [[Queen Chrysalis]]. {{storylink|Transformation Is Magic}} After crash-landing in [[Manehattan]], she singlehandedly rescued [[Rarity]] and her employees from [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. After befriending Rarity, she teamed up with her to defeat Starscream, [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]], and [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. {{storylink|Shine Like a Diamond}}

When the Decepticons and [[changeling]]s attacked the [[Crystal Empire]], Arcee was part of the force that defended it, slamming into [[Shrapnel (G1)|Skrapnel]] before engaging [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]]. When the Autobots later returned to Cybertron, Arcee confirmed that everyone who had been dragged to Equestria had been returned home. {{storylink|Finale (Friendship in Disguise!)|Finale}}

Following the release of [[King Sombra]] on Cybertron, Arcee and [[Greenlight]] began noticing the strange effects his presence was having on Cybertron before they ran across [[Holiday]] and [[Lofty]] who were seeking their niece, [[Scootaloo]]. Though Arcee readily offered her aid, a magically enthralled [[Killmaster]] arrived. Though both ponies and Autobots initially tried their hand at defeating the Decepticon, he was only defeated when Greenlight wrapped the ponies' yarn around him, which allowed Arcee to send him flying off. It was then that Scootaloo showed up, accompanied by a few Cybertronian youths. Content that the children were safe, the four adults enjoyed a picnic. {{storylink|A Real Mother}}

When the alliance sought to prevent King Sombra from reactivating [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], Arcee wielded [[Applejack]] as a weapon and treid out some Equestrian slang before they defeated the [[unicorn]] tyrant and established a temporary truce with the Decepticons. {{storylink|Finale (The Magic of Cybertron)|Finale}}

{{--}}

===''Last Bot Standing''===
Arcee was among the many Autobots who fought against the Decepticons as both sides drained the universe of its resources. {{Storylink|Last Bot Standing issue 2|Last Bot Standing #2}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
[[File:TFLegends-Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Hold still, you've got a little Aligned on ya.]]
Arcee was part of [[Elita One (G1)|Elita 1]]'s team as they made a series of raids on Decepticon bases. Unfortunately, her nemesis [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]]'s knowledge of her tactics allowed the Decepticon to put a stop to the team's successful run. {{storylink|Fatal Furies}} At some point, she changed her color scheme from blue to pink. She took part in the defense of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. {{storylink|'Til All Are One (Legends)|'Til All Are One}} She and [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] encountered a group of Decepticons while hunting for their friends inside the monster. After fending off an attack by Unicron's internal defenses, the pair managed to reunite with their friends and escape before Unicron exploded. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (Legends)|Belly of the Beast}}

[[File:TFLegends-ArceeG1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|There. All better.]]
Arcee was still an active participant in the Autobot/Decepticon war when Ultra Magnus decided to reunite with his unit from the planet Junkion, only to be attacked by the Insecticons. {{storylink|Junkion Reunion}} When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], and [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] were abducted by [[Skuxxoid]]s during the [[Galactic Olympics|Galactic Games]], Arcee, and [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] gave chase. Instead of finding the Skuxxoids, they caught up with [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]], just as their leader had a vision that the [[Quintesson]]s were behind the kidnapping. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness: Part 1}}

Following a Decepticon assault led by [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], Arcee, alongside Rodimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, and Spike, were forced into taking cover within the [[Autobot Mausoleum]]; this did little to improve their situation, however, as the Decepticons continued their advance. Unexpectedly, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] rose from his tomb, providing hope that the tide may yet turn in the Autobots' favour. This was not to be, unfortunately, as the resurrected Autobot leader left the group stranded after having received the Matrix of leadership from Rodimus. After Optimus regained his senses, the Autobots were left to mourn their leader as he sacrificed himself once more to undo the Quintessons' trap. {{storylink|Dark Awakening (Legends)|Dark Awakening}} Arcee, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus, and Springer were trapped in human bodies by [[Victor Drath]] and [[Cobra Commander|Old Snake]], but still managed to foil the pair's plan to destroy Autobot City. They were later successfully returned to their robot bodies. {{storylink|Only Human (Legends)|Only Human}}

In the aftermath of the restoration of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Arcee was part of a team led by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] which attempted to map the changes to their planet. They were briefly delayed by [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] and [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]]. {{storylink|The Autonomy Lesson (Legends)|The Autonomy Lesson}}
{{--}}

===''Angry Birds Transformers''===
{{main|Stella (AB)#As Arcee}}
Arcee appears as a character unlockable in Challenge Events and through Special Missions. Stella portrays her. {{storylink|Angry Birds Transformers (mobile game)|Angry Birds Transformers}}

===''Transformers: Battle Tactics''===
[[File:Battle-Tactics-Arcee.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|If you ''have'' any loved ones, say goodbye to them now.]]
Arcee participated in battles against a variety of opponents, both Autobots, and Decepticons. Sometimes there were many of her! She was an Epic character who could be acquired as a reward in the "Combiner Hunters" event and "An Uneventful Night" Space Bridge offer. {{storylink|Transformers: Battle Tactics}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers: Frontiers''===
{{Charstubgames}}{{Storylink|Transformers: Frontiers}}

===''Transformers: Earth Wars''===
[[File:ArceeTransformersEarthWars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocqbFBWjclo Glad we got posted to the Autobot HQ commander?]]]
Appearances... can be deceptive. Quick-witted and formidable in battle, Arcee is compassionate to her allies but utterly ruthless to her enemies. Streamlined bodywork and light alloy construction only mean she's faster, more agile, and ultimately deadlier than most of her fellow Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars| Arcee Bio}}

Arcee had been dispatched on a mission by Optimus Prime but ran into trouble when [[Nightbird (G1)#Transformers: Earth Wars|Nightbird]] caught up to her. The two have been crossing paths routinely as Nightbird tries to put an end to Arcee's do-good acts. However, as the battle on Earth heats up, Optimus sent a signal for Arcee to return to the Autobots.
{{storylink|Transformers: Earth Wars}}

*'''Class''': Warrior
*'''Lowest Star Rating:''' 2 star
*'''Weapons''': Arcee uses an ion pistol to blast things. Once she does, she closes in and punches/kicks the target.
*'''Ability: Holo Decoy''' - Deploys a decoy that will soak up damage. It cannot damage targets, but it can stun them.
**'''Cost''' 3 ability points. +3 for reuses.

[http://wiki.transformersearthwars.com/character:arcee Arcee at Transformers: Earth Wars Wiki]

===''Transformers: Forged to Fight''===
[[File:Arcee-Forged-to-Fight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66| Boom. Bodyshot that counts as a Headshot.]]
Arcee was one of the Autobots pulled from [[The Transformers (franchise)|her universe]] by the [[Quintesson]]s and forced to fight. She eventually joins the [[You|Commander]]. There are at least a few of her running around! {{storylink|Transformers: Forged to Fight}}
{{--}}

===''Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive''===
[[File:BBOArcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|left]]
Arcee took part in a series of attacks against multiple Decepticon bases, destroying them and defeating all enemies in the process. 800 Armor, 800 Blaster Strength, Score x6, Coins x3, Blaster Speed: Very Fast {{storylink|Transformers: Bumblebee Overdrive}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
{{main|Arcee (G1)/toys}}

==Notes==
[[File:G1ArceeModelComp.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Extreme Makeover: Arcee Edition.]]
[[File:FriedmanAuctionArceeModelEdit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Ready to join Jake and Finn for adventures in the Land of Ooo.]]
[[File:BotCon1996ProgramAMArcee.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]

{{quote|And they were absolutely resistant to Arcee. I said I had a daughter who loves this stuff. There are other girls that like it. Put in a female Autobot!|[[Ron Friedman]], <ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]}}

*As quoted above, [[Ron Friedman]] fought for Arcee's inclusion in ''The Transformers: The Movie'' because his daughter was a Transformers fan. From the known production timelines, we know [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie#Production_timeline|she was created]] about [[The Search for Alpha Trion#Production timeline|ten months]] before the [[Female Autobots]] were created for the show.
*Arcee had two different [[character model]]s in 1980s ''Transformers'' media. An earlier model served as the [[Arcee (G1)/toys#Generation 1|basis for her original unproduced toy]], which was also the model used for most of her Marvel Comics appearances and parts of the episode "[[Only Human]]." Meanwhile, her appearances in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', the rest of her season 3 appearances, and her Japanese ''Headmasters'' appearances used her final model.
*Arcee's finalized character model was used to make many background female characters during the movie and season 3. Various Junkion ladies and the [[Paradron Medic]]s share her design, only without the shoulder-thingies, and a [[Cheesecake robot|more "shaped" version of her earlier model]] appeared in "[[Starscream's Ghost]]."
*When asked about Arcee's design in an interview, [[Floro Dery]]'s reply was, "Arcee is the naked mechanical equivalent of Princess Leia of ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]''."<ref>[http://transformersph.blogspot.com/2007/06/interview-with-floro-dery.html TransFormers Philippines: Interview With Floro Dery]</ref> Well, that answers that question... while raising a whole bunch of others!
*In 2010, a set of Arcee's original color models from ''The Transformers: The Movie'' went up for sale on Heritage Auctions, sold from [[Ron Friedman|Ron Friedman's]] collection of [[Sunbow Productions]] materials. In contrast to her final model and her original toy prototype, this early color model depicted her almost exclusively in shades of pink, save for some lavender on her collar, anklets, and [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] seats.
*[[Men in Black|Men in Black Collectibles]], the organizers of [[BotCon 1996]], attempted to produce an original "[[Action Master]]-inspired" Arcee figure as the '96 convention exclusive. As the steel tooling required to produce plastic action figures costs in the tens of thousands of dollars, this idea never went anywhere, and it is unknown whether MiB had entered into any actual discussions to license the use of the character besides. This figure was presumably unrelated to the actual Hasbro/Takara Action Master Arcee conceived a few years earlier.
*In 2000, Japanese publisher Kodansha released "The Official Guide to Takara SF Land", a book paying tribute to various sci-fi toylines produced by [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] over the years. As part of a tie-in [[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]] promotion, Takara released a special redeco of the ''[[Microman|Replica Microman]]'' "Lady Command" figure (itself a reissue of a 1977 toy) in white and gold chrome named [[Microman#Arcee|Arcee]]. Whether or not she represents "our" Arcee is unknown, though the name was likely chosen in homage to the shared history of ''Transformers'' and ''Microman'', as well as due to it beginning with an "A", like the regular Lady Command figures (Ann, Alice, Annie, and Ai). Only five Arcees were produced.
*Arcee has the most romantic attachments of any ''Transformers'' character: Hot Rod in the movie, Marvel Comics, the Big Looker Storybooks, and Dreamwave continuities, Springer after the movie, Chromedome (and possibly Rodimus Prime) in ''The Headmasters'', Bumblebee in [[Devil's Due Press|Devil's Due]] continuity, [[Aileron]] in the [[2005 IDW continuity]], and [[Greenlight]] in both the [[2019 IDW continuity]] and the [[My Little Pony/Transformers: The Magic of Cybertron|''My Little Pony/Transformers'' crossover miniseries]]. Then there's the weird affection shown toward Daniel in "[[The Rebirth, Part 3]]", but most fans won't read too much into it for their sanity.
*In [[2017]], Arcee was a candidate in the ''[[Power of the Primes (franchise)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[Fan polls|fan poll]] for the next bearer of the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in ''Transformers'' lore. Although [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys#Power of the Primes|Optimus Primal]] was the ultimate victor, Hasbro created preliminary design sketches and “Evolution” mode names for all the candidates. When asked at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2018, Design Manager [[John Warden]] could not remember what Arcee's name was but suggested that it was something along the lines of '''Arcana Magnus'''.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/2018/07/new-info-about-war-for-cybertron-and-more-from-the-hasbro-preview-breakfast/ New Info About War For Cybertron and More from the Hasbro Preview Breakfast]</ref>
*The [[#Ask Vector Prime|Ask Vector Prime incarnation]] of Arcee as a transgender Cybertronian had been worked on for a long time; with [[Rachel Stevens]]'s assistance with the language, as well as [[Jim Sorenson]]'s ensuring it got published.<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/129168-out-of-printhard-to-find-media-mega-thread/page-9#entry3440904 Post by Verity Carlo on the Allspark Forums, 2017/02/12]</ref>
*Arcee's [[:File:Synergy-Coralus-Arcee.jpg|2019 IDW comic design]] by [[Umi Miyao]] first appeared in the [[Synergy: A Hasbro Creators Showcase|''Synergy'' anthology]].
*Alex Milne based [[:File:TF-vs-Terminator-Arcee-Character-Art.jpg|Arcee's design]] in ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' on a {{w|Ford Mustang (third generation)|1983 Ford Mustang}}.<ref>[https://twitter.com/markerguru/status/1293310158622392322 Tweet by Alex Milne (@markerguru), 11 August 2020]</ref>

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Arcee''' (アーシー ''Āshī'')
*''French:'' '''Arcie''' (Canada), '''Archère''' (France, ''Dark Awakening'', "Female archer")
*''Hungarian:'' '''Arszi''', '''Arcee''', '''RC''' (''The Movie'')
*''Italian:'' '''Saturnia''' (''The Headmasters'' and second dub of ''The Movie'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Yǎxī''' (Taiwan, 雅希), '''Arcee''' (China, 阿尔茜 ''Āěrxī'')
*''Russian:'' '''Arcee''' (Арси ''Arsi'')
*''Spanish:'' '''Silvia''' (America ''The Headmasters'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Beast Machines Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Machines Maximals]]
[[Category:Biologists]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Female Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Hall of Fame characters]]
[[Category:Headmasters]]
[[Category:IDW (2019) Transformers]]
[[Category:Legends World natives]]
[[Category:Martial artists]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robot Heroes]]
[[Category:Transgender characters]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe Maximals]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Earthrise Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Kingdom Autobots]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron: Siege Autobots]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Ron Friedman

2022-08-21T01:00:19Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig3|Ron}}
[[Image:RonFriedman_Writer.jpg|right|200x|thumb|I killed all your childhood heroes.]]
'''Ron Friedman''' (born [[August 1]], [[1932]]) is an American television writer. Friedman wrote for live action shows such as ''Fantasy Island,'' ''Chico & the Man'', ''Starsky and Hutch'' & ''The Odd Couple'', while in animation, he scripted all four mini series for ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'', the first season of the ''[[Marvel Comics|Marvel Action Hour]]'' shows, ''[[Iron Man]]'' & ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' (in which he played the role of Blastarr), and the developer for ''Bionic 6''.

When he won a talent search to write the ''[[G.I. Joe]]'' pilot, he was wokring as a play doctor and trying to properly break into Broadway. This would kick off his work in animation.<ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>

==Role on ''The Transformers''==

Friedman was credited with "additional dialogue" on the first two seasons of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], his credit ranking just below story editors [[Bryce Malek]] and [[Dick Robbins]]. In practise, this job title meant that Friedman was something of a script editor, revising each and every script after it had been turned in by the original writer, adding, deleting, or altering dialogue as he saw fit. In particular, he was responsible for the vast majority of references to [[:Category: Cybertronic wildlife|Cybertronic wildlife]] and alliterative metal body-parts ("You'll get scorch marks on my selenium shin-guards!" "Ready to feed Megatron a nickel knuckle sandwich!"), as well as the many quirky insults characters would throw at each other ("Watch it, you metallic mini-meatball, or I'll step on you!" "You and what army, you maxi-turkey?"). Additionally, in the second season, with so many episodes being simultaneously written by different writers who had no contact with one another, it was Friedman who was responsible for developing and maintaining the consistency of certain characters' speech patterns across the series; [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]'s colorful boasting, for example, or [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]]'s "Bang! Zoom! Pow!" utterances were the product of Friedman's pen.

One thing he says he did in a 2013 interview was to "take that limited information" from the Marvel-created character bios "and create characters somebody cared about", often figuring out how the voices may work. He also claimed if you look at those bios, "it’s not a character... Those descriptions mean nothing. It’s like reading the ingredients on a package of Twinkies".<ref>[https://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathay]</ref> [[Larry Hama|Some people]] [[Bob Budiansky|would disagree]].

Friedman produced two drafts for ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', both of which would have the basic structure of the film but with quite different characters and details. While most of the cast are different in his first draft, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] appeared from the start<ref>[https://twitter.com/chrismcfeely/status/1561079478771748865 Chris McFeely twitter thread on the first draft], 20th August 2022]</ref> and he said he fought with [[Hasbro]] to include her as his daughter was a ''Transformers'' fan. (Female Autobots appeared on the show first [[The Search for Alpha Trion#Production information|but the script was written after]] the [[The_Transformers:_The_Movie#Production_timeline|first draft of the film]]) Despite so connected to killing [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] that he had an interview titled "He Killed Optimus Prime", he claims he told Hasbro that killing Prime was a bad idea; "to physically remove Daddy from the family, that wasn’t going to work."<ref>[http://toddmatthy.com/2013/12/31/he-killed-optimus-prime-an-interview-with-ron-friedman-writer-of-transformers-the-movie/ Interview with Todd Mathy]</ref>

The script he turned in was judged "incoherent" by writer/story editor [[Flint Dille]] and creative director [[Jay Bacal]].,<ref>[http://cybertronchronicle.freewebspace.com/60-astrominutes/flint-dille/flint-dille-2.html Flint Dille interview on the Cybertron Chronicle]</ref>, who submitted their own script, "[[The Secret of Cybertron]]", but when it was turned down, Dille spearheaded the re-writing of Friedman's script into the version seen on-screen. Despite Dille's involvement, Friedman had negotiated to receive sole credit as writer, so Dille is only credited as "story consultant" for the film, but his name actually ''precedes'' Friedman's onscreen, signifying the extent of his involvement. A similar situation arose in the production of ''G.I. Joe: The Movie'', which was predominantly penned by "story consultant" [[Buzz Dixon]], but again, credited solely to Friedman.

==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2073225/ Ron Friedman] at the Internet Movie Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:Friedman, Ron}}
[[Category:Writers]]

Transformers: Armada (toyline)

2022-08-20T22:07:30Z

Charles RB:

{{nav-armada}}

[[File:Hotshotarmadatoy.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Hot Shot with Jolt]]

'''''Transformers: Armada''''' marked a fresh start for the [[Transformers brand]], a reinvention that introduced a whole new universe and backstory for the robots in disguise. The [[Franchises|franchise]] also introduced a new faction, the [[Mini-Con]]s, the line's most distinctive element, as ''every'' larger toy included one or more Mini-Con partners.

The line was a hit with kids; the simpler, cleaner transformations made the toys more accessible than prior lines, plus the wealth of action [[gimmick]]s gave every toy more to ''do''. The numerous Mini-Cons in particular proved popular with fans and children alike, and have continued on into many subsequent toylines. It did so well out of the gate that the line had to be expanded beyond its initial offerings pretty quickly, and began the next four-ish years of direct sequels, an era that would come to be known as the "[[Unicron Trilogy]]".

{{TOCclear}}

==Overview==
[[File:Arm-toy Demolishor.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|right|Demolishor, packed to the gills with gimmicks.]]

The toyline marked a sharp change of design direction from the intricate, sometimes frustrating complexity found in the prior ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'', ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'', and [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|''Robots in Disguise'']] lines (that last one being a particular point of contention with parents). The early offerings in particular are blocky, easy to transform, sturdy and colorful. [[Articulation]] tends to be reduced, sacrificed to keep price down in light of the need to add a Mini-Con partner and multiple intricate [[gimmick]]s to every mold. [[Ball joint]]s largely disappeared from the non-Mini-Con toys in favor of permanently-joined swivels. The aesthetics of larger robots hearken back more to the blocky concepts of [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]], while the Mini-Cons tend to be more experimental, with odd facial designs and non-standard limbs.

Each larger toy features a "central" gimmick which can only be activated by attaching —aka "[[Powerlinx]]ing"— a Mini-Con to the appropriate hardpoint; the socket on each Mini-Con has a central pin that presses a recessed button within the hardpoint. Though most transformation schemes are simple, many of the "Powerlinx"-activated gimmicks are quite complex and innovative, such as [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|Hot Shot]]'s "axelzooka", [[Scavenger (Armada)#Toys|Scavenger]]'s stompy-stompy action, and [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron]]'s turret-mounted twin-missile launcher. Electronic lights and sounds also became standard on nearly all toys larger than Deluxe/Super-Con. Most non-Mini-Con toys also have multiple hardpoints that didn't activate any gimmicks, but as many Mini-Cons have working missile launchers or third "weapon modes" or other combat-style gimmicks or can be oriented to ''resemble'' guns and blades and so on, these hardpoints allow robots to be kitted out with all kinds of gear, a play pattern that would be revived in later lines like the Takara version of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#Super Robot Lifeform Transformers Prime (Arms Micron)|Transformers: Prime]]'' with its [[Arms Micron]]s and the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (toyline)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'' with the "[[C.O.M.B.A.T. System]]" and its successors.

As with ''Robots in Disguise'', the back end of the series featured same-character [[redeco]]es of toys in "powered up" modes, and this practice of heavy mold-re-use would continue on into the future to combat the ever-rising costs of production. The line was further bulked up by redecoes/[[retool]]s of several ''Beast Wars'' [[Transmetal]] toys, reworked to be Mini-Con compatible (despite a lack of any kind of action gimmicks), as early sales and subsequent retailer demand exceeded expectations, and they had to get ''something'' out relatively quick.

[[File:Theunicronbattles logo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|right]]

Towards the end, the line veered in an unexpected direction, with the introduction of the massive [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]], a ''huge'' toy based on the character from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', and arguably the greatest wish-fulfillment yet offered to fans from Hasbro, as no toy of this monstrosity had yet seen release. To promote this massive toy, the ongoing storylines of both cartoon and comic changed direction to feature the character as their central plot element, and the toyline itself gained a [[subline imprint]] promoting him in "'''The Unicron Battles'''". The initial wave of this [[subline imprint]] used the original red and blue ''Armada'' packaging with an added "The Unicron Battles" logo sticker, whereas the second version sported a new color scheme in orange, blue and black that had the "Unicron Battles" logo as an integral part of its packaging design for the larger toys. Some toys ended up being available in all three packaging variants.

''Armada'' saw a bit of a price jump (production costs again), as the $20 "Max-Con" size replaced the $15 Mega class of past lines, while the $25 "Giga-Cons" replaced the $20 Ultras. This was offset by the fact that ''Armada'' toys overall tended to be somewhat more bulky and massive than their predecessors, plus contained much more intricate internal mechanisms and electronic features as well.

{{-}}

==Development==
''Armada'' was driven by [[Brian Goldner]] wanting a collectible play toyline as seen in Japan and wanting to bring [[Takara]] in as co-developer. Takara, for their part, was extremely eager to come in as a co-developer on ''Transformers'' again to have some control on what the new toys would be and make sure they were commercial for the Japanese market as well. They brought in a horde of toy concept ideas that would shape the line, and a small team of Hasbro and Takara staffers were given leeway to develop the new idea.<Ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE Youtube: "The Toy Armada: Transformers Armada Part 1 Behind The Scenes!"] Dec 14, 2021, 10:10 in</ref>

One early idea from Takara was individual Mini-Cons would work at unlocking features on specific Autobots and Decepticons, rather than working for all of them. [[Aaron Archer]] argued that American kids would just jam any Mini-Con into the slot and get frustrated it wasn't working.<Ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE Youtube: "The Toy Armada: Transformers Armada Part 1 Behind The Scenes!"] Dec 14, 2021, 19:29 to 20:04</ref>

==Hasbro ''Armada'' toyline==
===Mini-Con 3-packs===
Mini-Cons were sold in carded three-packs at the Basic/Scout price point, each team defined by a particular gimmick or theme. Though only slightly larger than their closest precedent, the [[Micromaster]]s, they generally featured greatly improved articulation, complexity, and originality of design.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#Armada|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] ([[Jetstorm (Armada)#Armada|Jetstorm]], [[Runway (Armada)#Armada|Runway]], [[Sonar (Armada)#Armada|Sonar]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Armada|Land Military Mini-Con Team]] ([[Bonecrusher (Armada)#Armada|Bonecrusher]], [[Knock Out (Armada)#Armada|Knock Out]], [[Wreckage (Armada)#Armada|Wreckage]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Street Action Mini-Con Team#Armada|Street Action Mini-Con Team]] ([[Grindor (Armada)#Armada|Grindor]], [[High Wire (Armada)#Armada|High Wire]], [[Sureshock (Armada)#Armada|Sureshock]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Armada|Destruction Mini-Con Team]] ([[Buzzsaw (Armada)#Armada|Buzzsaw]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)#Armada|Drill Bit]], [[Dualor (Armada)#Armada|Dualor]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Race Mini-Con Team#Armada|Race Mini-Con Team]] ([[Dirt Boss (Armada)#Armada|Dirt Boss]], [[Downshift (Armada)#Armada|Downshift]], [[Mirage (Armada)#Armada|Mirage]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Adventure Mini-Con Team#Armada|Adventure Mini-Con Team]] ([[Dune Runner (Armada)#Armada|Dune Runner]], [[Iceberg#Armada|Iceberg]], [[Ransack (Armada)#Armada|Ransack]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Space Mini-Con Team#Armada|Space Mini-Con Team]] ([[Astroscope#Armada|Astroscope]], [[Payload (Armada)#Armada|Payload]], [[Sky Blast (Armada)#Armada|Sky Blast]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Street Speed Mini-Con Team#Armada|Street Speed Mini-Con Team]] ([[Backtrack (Armada)#Armada|Backtrack]], [[Oval#Armada|Oval]], [[Spiral#Armada|Spiral]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#AirAssault|Air Assault Mini-Con Team]] ([[Jetstorm (Armada)#AirAssault|Jetstorm]], [[Runway (Armada)#AirAssault|Runway]], [[Sonar (Armada)#AirAssault|Sonar]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Night Attack Mini-Con Team#Armada|Night Attack Mini-Con Team]] ([[Broadside (Armada)#Armada|Broadside]], [[Fetch#Armada|Fetch]], [[Scattor (Armada)#Armada|Scattor]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Sea Mini-Con Team#Armada|Sea Mini-Con Team]] ([[Oceanglide#Armada|Oceanglide]], [[Stormcloud (Armada)#Armada|Stormcloud]], [[Waterlog (Armada)#Armada|Waterlog]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Armada-toy Destruction-Mini-Con-Team.JPG|thumb|200px|The Destruction Mini-Con Team]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Air Military Mini-Con Team#Armada|Air Military Mini-Con Team]] ([[Gunbarrel (Armada)#Armada|Gunbarrel]], [[Terradive (Armada)#Armada|Terradive]], [[Thunderwing (Armada)#Armada|Thunderwing]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Emergency Mini-Con Team#Armada|Emergency Mini-Con Team]] ([[Firebot (Armada)#Armada|Firebot]], [[Makeshift (Armada)#Armada|Makeshift]], [[Prowl (Armada)#Armada|Prowl]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Race Mini-Con Team#RoadAssault|Road Assault Mini-Con Team]] ([[Dirt Boss (Armada)#RoadAssault|Dirt Boss]], [[Downshift (Armada)#RoadAssault|Downshift]], [[Mirage (Armada)#RoadAssault|Mirage]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Destruction Mini-Con Team#RoadWrecker|Road Wrecker Mini-Con Team]] ([[Buzzsaw (Armada)#RoadWrecker|Buzzsaw]], [[Drill Bit (Armada)#RoadWrecker|Drill Bit]], [[Dualor (Armada)#RoadWrecker|Dualor]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Emergency Mini-Con Team#USredeco|Emergency Mini-Con Team]] (redeco) ([[Firebot (Armada)#HasbroRedeco|Firebot]], [[Makeshift (Armada)#HasbroRedeco|Makeshift]], [[Prowl (Armada)#HasbroRedeco|Prowl]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Sea Mini-Con Team#USredeco|Sea Mini-Con Team]] (redeco) ([[Oceanglide#HasbroRedeco|Oceanglide]], [[Stormcloud (Armada)#HasbroRedeco|Stormcloud]], [[Waterlog (Armada)#HasbroRedeco|Waterlog]])}}
|}
{{-}}

===Super-Con Class===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|Hot Shot]] with [[Jolt (Armada)#Armada|Jolt]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (Armada)#Armada|Cyclonus]] with [[Crumplezone (Armada)#Armada|Crumplezone]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Demolishor (Armada)#Armada|Demolishor]] with [[Blackout (Armada)#Armada|Blackout]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (Armada)#Armada|Smokescreen]] with [[Liftor#Armada|Liftor]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Sideways]] with [[Rook (Armada)#Armada|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)#Armada|Crosswise]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Blurr (Armada)#Armada|Blurr]] with [[Incinerator (Armada)#Armada|Incinerator]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Super-Con|Optimus Prime]] with [[Over-Run (Armada)#Armada|Over-Run]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4'''
{{Bp-a1|[[Side Swipe (Armada)#Armada|Side Swipe]] with [[Nightbeat (Armada)#Armada|Nightbeat]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thrust (Armada)#Armada|Thrust]] with [[Inferno (Armada)#Armada|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Armada Smokescreen toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Super-Con Smokescreen with Liftor]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Rhinox (Armada)#Armada|Rhinox]] with [[Armorhide (Armada)#Armada|Armorhide]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Terrorsaur (Armada)#Armada|Terrorsaur]] with [[Ironhide (Armada)#Armada|Ironhide]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Airazor (Armada)#Armada|Airazor]] with [[Nightscream (Armada)#Armada|Nightscream]]}} 
{{Bp-a1|[[Smokescreen (Armada)#Hoist|Hoist]] with [[Refute (Armada)#Armada|Refute]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Wheeljack (Armada)#Armada|Wheeljack]] with [[Wind Sheer (Armada)#Armada|Wind Sheer]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Cheetor (Armada)#Armada|Cheetor]] with [[Cliffjumper (Armada)#Armada|Cliffjumper]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Cyclonus]] with [[Crumplezone (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Crumplezone]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#ArDxPx|Powerlinx Hot Shot]] with [[Jolt (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Jolt]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thrust (Armada)#PowerlinxBrown|Powerlinx Thrust]] with [[Inferno (Armada)#PowerlinxBrown|Powerlinx Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Demolishor (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Demolishor]] with [[Blackout (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Blackout]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Nemesis Prime (Armada)#Armada|Nemesis Prime]] with [[Run-Over (Armada)#Armada|Run-Over]]}}
|}

{{-}}

===Max-Con Class===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Red Alert (Armada)#Armada|Red Alert]] with [[Longarm (Armada)#Armada|Longarm]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Armada|Starscream]] with [[Swindle (Armada)#Armada|Swindle]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Scavenger (Armada)#Armada|Scavenger]] with [[Rollbar (Armada)#Armada|Rollbar]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Thundercracker (Armada)#Armada|Thundercracker]] with [[Zapmaster (Armada)#Armada|Zapmaster]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Overload (Armada)#Armada|Overload]] with [[Rollout (Armada)#Armada|Rollout]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (Armada)#Armada|Skywarp]] with [[Thunderclash (Armada)#Armada|Thunderclash]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:ArmadaScavenger toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Max-Con Scavenger]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Predacon (Armada)#Armada|Predacon]] with [[Skid-Z (Armada)#Armada|Skid-Z]] and [[Side Burn (Armada)#Armada|Side Burn]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Red Alert (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Red Alert]] with [[Longarm (Armada)#Powerlinx|Longarm]]}}
|}

{{-}}
===Giga-Con Class===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron]] with [[Leader-1 (Armada)#Armada|Leader-1]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetfire (Armada)#Armada|Jetfire]] with [[Comettor (Armada)#Armada|Comettor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#ArmadaGalvatron|Galvatron]] with [[Clench (Armada)#Armada|Clench]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Armada|Tidal Wave]] with [[Ramjet (Armada)#Armada|Ramjet]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Armada Tidal Wave toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Giga-Con Tidal Wave]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetfire (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Jetfire]] with [[Comettor (Armada)#Powerlinx|Comettor]]}}
|}

{{-}}

===Super Base===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Armada|Optimus Prime]] with [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Armada|Sparkplug]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Optimus Prime]] with [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Corona|Corona Sparkplug]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Superbase ArmadaPrime.jpg|thumb|200px|Super Base Optimus Prime]]
|}

{{-}}
===Supreme===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]] with [[Dead End (Armada)#Armada|Dead End]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Unicrontoyarmada.jpg|upright=1|thumb|Unicron, the line's largest toy.]]
|}
{{-}}

===Role Play===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Role Play Triple Changer'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Laserbeak (Armada)#Armada|Laserbeak]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Deluxe Role Play''' (The Unicron Battles)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Star Saber (Armada)#RoleplayDark|Dark Saber]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Star Saber (Armada)#Armada 2|Star Saber]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{-}}

===Exclusives===
[[File:Armada-optimus-prime-gold-kmart.jpg|thumb|200px|K-Mart exclusive Optimus Prime]]
:'''K-Mart''' (The Unicron Battles)
:* "Battle for the Matrix" ([[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MatrixMultipack|"Powerlinx Optimus Prime"]], [[Sparkplug (Armada)#KMart|"Corona Sparkplug"]], [[Jetfire (Armada)#MatrixMultipack|"Powerlinx Jetfire"]], [[Comettor (Armada)#MatrixMultipack|Comettor]], [[Adventure Mini-Con Team#Armada|Adventure Mini-Con Team]], [[Longarm (Armada)#KmartPack|Longarm]])

{{note|Despite the various toys in this set being labeled "Powerlinx", they're not actually the Powerlinx versions. Just so you're not shocked when you click the links.}}

{{-}}

===European-only releases===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Tiny Tins'''
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[Dirt Boss (Armada)#ArmadaTinyTin|Dirt Boss]]
*[[Downshift (Armada)#ArmadaTinyTin|Downshift]]
*[[Mirage (Armada)#ArmadaTinyTin|Mirage]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Super-Con Class'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Thrust (Armada)#PowerlinxRed|Powerlinx Thrust]] with [[Inferno (Armada)#PowerlinxRed|Powerlinx Inferno]] (red version)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

{{Note|The Tiny Tin Mini-Cons were only available in ''Armada'' packaging in Europe. In the United States, they were instead sold under the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, which didn't exist in Europe. Meanwhile, the red version of Powerlinx Thrust was ''almost'' a European exclusive, since it was also available as a "[[USA Edition]]" in Japan (see below).}}

==Takara ''Legends of the Microns'' toyline==
[[TakaraTomy|Takara]]'s take on ''Armada'', hitting stores a bit later than the Hasbro version, has some small but significant differences, largely in the decos. With a closer tie to the [[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|animation]], the toys had their colors tweaked to make them closer to their animation counterparts. This ranges from the small and subtle to completely different color schemes.

Takara also went ''nuts'' with the Mini-Cons. All but one of the three-pack teams got "[[Exdimensions]]" redecoes at normal retail, and some of the earlier molds got multiple redecoes as limited-edition store-[[exclusive]] promotional giveaways.

===Regular retail===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 1''' ([[December 26|12-26]]-[[2002]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-01 [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Armada|Convoy Super Mode]] (w/ [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Armada|Prime]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-02 [[Red Alert (Armada)#Armada|Ratchet]] (w/ [[Longarm (Armada)#Armada|Hook]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-03 [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|Hot Rod]] (w/ [[Jolt (Armada)#Armada|Jolt]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-04 [[Smokescreen (Armada)#Armada|Grap]] (w/ [[Liftor#Armada|Lift]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-05 [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Armada|Cyberhawk]]}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-06 [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Super-Con|STD Convoy]] (w/ [[Over-Run (Armada)#Armada|Surge]])}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-01 [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron]] (w/ [[Leader-1 (Armada)#Armada|Barrel]])}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-02 [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Armada|Starscream]] (w/ [[Swindle (Armada)#Armada|Grid]])}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-03 [[Demolishor (Armada)#Armada|Ironhide]] (w/ [[Blackout (Armada)#Armada|Search]])}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-04 [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Armada|Sandstorm]] (w/ [[Crumplezone (Armada)#Armada|Cannon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|MM-01 [[Street Action Mini-Con Team#Armada|Street Action Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-02 [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#Armada|Air Defense Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-03 [[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Armada|Land Military Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-04 [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Armada|Destruction Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-05 [[Race Mini-Con Team#Armada|Race Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-06 [[Street Speed Mini-Con Team#Armada|Street Speed Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-07 [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#Exdimensions|Air Defense Micron Exdimensions]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-08 [[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Land Military Micron Exdimensions]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-09 [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Destruction Micron Exdimensions]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-10 [[Race Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Race Micron Exdimensions]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MS-01 [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#ArDxADT|Hot Rod]] & [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#JapanHotShotMulti|Air Defense Micron]]}}
{{Bp-a1|MS-02 [[Smokescreen (Armada)#withRace|Grap]] & [[Race Mini-Con Team#SmokescreenJpack|Race Micron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|MS-03 [[Demolishor (Armada)#LandMilitary|Ironhide]] & [[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Multipack|Land Military Micron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|MS-04 [[Cyclonus (Armada)#J-MiniPack|Sandstorm]] & [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Sandstorm|Destruction Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 2''' ([[April 24|04-24]]-[[2003]])
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-07 [[Scavenger (Armada)#Armada|Devastor]] (w/ [[Rollbar (Armada)#Armada|Dirt]])}}
{{Bp-a1d1|MX-01 [[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Double Face]] (w/ [[Rook (Armada)#Armada|Bright]] & [[Crosswise (Armada)#Armada|Shadow]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:MicronLegend Rampage toy.jpg|thumb|200px|Rampage with Hawk]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 3''' (05-??-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-08 [[Blurr (Armada)#Armada|Silverbolt]] (w/ [[Incinerator (Armada)#Armada|Turbo]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MS-05 [[Blurr (Armada)#SpeedMultipack|Silverbolt]] & [[Street Speed Mini-Con Team#BlurrMultipack|Street Speed Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 4''' ([[June 12|06-12]]-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-09 [[Jetfire (Armada)#Armada|Jetfire]] (w/ [[Comettor (Armada)#Armada|Sonar]])}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-05 [[Thrust (Armada)#Armada|Thrust]] (w/ [[Inferno (Armada)#Armada|Thunder]])}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-11 [[Air Military Mini-Con Team#Armada|Air Military Micron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|MS-06 [[Thrust (Armada)#Multipack|Thrust]] & [[Air Military Mini-Con Team#Multipack|Air Military Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 5''' ([[July 17|07-17]]-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|MD-06 [[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Armada|Shockwave]] (w/ [[Ramjet (Armada)#Armada|Sonic]])}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-12 [[Air Military Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Air Military Micron Exdimension]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-13 [[Space Mini-Con Team#Armada|Space Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 6''' ([[August 14|08-14]]-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|MD-07 [[Wheeljack (Armada)#Armada|Rampage]] (w/ [[Wind Sheer (Armada)#Armada|Hawk]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-10 [[Side Swipe (Armada)#Armada|Stepper]] (w/ [[Nightbeat (Armada)#Armada|Cher]])}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-14 [[Space Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Space Micron Exdimensions]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-15 [[Sea Mini-Con Team#Armada|Sea Micron]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-17 [[Aerial Extermination Mini-Con Team#Legends of the Microns|Air Assault Micron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|MS-08 [[Wheeljack (Armada)#AirAssaultPack|Rampage]] & [[Aerial Extermination Mini-Con Team#Wheeljack2pack|Air Assault Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:Micron Shockwave toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Shockwave with Sonic]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 7''' ([[August 28|08-28]]-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-11 [[Smokescreen (Armada)#Hoist|Grap Super Mode]] (w/ [[Liftor#SparkLift|Spark Lift]])}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-16 [[Adventure Mini-Con Team#Armada|Adventure Micron]]}}
{{Bp-a1|MS-07 [[Smokescreen (Armada)#withAdventure|Grap Super Mode]] & [[Adventure Mini-Con Team#MS07|Adventure Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 8''' (09-??-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-12 [[Red Alert (Armada)#Powerlinx|Ratchet Super Mode]] (w/ [[Longarm (Armada)#Powerlinx|Spark Hook]])}}
{{Bp-a1|MC-13 [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#ArDxPx|Hot Rod Super Mode]] (w/ [[Jolt (Armada)#Powerlinx|Spark Jolt]])}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-08 [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#ArmadaGalvatron|Megatron Super Mode]] (w/ [[Leader-1 (Armada)#Spark|Spark Barrel]]}}
{{Bp-d1|MD-09 [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#JapaneseSuper|Starscream Super Mode]] (w/ [[Swindle (Armada)#Zapmaster|Spark Grid]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|MM-18 [[Sea Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Sea Micron Exdimensions]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-19 [[Adventure Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Adventure Micron Exdimensions]]}}
{{Bp-mc|MM-20 [[Emergency Mini-Con Team#Armada|Emergency Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 9''' (09-??-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|MD-10 [[Demolishor (Armada)#Powerlinx|Ironhide Super Mode]] (w/ [[Blackout (Armada)#Powerlinx|Spark Search]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 10''' (09-??-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|MC-14 [[Overload (Armada)#Armada|Ultra Magnus]] (w/ [[Rollout (Armada)#Armada|Magnus]])}}
{{Bp-unimc|[[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]] (w/ [[Dead End (Armada)#Armada|Bug]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Wave 11''' (10-??-2003)
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|MM-21 [[Emergency Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Emergency Micron Exdimensions]]}}
|}
{{--}}

===Store/event exclusives===
Aside from the deluge of limited-edition Micron giveaways, Takara released a lot of the Hasbro line's non-cartoon-based toys as "[[USA Edition]]s" through numerous outlets.

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Ito Yokado'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Undergrove|Destruction Micron Undergrove Edition]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Race Mini-Con Team#RoadAssault|Race Micron Road Assault Edition]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Street Speed Mini-Con Team#Overdrive|Street Speed Micron Overdrive Edition]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Jusco'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Destruction Mini-Con Team#SpaceGalaxy|Destruction Micron Space Galaxy Edition]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rhinox (Armada)#Armada|Rhinox]] with [[Armorhide (Armada)#Armada|Armorhide]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Terrorsaur (Armada)#Armada|Terrorsaur]] with [[Ironhide (Armada)#Armada|Ironhide]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''LaOX'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Cyclonus (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Cyclonus]] with [[Crumplezone (Armada)#Powerlinx|Crumplezone]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thrust (Armada)#PowerlinxBrown|Powerlinx Thrust]] with [[Inferno (Armada)#PowerlinxBrown|Inferno]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Hello Mac'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Ultimate|Land Military Micron Ultimate Edition]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[File:PL Red Thrust toy.jpg|200px|thumb|Powerlinx Thrust with Inferno]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[TF Station]] affiliates'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Micron Booster]] Ver.0 ([[Drop-Test|Rod]], [[Atlas (Armada)|Atlas]], [[Jetstorm (Armada)|Mach]], [[Runway (Armada)|Jetter]], [[Sonar (Armada)|Shuttler]], [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Drift]], [[Downshift (Armada)|Spin]], [[Mirage (Armada)|Indy]])}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Destruction Mini-Con Team|Destruction White Micron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Toys"R"Us]]'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Land Military Mini-Con Team#Ultimate|Land Military Micron Ultimate Edition]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Land Military Mini-Con Team|Land Military Micron Night Attack Edition]]}}
{{Bp-a1|Magna Convoy DX Set ([[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#MagnaConvoyDX|Convoy Super Mode Final Battle Color Version]], [[Overload (Armada)#MagnaConvoy|Ultra Magnus Special Clear Version]], [[Street Action Mini-Con Team#Exdimensions|Street Action Micron Exdimension]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Airazor (Armada)#Armada|Airazor]] with [[Nightscream (Armada)#Armada|Nightscream]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Cheetor (Armada)#Armada|Cheetor]] with [[Cliffjumper (Armada)#Armada|Cliffjumper]] (website only)}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetfire (Armada)#Powerlinx|Powerlinx Jetfire]] with [[Comettor (Armada)#Powerlinx|Comettor]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Predacon (Armada)#Armada|Predacon]] with [[Skid-Z (Armada)#Armada|Skid-Z]] and [[Side Burn (Armada)#Armada|Side Burn]] (website only)}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (Armada)#Armada|Skywarp]] with [[Thunderclash (Armada)#Armada|Thunderclash]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Toy's Dream Project/Toy Card'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Thrust (Armada)#PowerlinxRed|Powerlinx Thrust]] with [[Inferno (Armada)#PowerlinxRed|Inferno]] (red version)}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''World Hobby Fair'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|[[Street Speed Mini-Con Team#Overdrive|Street Speed Micron Overdrive Edition]]}}
|}
{{--}}

===Media exclusives===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Theme CD pack-ins'''
* [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#CDblue|Air Defense Micron]] (blue)
* [[Street Action Mini-Con Team|Street Action Micron]] (anime color)
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Legends of the Microns]]'' DVD pack-ins'''
* [[Super Stunt Team]] ([[Flat-Out (Armada)#Toys|Flat-Out]], [[Redline#Toys|Redline]], [[Servo (Armada)#Toys|Servo]])
*[[Top Gear#Toys|Top Gear]]
*[[Midship#Toys|Midship]]
*[[Tailslide#Toys|Tailslide]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
*[[Falcia#Toys|Falcia]]
*[[Combusta#Toys|Combusta]]
*[[Twirl (Armada)#Toys|Twirl]]
*[[Freeboot#Toys|Freeboot]]
*[[Bilge (Armada)#Toys|Bilge]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
*[[Sunburn#Toys|Sunburn]]
*[[Kingbolt (Armada)#Toys|Kingbolt]]
*[[Impulsor#Toys|Impulsor]]
*[[Quench#Toys|Quench]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:Arm-toy TopGear.jpg|thumb|200px|DVD pack-in Top Gear]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Legends of the Microns Year Book 2003]]'''''
* [[Impulsor|"Special Color" Impulsor]]
* [[Kingbolt (Armada)|"Special Color" Kingbolt]]
* [[Quench|"Special Color" Quench]]
* [[Unicron of Light#Toys|''Hikari no'' Unicron]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[TV Magazine]]'''''
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Crystal|Crystal Convoy]] with [[Over-Run (Armada)#Crystal|Spark Surge]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#BlackMegatron|Black Megatron]] with [[Leader-1 (Armada)#Black|Barrel]]
* [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)#TVMagazine|Scourge]] with [[Run-Over (Armada)#TVMagazine|Sweep]]
* [[Overload (Armada)#Blue|''Tokubetsu'' Ultra Magnus]] with [[Rollout (Armada)#Special|Magnus]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[TV-Kun]]'' magazine'''
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#GoldArmada|''Kinpika'' Convoy]] with [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Kinpika|Prime]]
* [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Green|Prime Super Mode]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''???'''
* [[Jetfire (Armada)#Gold|''Kinpika'' Jetfire]] with [[Comettor (Armada)#Gold|Sonar]]
|
|width="20%" valign="top" rowspan=2|[[Image:Armadatoy_unicron_of_light.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Hikari no'' Unicron]]
|}
{{--}}

==Sonokong ''Eunha Yeongung: Cybertron'' toyline==
From 2003 to 2005, Takara licensee [[Sonokong]] released a smaller selection of ''Legends of the Microns'' toys in [[South Korea|Korea]], under the name '''''Eunha Yeongung: Cybertron''''' (은하영웅 사이버트론 ''Eunha Yeongung Saibeoteulon'', lit. "Galactic Heroes: Cybertrons").

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Cybertron'''
* [[Laserbeak (Armada)#Armada|Cyberhawk]]
* [[Scavenger (Armada)#Armada|Hyena]] (w/ [[Rollbar (Armada)#Armada|Dirt]])
* [[Jetfire (Armada)#Armada|Jetfire]] (w/ [[Comettor (Armada)#Armada|Sonar]])
* [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Armada|Super Optimus]] (w/ [[Sparkplug (Armada)#Armada|Prime]])
* [[Red Alert (Armada)#Armada|Patrol]] (w/ [[Longarm (Armada)#Armada|Hook]])
* [[Overload (Armada)#Armada|Ultra Magnus]] (w/ [[Rollout (Armada)#Armada|Magnus]])
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Destron'''
* [[Demolishor (Armada)#Armada|Hide]] (w/ [[Blackout (Armada)#Armada|Search]])
* [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron]] (w/ [[Leader-1 (Armada)#Armada|Barrel]])
* [[Starscream (Armada)#Armada|Scream]] (w/ [[Swindle (Armada)#Armada|Grid]])
* [[Tidal Wave (Armada)#Armada|Shock]] (w/ [[Ramjet (Armada)#Armada|Sonic]])
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Other'''
* [[Sideways (Armada)#Armada|Double Face]] (w/ [[Rook (Armada)#Armada|Bright]] & [[Crosswise (Armada)#Armada|Shadow]])
* [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]] (w/ [[Dead End (Armada)#Armada|Bug]])
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Multi-packs'''
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|Red Gun]] & [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)#Armada|Air Defense]] (w/ [[Jolt (Armada)#Armada|Jolt]])
* [[Smokescreen (Armada)#Armada|Smoky]] & [[Race Mini-Con Team#Armada|Race]] (w/ [[Liftor#Armada|Lift]])
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Armada|Sandstorm]] & [[Destruction Mini-Con Team#Armada|Destruction]] (w/ [[Crumplezone (Armada)#Armada|Cannon]])
* [[Blurr (Armada)#Armada|Sunbolt]] & [[Street Speed Mini-Con Team#Armada|Street Speed]] (w/ [[Incinerator (Armada)#Armada|Turbo]])
* [[Thrust (Armada)#Armada|Sniper]] & [[Air Military Mini-Con Team#Armada|Air Military]] (w/ [[Inferno (Armada)#Armada|Thunder]])
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{--}}

==Cancelled toys==
[[File:SST-UniBat.jpg|thumb]]
*A redeco of the Street Speed Team seen at [[OTFCC 2003]]—one-off "color shifts" of the Japanese Street Speed Micron Overdrive Edition—was intended for mass release, but never saw the light of day.
*Redecos of the Adventure and Space Teams surfaced from China, but were likewise not released.
*At OTFCC 2003, it was announced that the more show-accurate Japanese version of Wheeljack and Wind Sheer would be released in the North American line as a running change. That never happened.
*Likewise, the red version of Powerlinx Thrust was supposed to hit North American shores as a running change, but never did... although it DID see release in Japan, Europe, and Israel(!).
*A [[Powerlinx]] Blurr toy was supposed to see release alongside Demolishor, but was canned; it's likely that [[Swerve (Universe)|''Universe'' Swerve]] uses that same deco.<ref>{{TFW2005|With Armada selling well we are still making Blurr so we pushed out the PL version till late next year. I hope to find a home in the TF:Universe line for it.|https://news.tfw2005.com/2003/08/19/orsons-world-819-updated-again-758|Aaron Archer|2003|08|19}}</ref> Not only that, but ''three'' more Powerlinx redecos were planned for later waves that never happened; it's possible that these were shuffled into ''Energon'' as [[Rapid Run (Energon)|Rapid Run]], [[Treadbolt]], and [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]].<ref>{{TFW2005|In his answer found here, Orson provides us with the information that three PowerLinx figures are expected beyond PowerLinx Demolishor and PowerLinx Blurr.|https://news.tfw2005.com/2003/05/13/more-orson-more-powerlinx-and-armada-in-universe-295|Tim Formas|2003|05|13}}</ref><ref>{{TFW2005|Not really, they are not a large part of Energon if part at all.|https://news.tfw2005.com/2003/09/10/more-on-energon-and-20th-ann-prime-from-orsons-world-updated-877|Aaron Archer|2003|09|10}}</ref>
{{--}}

==Post-''Armada'' releases==
Though it does not quite (yet) have the nostalgia-pull of older series, ''Armada'' has nonetheless had a number of toys released based on its characters, and even several all-new characters put into its universe since the Unicron Trilogy closed up shop. (Obviously, we're not counting toys from the direct-sequel series here.)

;Hasbro
{|style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|''Universe'' (2008)]]'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Universe (2008)|Hot Shot]] (w/ [[Jolt (Armada)#Universe (2008)|Jolt]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Overload (Armada)#Universe (2008)|Overload]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Unicron/toys#Universe (2008)|Unicron]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blight (Universe)#SingleCard|Blight]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bodyblock (Universe)#SingleCard|Bodyblock]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Boltflash#SingleCard|Boltflash]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Brimstone (Universe)#Single|Brimstone]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Makeshift (Universe)#SingleCard|Makeshift]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Suppressor (Universe)#SingleCard|Suppressor]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|Mini-Con 10-Pack ([[Crosshairs (Universe)|Crosshairs]], [[Longview (Universe)|Longview]], [[Overcharge (Universe)|Overcharge]], [[Ransack (Universe 2008)|Ransack]], [[Scavenger (Universe 2008)|Scavenger]], [[Sky Shadow (Universe)|Sky Shadow]], [[Snow Cat (Universe)|Snow Cat]], [[Stockade (Universe 2008)|Stockade]], [[Treadshot (Universe 2008)|Treadshot]], [[Windrazor (Universe)|Windrazor]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|Mini-Con 12-Pack ([[Backstop (Universe)|Backstop]], [[Blight (Universe)|Blight]], [[Bodyblock (Universe)|Bodyblock]], [[Boltflash]], [[Brimstone (Universe)|Brimstone]], [[Cloudraker (Universe)|Cloudraker]], [[Flatfoot (Universe)|Flatfoot]], [[Heavytread (Universe)|Heavytread]], [[Knockdown (Universe)|Knockdown]], [[Makeshift (Universe)|Makeshift]], [[Skyhammer (Universe)|Skyhammer]], [[Suppressor (Universe)|Suppressor]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|[[File:UniverseHotShotJolt.jpg|thumb|200px|''Universe'' Hot Shot with Jolt]]
|-
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Kre-O]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Demolishor (Armada)#Kre-O|Demolishor]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Iceberg#Kre-O|Iceberg]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Generations|Armada Starscream]]}}
{{Bp-mc|[[Mini-Con Assault Team]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Combiner Wars|Armada Megatron]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|Siege on Cybertron ([[Tidal Wave (G1)#Titans Return|Tidal Wave]])}}
|}
'''''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'''''
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Legacy|Armada Universe Starscream]]}}
{{-}}
;Hasbro via [[Fun Publications]]

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''[[Transformers Collectors' Club]]'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Skywarp (Armada)#Timelines 2|Skywarp]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Spacewarp#Combiner Wars|Spacewarp]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}

{{-}}
;TakaraTomy
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Robotmasters (franchise)#Toys|Robotmasters]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Sideways (RM)#Toys|Double Face]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Legends|Armada Starscream Super Mode]]}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''''[[Transformers Unite Warriors|Unite Warriors]]'''''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Grand Galvatron#Unite Warriors 2|Grand Galvatron]] ([[Thrust (Armada)#Unite Warriors 2|Curse Armada Thrust]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|
|width="20%" valign="top"|
|}
{{--}}

==Notes==
* According to [[Aaron Archer]] during his stint as ORSON, the Armada Autobots and Decepticons had intentionally different design aesthetics. The Autobots were designed to be symmetrical with clean lines and detailing, while the Decepticons had asymmetrical sculpts and details to invoke a more foreboding and battle-worn feel. A good example of this would be [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#ArDx1|Hot Shot]] versus [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Armada|Cyclonus]].
* The official Hasbro press releases for ''Armada'' used the pricepoint titles from the ''Beast Wars'' era - Deluxe, Mega and Ultra - instead of Super-Con, Max-Con and Giga-Con, the designations specifically created for the toyline. Confusingly, one press release<ref>http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/b11879ad57a742ca?hl=en</ref> even referred to the "Mega Figure Assortment" as consisting of "MAXCON figures"...
* While early toys in Hasbro's ''Armada'' line used insignias without painted backgrounds, starting with some shipments of Sideways and all later waves, the insignias received painted backgrounds like Takara's versions.<ref>{{TFW2005|Up until now, the insignias have been painted with no background detail. Starting with some shipments of Sideswipe and all figures in later waves, Hasbro's Armada insignias will be painted with background detail much like Takara's Micron Densetsu take of these molds.|https://news.tfw2005.com/2003/03/11/orsons-world-news-311-55|Tim Formas|2003|03|11}}</ref>
*There were two different types of "Unicron Battles" packaging: The first version was simply the original red and blue Armada packaging with an added "The Unicron Battles" logo sticker, whereas the second version sported a new color scheme in black, orange and blue that had the "Unicron Battles" logo as an integral part of its packaging design for the larger toys. Some toys were available in all three packaging variants.
* For the Japanese version of the line, Takara took the unusual step of picking and choosing [[package art]] from the Hasbro line, with just about all of [[Don Figueroa]] and [[Guido Guidi]]'s art being carried over, while the rest was replaced with new work. No explanation has ever been given, although most of the replaced art originally depicted the character incorrectly (Megatron's treads being mounted on his back instead of his shoulders) or just very inaccurately (Jetfire's everything).

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armada (toyline)}}
[[Category:Armada| Armada (toyline)]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy toylines]]
[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Unicron]]

Mini-Con

2022-08-20T22:00:57Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{factions|minicon|{{factions/icons|custom=PotP-MicronusPrime.png|cSize=30px|cLink=Micronus Prime}}|unicron}}
{{disambig3|Minicon}}
[[File:Minicon symbol.png|upright=1.4|thumb|Intentionally designed to look like the letter "M", the Mini-Con symbol is also reflected in the design of Unicron's helmet.]]

'''Mini-Cons''' (aka '''Minicons''') are a race of small [[Transformer]]s. Like the [[Micromaster]]s they resemble, Mini-Cons are roughly human-sized—quite small compared to most [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s—but while the Micromasters deliberately downsized into smaller bodies to conserve fuel, the naturally diminutive Mini-Cons overflow with energy. Most Mini-Cons possess the ability to impart a portion of this power on larger Cybertronians, granting them extra abilities or greatly increasing their strength through a process known as [[Powerlinx]]ing.

Various stories have connected these mystical abilities to the influence of various godly beings: across the ''Transformers'' [[multiverse]], different continuities have depicted them as the children of [[Unicron]], the [[Last Autobot]], or [[Micronus Prime]]. Regardless of their origins, however, their abilities make them useful allies and valuable partners—valuable to the point where different factions have come into conflict over these deceptively powerful beings.

{{bigquote|Our presence is a '''catalyst''' for war. It follows us around like a bad smell.|[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]]|''[[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|Transformers: Armada]]'' [[Dreamwave Armada issue 9|#9]]}}

==Conceptual history==
[[File:Metamorphcontact.JPG|thumb|left|250px]]

Mini-Cons debuted as the signature [[gimmick]] of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' franchise and in doing so resurrected the "micro [[play pattern]]" that began with the [[Micromaster]]s and [[Mini-Cassette]]s from the original ''[[The Transformers (toyline)|The Transformers]]'' toyline. Compared to these predecessors, however, the Mini-Cons sported increased articulation, a wide variety of [[alternate mode]]s, and relatively complex transformation schemes, with some even able to [[combiner|combine]] into an accessory or a larger super robot. Each Mini-Con figure included a [[Powerlinx]] port, a [[5 mm post|5mm]] round peg-slot that allowed them to connect to a larger toy and, in most cases, activate a spring-loaded play feature.

While every piece of tie-in ''Armada'' fiction featured Mini-Cons in some capacity, individual stories offered radically different portrayals of the Mini-Cons and their role in the conflict. The ''Armada'' cartoon initially portrayed them as artificial "smart tools" who communicated using [[R2-D2]]-style bleeps and bloops, occasionally manifested supernatural powers, and later revealed that [[Unicron]] had deliberately created them to deliberately agitate the raging Autobot-Decepticon war. [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]]'s ''[[Linkage (comic)|Linkage]]'' manga, a midquel set around the same time as the ''Armada'' television show, substantially expounded upon their biology and psychology, and explained various developments in the cartoon by introducing new concepts like [[Digital Entity Frame]]s and the eponymous [[Linkage (dimension)|Linkage dimension]]. [[Dreamwave Productions]]' [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|''Armada'' comic]], on the other hand, merely depicted the Mini-Cons as an ordinary Cybertronian subgroup unconnected to Unicron. Unlike their cartoon counterparts, these Mini-Cons were fully articulate beings who resented their role in the war, to the point where extremists like [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] renounced both factions in the name of Mini-Con independence.

[[File:11MicronusPrime.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Although ''Armada'''s early storylines—which generally focussed on capturing small, colourful characters with limited vocabularies—drew [[Pokeformers|unfavourable comparisons]] from cynical members of the adult fandom, the concept proved a smash hit with the target audience, and Hasbro and Takara extended the gimmick into both ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]''. After that, however, Mini-Cons faded into the background; promotional material from the [[Live-action film series|live-action films]] identified a number of small Decepticons like [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]] as Mini-Cons, and the vaguely film-adjacent ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' line featured Mini-Cons who could become either weapons or armor for their larger partners. From this point on, most stories dropped the conceit that Mini-Cons were a third faction unto themselves; like Micromasters before them, Mini-Con was used merely to describe their abilities rather than a factional designation.

Although some subsequent stories batted around other origins for the Mini-Cons that never caught on, it would be the launch of the [[Aligned continuity family]] in [[2010]] that pushed the Mini-Cons back into the forefront. As per the [[Binder of Revelation]] created to underpin the endeavour, the Mini-Cons were a diminutive race of Cybertronians who inhabited the planet's [[Moonbase One|two]] [[Moonbase Two|moons]]. In a notable departure from what had come before, Hasbro backported the term to apply to basically ''all'' small Transformers, including characters like [[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]] and [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]]. The Aligned continuity would go on to introduce a new origin story for the Mini-Cons that would carry forward into the next decade and largely eclipse ''Armada's'' Unicron mythology: 2013's ''[[Transformers: The Covenant of Primus|The Covenant of Primus]]'' introduced [[Micronus Prime]], a member of the [[Thirteen]] and the first Mini-Con. Comments from Hasbro representatives at the time clarified that, in this continuity, all Mini-Cons were his descendants. 2015's ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' cartoon featured a number of new Mini-Con characters; carrying on from [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]]'s relationship with [[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] in the ''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Prime]]'' cartoon, the show used the pre-existing term "[[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]]" to describe those Cybertronians who formed a partnership with one or more Mini-Cons, and later "[[Weaponizer (RID)|Weaponizer]]" in reference to a different group of Mini-Cons who transformed into weapons for their partners to wield.

With the end of the Aligned continuity in 2020 and the subsequent rise of heavily-[[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]]-focused media like the ''[[War for Cybertron Trilogy (franchise)|War for Cybertron Trilogy]]'', franchise, Mini-Cons again fell by the wayside after Hasbro shifted back to marketing small characters as Micromasters and Mini-Cassettes. As a result, it remains to be seen if 2022's ''[[Transformers: Legacy|Legacy]]'' toyline will feature their return to coincide with the release of other "[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]" characters like [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]].

{{--}}

==Powerlinx==
{{Main|Powerlinx}}
[[File:HotShotPowerlinx.gif|thumb|left|250px]]

Across the [[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]], all Mini-Cons possess the ability to [[Powerlinx]] with other forms of technology—including both sentient [[Transformer]]s and mundane machines—and instantly reconfigure their physical construction by sharing their own supernatural power. In this way, a Mini-Con for instance, modify ordinary cars into jet-powered assault vehicles, or upgrade Transformers with new weapons or additional functions. The Mini-Con is not required in order to activate these weapons again, but linking to a Mini-Con again simply enhances their firepower.

The Japanese ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Legends of the Microns]]'' dub called the phenomenon "Evolution", and had Autobots call out the phrase when they Powerlinxed. This has caused some confusion in the Armada viewing audience due to dub issues and the downplaying of the "Evolution" theme, although the term was used twice in the American series by Megatron.

Other [[continuity family|continuity families]] have offered alternate interpretations of the process. Many of the Mini-Cons who have appeared in "[[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]]"-based stories appear to lack the ability entirely; in the [[Aligned continuity family|"Aligned" continuity family]], meanwhile, Mini-Cons can voluntarily interlock with larger Transformers but require genetic augmentation to access the ability to share their energy with their partners.

{{--}}

==Fiction==
===Unicron Trilogy continuity family===

====Dreamwave ''Armada'' continuity====
[[File:Armada3-wooooosh.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The ultimate friends to the boys and girls.]]

Mini-Cons were a second race of Transformer whose diminutive proportions and physical fragility led to Cybertronians treating them as second-class citizens. Despite their lowly status on pre-war Cybertron, each Mini-Con can naturally tap into a unique extradimensional power source, but most, naturally wary of this seemingly unlimited power, have installed inhibitors designed to prevent them from accessing this ability. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|More than Meets the Eye #3}}

In the years before the Autobot-Decepticon war, the Mini-Cons inhabited a designated Mini-Con Sector on Cybertron and divided that sector into a number of loose, largely autonomous "villages". However, this isolation left them open to attack when [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] led his Decepticons on capture raids. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Dreamwave Armada #1}} Through experimentation on Mini-Con prisoners, the Decepticons used an ancient technological process to forcibly rewire their prisoners so that they could [[Powerlinx]] with them against their will. {{storylink|More than Meets the Eye: Transformers: Armada|More than Meets the Eye #3}} Fleeing the Decepticon advance, a small group of Mini-Cons escaped to the planet's abandoned [[Garbage Disposal District]] salvaged [[Exodus (Armada)|a junked ship]] with the intent of rescuing as many Mini-Cons as they could. As Megatron and his army used their new slaves to conquer [[Cyber City]], [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], [[Jetstorm (Armada)|Jetstorm]], [[Runway (Armada)|Runway]], and [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] led a raid on Megatron's primary prison complex, freed as many Mini-Cons as they could, and escaped Cybertron. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2|Armada #2}}

[[File:Armada11-moonbasedestroyed.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Y'know, Megatron, most people just bring a gift basket when they come over.]]

While Megatron and the Decepticons used their monopoly on the remaining Mini-Cons to run amok, the ''Exodus'' suffered a debilitating engine failure that ended with the ship breaking apart—half the ship crash-landed on ancient Earth and scattered dormant Mini-Cons across the planet, while the other half landed on the Moon. One million years later, [[Rad White]] and his friends discovered the crashed starship and inadvertently tripped the ship's restoration protocols, which alerted the Autobots and Decepticons on Cybertron to the location of the remaining Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3|Armada #3}} When the Autobots and Decepticons arrived on Earth to find the Mini-Cons, Sparkplug and a number of recently reactivated Mini-Cons made the decision to Powerlinx with the Autobots to defeat the Decepticons, but made it clear that this alliance had to be a two-way partnership: if the Autobots treated them like slaves, they'd walk. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5|Armada #5}}

Not all Mini-Cons willingly fell in with the Autobots, however: some, like the [[Land Military Mini-Con Team|Land Military Team]], remained free agents who openly distrusted both the Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7|Armada #7}} Others took the concept of Mini-Con independence to its logical extreme: marooned on the Moon with a small group of Mini-Cons who'd survived the crash, [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] took command of the group and spent the next million years establishing a concealed [[Mini-Con Moonbase]]; ostensibly a place where Mini-Cons could live freely. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9|Armada #9}} The reactivation of the Earthbound Mini-Cons prompted Dualor to forcibly de-escalate the situation by sending a specialized "[[Mini-Con Ark]]" to Earth, which hypnotized the Mini-Cons and brought them back to Dualor's lunar fortress. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8|Armada #8}} Despite his attempts to convince [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]], [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], and [[Runway (Armada)|Runway]] of his good intentions, Sparkplug felt that the paranoid, abusive Dualor would force them to join his cause, just as the Autobots and Decepticons had. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9|Armada #9}}

Although Dualor's followers successfully repelled the first Decepticon incursion, a full-scale assault ended with the destruction of their moonbase; while many Mini-Cons boarded escape pods to Earth, Dualor, [[Buzzsaw (Armada)|Buzzsaw]], and [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] fell into a triumphant Megatron's clutches. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 11|Armada #11}} However, thanks to a cleverly integrated failsafe program, they were able to prevent Megatron from using their power against their will and allowed Dualor to strike a deal: they'd help him in exchange for a degree of leadership. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} After their combined power drove Cyclonus insane, Megatron mused that he knew that the Mini-Cons would betray him as he retrieved them. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}}

[[File:Mini-cons.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Gotta catch 'em all!]]

Fleeing the advance of a dimension-hopping [[Unicron]], the Mini-Con [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] abandoned his native universe aboard a [[null-reality pod]] in the hopes of finding another dimension that could stand up to the planet-eater. He brought with him the [[Mini-Con Matrix]], an artifact into which all the Mini-Cons of his universe had placed their spark essences. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}} Upon arriving, he immediately set up a beacon which attracted the attention of [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s alike. [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] arrived first but were shot down by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]], who attempted to claim Over-Run for himself, seeing him merely as another Mini-Con to be used for battle and not realizing his origins. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} After realizing Over-Run's true nature, he joined the Autobots as they tried to locate Optimus Prime, who'd been cast adrift in the [[multiverse]] by Over-Run's arrival. Upon rallying Sparkplug and a number of other Mini-Cons to break into the Decepticon's base and retrieve the pod, the Mini-Cons transported themselves to [[Primax 703.09 Gamma|another dimension]] and rescued Optimus and Jetfire moments before Unicron destroyed that reality's Cybertron. The Mini-Con Matrix powered up all five of their forms, allowing Optimus Prime and Jetfire to combine, while the Mini-Cons linked with them, and together they blasted Unicron hard enough to make him notice them before warping back to their universe. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

After bringing together all of [[Earth]]'s Mini-Cons, Over-Run led them through a space bridge portal to Cybertron, where they channeled all of their spark essences through the Mini-Con Matrix and destroyed Unicron. {{storylink|The End (Armada)|The End}}

====Cartoon continuity====
[[File:Prehistory-MiniCons.jpg|thumb|left|250px|It's time to battle, for a battle, 'till you drop.]]

Mini-Cons are unique "digital entities": while other Cybertronians comprised of [[living metal]] derive life and sentience from their individual [[spark]]s, Mini-Cons are entirely comprised of a unique form of self-sustaining energy known as a "[[Digital Entity Frame]]", Part soul, part genome, this inexhaustible power source dictates a Mini-Con's programming and physical appearance and allows them to physically alter an object's molecular structure or [[Powerlinx]] with larger Transformers. {{storylink|Linkage Part 7}} If needed, a Mini-Con can enter a unique form of low-power [[stasis lock|stasis]] by dissipating their physical forms and converting back into pure energy stored within a tiny, nearly-indestructible "[[Mini-Con storage panel|storage panel]]". {{storylink|Prehistory}}

All Mini-Cons possess a "[[Servility Program]]" that compels them to imprint upon the "[[bulk]]" who activates them and obey their new partner, no matter how cruelly they might be treated. {{storylink|Linkage Part 5}} Although all Mini-Cons are creations of Unicron, "free" Mini-Cons who have developed the capacity for thought and free will are connected through a metaphysical dimension known as the [[Linkage (dimension)|Linkage]]. Without a physical form to ground them in the material world, they will diffuse into the sea of consciousness. The [[Master Key]] acts as a final failsafe; should a Mini-Con deviate from their original programming by connecting to the Linkage, they will lose access to their full power. {{storylink|Linkage Part 7}}

Although the vast majority of Mini-Cons spoke an indecipherable binary language, {{storylink|Force of Habit}} Mini-Cons can choose to form a mental link with other beings to allow for a more direct medium of communication. {{storylink|Linkage Part 2}}

{{--}}

=====''Armada'' cartoon=====
[[File:Drift-MiniConBirth.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Unicron created the Mini-Cons from his own cells, mindless drones who would agitate and amplify the civil war raging on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Once unleashed on Cybertron, the [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s would battle for control of these power-enhancing "smart tools"; the negative psychic energy unleashed by the rampant death and destruction would indirectly fuel Unicron; once he'd gathered enough power, the Mini-Cons would incapacitate their partners and Unicron would fully awaken to consume Cybertron and eliminate his biggest obstacle to devouring all of existence. {{storylink|Origin}} Unicron invested a large portion of his power into three Mini-Con teams who combined into weapons: the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]], and the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]]. This not only made them weapons of unimaginable power and potent sources of energy, but also the key to awakening Unicron from his hibernation. {{storylink|Portent}}

A number of other Mini-Cons displayed unusual powers: some could [[combiner|combine]] to form a larger robot, {{storylink|Comrade}}, others could Powerlinx with and control inanimate machines like [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s trailer, {{storylink|Jungle}}, and one, [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], displayed the ability to manipulate time. Through this ability, three [[human]] children from the future--[[Rad White]], [[Carlos Lopez]] and [[Alexis Thi Dang]]--were sent to the Mini-Cons' birthing chamber inside [[Unicron]] just seconds before the small robots emerged from their pods. As the Mini-Cons had been designed to form mental bonds with other life forms, Rad's contact with a newborn High Wire caused the newborn race to develop free will, empathy, and the capacity for self-determination. {{storylink|Drift (episode)|Drift}}

[[File:Street action team.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Catch you, catch me.]]

At some point after this, the Mini-Cons emerged on Cybertron in the midst of the Autobot-Decepticon civil war. The Decepticons quickly discovered the power offered by Powerlinxing and began enslaving every Mini-Con they encountered; in response, a group of Mini-Cons [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] formed an alliance with the heroic Autobots and willingly shared their power with their partners. As the war dragged on, both sides realized the Mini-Cons had become the centerpiece of their conflict, and an agreement was made: the Mini-Cons would receive a [[Exodus (Armada)|ship]] that would let them leave Cybertron and find a new home somewhere else in the universe. To make the trip, the majority of Mini-Cons converted themselves into storage panels, leaving only a skeleton crew to pilot and maintin their ship. However, when the ''Exodus'' launched, the Decepticons ambushed the ship in an attempt to claim all the Mini-Cons, but the Autobots provided enough cover fire for the ship to safely warp out of Cybertronian space. {{storylink|Prehistory}} Unfortunately, the Decepticon attack and strain of passing through multiple [[warp gate]]s damaged the ship and sent it and its cargo drifting aimlessly through space for many millions of years. Finally, the ''Exodus'' finally collided with [[Earth]]'s [[Moon (moon)|moon]] and broke apart. As half of the ship fell into Earth's atmosphere, emergency systems fired Mini-Con panels in every direction and scattered them across the planet. {{storylink|First Encounter}}

While most of the Mini-Cons remined hidden over the intervening millennia, an advanced ancient culture discovered the three Mini-Cons who formed the Star Saber; when they unleashed its power during a war with another nation, the energies unleashed sunk their city beneath the sea and gave rise to the legend of [[Atlantis]]. {{storylink|Ruin}} Another civilization in the [[Sahara]] discovered [[Bonecrusher (Armada)|Bonecrusher]]'s panel and built a temple around it. {{storylink|Palace}}

[[File:Origin-Unicrons.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Everybody Polkamon!]]

In the year [[2010]], Rad, Carlos, and Alexis discovered the wreckage of the ''Exodus'' buried beneath [[Lincoln, Nebraska]] and inadvertently activated a beacon that summoned both the Autobots and Decepticon to Earth in search of the newly-reactivated Mini-Con panels. {{storylink|First Encounter}} {{storylink|Prehistory}} The two factions hunted Mini-Con after Mini-Con, but the three Mini-Con weapons eventually ended up in the hands of the Decepticons thanks to Unicron's servant [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]] and the conflicted loyalties of [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]]. {{storylink|Crack (episode)|Crack}} They'd be used to power the Decepticon's planet-destroying [[Hydra Cannon]], which was only prevented from destroying Earth by Optimus Prime's sacrifice {{storylink| Threaten}}{{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}} By pooling their power with the [[Matrix of Leadership]], the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons were capable of restoring Optimus to life. {{storylink|Miracle}}

When the Autobot and Decepticons found themselves under assault by Unicron's minion [[Nemesis Prime (Armada)|Nemesis Prime]], the assembled Mini-Cons used their powers as a group to restore and empower their larger partners. {{storylink|Puppet}} When their creator finally reared his head to assault Cybertron, the Mini-Cons would merge into [[Unicron of Light|a giant doppelganger]] to face him. {{storylink|Union}} However, Unicron was able to temporarily reset the Mini-Cons and return them to their original mindless states, although the deep connection between the Rad and his Mini-Con friend High Wire permanently broke Unicron's hold over them. {{storylink|Origin}}

{{--}}

=====''Linkage'' comic=====
[[File:Arm-art Linkage01-UnderAttack.jpg|thumb|left|300px|]]

When humanity interfered with the newly-born Mini-Cons at the moment of their creation and granted them something akin to a soul, not ''all'' the Mini-Cons were freed. A small number of Mini-Cons remained loyal to their creator and made it their mission to hunt down their "renegade" brethren—specially programmed [[Fixer Bug]]s forcibly Powerlinxed with their victims and cut them off from the Linkage by overwriting their core programming and reducing them back to a storage panel form. Once reactivated and released, the "new" Mini-Con would once again be a slave to Unicron. {{storylink|Linkage Part 5}}

In the modern day, Unicron loyalists [[Midship]] and [[Top Gear]] travelled to Earth to capture and reprogram the Mini-Cons recently loosed upon the planet. After forcibly recruiting [[Tailslide]] to their side, the trio pursued the recently-reacitvated [[Super Stunt Team]], who'd recently taken shelter with the [[human]] [[Stella Holley]] after using their powers to hastily reconfigure her car into a weapon. {{storylink|Linkage Part 2}} In between trying to elude their Unicronian brethren activating other Mini-Cons, [[Redline]] began searching for a way to truly free his people, inspired by a vision of "the terrible one" while freeing [[Twirl (Armada)|Twirl]]'s spirit from the Linkage, he turned his attention to finding a way to unlock the [[Master Key]]: when Mini-Cons gained sentience and free will, Unicron's failsafe would activate and "lock away" much of their power. {{storylink|Linkage Part 8}}

[[File:Arm-art Linkage13-City.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Thanks to obtaining scans of the Unicron-allied Mini-Cons, Redline devised an "evolution" device that would allow them to finally unlock the Master Key programming, break their Servility Programs, and awaken their true abilities. {{storylink|Linkage Part 9}} However, as they prepared for this momentous leap forward, the [[Aqua Raider Team]] unleashed the murderous, [[Doomstone]]-enhanced [[Ravenus]] on the free Mini-Cons; using his enhanced [[Powerlinx]] abilities, he forcibly Powerlinxed witih [[Twirl (Armada)|Twirl]] and [[Servo (Armada)|Servo]] with the intent of using this link to unleash the Doomstone's negative psychic energy into the Linkage and permanently return the Mini-Cons to their original state by destroying the Linkage. {{storylink|Linkage Part 10}} The upgraded Mini-Cons, now growing in number as the Master Key spread to all "free" Mini-Cons through the Linkage, used their new powers to reverse the mutations and return Ravenus to his original form, as well as safely remove the Doomstone from his body. Following this, the remaining Mini-Cons on Earth departed to meet up with the Autobots as they prepared for their battle against Unicron. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}

After Unicron's destruction, all of the Mini-Cons created [[Mini-Con city|a city]] somewhere on Earth, safe from the machinations of Unicron or the Decepticons, and extended an invitation to their friend Stella to join them. {{storylink|Linkage Part 13}}
{{--}}

=====''Cloud''=====
The existence of [[Mini-Con]]s as a great source of power was not known to the denizens of the [[Cloud World]] till the [[Starscream (Cloud)|Starscream]] of that world forced a pursuit into the [[spacetime]] known as 15-MD. The native [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] of that spacetime was seeking a Mini-Con when the Cloud Worlders arrived, and so Cloud Starscream joined his counterpart to find the Mini-Con in some [[South America]]n ruins. {{storylink|Encounter}} In the resulting battle that ensued between [[Optimus Prime (Cloud)|Optimus Prime]], [[Brawn (Cloud)|Brawn]], and the two Starscreams, the [[Mini-Con storage panel]] was destroyed by Cloud Starscream, angering everybody else involved. {{storylink|Hammer (Cloud)|Hammer}} However, the soul of the Mini-Con within the panel—[[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]]—was able to contact [[SARA]], and the Cloud World entity was able to tap into the power of the Mini-Cons through incorporating this soul within her. Using the Mini-Cons' energy as a form of "[[spacetime energy]]", SARA was able to return all of the visitors to their home reality. {{storylink|Return}}

=====''Energon'' cartoon=====

Ten years after Unicron's defeat, most of the Mini-Cons had left Earth, although the [[Street Action Mini-Con Team|Street Action Team]] remained active in [[Ocean City]]. {{storylink|Cybertron City (episode)|Cybertron City}} Later, the [[Energon Saber|Energon Saber Mini-Con Team]] fled [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]] and [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]]'s attack on [[Mars City]], and used their combined form to great effect as [[Kicker Jones|Kicker]] 's private weapon. {{storylink|Megatron's Sword}}

{{--}}

=====''Cybertron'' cartoon=====
{{note|[[Fun Publications]] fiction has linked the ''Cybertron'' Mini-Cons, who otherwise had no real origin story in the cartoon, to the original group from ''Armada'' by implying that an ancestral population of Mini-Cons migrated to planets like [[Gigantion]], [[Jungle Planet (colony)|Jungle Planet]], and [[Velocitron]] along with full-sized Cybertronian colonists. However, this does not fully line up with the fiction, as the Mini-Cons in ''Armada'' are explicitly shown appearing during the Autobot-Decepticon war, long after the collapse of the galactic [[space bridge]]s.}}

[[File:Scourge-BudMiniCons.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Aloha e komo mai.]]

During the war against the forces of [[Planet X (Cybertron)|Planet X]], the citizens of [[Gigantion]] used their [[Cyber Planet Key]] to grow to colossal sizes and emerged triumphant. However, the sudden size discrepancy left them unable to interact with many of the computers and delicate machines they utilized. Thus, the Mini-Cons who’d arrived with the original colonists found a new role as “little detail” workers who assisted their larger companions with the delicate tasks and intricate work they could no longer perform as they toiled away on their endless construction projects. As a result of these unique selective pressures, future generations of Mini-Cons would convergently evolve a brain structure similar to a [[human]]’s, which offered an increased capacity for creative thought and lateral thinking. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}} As on Cybertron, individual Cybertronians could Powerlinx and formed symbiotic partnerships with their larger comrades. {{storylink|Giant}}

The citizens of Gigantion built an entire Mini-Con scaled city to house these smaller workers in-between construction projects; to accommodate the unique, human-like needs of its citizens, it featured ample greenery, playgrounds, museums, and even an amusement park. In time, however, this city, like all the other cities created by the citizens of Gigantion, would be quietly abandoned and sealed over millennia. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}}

During the [[Unicron Singularity]] crisis, [[Vector Prime]] brought [[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] and the [[Recon Mini-Con Team]] to Earth, where they quickly befriended the human children [[Coby Hansen|Coby]], [[Bud Hansen|Bud]], and [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]]. {{storylink|Fallen (episode)|Fallen}} When the search for the four Cyber Planet Keys brought Optimus Prime and his allies to Gigantion, several Mini-Cons accompanied Bud to the lower levels of their homeworld, where [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] taught his human friend their history. {{storylink|Scourge (episode)|Scourge}}

After reaching the ''[[Lemuria (Cybertron)|Lemuria]]'' at the core of Giant Planet, Gigantion leader [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] was forced to fight the renegade [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]]. Their battle ended when their respective Mini-Cons [[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Drill Bit]] and [[Heavy Load (Cybertron)|Heavy Load]] leapt in the way and forced the pair to come to a peaceful resolution. {{storylink|Optimus (episode)|Optimus}} After [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]’s final defeat, a number of Mini-Cons, both Cybertron and Gigantion, took part in the ceremony that marked the rebirth of the long-abandoned [[space bridge]] project. {{storylink|Beginning}}

{{--}}

=====''Cybertron'' comic=====
[[File:RevelationsPart5-MiniConCivilWar.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

By the time of the [[Unicron Singularity]] crisis, most of the Mini-Cons living on Cybertron had relocated to Cybertron's moons, where they established a number of self-sufficient colonies under the governance of an appointed [[Mini-Con Council of Sages|Council of Sages]] who desired independence from both the Autobots and Decepticons. As the Singularity threatened to consume Cybertron and its myriad satellites, Council member [[Anti-Blaze]] began work on a self-sufficent evacuation fleet that would take every Mini-Con to the [[S-K System]]... only for [[Thrust (Cybertron)|Thrust]], agent of a group of Mini-Con insurgents, to destroy six stellar cycles of work in an hour. This opening salvo heralded the beginning of the [[Mini-Con Civil War]] between Anti-Blaze's independents and a group of malcontents led by the [[Sky Terror Mini-Con Team]] and abetted by the [[Decepticon]]s. Although Anti-Blaze quickly marshalled a fighting force and pushed the rebels back into a neighbouring asteroid field, {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 11|Anti-Blaze, Scythe, & Checkpoint's profile in Club magazine #11}} rumours of a Decepticon superweapon prompted Anti-Blaze to swallow his pride and contact Cybertron for help. {{storylink|Revelations Part 4}}

Aided by a dimension-hopping [[Optimus Prime (RID)|Optimus Prime]], [[Ultra Magnus (RID)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Sentinel Maximus]], the remaining Autobots on Cybertron took the fight to the insurgents; the brief war came to a swift end shortly afterwards, when a reborn [[Unicron]] arrived on the battlefield and killed many of the rebel Mini-Cons while absorbing the life forces of their Decepticon partners. After Primus's reactivation and the subsequent closure of the Unicron Singularity, [[Alpha Trion (Energon)|Alpha Trion]] and [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] promised to assist Anti-Blaze in hunting down the remaining Mini-Con separatists. {{storylink|Revelations Part 6}}

{{--}}

=====''Timelines''=====
[[File:Astrotrain-CybComic.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

A hidden arsenal on [[Combatron (planet)|Combatron]] housed many of the most dangerous weapons known to Cybertronians, including several Mini-Con storage panels. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

The Powerlinx process involved a data transfer protocol; through this, a full-sized Cybertronian could obtain information from one or more Mini-Cons by linking with their data banks and reading their memories. The Powerlinx process could also prove extremely addictive, {{storylink|The Dark Heart of Sandokan}} to the point where some Cybertronians who'd completely succumbed to their addiction would force unwilling Mini-Cons to bond with them. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/18}} A few 'bots like [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]] would turn a mere partnership into a true symbiosis by undergoing a [[binary bonding]] process that physically merged the two together into a single shared robot form. {{storylink|Force of Habit}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/18}}

In the years after Unicron's second defeat, some Mini-Cons switched over to speaking [[Cybertronian Standard]] to facilitate communication with their larger partners, {{storylink|The Dark Heart of Sandokan}} although by this time some Cybertronians eschewed Mini-Cons and [[Energon star|energon chip]]s in favour of the more reliable [[Cyber Key]]s. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

{{--}}

====Panini ''Armada'' comic====
[[File:CounterStrike MirageCaptured.jpg|thumb|right|300px|They'll trip you up, give you a flat tire, or make your socks go missing in the dryer.]]

The war on Cybertron began with a series of Decepticon raids upon the planet's Mini-Con villages. Decepticons found ways to forcibly re-engineer the Mini-Cons so that they would power-link with unwilling partners. Although the Autobots rose up to fight back, some Mini-Cons viewed both sides with distrust—on one occasion, the Mini-Con separatist Dualor engineered a phony crisis that would wipe out both Optimus Prime and Megatron, but [[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] warned Optimus of the ruse and foiled his plan. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Counter-Strike!}} Eventually, Sparkplug and most of the remaining free Mini-Cons departed Cybertron aboard a spaceship, which later crashed on Earth's moon and scattered multiple Mini-Cons across Earth. {{storylink|First Encounter!}}

In [[1959]], the United States military chanced across the [[Land Military Mini-Con Team]], who'd they found buried underneath [[Los Angeles]]. The top-secret [[Extra-Terrestrial Response Division]] made an effort to understand the aliens, and later used [[inhibitor clamp]]s to turn them into mindless weapons, but the trio overrode the clamps, went rogue, and escaped to the nearby town of [[Stillwater]] before the ETRD recaptured their assets, but not before the team passed along a message to local human [[Amos Hume]]. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 6|Blast from the Past!}} Fifty years later, Rad White and his friends chanced across the crashed spaceship and triggered a planetary reactivation beacon that reached Cybertron. {{storylink|First Encounter!}}

[[File:FriendsAndFoes-MiniCons.jpg|thumb|left|300px|From the stars and the ancient past; they come to play, but they'll never last.]]

As the Autobots and Decepticons arrived to locate the lost Mini-Cons, Sparkplug and his allies initially declined to choose a side in the war, but later joined forces with Optimus and his troops. {{storylink|Friends and Foes!}} Despite the misgivings of both the humans and the Mini-Cons, Optimus Prime later decided to send the Mini-Cons back through a [[space bridge]] to Cybertron for safekeeping, but when they stood their ground against a Decepticon attack Optimus let them stay. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|No Way Back!}} Although Sparkplug, [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] tried to free the Decepticon Mini-Cons, they found that Leader-1 and his compatriots were quite happy to serve the Decepticons. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|Into the Lions' Den}} Other Mini-Cons like the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] were quite happy to remain independent from the war, {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 5|Devices and Desires!}} but later found themselves captured by the ETRD and learned what had befallen their brethren in the Land Military Team. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 5|'We Are Not Alone!'}} The team eventually crashed an ETRD auction and rescued their fellow Mini-Cons with the assistance of Rad and Amos. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 7|Sale of the Century!}}

In the meantime, Optimus and his forces rescued a number of dormant Mini-Cons from Megatron on the moon. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 6|Between Two Worlds!}} [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] later tried to force the Air Defense team to form the mighty Star Sabre by deactivating their personality chips, but without their individual personalities to modulate the sword's power Starscream nearly lost control of his weapon. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 7|[The Two-Edged Blade!}} Later, Optimus pretended to surrender the Mini-Cons in exchange for amnesty; {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Earthshaker!}}after his successful doublecross, the Mini-Cons adrift aboard a [[solar barge]] rescued themselves from [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Lost in Space!}} Dualor and the other members of the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]], seeking vengeance against ''all'' Cybertronians, Powerlinxed with Cyclonus and overrode his own motor functions until Starscream used a [[Sonic destabiliser]] to forcibly disengage the Powerlinx. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Dawn of Destruction!}}

====Reader's Digest ''Armada'' novels====
Four million years ago, the Mini-Cons found themselves caught in the middle of the Autobot-Decepticon war, which came to a head when the Mini-Cons were gathered in a giant orbiting storage facility as the ultimate prize. However, after the destruction of Cybertron's moon, both sides called a truce and sent the Mini-Cons away aboard a starship. Tho keep the Mini-Cons from being used by other alien races, their ship included a [[warp gate]] that would teleport representatives from both the Autobots and Decepticons should the need arise. However, gathering the Mini-Cons together had an unexpected side effect; their collective intelligence grew, and they developed feelings of independence and solidarity. By the time that their ship crashed on the Moon, the Mini-Cons' existence became a half-forgotten legend amongst the other Transformers as war reignited between the two factions; when humans discovered the Mini-Cons, the warp gate brought Cybertronians to Earth to continue their battle. {{storylink|Transformers Armada: The Battle Begins|The Battle Begins}}

====''Transformers Legends'' anthology====
In one reality, many thousands of years after their return to Cybertron, the Mini-Cons remembered and honoured the generosity of their long-dead human friends by celebrating [[Halloween]]. {{storylink|Something Robotic This Way Comes}}

In another universe, the Mini-Con [[QuickFire]] brought his comatose partner [[Riptide (Armada)|Riptide]] to Earth to recover. While Riptide's body and mind healed, Quickfire, who transformed into Riptide's engine block, could remotely control his larger partner's alternate mode. {{storylink|Lonesome Diesel}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
In a unique variation of {{w|Batesian mimicry}}, a number of Mini-Cons have adopted the names of particularly powerful or dangerous Cybertronians in an attempt to intimidate those who might otherwise capture them. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/15}}

In universe [[Aurex 1104.30-DB Zeta]], [[Brian Jones|Dr. Jones]] reverse-engineered [[combiner]] technology and applied it to a number of Mini-Cons. The upgrade changed them into [[Micromaster]]s, an entirely new breed of Transformer; with six beings Powerlinxing together, they packed tremendous energy into a frame no larger than the average Cybertronian. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 31/7/2015}}

The Mini-Cons of [[Aurex 304.0 Epsilon]] were creations of [[Primacron]], and sparked a three-way war between the Autobots, Decepticons, and [[Omnicon]]s until [[Megazarak (Universe)|Megazarak]] and the [[Destructicon (RID)|Destructicon]]s invaded. From this conquest, Megazarak acquried [[Caliburn (Armada)|Caliburn]] as his personal Mini-Con. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/11}}

In [[Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta]], time-travelling [[Maximal]]s and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]s fought the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]] for control of the Mini-Cons hidden on Earth. Although some Mini-Cons willingly joined forces with the Beast Warriors, others remained neutral. The conflict ended with [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]] and his followers rescuing all the Mini-Cons in [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s custody. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#August 8, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/13}} Another parallel-universe iteration of the Beast Wars in [[Aurex 615.03 Epsilon]] had the Mini-Con crews of the ''[[Hyperion (Armada)|Hyperion]]'' and ''[[Doomsday]]'' journey to [[Alpha Quintesson|Alpha Q]]'s [[Alpha Q's universe|universe]] to provide reinforcements. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/23}}

[[Vector Prime]] observed the many similarities between Mini-Cons, [[Micromaster]]s, and [[Cyberdroid]]s, and noted that, due to [[Trans-dimensional harmonic resonance|trans-dimensional harmonic resonance]], a Mini-Con might have identical counterparts who belonged to one of these other groups in other universal clusters, while small Autobots like [[Minimus Ambus]] had Mini-Con, Micromaster, and Cyberdroid counterparts elsewhere in the [[multiverse]]. More than once, Vector opined that the distinction between the three subgroups boiled down to linguistics—in his opinion, different realities used different names to describe the same core concept. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/05/20}} {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/06/07}}

====Spacewarp's Log====
Early in her career, [[Spacewarp]] spent her time searching for a rumoured "lost tribe" of Mini-Cons who'd fled the war and established a colony somewhere in the vicinity of the planet [[Tasumo|Tasmos]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime|Spacewarp's Log (1), 2015/10/30}}

===Generation 1 continuity family===
====3H comics====
[[Ramulus]] sardonically compared the timid [[CatSCAN]] to an "apologetic Mini-Con". {{storylink|Betrayal}}

====''Classics''====
[[File:Lastautobotnewworld.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

In the aftermath of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'s devastating attack on Cybertron in [[1991]], [[Hi-Q]] and a group of humans discovered the mythical [[Last Autobot]] and roused him from his slumber. Although the Last Autobot realized that his power would be needed elsewhere, he recognized that Cybertron had suffered severe damage and created a race of stewards who would gradually rebuild Cybertron and nurse the wounded world back to health. Using data acquired from the [[binary bonding|binary-bonded]] fusion of Hi-Q and the rebuilt [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s [[Action Master]] body, he created the Mini-Cons, and imbued each with a fragment of his own [[spark]] so that they could access his own formidable powers. [[Modus Prime]], the first Mini-Con created, became the leader of this new race.

Over the next fifteen years, the Mini-Cons worked to repair Cybertron, in anticipation of the day when all Cybertronians could return home; in addition to rebuilding the planet's infrastructure, the Mini-Cons waged a brutal extermination campaign against the [[Demon]]s and [[Mutant (G1)|Mutant]]s who dwelt in the planet's labyrinthine underlevels. However, as their work neared completion, a number of Mini-Cons began questioning their appointed roles after one Mini-Con, [[Broadside (Classics)|Broadside]], discovered the Decepticon philosophy; after more than a decade of waging war against Primus's discarded experiments, he grew fearful that Primus would cast ''them'' aside too. In the name of preserving the world they'd built for Mini-Cons and Mini-Cons alone, Broadside orchestrated the assassination of Modus Prime, silenced anyone who'd seen the crime, and lied about a fabricated "madness plague" to justify the quarantine of Cybertron. However, news of Broadside's role in the murder soon spread, and before long Cybertron collapsed back into a new civil war between Broadside's rogue faction and the loyalists. {{storylink|The New World}}

{{--}}

====Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity====
[[File:LegendsVol19-Groundshaker.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
The Mini-Cons of this universe are a sub-set of the diminutive [[Micromaster]]s. When most of the Micromaster population fell under the command of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] to found their own civilization on [[Micro|Planet Micro]], some elected to remain with the Autobots to help them continue the war. These little 'bots partnered up with larger Transformers, adopting weapon and equipment [[alternate mode]]s (in addition to their vehicular forms) which their partners could wield. Like the Mini-Cons from other universes, they provide their partners with a power-up by connecting to them when in weapon mode. Some of the earliest known include [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]'s partners [[Groundshaker (Legends)|Groundshaker]] and [[Phaser (G1)|Phaser]]. {{storylink|Transformers 2015 Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter|Tailgate/G1 Mini-Con Chapter}}

Evidence suggests that Mini-Cons would persist into the [[Beast Era]]: the enigmatic [[Wedge Shape]], as well as several of the combatants involved in the "[[Micron Booster#Micron Booster Ver. 4: Endless Battle—Eternal Prisoner|Eternal Prisoner]]" conflict, professed [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] allegiances. {{storylink|Micron Booster|Micron Booster Ver. 4}} Additionally, Mini-Con [[Dragoyell]] took part in the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. {{storylink|Dragoyell|Dragoyell's bio}}
{{--}}

====2005 IDW continuity====
[[File:ThePermanentRevolution-toocooltoenunciate.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]

After the conclusion of the [[First Cybertronian Civil War]], [[Micronus Prime]] left Cybertron aboard the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] [[Prion (Titan)|Prion]] and together they colonized a [[Prion (planet)|distant world]]. {{storylink|White Heat}} Using the [[Hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] within his body, Prion birthed a civilization of Mini-Cons. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}} Approximately seven million years ago, Micronus left the colony to fend for itself while he retreated into a unique sub-atomic realm known as [[Microspace]]. {{storylink|Crisis Intervention}}

In the 21st century, the peaceful planet met its end when the robo-phobic [[Black Block Consortia]] discovered and promptly sterilized the planet. The sole survivor, a female four-changer named [[Nickel]], joined up with the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] when they chanced across the ruined world a few days after the attack. {{storylink|The Permanent Revolution}}

When the Transformers first encountered the [[Stentarian]] species, they mistook the tiny [[Ammonite]]s for miniature Decepticons, and [[Brainstorm (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Brainstorm]] nicknamed them "Minicons". {{storylink|Little Victories}}

===Fun Publications ''Shattered Glass'' continuity===
[[Sideswipe (SG)|Sideswipe]] referred to his Micromaster partner [[Whisper (SG)|Whisper]] as his "Mini-Con", short for "mini-Decepticon". {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 25|Whisper's profile in Club magazine #25}}

{{--}}

===Live-action film series===
[[File:HeavyweightvsAutotrooper-CMW.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

Mini-Cons are a mysterious group of small Transformers. Known Mini-Cons include [[Longarm (Movie Mini-Con)|Longarm]], [[Scalpel (ROTF)|Scalpel]], [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], [[Chopster]], and [[Bomb-Burst (PCC)|Bomb-Burst]].

In a reality where [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] won the battle of [[Chicago]], he recruited a trio of Mini-Cons that included [[Boombox]], Scalpel, and [[Heavyweight]]. {{storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}} The whole lot of them were transported to [[Axiom Nexus]] when Megatron plummeted off a space bridge after a battle against [[Hot Rod (DOTM)|Rodimus Prime]]. Though Heavyweight and the other Mini-Cons were identified by the TransTechs, they overlooked Megatron himself, believing his truck mode to simply be a derelict heap. {{storylink|Megatron (Movie)#TransTech|BotCon 2015 Megatron bio card}}

{{--}}

===''Power Core Combiners''===
[[Commander (PCC)|Commander]]s had the ability to combine with Mini-Cons, which powered up their abilities in vaguely defined ways.<ref>[[Smolder (PCC)|Smolder]]'s bio, [[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]]'s bio, [[Heavytread (PCC)|Heavytread]]'s bio, and [[Salvage (Movie)|Salvage]]'s bio.</ref> Some power ups are given more specific descriptions: [[Huffer (PCC)|Huffer]] became faster, stronger, and smarter; [[Searchlight (PCC)|Searchlight]] got extended operational duration; [[Leadfoot (PCC)|Leadfoot]] became invisible to sensors; and [[Darkstream]] received enhanced maneuverability.<ref>See respective toy bios.</ref>

{{--}}

===''Animated''===
[[File:TheStunticonJob-Mini-Cons.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

The Autobots used Mini-Cons to guard high-security prison facilities like [[Trypticon Prison]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. {{storylink|The Stunti-Con Job}} Although Mini-Cons were supposedly loyal to the Autobot regime, a few cynics like [[Sideswipe (Animated)|Sideswipe]] had their doubts. {{storylink|The AllSpark Almanac Addendum}}

{{--}}

===Aligned continuity family===
[[File:Deployer DarknessRising3.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]

'''Mini-Cons''' (sometimes spelled '''Minicons''') are a race of small, human-sized Transformers who inhabit Cybertron's two moons. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}} Descendants of [[Micronus Prime]], the first Mini-Con,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/botcon-2011-hasbro-story-building-panel-172316/ TFW coverage of Botcon 2011 Hasbro Story Building Panel]</ref> they come in a great variety of shapes; though some adopt humanoid forms, others possess animalistic [[beast mode]]s instead.

In these realities, the majority of Mini-Cons do not Powerlinx with larger Transformers, and only Mini-Cons who have been specifically altered at the [[CNA|genetic level]] can utilize a variation of this power. Instead, Mini-Cons who form partnerships with the Autobots or Decepticons adopt specialized [[alternate mode]]s that allow them to interlock with their larger partners to form an additional layer of armor. These specialized "[[Deployer (WFC)|Deployer]]s", as they are known, can be summoned into action by their larger partner, whereupon they detach and transform back into their robot configurations. By the time of Cybertron's restoration following the end of the war, such Mini-Cons are subdivided into three groups: Autobot "buzzsaws," Decepticon "torpedoes," and unaligned "Cyclones," who have spherical alternate modes. {{storylink|Knock, Knock!}}

{{--}}

====Aligned novels====
Although some Cybertronians displayed prejudice against Minicons—[[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]] despised them, while [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Orion Pax]] associated them with distrust—they nevertheless had a political presence in the pre-war era, with representative [[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]] serving on the planet's [[Autobot High Council|High Council]]. Minicons could choose to communicate with other Cybertronians, but while conducting espionage or sabotage missions they usually communicated via a series of tightly coded electronic pulses.

During the buildup to the planet's Great War, the nascent Decepticon movement made extensive use of Minicons in various terrorist acts: thirty-six Decepticon-allied Minicons bombed the [[Six Lasers Over Cybertron]] amusement park, and another destroyed [[Fort Scyk]]. A number of Mini-Cons attended the fateful meeting of the [[Autobot High Council|High Council]] that saw Orion Pax promoted to the rank of [[Prime (rank)|Prime]].

When war broke out in earnest, a pair of Autobot-allied Minicon saboteurs stole the secrets of Decepticon [[combiner]] technology, which allowed the Autobots to create [[Defensor (WFC)|Defensor]]. Multiple Decepticon Minicons served aboard the [[Trypticon (WFC)|Trypticon]] facility during the final battle before the exodus to [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Transformers: Exodus|Exodus}}

====Cartoon continuity====
=====''Prime'' cartoon=====
[[File:DeusExMachina AMT-Party.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Did you bring hummus?]]

{{note|The Arms Micron backstory was told specifically in reference to the "partner" Microns packed in with larger toys, but it is assumed that it holds true for all toys called "Arms Microns" regardless of release type.}}

A new group of Mini-Cons were created on [[Earth]] when the planet's energon infused the Transformers' weapons with life and the power to transform. These new robots became known as the [[Arms Micron]]s. {{storylink|Arms Micron Theater}}

{{--}}

=====2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon=====
[[File:HuntingSeason Mini-Cons.jpg|thumb|left|300px]]

During the Great War, Decepticon scientists captured and genetically modified seven Mini-Cons into "[[Weaponizer (RID)|Weaponizer]]s", an aberrant group of Mini-Cons who could transform into weapons and override the motor functions of the Transformers who Powerlinxed with them. Anyone who could Powerlinx with all seven at once would become even stronger than even a [[Prime (rank)|Prime]]. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}} {{storylink|Worthy}} The project was incomplete when Megatron dissolved the Decepticons, and [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] discovered their stasis-locked bodies in the depths of [[Darkmount (Cybertron)|Darkmount]] while fleeing [[Skylynx (Prime)|Skylynx]] and [[Darksteel (Prime)|Darksteel]]. Before he could turn them to his own ends, however, the Weaponizers escaped and fell in with the [[Scavenger (RID 2015)|Scavengers]] to take them somewhere off Cybertron before Starscream could find them. {{storylink|Mini-Con Madness (RID)|Mini-Con Madness}}

Another group of Mini-Cons, known as [[Caretaker Mini-Con|Caretaker]]s, appear to have been mass-produced through some unknown process. While some members of this group, including those found aboard a wrecked spaceship from the Great War, acted like pre-programmed [[drone]]s, {{storylink|Deep Trouble (RID)|Deep Trouble}} the [[Autobot High Council]] considered them self-sufficient to the point where they could autonomously run large prison ships such as the ''[[Alchemor (RID)|Alchemor]]''. Some of these Caretakers, most prominently [[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]], possessed the capability for free will and independent thought, but reverted to a mindless "sentry mode" when [[Denny Clay]] tampered with his internal workings. {{storylink|The Trouble with Fixit}} When the ''Alchemor'' crashed on Earth, the freed Decepticon prisoners revolted and enslaved the Mini-Cons. When the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]] arrived to take the ship, they joined in overthrowing their captors and eventually returned to Cybertron. {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 1)}} {{storylink|Decepticon Island (Part 2)}}

[[File:MightyBigTrouble-Weaponizers.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]

Shortly after this, the Weaponizers arrived on Earth, pursued by Starscream and a number of rogue agents; after clashing with the Scavengers a few times, the Weaponizers sided with the Autobots. Starscream attempted to merge with the Mini-Cons, only for it to fail because [[Tricerashot]] was missing, but even after obtaining the power of all seven Fixit was able to activate a signal and separate [[Aerobolt]]. Aerobolt Powerlinxed with Optimus, and gave the Autobot leader the last boost of power he needed to destory the super-powered Starscream. Afterwards, Aerobolt and his fellow Mini-Cons left Earth aboard the Scavenger's sub-orbital ship to find a new planet where they could live in peace. {{storylink|Worthy}}

The [[Autobot High Council|Cybertronian High Council]] experimented on the Mini-Cons [[Stuntwing]], [[Trickout]], [[Goldgear]], and [[Hi-Test (RID)|Hi-Test]]; in addition to erasing their memories, they also received the power to upgrade Transformers through Powerlinxing and open [[GroundBridge]]s to the [[Shadowzone (dimension)|Shadowzone]] in order to assist Soundwave in his escape. {{storylink|Collateral Damage}}

{{--}}

=====''Rescue Bots'' cartoon=====
[[File:TheNeedForSpeed Bounce.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Back against the wall, you gonna give it your all.]]

After escaping the prison ship ''[[Alchemor (RID)|Alchemor]]'', the rogue Mini-Con [[Bounce]] fled through the [[Bee Team (RID)|Bee Team]]'s [[GroundBridge]] and made a mess of [[Griffin Rock]] until [[Blurr (Prime)|Blurr]] and [[Sideswipe (RID)|Sideswipe]] recaptured him. {{storylink|The Need for Speed}}

{{--}}

===''TransTech''===
The first dimensionally-displaced Mini-Cons to arrive in the city of [[Axiom Nexus]] were misidentified as [[Micromaster]]s until the discovery of the [[Aurex]] cluster. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/09}} During the "Mass Reemergence", numerous [[Mini-Con]]s in the Aurex Cluster suddenly appeared on the [[Transcendent Technomorph]]s' scanners. These Mini-Cons became pawns in the Autobot-Decepticon war and eventually attracted [[Unicron]], who sought to use them to make himself more powerful. Howeve,r the Mini-Cons combined their power to single-handedly defeat Unicron, and an unlikely peace prevailed when the Mini-Cons demanded to be left alone. The [[Transcendent Technomorph]] [[Heinrad (TransTech)|Heinrad]] emerged into this Aurex universe and offered the Mini-Cons a choice: stay and help the Autobot-Decepticon war effort, or leave to live in peace in [[Axiom Nexus]]. Most chose the latter option. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/05/09}}

Upon arriving in Axiom Nexus, many Mini-Cons who hailed from "Alpha" universal clusters, where Mini-Cons spoke their own unique language, failed the [[Ambus Test]] used to gauge the sentience of mechanical beings. Eventually, the Mini-Con [[Sprite]], native of a "Gamma" universe in which Mini-Cons spoke intelligibly, campaigned for increased awareness of Mini-Con rights. Thanks to her efforts, the Ambus Test was subsequently phased out and replaced with the more inclusive [[Turtler Test]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime#Facebook|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/16}}

==Toys==
[[File:Armada Blackout toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Blackout Powerlinxing with Demolishor]]
:Mini-Con toys debuted as the signature element of the ''Armada'' franchise, bringing the "micro [[play pattern]]" back to ''Transformers'' after many years' absence. Much like ''Armada'' itself, the Mini-Cons proved to be a smash hit with fans and kids, and Hasbro scrambled to include them in the subsequent franchises.

:Most Mini-Cons stand around 2" tall, roughly the same size as their [[Micromaster]] predecessors. Most Mini-Cons are considerably more complex, as well; unlike Micromasters, there's no single dominant transformation scheme. With dozens of molds, Mini-Cons cover a wide range of articulation, size, [[alternate mode]]s, and complexity. Aesthetically, their facial designs tend toward the unorthodox.

:Each Mini-Con includes one or more [[Powerlinx]] ports somewhere on their body, a [[5 mm post|5mm]] round peg-slot that allows them to be attached to any "[[Bulk]]" figure with a corresponding Powerlinx peg. These pegs were standard-issue on the larger, original-mold ''Armada'' toys, where at least one such peg could be used to activate various gimmicks on each large figure. Toys from subsequent franchises have featured Powerlinx pegs only as a static feature. Due to the center-peg of the Powerlinx port, they are incompatible with normal 5mm posts. Later Mini-Cons (starting with the ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' series) would sometimes have 5mm holes without the "signature" center-peg.

{{note|Because of the overwhelming number of Mini-Con redecos—we're talking well into the hundreds—the following list is of unique first-use ''molds'' only.}}

===''Armada''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''3-pack team molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Adventure Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Dune Runner (Armada)|Dune Runner]] (dune buggy), [[Iceberg]] (snowcat), [[Ransack (Armada)|Ransack]] (jeep)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Jetstorm (Armada)|Jetstorm]] (Concorde jet), [[Runway (Armada)|Runway]] (supersonic bomber), [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]] (space shuttle)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Air Military Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Gunbarrel (Armada)|Gunbarrel]] (cargo jet), [[Terradive (Armada)|Terradive]] (recon jet), [[Thunderwing (Armada)|Thunderwing]] (stealth bomber)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Destruction Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Buzzsaw (Armada)|Buzzsaw]] (excavator), [[Drill Bit (Armada)|Drill Bit]] (mining vehicle), [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] (tank)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Emergency Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Firebot (Armada)|Firebot]] (fire engine), [[Makeshift (Armada)|Makeshift]] (VTOL plane), [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] (police cruiser)}}
|
|width="40%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Land Military Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Bonecrusher (Armada)|Bonecrusher]] (missile transport), [[Knock Out (Armada)|Knock Out]] (armored personnel carrier), [[Wreckage (Armada)|Wreckage]] (tracked missile platform)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Race Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Dirt Boss (Armada)|Dirt Boss]] (rally SUV), [[Downshift (Armada)|Downshift]] (Le Mans racer), [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]] (Indy racer)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Sea Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Oceanglide]] (solar-powered boat), [[Stormcloud (Armada)|Stormcloud]] (speedboat), [[Waterlog (Armada)|Waterlog]] (hovercraft)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Space Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Astroscope]] (space station), [[Payload (Armada)|Payload]] (rocket transporter), [[Sky Blast (Armada)|Sky Blast]] (rocket)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Street Action Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (skateboard), [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (dirtbike), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (motor scooter)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Street Speed Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Backtrack (Armada)|Backtrack]] (sportscar), [[Oval]] (sportscar), [[Spiral]] (sportscar)}}
|[[File:Armada airmilitaryteam toys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Air Military Mini-Con Team]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Partner Mini-Con molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Incinerator (Armada)|Incinerator]] (partner: [[Blurr (Armada)|Blurr]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Refute (Armada)|Refute]] (partner: [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Hoist]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] (partner: [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] (partner: [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Supercon Optimus Prime]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Nightbeat (Armada)|Nightbeat]] (partner: [[Side Swipe (Armada)|Side Swipe]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Liftor]] (partner: [[Smokescreen (Armada)|Smokescreen]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]] (partner: [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] (partner: [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Rollbar (Armada)|Rollbar]] (partner: [[Scavenger (Armada)|Scavenger]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]] (partner: [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sparkplug (Armada)|Sparkplug]] (partner: [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Super Optimus Prime]])}}
|
|width="40%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Crumplezone (Armada)|Crumplezone]] (partner: [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Blackout (Armada)|Blackout]] (partner: [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Inferno (Armada)|Inferno]] (partner: [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Wind Sheer (Armada)|Wind Sheer]] (partner: [[Wheeljack (Armada)|Wheeljack]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Thunderclash (Armada)|Thunderclash]] (partner: [[Skywarp (Armada)|Skywarp]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Swindle (Armada)|Swindle]] (partner: [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] (partner: [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ramjet (Armada)|Ramjet]] (partner: [[Tidal Wave (Armada)|Tidal Wave]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Rook (Armada)|Rook]] and [[Crosswise (Armada)|Crosswise]] (partner: [[Sideways (Armada)|Sideways]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dead End (Armada)|Dead End]] (partner: [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]])}}
|
[[File:Armada Leader1 toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Leader-1, with wider hips than were entirely necessary.]]
</ul>
|}

===''Legends of the Microns''===
[[File:Armadatoy unicron of light.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Unicron of Light]]
*'''Hikari no Unicron''' (campaign prize item)
**''Accessories:'' Chest missile, 6 leg missiles

: The "[[Unicron of Light]]" toy is a [[redeco]] of ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Unicron/toys|Unicron]] in an emerald, light green, blue, and white color-scheme. This Unicron was the prize for a lucky-draw contest in Japan.
{{-}}

===''Energon''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''3-pack team molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Energon Saber]] Team''': [[Scattor (Energon)|Scattor]] (Concorde), [[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]] (space shuttle), [[Wreckage (Energon)|Wreckage]] (supersonic bomber)}}
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Street Action Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] (hoverboard), [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] (motorbike), [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] (four-wheeler)}}
|[[File:Energon saber.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|The Energon Saber]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Other'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|Kicker/Highwire 2-pack}}
|[[File:Energon Kicker HighWire toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Kicker with High Wire]]
</ul>
|}

===''Cybertron''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Partner Mini-Con molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Drill Bit (Cybertron)|Drill Bit]] (partner: [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|Metroplex]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Stripmine]] (partner: [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|Quickmix]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Heavy Load (Cybertron)|Heavy Load]] (partner: [[Menasor (Cybertron)|Menasor]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] (partner: [[Vector Prime]])}}
|
[[File:Cyb-toy HeavyLoad.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Menasor's partner Heavy Load]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''3-packs'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Recon Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (helicopter), [[Six-Speed (Cybertron)|Six-Speed]] (LeMans race car), [[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (pickup truck)}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Giant Planet Mini-Con Team]]''': [[Deepdive (Cybertron)|Deepdive]] (submarine), [[Longarm (Cybertron)|Longarm]] (double-crane truck), [[Overcast (Cybertron)|Overcast]] (military cargo plane)}}
|
[[File:Cyb-toy SixSpeed Kabaya.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Kabaya Six-Speed]]
</ul>
|}

===''Classics''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''3-packs'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Demolition Team]]''': [[Broadside (Classics)|Broadside]], [[Sledge (Classics)|Sledge]], [[Wideload (Classics)|Wideload]]}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Dinobot (Classics)|Dinobots]]''': [[Knockdown (Classics)|Knockdown]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], [[Terrorsaur (Classics)|Terrorsaur]]}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Night Rescue Team]]''': [[Divebomb (Classics)|Divebomb]], [[Firebot (Classics)|Firebot]], [[Strongarm (Classics)|Strongarm]]}}
{{Bp-a1|'''[[Clear Skies Team]]''': [[Nightscream (Classics)|Nightscream]], [[Steel Wind]], [[Thunderwing (Classics)|Thunderwing]]}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Dirt Digger Team]]''': [[Dirt Rocket (Classics)|Dirt Rocket]], [[Grindor (Classics)|Grindor]], [[Oil Slick (Classics)|Oil Slick]]}}
{{Bp-d1|'''[[Predator Attack Team]]''': [[Dreadwing (Classics)|Dreadwing]], [[Overbite (Classics)|Overbite]], [[Snarl (Classics)|Snarl]]}}
|[[File:TFC Clear Sky.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Clear Skies Team]]
</ul>
|}
{{-}}

===''Star Wars Transformers''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Partner Mini-Cons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
*[[TIE Fighter]]s (partner: [[Darth Vader]])
|[[File:SWTIE Fighter.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|TIE Fighters]]
</ul>
|}
{{-}}

===''Universe'' (2008)===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Partner Mini-Con molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] (partner: [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Universe .282008.29|Hot Shot]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Nightstick (G1)|Nightstick]] (partner: [[Cyclonus (G1)/toys|Cyclonus]])}}
|
[[File:UniverseHotShotJolt.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.4|Jolt with Hot Shot]]
</ul>
|}
{{note|Nightstick, despite being a [[Nebulan]] [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]], is oddly identified as a Mini-Con on the "Battle in Space" packaging.}}
{{-}}

===''Power Core Combiners''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Partner Mini-Con molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Airlift (PCC)|Airlift]] (partner: [[Skyhammer (PCC)|Skyhammer]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Backwind]] (partner: [[Searchlight (PCC)|Searchlight]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Caliburst (PCC)|Caliburst]] (partner: [[Huffer (PCC)|Huffer]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Chainclaw (PCC)|Chainclaw]] (partner: [[Icepick (PCC)|Icepick]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Chopster]] (partner: [[Smolder (PCC)|Smolder]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Groundspike]] (partner: [[Heavytread (PCC)|Heavytread]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Pinpoint]] (partner: [[Leadfoot (PCC)|Leadfoot]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Throttler]] (partner: [[Sledge (PCC)|Sledge]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Waterlog (PCC)|Waterlog]] (partner: [[Undertow (PCC)|Undertow]])}}
|
[[File:PCC-toy Chopster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Chopster (with Smolder)]]
</ul>
|}
{{-}}

===''Prime''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Mini-Cons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Laserbeak (WFC)|Laserbeak]] (Partner: [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ravage (WFC)|Ravage]] (Partner: [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]])}}
|[[File:Primetoy-HasbroTakaraTomy-Laserbeaks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Laserbeak with Soundwave]]
</ul>
|}
{{note|Neither Laserbeak or Ravage were branded as Mini-Cons on-package, with Ravage instead being referred to as a "mini-figure".}}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Arms Microns'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Arc]] (Partner: [[Arcee (WFC)|Arcee]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Arcee Blade]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[B.B.]] (Partner: [[Bumblebee (WFC)|Bumblebee]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Baro]] (Partner: [[Skywarp (WFC)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (WFC)|Thundercracker]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[B.H.]] (Partner: [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bido]] (Partner: [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bogu]] (Partner: [[Unicron]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bulkhead Knuckle]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Bumblebee Sword]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[C.L.]] (Partner: [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dado (Prime)|Dado]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dago]] (Partner: [[Frenzy (WFC)|Frenzy]] and [[Rumble (WFC)|Rumble]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Dobo]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Giza (Prime)|Giza]] (Partner: [[Nemesis Prime (Prime)|Nemesis Prime]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Gobu]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Gora]] (Partner: [[Megatron (WFC)|Megatron]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Guru]] (Partner: [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Hades]] (Partner: [[Megatron (WFC)|Darkness Megatron]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ida]] (Partner: [[Airachnid (Prime)|Airachnid]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Igu]] (Partner: [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Iro]] (Partner: [[Ironhide (WFC)|Ironhide]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Jaze]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Jida]] (Partner: [[Cliffjumper (WFC)|Cliffjumper]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Jigu]] (Partner: [[Dreadwing (Prime)|Dreadwing]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[L.P.]] (Partner: [[Lio Convoy]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Magi]] (Partner: [[Silas|Silas Breakdown]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Megatron Cannon]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Noji]] (Partner: [[Vehicon (Prime)|Jet Vehicon]])}}
|
|width="20%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[O.P.]] (Partner: [[Optimus Prime (WFC)|Optimus Prime]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Optimus Prime Blaster]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ozu (Prime)|Ozu]] (Partner: [[Wildrider (Prime)|Wildrider]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Pral]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[R.A.]] (Partner: [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ratchet Spanner]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[S.S.]] (Partner: [[Smokescreen (Prime)|Smokescreen]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sise]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sou]] (Partner: [[Swerve (Prime)|Swerve]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Ulma]] (Partner: [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)|Ultra Magnus]])}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Wheeljack Kunai]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Wuji]] (Partner: [[Wheeljack (Prime)|Wheeljack]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Zado]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Zori]] (Partner: [[Soundwave (WFC)|Soundwave]])}}
|[[File:Prime-toy OP.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|O.P.]]
</ul>
|}
{{-}}

===''Generations''===
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''3-pack team molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-mc|'''[[Mini-Con Assault Team]]''': [[Heavytread (Generations)|Heavytread]], [[Runway (Generations)|Runway]], [[Windshear]]}}
|[[File:Generationstoy-TakaraTomy-Centuritron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Centuritron and the Mini-Con Assault Team]]
</ul>
|}
{{-}}

===''Robots in Disguise'' (2015)===
{{stub|All the new Minicon toys, plus partners/enemies must be included}}
{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="40%" valign="top"|'''Individual Mini-Con molds'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Aerobolt]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Bashbreaker]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Beastbox (RID)|Beastbox]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Back|Decepticon Back]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Anvil (RID)|Decepticon Anvil]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Bludgeon (RID 2015)|Decepticon Bludgeon]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Divebomb (RID)|Divebomb]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Dragonus]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Glacius]]}}
{{Bp-a1d1|[[Lancelon]]}}
|
|width="40%" valign="top"| 
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-d1|[[Major Mayhem]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ransack (RID Mini-Con)|Ransack]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Ratbat (WFC)|Ratbat]]}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Sandsting]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sawback]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Sawtooth (RID)|Sawtooth]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Slipstream (RID)|Slipstream]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Tricerashot]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Velocirazor]]}}
{{Bp-a1|[[Windstrike]]}}
|
[[File:Slipstream RID 2015 toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Slipstream]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Partner Mini-Cons'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Jetstorm (RID)|Jetstorm]] (Partner: [[Drift (RID)|Drift]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Airazor (RID)|Airazor]] (Partner: [[Fracture (RID)|Fracture]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Hammer (RID)|Decepticon Hammer]] (Partner: [[Crazybolt (RID)|Crazybolt]])}}
{{Bp-d1|[[Backtrack (RID)|Backtrack]] (Partner: [[Overload (RID)|Overload]])}}
|[[File:RID15-toy Backtrack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Overload's partner Backtrack]]
</ul>
|}

{| style="margin-left:1em;" width="100%"
|width="20%" valign="top"|'''Other'''
<ul class="iconlist">
{{Bp-a1|[[Fixit (RID)|Fixit]] (One Step Changer)}}
{{Bp-a1|Fixit (Legion Class)}}
|[[File:2015 RID One-Step Fixit.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|One-Step Fixit]]
</ul>
|}

==Merchandise==
===''Attacktix''===
[[File:AttacktixMiniConS1.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Goooood.]]
*'''Mini-Con''' (Booster, 2006)

{{attacktix
|ID=TF01
|faction=Autobot
|class=Trooper
|special=Attackback - 4/26 (15%) success ratio
|cost=10
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (small missile)
}}
{{-}}

: The first assortment of Transformers ''[[Attacktix]]'' figures included a "generic" Mini-Con, based on [[Skyboom (Energon)|Skyboom]]. Each Mini-Con figure has 3 points of articulation, including waist and shoulders; however, their shoulders move together due to their gun. One of the shortest, most squat ''Attacktix'' figures, the Mini-Con is very stable despite its small base.

:Its Special Power, "Attackback", allows a free move and attack for any of your in-play Autobot pieces. Mini-Con is an excellent support figure for [[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine]], whose "Shootback" power allows up to three Mini-Cons to make a free attack.

{{-}}
[[File:AttackitxMiniConS2.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Eeeevil.]]
*'''Minicon''' (Booster, 2007)

{{attacktix
|ID=TF03
|faction=Decepticon
|class=Trooper
|special=Attackback
|cost=10
|speed=4
|attacktype=Shooter (small missile)
}}
{{-}}

:An as-yet unreleased redeco of the ''Attacktix'' "Minicon" (''sic'') piece is set for the second series' Booster Packs, though this time as a Decepticon-aligned piece. It features a color scheme not on any incarnation of the actual [[Sonar (Armada)|Sonar]]/Skyboom toy, but wouldn't that be neat? The exact details of its Attackback special power are as yet unknown.

: This piece was later characterized as "[[Bunker-Buster]]" in the members-only portion of the [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] website.

{{canceledattacktix}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*Why are they called Mini-Con, when 'con' sounds like Decepticons? According to [[Aaron Archer]], they just didn't think much about the name and there's no reason!<Ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE Youtube: "The Toy Armada: Transformers Armada Part 1 Behind The Scenes!"] Dec 14, 2021, 32:30</ref>
*During the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' line, the term "Mini-Con" was also the name of a [[size class]] which consisted of three-packs of small toys (which were also individually referred to as "Mini-Cons"). Other size classes from the ''Armada'' line were named "Super-Con", "Max-Con" and "Giga-Con". However, the name "Mini-Con" was the only one actually used in the corresponding fiction. In the toyline, it was ''also'' used for other small figures of the same size that were available as companion figures with the larger toys. Due to its use in fiction, the name was also carried over into subsequent lines such as ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'', and was used as (part of) the name of a price point again in the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' toyline, the "Mini-Con Class" consisting of two-packs. The later ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' toyline returned to the original three-pack style.
* There have been a number of characters or toys that either have Powerlinx "catcher" ports but are not Mini-Cons, or are recolored from Mini-Con molds (often even having the molded-in faction symbol) but who are nonetheless, according to their associated bios or fiction, not actually Mini-Cons. These include ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Caliburn (Universe)|Caliburn]], ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'' [[Laserbeak (Cybertron)|Laserbeak]], and the [[Search and Destroy Robot]]. Conversely, the ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (franchise)|Rescue Bots]]'' [[Transformers: Rescue Bots (toyline)|toyline]] credits [[Servo (RB)|Servo]] as a Mini-Con, while in the actual television show he's merely referred to as a "Cybertronian Helper Bot".
* According to [[Hirofumi Ichikawa]], Hasbro and Takara's design departments originally conceived the [[Omnicon]]s and [[Terrorcon (Energon)|Terrorcons]] as being "evolved" forms of the ''Armada'' Mini-Cons. Takara's marketing department, the only people directly talking to [[We've]], completely ignored this, so the [[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|''Energon'' cartoon]] established an entirely different backstory for the group. <ref name="ichikawa">[http://groups.google.com/group/alt.toys.transformers/msg/43847f79db724831 "Wing Saber vs. Mega-Dinobot: A Lesson"], Hirofumi Ichikawa at alt.toys.transformers</ref> A vestige of this idea ''may'' have persisted into [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: Energon (comic)|Energon]]'' comic, which depicts the Omnicons inhabiting the former Mini-Con villages, and features a scene in which the Mini-Con [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]] describes them as the product of an artificially-induced "evolutionary step". However, the comic never explicitly confirms that they ''are'' evolved Mini-Cons, so draw your own conclusions. Fun Publications would later canonise the idea for the pack-in comics continuity with [[Armada Volume 5|''Armada'' Volume 5]].
* A proposed episode of ''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|Transformers Animated]]'''s [[Transformers Animated season 4|unproduced fourth season]] would've focused on the Mini-Cons, who nominally ran Trypticon Prison, running amok in [[Detroit]] after Megatron teleported the prison complex to [[Earth]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Micron''' (マイクロン ''Maikuron''), '''Mini-Con''' (ミニコン ''Minikon'')
*''Dutch:'' '''Miniteam'''
*''French:'' '''Minican''' (France, cartoon dub), '''Minimodus''' (Canada and France, toys)
*''Korean:'' '''Micron''' (마이크론 ''Maikeuron'')
*''Mandarin:'' '''Mínǐ Jīn'gāng''' (迷你金刚, "Mini Vajra")
*''Spanish:'' '''Minimodus'''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Armada]]
[[Category:Attacktix]]
[[Category:Beast Wars species]]
[[Category:Classics species]]
[[Category:Cybertron species]]
[[Category:Energon franchise]]
[[Category:Factions]]
[[Category:Generation 1 factions]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Movie]]
[[Category:Gimmicks]]
[[Category:Mini-Cons| ]]
[[Category:Unicron]]
[[Category:Universe (2003)]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:War for Cybertron subgroups]]

Brian Goldner

2022-08-20T21:39:29Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig3|Brian}}
[[File:Briangoldner.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|The CGI summer blockbuster "[[Jenga]]" gets greenlit in 5, 4, 3... ]]

'''Brian Goldner''' ([[April 21]], [[1963]] – [[October 12]], [[2021]]) was the chief executive officer at [[Hasbro]]. He joined the company in 2000 from rival [[Bandai]], to help lead the company to refocus on its core brands such as ''Monopoly'' and ''Transformers'', after a disastrous year where Hasbro lost $144 million, costing hundreds of jobs and the closure of the former [[Kenner]] Cincinnati offices. The strategy was successful, and in 2006 Goldner was promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer. On February 11th, 2008, it was announced that Goldner was to replace [[Alfred J. Verrecchia]] as Chief Executive Officer of Hasbro, effective May 22, 2008. Oddly enough, Goldner also sat on the board of Molson Coors.

On October 10, 2021, Goldner stepped down from his position to take medical leave from a continued treatment of prostate cancer since 2014, with Rich Stoddart taking over as interim CEO. He passed away two days later.<ref>[https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hasbro-ceo-brian-goldner-to-take-medical-leave-01633910486?redirect=amp Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner to take medical leave]</ref><ref>[https://investor.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-announces-passing-beloved-leader-and-longtime-chairman Hasbro Announces the Passing of Beloved Leader and Longtime Chairman & CEO Brian D. Goldner]</ref>

==Involvement in ''Transformers Armada''==

Goldner was the origin behind [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|''Armada''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s]], wanting a 'back to basics' cars-Autobots-versus-Decepticons angle and also wanting a concept based on collecting, based on the 'collectible play' toylines in [[Japan]]. (Before being promoted to CEO, Goldner had been involved in the market-devouring ''Tamagotchi'' franchise) He also decided to bring back co-development with [[Takara]], which had dropped for years, to share the burden and make a line that would be big for both companies; they brought in a lot of toy concepts that would shape ''Armada''.<Ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE Youtube: "The Toy Armada: Transformers Armada Part 1 Behind The Scenes!"] Dec 14, 2021, 05:00 in and then later 10:10</ref>

==Involvement in the ''Transformers'' films==
[[File:HasbroCEO.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|]]

In [[2003]], Goldner, who was at that point head of Hasbro's toy group, learned that [[Hollywood]] producer [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]] was planning a military-themed movie. Goldner convinced Di Bonaventura to turn his film project into a licensed movie based on Hasbro's ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' line.<ref name="marketwatch">[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/goldner-scripts-a-blockbuster-as-hasbros-chief-transformer MarketWatch report on Brian Goldner, dated December 2008]</ref>

Following the US invasion of Iraq in March of 2003, however, a movie named "G.I. Joe" was no longer considered viable, so it was decided to change the project into a [[Transformers (film)|''Transformers'' movie]] instead.<ref name="murphylatino">[http://www.latinoreview.com/news/on-set-interview-producer-don-murphy-on-transformers-1502 Latino Review interview with producer Don Murphy.] (dead link)</ref> A ''G.I. Joe'' movie was ultimately produced several years later. For the ''Transformers'' movie, Goldner also helped bring together [[Paramount Pictures]] and [[DreamWorks]] along with [[Steven Spielberg]]. Goldner is officially credited as executive producer for the 2007 ''Transformers'' movie and its sequels as well as producing the ''G.I. Joe'' movies and other adaptations of different brands. He also appeared in several interviews for the movie and the associated toys and video games.
{{-}}

==Films executive produced==
*''[[Transformers (film)|Transformers]]''
*''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (film)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]''
*''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)|Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]''
*''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Transformers: Age of Extinction]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Last Knight (film)|Transformers: The Last Knight]]''
*''[[Bumblebee (film)|Bumblebee]]''
*''[[Transformers: Rise of the Beasts|Rise of the Beasts]]'' (Posthumous credit)

==Notes==
*He is the father of [[Brooke Goldner]], the voice of [[Cyberwarp]] in ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]''.

==External links==
*[http://www.forbes.com/profile/brian-goldner/ Profile on Forbes.com]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2131060/ Brian Goldner on the Internet Movie Database]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9ibZPdiMak Hasbro's in memoriam video]
*[https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/0L9RXr0c Brian Goldner's Kudoboard page]

==Footnotes==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goldner, Brian}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Executives]]
[[Category:Hasbro personnel]]

Transtech

2022-08-20T21:32:36Z

Charles RB: /* Cancellation */

{{disambig3|Transtech}}

'''''Transtech''''' was originally planned as the follow-up to the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Machines'' franchise]]. It would have begun in summer 2001, but was instead replaced by ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|Robots in Disguise]]'' while [[Hasbro]] geared up for ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]''.

In 2008, the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] used the ''Transtech'' designs as inspiration for the ''[[Transformers: TransTech|TransTech]]'' universe.

==Fiction==
Story-wise, not much is known about the original concept. It likely would have picked up on [[technorganic]] [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] following the events of ''Beast Machines''. It's also likely another [[Mainframe Entertainment]] CGI animated series would have supported the line, though no evidence of this has ever surfaced.

==Toys==
[[Image:TransScream.gif|right|150px|thumb|Nightscream would have been spared a lot of hate had he looked like this in BM.]]
The characters transformed into Cybertronic vehicles that in many cases had animal-like features/deco. Cheetor was a Cybertronic race-car with a cheetah-like paint job, for instance, and Prime (confusingly invoking [[Optimus Primal (BW)|Optimus Primal]]) was a truck whose front end looked like an ape's face. Designs were done by [[Draxhall Jump]] and had somewhat less traditional robot modes (Cheetor had large hoop "wheels" for shoulders and feet, for instance) and didn't always resemble older versions of the character very closely. The overall aesthetic was somewhere in-between ''Beast Machines''' odder moments and the highly complex designs from the [[live-action film series]]. Many of these designs were first shown at [[BotCon 2002]] (apparently without Hasbro's permission, as they were pulled from the booth halfway through the show) and subsequently made available online.

Online retailer [[BigBadToyStore]] posted a preliminary retailer list of early 2001 ''Transformers'' product in December 2000.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20001206140100/http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/news.asp</ref> In addition to revealing several unproduced and delayed ''Beast Machines'' toys, the listing indicated the intent of releasing ''Transtech'' in the summer of 2001 launching with 4 deluxes (Shockwave, Starscream, Cheetor and Silverbolt) along side 2 mega class figures and 2 Ultra class figures (the requisite Optimus and Megatron). A second wave consisting of a deluxe Rattrap and another unnamed deluxe was due shortly after this initial wave.

[[Image:TransCharge.gif|right|150px|thumb|Depth Charge replaces "[[Double Pretender|Bandito Spider]]" as coolest unmade TF ever.]]
The line would have included Maximals carried over from ''Beast Machines'':

*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]
*[[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]]
*[[Nightscream (BM)|Nightscream]]
*[[Silverbolt (Fuzor)|Silverbolt]]
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]]

A returning ''Beast Wars'' character:

*[[Depth Charge (BW)|Depth Charge]]

Returning Generation 1 characters:

*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]

[[Image:Starscream-transtech.jpg|right|150px|thumb|So close, yet so far away...]]
[[File:TranstechMegatron-StyleBoard.jpg|thumb|150px|Man, TransTech Megatron would be pure evil. He's stolen Gundam's Neue Ziel for a body!]]
And at least one new character

*[[Immorticon (TransTech)|Immorticon]]

Design sketches for a [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] and a [[Scavenger (disambiguation)|Scavenger]] of uncertain identity also exist.

The toyline got to the early [[Prototype|hardcopy prototype]] stage, and some prototypes, including Cheetor, Starscream, and Prime, have surfaced. None of them apparently reached a stage of production where real, usable molds were created, and so future release is extremely unlikely.

When Draxhall Jump made their design sketches for Transtech available, they also included a number of designs from other lines (such as GI Joe), but put them all under the "Transtech" header for their web page, causing a bit of confusion. This artwork included a work-up sketch of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] as a souped-up blue boom-box, which is often mistaken to be a member of the Transtech line.

{{canceledtoy}}

==Cancellation==

In a 2021 interview, [[Aaron Archer]] said the reasons for ''Transtech''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s cancellation were primarily that "sales were going down" on ''Beast Machines'' compared to ''Beast Wars'', which Hasbro felt was due to the darker story and how stylised the beast and vehicle modes looked. As ''Beast Machines'' was seen to have not worked out, the planned sequel was also dropped. A major secondary reasons is that Hasbro was seeing a changing of the guard, with [[Brian Goldner]] coming in as CEO and wanting to focus more heavily on Hasbro's own brands over licensed ones; he wanted Hasbro to be more directly involved in shaping these brands as well and be more 'back to basics'. As Archer put it: "Vehicles that looked like vehicles...and get back to a more traditional Autobot/Decepticon storyline." <Ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE Youtube: "The Toy Armada: Transformers Armada Part 1 Behind The Scenes!"] Dec 14, 2021, 05:00 in</ref>

At the time Hasbro was in severe financial distress: staff layoffs, big debts, and falling revenues for various reasons, most notably overestimating the continuing sales of Pokemon cards.<ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2000/12/06/news/hasbro/ CNN: "Hasbro warns on 4Q", December 6 2000]</ref><ref>[https://www.fitchratings.com/research/corporate-finance/fitch-lowers-hasbro-sr-debt-revises-outlook-to-negative-07-12-2000 Fitch Ratings: "Fitch Lowers Hasbro's Sr Debt; Revises Outlook To Negative"], December 7 2000</ref> If you need ''Transformers'' to make money and you think very stylised odd-looking cars are why ''Beast Machines'' didn't, you aren't going to want to make toys off the designs on this page.

The cancellation of ''Transtech'' led to the Japanese ''Car Robots'' cartoon and toyline [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|being imported]] as a stopgap measure while Hasbro and Takara began to work together to jointly create and launch the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' line.

==Notes==
* According to the creative staff of ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' at [[BotCon 2008]], ''Animated'' [[Blurr (Animated)|Blurr]]'s design is partially inspired by ''Transtech'' Cheetor, most notably the hubless wheels making up part of his feet.
* Though the toyline was cancelled, several of the designs have been adapted into other toylines. Notably [[Megatron (Armada)|''Armada'' Megatron]], [[Scavenger (Armada)|''Armada'' Scavenger]] and [[Landmine (Energon)|''Energon'' Landmine]].
* It may have followed up ''Beast Machines'', but BM's head honcho Bob Skir had never heard of Transtech until 2013.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DaZTNszyGU Moonbase 2 interview with Bob Skir], 1:33:20 to 1:33:44</ref>
* The designs for Toy Biz's ''Marvel Megamorphs'' transforming superhero toyline were done by Draxhall Jump as well. These designs strongly resemble their ''Transtech'' work, specifically with [[Hulk]] using Immorticon's design and [[Iron Man]] using Starscream's. Unfortunately, they don't resemble good toys, suffering from the same drawbacks most transforming toys from companies not used to making transforming toys do. For example: they suck.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://tfarchive.com/fandom/transtech/?dgallery=browse Transtech concept art gallery from TFarchive.com]
*[http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7202 Transtech Megatron Style Study Board]
*[http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7205 Transtech Megatron Destroyer Tank Concept drawings]
*[http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7209 Transtech Optimus Prime Style Study Board]
*[http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7210 Transtech Silverbolt Control Drawing]
*[http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7195 Transtech Cheetor Prototype]
*[http://www.behindthetoys.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7198 Transtech Starscream Prototype]
*[http://www.tf.to2k.co.uk/images.html Transtech concept art and prototype from Transformers Omniverse]

[[Category:Things that don't exist]]
[[Category:Toys]]
[[Category:TransTech]]

Aaron Archer

2022-08-20T21:25:08Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig2|the real-life Hasbro designer|the ''Animated'' supervillain|Angry Archer}}
[[File:Aaron-archer-botcon2005.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Aaron draws a portrait of Batman for fans at BotCon 2005. LEGENDS OF BATMAN!]]
'''Aaron C. Archer''' (born [[August 26]], [[1972]]<ref name="bday">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-general-discussion/187887-happy-birthday-aaron-archer.html TFW2005 thread for Aaron's 36th birthday.]</ref>) is a former high-ranking employee of [[Hasbro]].

Aaron's career was somewhat unusual insofar as he started out as a regular designer and eventually climbed up the corporate ladder.

As a designer, he first worked in Hasbro's [[Kenner]] division in [[1995]] after it was purchased by Hasbro a few years prior, working on toylines such as ''[[Batman]]'', ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Jurassic Park]]'', before being moved to ''Transformers'' during the [[Transmetal 2]] phase of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]''. There, he designed toys like the Transmetal 2 incarnations of [[Cheetor (BW)|Cheetor]], [[Iguanus (BW)|Iguanus]], [[Dinobot II|Dinobot]], [[Optimus Minor]], and [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]].

In the year [[2000]], the Kenner division was closed down and its product lines were fully merged into Hasbro. Many of the Kenner staff didn't want to relocate to [[Rhode Island]], including the incumbent head of the ''Transformers'' brand, but Aaron was willing to move and, in his words, said "I raised my hand and said 'I'll take ''Transformers'' if you're looking for someone to manage it'". <Ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE Youtube: "The Toy Armada: Transformers Armada Part 1 Behind The Scenes!"] Dec 14, 2021, 08:37 in</ref> Aaron was promoted to lead designer on ''Transformers'', where he played a large role in the planning of ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'', which was released in [[2002]]. He played a similar role in the development of ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' and ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Cybertron]]'', as well as ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]''. In addition to designing characters and planning out the toylines, Aaron also wrote the story concepts for all three ''[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]'' lines that were eventually <s>made manifest in the lines' cartoon series</s> ignored by the Japanese production companies. In the middle of all of this, in [[2004]], he was further promoted to design director.

In later years, he held titles such as "Snr. Design Director", "Director of Global Design and Development" (for the ''Transformers'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' brands) and, finally, "Vice President of Intellectual Property Development". In [[2013]], he resigned from Hasbro for initially undisclosed reasons.<ref name="aaronquit">[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=93321 "Aaron Archer No Longer With Hasbro, Yup"] at the Allspark.</ref> He later confirmed that his main reason was the increasing difficulty of developing "fun" toys while dealing with rising plastic prices and the constant pressure for cost efficiency.<ref name="tfcon2014">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-toy-discussion/997302-aaron-archers-statements-toy-design-tfcon-2014-a.html "Aaron Archers statements on toy design at Tfcon 2014"] at TFW2005.</ref> After living for about a year in Morganton, North Carolina, where they operated their own art studio, he and his wife have since moved back to Rhode Island.<ref name="transmissionsinterview">[http://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2014/10/transmissions-episode-70-aaron-archer-interview/ Interview with TransMissions Podcast] on 7 October 2014.</ref>

Aaron is relatively well known in the [[fandom]], partially because he spent several months posting to the boards at [http://www.tfw2005.com/ TFW2005] under the username "'''Orson'''", a name by which fans sometimes still refer to him. This is in turn a reference to [[Orson Welles]], the voice of [[Unicron]] in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

He now has a beard. And long hair. And a long forehead.

==Toys Aaron had a hand in designing==
===''Beast Wars''===
* [[Dinobot II#toys|''Transmetal 2'' Dinobot]]
* [[Iguanus (BW)#Transmetal2|''Transmetal 2'' Iguanus]]
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Transmetal2|''Transmetal 2'' Megatron]]
* [[Optimus Minor#toys|Optimus Minor]]

[[Image:ArcherinterviewArmadayearbook.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Proof that Archer is fluent in Japanese?]]

===''Armada''===
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Aramda|Hot Shot]]
* [[Smokescreen (Armada)#Toys|Smokescreen]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Armada|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Armada|Starscream]]
* [[Thrust (Armada)#toys|Thrust]]
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)#toys|Cyclonus]]
* [[Unicron/toys#Armada|Unicron]]
* Many, many [[Mini-Con]]s

===''Energon''===
* [[Signal Flare (Energon)#toys|Signal Flare]]
* Early [[Scorponok (Energon)#toys|Scorponok]] concept

===''Masterpiece''===
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th Anniversary.2FMasterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]<ref name="transmissionsinterview"/>

===''Transformers'' (2007)===
* [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Protoform|Protoform Optimus Prime]]

===''Universe'' (2008)===
* [[Acid Storm (G1)#Universe (2008)|Acid Storm]] (deco stripe pattern)

==Orson's World==
[[File:ActionAaron2009.jpg|thumb|200px|Aaron Archer did not actually have a magnificent beard when this internet drama was going on. Perhaps if he had, it could have all been avoided.]]

In early 2002, prior to the official launch of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' line, Aaron signed up to the boards of [http://www.tfw2005.com/ TFW2005] (then merged with the late Transfandom.net, later Transfandom.com) under the alias "Orson". After refuting a fan's pompous claims about the alleged properties of some of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' toys, the staff verified his identity as a Hasbro designer and created a special sub-forum for him, named "Orson's World". There, he would answer fan questions, but often only giving very vague hints or rejecting a carefully phrased, multi-point question with a blunt "NO." When the 2005 Boards split from Transfandom, "Orson's World" was migrated to the new TFW2005 site with Aaron's approval.

Aaron's stint as "Orson" eventually came to a sudden halt in September 2003, when he was asked by his superiors to refrain from any further posts at TFW2005 and have his "Orson" account as well as his entire posting history deleted. Aaron initially blamed Jack, the owner of [http://www.tformers.com/ TFormers.com], another [[Fandom|fansite]], for sending a "sour grape email" to his PR department.<ref name="grapes">[http://macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?s=&showtopic=1445&view=findpost&p=24805 Mirrored version of Aaron Archer's farewell message as "Orson".]</ref> Jack initially denied any involvement and threatened legal action for defamation of name, but later endorsed the termination of "Orson's World", without directly claiming responsibility: Allegedly, Aaron, in his "Orson" persona, had been behaving "unprofessionally", had been "rude" towards fans<ref name="tformers">[http://forums.tformers.com/talk/index.php?s=&showtopic=23309&view=findpost&p=420322 Jack's version of the story].</ref> and allegedly secretly supplied TFW2005 with photos of [[prototype]]s, thereby undermining a strict ban on photos of prototypes Hasbro had been enforcing for the better part of 2003. Other suspects blamed by "inside sources" were the staff of other fansites such as [http://www.seibertron.com/ Seibertron.com], [http://www.allspark.com/ The Allspark] (who later went on record several times denying any involvement, even explicitly mourning the loss of "Orson's World") and the owners of the late Transfandom.net/Transfandom.com, the latter of whom had allegedly phoned Hasbro and literally insulted their PR contact.<ref name="tfd">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160322074845/http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/1647228-post82.html Former Transfandom.com staff member telling his side of the story] (archived), [https://web.archive.org/web/20160322074846/http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/1647942-post91.html continued] (archived).</ref>

The true details of the goings-on behind the scenes that had led to the end of "Orson's World" will probably never be revealed in full. Which is probably for the better.

==Convention appearances==
*[[BotCon 2002]]
*[[OTFCC 2003]]
*[[OTFCC 2004]]
*[[BotCon 2005]]
*[[BotCon 2006]]
*[[BotCon 2007]]
*[[BotCon 2008]]
*[[BotCon 2009]]
*[[BotCon 2010]]
*[[San Diego Comic-Con]] [[2010]]
*[[BotCon 2011]]
*[[BotCon 2012]]
*[[Cybertron Con 2012]]
*[[BotCon 2016]]

==Fiction==
===''Lil' Jerry''===
Aaron Archer and [[Lil' Jerry]] answered fans' questions at BotCon 2005. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 6|Lil' Jerry's Big BotCon Adventure}}

==Notes==
[[File:Archerbot-04.jpg|right|180px|thumb|"Do you want ants? Because that's how you get ants."]]
* Aaron is a very, ''very'' bad speller. Reportedly, he was even known for this within Hasbro. The fact that he managed to rise that far up in the company's hierarchy despite his shortcomings in the writing field can be considered a testament to his skill, dedication, and effort in the areas in which he excels.
* Aaron's favorite Transformer toy during the original run was [[Perceptor (G1)#Toys|Perceptor]]. However, he felt Perceptor never got enough screen/panel time, which he attributes to the fact Perceptor turned into a difficult-to-utilize alternate form.<ref name="triple">''[[Triple Changer: From Toy To Comic To Screen]]'', [[Shout! Factory]] ''Transformers'' Season 1 DVD featurette</ref>
* His favorite Transformer that he designed is [[Vector Prime]].<ref>{{instagram|mine too|https://www.instagram.com/p/Bubcs5Kn9dr/c/17978356441205690/r/17907536086292250/|Aaron Archer|2019|05|03}}</ref>
* His favorite weapon concept is ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)| Armada]]'' [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]'s transforming wing/sword.<ref>{{instagram|The Wing-sword is my all time Favorite weapon concept.....|https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4zDnkneab/|Aaron Archer|2019|03|12}}</ref>
* ''Armada'' Optimus Prime was the only Optimus design by Aaron Archer, as his style wasn't suited to heroic characters.<ref>{{instagram|This was my only OP design, my style is geared toward villains. Most of the heroic characters all migrated to Eric @ericjsiebenaler after Armada. This OP was Built around the self transforming feature, so I didnt have the option of classic window chest design. I like the boxer feel to the armada leader and the bendy prime toys.|https://www.instagram.com/p/BvPVOZRnU2P/|Aaron Archer|2019|03|20}}</ref>
* The ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' Snow Job figure was the first toy Archer bought with his own money, and this, together with the Snow Cat vehicle, formed the inspiration for ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Snow Cat (Energon)|Snow Cat]].<ref>{{instagram|In my opinion #Energon #snowcat is the most personally indulgent design I ever put into the line. #unicrontrilogy My first true Hasbro toy love was #80s #gijoe, the first #toy I ever bought with my own money was #snowjob. I did and still do love specialty vehicles like the #snowcat, one of my favs from those days. So fast forward 20 years, sitting in my office looking for inspiration and I decided to do one of my childhood favs...as a #decepticon . and right down to the defrosted canopy wipeblade. #powertrip|https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmHPMHAZAV/|Aaron Archer|2020|09|01}}</ref>
* When the ''Energon'' '''Piranhacons''' (who would eventually become the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]) were first introduced in a Hasbro panel at [[OTFCC 2004]], [[Skalor]] was labelled "Archerbot" after Aaron as a joke, as Skalor's name had not yet cleared Hasbro Legal.
*[[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Protoform|Protoform Optimus Prime]] was designed by Archer in a single day in 2006, and was the last toy he personally worked on. He prefers [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#TLK-Protoform|the redeco from ''The Last Knight'']].<ref>{{instagram|Because of a late change in the #transformersmovie line, I had to design this toy in one day back in 2006. It was the last transformers toy I hands-on worked on. It is not a strong design so i was surprised to see a redeco at #toysrus yesterday. The color choices on this one are WAY better than the original.|https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQfgk0nipz/|Aaron Archer|2017|08|26}}</ref>
*[[Longarm (Movie)|Movie Longarm]] has an ''Orson's Towing'' logo on his door panels, a somewhat obscure nod to Archer.
* Aaron's name and likeness are the basis for the ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' character [[Angry Archer]]. He was unaware of the character until fairly late in production, but went along with the idea when the Cartoon Network team agreed to give him a "robot arm" to fit into the future setting more and made him left handed (Archer is left handed).
* At the [[BotCon 2008]] Hasbro panel, Archer revealed that he was unable to find the [[Walmart|Wal-Mart]]-[[exclusive]] [[Starscream (G1)/toys#MasterpieceUS|''Masterpiece'' Starscream]] at Wal-Mart retail stores. He was forced to purchase one off [[eBay]].
* Archer was featured on Shout! Factory's G1 Bonus Features "Triple Changer: From Toy to Comic to Screen", "The Combiner: Forming the Transformers Animated Series" and "The Autobots, the Decepticons & the Fans". He was also featured on Shout! Factory's Beast Wars Bonus Features "Maximize! Creating A New Breed Of Transformer" and "Remembering the Spark".
* At his [[BotCon 2016]] panel, he claimed to have designed more Jar Jar toys than anyone else.
* He continues to draw updated versions of ''[[Unicron Trilogy continuity family|Unicron Trilogy]]'' characters (usually from ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'') and often uploads pictures of them to his Instagram account, sometimes with a little bit of background information as to where the inspirations for the designs originally came from.

==External links==
*[https://archermonster.com/ Aaron Archer's website]
*[https://www.instagram.com/archermonster_creative/ Aaron Archer on Instagram]
*[https://twitter.com/archermonster Aaron Archer on Twitter]
*[https://www.facebook.com/archermonsterart Aaron Archer on Facebook]
*[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-HHHcnrMk8hS7IbYz_gcA The Toy Armada with Aaron Archer]
*[http://www.transformersclub.com/TFCCwedding.cfm Photos of Aaron Archer's wedding]
*[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-Archers-beard/102205256483486 Fans of Aaron Archer's beard]

===Interviews===
*March 2003—[https://tformers.com/matrix/interviews/archer.html TFormers] (at the [https://tformers.com/1116 Hasbro Collectors Event])
*July 2007—[http://web.archive.org/web/20070710020958/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362808&Category=20&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0 CantonRep.com] (archived)
*2007—[http://web.archive.org/web/20070930003802/http://www.fieldsedge.com/Transformers.html FieldsEdge.com] (archive)
*July 2012—[https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/twincast-podcast-episode-51-bruticus/25481/ Seibertron] ([https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/sdcc-2012-coverage-interview-with-hasbros-aaron-archer-and-jerry-jivoin/25465/ transcript]) (with [[Jerry Jivoin]])
*July 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b39MtQvdsEs TFcon Toronto]
*July 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0mxP_ykuro Vangelus]
*October 2014—[https://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2014/10/transmissions-episode-70-aaron-archer-interview TransMissions]
*October 2014—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYq7ujMTOBk Transformers For Your Listening Pleasure] (with [[Rik Alvarez]])
*March 2020—[https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/interview-with-hasbro-legend-and-comic-book-artist-aaron-archer/ First Comics News]
*March 2020—[https://www.tfradio.net/2020/03/30/aaron-archer-interview/ Radio Free Cybertron]
*December 2021—The Toy Armada ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNgWvNmMJfE ''Armada'' Part 1], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j7kdLZv8Ck ''Armada'' Part 2])
*June 2022—[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnwx7GolUgs Transformers Slag Podcast]
*June 2022—The Toy Armada ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E54sqYe2cPE ''Alternators'' Part 1])

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer, Aaron}}
[[Category:Beast Era designers]]
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Hasbro designers]]
[[Category:Lead designers]]
[[Category:Movie designers]]
[[Category:Masterpiece designers]]
[[Category:Unicron Trilogy designers]]
[[Category:Universe (2008) designers]]

Albitron

2022-06-04T21:02:10Z

Charles RB:

{{factions|maximal|autobot}}
:''Albitron is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Beast Era]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Albitron2PackBoxArt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Non-evil albino? Not possible in fiction.]]
'''Albitron''' is a renegade Autobot.

==Fiction==
===''The AllSpark Almanac''===
The [[Starscream (Armada)|Ulchtar]] of [[Aurex 603.0 Kappa]] broke into [[Primax 388.0 Gamma]] [[Micro|Zone]]'s [[Planet Micro Satellite Penitentiary|Satellite Penitentiary]]. There, he retrieved the [[personality component]]s of the renegade Autobots [[Screechwing]], [[Spiketail]], [[Nightprowler]], Albitron, and [[Leatherhide (Universe)|Leatherhide]]. The five formed the [[Combatibot]]s that could merge to form [[Toxitron (Zone)|Toxitron]]. {{storylink|Transformers Animated: The AllSpark Almanac II|The AllSpark Almanac II}}

===''TransTech''===
In an interview with [[Rook (TransTech)|Rook]], [[Stungun (TransTech)|Stungun]] noted that he had been in rooms full of [[Megatron (disambiguation)|Megatron]] lookalikes, including Albitrons. {{storylink|Rook - Axiom Nexus News: Investigative Journalist|Rook - Axiom Nexus News, 2015/07/29}}
{{--}}

==Toys==
===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:Albitron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Hell in a handbag.]]
:[[Men in Black]], who had previously created the [[Onyx Primal]] exclusive for [[BotCon 1996]], wanted to make two exclusives for their non-licensed Transcon2 convention in 1997. Albitron and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], repaints of the original ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Megatron]] and [[Terrorsaur (BW)|Terrorsaur]] respectively, would have been available singly as well as in a two-pack.

:However, Men in Black violated their contract and solicited the toys in two full-page ads before they had gotten approval for them from [[Hasbro]], which led Hasbro to turn down the proposal. Only one (hand-painted) [[Prototype|mock-up]] of the Albitron toy is known to exist.
{{BWBasicMegatronMold}}
{{canceledtoy}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The unofficial [[BotCon]] 2022 convention would create their own exclusive evil albino alligator called Albitron as an obvious homage.<ref>[https://tformers.com/46066 TFormers: "BotCon 2022 Convention Box Set Part 1 Revealed - Terracons Dragonfire & Albitron!"]</ref>
==External links==
*[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers.html Proofs of the Albitron & Swoop box on Toyarchive.com]

[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Zone Autobots]]

BotCon

2022-06-04T21:01:04Z

Charles RB:

[[File:BotCon2008-FridayFloor.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|That sign down front is good advice. Especially for your bank account.]]

'''BotCon''' was Transformers Nerd Mecca.

It was the annual [[convention]] for Transformers fans and collectors. The convention was held, in one form or another, annually starting in [[1994]]. Locations changed from year to year. Though originally "unofficial" (wink wink), it became the officially-official Transformers convention in 2002, openly and fully endorsed and licensed by [[Hasbro]]. For a short period of time after this, it was known simply as the '''Official Transformers Collectors' Convention'''.

In [[2016]], Hasbro removed the license from then-showrunners [[Fun Publications]], making [[BotCon 2016]] the final "BotCon" show. [[HasCon 2017]] acted as a convention for all of Hasbro's brands, ''Transformers'' included.

On February 3, 2020, [[Karl Hartman]] posted that BotCon would return in 2021,<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/2020/02/its-official-botcon-is-back/ News article from The Allspark, 3 February 2020]</ref> though no longer as a Hasbro-sponsored event. It was then delayed again due to the COVID-19 pandemic<ref>[https://www.allspark.com/2021/02/botcon-has-updated-information-about-scheduling-and-other-news/ Reschedule announcement from Allspark, 22nd Feb 2021]</ref> and sparked a fandom backlash over management. Eventually it was confirmed for the end of August 2022.

The name "BotCon" comes from both "ro'''bot''' '''con'''vention", and the names "[[Autobot|Auto'''bot''']]" and "[[Decepticon|Decepti'''con''']]".

==Individual conventions==
For details of each convention, click on the appropriate link below.
{{chapters|align=left|title=BotCons:|content=
<div class="list-header">1990s:</div>
*[[BotCon 1994|1994]]
*[[BotCon 1995|1995]]
*[[BotCon 1996|1996]]
*[[BotCon Japan 1997|Japan 1997]]
*[[BotCon 1997|1997]]
*[[BotCon 1998|1998]]
*[[BotCon Japan 1998|Japan 1998]]
*[[BotCon Europe 1999|Europe 1999]]
*[[BotCon 1999|1999]]

 <div class="list-header">2000s:</div>
*[[BotCon 2000|2000]]
*[[BotCon Japan 2000|Japan 2000]]
*[[BotCon 2001|2001]]
*[[BotCon 2002|2002]]
*[[BotCon Europe 2002|Europe 2002]]
*[[OTFCC 2003]]
*[[OTFCC 2004]]
*[[BotCon 2005|2005]]
*[[BotCon 2006|2006]]
*[[BotCon 2007|2007]]
*[[BotCon 2008|2008]]
*[[BotCon 2009|2009]]

 <div class="list-header">2010s:</div>
*[[BotCon 2010|2010]]
*[[BotCon 2011|2011]]
*[[BotCon 2012|2012]]
*[[BotCon 2013|2013]]
*[[BotCon 2014|2014]]
*[[BotCon 2015|2015]]
*[[BotCon 2016|2016]]

}}

==BotCon history==
[[File:BotCon94Program.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|BotCon: Slightly less old than the photocopier.]]
The [[BotCon 1994|first BotCon]] was held in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1994. Organized by brothers [[Jon Hartman|Jon]] and [[Karl Hartman]], the convention had 180 attendees. [[BotCon 1995]] was organized by [[Raksha]], a prominent figure in the fan community, and 1996 by [[Men in Black|Men in Black Productions]], headed up by [[Dennis Barger]]. During this time, the show primarily took up a single space at the convention center, with the dealer room and panel space in the same area. Botcon 1996 added a small art room just outside the main hall, and had a one-night video event in another small space. Guests were minimal, being mostly only that year's [[Hasbro]] representatives.

In 1997, the Hartmans took the BotCon name back (since they owned it and only licensed it out to the previous organizers) and brought fellow fan [[Glen Hallit]] into the fold, forming [[3H Productions|3H Enterprises]] (based upon the first letter of all three organizers' last names). In response to the lukewarm-at-best reception to 1996's show, 3H's [[BotCon 1997]] would pile on the improvements and additions, quickly establishing multiple features that have since come to be expected as standard at any BotCon (see below).

(One other thing that happened with BotCon 1997 is that the [[Wu-Tang Clan]] were performing in an arena next door, and their fans got rowdy and caused the hotel to be evacuated!)

Each year's show would get bigger and bigger, taking up multiple rooms throughout the weekend. During this era, the BotCon name was also licensed out for several conventions outside of the United States. It was repeatedly stated by the organizers that BotCon was a labor of love, because they sure weren't making any money off it. In fact, it was several years into the life of 3H before they were able to say the convention was "in the black".

[[File:OTFCC logo.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|THIS... is the wave of the future! What's that? Really? We now return you to your regularly scheduled convention.]]

At [[BotCon 2002]], it was announced that 3H had secured the officially-official Transformers convention license (they'd been "unofficially" endorsed by Hasbro for years prior, but this was kind of the "putting a ring on it" moment), as well as licenses to produce comic books and start a fan club. However, the Hartmans were pressured by Hallit out of planning or running the convention, leaving Glen Hallit as the sole organizer. As a result, the BotCon name, which was owned by the Hartmans, ceased to exist for a time, as 3H's convention was called "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention," or OTFCC for short.

In 2004, BotCon made a comeback as an [[unofficial conventions|unofficial convention]], which was held in Pasadena, California. The history of the BotCon franchise up to that point was covered in great detail in the ''[[Unofficial guidebooks|BotCon Legends]]'' magazine. At the end of 2004, 3H lost all its ''Transformers'' licenses, which were soon picked up by [[Fun Publications]], owned by [[Brian Savage]]. The Hartman brothers accepted places in an advisory board for the new convention, along with other prominent fans [[Ben Yee|Benson Yee]] and [[Rik Alvarez]], and the convention became "BotCon" once again.

BotCon attendance grew steadily over the years, with dramatic increases with the advent of the [[live-action film series]] in particular. Though Fun Publications generally did not release attendance numbers, there are casual estimations that between pre-registrants and walk-ins, attendance is somewhere around the 3000~4000 mark for the last few years. ([[BotCon 2009]] in Pasadena is particularly noted for having a ''massive'' number of walk-in attendees, with the line easily stretching around the block even on late Sunday.)

In February 2012, people who'd renewed their fan club membership or bought items from BotCon's store found their credit cards had been compromised. FunPub refunded people and assured them "all of your transactions are in a secure socket with the strongest encryption available to any site on the web".<ref>[https://tformers.com/transformers-fun-publications-releases-statement-regarding/17152/news.html TFormers.com: "Fun Publications Releases Statement Regarding Increase In Fraud Associated with Credit Cards Tied to Club Purchases"], 9th Feb 2012</ref> This turned out to be a porkie: over time it would come out that they had quite terrible website security and the credit card info was allegedly kept in an unencrypted text file (eeeek!!).

BotCon 2014 was their big anniversary special, with fiction and toys harking back to the Omega Point, Wreckers, and Universe stories, and returning BotCon-created characters like Flamewar.

In 2016, Hasbro announced that it was not continuing the licensing of BotCon through Fun Publications after BotCon 2016, as well as discontinuing the Collectors' Club rights at the end of that year. [[HasCon 2017]], a multi-Hasbro-brand show seemingly aimed more at families and younger children, was announced later, and naturally ''Transformers'' was a major feature. However, a planned [[HasCon 2019]] event was ultimately cancelled.

In January 2020, it was announced that BotCon would be returning the following year under new management, though the event is no longer sponsored by Hasbro. In February 2021, however, it was announced that it'd be returning in 2022 instead (due to that ongoing "pandemic" thing). In spring of 2021, various fans would ask questions about who the new management was (many unhappy if [[Pete Sinclair]] was involved) and Botcon and its team would ''not'' respond well, with some fans being harassed. From April 2022, BotCon started to announce guests and on 31st May, it would reveal the exclusive toys: a collection of OC-do-not-steal beast warriors with homages to FubPub's [[Soundwave (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Soundwave]] & [[Ravage (SG)|Ravage]] (Motley Roo and Josey) and 3H's unmade [[Albitron]] (er, Albitron).<ref>[https://tformers.com/46066 TFormers: "BotCon 2022 Convention Box Set Part 1 Revealed - Terracons Dragonfire & Albitron!"]</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/BotCon/status/1532483054081658886 BotCon twitter 2nd June: Soundwave and Motley Roo posed together as "next to his sister from another mister"]</ref> (Unlike the olden days, these were original figures made by 52Toys)

{{-}}

==BotCon basics==
BotCon featured exhibitions of loads of Transformers merchandise and toys all on tables for sale. These are commonly traded among fans and sell for extortionate amounts on eBay. Other stuff included cosplaying, art contests, and signatures from numerous voice actors.<ref>http://www.botcon.com/BotCon2016/Louisville%202016.pdf</ref>
{{stub}}

{{-}}

==Special guests==
Over the years, BotCon featured many individuals who have worked to bring the Transformers multiverse to life, including voice actors, animation staff, comic creators, and design team members from both [[Hasbro]] and [[TakaraTomy]]. Guests usually had a question-and-answer panel (or two), and were most often openly available for autographs and general talking throughout the show. Fun Publications also set autograph table schedules for most of its guests.

''See also:''
*[[:Category:Convention guests]]

==Exclusive toys and merchandise==
[[File:G2-toy Breakdown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|1994 exclusive: Hasbro's leftovers.]]

One of BotCon's most popular features was the sale of [[exclusive]] toys to the guests. Although the toys were always unique, financial costs prohibit the creation of entirely new molds. As such, the toys were [[redeco]]s of previously used toys, but given new identities, occasionally switching allegiances and even gender. From 2003 on, various toys have had [[retool|new toolings]] added to them, most typically new heads. After the convention, exclusive toys often became valuable collector's items in the community, particularly among fans who missed the convention. However as time went on (and the sheer amount of available ''Transformers'' product on the market exploded) this was less and less assured, and in fact by the end of BotCon's run, many exclusives from the entire history of the show had their secondary market values shrink considerably.

BotCon 1994 featured a single toy, ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Breakdown (G1)#Generation 2 2|Breakdown]], which was originally developed for retail but canceled. 1995 saw the first toy ''specifically'' made for the convention, [[Nightracer (G2)|Nightracer]]. 1996 had the first (and thankfully ''only'') dealer-exclusive toy, which was just the regular exclusive [[Onyx Primal]] with gold lettering stamped on his back and a new box.

3H then upped the ante in 1997 with two toys sold in a single set. The following year had two toys again, but this time sold individually. Over the next decade the number of toys per year grew steadily, ''coincidentally enough'' (wink) as the franchise's retail presence did. In [[OTFCC 2003|2003]], the convention offered the first (and only) "hotel exclusive", [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Sunstreaker]], which attendees could get by getting a room in the official block at the convention hotel. In [[BotCon 2005|2005]] with the changeover to Fun Publications, the number of toys made for the show took a massive jump from 2004's four exclusives to a whopping ''ten'' (if you don't count "[[army-building]]" duplicates sold in multi-packs); a main "box set" of toys, an "attendance freebie" available only to those directly attending the convention, and multiple additional souvenir sets. Fun Publications had used this model for exclusives for their official ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' convention since 2002.

[[File:BC-toy G2Redux-Boxset.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|2010 exclusive: Big box set including a loving homage to Hasbro's leftovers. (Keep in mind, this is only ''half'' of the toys available that year.)]]

The identity and design of the toys were originally kept a close secret until the opening of the convention, although in the later years of the convention the organizers often chose to reveal one or more of the exclusives ahead of time, due to repeated problems with stolen prototypes being sold on eBay, plus the need to hype the convention as awareness of Transformers grew. Fun Publications revealed the identities of the box set toys months before the show, over the course of several weeks, while keeping its freebie and souvenirs a secret until the first day of the convention (though factory thieves tend to get their hands on production samples and reveal them anyway).

Through most of the 3H run, the toys were —for the most part— available in an "a la carte" method, with the attendee choosing which toys they wanted with their registration... even though the toys were held a secret up until the convention proper, for a while, at least. By OTFCC, 3H began revealing exclusives beforehand in order to push attendance numbers. These toys were available ''only'' to attendees; people who couldn't make it were more or less relegated to having an attending friend pick up extras, or dealing with [[eBay]]. [[BotCon Europe 2002]]'s [[Rook (Universe)|Rook]] would be the first convention toy made available to non-attendees, partially due to the sheer demand for him outside Europe, and partially because 3H had to order ''so many'' just to get the toy made that they were drowning in them. A few other toys would follow suit for the same "overproduced" reason.

The switchover to Fun Publications' model of a big box set that could not be broken up initially [[Ruined FOREVER|caused some contention in the fandom]]. However, they also offered the box set to non-attendees right out of the gate. In addition, the set also came in "bagged" form, with just the figures, accessories and bio cards, as an add-on to a boxed set. The attendance freebie and souvenirs were for attendees only... up until the end of the convention. Any souvenirs unsold by the con's end were put on the Club store for members to purchase. The attendance freebie, however, remained not-for-sale (though Fun Publications has used them as prizes for online contests).

[[File:BotCon2010-customclassSideswipe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|And there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.]]

Starting in [[BotCon 2004|2004]], a toy customizing instructional class was added to the BotCon schedule, and the first attempt to create a unique toy/character from this event was in [[BotCon 2005|2005]]. Since then, the customization class exclusive was the rarest of each year's exclusive toys, limited to roughly 50 pieces. Most of these customization class exclusives were unpainted samples of production toys, which participants assembled themselves and apply a suggested paint job. In [[BotCon 2010|2010]], ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Timelines|Sideswipe]] was the first customization class exclusive with entirely new plastic colors not found in previous releases of the mold, creating an instant "holy grail". For [[BotCon 2013|2013]], in response to the fandom's ever-growing demand for Things They Can't Have, the toy was also offered as an add-on to normal attendees, unpainted but fully assembled (as Hasbro is not super-keen to let unassembled Transformers out there willy-nilly).

Over the years, a wide variety of non-toy merchandise was made available as well. Almost every year featured an exclusive T-shirt, and in the last few years of the show, posters and prints became more common. The Fun Publications box sets each featured an exclusive pin, plus the first 100 attending pre-registrants got ''another'' special pin. Quite a few other more esoteric pieces were made, including wristwatches, lollipops(!), pitchers and glass sets, accessory kits, and more.

''See also:''
* [[:Category:Convention exclusives]]
* [[:Category:Customization class toys]]

{{-}}
===Proposed/unreleased exclusives===
A number of toys were planned over the years but never produced, for various reasons. Note that some of these entries are essentially jokes from the organizers' brainstorming sessions, which they then later mentioned to other fans:

[[File:OTFCC05-Megatronunused.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Show me "What we can [[BotCon 2016|finally]] [[Megatron (BW)/toys#Combiner Wars|stop asking]] [[Fun Publications]] about for $1000," Alex.]]

*The exclusive for [[BotCon 1994]] could have been the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|''Generation 2'']] version of [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], before they decided to go with [[Breakdown (G1)#Generation 2|Breakdown]].
*Lickme, a redeco of [[Spittor (BW)|Spittor]] as a Poison Arrow Frog. Function: Psychological Warfare. Mentioned at the BotCon '99 Organizers Panel.
*[[Jai-Alai]], a black redeco of [[Manterror]]. Function: Ninja. Mentioned at the BotCon '99 Organizers Panel.
*[[Cataclysm (BW)|Cataclysm]], a green and purple redeco of Transmetal [[Cheetor (BW)/toys|Cheetor]]. This character actually appeared in the convention storyline and was thought to be the lower priced exclusive in 2000 until Apelinq was revealed instead. It is unclear whether Cataclysm was ever truly intended to be released.
*[[Rodimus Primal|Optimal Rodimus Primal]], mentioned by the Hartmans at the organizer's panel at [[BotCon 2000]], this would have been an updated version of Rodimus Prime made from the Optimal Optimus mold. Plans were nixed very early on as [[Primal Prime#Beast Machines|Primal Prime]] was going into its limited production run and Hasbro didn't give licensees the leeway they now enjoy. Optimal Rodimus Primal's role in the ''Wreckers'' storyline was revised for Primal Prime and Rodimus instead.
*Blue Balls Attack Team, from an anecdote shared by Karl Hartman on the now defunct BotCon: Beyond message board, a planning session for BotCon had run much later than anticipated and an exhausted Hartman proposed a pair of blue repaints of ''Beast Wars'' [[Retrax]]. Obviously not a serious proposal.
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)/toys#Other attempts|Trailbreaker]], redeco of the ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[X-Brawn#Toys|X-Brawn]] mold as a convention exclusive in 2003.
*[[Defensor (OTFCC)|Hot Spot]], a blue redeco of [[Optimus Prime (RID)#Toys|''Robots in Disguise'' Optimus Prime]] as a new Autobot leader modelled after the Generation 1 character. The toy would have featured a new headsculpt for the robot's larger "[[Defensor (OTFCC)#Toys|Defensor]]" mode. This toy was originally solicited for OTFCC 2004, then pushed back for OTFCC 2005. When the license was removed from 3H Productions, this figure was cancelled.
*For [[OTFCC 2004]], the [[Rail Racer (RID)#Toys|Rail Racer]] trains were offered to [[3H Productions]] as a possible set of [[exclusive]]s. Due to a suggestion from [[Graham Weaver]], [[Steamhammer (RID)|one of them]] was planned to be named after the original [[Steamhammer (G1)|Steamhammer]], as it was a train-y kind of name. Another of the three trains would be [[Astrotrain (RID)|Astrotrain]] and the third was never decided on, though [[Loco (RID)|"Loco" or "Cowcatcher"]] was favored, and the combined mode would have been named "[[Dominus Trannis]]", named similarly to the original [[Trannis]]. [[Hasbro]] changed their minds on the molds' availability, but they later used the "[[Steamhammer (Energon)|Steamhammer]]" name themselves, as they did similarly with "[[Vector Prime]]".
*Several toys were proposed for the 2005 Official Transformers Collectors' Convention. Due to 3H's loss of the ''Transformers'' license these plans never came to fruition. All of the known toys from this proposal were to have new headsculpts and some were to have new accessories.
**[[Megatron (BW)/toys#Combiner Wars|Megatron]], a red redeco of [[Megatron (RID)#Toys|''Robots in Disguise'' Megatron]] as an upgraded (and resurrected) ''Beast Wars'' Megatron. (The concept eventually reached fruition as a [[BotCon 2016]] exclusive!)
**[[Devcon (G1)#Universe (2003)|Devcon]], a blue redeco of [[Slugslinger (Energon)#Toys|''Energon'' Slugslinger]] as the Generation 1 character.
**[[Brawn (G1)/toys#Universe (2003)|Brawn]], a green redeco of [[Strongarm (Energon)#Toys|''Energon'' Strongarm]] as the Generation 1 character. This toy would have featured new snap on Energon gauntlets.
**[[Roadbuster (G1)#Universe (2003)|Roadbuster]], an orange and green redeco of ''Energon'' Strongarm as the Generation 1 character. This toy would have featured a new Energon rifle.
*[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], originally conceived as the ''Cybertron Defense'' Hot Shot redeco for 2007. He was dropped in favor of [[Springer (G1)/toys#Timelines|Springer]], who fit the mold and the story/theme better.
*The developers of BotCon were given a slight chance of using [[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]] in 2007, so they proposed a 4-pack boxset which would have consisted of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] (from [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Wheeljack]]), [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (from [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Alternators|Mirage]]), [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Optimus Prime]]), and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (from what, they couldn't remember at the time, but likely the [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Alternators|Rodimus mold]]).
*The 2011 boxset underwent a few revisions before they settled on [[Team Stunticon|''Animated'' Stunticons]].
**First was [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|''Shattered Glass'']] [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Wars'']].
**Then it was going to be [[Transformers: Classics|''Classics'']] [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]].
**Then it was going to be assorted [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|''Animated'']] characters.
***The boxset would have featured [[Sideswipe (Animated)|Sideswipe]] and [[Jackpot (Animated)|Jackpot]] (both of which were released), [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (from Voyager [[Megatron (Animated)|Megatron]]) while the other two figures were unknowns that would have been a cream-colored [[Ratchet (Animated)|Ratchet]], and...something else.
***The figures available at the show would have been [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]], (from [[Bumblebee (Animated)#Voyager Class|Hydrodive Bumblebee]]), [[Toxitron (Animated)|Toxitron]] (from [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys#Voyager Class|Wingblade Optimus Prime]]), [[Ricochet (Headmasters)|Ricochet]] (from Jazz), [[Kup (Animated)|Kup]] (from [[Optimus Prime (Animated)|Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime]]), [[Sideswipe (Animated)|Sideswipe]] (from [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus]] and utilizing the colors of [[Sideswipe (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Sideswipe]]/[[Wheeljack (Armada)|''Armada'' Wheeljack]]), [[Tigatron]] (also from Rodimus), [[Shokaract]] (from [[Blackout (Animated)|Blackout]]), [[Springer (Animated)|Springer]] (from [[Swindle (Animated)|Swindle]]), and a three-pack consisting of [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]], [[Antagony (Animated)|Antagony]], and [[Nightracer (G2)|Nightracer]] (all sharing the [[Arcee (Animated)|Arcee]] mold).
****Other suggested ''Animated'' figures include [[Hubcap (Animated)|Hubcap]] from [[Soundwave (Animated)|Soundwave]] and [[Strika (Animated)|Strika]] from [[Bulkhead (Animated)|Voyager Bulkhead]].
*A redeco of [[Mindwipe (ROTF)#Revenge of the Fallen|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Mindwipe]] into [[Mega]]bolt was considered as a counterpart to [[BotCon 2012]]'s [[Overlord (G1)#Timelines|Gigatron]].
*As part of the [[Machine Wars: Transformers|''Machine Wars'']] theme for [[BotCon 2013]], [[Prowl (G1)|''Machine Wars'' Prowl]] (from [[Transformers: Classics|''Classics'']] [[Mirage (G1)/toys#Classics|Mirage]]) and [[Hubcap (MW)|''Machine Wars'' Hubcap]] (from [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'']] [[Kup (G1)/toys#Generations|Sergeant Kup]]) were considered.
*A number of figures were considered for [[BotCon 2014]] that did not end up occurring, including:
**[[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]], a redeco of [[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|''Generations'']] [[Kickback (FOC)#Generations|Kickback]] as the G1 character and would have been a pirate. Two [[Arms Micron]]s would have been included as well.
**[[Cannonball (G1)|Cannonball]], a redeco of [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|''Prime'']] [[Wheeljack (Prime)#Toys|Wheeljack]], likely an idea before they settled on the [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|''Prime'']] [[Ratchet (WFC)|Ratchet]] mold for the final figure.
**[[Megabolt]], a redeco of [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|''Prime'']] [[Skyquake (Prime)#Toys|Skyquake]] and would have also been a pirate, though it's probably a good thing he wasn't released as the mold was used [[Megaplex#Timelines|the previous year]].
**[[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], a redeco of [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|''Prime'']] [[Rumble (WFC)#Toys|Rumble]] as the G1 character.
*At one point, a boxset of the Turbomasters was considered. It would have included [[Scorch (G1)|Scorch]], [[Boss (G1)|Boss]], [[Hurricane]], [[Flash (G1)|Flash]], and [[Thunder Clash]]; all of whom would have been made from [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|''Transformers: Prime'']] figures. Specifically, [[Ironhide (WFC)#Deluxe|Ironhide]], [[Wheeljack (Prime)#Robots in Disguise|Wheeljack]], [[Smokescreen (Prime)#Beast Hunters|Smokescreen]], [[Bumblebee (WFC)/toys#Prime: Robots in Disguise|Bumblebee]], and [[Ultra Magnus (WFC)#Robots in Disguise|Ultra Magnus]], respectively.
*The [[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|2008 ''Universe'']] [[Silverbolt (G1)/toys#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]] mold was rather popular for possible exclusives, having been planned to be made into [[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]]/[[Scrash (G1)|Scrash]] and [[Dai Atlas (G1)|Dai Atlas]]/[[King Atlas]].
*The [[Lockdown (ROTF)#Revenge of the Fallen|''Revenge of the Fallen'' Lockdown]] mold was suggested as "Marlboro", a modern update of the Diaclone [[Exhaust|"Marlboor Wheeljack"]]. Additionally, the mold's [[Axor#Toys|Axor]] retool was suggested for a [[Transformers: Shattered Glass (franchise)|''Shattered Glass'']] [[Stranglehold]], complete with a mustache.
*[[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell/Hardshell]], a redeco of [[Straxus (G1)|''Generations'' Straxus]] as the original character.
*"[[Predaking (G1)|Predaking BW style]]", a non-combiner redeco from the [[Transmetal 2]] [[Tigerhawk#Toys|Tigerhawk]].
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] and [[Pinpointer (G1)|Pinpointer]] were planned to be made from [[Kup (G1)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Sergeant Kup]] and ''Universe'' [[Nightstick (G1)#Universe (2008)|Nightstick]].
*Proposals for [[Bruton]] were made from both [[Bulkhead (Prime)/toys#First Edition|''Prime: First Edition'' Bulkhead]] and [[Grimlock (WFC)#Generations|''Generations: Fall of Cybertron'' Grimlock]], but neither would happen due to the character's obscurity.
*"Femme Fatale [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|CyKill]]" {{sic}}, redecoed from one of the [[Arcee (WFC)#Prime|''Prime'' Arcee]] Deluxe molds, was sadly never produced.
*Twilight Sparkle Prime, based on the ''[[My Little Pony]]'' character [[Twilight Sparkle]], a redeco of [[Battle Unicorn#Toys|Battle Unicorn]].
*Rodimouse, a [[Rattrap (BW)/toys#TM1|Transmetal Rattrap]] redecoed as a ''Beast Wars'' version of [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]. (Whether serious or not, it would have paired well with [[Optimus Primal (BW)/toys|Optimus Primal]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Timelines|Ultra Mammoth]]).
*When asked at [[BotCon 2016]] what exclusive he regretted not being able to do, [[Pete Sinclair]] stated that he wanted to make a [[Rodimus (SG)|''Shattered Glass'' Rodimus (Prime)]] from [[Springer (G1)/toys#Thrilling 30|''Generations'' Springer]].
*Sinclair also wanted a retool of [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Generations|''Generations'' Armada Starscream]] into [[Jetstorm (BM)|''Beast Machines'' Jetstorm]], which had been proposed for BotCon 2016 before the convention's theme was changed.

====BotCon 2017====
Though Fun Publications lost the ''Transformers'' convention license after BotCon 2016, an [[Action Master]]-themed, ''[[Titans Return (toyline)|Titans Return]]''-based "Action on [[Hydrus Four]]" boxset was planned for the potential 2017 BotCon that never came to be; the unreleased toys were concepts revealed through painted mock-ups at [[Unofficial conventions|Pete's Robot Convention]] in 2017. The proposed set used as models:
*[[Skyfall (G1)|Skyfall]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Highbrow (G1)#Generations|Highbrow]] with Titan Master from [[Apeface#Generations|Apeface]]
*[[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Triggerhappy (G1)#Generations|Triggerhappy]] with Titan Master from ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf's Headmaster]] and [[Attack Cruiser]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Brawn (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Brawn]]'s vehicle accessory
*"Action Master" [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#AM|Optimus Prime]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generations toys#Titans Return|Optimus Prime]] with Titan Master from [[Infinitus#Generations|Infinitus]], Titan Master [[Rad (G1)|Rad]] from [[Diac]], and [[Lionizer (G1)|Lionizer]] from [[Lione#Generations|Sawback]]'s beast accessory
*[[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Blitzwing (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Blitzwing]] with Titan Master from [[Doomshot#Generations|Doomshot]]/[[Hazard#Generations|Hazard]] but with a newly-tooled face, and with "[[Stratotronic Jet|Scout Tank]]" from ''Titans Return'' [[Horri-Bull#Generations|Terri-Bull]]'s vehicle accessory
*"Action Master" [[Megatron (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Megatron]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Sixshot (G1)#Generations|Sixshot]] with Titan Master from [[Nucleon (TR)#Generations|Nucleon]] and Titan Master [[Devastator (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Devastator]] from [[Repugnus (G1)#Generations|Repugnus]]
Other proposed exclusives for 2017 included:
*[[Dion (G1)|Dion]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Kup (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Sergeant Kup]] with Titan Master from [[Haywire#Generations|Hyperfire]] as the attendee freebie
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys#Armada|Hot Shot]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Chromedome (G1)#Generations|Chromedome]] with Titan Master [[Alexis Thi Dang]] from [[Stylor#Generations|Stylor]] and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] from ''Generations'' [[Blaze Master#Generations|Blazemaster]]. Hot Shot would have had a newly-tooled face on the Alexis Titan Master (the mock up just used the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Hot Shot's face as a placeholder).
*[[Onyx Primal]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Mindwipe (G1)#Generations|Mindwipe]] with "Nightwatch" from Infinitus
*[[Doubledealer#Generation 1|Doubledealer]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Hardhead (G1)#Generations|Hardhead]] with two Titan Masters: [[Knok]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Nightbeat (G1)#Titans Return|Nightbeat]] and [[Skar (G1)|Skar]] from Sawback with newly-tooled bat wings, legs, and a new face.
* ''[[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]]'' [[Megatron (Armada)/toys#Energon|Megatron]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Black Shadow (G1)#Titans Return|Sky Shadow]] with Titan Master [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] from [[Swoop (G1)#Generations|Ptero]] with the face of [[Ominus#Toys|Ominus]]
*[[Rosanna (KP)|Rosanna]] and [[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Rewind (G1)#Generations|Rewind]], and [[Enemy (G1)|Decepticon Enemy]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Rumble (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Rumble]], as the troop builder set
*A six-pack of [[Pretender]]-based [[Titan Master]]s, including [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] from [[Gort#Generations|Xort]], [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] from [[Firebolt (G1)#Generations|Firedrive]], [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] from Diac, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] from [[Squeezeplay (G1)#Generations|Crashbash]], [[Vroom (G1)|Vroom]] from [[Grax#Generations|Grax]], and [[Metalhawk (G1)|Metalhawk]] from [[Revolver#Generations|Revolver]]
*[[Rumbler (G1)|Rumbler]] from the box set's Sprocket with "B² Attack Team" (har har, yes, they went there), two flail weapons from [[B.H.#Prime|B.H.]], as the customization class figure
On top of that, "PeteCon" showed off backup plans for alternative exclusive options:
*''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]]'' [[Jetfire (Armada)#Armada|Jetfire]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Sentinel Prime (G1)#Generations|Sentinel Prime]] with Titan Master [[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]] from [[Apeface#Generations|Apeface]]
*[[Devcon (G1)|Devcon]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Brainstorm (G1)#Titans Return|Brainstorm]] with Titan Master [[Slizardo]] from [[Haywire#Generations|Hyperfire]]
*[[Turbo Master]] from ''Titans Return'' [[Highbrow (G1)#Generations|Highbrow]] with Titan Master [[Take-Off]] from [[Blowpipe (G1)#Generations|Blowpipe]]
And the remaining Transformers/G.I. Joe crossover human figures, which would have been shared [[Transformers Collectors' Club|Collectors' Club]] exclusives, were shown:
*"[[Only Human]]" versions of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], [[Springer (G1)|Springer]], and [[Victor Drath]] made from retooled ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' toys

Phew!

==Exclusive fiction==
[[File:Beastwarscriticalmass.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|It all starts here.]]
Fiction did not really play into the first few years of BotCon. While attendees of [[BotCon 1995]] did get an exclusive fanzine, it was just that; a magazine full of fan-written stories and fan-drawn art, none of which was approved by Hasbro.

When 3H took the convention back for [[BotCon 1997|1997]], one of the many ways they set out to make the show a real mother of a blowout was by adding an [[Ground Zero|exclusive comic story]] to accompany the toys, penned by "the" Transformers scribe [[Simon Furman]], with art by Marvel comics artist [[Andrew Wildman]]. The hugely positive response to this story (even though it was a stand-alone tale that was irreconcilable with the then-running [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]] that it used as a setting<ref>3H members indicated that the story of how the various non-show characters from later storylines arrived on ancient Earth and why they weren't seen in the show would be later told, but this never happened.</ref>) cemented the need for fiction to bring the exclusive toy characters to life, though it would take some time to settle on a format. [[BotCon 1998|1998]] started the multi-year "[[Reaching the Omega Point]]" story, which was kicked off with a [[Visitations|tongue-in-cheek live script reading]], followed up by a series of text stories released online, and ultimately ended in [[BotCon 2000|2000]] with a full-color comic that assembled the prior text stories before jumping into the final battle.

[[File:Timelines v2n3ce.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|2008 also marked an increased influx of robo-[[facial hair]].]]

From then on, each convention had at least one new comic book featuring its exclusive toy characters in action, with a few pieces of ancillary fiction told in other formats. However, in short order there were ''three'' different stories running concurrently across two different books (with a few pieces of online prose and a live script reading in 2004), and the problems from prior years with having stories that were told in installments with nearly year-long gaps between them were amplified to a ridiculous degree. With Hasbro pulling the license from 3H after [[BotCon 2004|2004's convention]], all three storylines were left uncompleted. The next convention license-holder, [[Fun Publications]], would later go on to provide conclusions to two of them in their [[Transformers Collectors' Club|online fan club subscription]], but the final story, "[[Primeval Dawn]]", remains open-ended to this day.

When Fun Publications took control of BotCon, the use of a yearly comic continued under the "[[Transformers Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]]" banner, but with a very important change. Instead of following a single multi-year-spanning story arc, each issue is meant to stand on its own as a single story with a conclusive ending (even if it's part of an ongoing arc told elsewhere), typically set in a different universe every year. Starting in 2006, each year's comic is made available through Diamond at comic shops a few months after the convention. Some shows would also feature live script readings, plus [[BotCon 2007]] would reveal [[Theft of the Golden Disk|a CGI-animated short film]] serving as a prequel to [[Dawn of Future's Past|the prior year's story]].

Some of the BotCon storylines have been later continued through the Collectors' Club web site and magazine, primarily in the form of prose stories.

''See also:''
*[[:Category:3H issues]]
*[[:Category:Timelines issues]]
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.botcon.com Official site]
*[http://www.transformersclub.com/ Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club]
*[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/faq/fandom/conventions.php Convention info from the Transformers FAQ]

[[Category:Conventions]]
[[Category:Exclusives]]
[[Category:Fandom]]
[[Category:Fun Publications]]

Royal-T

2022-02-01T03:19:08Z

Charles RB:

{{factions|guardian}}
:''Royal-T is a [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardian]] from the [[GoBots]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:RenegadeRhetoric Farewell Royal-T.jpg|thumb|right|''And you'll never be Royal'' ''It don't run in your blood'' ''My kind of luxe just ain't for you'']]

'''Royal-T''' descends from [[Gobotron]]'s Royal Family, and joined up with the [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] out of a sense of loyalty to his planet and his own sense of adventure.

==Fiction==
===''Timelines''===
During the [[Diaspora]], Royal-T was dispatched to [[Level 59]] along with an assortment of [[Guardian (GoBots)|Guardians]] and evil [[Rock Lord]]s. {{storylink|Cultural Appropriation}}

===Renegade Rhetoric===

From [[Axiom Nexus]], [[Cy-Kill (GoBots)|Cy-Kill]] recalled the time he mesmerized Royal-T and [[Street Heat]] into helping him escape from [[Elba]]. Cy-Kill cited it as an example of why mind-controlled soldiers were a poor substitute for willing converts. {{storylink|Transformers: Renegade Rhetoric|Renegade Rhetoric 2015/11/24}} Using the [[Power Suit]]s, Royal-T, [[Treds]], [[Road Ranger]], and [[Dozer]] formed [[Courageous]] in order to deter Cy-Kill's monstrous new combiner named [[Monsterous]]. {{storylink|One Born Every Minute}}

===Brain Problem Situation===
When the[[Autobot]] [[Spy Changer]]s first arrived on Strata 22, [[Turbo (GoBots)|Turbo]] mistakenly assumed they were Renegades. Royal-T was one of the Guardians he assembled to attack and capture the Spy Changers. {{storylink|Brain Problem Situation}}

===Echoes and Fragments===
As [[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] and [[Gong (GoBots)|Gong]] manipulated quantum strings to tie together two universal streams, the [[Decepticon]]s staged an all-out assault on [[Autobot City (G1)|Guardian City]] on [[Earth]]. In defense of the base, Royal-T was destroyed fighting [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] alongside [[Spy-Eye (GoBots)|Spy-Eye]] and [[Ace (GoBots)|Ace]]. {{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}
{{--}}

===''Go-Bots'' comic===
Royal-T was one of the [[GoBot|Go-Bots]] that joined [[Leader-1 (GoBots)|Leader-1]]'s army to face the [[Renegade]] uprising. {{storylink|Go-Bots issue 2|Go-Bots #2}}

{{charstubfiction|{{Storylink|Go-Bots issue 3|Go-Bots #3}} {{Storylink|Go-Bots issue 4|Go-Bots #4}} }}

==Notes==
* Royal-T's stint as a prison guard was depicted in the ''{{gb|Challenge of the GoBots (cartoon)|Challenge of the GoBots}}'' episode, "{{gb|Escape from Elba}}".
* His original ''Go-Bots'' toy transformed into a contemporary [[British Armed Forces|Royal Air Force]] {{w|Hawker Siddeley Harrier}}, hence the name Royal-T.
* Royal-T's Cybertronian-style body from the "Cataclysm universe" is based on [[Combiner Wars (toyline)|''Combiner Wars'']] [[Slingshot (G1)/toys#Combiner Wars|Quickslinger]] with the head design of the [[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|''Prime'']] [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]].

==External links==
{{GBwiki|Royal-T}}
* [http://www.tfu.info/Gobots/Guardians/Royal-T/royal-t.htm Royal-T at TFU.info]

[[Category:Guardians]]

The Transformers (Marvel comic)

2022-01-25T19:00:52Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the Marvel Comics series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{nav-G1|logo=MarvelTheTransformers Logo1.png}}

{{bigquote|Four million years ago, they came from '''Cybertron''', a world composed entirely of machinery... a world torn by an age-old war between the heroic '''Autobots''' and the evil '''Decepticons'''. These incredibly powerful living robots, capable of converting themselves into land and air vehicles, weapons and other mechanical forms, continue their conflict here on '''Earth'''. They are...'''THE TRANSFORMERS'''|Marvel US introductory blurb}}

[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|The heroic Autobots fight to crush Earth's highways. [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]] is very happy.]]
'''''The Transformers''''', the monthly comic book published in the U.S. by [[Marvel Comics]], was the very first original fiction to feature the famous robots in disguise, as well as the longest-running. It started life as [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|a four-issue, bimonthly limited series]] in 1984, but proved so popular that it continued publication as an ongoing monthly until spring of 1991. The series ultimately reached 80 issues and spun off several miniseries.

The series established the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], which would form the basis for several successor stories over the years. Marvel would publish the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' series]] only two years later, and [[IDW Publishing]] would later reunite several Marvel creatives for both [[The Transformers: Regeneration One|''Regeneration One'']], a continuation of the original Marvel comic, and the [[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Transformers '84]] prequel miniseries.

Nearly all of the U.S. stories were later published by Marvel UK, along with new stories that fit between the gaps of the U.S. tales. See [[#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] below.

==Marvel U.S.==
{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' US issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[Power Play!|#2]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#3]]
*[[The Last Stand|#4]]
*[[The New Order|#5]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6]]
*[[Warrior School!|#7]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#8]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#11]]
*[[Prime Time!|#12]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#13]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#15]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#16]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#17]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#18]]
*[[Command Performances!|#19]]
*[[Showdown!|#20]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#21]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#22]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#23]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#24]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#26]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#27]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#28]]
*[[Crater Critters|#29]]
*[[The Cure!|#30]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#31]]
*[[Used Autobots|#32]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#33]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#34]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#35]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#36]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#37]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#38]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]]
*[[Totaled!|#41]]
*[[People Power!|#42]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#43]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#44]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#45]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]]
*[[Club Con!|#47]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#48]]
*[[Cold War!|#49]]
*[[Dark Star|#50]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#51]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#52]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#53]]
*[[King Con!|#54]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#55]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#56]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#57]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#58]]
*[[Skin Deep|#59]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#61]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#62]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#63]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#64]]
*[[Dark Creation|#65]]
*[[All Fall Down|#66]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#67]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#68]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#69]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#70]]
*[[Surrender!|#71]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#72]]
*[[Out of Time!|#73]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#74]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#75]]
*[[Still Life!|#76]]
*[[Exodus!|#77]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#78]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#79]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#80]]
}}

===Related mini-series===
*''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]''
*''[[The Transformers Universe]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Though published by Marvel in the US and UK, is only related in the UK canon)

===Successor comics===
{{note|The different publishers' series are all mutually exclusive, effectively representing different branched timelines. The Collectors' Club and IDW efforts explicitly ignore the events of Marvel UK stories, although the latter takes copious ''characters and concepts'' from both the UK and G2 material}}
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
*''[[Transformers: Classics]]'' ([[Transformers Collectors' Club]])
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'', [[Transformers '84 issue 0|''Transformers '84'' #0]], & ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Secrets & Lies]]'' ([[IDW Publishing]])

===Overview===
[[File:Autobotline.gif|left|upright=1.4|thumb|After watching traffic reports for an hour, they finally decided to just stay home.]]
The story begins with a brief history of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and its [[Great War (G1)|civil war]], which eventually causes the planet to become lost in space. Battling aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the original 28 characters crash-land on [[Earth]] four million years ago and awaken in the (then-) present day of 1984. The quest for [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] becomes their initial goal, driving the first several issues.

As the first fiction in the entire [[The Transformers (franchise)|franchise]], the initial issues of ''Transformers'' were breaking completely new ground. Early issues contain a variety of plot points and conventions, some of which would go on to shape the very mythos... and others that would fall by the wayside, forgotten and hilariously quaint. The concept of the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] is a good example of the former group; "[[Atechnogenesis|naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys]]" comes to mind for the latter.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|With a single wave of Starscream's hand, Hound, Bluestreak, Mirage, Hoist, Brawn, and Gears cease to occupy valuable page space!]]
The book soon built its own elaborate and wide-reaching universe, including hundreds of characters—[[Transformer]]s, [[human]]s, [[alien]]s—on Earth, Cybertron, and beyond. Late in the series, a long-running plot brought in the sinister menace of [[Unicron]], giving him a backstory and build-up that for many fans surpassed his original appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for storytelling and gravitas. This backstory would eventually go on to eclipse the origin given in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]].

Because it was a book intended [[to sell toys]], ''Transformers'' featured an ever-rotating cast. New Transformers were often hastily brought in to meet the demands of [[Hasbro]], and older "product" was often swept aside or killed off ''en masse'' in [[Dark Star|epic, climactic battles]].

After some troubled times and steadily declining readership, the series was finally canceled at issue #80. A combination of factors was likely responsible: the Transformers toyline had become yesterday's fad, the core readership had grown older and moved on, and Hasbro seems to have pulled the plug.

Several subsequent series would build upon the series; see [[Marvel Comics continuity]] for more information.

===Creative team===
[[File:MarvelUS-75.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|He's authorized to devour anyone not in the current product line.]]
The book featured two primary writers: [[Bob Budiansky]] edited [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original 4-part limited series]] and wrote the book from issue #5 to issue #55. After that, [[Simon Furman]], already heavily experienced from his work on the UK book, took up the reins until the book was cancelled at issue #80. Other writers balked at having to keep track of this massive, unfamiliar cast, which is the reason the original miniseries has three writers and is an admitted mess.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref>

''Transformers'' is a bit notorious for wild swings in writing quality, as serious plots alternated with such strange concepts as [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Micromaster wrestling]] and [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|ridiculous bounty hunters]]. Some of this may be attributed to Bob Budiansky's eventual burn-out; after years of having to wrap his stories around to meet the latest toy-appearance demands from Hasbro, his later writing on the book showed a decline in quality. Among Transfans, he is sometimes remembered unfavourably because of this period, perhaps unfairly so considering his fundamental role in shaping the Transformers universe and most of its characters, as well as some of the book's [[Warrior School!|most gripping early stories]]. Still, even such oddball stories as "[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]" and "[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]" have both their merits and their fans.

Budiansky himself proposed that Simon Furman take over as the U.S. series writer.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004">[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/otfcc2004.txt Steve-o's OTFCC 2004 notes]</ref> With the changeover, the stories took on a more serious tone, relying on character conflict more than outlandish plot devices. Many fans regard Furman's run on the original book as one of the high points of all Transformers fiction.

The comic was written in "Marvel Style", where the writer gives the artist a plot outline instead of a full script. The artist then lays out the pages himself; afterward the writer comes back in and scripts the dialog based on the artist's work. This approach gives the artist a larger role in telling the story than simply drawing what the writer tells them to.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004" />

A number of artists worked on ''Transformers'', but the most frequent pencilers included [[Frank Springer]], [[Don Perlin]], [[José Delbo]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. Also of particular note is colorist [[Nelson Yomtov|Nelson "Nel" Yomtov]], who colored every single issue of the book, as well as all of the related mini-series.
{{--}}

===Publication and format===
As ''The Transformers'' title began life as a limited series, it was subject to the conventions Marvel had established for limited series at the time of its publication. "Standard" Marvel comics released concurrently in 1984 cost 60 cents and were printed on newsprint; in contrast, ''The Transformers'' sold for 75 cents and was printed on a whiter, higher-quality stock (for the time) known as "[[Mando paper]]".

Evidently considered a "deluxe format" book by Marvel, ''Transformers'' continued to be printed on Mando paper even after it became an ongoing series.<ref>''Marvel Age'' #23, November 1984</ref> It also remained at 75 cents—at least until [[King of the Hill!|issue 28]], when the price of the book rose to 1 dollar. With the exception of the double-sized [[Dark Star|issue 50]] and [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue 75]], which were both priced at $1.50, ''The Transformers'' would remain at 1 dollar for the remainder of its original run.

===Cover dates===
There is some confusion over when issues first appeared, due to changing practices regarding the cover dates. When the comic began in 1984, Marvel issues were normally cover dated four months ahead of their going on sale. This was partially a hangover from the days of fierce newsstand competition when each company tried to make its comics look newer than its rivals and partially a mechanism to compensate for slower distribution on newsstands and overseas sales.

As a result of this, although [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] is cover dated September, it went on sale in May. This is supported by the first Usenet post about Transformers which was posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics on May 22, 1984.<ref>Ted Nolan, "[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en Year's worst?] in net.comics, 22-May-84 02:07:22 EDT</ref>

In 1989, Marvel decided to rationalize things by moving to a system where the cover date was only two months in advance. In order to achieve this, issues released in August 1989 have the cover date "Mid November", those in September 1989 have "December" and those in October "Mid December". The relevant ''Transformers'' issues were [[Skin Deep|#59]], [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]] and [[The Primal Scream|#61]].

===Comics Magazine===
{{main|The Transformers Comics Magazine}}
Marvel US released a bimonthly digest-sized magazine, which reprinted the first twenty issues of the main series - two issues per magazine - until cancelled with #10.

==Marvel UK==
'''Marvel UK''' produced a G1 comic which ran for 332 issues, reprinting the American stories and adding in many new stories built around them.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]
}}

{{chapters|title=Second stories for issues with two non-reprint ''Transformers'' stories:|content=

*[[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*...
*[[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*...
*[[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]
*...
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
*...
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*...
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]
*...
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]
*...
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK Stories by Category:|content=
*'''US Reprints:''' [[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]

*'''UK Material:''' [[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]

*'''UK B&W Material:''' [[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]

*'''UK Text Material:''' [[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]

*'''Earthforce:''' [[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]

*'''Headmasters:''' [[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]

*'''G.I. Joe and the Transformers:''' [[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]

*'''Robo-Capers with Transformer material:''' [[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
}}

===Overview===
{{bigquote|Dear [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], To put it bluntly, the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic is 100% better than the American version we get over here. Your comics have beautiful covers, high quality artwork and very intelligent plots. Here in the States, Transformers comics are monthly instead of weekly and have bad artwork and stupid plots. Thank you for showing us the Autobots and Decepticons of the 21st Century. You guys in Britain are, as always, one step ahead when it comes to [[time travel]] (from Wells' Time Machine to [[Doctor Who]] — you always come through)! Bob Newell, Warren, MI.|Dread Tidings, issue #188}}

[[File:MarvelUK-244.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This is the best Cracker Jack prize ever!]]
Though not without contradiction, the Marvel UK book managed to weave a number of highly complex stories "behind the scenes" of the Marvel U.S. tales. Topics included expanded stories and battles in the early days of the war (before [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave's]] arrival), more intrigue among the [[Decepticon]] commanders on Earth, the [[Autobot]] resistance on Cybertron, and the time-travelling exploits of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who arrives directly from the future world of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

The UK book's weekly schedule and shorter format meant splitting stories into parts, often right in the middle of the action. Like the U.S. book, Marvel UK featured [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|a regular column of letters from readers]]; however, these were supposedly answered by various Transformers, including Grimlock, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], and others.

Exactly how many copies it sold is vaguely estimated at 200,000 at its height, though [[Ian Rimmer]] remembers 128,000 in 1986. Either way, it was the company's biggest hit and would establish a 'house style' that Marvel UK would use on their subsequent toy-and-cartoon licensed comics. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 6</ref> (None would reach ''Transformers'' height until ''The Real Ghostbusters'') We know the comic began to drop about roughly 10,000 readers every sixth months from the summer of 1988 and by the time of #319, the comic's average weekly circulation was 19,839; but at this point, the sales had mostly stabilised due to the long-term fans sticking around. The older age of the readers can be noticed in the covers [[Harry Papadopoulos]] commissioned at the time: brighter covers with word balloons and puns were dropped for moodier painted covers and things like [[:Image:MarvelUK-309.jpg|Expressionist screaming heads and a reference to a King Crimson song]].<ref>[[James Roberts]], [https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref>

===Creative team===
[[File:Megatron-timewars-comparison.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Change of artists? Eh, who'll notice?]]
Most UK-specific stories were written by [[Simon Furman]], who was later assigned to write for the U.S. comic as well. Curiously, it was from this point that the divergences between the UK and U.S. stories became more pronounced.

Regular artists included [[Will Simpson]], [[Robin Smith]], [[Dan Reed]], [[Jeff Anderson]], [[Lee Sullivan]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. The large stable of artists resulted in some extreme contrasts of style throughout the book, such as Reed's highly organic art being followed by the clean, mechanical precision of Sullivan or Senior. Sometimes these changes occurred within the context of a single story.
{{--}}

===Complexity and contradiction in continuity===
[[File:Goldbugorigins.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|In no continuity was his face damaged. Maybe Bumblebee was just really ugly by Transformer standards.]]
Making the new stories align with the U.S. book occasionally involved some bending over backwards in storytelling terms. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], for example, winds up with partial amnesia at the end of [[Resurrection!|one story]], explaining why he doesn't remember the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] when he encounters them again in a [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|later U.S. story]]. U.S. reprints were sometimes physically edited as well; for example, a UK story has [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] being transported to [[Limbo]] after the events of U.S. #23, necessitating the removal of his occasional background appearances thereafter.

Another major change was the exclusion of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' crossover, which featured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee's]] destruction and subsequent restoration as Goldbug. UK continuity accounted for the reformatting by showing Bumblebee destroyed by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] during "[[Hunters]]". Also, the UK comic continued to feature Megatron and Shockwave after their apparent deaths in the U.S. comic. While Megatron's appearance was eventually [[Two Megatrons!|reconciled]] (sort of, if you squint) with the U.S. continuity, Shockwave's was not.

The "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" story in UK #255-260 began the [[Earthforce]] storyline and heralded a nigh-irreconcilable division between U.S. and UK stories. This was in part a deliberate decision to not try to maintain continuity due to past problems.<ref name="furint1">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past']. '''Question''' Why do you feel continuity suffered more instead of less, between Marvel UK and US when you took over the US book? "The problem was, we were badly out of synch with the US material reprints by the time I was also writing the US comic. I was trying my hardest to craft semi-crossover stories (like the [[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer two-parter]] with [[Dark Creation|US #65]]) and then the UK comic would run a batch of old UK reprint material and completely throw it out. I realised I was making matters worse (and more confusing) and not better, and pretty much stopped trying to directly tie the two together.</ref><ref name="furint2">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php]; "...because (if I’m brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn’t necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?"</ref>

===Publication and format===
The Marvel UK book was published fortnightly from #1 to #26, weekly from #27 to #308, and fortnightly again from #309 to its conclusion in #332. These issues used a larger, magazine-sized format, compared to the traditional size for modern U.S. comic books. They contained 24 pages, numbered inclusive of advertising (unlike the U.S. comic). The color and paper quality was better than that of the U.S. comic, resulting in much whiter whites and, in UK-exclusive stories, no ugly dot artifacts in the colored regions.

Typically, 11 pages would be devoted to a U.S. or UK Transformers story, while the remaining pages were divided between a [[Back-up strips|back-up strip]], a letters page, small humorous comic strips (most notably ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''), and advertisements. Between issues #213 and #289 the format was changed to accommodate three five-page strips: the US reprint (published in colour), a new UK story (published in black and white) and a back-up strip. Issue #289 was the last to contain new UK Transformers stories.

In issue #290 there was another format change, with the comic returning to full colour throughout and reprints of classic UK stories taking the place of new black and white material. The three-strip structure was then dropped for good with issue #309; issue #310 then returned to the traditional format of an 11-page US reprint and a back-up strip, albeit published fortnightly once more.

UK children's comics typically have a weekly or fortnightly publication schedule, and monthly publication is the preserve of more substantial magazines aimed at older readers. The decision to publish fortnightly necessitated the division of the U.S. storylines between two or more UK comics, otherwise the UK comic would run out of material. The back-up strip then bulked out the issue to an acceptable size. When the comic began to be published weekly, this required still more Transformers material, which led to longer runs of original UK stories.

The Marvel UK series ran for about a year longer than its American counterpart and altogether had about twice as many stories.

===Aborted monthly===
The last issues of the comic, when readers were aware the US monthly had ended, had 'Blaster' tell the readers that the comic may not be about to end after all. Someone at the Transmaster UK fanletter ''Trans Talk'' then just phoned up the offices and asked the editor what was going on, and Papadopoulos told them the comic was going monthly; this was something ''Action Force'', ''Thundercats'', and ''Real Ghostbusters'' had all done before<ref>''Trans Talk'' November 1991, or more likely you read [https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref> <strike>Papadopoulos</strike> Blaster then confirmed this in #330:

[[File:TransformersGoesMonthly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Gor strewth kippers chips milk float!]]

"The BIG NEWS! From the mail, we know that you’ve all been a little glum about where Transformers has been going — into the trashcan seems to be the generally accepted view. Well, surprise, surprise! As of issue 333, Transformers will get a bright, polished new look. You’ll be getting a 36-page monthly containing 10 pages of newly coloured Transformers classic adventures, 11 pages that feature the return of G I Joe… plus five originated new pages of Transformers that will continue the saga of the relentless war between the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons! What better way to kick off 1992?!"

(#331-2 contained recoloured "[[The Big Shutdown!]]" pages, a presumed 'dry run' for the recoloured strip)

Alas! #332 revealed these plans had been abruptly cancelled, right when [[Combat Colin]] was promoting the change and everything!

The exact reason for this change is that doing ''new'' strips would've meant spending money, and Marvel UK's then-head Paul Neary didn't want to spend it on what he considered a 'dead end' of relying on licensed material. It's also possible he saw cancelling the comic as a way to shake things up. (He would later tell ''Comics World'' #33, regarding Death's Head's original self), "I didn't think there was much future in Transformers-based robots". Interestingly, Furman hadn't been asked to write the planned new tales and we don't know if that was due to timing or someone else would've been tapped. <ref>[https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref>.

===Cover dates===
Similarly to the U.S. comic, there is also some confusion over when issues of the UK comic were published. The date on a British weekly during ''Transformers'''s run was normally the ''off''-sale date when it would be replaced by the next issue. For example [[Manoeuvres!|issue #283]] has a cover date of 18 August 1990 but was released on the 11th August 1990. During at least most of the run, the norm was for weekly comics to come out on a Saturday.

Occasionally, an issue was seen arriving on the Friday before it was "due", with such sightings usually during the Christmas/New Year period when distribution can be unsettled and overcompensated for, but it is hard to verify individual sightings.

===Marvel UK Annuals===
{{main|Transformers Annual}}
Marvel UK's '''Transformers Annuals''' were published every year, in summer to autumn in time for the Christmas market, for the life of the comic. Each annual was made up of a combination of a comic strip, text stories and editorial content. Some annuals also contained crossover stories with the main weekly comic in an attempt to boost sales. Due to falling sales, later annuals mainly contained reprinted stories from the comic. (Reprinted stories are not listed below.) These reprints are still of interest, as they present formerly black-and-white works in full colour.

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1985|Marvel UK Annual 1985]]|content=
*[[Plague of the Insecticons!]]
*[[Missing in Action]]
*[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]
*[[Hunted!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1986|Marvel UK Annual 1986]]|content=
*[[In the Beginning...]]
*[[The Return of the Transformers]]
*[[To a Power Unknown!]]
*[[State Games]]
*[[Victory!]]
*[[The Mission]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1987|Marvel UK Annual 1987]]|content=
*[[What's in a Name?]]
*[[Doomsday for Nebulos]]
*[[Vicious Circle!]]
*[[Stylor's Story]]
*[[Ark Duty]]
*[[The Final Conflict]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1989|Marvel UK Annual 1989]]|content=
*[[The Saga of the Transformers — So Far!]]
*[[Altered Image!]]
*[[Prime Bomb!]]
*[[All in the Minds!]]
*[[Peace]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1990|Marvel UK Annual 1990]]|content=
*[[The Quest!]]
*[[Destiny of the Dinobots!]]
*[[Trigger-Happy!]]
*[[Dreadwing Down!]]
*[[The Chain Gang!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1991|Marvel UK Annual 1991]]|content=
*[[The Magnificent Six!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1992|Marvel UK Annual 1992]]|content=
*[[Another Time & Place]]
}}

===Collected Comics===
{{main|Transformers Collected Comics}}
Marvel UK also published a companion series of sorts as a series of "Collected Comics" Specials, reprinting stories from the main series, mostly UK-original material.

==Notes==
*There was almost an entirely ''new'' Marvel continuity seperate from the other two, as a toy company in continental [[Europe]] had bought the licensing rights for some of the [[Japan|Japanese]] toys that Hasbro weren't releasing in Europe. Marvel UK were approached to create an extra comic about these toys, and [[Ian Rimmer]] got [[James Hill and [[Mike Collins]] to start work on ''It Wouldn't Be Called Transformers'' for the UK-and-European market before Hasbro just bought the other company out. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 18</ref>
* While Marvel US had some more involvement from Hasbro until the later years (when they'd lost interest), Marvel UK didn't even have to show Hasbro UK the scripts! This sort of laissez-faire attitude is very much ''not'' how licensed comics are done anymore.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 11</ref>
* [[The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas]] was a four-page comic special published in ''[[Woman's Day]]'' magazine. There were no credits, but it was obviously a Marvel Comics production.
* According to the third issue of ''All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'''s entries on [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], the events of the Marvel UK Generation 1 comics take place on Marvel Earth-120185. The universe is named after the publication date of the first Marvel UK-exclusive story, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]".
* According to the [http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm Marvel Universe Appendix], the events of the Marvel US comics take place on Marvel Earth-91274.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/overview.html Guide to TF UK by Crespo99]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/4eeba9a9b0fe0817/1cdaf7df610e0376 May, 1984 net.comics review]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (Marvel Comics), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues| ]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues| ]]

The Transformers (Marvel comic)

2022-01-25T19:00:19Z

Charles RB: /* Marvel UK */

{{disambig2|the Marvel Comics series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{nav-G1|logo=MarvelTheTransformers Logo1.png}}

{{bigquote|Four million years ago, they came from '''Cybertron''', a world composed entirely of machinery... a world torn by an age-old war between the heroic '''Autobots''' and the evil '''Decepticons'''. These incredibly powerful living robots, capable of converting themselves into land and air vehicles, weapons and other mechanical forms, continue their conflict here on '''Earth'''. They are...'''THE TRANSFORMERS'''|Marvel US introductory blurb}}

[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|The heroic Autobots fight to crush Earth's highways. [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]] is very happy.]]
'''''The Transformers''''', the monthly comic book published in the U.S. by [[Marvel Comics]], was the very first original fiction to feature the famous robots in disguise, as well as the longest-running. It started life as [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|a four-issue, bimonthly limited series]] in 1984, but proved so popular that it continued publication as an ongoing monthly until spring of 1991. The series ultimately reached 80 issues and spun off several miniseries.

The series established the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], which would form the basis for several successor stories over the years. Marvel would publish the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' series]] only two years later, and [[IDW Publishing]] would later reunite several Marvel creatives for both [[The Transformers: Regeneration One|''Regeneration One'']], a continuation of the original Marvel comic, and the [[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Transformers '84]] prequel miniseries.

Nearly all of the U.S. stories were later published by Marvel UK, along with new stories that fit between the gaps of the U.S. tales. See [[#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] below.

==Marvel U.S.==
{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' US issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[Power Play!|#2]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#3]]
*[[The Last Stand|#4]]
*[[The New Order|#5]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6]]
*[[Warrior School!|#7]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#8]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#11]]
*[[Prime Time!|#12]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#13]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#15]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#16]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#17]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#18]]
*[[Command Performances!|#19]]
*[[Showdown!|#20]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#21]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#22]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#23]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#24]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#26]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#27]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#28]]
*[[Crater Critters|#29]]
*[[The Cure!|#30]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#31]]
*[[Used Autobots|#32]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#33]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#34]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#35]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#36]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#37]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#38]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]]
*[[Totaled!|#41]]
*[[People Power!|#42]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#43]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#44]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#45]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]]
*[[Club Con!|#47]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#48]]
*[[Cold War!|#49]]
*[[Dark Star|#50]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#51]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#52]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#53]]
*[[King Con!|#54]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#55]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#56]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#57]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#58]]
*[[Skin Deep|#59]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#61]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#62]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#63]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#64]]
*[[Dark Creation|#65]]
*[[All Fall Down|#66]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#67]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#68]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#69]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#70]]
*[[Surrender!|#71]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#72]]
*[[Out of Time!|#73]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#74]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#75]]
*[[Still Life!|#76]]
*[[Exodus!|#77]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#78]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#79]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#80]]
}}

===Related mini-series===
*''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]''
*''[[The Transformers Universe]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Though published by Marvel in the US and UK, is only related in the UK canon)

===Successor comics===
{{note|The different publishers' series are all mutually exclusive, effectively representing different branched timelines. The Collectors' Club and IDW efforts explicitly ignore the events of Marvel UK stories, although the latter takes copious ''characters and concepts'' from both the UK and G2 material}}
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
*''[[Transformers: Classics]]'' ([[Transformers Collectors' Club]])
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'', [[Transformers '84 issue 0|''Transformers '84'' #0]], & ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Secrets & Lies]]'' ([[IDW Publishing]])

===Overview===
[[File:Autobotline.gif|left|upright=1.4|thumb|After watching traffic reports for an hour, they finally decided to just stay home.]]
The story begins with a brief history of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and its [[Great War (G1)|civil war]], which eventually causes the planet to become lost in space. Battling aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the original 28 characters crash-land on [[Earth]] four million years ago and awaken in the (then-) present day of 1984. The quest for [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] becomes their initial goal, driving the first several issues.

As the first fiction in the entire [[The Transformers (franchise)|franchise]], the initial issues of ''Transformers'' were breaking completely new ground. Early issues contain a variety of plot points and conventions, some of which would go on to shape the very mythos... and others that would fall by the wayside, forgotten and hilariously quaint. The concept of the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] is a good example of the former group; "[[Atechnogenesis|naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys]]" comes to mind for the latter.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|With a single wave of Starscream's hand, Hound, Bluestreak, Mirage, Hoist, Brawn, and Gears cease to occupy valuable page space!]]
The book soon built its own elaborate and wide-reaching universe, including hundreds of characters—[[Transformer]]s, [[human]]s, [[alien]]s—on Earth, Cybertron, and beyond. Late in the series, a long-running plot brought in the sinister menace of [[Unicron]], giving him a backstory and build-up that for many fans surpassed his original appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for storytelling and gravitas. This backstory would eventually go on to eclipse the origin given in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]].

Because it was a book intended [[to sell toys]], ''Transformers'' featured an ever-rotating cast. New Transformers were often hastily brought in to meet the demands of [[Hasbro]], and older "product" was often swept aside or killed off ''en masse'' in [[Dark Star|epic, climactic battles]].

After some troubled times and steadily declining readership, the series was finally canceled at issue #80. A combination of factors was likely responsible: the Transformers toyline had become yesterday's fad, the core readership had grown older and moved on, and Hasbro seems to have pulled the plug.

Several subsequent series would build upon the series; see [[Marvel Comics continuity]] for more information.

===Creative team===
[[File:MarvelUS-75.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|He's authorized to devour anyone not in the current product line.]]
The book featured two primary writers: [[Bob Budiansky]] edited [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original 4-part limited series]] and wrote the book from issue #5 to issue #55. After that, [[Simon Furman]], already heavily experienced from his work on the UK book, took up the reins until the book was cancelled at issue #80. Other writers balked at having to keep track of this massive, unfamiliar cast, which is the reason the original miniseries has three writers and is an admitted mess.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref>

''Transformers'' is a bit notorious for wild swings in writing quality, as serious plots alternated with such strange concepts as [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Micromaster wrestling]] and [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|ridiculous bounty hunters]]. Some of this may be attributed to Bob Budiansky's eventual burn-out; after years of having to wrap his stories around to meet the latest toy-appearance demands from Hasbro, his later writing on the book showed a decline in quality. Among Transfans, he is sometimes remembered unfavourably because of this period, perhaps unfairly so considering his fundamental role in shaping the Transformers universe and most of its characters, as well as some of the book's [[Warrior School!|most gripping early stories]]. Still, even such oddball stories as "[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]" and "[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]" have both their merits and their fans.

Budiansky himself proposed that Simon Furman take over as the U.S. series writer.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004">[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/otfcc2004.txt Steve-o's OTFCC 2004 notes]</ref> With the changeover, the stories took on a more serious tone, relying on character conflict more than outlandish plot devices. Many fans regard Furman's run on the original book as one of the high points of all Transformers fiction.

The comic was written in "Marvel Style", where the writer gives the artist a plot outline instead of a full script. The artist then lays out the pages himself; afterward the writer comes back in and scripts the dialog based on the artist's work. This approach gives the artist a larger role in telling the story than simply drawing what the writer tells them to.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004" />

A number of artists worked on ''Transformers'', but the most frequent pencilers included [[Frank Springer]], [[Don Perlin]], [[José Delbo]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. Also of particular note is colorist [[Nelson Yomtov|Nelson "Nel" Yomtov]], who colored every single issue of the book, as well as all of the related mini-series.
{{--}}

===Publication and format===
As ''The Transformers'' title began life as a limited series, it was subject to the conventions Marvel had established for limited series at the time of its publication. "Standard" Marvel comics released concurrently in 1984 cost 60 cents and were printed on newsprint; in contrast, ''The Transformers'' sold for 75 cents and was printed on a whiter, higher-quality stock (for the time) known as "[[Mando paper]]".

Evidently considered a "deluxe format" book by Marvel, ''Transformers'' continued to be printed on Mando paper even after it became an ongoing series.<ref>''Marvel Age'' #23, November 1984</ref> It also remained at 75 cents—at least until [[King of the Hill!|issue 28]], when the price of the book rose to 1 dollar. With the exception of the double-sized [[Dark Star|issue 50]] and [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue 75]], which were both priced at $1.50, ''The Transformers'' would remain at 1 dollar for the remainder of its original run.

===Cover dates===
There is some confusion over when issues first appeared, due to changing practices regarding the cover dates. When the comic began in 1984, Marvel issues were normally cover dated four months ahead of their going on sale. This was partially a hangover from the days of fierce newsstand competition when each company tried to make its comics look newer than its rivals and partially a mechanism to compensate for slower distribution on newsstands and overseas sales.

As a result of this, although [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] is cover dated September, it went on sale in May. This is supported by the first Usenet post about Transformers which was posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics on May 22, 1984.<ref>Ted Nolan, "[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en Year's worst?] in net.comics, 22-May-84 02:07:22 EDT</ref>

In 1989, Marvel decided to rationalize things by moving to a system where the cover date was only two months in advance. In order to achieve this, issues released in August 1989 have the cover date "Mid November", those in September 1989 have "December" and those in October "Mid December". The relevant ''Transformers'' issues were [[Skin Deep|#59]], [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]] and [[The Primal Scream|#61]].

===Comics Magazine===
{{main|The Transformers Comics Magazine}}
Marvel US released a bimonthly digest-sized magazine, which reprinted the first twenty issues of the main series - two issues per magazine - until cancelled with #10.

==Marvel UK==
'''Marvel UK''' produced a G1 comic which ran for 332 issues, reprinting the American stories and adding in many new stories built around them.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]
}}

{{chapters|title=Second stories for issues with two non-reprint ''Transformers'' stories:|content=

*[[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*...
*[[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*...
*[[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]
*...
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
*...
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*...
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]
*...
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]
*...
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK Stories by Category:|content=
*'''US Reprints:''' [[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]

*'''UK Material:''' [[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]

*'''UK B&W Material:''' [[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]

*'''UK Text Material:''' [[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]

*'''Earthforce:''' [[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]

*'''Headmasters:''' [[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]

*'''G.I. Joe and the Transformers:''' [[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]

*'''Robo-Capers with Transformer material:''' [[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
}}

===Overview===
{{bigquote|Dear [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], To put it bluntly, the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic is 100% better than the American version we get over here. Your comics have beautiful covers, high quality artwork and very intelligent plots. Here in the States, Transformers comics are monthly instead of weekly and have bad artwork and stupid plots. Thank you for showing us the Autobots and Decepticons of the 21st Century. You guys in Britain are, as always, one step ahead when it comes to [[time travel]] (from Wells' Time Machine to [[Doctor Who]] — you always come through)! Bob Newell, Warren, MI.|Dread Tidings, issue #188}}

[[File:MarvelUK-244.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This is the best Cracker Jack prize ever!]]
Though not without contradiction, the Marvel UK book managed to weave a number of highly complex stories "behind the scenes" of the Marvel U.S. tales. Topics included expanded stories and battles in the early days of the war (before [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave's]] arrival), more intrigue among the [[Decepticon]] commanders on Earth, the [[Autobot]] resistance on Cybertron, and the time-travelling exploits of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who arrives directly from the future world of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

The UK book's weekly schedule and shorter format meant splitting stories into parts, often right in the middle of the action. Like the U.S. book, Marvel UK featured [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|a regular column of letters from readers]]; however, these were supposedly answered by various Transformers, including Grimlock, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], and others.

Exactly how many copies it sold is vaguely estimated at 200,000 at its height, though [[Ian Rimmer]] remembers 128,000 in 1986. Either way, it was the company's biggest hit and would establish a 'house style' that Marvel UK would use on their subsequent toy-and-cartoon licensed comics. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 6</ref> (None would reach ''Transformers'' height until ''The Real Ghostbusters'') We know the comic began to drop about roughly 10,000 readers every sixth months from the summer of 1988 and by the time of #319, the comic's average weekly circulation was 19,839; but at this point, the sales had mostly stabilised due to the long-term fans sticking around. The older age of the readers can be noticed in the covers [[Harry Papadopoulos]] commissioned at the time: brighter covers with word balloons and puns were dropped for moodier painted covers and things like [[:Image:MarvelUK-309.jpg|Expressionist screaming heads and a reference to a King Crimson song]].<ref>[[James Roberts]], [https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref>

===Creative team===
[[File:Megatron-timewars-comparison.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Change of artists? Eh, who'll notice?]]
Most UK-specific stories were written by [[Simon Furman]], who was later assigned to write for the U.S. comic as well. Curiously, it was from this point that the divergences between the UK and U.S. stories became more pronounced.

Regular artists included [[Will Simpson]], [[Robin Smith]], [[Dan Reed]], [[Jeff Anderson]], [[Lee Sullivan]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. The large stable of artists resulted in some extreme contrasts of style throughout the book, such as Reed's highly organic art being followed by the clean, mechanical precision of Sullivan or Senior. Sometimes these changes occurred within the context of a single story.
{{--}}

===Complexity and contradiction in continuity===
[[File:Goldbugorigins.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|In no continuity was his face damaged. Maybe Bumblebee was just really ugly by Transformer standards.]]
Making the new stories align with the U.S. book occasionally involved some bending over backwards in storytelling terms. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], for example, winds up with partial amnesia at the end of [[Resurrection!|one story]], explaining why he doesn't remember the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] when he encounters them again in a [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|later U.S. story]]. U.S. reprints were sometimes physically edited as well; for example, a UK story has [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] being transported to [[Limbo]] after the events of U.S. #23, necessitating the removal of his occasional background appearances thereafter.

Another major change was the exclusion of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' crossover, which featured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee's]] destruction and subsequent restoration as Goldbug. UK continuity accounted for the reformatting by showing Bumblebee destroyed by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] during "[[Hunters]]". Also, the UK comic continued to feature Megatron and Shockwave after their apparent deaths in the U.S. comic. While Megatron's appearance was eventually [[Two Megatrons!|reconciled]] (sort of, if you squint) with the U.S. continuity, Shockwave's was not.

The "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" story in UK #255-260 began the [[Earthforce]] storyline and heralded a nigh-irreconcilable division between U.S. and UK stories. This was in part a deliberate decision to not try to maintain continuity due to past problems.<ref name="furint1">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past']. '''Question''' Why do you feel continuity suffered more instead of less, between Marvel UK and US when you took over the US book? "The problem was, we were badly out of synch with the US material reprints by the time I was also writing the US comic. I was trying my hardest to craft semi-crossover stories (like the [[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer two-parter]] with [[Dark Creation|US #65]]) and then the UK comic would run a batch of old UK reprint material and completely throw it out. I realised I was making matters worse (and more confusing) and not better, and pretty much stopped trying to directly tie the two together.</ref><ref name="furint2">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php]; "...because (if I’m brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn’t necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?"</ref>

===Publication and format===
The Marvel UK book was published fortnightly from #1 to #26, weekly from #27 to #308, and fortnightly again from #309 to its conclusion in #332. These issues used a larger, magazine-sized format, compared to the traditional size for modern U.S. comic books. They contained 24 pages, numbered inclusive of advertising (unlike the U.S. comic). The color and paper quality was better than that of the U.S. comic, resulting in much whiter whites and, in UK-exclusive stories, no ugly dot artifacts in the colored regions.

Typically, 11 pages would be devoted to a U.S. or UK Transformers story, while the remaining pages were divided between a [[Back-up strips|back-up strip]], a letters page, small humorous comic strips (most notably ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''), and advertisements. Between issues #213 and #289 the format was changed to accommodate three five-page strips: the US reprint (published in colour), a new UK story (published in black and white) and a back-up strip. Issue #289 was the last to contain new UK Transformers stories.

In issue #290 there was another format change, with the comic returning to full colour throughout and reprints of classic UK stories taking the place of new black and white material. The three-strip structure was then dropped for good with issue #309; issue #310 then returned to the traditional format of an 11-page US reprint and a back-up strip, albeit published fortnightly once more.

UK children's comics typically have a weekly or fortnightly publication schedule, and monthly publication is the preserve of more substantial magazines aimed at older readers. The decision to publish fortnightly necessitated the division of the U.S. storylines between two or more UK comics, otherwise the UK comic would run out of material. The back-up strip then bulked out the issue to an acceptable size. When the comic began to be published weekly, this required still more Transformers material, which led to longer runs of original UK stories.

The Marvel UK series ran for about a year longer than its American counterpart and altogether had about twice as many stories.

===Aborted monthly===
The last issues of the comic, when readers were aware the US monthly had ended, had 'Blaster' tell the readers that the comic may not be about to end after all. Someone at the Transmaster UK fanletter ''Trans Talk'' then just phoned up the offices and asked the editor what was going on, and Papadopoulos told them the comic was going monthly; this was something ''Action Force'', ''Thundercats'', and ''Real Ghostbusters'' had all done before<ref>''Trans Talk'' November 1991, or more likely you read [https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref> <strike>Papadopoulos</strike> Blaster then confirmed this in #330:

[[File:TransformersGoesMonthly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Gor strewth kippers chips milk float!]]

"The BIG NEWS! From the mail, we know that you’ve all been a little glum about where Transformers has been going — into the trashcan seems to be the generally accepted view. Well, surprise, surprise! As of issue 333, Transformers will get a bright, polished new look. You’ll be getting a 36-page monthly containing 10 pages of newly coloured Transformers classic adventures, 11 pages that feature the return of G I Joe… plus five originated new pages of Transformers that will continue the saga of the relentless war between the heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons! What better way to kick off 1992?!"

(#331-2 contained recoloured "[[The Big Shutdown!]]" pages, a presumed 'dry run' for the recoloured strip)

Alas! #332 revealed these plans had been abruptly cancelled, right when [[Combat Colin]] was promoting the change and everything!

The exact reason for this change is that doing ''new'' strips would've meant spending money, and Marvel UK's then-head Paul Neary didn't want to spend it on what he considered a 'dead end' of relying on licensed material. It's also possible he saw cancelling the comic as a way to shake things up. (He would later tell ''Comics World'' #33, regarding Death's Head's original self), "I didn't think there was much future in Transformers-based robots". Interestingly, Furman hadn't been asked to write the planned new tales and we don't know if that was due to timing or someone else would've been tapped. <ref>[https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref>.

===Cover dates===
Similarly to the U.S. comic, there is also some confusion over when issues of the UK comic were published. The date on a British weekly during ''Transformers'''s run was normally the ''off''-sale date when it would be replaced by the next issue. For example [[Manoeuvres!|issue #283]] has a cover date of 18 August 1990 but was released on the 11th August 1990. During at least most of the run, the norm was for weekly comics to come out on a Saturday.

Occasionally, an issue was seen arriving on the Friday before it was "due", with such sightings usually during the Christmas/New Year period when distribution can be unsettled and overcompensated for, but it is hard to verify individual sightings.

===Marvel UK Annuals===
{{main|Transformers Annual}}
Marvel UK's '''Transformers Annuals''' were published every year, in summer to autumn in time for the Christmas market, for the life of the comic. Each annual was made up of a combination of a comic strip, text stories and editorial content. Some annuals also contained crossover stories with the main weekly comic in an attempt to boost sales. Due to falling sales, later annuals mainly contained reprinted stories from the comic. (Reprinted stories are not listed below.) These reprints are still of interest, as they present formerly black-and-white works in full colour.

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1985|Marvel UK Annual 1985]]|content=
*[[Plague of the Insecticons!]]
*[[Missing in Action]]
*[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]
*[[Hunted!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1986|Marvel UK Annual 1986]]|content=
*[[In the Beginning...]]
*[[The Return of the Transformers]]
*[[To a Power Unknown!]]
*[[State Games]]
*[[Victory!]]
*[[The Mission]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1987|Marvel UK Annual 1987]]|content=
*[[What's in a Name?]]
*[[Doomsday for Nebulos]]
*[[Vicious Circle!]]
*[[Stylor's Story]]
*[[Ark Duty]]
*[[The Final Conflict]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1989|Marvel UK Annual 1989]]|content=
*[[The Saga of the Transformers — So Far!]]
*[[Altered Image!]]
*[[Prime Bomb!]]
*[[All in the Minds!]]
*[[Peace]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1990|Marvel UK Annual 1990]]|content=
*[[The Quest!]]
*[[Destiny of the Dinobots!]]
*[[Trigger-Happy!]]
*[[Dreadwing Down!]]
*[[The Chain Gang!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1991|Marvel UK Annual 1991]]|content=
*[[The Magnificent Six!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1992|Marvel UK Annual 1992]]|content=
*[[Another Time & Place]]
}}

===Collected Comics===
{{main|Transformers Collected Comics}}
Marvel UK also published a companion series of sorts as a series of "Collected Comics" Specials, reprinting stories from the main series, mostly UK-original material.

==Notes==
[[File:TransformersGoesMonthly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Gor strewth kippers chips milk float!]]
*There was almost an entirely ''new'' Marvel continuity seperate from the other two, as a toy company in continental [[Europe]] had bought the licensing rights for some of the [[Japan|Japanese]] toys that Hasbro weren't releasing in Europe. Marvel UK were approached to create an extra comic about these toys, and [[Ian Rimmer]] got [[James Hill and [[Mike Collins]] to start work on ''It Wouldn't Be Called Transformers'' for the UK-and-European market before Hasbro just bought the other company out. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 18</ref>
* While Marvel US had some more involvement from Hasbro until the later years (when they'd lost interest), Marvel UK didn't even have to show Hasbro UK the scripts! This sort of laissez-faire attitude is very much ''not'' how licensed comics are done anymore.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 11</ref>
* [[The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas]] was a four-page comic special published in ''[[Woman's Day]]'' magazine. There were no credits, but it was obviously a Marvel Comics production.
* The inside cover infobox in Marvel UK #330 revealed that there were plans for the UK ''Transformers'' comic to continue after #332, albeit with a format change. The book was intended to have become a monthly with issue #333, and would have featured ten pages of recolored Transformers reprints, ten pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'', and a new five-page story per issue. However, by the publication of issue #332, Marvel UK evidently dropped this plan—although the news did not reach ''[[Combat Colin]]'' in time.
* According to the third issue of ''All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'''s entries on [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], the events of the Marvel UK Generation 1 comics take place on Marvel Earth-120185. The universe is named after the publication date of the first Marvel UK-exclusive story, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]".
* According to the [http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm Marvel Universe Appendix], the events of the Marvel US comics take place on Marvel Earth-91274.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/overview.html Guide to TF UK by Crespo99]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/4eeba9a9b0fe0817/1cdaf7df610e0376 May, 1984 net.comics review]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (Marvel Comics), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues| ]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues| ]]

The Transformers (Marvel comic)

2022-01-25T18:44:38Z

Charles RB: /* Overview */

{{disambig2|the Marvel Comics series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{nav-G1|logo=MarvelTheTransformers Logo1.png}}

{{bigquote|Four million years ago, they came from '''Cybertron''', a world composed entirely of machinery... a world torn by an age-old war between the heroic '''Autobots''' and the evil '''Decepticons'''. These incredibly powerful living robots, capable of converting themselves into land and air vehicles, weapons and other mechanical forms, continue their conflict here on '''Earth'''. They are...'''THE TRANSFORMERS'''|Marvel US introductory blurb}}

[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|The heroic Autobots fight to crush Earth's highways. [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]] is very happy.]]
'''''The Transformers''''', the monthly comic book published in the U.S. by [[Marvel Comics]], was the very first original fiction to feature the famous robots in disguise, as well as the longest-running. It started life as [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|a four-issue, bimonthly limited series]] in 1984, but proved so popular that it continued publication as an ongoing monthly until spring of 1991. The series ultimately reached 80 issues and spun off several miniseries.

The series established the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], which would form the basis for several successor stories over the years. Marvel would publish the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' series]] only two years later, and [[IDW Publishing]] would later reunite several Marvel creatives for both [[The Transformers: Regeneration One|''Regeneration One'']], a continuation of the original Marvel comic, and the [[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Transformers '84]] prequel miniseries.

Nearly all of the U.S. stories were later published by Marvel UK, along with new stories that fit between the gaps of the U.S. tales. See [[#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] below.

==Marvel U.S.==
{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' US issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[Power Play!|#2]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#3]]
*[[The Last Stand|#4]]
*[[The New Order|#5]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6]]
*[[Warrior School!|#7]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#8]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#11]]
*[[Prime Time!|#12]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#13]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#15]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#16]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#17]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#18]]
*[[Command Performances!|#19]]
*[[Showdown!|#20]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#21]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#22]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#23]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#24]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#26]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#27]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#28]]
*[[Crater Critters|#29]]
*[[The Cure!|#30]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#31]]
*[[Used Autobots|#32]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#33]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#34]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#35]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#36]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#37]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#38]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]]
*[[Totaled!|#41]]
*[[People Power!|#42]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#43]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#44]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#45]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]]
*[[Club Con!|#47]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#48]]
*[[Cold War!|#49]]
*[[Dark Star|#50]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#51]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#52]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#53]]
*[[King Con!|#54]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#55]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#56]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#57]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#58]]
*[[Skin Deep|#59]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#61]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#62]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#63]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#64]]
*[[Dark Creation|#65]]
*[[All Fall Down|#66]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#67]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#68]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#69]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#70]]
*[[Surrender!|#71]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#72]]
*[[Out of Time!|#73]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#74]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#75]]
*[[Still Life!|#76]]
*[[Exodus!|#77]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#78]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#79]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#80]]
}}

===Related mini-series===
*''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]''
*''[[The Transformers Universe]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Though published by Marvel in the US and UK, is only related in the UK canon)

===Successor comics===
{{note|The different publishers' series are all mutually exclusive, effectively representing different branched timelines. The Collectors' Club and IDW efforts explicitly ignore the events of Marvel UK stories, although the latter takes copious ''characters and concepts'' from both the UK and G2 material}}
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
*''[[Transformers: Classics]]'' ([[Transformers Collectors' Club]])
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'', [[Transformers '84 issue 0|''Transformers '84'' #0]], & ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Secrets & Lies]]'' ([[IDW Publishing]])

===Overview===
[[File:Autobotline.gif|left|upright=1.4|thumb|After watching traffic reports for an hour, they finally decided to just stay home.]]
The story begins with a brief history of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and its [[Great War (G1)|civil war]], which eventually causes the planet to become lost in space. Battling aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the original 28 characters crash-land on [[Earth]] four million years ago and awaken in the (then-) present day of 1984. The quest for [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] becomes their initial goal, driving the first several issues.

As the first fiction in the entire [[The Transformers (franchise)|franchise]], the initial issues of ''Transformers'' were breaking completely new ground. Early issues contain a variety of plot points and conventions, some of which would go on to shape the very mythos... and others that would fall by the wayside, forgotten and hilariously quaint. The concept of the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] is a good example of the former group; "[[Atechnogenesis|naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys]]" comes to mind for the latter.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|With a single wave of Starscream's hand, Hound, Bluestreak, Mirage, Hoist, Brawn, and Gears cease to occupy valuable page space!]]
The book soon built its own elaborate and wide-reaching universe, including hundreds of characters—[[Transformer]]s, [[human]]s, [[alien]]s—on Earth, Cybertron, and beyond. Late in the series, a long-running plot brought in the sinister menace of [[Unicron]], giving him a backstory and build-up that for many fans surpassed his original appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for storytelling and gravitas. This backstory would eventually go on to eclipse the origin given in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]].

Because it was a book intended [[to sell toys]], ''Transformers'' featured an ever-rotating cast. New Transformers were often hastily brought in to meet the demands of [[Hasbro]], and older "product" was often swept aside or killed off ''en masse'' in [[Dark Star|epic, climactic battles]].

After some troubled times and steadily declining readership, the series was finally canceled at issue #80. A combination of factors was likely responsible: the Transformers toyline had become yesterday's fad, the core readership had grown older and moved on, and Hasbro seems to have pulled the plug.

Several subsequent series would build upon the series; see [[Marvel Comics continuity]] for more information.

===Creative team===
[[File:MarvelUS-75.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|He's authorized to devour anyone not in the current product line.]]
The book featured two primary writers: [[Bob Budiansky]] edited [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original 4-part limited series]] and wrote the book from issue #5 to issue #55. After that, [[Simon Furman]], already heavily experienced from his work on the UK book, took up the reins until the book was cancelled at issue #80. Other writers balked at having to keep track of this massive, unfamiliar cast, which is the reason the original miniseries has three writers and is an admitted mess.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref>

''Transformers'' is a bit notorious for wild swings in writing quality, as serious plots alternated with such strange concepts as [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Micromaster wrestling]] and [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|ridiculous bounty hunters]]. Some of this may be attributed to Bob Budiansky's eventual burn-out; after years of having to wrap his stories around to meet the latest toy-appearance demands from Hasbro, his later writing on the book showed a decline in quality. Among Transfans, he is sometimes remembered unfavourably because of this period, perhaps unfairly so considering his fundamental role in shaping the Transformers universe and most of its characters, as well as some of the book's [[Warrior School!|most gripping early stories]]. Still, even such oddball stories as "[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]" and "[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]" have both their merits and their fans.

Budiansky himself proposed that Simon Furman take over as the U.S. series writer.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004">[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/otfcc2004.txt Steve-o's OTFCC 2004 notes]</ref> With the changeover, the stories took on a more serious tone, relying on character conflict more than outlandish plot devices. Many fans regard Furman's run on the original book as one of the high points of all Transformers fiction.

The comic was written in "Marvel Style", where the writer gives the artist a plot outline instead of a full script. The artist then lays out the pages himself; afterward the writer comes back in and scripts the dialog based on the artist's work. This approach gives the artist a larger role in telling the story than simply drawing what the writer tells them to.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004" />

A number of artists worked on ''Transformers'', but the most frequent pencilers included [[Frank Springer]], [[Don Perlin]], [[José Delbo]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. Also of particular note is colorist [[Nelson Yomtov|Nelson "Nel" Yomtov]], who colored every single issue of the book, as well as all of the related mini-series.
{{--}}

===Publication and format===
As ''The Transformers'' title began life as a limited series, it was subject to the conventions Marvel had established for limited series at the time of its publication. "Standard" Marvel comics released concurrently in 1984 cost 60 cents and were printed on newsprint; in contrast, ''The Transformers'' sold for 75 cents and was printed on a whiter, higher-quality stock (for the time) known as "[[Mando paper]]".

Evidently considered a "deluxe format" book by Marvel, ''Transformers'' continued to be printed on Mando paper even after it became an ongoing series.<ref>''Marvel Age'' #23, November 1984</ref> It also remained at 75 cents—at least until [[King of the Hill!|issue 28]], when the price of the book rose to 1 dollar. With the exception of the double-sized [[Dark Star|issue 50]] and [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue 75]], which were both priced at $1.50, ''The Transformers'' would remain at 1 dollar for the remainder of its original run.

===Cover dates===
There is some confusion over when issues first appeared, due to changing practices regarding the cover dates. When the comic began in 1984, Marvel issues were normally cover dated four months ahead of their going on sale. This was partially a hangover from the days of fierce newsstand competition when each company tried to make its comics look newer than its rivals and partially a mechanism to compensate for slower distribution on newsstands and overseas sales.

As a result of this, although [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] is cover dated September, it went on sale in May. This is supported by the first Usenet post about Transformers which was posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics on May 22, 1984.<ref>Ted Nolan, "[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en Year's worst?] in net.comics, 22-May-84 02:07:22 EDT</ref>

In 1989, Marvel decided to rationalize things by moving to a system where the cover date was only two months in advance. In order to achieve this, issues released in August 1989 have the cover date "Mid November", those in September 1989 have "December" and those in October "Mid December". The relevant ''Transformers'' issues were [[Skin Deep|#59]], [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]] and [[The Primal Scream|#61]].

===Comics Magazine===
{{main|The Transformers Comics Magazine}}
Marvel US released a bimonthly digest-sized magazine, which reprinted the first twenty issues of the main series - two issues per magazine - until cancelled with #10.

==Marvel UK==
'''Marvel UK''' produced a G1 comic which ran for 332 issues, reprinting the American stories and adding in many new stories built around them.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]
}}

{{chapters|title=Second stories for issues with two non-reprint ''Transformers'' stories:|content=

*[[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*...
*[[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*...
*[[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]
*...
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
*...
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*...
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]
*...
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]
*...
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK Stories by Category:|content=
*'''US Reprints:''' [[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]

*'''UK Material:''' [[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]

*'''UK B&W Material:''' [[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]

*'''UK Text Material:''' [[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]

*'''Earthforce:''' [[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]

*'''Headmasters:''' [[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]

*'''G.I. Joe and the Transformers:''' [[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]

*'''Robo-Capers with Transformer material:''' [[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
}}

===Overview===
{{bigquote|Dear [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], To put it bluntly, the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic is 100% better than the American version we get over here. Your comics have beautiful covers, high quality artwork and very intelligent plots. Here in the States, Transformers comics are monthly instead of weekly and have bad artwork and stupid plots. Thank you for showing us the Autobots and Decepticons of the 21st Century. You guys in Britain are, as always, one step ahead when it comes to [[time travel]] (from Wells' Time Machine to [[Doctor Who]] — you always come through)! Bob Newell, Warren, MI.|Dread Tidings, issue #188}}

[[File:MarvelUK-244.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This is the best Cracker Jack prize ever!]]
Though not without contradiction, the Marvel UK book managed to weave a number of highly complex stories "behind the scenes" of the Marvel U.S. tales. Topics included expanded stories and battles in the early days of the war (before [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave's]] arrival), more intrigue among the [[Decepticon]] commanders on Earth, the [[Autobot]] resistance on Cybertron, and the time-travelling exploits of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who arrives directly from the future world of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

The UK book's weekly schedule and shorter format meant splitting stories into parts, often right in the middle of the action. Like the U.S. book, Marvel UK featured [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|a regular column of letters from readers]]; however, these were supposedly answered by various Transformers, including Grimlock, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], and others.

Exactly how many copies it sold is vaguely estimated at 200,000 at its height, though [[Ian Rimmer]] remembers 128,000 in 1986. Either way, it was the company's biggest hit and would establish a 'house style' that Marvel UK would use on their subsequent toy-and-cartoon licensed comics. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 6</ref> (None would reach ''Transformers'' height until ''The Real Ghostbusters'') We know the comic began to drop about roughly 10,000 readers every sixth months from the summer of 1988 and by the time of #319, the comic's average weekly circulation was 19,839; but at this point, the sales had mostly stabilised due to the long-term fans sticking around. The older age of the readers can be noticed in the covers [[Harry Papadopoulos]] commissioned at the time: brighter covers with word balloons and puns were dropped for moodier painted covers and things like [[:Image:MarvelUK-309.jpg|Expressionist screaming heads and a reference to a King Crimson song]].<ref>[[James Roberts]], [https://medium.com/@jamesroberts_96602/transformers-uk-the-comic-that-nearly-cheated-death-9ac69e7578d2 Transformers UK — the comic that (nearly) cheated death]</ref>

===Creative team===
[[File:Megatron-timewars-comparison.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Change of artists? Eh, who'll notice?]]
Most UK-specific stories were written by [[Simon Furman]], who was later assigned to write for the U.S. comic as well. Curiously, it was from this point that the divergences between the UK and U.S. stories became more pronounced.

Regular artists included [[Will Simpson]], [[Robin Smith]], [[Dan Reed]], [[Jeff Anderson]], [[Lee Sullivan]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. The large stable of artists resulted in some extreme contrasts of style throughout the book, such as Reed's highly organic art being followed by the clean, mechanical precision of Sullivan or Senior. Sometimes these changes occurred within the context of a single story.
{{--}}

===Complexity and contradiction in continuity===
[[File:Goldbugorigins.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|In no continuity was his face damaged. Maybe Bumblebee was just really ugly by Transformer standards.]]
Making the new stories align with the U.S. book occasionally involved some bending over backwards in storytelling terms. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], for example, winds up with partial amnesia at the end of [[Resurrection!|one story]], explaining why he doesn't remember the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] when he encounters them again in a [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|later U.S. story]]. U.S. reprints were sometimes physically edited as well; for example, a UK story has [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] being transported to [[Limbo]] after the events of U.S. #23, necessitating the removal of his occasional background appearances thereafter.

Another major change was the exclusion of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' crossover, which featured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee's]] destruction and subsequent restoration as Goldbug. UK continuity accounted for the reformatting by showing Bumblebee destroyed by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] during "[[Hunters]]". Also, the UK comic continued to feature Megatron and Shockwave after their apparent deaths in the U.S. comic. While Megatron's appearance was eventually [[Two Megatrons!|reconciled]] (sort of, if you squint) with the U.S. continuity, Shockwave's was not.

The "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" story in UK #255-260 began the [[Earthforce]] storyline and heralded a nigh-irreconcilable division between U.S. and UK stories. This was in part a deliberate decision to not try to maintain continuity due to past problems.<ref name="furint1">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past']. '''Question''' Why do you feel continuity suffered more instead of less, between Marvel UK and US when you took over the US book? "The problem was, we were badly out of synch with the US material reprints by the time I was also writing the US comic. I was trying my hardest to craft semi-crossover stories (like the [[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer two-parter]] with [[Dark Creation|US #65]]) and then the UK comic would run a batch of old UK reprint material and completely throw it out. I realised I was making matters worse (and more confusing) and not better, and pretty much stopped trying to directly tie the two together.</ref><ref name="furint2">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php]; "...because (if I’m brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn’t necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?"</ref>

===Publication and format===
The Marvel UK book was published fortnightly from #1 to #26, weekly from #27 to #308, and fortnightly again from #309 to its conclusion in #332. These issues used a larger, magazine-sized format, compared to the traditional size for modern U.S. comic books. They contained 24 pages, numbered inclusive of advertising (unlike the U.S. comic). The color and paper quality was better than that of the U.S. comic, resulting in much whiter whites and, in UK-exclusive stories, no ugly dot artifacts in the colored regions.

Typically, 11 pages would be devoted to a U.S. or UK Transformers story, while the remaining pages were divided between a [[Back-up strips|back-up strip]], a letters page, small humorous comic strips (most notably ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''), and advertisements. Between issues #213 and #289 the format was changed to accommodate three five-page strips: the US reprint (published in colour), a new UK story (published in black and white) and a back-up strip. Issue #289 was the last to contain new UK Transformers stories.

In issue #290 there was another format change, with the comic returning to full colour throughout and reprints of classic UK stories taking the place of new black and white material. The three-strip structure was then dropped for good with issue #309; issue #310 then returned to the traditional format of an 11-page US reprint and a back-up strip, albeit published fortnightly once more.

UK children's comics typically have a weekly or fortnightly publication schedule, and monthly publication is the preserve of more substantial magazines aimed at older readers. The decision to publish fortnightly necessitated the division of the U.S. storylines between two or more UK comics, otherwise the UK comic would run out of material. The back-up strip then bulked out the issue to an acceptable size. When the comic began to be published weekly, this required still more Transformers material, which led to longer runs of original UK stories.

The Marvel UK series ran for about a year longer than its American counterpart and altogether had about twice as many stories.

===Cover dates===
Similarly to the U.S. comic, there is also some confusion over when issues of the UK comic were published. The date on a British weekly during ''Transformers'''s run was normally the ''off''-sale date when it would be replaced by the next issue. For example [[Manoeuvres!|issue #283]] has a cover date of 18 August 1990 but was released on the 11th August 1990. During at least most of the run, the norm was for weekly comics to come out on a Saturday.

Occasionally, an issue was seen arriving on the Friday before it was "due", with such sightings usually during the Christmas/New Year period when distribution can be unsettled and overcompensated for, but it is hard to verify individual sightings.

===Marvel UK Annuals===
{{main|Transformers Annual}}
Marvel UK's '''Transformers Annuals''' were published every year, in summer to autumn in time for the Christmas market, for the life of the comic. Each annual was made up of a combination of a comic strip, text stories and editorial content. Some annuals also contained crossover stories with the main weekly comic in an attempt to boost sales. Due to falling sales, later annuals mainly contained reprinted stories from the comic. (Reprinted stories are not listed below.) These reprints are still of interest, as they present formerly black-and-white works in full colour.

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1985|Marvel UK Annual 1985]]|content=
*[[Plague of the Insecticons!]]
*[[Missing in Action]]
*[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]
*[[Hunted!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1986|Marvel UK Annual 1986]]|content=
*[[In the Beginning...]]
*[[The Return of the Transformers]]
*[[To a Power Unknown!]]
*[[State Games]]
*[[Victory!]]
*[[The Mission]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1987|Marvel UK Annual 1987]]|content=
*[[What's in a Name?]]
*[[Doomsday for Nebulos]]
*[[Vicious Circle!]]
*[[Stylor's Story]]
*[[Ark Duty]]
*[[The Final Conflict]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1989|Marvel UK Annual 1989]]|content=
*[[The Saga of the Transformers — So Far!]]
*[[Altered Image!]]
*[[Prime Bomb!]]
*[[All in the Minds!]]
*[[Peace]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1990|Marvel UK Annual 1990]]|content=
*[[The Quest!]]
*[[Destiny of the Dinobots!]]
*[[Trigger-Happy!]]
*[[Dreadwing Down!]]
*[[The Chain Gang!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1991|Marvel UK Annual 1991]]|content=
*[[The Magnificent Six!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1992|Marvel UK Annual 1992]]|content=
*[[Another Time & Place]]
}}

===Collected Comics===
{{main|Transformers Collected Comics}}
Marvel UK also published a companion series of sorts as a series of "Collected Comics" Specials, reprinting stories from the main series, mostly UK-original material.

==Notes==
[[File:TransformersGoesMonthly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Gor strewth kippers chips milk float!]]
*There was almost an entirely ''new'' Marvel continuity seperate from the other two, as a toy company in continental [[Europe]] had bought the licensing rights for some of the [[Japan|Japanese]] toys that Hasbro weren't releasing in Europe. Marvel UK were approached to create an extra comic about these toys, and [[Ian Rimmer]] got [[James Hill and [[Mike Collins]] to start work on ''It Wouldn't Be Called Transformers'' for the UK-and-European market before Hasbro just bought the other company out. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 18</ref>
* While Marvel US had some more involvement from Hasbro until the later years (when they'd lost interest), Marvel UK didn't even have to show Hasbro UK the scripts! This sort of laissez-faire attitude is very much ''not'' how licensed comics are done anymore.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 11</ref>
* [[The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas]] was a four-page comic special published in ''[[Woman's Day]]'' magazine. There were no credits, but it was obviously a Marvel Comics production.
* The inside cover infobox in Marvel UK #330 revealed that there were plans for the UK ''Transformers'' comic to continue after #332, albeit with a format change. The book was intended to have become a monthly with issue #333, and would have featured ten pages of recolored Transformers reprints, ten pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'', and a new five-page story per issue. However, by the publication of issue #332, Marvel UK evidently dropped this plan—although the news did not reach ''[[Combat Colin]]'' in time.
* According to the third issue of ''All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'''s entries on [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], the events of the Marvel UK Generation 1 comics take place on Marvel Earth-120185. The universe is named after the publication date of the first Marvel UK-exclusive story, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]".
* According to the [http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm Marvel Universe Appendix], the events of the Marvel US comics take place on Marvel Earth-91274.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/overview.html Guide to TF UK by Crespo99]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/4eeba9a9b0fe0817/1cdaf7df610e0376 May, 1984 net.comics review]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (Marvel Comics), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues| ]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues| ]]

State Games

2022-01-25T03:29:01Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Annual 1986]]
|prev=The Return of the Transformers
|next=Victory!
|title=A Tale from Cybertron "State Games"
|image=State games 1.JPG
|caption=The golden age before the golden age.
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=September [[1986]]
|coverdate=[[1986]]
|writer=[[James Hill]]
|art=[[John Stokes]]<ref name="TFCUK2cred">''The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2'', pg 254</ref>
|lettering=
|editor=[[Sheila Cranna]]<ref name="TFCUK2cred"/>
|chronology=[[Marvel Comics timeline|Immediately pre-Great War]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]] ([[Primax 984.20 Gamma|Marvel UK]])
}}
'''The war begins...'''

==Synopsis==
Though a line of [[Overlord (rank)|Overlords]] once ruled Cybertron in an Autocracy, their time is now all but at an end; only one of them remains, holding dwindling political influence in [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]. Tensions rise on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the result of new [[Transformer]] life being created unabated, putting increased pressure on the planet's resources. In order to combat this, the Overlord creates the [[Games (competition)|Games]]—an inter-city [[Gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial competition]] put into practice to facilitate goodwill between the planet's various [[Polities of Cybertron|city-states]], such as [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], Tarn and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]. Unfortunately, they have the opposite effect and rivalries between the city-states boil over into outright enmities.

[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], a citizen of Tarn, is a successful but particularly vicious athlete. [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] is very much his equal, and the two share a somewhat acrimonious sporting rivalry. During a match between Megatron and [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] held in Tarn, Megatron cuts loose and nearly slays his opponent. Optimus intervenes, but the Overlord remains blind to Megatron's growing ambitions, and reprimands Optimus for interfering in the contest.

Meanwhile, the Vos athletic team breaks into Tarn's power generator with the purpose of planting a bomb, destroying Tarn, while at the same time leaving evidence to suggest that it was Iacon who was responsible. The resulting war would decimate Tarn and Iacon, leaving Vos (ruled by a criminal syndicate headed by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]) the most powerful city on Cybertron. However, the team is caught in the act by a lowly second-engineer. The bomb still goes off, but not before Vos's guilt becomes known. Tarn soon becomes a barren warzone as its conflict with the enemy city escalates. Though [[Xaaron]] of Iacon attempts to convince his fellow councilors to send their forces over as peace-keepers, his request is shot down by High Councillor [[Traachon]]. The latter is convinced that should Iacon refrain from getting involved, the war will not affect them. Further, he believes that it might be in Iacon's best interest if the other two city states annihilate one another.

[[File:StateGames-Overlordautobot.jpg|left|upright=1.5|thumb|"The only water in the forest is the river."]]
Back in Tarn, the hostilities traps the athletes and the Autobot Overlord in what is now the frontline of an inter-city war. The Autobot Overlord is ancient and frail, and requires frequent care. Megatron and Optimus Prime accompany the Overlord's two bodyguards, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] and [[Nightstalker (G1)|Nightstalker]] in attempting to return the Overlord to Iacon through the battlefield. However, the fighting becomes too intense, and Optimus Prime leaves the other three with the Overlord to go to Iacon alone and gather reinforcements. After Prime's departure, a small force of shock troops, the remainder of Tarn's defunct military, attacks. Initially, Megatron holds them off with a [[fusion cannon]] he recovers from a dead soldier, but even this powerful new weapon is not enough to win the day. In order to protect his master, Nightstalker sacrifices himself in a suicide explosion, leaving only Ravage and Megatron to stand guard. Megatron, seeing that Cybertron is on the cusp of a major political change, leaves the Overlord to die, with Ravage following suit.

When the war between Vos and Tarn finishes, Megatron convinces the survivors to unite as a new faction, the [[Decepticon]]s, against Iacon. He tells the gathered crowd that Iacon could have easily intervened to prevent the war. As they once had done in the gladiatorial arena, Megatron's admirers chant his name, signaling the beginning of his rise to power.
{{-}}
==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (2)
*[[Overlord (rank)|Overlord]] (3)
*[[Nightstalker (G1)|Nightstalker]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (6)
*[[Xaaron]] (8)
*[[Tomaandi]] (9)
*[[Traachon]] (10)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (5)
|c4=
*[[Tornado]] (7)
}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*"State Games" is a prequel to, and was directly inspired by, the earlier story "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]", published in [[Transformers Annual 1985|the previous year's annual]], sharing a variation of its "Tales from Cybertron" title prefix. A slight retcon of its events is performed, however; "And There Shall Come..." established that Megatron and Optimus did not know each other prior to the war, while "State Games" makes them fellow gladiators acquainted with one another.
*At this point in real-world Transformers history, the "Prime" part of Optimus Prime's name held no special meaning, essentially serving only as his "surname." Later stories would retcon it into being the title of the Autobot who bears the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], making its use in this story, when he is nothing but an Iaconian athlete, notably anomalous.
*The Vos team includes [[Tornado]], who previously appeared in [[The Enemy Within!|issue #15]] of the weekly ''Transformers'' comic.
*Iaconian council members [[Xaaron]], [[Tomaandi]], and [[Traachon]] all previously appeared in "And There Shall Come...a Leader!" Just a few weeks after the annual's publication, Xaaron would make the jump to appearing in the weekly comic, beginning with [[Target: 2006|issue #78]].
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] are mentioned as leaders of Tarn and Vos, respectively. This seems to be an implicit explanation for why these two Decepticons in particular keep trying to take command from Megatron in the present day: they used to be in charge (with Megatron even being Shockwave's subject!) and want that back.

===Transformers references===
*Hill describes the "spark" for the gladiatorial setting as coming from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s fight on [[Sherman Dam]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".<ref name="TFCUK2int">Interview with James Hill in ''The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2'', pg 256-257</ref>

===Real-life references===
*The terrorist attack on the Games was a reference to the {{w|Munich massacre|events surrounding the 1972 Munich Olympics}}. It was also intended as the lead-up to [[World War I]] and the Russian Revolution "through a fantasy prism".<ref name="TFCUK2int"/>

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Megatron and Sunstreaker are described in the text as wearing masks. In the accompanying illustration of the scene, however, presumably so we can clearly identify Megatron, he is not wearing one. We can't see Sunstreaker's face, but his whole head is off-model, lacking his distinctive "ear" protrusions.
*Megatron should be wearing his newly-acquired fusion cannon in the final illustration of the story, but it is absent.

===IDW remake===
James Hill pitched an adaptation of "State Games" as a comic to [[IDW Publishing]] in [[2007]]. The pitch is included in [[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]] and is intended to sell a 22-page one shot.

The pitch said the story would be retold "in a "mythical" context... a fairy tale quality that would reinforce its nature as ''A'' Tale From Cybertron not necessarily ''The'' Tale From Cybertron." Thus the story would open with an ancient, damaged Autobot using a quill writing the first paragraph of the old text story, and his subsequent writings would be the narrative captions. At the end, the writer would toss his story in a 'bottle' that would be found and transmitted by a space-faring Transformer, while the ancient writer goes on to write another story about Optimus.

As the story was pitched in 2007, it likely ran afoul of the fact ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]'' was already pitched and approved. And for that, see below...

===Other trivia===
*Contrary to the annual prose stories' tendency to be throwaway, forgotten tales, "State Games" would go on to become hugely influential on future media. The concept of the Decepticons having their origins in gladiatorial games and of political tensions on a declining Cybertron were revisited in first [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity|Dreamwave's]] comics, then [[2005 IDW continuity|IDW]], and then part of the 'bible' for the [[Aligned continuity family]] which cemented it as [[Gladiatorial combat|something you just have Decepticons ''do'']]. IDW's ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'', in particular, is in many ways a retelling of "State Games", using combat games (albeit illegal, rather than state-sanctioned), economic depression, and anger towards the politics of Iacon as major plot points; and writer [[Eric Holmes]] was a Marvel UK reader as a kid, and almost certainly read "State Games".
*In [[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]], Hill expressed amazement that his young self dared to write something so massive for a licensed property and talked about how unlikely this would be under the more restrictive modern licensing deals. He's worked both sides of the fence, as a licensor who understands the need for brand cohesion and a creator frustrated he not only can't write new stories, "we've not even been allowed to ''draw'' pictures of the characters." "The 40-year-old editor James Hill would probably reject something as radical," he told [[James Roberts]], but "I think there's a valuable lesson" in the fact young Hill wrote it and everyone still talks about it.

===Courtesy of my...===
*In the Games, Megatron and Sunstreaker are armed with [[Axe (weapon)|energy axes]] and shields.
*When Prime intervenes, he pulls a [[photon pistol]].
*Vos and Tarn take each other off the map with [[photon missile]]s.
*One of the troops from Tarn fires an [[electron pistol]], destroying one of Nightstalker's [[missile]] launchers.
*Megatron salvages a [[fusion cannon]] from a dead warrior.

===Cover===
*'''Transformers Annual 1986:''' Prime and other early Transformers, by [[Barry Kitson]].
<gallery>
File:Transformers annual 1987.jpg|'''Transformers Annual 1986'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Classicuk2.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Marvel UK Annual stories]]

The Return of the Transformers

2022-01-25T03:09:23Z

Charles RB:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Annual 1986|''Transformers'' Annual 1986]]
|prev=To a Power Unknown!
|next=State Games
|title="The Return of the Transformers"
|image=Thereturnofthetransformers dannyphillips.jpg
|caption=Cheer up, Emo Kid!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=September [[1986]]
|coverdate=[[1986]]
|writer=[[James Hill]]
|art=[[John Stokes]]
|lettering=
|colours=?
|editor=
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Danny Phillips is convinced the Transformers are peaceful ambassadors of love and understanding.'''

'''Yeah, ''this'' is going to be a rude awakening.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Danny Phillips]] becomes obsessed with the [[Transformer]]s after [[Missing in Action|being rescued from a fire]] by [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]. He is convinced (despite all evidence to the contrary) that they came to [[Earth]] to promote peace and understanding and is possessed by the idea of finding them. Hoping to distract her son from his fixation, [[Jennifer Phillips]] booked them a vacation to the [[Charlton]] hotel.

Meanwhile, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] [[Aerialbots over America!|continues]] to doubt the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], so he orders [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] to take over the unit and undermine the Aerialbots on their mission investigating [[Decepticon]] activity in an East Coast town to see how they hold up. Jetfire thinks this is sucky, but does as he's ordered.

While taking a walk, Danny Phillips finds the nearby power plant seemingly abandoned. Wandering through the buildings, he discovers this is because the Decepticons [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], and [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] have locked the plant personnel in an energy cage and are converting its output into [[energon cube]]s with a [[power siphon]]. Skywarp grabs Danny and squeezes—just as the Aerialbots, goaded into overriding [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]]'s recommended cautious approach, attack. Skydive accidentally overloads the energon cubes, and Jetfire orders [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (the team's worst flyer) to take Danny to safety. Fireflight drops Danny on the beach near the Charlton, where the employees have gathered to watch the distant battle, but his poor flying, combined with the earlier abuse at Skywarp's hands has caused Danny to black out, so the humans think he has harmed the boy.

[[File:Emokid throw.jpg|left|thumb|Danny responds to the latest Stephen King book.]]
As the battle takes to the sky, Jetfire is shot down by Starscream, and the Aerialbots form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. However, Superion is so crippled by the Aerialbots' various phobias, complexes, insecurities and conflicts that he can only focus on one thing at a time. He grabs Starscream and throws him to the ground—into the (thankfully empty) Charlton. Heedless of the damage he is causing, Superion begins digging through the wreckage of the hotel to finish Starscream off when Danny, outraged by the utter pointlessness of this battle between the robots he thought were here to make the world a better place, screams at him to stop and look what he's doing. Starscream escapes as Superion struggles to understand...and fails.

Jetfire goes to cover up the bulk of the Aerialbots' failing, tailing Optimus Prime that they only need experience. Their various problems, he feels, need to be fixed by the special team themselves without interference from outside.

For his part, Danny is bitter to discover that the robots are no better than humans with all their fighting and squabbling, and he throws his scrapbook out into the sea before returning home.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (5)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (6)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (7)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (8)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (9)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (10)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (14)
|c2=
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (13, see Notes)
|c3=
*[[Danny Phillips]] (1)
*[[Jennifer Phillips]] (2)
*[[Simpson]] (3)
}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*As its title suggests, this story is a sequel to "[[Missing in Action]]" from the [[Transformers Annual 1985|previous year's annual]], in which Danny originally appeared. Writer James Hill notes that he chose to continue Danny's story because it was "easier [to do so] than to think up an entirely new plot."<ref>James Hill interview in [[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]]</ref>
*As with many early UK annual stories, it's difficult—nay, impossible—to fit "The Return of the Transformers" into the continuity of the ongoing weekly comic. The appearance of the Aerialbots means this story must take place after the events of [[Aerialbots over America!|issue #90]], in which the Aerialbots were brought online. However, Starscream and Skywarp were taken offline by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] in [[Command Performances!|issue #71]], meaning that they wouldn't be active to feature in this story at that point in time (Thundercracker suffered the same fate, but was brought back online in [[Target: 2006|issue #84]], so he ''could'' be present—but see "Other trivia," below). This continuity clash was likely the result of editorial edict to include the Aerialbots in the story in order to promote their toys (like the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] and the [[Jumpstarter]]s in the previous annual), suggesting the story was written without proper knowledge of the story surrounding their eventual introduction—which didn't actually occur in the regular comic until around four months after the annual's publication.
*That said, the story does make direct references to other UK stories, and even smooths over a continuity error. Back in [[Crisis of Command!|issue #44]], Optimus Prime decreed that the Matrix would not be used to build [[Ultimate Autobot]]s—but the need to feature the [[Special Teams]] in the comic just a few months later caused that decision to be silently ignored when the Autobots commenced planning for the building of the Aerialbots in [[Second Generation!|issue #65]]. "The Return of the Transformers" explains how Prime explicitly reversed his decision in response to the return of Megatron to Decepticon command, in the that same issue.

===Real-life references===
*Danny wears [[Transformers Sports Label|Nikes]].

===Other trivia===
*Of the three Decepticons seen in this story, only Starscream and Skywarp are identified by name. It's only logical to conclude the third is their usual wingmate, Thundercracker.
*This is one of the bleakest Transformers stories ever published. The Aerialbots resent one another's weaknesses, Jetfire is forced to play the bad guy to the new guys (the only Autobots who don't already consider him a "renegade Decepticon"), and Danny's lionisation of and search for the Transformers (with the eventual disappointment, realisation and rejection) is couched entirely in terms evoking Danny's relationship to an absent, never-mentioned father. In the end, the Aerialbots are left to fix themselves if they can, while Danny is forced to accept that his heroes are as flawed as everyone else and there is no meaning in suffering—it simply is.
*When asked about this, Hill said he felt Danny was the one rejecting the Transformers and "giv[ing] up his 'childish' pursuits" to return to his mother, after which "I saw him going on to be much happier than he'd been while 'obsessed' with the Transformers". <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 255</ref> This author's vision makes me uncomfortable, man.

===Cover===
*'''Transformers Annual 1986:''' Prime and other early Transformers, by [[Barry Kitson]]. Notably, Starscream, Soundwave, Ravage and Prowl (the latter in alternate mode) are literally traced from the cover of the [[Panini]] [[The Transformers Sticker Book (1986)|sticker book]] that was released around the same time.

<gallery>
File:Transformers annual 1987.jpg|'''Transformers Annual 1986'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Classicuk2.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Return of the Transformers}}
[[Category:Marvel UK Annual stories]]
[[Category:Marvel UK text stories]]

In the National Interest

2022-01-25T02:55:49Z

Charles RB: /* Continuity notes */

{{comicstory|
|prev=Showdown!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #74–77
|next=Target: 2006
|image=MarvelUK-074.jpg
|caption=You guys just have to destroy '''everything''', don't you?
|title="In the National Interest"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=Part 1: [[August 9|9th August]] Part 2: [[August 16|16th August]] Part 3: [[August 23|23rd August]] Part 4: [[August 30|30th August]], [[1986]] 
|coverdate=Part 1: [[August 16|16th August]] Part 2: [[August 23|23rd August]] Part 3: [[August 30|30th August]] Part 4: [[September 6|6th September]], [[1986]]
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Will Simpson]]
|inks=[[David Hine|Dave Hine]] (Part 2), [[Tim Perkins]] (Part 3)
|art assist by=[[Andrew Leary]] (Part 3)
|colours=[[John Burns]] (Parts 1-2), [[Gina Hart]] (Part 3), [[Tony Jozwiak]] (Part 4)
|lettering=[[Annie Halfacree]]
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Joy Meadows and the Dinobots are going to blow the whole Robot-Master story wide open, but the Decepticons and Triple I don't want this to happen.'''

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
[[File:Centurion.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.25]]
When reporter [[Joy Meadows]] appears on TV news program ''[[Between the Lines]]'' and announces her intent to expose "[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]" as a fraud, the mastermind behind the hoax, [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple-I]] head [[Forrest Forsythe]], decides that she must be silenced. Forsythe is not the only viewer of the broadcast who is already aware of the hoax, however; [[G.B. Blackrock]] also sees it, and contacts Joy with the recommendation that she visit [[Mount St. Hilary]] to meet some "friends" of his who can help her...

At that very same mountain, aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]—recently reactivated after a long period offline, but confined to the base thanks to their conspicuous alternate modes—are bored. Just as [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] decides they need to go find some action, [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] rushes in, having seen Joy's appearance on television and recognized her from their previous encounter. The Dinobots are unimpressed by their comrade's infatuation with the human, but lacking a better alternative for something to do, decide to go with him as he sets out to find her and help her in her mission to expose Robot-Master. They don't have to go far before they cross paths with her: she has been ambushed on the road to Mount St. Hilary by Triple-I mercenaries and nearly run off a cliff. Sludge shields her from their bullets, but is unable to stop her car tipping over the edge; fortunately, [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] catches her and carries her to safety.

Meanwhile, Swoop's old enemy [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]] is on the cusp of being acquitted for the murder of a [[Roxxon Oil security guard|security guard]], but as his trial nears its end, Triple-I mercenaries invade the courtroom and kidnap him. Morris is brought to an armored Triple-I bunker beneath [[Portland]], and learns they want to employ his experience in controlling robots to pilot their new man-made robot, [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]].

===Part 2: "Gauntlet!"===
[[File:Swoop megatron in the national interest.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
[[File:IntheNationalInterest centurion vs megatron.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Withdrawing to the seclusion of [[Talon's Point]] beach, the Dinobots tell Joy the full story of the [[Transformer]]s and their secret war, which leads her to conclude that Robot-Master is a government cover story concocted to hide the truth. Joy wants to interview one of the Dinobots for her exposé, and [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] volunteers to pick up her film crew and fly them in so Triple-I cannot tail them.

Meanwhile, at their [[Wyoming base]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] await news from [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], who is on the trail of the missing Robot-Master. Having played a part in furthering the Robot-Master hoax, Megatron fears its exposure will be used by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] as ammunition against Megatron's leadership, but the opportunity to prevent this arises when Soundwave picks up the signal of Joy's phone call to her crew...

Beneath Portland, Professor Morris is strapped into Triple-I's recreation of his old [[neural relay link]]. He tries to object, telling technician [[Grady (G1)|Grady]] about the death he caused the last time he used the machine, but Grady explains that Triple-I know all about that, and planted evidence to ensure Morris's guilty plea would be thrown out. They had intended to recruit him after his trial was over, but Joy Meadows forced their timeline to be accelerated. A moment later, a console beeps, as Triple-I also detects Joy's call...

A little later, Joy's two-man crew [[Rick (Marvel)|Ricky]] and [[Tony (G1)|Tony]] arrive at the assigned location in Portland to await "pickup," but are intercepted by Megatron before Swoop can reach them. Swoop is quickly defeated when he attempts to engage the Decepticon leader, but battle is then joined by the Morris-controlled Centurion, who takes on Megatron one-on-one!

===Part 3: "Holocaust"===

Centurion gives a good account of himself, but after a brief exchange of blows, Megatron is able to get the upper hand and punches the man-made robot through a nearby building. Fortunately, the fight gives Swoop time to recover, and he manages escapes with Rick and Tony—but, unbeknownst to the Dinobot, he is tagged with a tracer by a Triple-I agent as he flees. This is scarcely a victory for Triple-I, however; having recognized Swoop, Morris becomes determined to make amends for his past misdeeds by helping the Dinobots, and he proceeds to go rogue, sealing the armoured vault to keep Triple-I from interfering.

Back at Talon's Point, the Dinobots discover the presence of the tracer when it briefly jams Swoop's transformation, much to his teammates' amusement. [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] destroys the tracer, but it's too late—Megatron, Soundwave, and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] have followed its signal, and emerge out of the sea, demanding the Dinobots had Joy over. When Grimlock refuses, the Decepticons attack!
{{--}}
===Part 4: "The Dinobots' Last Stand?"===
[[File:Talon's Point.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Outnumbered by the Decepticons, the Dinobots find themselves on the losing end of the battle. Grimlock matches his might against Megatron; Sludge struggles to defend Joy against [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] and [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]; [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] manages to dispatch [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]], but is then blindsided by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]; while Slag falls to the other Constructicons, who then gang up on Swoop. In the midst of the chaos, Centurion arrives to join the fight and the distraction he provides allows the Dinobots to rally. Observing the tide of battle turning, Soundwave changes tactics: he forces Joy and her crew to had over all their recordings, and then calls for everyone's attention as he very publicly has Laserbeak incinerate the tapes. Content that the destruction of the evidence means the Robot-Master cover story is secure for now, Megatron calls off the battle, and the Decepticons withdraw with a warning to the humans not to pursue the matter further. Badly beaten and with no cause left to fight for, the Dinobots let them go.

But the defeat of the Decepticons does not sway Professor Morris from his mission: he will use Centurion to put a stop to all of Triple-I's nefarious actions. From outside the sealed vault, Forsythe warns Morris that Triple-I have erased all evidence connecting them to him, and that the authorities will be waiting for him when he exits the bunker. But the bunker contains enough supplies to last Morris a year—more than enough time to see his mission through!
{{--}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (10)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (11)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (12)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (13)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (14)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (5)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (17)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (20)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (21)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (22)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (23)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (24)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (25)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (26)
|c3=
*[[Joy Meadows]] (1)
*[[Bob (host)|Bob]] (2)
*[[Donny Finkleberg]] (3)
*[[Forrest Forsythe]] (6)
*[[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]] (7)
*Attorney (8)
*[[Peter Anthony Morris]] (9)
*[[Grady (G1)|Grady]] (16)
*[[Rick (Marvel)|Rick]] (18)
*[[Tony (G1)|Tony]] (19)
|c4=
*[[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Joy:''' Wha-? Wha'happen? Am I dead? 
'''Sludge:''' No... No. You're safe with me now. I'll face death itself to defend you, I'll... 
'''Grimlock:''' Sickening, really '''sickening'''. 
'''Swoop:''' I almost wish I'd let her drop! 
:—'''Sludge''' being too mushy for '''Grimlock''' and '''Swoop''', who just saved '''Joy''' from falling.

'''Joy:''' "Er, '''Grimlock'''...is he, er, alright?" 
'''Grimlock:''' "'Fraid not. Defective circuitry." 
'''Swoop:''' "A sad case. Nothing to be done for him, really."
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Swoop''' tease the smitten '''Sludge'''

"OOH, 'ECK! DECEPTICONS!"
:—'''Slag''' has the campest warning ever.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
[[File:IntheNationalInterest sludge and joy.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25]]
*To catch readers up to speed, there's a ''Fact File'' on the Dinobots in #74. One detail this adds is that the Dinobots were all renamed when they took their dino-forms and other than Swoop, they'd all prefer to forget their old names and forms.
*Joy Meadows and her crew previously appeared in [[Dinobot Hunt!|issue #49]], in which Sludge first encountered her, leading to his being smitten with her in this story (right). She has been tipped off to the truth behind Robot-Master by G.B. Blackrock, who earlier butted heads with Triple-I over the hoax in [[I, Robot-Master!|US issue #15]].
*The clips shown from Robot-Master's broadcasts during Joy's interview include footage of Megatron and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] fighting, as seen in [[Second Generation!|issue #65]].
*Triple-I, Forrest Forsythe, and Walter Barnett were all introduced in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|US issue #14]]. "In the National Interest" is their only appearance in a UK-original story.
*Professor Morris was previously introduced in [[The Icarus Theory|issues #45-46]], in which the murder for which he is on trial took place. Morris actually confessed to the murder and surrendered to the authorities in that story, so it seems a little odd to see his lawyer arguing that he is innocent in Part 1, but Triple-I tech Grady notes in Part 2 that the organization planted falsified evidence that would lead to Morris's confession being thrown out. Perhaps the lawyer is also on their payroll?
*Slag refers to the "weeks" the Dinobots' spent "strung up in Ratchet's butcher shop," between the events of [[Dinobot Hunt!|issue #50]] and issue #65. The [[Transformers Annual 1986]] story "[[Victory!]]" goes into a little more detail on this period, but it was not released until shortly after "In the National Interest" concluded.
*Robot-Master escaped the Decepticons in [[Command Performances!|US issue #19]]. Soundwave notes that [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], who is tracking their escapee, has still not reported in; that's because he was sent offline by a fall down a mineshaft in [[Showdown!|US issue #20]].

===Real-life references===
*The plot of this story is inspired by a pair of political thrillers, 1974's ''{{w|The Parallax View}}'', about a female reporter uncovering a conspiracy, and 1975's ''{{w|Three Days of the Condor}}'', about a murderous governmental conspiracy.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*The Dinobots complain that they're confined to the Ark by the other Autobots because their dino modes make them look conspicuous. This was the explanation given for the Dinobots' absence from US stories given in [[Command Performances!|US issue #19]]... but the UK reprint ''removed'' that dialogue, because it was unnecessary due to the team having seen plenty of action in various UK-exclusive stories. So basically, this issue of the UK comic adopts a plot point from the US comic that the UK comic previously chose to ignore.

===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:IntheNationalInterest destroy them.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
*For the majority of this story, Snarl and Swoop continue to be colored in their "early" Marvel UK color schemes; Swoop is largely blue instead of grey like his teammates, and Slag's dino-mode head is golden-yellow instead of greyish-purple. See below for deviations.
*The Constructicons are likewise off-colour in a variety of ways when they appear in Parts 3 and 4, not unlike how they appeared in [[Devastation Derby!|issues #61-62]]. Their heads are all colored purple instead of the correct blue-black (right); other weirdness is noted below.
*Part 1, page 4: Slag and Snarl's heads are both colored red instead of black.
*Throughout part 3, Swoop's dino-mode "legs" (his robot mode arms) are colored grey instead of the blue used on his early color scheme, except for in a one-panel flashback to part 2.
*Part 3, page 8-10: While he's in robot mode, Slag's dino-mode head is colored grey, which is technically correct, but it's not clear if it's been done ''deliberately'', as the panel between it and his robot head is incorrectly colored golden yellow.
*Part 3, page 10, panel 1: Long Haul has a purple abdomen instead of green. Scrapper is almost entirely purple; both the decals on his pectorals are red, when only the right one should be.
*Part 3, page 11, panel 3: Scrapper continues to be mostly purple, and the red of his chest decals has spread up over his shoulders (right).
*Throughout part 4, Bonecrusher's thighs are coloured purple instead of green, while dino-mode Swoop is now in his "finished" Marvel color scheme (grey body, white wings and head, with a red lower jaw). However, his dino-legs (robo-arms) are consistently miscolored red instead of the grey they should be to match his finished colors.
*Part 4, page 3, panel 4: Snarl's limbs and back are all colored mostly red instead of grey.
*Part 4, page 4, panel 3: Long Haul is colored entirely purple from the waist down.
*Part 4, page 5, panel 1: Scrapper's thighs are green and his boots purple; the boots should be green, the thighs white.
*Part 4, page 8, panel 2: Mixmaster's helmet assembly (that... big ol' block that goes around and over his head) is purple instead of green.
*Part 4, page 9, panel 6: Snarl's head is red instead of black.
*Part 4, page 10, panel 3-4: Sludge's shoulder-wings are gold instead of grey.

===Back-up material===
[[File:RoboCapers74.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25]]
'''Issue #74:'''
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''[[Back-up_strips#Hercules|Hercules]]'' ("For the Love of Gods," Part 1) and ''[[Robo-Capers]]''
*'''[[Fact File]]:''' Hercules
*No new half-page "funny" is added to the comic to replace ''Matt and the Cat'' following its conclusion last issue; instead the comic undergoes another change in format this issue, with a redesigned contents page that relocates ''Robo-Capers'' (which previously ran across the bottom of the page) to elsewhere in the comic. There is no [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] this issue, replaced with [[Robo-Capers issue 74|a special full-page ''Robo-Capers'' strip]] (right) that introduces Grimlock as the page's new host replacing Soundwave.
'''Issue #75:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Hercules'' ("For the Love of Gods," Part 2); ''Robo-Capers'' sits this issue out.
*Grimlock's "Grim Grams" letters page begins properly this issue, and will run until [[Space Pirates!|issue #182]].
'''Issue #76:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Hercules'' ("For the Love of Gods," Part 3) and ''Robo-Capers''
*'''Fact File:''' "And Now... The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]!", recapping the characters' history up to this point.
*'''Other features:''' Full-page spotlight on the [[Transformers Annual 1986]].
'''Issue #77:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Hercules'' ("For the Love of Gods," Part 4)
*'''Other features:''' Competition to win ''How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way''; the inclusion of this contest means there's no room for the traditional half-page "Next Issue" preview, which is compressed to a small caption box on the letters page.
{{-}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Issue #74:''' Grimlock, Sludge and Slag burst through the cover, by [[Alister Pearson]].
*'''Issue #75:''' while Megatron is about to destroy Swoop, Guardian looms up behind him, by [[John Stokes]].
*'''Issue #76:''' Swoop carries off the LCTV van, by [[David Hine]].
*'''Issue #77:''' composite of the story's major players, by [[Phil Gascoine]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-074.jpg|'''Issue #74'''
File:MarvelUK-075.jpg|'''Issue #75'''
File:MarvelUK-076.jpg|'''Issue #76'''
File:MarvelUK-077.jpg|'''Issue #77'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-302.jpg|'''[[The Human Factor!|Issue #302]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints the first half of Part 1)
File:MarvelUK-303.jpg|'''[[The Human Factor!|Issue #303]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints the second half of Part 1)
File:MarvelUK-304.jpg|'''[[The Human Factor!|Issue #304]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints the first half of Part 2)
File:MarvelUK-305.jpg|'''[[The Human Factor!|Issue #305]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints the second half of Part 2)
File:MarvelUK-306.jpg|'''[[Eye of the Storm|Issue #306]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints Part 3)
File:MarvelUK-307.jpg|'''[[Eye of the Storm|Issue #307]]''' (Marvel UK, 1990; reprints Part 4)
File:TitanDH.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Dinobot Hunt]]''''' (Titan Books, 2004)
File:BoUK Dinobots 4a.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #4|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #4]] cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 1)
File:BoUK Dinobots 4b.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #4|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #4]] cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 1)
File:BoUK Dinobots 4ri a.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #4|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #4]] cover RI-A'' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 1)
File:BoUK Dinobots 4ri b.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #4|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #4]] cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2007; reprints Part 1)
File:BoUK Dinobots 5a.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #5|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #5]] cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:BoUK Dinobots 5b.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #5|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #5]] cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:BoUK Dinobots 5ri a.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #5|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #5]] cover RI-A''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:BoUK Dinobots 5ri b.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #5|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #5]] cover RI-B''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Parts 2-3)
File:BoUK Dinobots 6a.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #6|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #6]] cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Part 4)
File:BoUK Dinobots 6b.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #6|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #6]] cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Part 4)
File:BoUK Dinobots 6ri.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots#Issue #6|''The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots'' #6]] cover RI''' (IDW Publishing, 2008; reprints Part 4)
File:BoUK Dinobots TPB.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Dinobots]]''''' TPB (IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:IDWBofUKOmnibus.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers: Best of UK]]'' Omnibus''' (IDW Publishing, 2009)
File:Classicuk2.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v5.jpg|'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 5: The Smelting Pool'']]''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2019)
</gallery>

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Dinobot (G1)

2022-01-25T02:54:48Z

Charles RB: /* Marvel The Transformers comics */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Dinobot}}
:''The Dinobots are an [[Autobot]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]]. In some continuities, before they arrive on Earth, they are known as the '''Dynobots'''.''
[[File:UKDinobotsPoster.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Call them the boy-band of the Autobots and prepare for a world of pain. From left to right: Slag, Grimlock, Swoop, Sludge and Snarl.]]
The '''Dinobots''' are a rowdy, arrogant, lowbrow, disobedient band of warriors that some Autobots would rather scrap than deal with. They're also one of the most devastatingly powerful and close-knit combat units in the Autobot army, being incredibly powerful in [[robot mode]] and taking [[alternate mode]]s based on [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]], the most powerful creatures to ever roam the [[Earth]].

Most of them dislike [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], so whether or not they follow the [[Prime (rank)|Autobot leader]]'s orders depends on what those orders are. This attitude extends to the rest of the Autobot army, with most being viewed as too weak or cowardly to take the steps needed to get the nastier jobs done. Only [[Ironhide (G1)|a]] [[Manta Ray (G2)|handful]] of individuals are viewed by the Dinobots as true allies and even they don't really understand them. This attitude has very much pushed the Dinobots to the fringes of Autobot society, which has resulted in an extremely powerful sense of camaraderie and friendship among the team. Few Autobots are closer. As so many battered, bruised and beaten Decepticons can attest, if you confront one Dinobot, you confront them all.

The group's members are:

*[[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (the leader)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (the bad boy)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (the dim one)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (the quiet one)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (the sensitive one)

In some universes, they occasionally gain extra members, who have included:

*[[Paddles (G1)|Paddles]] (the "{{w|Pete Best}}" one)
*[[Kakuryu (G1)|Grimmaster]] (the one-man band)
*[[Skar (IDW)|Skar]] (the tragic motivating backstory (aka, the "{{w|Stuart Sutcliffe|Stu Sutcliffe}}" one))
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (the two-headed alien one)
* [[Slash (POTP)|Slash]] (the clever girl)
*''Hundreds'' of the buggers in [[Jaws of Terror|one particular continuity]].

In at least [[The Beast Within|one universe]], the Dinobots can combine to form a monstrous super-robot called [[Beast (G1)|the Beast]]. (Grimlock explicitly states that this is not the case in [[Marvel Comics continuity|another universe]], though he has been known to stretch the truth. [[Ruined FOREVER|Hopefully not here though]].) However, in ''other'' universes, the Dinobots combine to form [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]].

{{quote|We watch each other's back, we stick together through thick and thin, and no one '''ever''' tells us what to '''do!'''|Grimlock sums his group up|[[Maximum Dinobots issue 2|''Maximum Dinobots'' #2]]}}

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
[[File:GrimSlagSludge.jpg|thumb|The Three Dinobots, immediately after accidentally killing the Invisible Swordsman.]]

Inspired by the dinosaur fossils found by [[Ironhide (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ironhide]] in the volcanic caves near the ''Ark'', [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] designed and built new robots in their image, dubbing them the Dinobots. Grimlock, Slag, and Sludge were built first. {{storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}} After some initial troubles, their performance pleased [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] enough that he had two more built, adding Snarl and Swoop to the ranks. {{storylink|War of the Dinobots}}

[[File:DinobotsG1.jpg|left|thumb|From left to right: Terrible Dactyl, Stego, Bronto Thunder, Tricero and Ghengis Rex]]

The Dinobots' role was simply to pulverize anyone or anything that was too strong for the Autobots to handle on their own. In the process, they frequently mouthed off, rebelled and started brawls inside of Autobot Headquarters (and the occasional [[Trypticon (G1)|dinosaur-shaped city]]).

At one point, the Dinobots became sick of only being used as the hammer of the Autobot army, so they deserted, saying that they would fight when ''they'' wanted to. However, the Dinobots were called in when the Autobots and the Decepticons began suffering from [[Cybertonium]] depletion. During the battle with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], they were accidentally sent to Cybertron, where they briefly reduced [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] to the role of chew toy. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 1}} However, Shockwave altered the Dinobots' memory circuits and forced them to work in the [[Cybertonium Pit]]. [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] and [[Carly]] managed to rescue them, and the Dinobots decided to follow Optimus Prime's orders... until such time that they decided not to do so. {{storylink|Desertion of the Dinobots, Part 2}}

[[File:TFTM Dinobots Robot Mode.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
During the [[Battle of Autobot City]], the Dinobots were dispatched to defeat [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Despite their incredible strength, Devastator manhandled them. During [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]]'s subsequent attack, [[Kup (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] literally had to drag them aboard the shuttle, which was shot down over [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. The Dinobots managed to avoid being captured and met [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], who helped them find Kup and Hot Rod. Later, the Dinobots literally kicked the butt of [[Unicron|a god]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

{{groupstub}}

[[File:Call-of-the-primitives-dinobots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
{{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness}} {{storylink|Chaos (episode)|Chaos}} {{storylink|Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening}} {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}
{{storylink|Madman's Paradise}} {{storylink|Grimlock's New Brain}}
{{storylink|Call of the Primitives}}

====Japanese cartoon continuity====
=====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' story pages=====
{{groupstub}}

=====''Story of Binaltech''=====
While the [[Binaltech]] conflict took place in [[2004]] and on [[Earth]], [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s [[Decepticon]]s pushed their conquest of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. To neutralize the powerful Dinobots, the Decepticons utilized the alien [[Unleasher]]s on them. With their telepathy, the Unleashers attacked the Dinobots' minds, reducing them to nothing more than the impulses inherent to their beast modes. In this state, the Dinobots indiscriminately attacked their Autobot teammates, forcing their comrades to take all five offline. [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] was able to isolate the psychic subroutine afflicting the Dinobots, but its removal proved difficult, so a temporary solution for Grimlock to inhabit a vehicular body was decided upon. {{storylink|Beast in the Machine}} The Dinobots were eventually cured in [[2005]] with the help of [[Soundwave (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Soundwave]]'s own telepathic abilities in exchange for Decepticon prisoners. {{storylink|Outlier (comic)|Outlier}}

======BT World======
In the [[BT World]] timeline that split off from the [[G1 World]], the whereabouts of Soundwave were unknown, so the Dinobots were still incapacitated in [[2008]], to Grimlock's frustration. But thanks to the constantly evolving Binaltech technology, they were able to replicate Soundwave's abilities with the [[Psychedevice]]. However, Grimlock's vehicular body was slowly becoming incapable of preventing his own Unleasher-induced madness, which in turn was preventing the other Dinobots from awakening. Grimlock arrived on Earth with Carly to use the Psychedevice, but they were met by [[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]], who was hoping to use the Psychedevice for herself. Her inherent beast DNA being affected by Grimlock's aberrant mental waves, Blackarachnia fought with her fellow ex-beast. Forced to use the Psychedevice, Carly evolved into a higher being and cured both parties of their madness.

Healed, the Dinobots met their leader at [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] and got a sound beating from him for insulting his unfamiliar body. {{storylink|Outlier (comic)|Outlier}}

=====''The Headmasters'' cartoon=====
The Decepticons invaded Cybertron in full force in [[2011]], prompting the Dinobots to fight alongside the other Autobots against the invading Decepticons. However, they didn't fare too well against the previously unknown Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]], as they were all quickly put to sleep by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]'s hypnosis attack. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} They eventually awoke and continued the fight against the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

=====''United EX''=====
In [[2025]], the Dinobots were joined by former [[Decepticon]] [[Kakuryu (G1)|Kakuryu]], who sought to fight on the side of good and to repay [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] for once saving him. Over the next ten years, he trained at [[Dinobot Island (G1)|Dinobot Island]] before being enlisted in the [[Master Class]] as "Grimmaster"—this entitled him to an [[Energon Matrix]] and a set of [[Power Core Combination|Power Core]] drones he could combine with. {{Storylink|The Dragon Pays His Dues}}

=====''Legends'' comic=====
In [[2021]], Grimlock was among the many Autobots were forced to become Headmasters and went to the [[Legends World]]. {{storylink|Targetmaster Chapter Prologue}} He eventually regained a regular-sized body by [[2039]]. Also by then, the Dinobots received a new member, the cute "little sister" [[Slash (POTP)|Slash]]. She joined Grimlock and Grimmaster in witnessing the commencement of the second iteration of the [[Cybertron Alliance]]. {{Storylink|Transformers Legends Final Chapter "Epiloge"|Epiloge}}

=====''Generations Selects Special Comic''=====
[[File:Battle of Neo Scramble City.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|If you're thinking this looks one-sided, you're right. The Dinobots cleaned house.]]
When a time gate was detected on Dinobot Island in [[2050]], [[Carly]] alerted the Dinobots to its presence. In response, they, [[Slash (POTP)|Slash]] and [[Kakuryu (G1)|Grimmaster]] included, were called to meet about it by Grimlock. They saw the [[Quintesson]]s emerge from the temporal portal, and the aliens quickly decided to sic their [[Allicon]]s on the Dinobots so that the dinosaurs could be flipped as merchandise. The Dinobots obviously didn't agree with this scheme and easily fended off the Allicons, prompting the lead [[Quintesson Judge]] to use the [[Recreator]] to summon [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]]. Predaking took easy care of the Dinobots till [[Primus#Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Primus]] from the past encouraged Grimlock to tap into [[Earth]]'s [[Angolmois Energy]]. This, combined with Grimmaster's [[Energon Matrix]], allowed the five core Dinobots to combine into [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]]. Despite Predaking trying to use Slash as a hostage, the Dinobot combiner was able to defeat his opponent and send the component [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] fleeing, as well as the Quintessons. Right after, they were contacted by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Spike Witwicky]], who alerted the Dinobots to the [[Selector]] revolt at [[Neo Scramble City]] and Carly being injured in the process. After leaving Slash to babysit the island, the Volcanicus components set out to help their old friend. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

They were eventually summoned to the previous universe by Primus to help with the huge conflict taking place there over [[Star Power]] and Angolmois Energy. {{storylink|Volcanicus comic 1}}

{{Groupstub|{{storylink|God Neptune comic 2}}{{storylink|Volcanicus comic 2}}{{storylink|Abominus comic 1}}{{storylink|Abominus comic 2}}{{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 1|Finale 1}}{{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale 2}}}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:WhatsInAName-Swoopjet.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
''In the early days of the [[Great War (G1)|war]], [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb]] chafed under the leadership of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] as part of the [[Elite Flying Corps]].'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''He was humiliated by [[Divebomb (G1)|a Decepticon]] who took his name, and worse, he was rescued by the commanding officer he hated.'' {{storylink|What's in a Name?}}

He joined up with four other Autobots to form a rogue group of warriors who each felt that Optimus Prime was an inferior leader, so they secretly made plans in the event that they wanted to leave Cybertron. To that end, they snuck into a Decepticon spaceport, stole three of their battlecruisers, and parked them in the [[Rad Zone]]. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Despite disliking Prime's leadership, they all somehow wound up as part of his crew aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] to clear a path for Cybertron through the asteroid belt it was passing through. Weakened by the mission and ambushed by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s Decepticons, Prime crashed the Ark and all aboard into the nearest planet.

[[File:Arkshuttle3.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Shortly after the crash, the Ark's computer detected [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] landing on the planet in the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]] land-out-of-time that would one day become known as the [[Savage Land]]. The Ark used the last of its capabilities to revive these five warriors and rebuild them to transform into the Savage Land's dominant life form: dinosaurs. {{storylink|The Last Stand|The Last Stand}} They were then dispatched aboard a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to deal with the Decepticon and in the battle they trapped were in a tar pit and remained dormant until [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] revived them in the 1980s. They returned with him to confront Megatron, but the Decepticon leader made short work of the Dinobots, leaving Ratchet to defeat him alone. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

''As well as new dinosaurian forms, they had new names, and Swoop was the only one who cared to remember their old handles back on Cybertron.'' {[storylink|Fact File|And now... the Dinobots!}}

[[File:RepeatPerformance-didncha.jpg|thumb|left]]
''On their way back to the Ark, the Dinobots encountered [[human]]s for the first time and Ratchet told them a story about the battle on [[Sherman Dam]].'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} ''When they arrived they were confronted by the battle droid [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]], reprogrammed by Shockwave to defend the spacecraft against any intruders. After beating the snot out of Swoop, the mechanoid ran into the depths of the Ark and the other Dinobots set after it.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} ''Realising that Guardian was armed with a thermonuclear bomb, Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] managed to prevent Grimlock from destroying Guardian by remotely activating the headless body of Optimus Prime and knocking Grimlock's gun away. As per Shockwave's programming, Guardian came hunting for the Autobots and engaged them in battle while the bomb counted down to detonation. Ratchet repaired Swoop just in time to fly Guardian far from the Ark, but he cut it far too fine and was seemingly destroyed in the explosion. Upset at the loss of their comrade the other Dinobots left, heading north.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

[[File:Swoop trailbreaker icarus theory.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
''A human scientist called [[Peter Anthony Morris|Peter Morris]] recovered Swoop's remains from [[Lake Dena]] and used his [[neural relay link]] to control the Dinobot. When this was discovered by a [[Roxxon Oil security guard|security guard]], Morris used Swoop to kill him, then decided to finish off the rest of "[[G.B. Blackrock|Blackrock]]'s robots". With the element of surprise (and missiles) on his side, the human-controlled Swoop wrought havoc amongst the Autobot lines but his hated former commander Optimus Prime managed to snap him out of it and once free of the neural relay link, Swoop returned to Morris's lab to seek vengeance against the human. When the Autobots followed, Swoop once again began attacking them mindlessly and they were forced to subdue him with Morris's help. Examining the Dinobot, Ratchet diagnosed that his primary [[cybo-dendron]]s had burnt out due to having spent four million years in a tar pit. Realising that the other Dinobots were most likely undergoing the same condition, Optimus Prime announced that the Autobots would have to round them up.'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}}

[[File:Grimlock sludge dinobot hunt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
''Splitting into teams to search for each Dinobot, the Autobots spread out across the country. [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]], [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]], and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] managed to track down and deactivate [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (with a little help from the [[United States military]]) in the [[Black Rock Desert]], [[Nevada]], but were spied on by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] who reported the situation back to [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]. In [[Littlewood]], [[California]], [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] had been discovered by a human news team led by [[Joy Meadows]] while [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]], [[Gears (G1)|Gears]], and [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] searched fruitlessly for him, but all four Autobots were ambushed and captured by Soundwave, [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]. [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] had better luck capturing [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] in [[Old River Valley]], [[Idaho]], detecting the spy Laserbeak and using him to block Slag's flamethrower breath. Meanwhile, Soundwave had located Grimlock in [[Doonstown]] and set Sludge on him, turning the town into a war zone and leading to [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]], and [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] being taken out of the fight. Further Autobot casualties were only prevented by the arrival of Optimus Prime with reinforcements from the Ark and all four Dinobots were left in a vegetative state.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}}

''Ratchet returned the Dinobots to the Ark and repaired their cybo-dendrons but they remained in their respective comas, each dreaming of fighting against their own personal demons.'' {{storylink|Victory!}} ''When they did wake up, they were confined to the Ark because their alt-modes were too conspicuous but then Sludge saw Joy Meadows on a [[television]] broadcast and the Dinobots decided to up sticks and look for her anyway. They found her in the middle of a [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple-I]] ambush and rescued her, agreeing to provide an interview regarding the truth about the Transformers' presence on Earth. Swoop left to pick up Joy's camera crew but was tagged with a homing beacon by Triple-I, which led the Decepticons straight to them. After a brief but fierce battle in which the Dinobots were aided by the mechanoid [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] controlled by Professor Morris, Soundwave located Joy's incriminating footage and destroyed it. With no cause left to fight, the Decepticons left the Dinobots and Centurion to sulk.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}}

[[File:Dinobots Bad News.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Pretty much says it all.]]
''A short time later, Centurion discovered the re-arrival in the past of the [[time travel]]ling [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] but the future Decepticon leader was too powerful for him and tore the mechanoid limb from limb. This angered Grimlock and the Dinobots who attacked Galvatron in turn, but even with the assistance of [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]'s [[Cybertron Seven|resistance cell]], Professor Morris's neural relay link and Shockwave's Decepticons it was a close-fought thing and only Galvatron's reluctance to fire on his own troops brought it to an end. Leaving the Cybertronian Autobots with directions to the Ark, the Dinobots gathered up Centurion's remains and carried on their way.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}}

[[File:Grimlockkingofthehill.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
The Dinobots continued hiding out in the [[Cascade Range|Cascades]], stealing fuel from humans and sending Swoop out to spy on the Autobots at the Ark. Learning that Optimus Prime was dead, Grimlock decided to return and seize command for himself. Bursting into the Ark, he denounced Prime's style of leadership as weak and insisted only the strongest should lead but was soundly rebuffed by the assembled Autobots. Meanwhile, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], the Decepticons' fuel auditor on Cybertron, had sent [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] through the [[space bridge]] to annihilate the Earthbound Autobots once and for all. Outside the Ark, the Dinobots stood back and watched the slaughter for a while until Trypticon threatened [[Rachel Becker]], a palaeontology student who had taken an interest in the local Transformer activity, which drove Grimlock to defend her. Following their leader's example, the other Dinobots charged, battling Trypticon until his fuel quota for the trip was expended and Ratbat recalled him to Cybertron. For showing courage and compassion in during the battle, the grateful Autobots then elected Grimlock as their new leader. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

After selecting the perfect crown to wear as leader, Grimlock sent Blaster and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] out to retrieve the [[Mechanic]] but when they failed to apprehend him, they promptly deserted. {{storylink|Mechanical Difficulties!}} ''Calling a meeting of all available Autobots, Grimlock was snarkily reminded by Wheeljack that they were all out hunting for the deserters or working on seemingly pointless tasks, such as repairing Centurion. Just then, [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] called in to say that he'd detected a Transformer's life sign coming from the sewers beneath [[London]]. Travelling there with Centurion to apprehend the deserters Grimlock found himself face-to-face with none other than Megatron (or at least a [[Straxus (G1)|clone]] of him that believed itself to be the real thing) and engaged him in battle alongside members of the human military team [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]]. Ultimately it was only thanks to Centurion's sacrifice that Megatron was defeated.'' {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

[[File:Dinobots razorclaw grudge match.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Predacon group shot is ''over there''.]]
''Later at the Ark, Swoop recognised his old rival Divebomb on a television news report and set out to find him, seeking vengeance. The two tussled but Divebomb was quickly backed up by his fellow [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] who then took it in turns to beat the snot out of Swoop. Grimlock and the rest the Dinobots followed not far behind and turned the tables on the Predacons before Swoop intervened and allowed the Decepticons to go free, saying that he couldn't allow Grimlock to fight his battles for him.'' {{storylink|Grudge Match!}}

[[File:Variablevoltageharness.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
At the Ark, Wheeljack had finished putting the finishing touches to his [[Geothermal Generator]] but Grimlock was more interested in Slag's report of a [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]] ambush on the [[Throttlebot]]s, sending the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] to retrieve Blaster and Goldbug. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} Grimlock also had Wheeljack working on two other projects—preparing a [[variable voltage harness]] with which to punish the deserters and making the Ark space-worthy once more. When the Protectobots were delayed in returning Blaster thanks to a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] attack, Grimlock ordered the launch of the Ark, catching up to Blaster along with a group of [[Spacehikers|human children]] aboard a [[mode lock]]ed [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} When Grimlock captured the shuttle he found that Blaster had escaped, so the Dinobots put the children on trial and forced them to "walk the plank" as a ploy to draw him out. Even though Blaster had the support of the Ark's Autobots and Wheeljack's buddy [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] rescued the children from deep space, the Dinobots had them surrounded and Blaster was forced to surrender to Grimlock. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}}

[[File:Dinobots fight commentary.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Grimlock threw Blaster into the variable voltage harness and seemingly forgot about him until the Ark ran into the crew of the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Forktongue Maxiface]] made contact. Enraged that a [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|puny human]] led his band of Autobots and worse, that they were sheltering the deserter Goldbug, Grimlock challenged Fullstrength Motleypuss to settle the matter through the archaic [[Code of Combat]]. A duel was arranged on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] with Blaster standing in as Fruitloop Multipuck's champion and the Dinobots cheered on their leader as the two combatants fought. Their enthusiasm was short-lived, however, as [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] chose that moment to lead Ratbat's Decepticons in a full-scale assault on the assembled Autobots, causing massive casualties among their number and damaging the Ark. Grimlock and Blaster put aside their differences and united to lead a counterattack, driving the Decepticons away but leaving the Autobots stranded on the moon as the ''Steelhaven'' had returned to [[Nebulos]], hoping to restore Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

''Following his resurrection, Prime led the Autobots and Dinobots to Earth aboard a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to deal with Galvatron once and for all, as the [[time rift]] the future Decepticon had inadvertently created was threatening the very fabric of space and time itself. Storming outside to defend [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] from [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons, Prime, Snarl and a group of other Autobots were [[mass substitution|transported]] away to [[Limbo]] to make way for [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and his troops from the future. Misunderstanding the situation, Swoop, Slag and Sludge attacked them but were convinced to stand down when Goldbug was injured, prompting the future's [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to call a truce and Optimus Prime to use the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] to speak to his troops. United with the future and present Autobots and Decepticons, the Dinobots confronted Galvatron, now allied with (the clone of) Megatron. After a vicious battle, Megatron fled and Galvatron was sucked into the time rift.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

[[File:Tokyounderbase.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
The Dinobots were next called upon to fight the [[Underbase]]-powered [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] in [[Tokyo]]. Slag, Sludge, Swoop and Snarl were quickly taken out and while Grimlock managed to knock the treacherous Decepticon out of the sky for the Predacons to attack him, they were no match for the super-powered Seeker and only the Decepticon [[Pretender]]s could stand against him. When Grimlock rushed to join the battle, Starscream suspended the Pretenders' fire, then threw him into its path, blowing him apart. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:Grimlock bumblebee the primal scream.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Some time later Grimlock was brought back online on Cybertron by Ratchet, using Pretender technology stolen from Megatron. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} While Grimlock, along with the restored [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and Jazz easily defeated Megatron's underlings, they failed to save Ratchet when [[Megatron's base]] exploded. {{storylink|Skin Deep}} Grimlock, Jazz and Bumblebee briefly joined the Autobot resistance movement on Cybertron before attempting to return to Earth via [[trans-time dimensional portal]]. They were thwarted when ''the latest incarnation of'' the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] infiltrated [[Autobase]] and sabotaged the portal, teleporting all six Transformers (and the [[Micromaster]] [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]]) deep into the heart of Cybertron, where the Autobots discovered the resting place of their god, [[Primus]]. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} During a battle within the centre of the planet one of [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]]'s shots ricocheted off Grimlock's back, striking Primus in the face and waking him, a few seconds before they were all teleported to Earth. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} Rejoining Optimus Prime's forces, Grimlock warned him about the impending [[Unicron]] and went on to form a team with Jazz and Bumblebee to search for the lost Creation Matrix. They discovered it on the moon [[VsQs]], where Optimus Prime's funeral barge had crashed, but were defeated by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] who claimed the Matrix for his own. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:Grimlockpriceoflife.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
Frustrated by his defeat at Thunderwing's hands and humiliated at having to be rescued by the Autobots, Grimlock sought out a way to revive the rest of the Dinobots and discovered that the answer apparently lay on the planet of [[Hydrus Four]] in the [[Styrakon System]], where scientists had discovered a new source of energy called [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]. He went to Optimus Prime to request permission to investigate this potential life-saving fuel but was turned down flat by the preoccupied Autobot leader. Grimlock tore up a room in the Ark to vent his anger and was caught in the act by [[Waverider]] who went to report this to Optimus Prime, but was told to wait as Prime had an important announcement to make. Meanwhile, Grimlock was caught taking the Dinobots' bodies from the life-support medlab in subchamber B on level 4 of the Ark. Sympathising with Grimlock's position, he let his guard down for a second and was floored by the Dinobot leader, who proceeded to steal an [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport]] and blast clear of the Ark just as Prime was announcing his intention to surrender to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

On Hydrus Four, Grimlock enlisted a [[Hydrusian guide|local mechanoid]] as his guide and learned that Nucleon had driven the [[Nucleon guardian|first three patients]] insane, leaving them to jealously guard the medi-center that was its source against all that approached. Easily making his way past the first two guardians (though they scared away his guide) Grimlock found himself face-to-face with the third, a diminutive robot who told Grimlock that contrary to appearances, the guardians were there to protect unaffected robots from Nucleon's terrible side effects. Testing the Nucleon for himself and feeling great, Grimlock dismissed the warning that "time will tell" and began to revive the other Dinobots. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} However, even as they were making preparations to leave Hydrus Four and Snarl was thanking him for the Nucleon boost, Grimlock's leg began to seize up and he thought back to the mechanoid's warning. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}}

[[File:Dinobots wheeljack edge of extinction.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67]]
Returning to the Ark, the Dinobots found not just the ship but the entire planet was devoid of Transformer life, apart from a strange signal in two parts. With Slag and Sludge pumping Nucleon into the Ark's life-support medibay and Swoop able to pilot the Ark by himself, Grimlock ordered that they set course for Cybertron even as his hand began to lock up. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Upon arrival, they found that the battle with Unicron was in full swing, so Grimlock chose to smash the Chaos Bringer in the face. With the Ark. When [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] berated him for this reckless action, Grimlock kicked him out of the Ark and then jumped out after him with the Dinobots, eager to join the fight. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

[[File:StillLife-Swoop.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.9]]
With Unicron defeated by the power of the restored [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]], a dying Optimus Prime named Grimlock to be his successor as Autobot leader. A distraught Prowl passed on the news, making Grimlock swear to the Autobot code to protect all life, but the practical Grimlock was more concerned with finding and locating the rest of the deactivated Autobots still aboard the recently stolen Ark. Heading out with the rest of the Dinobots to look for it, Grimlock's seizures suddenly became more serious as his entire body locked in place and he was unable to move—just as they were approached by a frantic [[Hi-Q]] being chased by a horde of [[Demon]]s. The other Dinobots formed a circle around their leader but found the Demons were tough opponents and that they were being beaten back. Hi-Q, however, saw that the Nucleon was engineering a metamorphosis within Grimlock and used his [[Powermaster]] skills to accelerate the process, allowing the Dinobot leader to be reborn in a new, all-powerful [[Action Master]] form. This newfound power caused most of the Demons to flee but Grimlock had caught one and was about to kill it when he was reminded of his oath to protect all life by Hi-Q. Letting the Demon go, he returned to his Dinobots and revealed the price he had paid for his Nucleon upgrade—Grimlock was no longer able to transform. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

[[File:Grimlockendoftheroad.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
At a meeting of the newly formed and somewhat shaky Autobot-Decepticon alliance, Blaster revealed that the effects of the cataclysmic battle were much worse that they thought and that the planet was shaking itself apart. While Grimlock pursued a path of questionable diplomacy towards the Decepticons, Prowl naïvely shared their evacuation plans with [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]. When Bludgeon inevitably betrayed Prowl's trust by sabotaging the Autobot ships and escaping the dying planet to loot and plunder anew, Grimlock had the Dinobots retrieve their stolen battlecruisers from the Rad Zone. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Thanks to tracking devices on the Decepticon ships, Grimlock was able to lead the Autobot pursuit force right to the Decepticons on the planet [[Klo]]. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Unfortunately, it seemed the Decepticons had discovered the tracking devices and anticipated their arrival, preparing a textbook ambush. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} One massacre later and the only Dinobots left alive were Grimlock and Slag, along with the Autobots Prowl, Kup and Blaster. Thankfully, a miracle arrived in the form of a resurrected Optimus Prime and the awesomely powerful [[Last Autobot]], who began reviving all the Autobots who fell in battle with the Decepticons. Bludgeon fled with his remaining troops, and Grimlock and the Dinobots stood victorious. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Breakaway-Dinobots.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4]]
In an alternate timeline, Grimlock found a way to revive his fellow Dinobots after their destruction in the [[Underbase Saga]]. They returned to Earth to battle a new splinter group of Decepticons under [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s command. Despite the Dinobots emerging victorious, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] berated Grimlock and his team for their brutal tactics, flying in the face of the "[[Autobot Code]]". {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} This led to a confrontation between Grimlock and Prime that ultimately deteriorated into a physical brawl, but they were too evenly matched and ended up laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Prime relented and allowed Grimlock and the Dinobots the autonomy to defend the Earth as they saw fit, providing they show some restraint. Along with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and five Autobots recently revived by [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], they formed the Earthforce. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}

[[File:Earthforce.jpg|thumb|Charrrge!]]
They landed their [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] in [[Canada]], where the Earthforce prepared to battle the Decepticons. To emphasise to his troops that they would not be fighting the war Prime's way, Grimlock literally threw a copy of the Autobot Code out of the window. {{storylink|Once upon a Time...}} Not long afterwards, Grimlock received a transmission from Shockwave, challenging him to a duel. Grimlock accepted, unaware that it was an [[April Fools' Day]] prank by the other Dinobots, and trekked out miles into the wilderness only to find himself face-to-face with a Shockwave-shaped snowman. He took out at least some of his frustrations on two passing [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]], then ran back towards the other Dinobots carrying an enormous snowball. {{storylink|Snow Fun!}}

[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] went on a mission with [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to investigate the suspect [[Sleepfast]] nightlights, only to discover that they were a scheme of the diabolical [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]]. They defeated the hypnotic Decepticon by using his own technology against him, though Snarl wasn't so impressed by Wheeljack's punning. {{storylink|The Living Nightlights!}} Later, Grimlock made a deal with the [[Survivors]], lending them aid to rescue their Decepticon comrade [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] in exchange for them joining Earthforce under his command. {{storylink|Where Wolf?}} Acting on an anonymous tip-off, Grimlock and the Earthforce travelled to [[Memphis Airport]] to defeat the duelling [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and Shockwave. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

[[File:Earthforce house that wheeljack built.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]
After Wheeljack had finished constructing the [[Earthbase]], with its hugely impressive security systems, the Dinobots found themselves locked out. While [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and the recently revived [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] battled their way inside, Grimlock helped by, er, holding Wheeljack upside down by one leg. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}} Soon afterwards, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] staged a full-scale Decepticon assault before the grid could be repaired, putting Earthforce on the defensive. The Dinobots finally got to go out and kick some butt, with Grimlock taking on [[Octane]], [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] roasting [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] and [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] bombing [[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]. They soon drove off the Decepticons. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-280-4MYItch-ObservationusPrime.jpg|thumb]]
By sheer bad luck, Slag's [[emotional damper]]s happened to fail while Optimus Prime was conducting an inspection of the Earthbase leading to a series of comic episodes as Grimlock attempted to distract the Autobot commander from his fellow Dinobots' efforts to bring the rampaging monster under control. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}} Then it was Grimlock's turn to get murderous as Prime had the insufferable [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] repaired in Wheeljack's Body Shop and assigned him to the ranks of the Earthforce. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} He was also less than impressed when the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] escaped from the Earthbase's cells under [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]'s watch. {{storylink|Shut Up!}}

[[File:Earthforce external forces.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67]]
When Wheeljack diagnosed Snarl with the fatal disease [[Corrodia Gravis]], the Dinobots had to seek out [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], the only Transformer capable of giving him a compatible systems boost. {{storylink|Assassins}} To make matters worse, when they found him he was under attack from the Mayhems and they quickly found themselves under attack from Megatron and Shockwave. {{storylink|External Forces!}} Forced to choose sides, Sludge and Swoop went to protect Starscream from the Pretender assassins while Grimlock and Slag dealt with the two former Decepticon leaders. After Slag charbroiled Megatron and Grimlock plunged his energo-sword through Shockwave's chest, they gave up the fight and took off. Starscream then agreed to the systems boost in exchange for Grimlock's promise to help if Megatron tried to assassinate him again. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

After [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] went crazy due to a [[cerebro-shell]], Grimlock and the Autobots were forced to give an interview and a guided tour of their base to the reporter [[Irwin Spoon]] in exchange for his help removing the shell from their friend. {{storylink|Inside Story!}} Grimlock was less than thrilled. He probably was relieved when the nosy human got kidnapped and brainwashed by [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] and the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]—at least Grimlock got to skip his interview! {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}}

[[File:DestinyoftheDinobots-hadgone.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]

In [[1992]] Snarl once again fell victim to Corrodia Gravis and the Dinobots took him back to the [[Savage Land]] to retrieve the [[Crystalline containment vessel|control crystal]] from their old shuttle in an attempt to save his life. They found that a human named [[Embrey|Professor Embrey]] had used the crystal to save some of the area's [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]] from a disease that was killing them. Unwilling to trade Snarl's life for the dinosaurs', the Dinobots instead transferred his mind into a ''Stegosaurus'' until they could find an another way to save him. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!}}
{{-}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
[[File:Dinobots legacy of unicron 1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85|Saurian Stomp!]]
In [[2008]] the Dinobots were stationed on Cybertron when the Decepticons staged a brazen and unprovoked attack on the Autobot location, prompting an incredible battle. The Dinobots led the counterattack and started to tear through the enemy. Realising that the battle was a distraction engineered by [[Unicron]] to keep the Autobots away from the planet [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] withdrew the Dinobots from the battle and they set off to confront him. [[File:Dinobots legacy of unicron 2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Me Grimlock LOVE committing war crimes!]] Unfortunately Unicron had mentally enslaved the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] to rebuild his body out of their planet, so to prevent this, Grimlock brought the Dinobots down to the planet and attacked the Junkions, slaughtering them wholesale. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

Later, Grimlock was part of Rodimus Prime's crew who came to Earth to free Autobot City from Quintesson occupation. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}
{{-}}

====="Another Time & Place"=====

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====

====Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic====

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{NoteRG1}}

{{groupstub}}

====''Transformers '84''====
[[File:Dynobots traumatize secrets and lies.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|left]]
A commando demolition squad, the Dynobots were sent to back up Perceptor when he explored the ruins of a [[Project Dreadnought]] turbine. When they tripped the silent alarm however, they were ambushed by [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]]. Though they managed to down the aerial scientist, they were caught unaware by Shockwave who disabled them with a single mighty blast. After the cyclops had retrived Skyfire's [[brain module]], the ruined bodies of the Dynobots were recovered by the Autobots. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

The Dynobots' bodies were recovered by the Autobots and taken aboard the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' where [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] stored their [[spark]]s in magnetic field stasis and their memory engrams in the [[mind bank]]. When the ship later crashed on prehistoric Earth, [[Aunty|AUNTIE]] detected Shockwave's arrival on the planet and repaired the Dynobots with new [[alternate mode]]s based on [[Dinosaur (dinosaur)|dinosaurs]] to deal with the Decepticon. Thirsty for revenge, the redubbed Dinobots confronted the scientist at a volcano only for him to outmanoeuvre them. After four had fallen, a desperate Grimlock injected a capsule of raw energon into himself, supercharging his system and allowing him to punch Shockwave into a mountain, bringing it crumbling down atop the Decepticon. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

Disoriented from the fuel, Grimlock stumbled back to the ''Ark'', until he burnt off enough to remember his team. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 3|Secrets & Lies #3}} After stopping AUNTIE from setting off Megatron's [[antimatter]], Grimlock returned to the battle site and willingly deactivated, burying himself alongside his fellows. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 4|Secrets & Lies #4}}

===Listen 'n Fun audiobooks continuity===
The Dinobots, led by Snarl, arrived at Doctor [[Heath Blaisedale]]'s solar plant in time to take part in a fight to defend the plant against the Decepticons. Unfortunately in their enthusiasm, as well as fighting off the Decepticons, they completely trashed the solar reactor which it had taken ten years for the doctor to construct. {{storylink|Sun Raid (Listen 'n Fun)}}

===3H comics===
While telling the new [[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobot]] team of their mission, the [[Oracle (BM)|Oracle]] referred to the Dinobots of old as being fearsome and deadly but unbalanced between savagery and thought. {{storylink|Departure}}

===''The Beast Within''===
The Dinobots [[Combiner|combine]] into the [[Beast (G1)|Beast]] to fight the Decepticons, but the Beast is so savage and kill-crazy that the Autobots have to kill it. {{storylink|The Beast Within}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
[[File:ScrollDinobots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|A Dinobot by any other name would still kick your ass]]
It was established that Grimlock once commanded a splinter faction of Autobots known as the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]], which included the Dynobots. It was also established that following this, these five robots used the Cybertronian designation "D'''y'''nobots". {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

The Dynobots traveled to Earth separately from the rest of the Autobots. Grimlock emerged on his own, and the Ark Autobots found him battling the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. The fate of the other Dinobots was unknown, but somehow Megatron had captured them and kept them in stasis in a secret base. After being freed, they traveled to Cybertron and helped liberate it from Shockwave's control. {{storylink|War and Peace}}

===''G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers''===
[[File:Dinobots GIJoevsTFsII4.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
The Dinobots were originally five present-day Autobots who were sent back in time by [[Teletran 3]] and reformatted into dinosaurs. When [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] traveled back in time, they recovered the Dinobots, who proceeded to beat Shockwave's Decepticons three ways from Sunday. {{storylink|G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers II issue 4}}

Grimlock was later sent to Earth to oversee the decommissioning of Cybertronian technology {{storylink|The Art of War issue 1|The Art of War #1}}, where his team found that human scientists had used the deactivated Megatron's technology to create the evil [[Serpentor|Serpent Organic Robot]]. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 2|The Art of War #2}} Grimlock and the others followed this new threat back to Cybertron, only to be captured and imprisoned by the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 3|The Art of War #3}} He was eventually freed by his G.I. Joe allies {{storylink|The Art of War issue 4|The Art of War #4}}, and helped defeat Serpent O.R. Meanwhile, Snarl was seen among the Autobot troops fighting against Serpent O.R.'s army. {{storylink|The Art of War issue 5|The Art of War #5}}

===''Legends'' anthology===
The story "[[Paddles (story)|Paddles]]" features a [[Paddles (G1)|sixth Dinobot of the same name]]. This is also the only appearance of the character. {{storylink|Paddles (story)|Paddles}}

===2005 IDW continuity===
{{quote|Crash and Burn!|Dinobot unit motto|[[Maximum Dinobots issue 1|''Maximum Dinobots'' #1]]}}

Grimlock and Slag were soldiers even before the war, and met each other when they were both thrown in a brig for pissing off their commanding officers (''shooting'' them in Slag's case). Bonding over their mutual desire to get things done and ignore the rules, they decided to form their own strike team: the Dynobots. In a personal quirk, however, Slag didn't want them to be seen as a ''proper'' team. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} Their newly formed team of misfits became members of the [[Primal Vanguard]] under [[Nominus Prime]] and (somehow) model soldiers, acting as a Covert Strike Force with a spotless and admirable service record until one mission went wrong. While searching for terrorists beneath the [[Toraxxis Plains]], the group ran into strange [[cyber-morphic predator]]s, leading to an encounter that killed their medic [[Skar (IDW)|Skar]] and left the others unstable and with dangerous monstrous altmodes scanned from the beasts. Upon their return supervisors wanted to study them to learn about Skar's method of dynamic altform adaption, but the team feeling broken and betrayed broke free and went on the run. {{storylink|Underworld (IDW)|Underworld}}

Following their disappearance from the public eye, the Dynobots began competing in underground gladiator fights at the [[Forge]] in [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]. When [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]] put out a call for combatants, the Dynobots were amongst those who were shown grudging respect by the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] as opposed to the remainder of the "amateurs" in the crowd. {{storylink|Megatron Origin issue 3|Megatron Origin #3}}

[[File:Dinobots Autocracy Endgame.jpg|right|upright=1.5|thumb]]

While fighting in the [[Ring of Trials]], the Dynobots witnessed a call from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] to rally against the Decepticon tyranny on Cybertron. {{storylink|Broadcast}} For reasons known only to themselves, they responded to the call and aided Prime's new Autobot army in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] by crushing some Decepticon [[Brawl (G1)|tanks]]. {{storylink|Endgame}} While they began wearing the Autobot insignia after the battle, the Dynobots couldn't stay with Prime's forces. By this time their beastly altmodes were influencing their minds by turning them increasingly aggressive, causing them to stop transforming out of fear that they might eventually snap and ''become'' the vicious monsters they had scanned. Unwilling to endanger the people of Cybertron with their presence, the team turned to a life of crime in an attempt to gather enough money to make it offworld. {{storylink|Derelicts}}

[[File:Monstrosity12 DynobotsRally.jpg|left|upright=0.8|thumb]]
The Dynobots' biggest heist was an attempt to steal several tankers worth of energon from the [[Toraxxis mega-refinery]]. {{storylink|Wreckage (issue)|Wreckage}} Unfortunately, [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]]'s Decepticons had the same idea, leading to a battle between the two groups of robbers. Annoyed by Grimlock's bossy attitude, Slag briefly left the Dynobots during the heist but came back to his pals in time to help them fight the Decepticons. {{storylink|Faces of Darkness}} Grimlock triggered the refinery's alarm to summon the Autobots then tried to disappear in the chaos, but was chased down and attacked by Scorponok. He defeated the Decepticon by resorting to using his altmode, only to be arrested by Optimus Prime in the aftermath, causing him to turn desperate and threaten to blow up the refinery. While he didn't go through with it, Scorponok ''did''. {{storylink|Rage (IDW)|Rage}} The destruction of Toraxxis scattered the Dynobots, leaving Grimlock alone. {{storylink|Fallout (issue)|Fallout}} He rejected any help offered by the Autobots, but the other Dynobots found him and convinced him to give Optimus Prime a chance. {{storylink|Prey (issue)|Prey}} They came with [[Kup (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Kup]] to [[Starsreach Spaceport]], where an unfortunately timed Decepticon attack caused Grimlock to lose control again. {{storylink|Massacre}} He was able to calm down, but the incident was the last straw for the Dynobots, who had had lost all hope for themselves and left Cybertron. {{storylink|Unleashed}} However, they soon changed their minds and returned in time to help the Autobots fight [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], an ancient monster and creator of the cyber-morphic predators. {{storylink|Annihilation}} After the Dynobots fought off Trypticon's minions and Grimlock aided Megatron in taking the beast down from within, they returned to the Autobots in hopes that their scientists could finally cure their cursed altmodes. {{storylink|Belly of the Beast (issue)|Belly of the Beast}}

Indeed, Autobot science was able to purify the corrupted energon running through the Dynobots' veins and restore their original vehicle modes, efficiently curing them of their aggression. {{storylink|Primacy issue 1|Primacy 1}} They went on to help defend Iacon from a Decepticon assault, saving [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] from the Predacons in the process. {{storylink|Primacy issue 4|Primacy #4}}

As the war raged on, the Dynobots became figures of fear to the Decepticon army. They would tell new recruits Dynobot stories to ''"scare the bejesus out of 'em."'' {{storylink|The Waiting Game}}{{storylink|Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots}} The war moved offworld after Cybertron was rendered uninhabitable, and the Dynobots continued to fight under Optimus—though the Dynobots began to openly chafe under Prime's leadership, believing that the Autobot leader only kept the unruly warriors around to take on the "dirty" missions that the other Autobots couldn't perform. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} {{storylink|Post}} Though the naturally rebellious Grimlock would at one point even defect to the Decepticons, he would find his way back to the Autobots, earning himself a place on [[the List]] of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. {{storylink|The Ties That Bind (issue)|The Ties That Bind}}

[[File:Shockwaveg1idw.jpg|thumb|Good times.]]

Approximately ten thousand years ago, the Dynobots followed [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]] to prehistoric Earth on a revenge-fueled crusade, ''after'' Optimus had told them to get over it already. The planet's energon fields forced them to take on the forms of the local animal life, and thus protected, they attacked Shockwave on the surface. Sadly, it did not protect the Dynobots from Shockwave's energy blasts, which melted the artificial skin and caused the Dynobots to go into [[stasis lock]] due to excessive [[energon radiation]]. Due to a deadman's switch, the Dynobots' ship, the ''[[Skyfire (ship)|Skyfire]]'', blasted a volcano that buried everyone in molten lava. They were unearthed in 2006 by a human archaeological dig {{storylink|Spotlight: Shockwave}} which was taken over by [[Skywatch|government agents]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}}

Though Grimlock was the first to be brought back online, he was freed from Skywatch's control through a virus implanted by a [[Machination]] spy (under orders from Scorponok). Scorponok wanted Grimlock to join him, but Grimlock refused, fought Scorponok, and escaped, vowing to find and rescue the other Dynobots. Scorponok, however, planned to take control of the Dynobots himself and use them to assassinate Grimlock. {{storylink|Spotlight: Grimlock}}

Reactivated by Skywatch, the Dynobots were put through their paces, seemingly to great success (secretly because the Machination had "helped" set up Skywatch's neural nets). When Grimlock appeared in Fallon, the town was cordoned off and the "Thunder Lizards" were sent to engage him. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 1|Maximum Dinobots #1}} The resulting clash caused ''massive'' damage to Fallon, helped along by Scorponok causing the neural nets to fluctuate so he could increase the conflict between the Dynobots.

Eventually they were allowed to have their sentience so they could find out Grimlock had set up the deadman's switch, which left them buried on Earth, ''without telling them''. While feeling some guilt for what he did, Grimlock defended his actions by saying "er, hello, we're vicious amoral rule-breakers, of course I did it". Which ''worked''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}}

[[File:Dynobots divided MaximumDinos.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb|Bad times.]]
Rightfully so, the Dynobots were pissed with their leader, and walked away after Swoop read Grimlock the riot act. When Grimlock was attacked and almost destroyed by the [[Sunstreaker clone]]s, however, the team reunited once again for battle. Although fighting valiantly, they might have been destroyed, if not for the intervention of the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s, whom were earlier contacted by Grimlock.
{{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

Aboard the Monsterbots' ship, the Dynobots wondered why Grimlock would side with the outcasts. They gave Grimlock a stern look when he exited the cockpit. The Dynobots didn't see the point of fighting Scorponok, but Grimlock said that Scorponok made it their fight when he turned the Dynobots against him. Snarl disagreed, saying that it has always been Grimlock's fight, that he and the other Dynobots went along with him, and that it was now Grimlock's wounded pride at stake. After the Monsterbots blasted away the defenses, Grimlock exited the ship, saying that there was no way he could let this go, and that with or without the Dynobots, there would be a reckoning for Scorponok. The Dynobots decided that arguing is pointless and followed Grimlock. When [[Hunter O'Nion]] pulled the cords from [[Sunstreaker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Sunstreaker]]'s head, shutting him down, the clones ceased to function. Sludge cried out in victory, but the moment is short-lived as Scorponok blasted Sludge into stasis. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

[[File:MaximumDinobots Don'tMessWithTheDynos.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Hey, he's sayin' what we're all thinkin'!]]
Grimlock stared down at Sludge's dead body, brooding about how it was his fault Sludge was dead... while a battle between Scorponok and Shockwave (for rights of revenge upon Grimlock) raged on around him. Eventually Snarl, Slag, and Swoop decide to get to the Monsterbots' ship while the getting was good, but Grimlock stayed behind with Sludge. Grimlock tried infusing some of his [[spark]] energy into Sludge to revive him, but it seemed to have no effect. Shockwave got the upper hand and let Scorponok escape, and in frustration, Grimlock attacked Shockwave. Grimlock and Shockwave were too busy fighting to notice the return of Slag, Snarl, and Swoop, who reasoned that, while helping Grimlock might not be much of a cause, it still beat being no better than the Monsterbots. They were noticed by Sludge, however, who seemed to have recovered due to Grimlock's treatment after all. The four of them dove into the fray proper, but Grimlock ordered them to go after Scorponok instead. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Hot Rod]] was about to get squished by Scorponok, the remaining Dynobots showed up in just the nick of time. At Hot Rod's urgings, Swoop severed the connections keeping Scorponok's head conscious. But before the Dynobots could kill the rest of Scorponok, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]] showed up and told them that Scorponok would be revived and made to answer to a tribunal instead. He then said they should purge the entire Machination facility, gather up all related Machination technology, and get as far away from Earth as possible as soon as possible—a plan that the Dynobots, Hot Rod, and Hunter were all perfectly OK with. Ultra Magnus later told Grimlock that having Scorponok and Shockwave in custody could help offset Grimlock's own sentence, and that the other Dynobots' warrants had been canceled, and Grimlock was content with that and the fact that Sludge was alive again thanks to him. On Earth, the other Dynobots meanwhile happily repaired the Skyfire. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

Slag, Sludge, Snarl and Swoop spent the next few years wandering through space, at some point changing their team name to the Dinobots and appointing Slag their new leader. When the war finally ended, they returned home to Cybertron and were recruited by [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] for a mission to search the wilderness for the missing [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]. They found traces of fighting, but before they could do much investigating the Dinobots were overcome by a strange influence and violently turned on each other and Ironhide. {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} The source of the influence was Megatron, who was using them as test subjects for a mysterious energy that could turn Transformers into [[combiner]]s, but the Dinobots' egos proved too strong to be easily subdued and merged. {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} They eventually stopped fighting amongst themselves and instead teamed up on Ironhide, but he was saved from them by the intervention of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], another result of Megatron's tests. {{storylink|Night and the City}}

After recovering from Megatron's influence, the Dinobots followed Ironhide and Superion back to Iacon {{storylink|Before the Dawn}} where they joined the other Autobots in defending the city from a Decepticon uprising. {{storylink|Plan for Everything}} When the battle was over, [[Starscream (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Starscream]] convinced the city's [[NAIL|neutral population]] that both the Autobots and Decepticons were bad news, and the Dinobots found themselves exiled into the wilderness alongside the rest of their faction. {{storylink|Heavy Is the Head}} There, they tussled with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] until they revealed themselves to be friendly, after which the two teams put their differences over some energon. {{storylink|Second Exodus}}

When a mysterious light appeared in the wilderness, the Dinobots' first instinct was to go smash it, but it turned out to herald the appearance of the difficult-to-smash [[Quintessa (IDW)|Necrotitan]]. {{storylink|Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Dark Dawn}} After Slug was put in his place by [[Bumblebee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Bumblebee]], the Dinobots fell in line helped try to contain the [[Titan (group)|Titan]]. {{storylink|Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Black Metal}} A brief battle ensued when the exiled Decepticons arrived at the scene, but was interrupted when the Titan emitted a deadly energy wave that injured and corroded many combatants. {{storylink|Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|Winners & Losers}} Autobots and Decepticons alike stopped fighting while their leaders tried to work out what was going on. {{storylink|Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|Into the Abyss}} The Dinobots took Slug, victim of the energy wave, to safety, then attempted to slow the Necrotitan down as it marched on Iacon. {{storylink|No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|No Exit}} They continued to fight the Titan as it reached the city, {{storylink|Burning Bright: Dark Cybertron Chapter 8|Burning Bright}} and watched as it was brought down by [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. {{storylink|Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9|Finis Temporis}}

The Dinobots celebrated the Necrotitan's defeat by going drinking at [[Swerve's]]. {{storylink|The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|The Becoming}} The peace was brief, as an army of [[Ammonite]]s then invaded Cybertron, forcing them back into action. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} They fought to drive the invaders out of Iacon until the battle was won, at which point they witnessed Megatron reveal he was joining the Autobots. {{storylink|...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|...And the Damage Done}}

[[File:Redemption FiveDinobotsAgain.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left]]

Six months later, the Dinobots assisted in the investigation of recent Decepticon murders by guarding murder sites. {{storylink|Fight or Flee (issue)|Fight or Flee}} Suspecting the [[Firecon]]s to be the culprits, Optimus Prime, Starscream and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] had a team including the Dinobots take the trio down, which they did with gusto. {{storylink|Quest for Fire}} After the Firecons were proven innocent, Optimus Prime accused the Dinobots themselves of the murders, claiming Slug's war crimes had caused him to snap. Slug thought the revelation that Autobots had also been killed proved his innocence, but Prime didn't relent. {{storylink|The Killing Jar (issue)|The Killing Jar}} Slug wouldn't take this treatment and began plotting to kill Prime, convincing the other Dinobots to help, when the team was suddenly attacked by the actual killer. As it turned out, Prime had only shouted about their crimes in order to lure out the culprit, the vigilante [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]], but had also arranged a trap door to open beneath them when the bomb struck, saving their lives. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming (issue)|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

The other Dinobots had to haul Slug away when he got drunk and tried to start a fight with evangelists [[Sterling]] and [[Aileron]], {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}} {{storylink|Conquerors Part 1: Aphelion|Aphelion}} but the whole team later started a new fight at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] and Slug got arrested. In jail, he was asked by [[Barricade (IDW)|Barricade]] to protect him, [[Swift (G1)|Swift]] and [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] during an off-the-record delivery to [[Alyon]]. The other Dinobots were shocked that he'd agreed to work for a corrupt cop, but he revealed that he planned to take the pay and let Barricade be killed by [[Badgeless]]. He changed his mind after learning that the cargo was [[spark]]s, ordering the Dinobots to kill the Badgeless at the cost of becoming cop killers and outlaws. They continued protecting the cargo from Badgeless and undead [[Sweep (G1)|Sweeps]] until they reached Alyon and encountered [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], who killed Barricade, destroyed the sparks and corrupted Strafe into a monstrous form. After the group defeated Bludgeon and discovered that a natural [[hot spot (phenomenon)|hot spot]] had lit up in Alyon, the Dinobots welcomed Strafe into their ranks and set out into the wilderness to find and kill Bludgeon. {{storylink|The Transformers: Redemption|Redemption}}

Months into their search, the Dinobots were tracked down by Sandstorm, sent by Starscream to kill them for murdering those Badgeless and "kidnapping" Strafe. Slug was killed, self-destructing to give the other Dinobots a chance to escape. When Trypticon then returned, they knew Bludgeon was behind it and Sludge, Snarl, and Strafe fought their way inside the beast while Swoop went to check on the hot spot, where he found that Bludgeon had taken all the sparks. He encountered Sandstorm and forged an alliance, and while Sludge and Snarl were less happy about working with Slug's killer and attacked him, they temporarily put that aside and only pretended to fight him in order to fool Bludgeon into thinking they were distracted. Once Bludgeon was defeated, Trypticon was freed from his control and flew off with the Dinobots and Sandstorm, who decided to guard the sparks as they matured. {{storylink|The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation}}

The Dinobots remained in the wilderness henceforth, becoming friends with Trypticon and acting as guardians for the [[protoform]]s. Following the [[Iron Ring]]'s invasion, the group was approached by [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]] who convinced them to allow him to inform Optimus Prime of the new generation. Prime's group soon arrived, Slug among them who attacked his friends in retribution for their perceived crimes against him. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 1}} Once the [[Void Scepter]] whose influence Slug was under was shattered, the group came to a quick peace and turned Trypticon into Earth's embassy on Cybertron to put the protoforms under Optimus's protection. {{storylink|The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)|The Dead Come Home, Part 2}}

When [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Onyx Prime]] returned to Cybertron and sowed chaos among the populace, [[Marissa Faireborn]] tried to call the Dinobots in as backup, {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground|The Ground}} only for Trypticon to spacebridge himself to Earth, bringing the unwilling Dinobots with him. {{storylink|The Falling, Chapter 4: The Hallowing|The Hallowing}} The Dinobots would go on to clash with the disillusioned young Autobot [[Slide]] and her [[Colonist Soldiers]], with Slug killing Gimlet before the arrival of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] over Earth forced both sides to agree to a truce to take on the true threat. {{storylink|Time Will Rust}} Joining forces with the recently arrived Prowl and the crew of the ''[[Peaceful Revolution]]'' the Autobots rendezvoused with the other Cybertronian refugees at [[Victoria Falls]]; this was short-lived, however, as the arrival of Unicron's [[Maximal]] warriors forced the [[Titan (group)|Titan]] to teleport into Earth orbit along with Trypticon and what remained of the Cybertronian war machine, buying time for Optimus Prime and a small cadre of warriors to kill Unicron from within with the [[Talisman (G1)|Talisman]]. {{storylink|Assembly (Unicron)|Assembly}}

[[File:Slug argues.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Strafe is the new Grimlock.]]

In the ensuing battle, the Dinobots were forced to fight alongside a resentful Slide, urging the latter into action; when Bludgeon and his [[Worldsweeper]] breached Earth's atmosphere, the Dinobots attacked the ship as it ploughed through [[Washington, D.C.]], fighting alongside the [[Torchbearer]]s, and while [[Victorion]] took on Bludgeon's warrior [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], it was the Dinobots who fought their way through the ship itself to confront their nemesis one last time. In the ensuing battle, both Snarl and Sludge were felled by Bludgeon's hordes of mutated Decepticons, and Slug sacrificed himself to kill Bludgeon as the crashing ship impacted the [[White House]], annihilating the both of them. In the aftermath, only Swoop and Strafe, the last surviving Dinobots, remained, beginning a new life on Earth with the other Cybertronians. {{storylink|Ceremony}}

===Ask Vector Prime===
[[Vector Prime]] was fond of the Dinobots. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}
{{groupstub|{{storylink|Echoes and Fragments}}}}

===''Prime Wars Trilogy'' cartoons===
[[File:POTP-Ep5-Athenaeum-Sanctorum-Dinobots-without-cover.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
In the aftermath of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], the Dinobots took up residence in the [[Primal Swamp]] and enjoyed the peacetime. When the threat of the world ending caused fighting to resume across Cybertron, the Dinobots blamed [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and attacked him and his compatriots when they appeared in the swamp. Each of the Dinobots held their own against their opponents, but were eventually subdued by [[Victorion]]. Refusing to surrender, the Dinobots formed [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]] and resumed their assault. {{storylink|The Swamp}} Getting into a fight with Predaking, Volcanicus was knocked into a pool of energon. Unable to free himself, he split back into his smaller components. Now somewhat convinced that Megatron truly wasn't behind recent events, Grimlock offered his aid in their quest. {{storylink|Primal (POTP)|Primal}} Unable to agree with his decision, the other Dinobots departed, with Sludge taking on a leadership role. Unfortunately, they were found by [[Overlord (G1)|Overlord]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Cron]], who attacked and soundly defeated them. Rodimus grabbed Sludge and started torturing him until Snarl confessed Megatron was headed for the [[Athenaeum Sanctorum]]. Momentarily possessed by [[Unicron]], Rodimus killed Sludge and departed with Overlord, with the others mourning the loss of their own.

Elsewhere, in the [[Cataclysm Tundra]], Grimlock followed Megatron's group into the Sanctorum and learned of the [[Requiem Blaster (Megatronus)|Requiem Blaster]]'s history, though they were interrupted by Overlord and Rodimus's arrival. {{storylink|Athenaeum Sanctorum (episode)|Athenaeum Sanctorum}} Grimlock helped in the battle, {{storylink|Countdown (POTP)|Countdown}} and though Overlord was defeated, [[The Fallen|Megatronus]] appeared and swiped the Requiem Blaster, followed by Rodimus. {{storylink|Consequences}} Grimlock agreed to follow the others to the [[Well of All Sparks|Well of Sparks]] to stop Megatronus, but was temporarily weakened by the activation of his doomsday device. The other Dinobots, still standing around Sludge's body, also exhibited signs of being drained. In spite of this, Grimlock pressed on and helped battle Megatronus, stopping only when his body was subsumed in flames and unable to move. {{storylink|Collision Course}} He ultimately escaped the flames and helped shut down the machine, {{storylink|Megatronus Unleashed}} as well as turn Rodimus back to Hot Rod. After Megatron sacrificed himself to save them all, Grimlock returned to the Primal Swamp and joined the other Dinobots in grieving for their fallen comrade. {{storylink|Saga's End}}

===2021 ''Beast Wars'' comic===
During the Great War, the Dinobots were a faction of Autobots who disappeared in an untimely manner. Their legacy continued into the era of the Maximals as a source of great inspiration for future heroes with even [[Dinobot (BW)|a Predacon]] naming himself after them. {{storylink|Savage Landing Part 6}}
{{-}}

==Toys==
===''The Transformers''===
[[File:G1Sludge toy.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Sludge]]
*'''Dinobots''' ([[1985]])
**[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Grimlock]]
**[[Slag (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Slag]]
**[[Sludge (G1)#The Transformers|Sludge]]
**[[Snarl (G1)#The Transformers|Snarl]]
**[[Swoop (G1)/toys#The Transformers|Swoop]]

:The five Dinobots were sold individually in boxed packages from 1985 to [[1986]]. They featured a uniform color scheme of red for their die-cast metal parts, black plastic for legs and forearms, smoky translucent for [[Pre-Transformer|remnant cockpits]], and golden metalized plastic highlights depicting machine details. Most had fairly good articulation for G1 toys; only Slag had the conjoined foot-base common to many of the automobile-based Transformers in G1.

:In [[1991]], Grimlock, Sludge and Snarl were re-released as part of the [[Europe]]an ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line.

{{-}}
[[File:G1-toy GrimlockPretender.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|Pretender Grimlock]]
*'''Pretender Classics''' ([[1989]])
**[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Pretender|Grimlock]]

:A much smaller and simpler version of Grimlock, with a [[Pretender]] shell, was part of the [[Classic Pretender]]s line.

*'''Legends'''
**[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#G1Legend|Grimlock]]

:The same smaller version of Grimlock was also available without his Pretender shell, either as K-Mart [[exclusive]] in the United States or packaged with similar versions of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/toys|Jazz]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] in Japan.
{{-}}

[[File:G1-toy SnarlAM.jpg|thumb|upright=0.55|Action Master Snarl]]
*'''Action Masters''' ([[1990]])
**[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#ActionMaster|Grimlock]]
**[[Snarl (G1)#AM|Snarl]]

:Both Grimlock and Snarl were given new toy forms as part of the [[Action Master]]s line.
{{-}}

===''Generation 2''===
[[File:G2SlagGreen toy.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|''Generation 2'' Slag]]
*'''Dinobots''' ([[1993]])
**'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Grimlock]]'''
**'''[[Slag (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Slag]]'''
**'''[[Snarl (G1)#Generation 2|Snarl]]'''

:Three of the original five Dinobot molds were reissued in new colors.
{{-}}

===''Beast Wars''===
[[File:BWtoy-Grimlock.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|''Beast Wars'' Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Beast Wars|Grimlock]]''' (Deluxe, [[1997]])

:A [[redeco]] of [[Dinobot (BW)|Dinobot]].
{{-}}

===''Alternators''===
[[File:AlternatorsGrimlock toy.jpg|upright=1.3|thumb|''Alternators'' Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Alternators|Grimlock]]''' ([[2005]])

:He turns into a 1/24th scale Ford Mustang.
{{-}}

===''Classics''===
[[File:Classics Swoop toy.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|''Classics'' Swoop (mistransformed in [[robot mode]]).]]
*'''[[Swoop (G1)/toys#Classics|Swoop]]''' (Mini-Con Dinobots Team, [[2006]])

:A new mold for the original character, alongside two new-character teammates [[Knockdown (Classics)|Knockdown]] and [[Terrorsaur (Classics)|Terrorsaur]].

*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Classics|Grimlock]]''' (Deluxe, 2006)

:A new mold based on his original design, with an updated dinosaur mode.
{{-}}

===''Titanium Series''===
[[File:TitaniumWarWithin Grimlock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|''War Within'' Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|Grimlock]]''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, [[2008]])

:Based upon his appearance from ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'', this version of Grimlock transforms into a Cybertronic heavy tank.
{{-}}

===''Masterpiece''===
[[File:Masterpiecetoy-GrimlockKing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|King Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Grimlock]]''' ([[2009]])

:A new mold featuring [[die-cast]] metal, LED lights and a wealth of gimmicks and accessories, ''Masterpiece'' Grimlock is based upon the character's appearance in the Generation 1 cartoon. A redeco of this mold based upon his appearance as "King Grimlock" in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comics]] (with appropriate accessories) would follow as a [[TakaraTomy Mall|Toy Hobby Market]] exclusive and would be redecoed in [[2010]] for a [[Toys"R"Us]] exclusive release.
{{-}}

===''Device Label''===
[[File:Device Label Grimlock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Device Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Device Label|Device Grimlock]]''' (2009)

:Grimlock transforms from a working USB laser mouse into a mechanoid raptor.
{{-}}

===''United EX''===
[[File:UnitedEXtoy grimmaster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|''United EX'' Grimmaster Prime Mode]]
*'''[[Kakuryu (G1)#United EX 2|Grimmaster Prime Mode]]''' ([[2012]])

: A redeco of ''[[Power Core Combiners]]'' [[Grimstone (PCC)#Toys|Grimstone]].

: He comes with four prehistoric creature drone-limbs:

:*'''Cross-Ryu Drone''' (''Ankylosaurus'')
:*'''Caesar-Ryu Drone''' (''Pachycephalosaurus'')
:*'''Illumina III Drone''' (''Parasaurolophus'')
:*'''Saber-Ryu Drone''' (''Dimetrodon'')
{{-}}

===''Transformers'' (2014)===
[[File:DOTM-toy Triceradon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Dinobot Slug]]
*'''[[Swoop (G1)/toys#Age of Extinction|Strafe]]''' (Evolution 2-Pack, [[2014]])

:Available only at Toys"R"Us stores in the US and Canada and packed with ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (franchise)|Age of Extinction]]'' [[Strafe (AOE)|Strafe]], this release represents Generation 1 Swoop, though the packaging mistakenly<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0uG8JszvCs&t=23m5s Botcon 2014 Interview] - Hasbro's Mark Weber, Transformers Manager of Global Brand Development</ref> uses the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobot]] [[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]'s art, leading to much confusion.

*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Age of Extinction|Grimlock]]''' (Evolution 2-Pack, 2014)

:A similar 2-Pack of ''Age of Extinction'' [[Grimlock (AOE)|Grimlock]] and "1984 Grimlock" (a Generation 1-inspired redeco of ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]]) was also available from Toys"R"Us.

*'''[[Slag (G1)/toys#Age of Extinction|Dinobot Slug]]''' (Evolution 2-Pack, 2014)

:Another Toys"R"Us exclusive that saw the Deluxe [[Slug (AOE)|Dinobot Slug]] toy packed with a seemingly unchanged ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' Mini-Con [[Triceradon (DOTM)|Triceradon]], described as "Classic" Slug.
{{-}}

[[File:TF2014toy-SDCCSnarl.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|''Generation One'' Snarl]]
*'''Dinobots Generation One 4-pack''' (Voyager, 2014)
**'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Grimlock]]'''
**'''[[Swoop (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Strafe]]'''
**'''[[Snarl (G1)#Transformers (2014)|Snarl]]'''
**'''[[Slag (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Slug]]'''

:First made available at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] [[2014]], the "Dinobots Generation One 4-pack" was a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] exclusive. These Dinobots feature heavy use of vacuum metalization, transparent plastic and paint applications to recreate the look of their Generation 1 toys and their box unfolds into a diorama of the crashed [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] in [[Mount St. Hilary]].
{{-}}

[[File:TF2014toy-LegionStrafe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Strafe]]
*'''Legion''' (2014)
**'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#LegionClass|Grimlock]]'''
**'''[[Swoop (G1)/toys#LegionClass|Strafe]]'''

:As part of the Generation 1-inspired 2014 Legion Class assortment, Grimlock and Strafe are redecoes of ''[[Transformers: Prime (toyline)#BH|Prime: Beast Hunters]]'' ''[[Cyberverse (toyline)|Cyberverse]]'' [[Rippersnapper (Prime)|Rippersnapper]] and [[Windrazor (Prime)|Windrazor]] respectively and retain their molds' ability to combine with [[Abominus (Prime)#Beast Hunters|Abominus]] (or a combiner of his redecoes).
{{-}}

===''Platinum Edition''===
[[File:Platinum-Edition-G1-Dinobots-Slog.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Platinum Edition'' Slog (Sludge)]]
*'''Dinobots Set''' (Platinum Edition 5-pack, [[2015]])

:The 5 Dinobots: [[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Grimlock]], [[Slag (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Slug]], [[Swoop (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Strafe]], [[Sludge (G1)#Platinum Edition|Slog]], and [[Snarl (G1)#Platinum Edition|Snarl]], are reuses of the ''Age of Extinction'' molds and feature Generation 1-inspired redecoes and new-head retools.
{{-}}

===''Power of the Primes''===
[[File:PotP Grimlock.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.77|''Power of the Primes'' Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Grimlock]]''' (Voyager, [[2017]])
*'''[[Slag (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Dinobot Slug]]''' (Deluxe, 2017)
*'''[[Swoop (G1)/toys#Power of the Primes|Dinobot Swoop]]''' (Deluxe, 2017)
*'''[[Snarl (G1)#Power of the Primes|Dinobot Snarl]]''' (Deluxe, [[2018]])
*'''[[Sludge (G1)#Power of the Primes|Dinobot Sludge]]''' (Deluxe, 2018)
*'''[[Slash (POTP)|Dinobot Slash]]''' (Legends, 2017)

:All five classic Dinobots and new member [[Slash (POTP)|Slash]] feature in the ''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' [[subline imprint]] of ''[[Transformers: Generations (toyline)|Generations]]''. All six Dinobots share the common feature of being partially composed of translucent plastic with gold paint on the inside to give them a 'layered' look reminiscent of the translucent parts in their original toys. The original five can also combine to form [[Volcanicus (POTP)|Volcanicus]], who is awesome. The Deluxe Class figures' Prime Armor were redecoed for the [[Terrorcon (G1)#Generations|Terrorcons]].
{{-}}

===''Selects''===
[[File:TF-Generations-Selects-JP-Volcanicus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|''Generations Selects'' Volcanicus]]
*'''[[Volcanicus (POTP)#Selects|Volcanicus]]''' (Multi-pack, [[2021]])
:For the ''[[Generations Selects (toyline)|Generations Selects]]'' line, TakaraTomy gave each of the five classic Dinobots anime-accurate redecoes.
{{-}}

===''Studio Series''===
[[File:Studio-Series-86-Grimlock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|''Studio Series'' Grimlock]]
*'''[[Grimlock (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Grimlock]]''' (Leader, 2021)
*'''[[Slag (G1)/toys#Studio Series|Slug]]''' (Leader, 2021)
:New, large, G1 cartoon-accurate figures of the Dinobots are being released in the ''[[Studio Series]]'' line.
{{toystub}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
*The Dinobots are the first Transformers whose creation is shown in the cartoon. It seems simple enough: The Autobots simply construct their bodies, flick the switch, and they're animated. Wheeljack later upgrades their brains, after which they display sentience. However, the later episode "[[The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 1]]" heavily implies that there's no way to bring a Transformer to life without the use of the supercomputer [[Vector Sigma]]. Still other episodes would show the creation of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] and the [[Technobot (G1)|Technobots]] without the use of Vector Sigma. For more on this issue, see [[Reproduction]].
*Early on in the cartoon, the Dinobots are played as very dangerous (though dim) wildcards, whose great power makes them a huge advantage to the Autobots when they can be persuaded to cooperate. However, beginning with ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and in the following third season, the Dinobots are portrayed almost exclusively as comic relief: goofy childlike morons whose (arguably even greater) stupidity made them a detriment to be babysat, rather than an advantage to be courted.
*The commercials (and package art) for the Dinobots show their swords, Slag's horns, and Swoop's lower beak and missiles as being chromed like the Diaclone versions. However, the actual release versions have these parts as bare red. This is due to the swords and horns being changed to soft plastic for safety reasons (it was either that or retool them blunt like Blitzwing's sword), as the chrome plating does not bond to soft plastic. Swoop's jaw and missiles probably didn't need this, but that's [[gang-molding]] for you.
[[File:MadGeister.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Now we know who Grimstone stole his hat from!]]
*Four of the original five Dinobot designs served as the templates for the "Geisters", recurring villainous henchmen on the Takara/Sunrise co-production ''[[Brave (franchise)|Brave Exkaiser]]''; Slag became [[:File:HornGeist.jpg|Horn Geist]], Sludge became [[:File:ThunderGeist.jpg|Thunder Geist]], Snarl became [[:File:ArmorGeist.jpg|Armor Geist]], and Swoop became [[:File:PteraGeist.jpg|Ptera Geist]]. In what might be called [[Beast (G1)|a vision of things to come]], the four were once briefly fused into a single robot called "Mad Geister" (マッドガイスター ''Maddogaisutā''). However, because each Geister controlled a portion of the combined body—and, aside from Ptera Geist, they had the accumulated brain power of a Froot Loop—this ended rather badly for them. In a more successful (and [[Mega-Dinobot|also prescient]]) later development, the Geisters learned to merge in groups of two, with Ptera Geist and Thunder Geist forming the centaur-esque "[[:File:PtederAndHormor.jpg|Pteder]]" (プテダー ''Putedā'') and Horn Geist and Armor Geist forming "Hormor" (ホーマー ''Hōmā'').
*The 2005 [[Grimlock (Energon)|Grimlock]] and [[Swoop (Energon)|Swoop]] two-pack was originally intended to portray the Generation 1 characters, but ended up as part of the ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'' toyline instead, representing new characters by this wiki's classification.
*The S-names are to show how they're their own group, while Grimlock breaks the pattern to show he's the boss.<ref name="BC10">[http://www.toycollectors.com.au/bc10/bc10bb.html griffin's 2010 BotCon report]</ref>
*And the most obvious point; this collection of ''dinosaur'' robots has a ''pterosaur'' in their number, thus making the name kind of inaccurate. Those two animals are entirely different branches of Ornithodira; calling a ''Pteranodon'' a dinosaur is like calling a cougar a {{w|Nimravidae|nimravid}} because both are felids. Granted, "Avemetatarsaliabots" is nowhere ''near'' as fluid to say as "Dinobots"...but still, worth noting.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Dinobot''' (ダイノボット ''Dainobotto'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Dinobotok''' (everywhere else) '''Vasállatok''' (first ''The Movie'' dub, "Iron-animals") '''Dínók''' (second ''The Movie'' dub, "Dinos")
*''Italian'': '''Nuovo Dinorobots''' (Classics)
*''Mandarin:'' '''Kǒnglóng Jīngāng''' (恐龙金刚, "Dinosaur Vajra"), '''Jīqì Kǒnglóng''' (机器恐龙, "Machine Dinosaur")
*''Portuguese:'' '''Dinobóticos''' (Portugal comic), '''Robodinos''' (Brazil comic)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Autobot subgroups]]
[[Category:Combiner teams]]
[[Category:Dreamwave Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Dinobots| ]]
[[Category:Generation 1 subgroups]]
[[Category:Generation 2 subgroups]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) subgroups]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:United EX]]
[[Category:Wings Universe subgroups]]

Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2022-01-25T02:47:27Z

Charles RB: /* Marvel The Transformers comics */

{{factions|decepticon|sgAutobot|{{factions/icons|custom=Autobotsecretpolice.png|cLink=Secret Police}}}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Shockwave the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Marvel isn't my fault- it's Megatron's!]]
Logic dictates that this is the most preferred version of '''Shockwave'''.

{{TOCclear}}

==Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics==
{{noteukonly}}
''Millions of years ago, on the troubled planet Cybertron, Shockwave was the military ruler of the city-state of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]. Following a botched attempt by [[Vos (polity)|Vos]] to ignite war between [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and Tarn, Tarn went to war with Vos and both cities were destroyed by an exchange of [[photon missile]]s. The survivors of both cities—presumably including Shockwave—were gathered together by the ex-gladiator [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who used their bitterness towards Iacon to unite them under his control as the Decepticons.'' {{storylink|State Games}} ''Shockwave formed part of the 'nucleus' of the Decepticons with Megatron and Soundwave.''{{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Megatron}}

[[File:Laststand-autobotsarenomore.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Shockwave shot the mini out of miniseries.]]
As Military Commander, Shockwave planned the strategy of the Decepticon assault on the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} After the Autobots had successfully destroyed the asteroids threatening [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Megatron and the other Decepticons attacked the ship while Shockwave remained behind on [[Nemesis (G1)|their ship]] to pilot it and act as a potential backup. When the Ark subsequently crashed on [[Earth]], deactivating all those within, Shockwave followed the ship down, but the planet's magnetic fields caused a malfunction in his guidance systems, resulting in him landing half a world away, in the tropical Antarctic jungle known as the [[Savage Land]].

The Ark's dying computer detected Shockwave's presence on the planet and reactivated five Autobots to combat him, rebuilding them in the shapes of the Savage Land's native dinosaurs. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} These "[[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]" battled Shockwave, a battle that ended in permanent stalemate when [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] brought down the mountain that Shockwave stood upon, knocking all the combatants into a tar pit. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

[[File:Megatrong1marvelhumiliation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Early on, Shockwave establishes the pecking order.]]
In [[1984]], when the rest of the Transformers aboard the Ark were awakened by a volcanic eruption, the Autobots attempted to track down their five missing comrades. A sensor drone tracked them to the Savage Land, but inadvertently wound up reactivating Shockwave, who headed straight for [[Oregon]]. He arrived just as the Autobots had claimed victory over the Decepticons and his explosive entry saw all the weakened combatants knocked off-line. {{storylink|The Last Stand}} ''These events were observed by the [[time travel]]ling [[Dicet Alpha-zero]].'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

Rounding up the bodies, Shockwave took control of the Ark, strung up the Autobots for spare parts, decapitated [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and restored his fellow Decepticons back to health. This came as something of a rude shock to Megatron, who awoke to find that Shockwave had decided it was only logical for him to take over leadership of the Decepticons in light of Megatron's failure. After declaring his leadership and the superiority of Decepticons over humans, he flew off to begin his conquests. {{storylink|The New Order}} ''At some point during his control of the Ark, Shockwave bested [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] and had Soundwave booby-trap the drone with a thermonuclear bomb in case Megatron or the Autobots attempted to usurp his command.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

Shockwave's first attack was on the new offshore [[oil-drilling platform]] of tycoon [[G.B. Blackrock]]. Tearing his way through the rig's defenses, he quickly secured it for use as a secondary base of operations. Unbeknownst to Shockwave, the violent attack crippled the human Josie Beller, leading to her transformation into [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]. When Shockwave returned to the Ark, a weakened Megatron engaged him in combat for leadership. Despite his power, Megatron was soundly defeated. Shockwave dumped Megatron's broken body before the troops he had once commanded and demanded that they vow to serve Shockwave alone. They didn't argue. Megatron grudgingly swore his fealty as well. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

[[File:Repeatperformance-preparedtheprisoner.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Dammit, woman! Where's my supper?!]]
Shockwave's next attack came through [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], who took control of the [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]]. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} After Soundwave reported his success, Shockwave traveled from the oil platform to the Ark, checking in with Megatron and reminding him again of where he stood. From the Ark, he transported Optimus Prime's head to the Aerospace Plant. Shockwave effortlessly blasted his way past the Army cordon surrounding the plant, all the while lecturing the foolish humans about the raw strength of his armor. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

''Shockwave prepared six Decepticon [[brain module]]s and used the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] within Prime's head to give them life.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} Shockwave quickly began setting up the Aerospace Plant's facilities to carry out his plans; however, this was rather boring work for Decepticon warriors, leading to some diminished morale; Shockwave had to sic [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] on [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] when the latter started throwing a temper tantrum over threats from the human G.B. Blackrock. Still, accepting [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'s argument that morale could use a boost, Shockwave granted permission for Starscream and Frenzy to destroy Blackrock's weapon. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}}

[[File:Buzzsawyikes1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Speaking of "pecking order"...]]
After some time, the plant was ready and Shockwave used it to create the bodies of the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], whose brain modules had already been brought to life with the power of the Creation Matrix drained from Prime's head. Shockwave then began work on his next project, the superjet [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], but was startled to find that he could not bring him to life. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

Shockwave had the plant's captive workers begin construction of a hundred jet warriors; meanwhile, he tried yet again to bring Jetfire to life. When the process failed, he deduced that Optimus Prime must have hidden the Matrix somewhere. Scanning the memory banks of [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], he discovered that Optimus had transferred the Matrix into the mind of the human, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Shockwave programmed Jetfire to capture Buster, but the boy was able to use the power of the Matrix to bring the robot under his own control. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}}

[[File:Brainstorm-welcomeboost.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Hasbro probably sold a LOT of Shockwave toys just from this panel.]]
Buster used Jetfire to travel to the Aerospace Plant, intending to free Optimus Prime. Jetfire's pre-programmed response to an Air Force attack, however, meant that Buster was knocked unconscious and delivered to Shockwave as a captive.

The Autobots' attempts to keep Buster away from the Decepticons led Shockwave to suspect that his headquarters was bugged. Soundwave soon ferreted out a telephone link that was allowing the Autobots to listen in on their plans. Shockwave used the link to manipulate the Autobots into bringing their leader's body with them to a nearby swamp, where his head was to be deposited, there to corrode away forever. The head that actually arrived there, however, was a false one constructed by Shockwave, which attacked the Autobots once it was joined with Optimus Prime's body.

[[File:PrimeTime Rumble sweat.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3]]
Shockwave had reckoned without Buster's fighting back, however; as Jetfire was about to take the real head of Optimus Prime and pitch it into the swamp, the captive human used his Matrix powers to take control of Jetfire and knock out Shockwave. Shockwave awoke to find both Optimus Prime and the human workers gone; he quickly deduced what had happened and flew to the battle site. There he engaged the newly-whole Optimus in a one-on-one battle which ended when the Decepticon leader was tossed into a swamp. {{storylink|Prime Time!}} ''These events were also observed by Dicet Alpha-zero.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

''That [[Christmas]], Circuit Breaker had a flashback to the attack on the oil-drilling platform and blasted a Christmas tree that she thought was Shockwave.'' {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}} ''While suffering a crisis of command, Optimus Prime sat and moped about his treatment at Shockwave's, er, hand.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''[[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]] would later show footage of Shockwave to [[Roxxon Oil]] executives in an attempt to gain more funding for his [[neural relay link]].'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''Finally extricating himself from the swamp after being trapped for several months,'' Shockwave returned to leadership of the Decepticons at their [[oil-drilling platform]] base with a [[power siphon]] he had designed, capable of converting the [[oil]] into [[energon cube]]s, freeing them from their reliance on static fuel sources. This led to an ill-fated plan involving stealing sonic energy from a [[Brick Springstern|Brick Springhorn]] concert that was ultimately scuppered by the Autobots. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} At a meeting of the [[Intelligence and Information Institute]], [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]] and [[Forrest Forsythe]] reviewed footage of Shockwave and Megatron fighting at [[Vallemont]] when trying to formulate a policy regarding the giant robots. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Subsequently, Shockwave attempted to exploit [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] as a weak link in the Autobot forces, and assembled a squad to pursue, abduct, and brainwash him. Though Shockwave managed to isolate Bumblebee and wound Jetfire in his chase, the diminutive scout was rescued by his team-mates. Calculating a low chance of his plan to succeed at this juncture, Shockwave ordered a retreat. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

[[File:ShockwaveSecondGeneration1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Uh...you're on your own, kid. See ya!]]
''When [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] built Buster a [[battlesuit|mechanoid battlesuit]], the human test-drove it by attacking [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]. Shockwave responded to the attack, only to be briefly blinded when a desperate Buster flung a handful of sand into his optic sensor. The darkness this brought about revived memories of his four-million-year burial and his humiliating swamp submergence and an enraged, barely-sane Shockwave disregarded logic in a desire for revenge that saw him pursue Buster throughout the night. As the new day dawned, Buster made one final attack with all the suit's power, which destroyed it but merely injured Shockwave. Seizing the boy in his hand, Shockwave was about to crush the life from him when the Autobot forces arrived to rescue him.'' {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} ''Around this time aboard the Ark, the comatose [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] relived his one-on-one confrontation with Shockwave in the Savage Land.'' {{storylink|Victory!}}

[[File:SecondGeneration megatron vs shockwav.jpg|thumb|upright=1.45|"''N-nnh!'' Nyeh! NYEH! NYEHHH!!! {{-}} Muh- ''MAAAAAAA-OMMMMMM!!!''"]]
''His rationality returning, Shockwave realized that Buster could potentially be a powerful tool to use against the Autobots and had the Constructicons attempt to abduct him, but during the battle [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] discovered that the Matrix had planted in Buster's mind a vision for the future of the Transformer race.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Shockwave watched intently as Soundwave tapped into Buster's dreams and witnessed a vision of [[combiner]] Transformers battling. Little did he know that Soundwave was also beaming the vision to Megatron (now operating independently of Shockwave), who decided that it was time for him to retake Decepticon leadership. Shockwave and Megatron battled once more, but with Megatron at full health, the fight was much more evenly matched and drawn-out and was even televised by the Decepticons' unwilling human ally, [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot Master]]. To prevent the Decepticons from being made to look like fools, Soundwave demanded they cease fighting and consent to a joint leadership. Begrudgingly, both agreed.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}} ''During this period of joint leadership, the Decepticons were rampaging through a human town when they were struck by a [[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|strange burst of energy]]. This temporarily reversed their personalities, turning the lot into big softies. While the other Decepticons helped repair the damage they had caused, Shockwave and Megatron stood around complimenting each other and insisting that the other 'bot was the best choice for leader. The personality-reversal wore off in short order, and the Decepticons swore revenge for what they assumed to be an Autobot trick.'' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}}

[[File:Laserbeakdeterminescommand.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|left|]]
Shockwave and Megatron agreed to put their differences aside when they were contacted by [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus]] on Cybertron with news of a plan to transport energon cubes back across the [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} This joint leadership did not last long. Leaving Shockwave in charge of the Decepticons' [[Wyoming base]], Megatron led a team of Decepticons to attack the Autobot base, only for the majority of their number to be deactivated and captured by [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]. At the same time, however, the Autobots attacked the Decepticon base to draw out [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], to learn more about the combiner process. With the day having firmly been won by the Autobots on both fronts, Megatron argued that although he may have charged into a trap, Shockwave had been ineffective enough to do nothing and had allowed a trap to spring up around him. Bowing to the logic of this argument, Shockwave stepped down and allowed Megatron to resume sole command. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:ShockwaveInLimbo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Dammit, Frenzy, eat your vegetables!"]]
''Although footage of Shockwave and Megatron fighting was broadcast on ''[[Between the Lines]] {{storylink|In the National Interest}} ''Shockwave's movements were unknown for the brief time that followed this embarrassment. He was absent from the Decepticons' base when the time-traveling future Decepticon [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] arrived from [[2006]] and temporarily disposed of Megatron, but returned not long thereafter. Wondering where everyone was, he was met by [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] and Frenzy, who had escaped their confinement in the Autobot base, but then, abruptly, all three were mass-displaced into [[limbo]] when three future Autobots traveled back in time to thwart Galvatron's plans.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''In limbo, Shockwave and his two companions battled alongside the similarly-displaced Optimus Prime, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] and Ratchet against the [[Zenag|deadly illusions]] created by the dimension's [[Limbo parasite|native lifeforms]], before returning to their natural place in space and time when the time-travellers returned to their point of origin.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

''It was not long before Shockwave began scheming to return to the position of leader and when Megatron summoned the Decepticon hunters the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to Earth to stalk Optimus Prime, he saw his opportunity. Conspiring with them, Shockwave arranged for the team to turn on Megatron during the hunt, depriving him of his weapons, expecting that he would have no chance against Prime one-on-one.'' {{storylink|Prey!}} ''When Megatron did not return, Shockwave believed him dead, but in truth, he had escaped to Cybertron—though this was of little concern to the cyclopean schemer, who took up the mantle of leadership in his absence again. It was not long after this that Galvatron returned, having traveled back from the future once more and now dancing dangerously on the edge of sanity. Fearing the threat Galvatron might pose to his own leadership, Shockwave had the Decepticons aid the Dinobots in battling him, and Galvatron departed rather than fight his own future troops.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}} ''Shortly thereafter, Megatron returned from Cybertron with a case of amnesia, sparing Shockwave any retribution for his actions.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Shockwave gone but not forgotten.jpg|thumb|left|Logic dictates I should have a closeup now.]]
Not long afterwards, Optimus Prime perished in a video game duel with Megatron, but the Decepticon leader grew distant and unresponsive. Shockwave decided that even though he had given up on taking leadership from Megatron, he would have to take Megatron out of the equation. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} Megatron progressively grew more paranoid, fearing his foe had survived. Apparently attempting to shock Megatron back to his senses, Shockwave had the Predacons come to Earth and force him into a combat situation, implanting a copy of his personality program in the team so that he could "be part" of the battle from a safe distance. Events culminated in Megatron's apparent death when, having fully plunged into insanity, he blew the space bridge up while standing on it. Once again, Shockwave was leader. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}}

Shockwave took over the implementation of Megatron's plan to take over [[Power Station Alpha]], adjusting the plan to include an alliance of convenience with [[Cobra]]. {{storylink|Power Struggle}} Cobra delivered Power Station Alpha to the Decepticons {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}} The Decepticons modified the power station and set it loose on the Earth, collecting energy while crating wide-scale destruction. Shockwave made plans to evacuate Earth and allow the power station to run rampant with destruction and energy collection until the whole Earth was destroyed. However, Cobra had found out about this plan and worked with [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] and the Autobots to destroy the power station. {{storylink|...All Fall Down!}}

Shockwave established regular contact with Cybertron Decepticon commander [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who threatened to cut off the Earthbound Decepticons' access to the space bridge should their war efforts continue to prove an inefficient use of fuel. Shockwave convinced Ratbat to send over their greatest warrior over from Cybertron before any further decisions were made, but the envoy, [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], was defeated by the Dinobots and returned to Cybertron after his assault. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}} The fuel auditor would later embarrass Shockwave when it transpired that the [[oil tanker]] Shockwave had captured in the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] had already offloaded its cargo. Berating him for his inefficient methods, Ratbat implemented his own plan to hypnotize humans into gathering fuel for them. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}}

[[File:Decepticons enemy action.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5|Shockwave meme-face.]]
''When Shockwave learned that Galvatron was trapped beneath [[Mount Verona]], he dispatched Soundwave and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to destroy him. They failed.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}} ''He had the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] sent from Cybertron so that they could use their aquatic abilities to help fortify the Decepticons' new [[Club Con|artificial mobile island base]]. It was while they were performing this task that Galvatron returned, advancing on the island, much to Shockwave's distress. He ordered the Seacons to attack, but Galvatron tore through both them and the base walls—he had, he claimed, come in peace, but Shockwave's attack had made an enemy of him, putting all Decepticons in danger. This of course, was a complete lie, but it turned the Decepticons against Shockwave, thereby disrupting the one-eyed warrior's command.'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}}

[[File:Shockwaveburnsup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|left|Shockwave's mistake was whittling [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] down to the story-protected [[human]] center.]]
After interfering in a scheme of Ratbat's, Buster Witwicky was captured by the Decepticons and, at Shockwave's request, brought to their island. Though Ratbat was sour over keeping such a "fuel-consumptive" liability around, Shockwave pointed out to him that so long as they had a hostage, the human military would hesitate to launch an offensive. But upon discovering the island's location, the Autobots were more than ready to rush its shores. To rid himself of these nuisances, Shockwave then transformed the landmass into its spaceship mode and took to the fringes of Earth's atmosphere. Autobot [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] leader [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] pursued the craft and battled Shockwave in the void of space, where he defeated him and sent him tumbling back through Earth's atmosphere in free-fall. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} ''Although thought dead by many, Shockwave in actuality survived and returned to the Decepticons' original fortress base, where he concentrated on resolving the threat posed by Galvatron. Seeking to use the missing Megatron as a weapon against him, Shockwave had the small number of Decepticons still under his control recover a [[Straxus (G1)|clone of the departed leader]] from the [[Thames|River Thames]], which he and [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] repaired and brainwashed using the [[psycho-probe]].'' {{storylink|Salvage!}}

[[File:Wrecking Havoc Shockwave considers the time-jump trigger device.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
''Around the same time, Galvatron's fellow time-travelers [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] had joined up with Shockwave's Decepticons,'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}} ''but, chafing in his service, Cyclonus wound up accidentally blurting out that they would be responsible for killing him in the future of [[2008]]. Seeking to preserve his continued existence, Shockwave unleashed the Megatron clone upon them, resulting in the death of Cyclonus. Satisfied with the clone's performance, he dispatched him against Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}} ''The battle had an unexpected conclusion, however, when "Megatron" found a kindred spirit in Galvatron and actually joined forces with him.'' {{storylink|Altered Image!}}

[[File:Shockwavetimewars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|It's okay, [[Time Wars]] didn't make sense to any of us, either.]]
''This unfortunate chain of events led to Shockwave losing his grip on sanity. Unable to logically fathom the situation, he slipped into despondency, stringing up the remains of Cyclonus on the walls of his castle as a twisted trophy. What Shockwave did not realize, however, was that the repeated time-travel and the death of Cyclonus had caused a rift in space-time that threatened the stability of reality. Hoping to restore the balance by returning all time-travelers to their proper place in time, Scourge attempted to reclaim Cyclonus's body, but was shot down by Shockwave for his trouble. At Scourge's urging, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] was able to present events logically enough to Shockwave to restore some semblance of coherency to his thoughts, and Shockwave himself deposited Cyclonus's remains in the rift, and sealed it with an x-ray blast.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

Circuit Breaker would once again reflect on her encounter with Shockwave before taking out her anger on [[Skullgrin]]. {{storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}}

[[File:DarkCreation ShockwaveResurfaces.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|Statement: Talk to the hand.]]
It would be some time before Shockwave next resurfaced, emerging from the sea on the coast of [[Blackpool]], [[United Kingdom|England]], and killing a [[Patch's owner|human]] who had seen him. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} Seeking to establish his own faction of Decepticons, he spied on the current Decepticon Earth commander, [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] [[New Jersey base|base]], observing the duplicitous Starscream leaving the base to pursue his own agenda. {{storylink|All Fall Down}} Following the Seeker, Shockwave witnessed Starscream attempt to abduct the superhuman [[Dynamo]], wanting to force the fleshling into becoming his Powermaster. Starscream's efforts were interrupted by Circuit Breaker, but Shockwave, standing out-of-sight saved Starscream from being pried apart by the woman's magnetic abilities. Despite Shockwave's assistance, Starscream was unable to secure Dynamo, and was forced down into the nearby surf. When he re-emerged, Shockwave approached him, and offered a partnership so they could dispose of Scorponok. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} The pair, along with Ravage, recruited those who had grown disenfranchised with Scorponok's leadership. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

[[File:Shockwavefightmoretalkless.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Hypothesis: I should internalize my thought process.]]
Though the group's latest recruits, [[Triggerhappy (G1)|Triggerhappy]] and [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], were hesitant at first to fully betray Scorponok, Starscream and Shockwave were quick to convince them that they had no choice in the matter; either they helped in the insurgency against their former leader, or perish at their hands. The small group then staged an attack on Scorponok's New Jersey base, collapsing it from above. {{storylink|Surrender!}} Starscream was ready to call it an easy victory, but Shockwave cautioned his partner against premature celebrations. True to Shockwave's suspicions, Scorponok emerged from the debris, itching for a fight. With Shockwave's underlings proving themselves to be no match for Scorponok, it fell on Shockwave to battle his rival himself. Their bout took them to the waters around Manhattan, where it was interrupted first by Optimus Prime, eager to minimize collateral damage to the nearby city, and then by the [[Neo-Knights]]. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Shockwave used the ensuing confusion to implicate the Autobots in an attack on the human team, but was later recognized by Circuit Breaker as the robot responsible for crippling her, and was blown out of the sky by her powers. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Abruptly, the battle was ended when the Transformers were all teleported to Cybertron, where [[Primus]] spoke to his children, pleading with them to put their differences aside so as to face the threat of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] as a race united. Despite the severity of the situation, Shockwave took the time to threaten Scorponok, telling him not to expect a reprieve from their feud. He evidently had to reassess his priorities when Unicron suddenly and unexpectedly appeared in Cybertron's orbit. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Even Shockwave's data grid could not compute the vastness of the threat the chaos-bringer posed. Unable to cope with the situation at hand, he and Starscream fled rather than participate in the battle against the Chaos Bringer. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

[[File:ASavageCircle PileOnShockwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Expletive: MOTHER-]]
After Unicron was destroyed, Shockwave teamed up with Starscream once more to find the remains of the Autobots' Ark, which had crashed during the battle. Though Starscream whined that they should seek out a ship in better condition, Shockwave assured his partner-in-crime that the Ark was the best trans-stellar transporter on Cybertron, and urged him to help in repairing it. {{storylink|Still Life!}} The pair succeeded in getting the craft airborne again, but were unaware that the numerous damaged Transformers in the ship's stasis pods had been reactivated with [[nucleon (substance)|nucleon]]—Megatron among them—and that an alternate future version of [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] was also on board. {{storylink|Exodus!}}

After Shockwave and Starscream encountered Megatron in a corridor, Starscream immediately began groveling at his former master and Shockwave, disgusted, ordered him away so he could deal with Megatron himself. His assassination attempt was interrupted by Galvatron, who had allied with Megatron, and Shockwave found himself at the other end of a beating as he was ganged-up on. To put an end to things once and for all, the revived Ratchet sent the Ark crashing to Earth. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Although Galvatron walked away from the crash and Megatron was left buried under rubble, Shockwave was lost in the ship's detonation. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}
{{-}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Shockwave aspects of evil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|The borders! They are encroaching!]]
In an alternate future timeline, Shockwave attacked the unveiling of the first female Transformer [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] in [[1995]] with [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]], [[Squeezeplay (G1)|Squeezeplay]] and [[Horri-Bull]]. When Arcee quickly disabled his men, though, Shockwave took off and left them to fend for themselves. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}} Years later, in [[2004]], he staged an attack on the opening day of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], hoping to permanently damage Autobot-human relations by assassinating the diplomats in attendance. Though logic indicated a high probability of success, Shockwave's plans didn't account for the extremely illogical actions of the young [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]]. In a "single act of blind stupidity," Hot Rod tackled Shockwave head on, sending the both of them repetedly tumbling down a mountain. Unable to adjust to the situation, Shockwave fled, his troops taking notice and aborting the mission completely. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:TFMMarvelShockwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''By [[2005]] Shockwave was put in command of the Decepticons on Cybertron. When the planet came under attack by Unicron, he ordered his troops to scramble, though they were ineffectual against the giant Transformer.'' {{storylink|The Final Battle!}}

After Decepticon commander [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] disappeared following Unicron's attack on Cybertron in 2006, the new Autobot leader [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] devoted his forces to searching the galaxy and making sure the Decepticon was truly dead. This diverted attention allowed Shockwave to assume leadership of the Decepticons in the chaos that followed, and he consolidated them into a strong force on Cybertron that ultimately resulted in a stalemate between the factions by 2008. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}}

[[File:Shockwave headhunt.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|Hahahaha! Haha Hahaha? Ha Haha Ha. Aha!]]
Knowing that the freelance peacekeeping agent named [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] had a grudge against Rodimus Prime, Shockwave had [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] hire him for 10,000 [[shanix]] to hunt down and exterminate the Autobot, providing him with secret entry into Cybertron and information about Prime's movements. [[File:Deathshead147shockdeath.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]] At the same time, Shockwave allowed Scourge and Cyclonus, Galvatron's former top two lackeys, to brazenly go after Rodimus Prime themselves. Seeing the powerful duo as a potential threat to his position, Shockwave hoped that by tossing these various parties into the mix together, at least some of his problems would turn out dead. {{storylink|Headhunt}}

Unfortunately for Shockwave's plans, it was then that Unicron's influence was felt again, as he mind-controlled Cyclonus, Scourge and Death's Head into trying to assassinate Shockwave. Death's Head used the supposedly deactivated bodies of the duo to gain access to Shockwave's audience chamber, and then left his "comrades" to seal the doors while he chased down the Decepticon leader. After a hard-fought battle, Shockwave was ultimately destroyed, his body blown to pieces and his memory module crushed between Death's Head's fingers, ensuring that he could never return. Still, the hunter was sickened by being forced to kill against his will, and Death's Head promised Shockwave's corpse that he would eventually avenge them both. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}
{{-}}

===Earthforce===
{{earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Shockwave two steps back.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
Reality unfolds in many ways, across many dimensions. In one such dimension, it was not Scorponok that Shockwave challenged for leadership in the [[Decepticon Civil War]], but a returning Megatron, and the two of them built their armies up for a renewed battle for control over the Earth. Upon hearing that [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] had somehow restored his Dinobots to life without the Creation Matrix, Shockwave and his soldiers attempted to force the secret out of the Dinobots. The scuffle brought Grimlock and Shockwave to blows, with a headbutt on Grimlock's part leaving Shockwave dazed and scrambling away. When Optimus showed up to berate Grimlock over his penchant for violence, Shockwave took the opportunity to withdraw with his troops while the Dinobot was distracted. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}}

Unable to gain an advantage over Megatron, Shockwave was forced to suggest an [[Enclave]], a truce whereby the Decepticons could meet and hopefully overcome their differences as they had in the past, for the mutual goal of destruction of the Autobots. Certainly, the Autobots had something to say about that, and they rigged a scenario so that Megatron was tricked into thinking Shockwave had sent an assassin sniper to kill him during the meeting. A brawl broke out, and any chance at peace was chucked out the window, along with several dismembered body parts. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}

[[File:Triple changers shockwave secrets.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Thanks to a [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|secret informer]] inside Megatron's camp, Shockwave was able to surprise his rival at the site of an energon delivery, and he and the [[Triple Changer]]s overpowered Megatron and tossed him over a cliff, claiming his energon as their own. {{storylink|Secrets (G1)|Secrets}} Turnabout's fair play, however, and Shockwave's own lieutenant Starscream tipped off Megatron about when Shockwave would be alone and open for attack. What's worse, Starscream and Soundwave took advantage of their leaders' absence to stage a coup, and so Shockwave and Megatron were left on the run from [[Earthforce]] while their troops abandoned them to their fates. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}}

Shockwave and Megatron subsequently organized a hit on Starscream, using a [[Louisiana bounty hunters|series of cheap assassins]] to trick Starscream into assuming Soundwave wanted to wipe him out and assume sole command of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Assassins}} Assuming that only one of their usurpers would be left alive, they sent in [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] to kill the survivor. However, things didn't go quite to plan and they found their path blocked by the Earthforce, who needed Starscream alive to help heal [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]], afflicted with [[Corrodia Gravis]]. {{storylink|External Forces!}} Although they initially had the upper hand when Grimlock was forced to split his forces to help save Starscream, the tide of battle soon turned against them when Megatron was roasted by Slag and Grimlock impaled Shockwave on his [[Energo weapon|energo-sword]]. With the day lost, Megatron and Shockwave ran away. Fast. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}
{{--}}

===''Cybertron'' comic===
[[Vector Prime]] witnessed many momentous occasions that happened across the [[multiverse]], including the time Shockwave captured and decapitated Optimus Prime. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

===''Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts''===
The Shockwave of [[Primax 984.0 Gamma]] was interviewed by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]]. He brought up his one-time possession of the Creation Matrix when it was left off the list of his achievements that Hot Shot read out, however Hot Shot asserted that it wasn't that hard to get hold of a Matrix, and proved it by stealing one from the nearest available [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. {{storylink|Hot Shot's Bot Thoughts}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
Shockwave served as joint leader with his rival [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. Together, they worked out that hijacking the oil reserves of [[Alaska]] would make more sense than hitting oil refineries, and battled the Autobots to seize the Alaskan oil. They were driven off by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and the Autobots. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Attack at Dawn}} Recordings of this attack on Alaska were used in a wayward simulation experienced by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 15|Memories of Bumblebee}}

He was present when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in [[New York City]] and gave a speech about how Megatron was an "intergalactic diplomat", who managed by "the greastest possible personal investment" to reconcile "such different citizens of the galaxy as TRANSFORMERS and humans". He then gave a "statue" of [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] as a gift to the city. Unsurprisingly, once Humanity was off-guard, the Decepticons struck, and the Autobots barely stopped them. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|The Troy Principle}} Autobot footage of this conflict was analyzed later by Optimus Prime to uncover another Decepticon plot. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Wanderer Between the Worlds}}Those events were also recorded on a videotape that was later found and watched by Autobots on Cybertron after a [[City of Fear!|nuclear disaster]] in [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 21|In Memory of Earth}}

In [[1973]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}} Shockwave aided Megatron in capturing an oil tanker, and then using it as a distraction to launch a series of raids. He helped Megatron to battle a squad of Autobot Pretenders aboard the tanker, but was eventually defeated. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 6|A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}} Those events would later be observed via log recording by Autobots in the year [[2008]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}}

Later, he was present when the Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con' on New York and helped Megatron and Soundwave to set up a mine belt around the harbor. However Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

Shockwave led a contignent of Decepticons who attempted to steal a submarine's cargo of nuclear weapons, preparing to use planet-destroying [[super blaster]]s if needed. However, the risk of using those weapons became too great when the cargo was transferred to a freighter, which also confused the Decepticons. The threat of planetry destruction was used by the Autobots to lull the Decepticons into a truce, only for the Autobots to blast the Decepticons out of the sky. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}} When the humans were about to launch a cutting-edge satellite that would make it harder for the Decepticons to commit their crimes undetected, Shockwave led Decepticons in an ambush on the Autobots and then tried to intercept the launch of the satellite. However, he had wasted too much time with the Autobots and the launch went off as planned. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|The Countdown to a New Space Age!}}

At some point, Shockwave and the Decepticons managed to hold Optimus Prime hostage and demanded ransom. Despite an attempted pretense that their prisoner was on the Moon, Optimus was rescued by his fellow Autobots from Shockwave's laser lab on Earth. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 16|The Case of Optimus Prime}} Later, getting ideas from a television program about meteors, Shockwave built the largest laser cannon ever and tried to use it to harness the destructive power of a meteor. Shockwave's actions mystified the Autobots, who sent a team to investigate, but this team ended up being captured by the Decepticons and Shockwave planned to use them to build an even bigger laser cannon. The Autobots eventually escaped and the meteorite hit by the laser flew by Earth harmlessly a few months later. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 19|Shockwave's Galactic Secret}}

==Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic==
Upon discovering an outpost of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]], Optimus Prime thought back over all the threats the Autobots had defeated, including Shockwave. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

==''Classics''==
[[File:Timelines shockwave - alex milne.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|It's a life of quiet dignity. Minus the quiet. And the dignity.]]
{{noteclassics}}
Megatron decided to keep Shockwave alive in spite of past betrayals because of the use of his logical skills. However, he decided to prevent further betrayals by keeping him only as a head hooked to some sort of life support. Megatron queried him on information regarding [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] and Shockwave told him all he knew, but when he requested computer access for more information, Megatron refused and closed up the chamber. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Some time after the Earth was transported into a [[Primax -408.24 Epsilon|"negative polarity" universe]], that world's [[Longarm (SG)|Longarm]] developed a curious obsession with logical action and began disappearing for long periods without explanation. One couldn't ''possibly'' speculate that Shockwave had anything to do with this... {{storylink|Longarm (SG)#Timelines|Longarm's customization class bio}}
{{--}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Shockwave natural selection.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2]]
Although he was aboard the Ark when [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] had forced it to crash in the Yukon, Shockwave was conspicuously absent from [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s reanimated army. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}} {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}} As [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] discovered, there was a good reason, as with [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'s help, the time-displaced Decepticon found that Shockwave was wired directly into the Ark's computer systems. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}} With [[Aunty|Auntie]], the Ark's operating system, having been destroyed, Galvatron left Shockwave plugged in to serve as the new OS, {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} unaware that Shockwave was starting to regain consciousness. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

Starscream, who had been partially lobotomized by Megatron, {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}} was surprised to hear Shockwave speak to him through the Ark, and even ''more'' surprised that Starscream himself could speak again! Shockwave revealed that he had removed the blocks Megatron had placed in Starscream's mind, and that the destruction of Auntie had indeed awoken him. Though Shockwave was one with the Ark now, he revealed that he did not have complete autonomy, and required a pilot. Starscream, returning to his old ways, concluded that the pilot needn't be Galvatron.

Nevertheless, the Ark began to take off, with Galvatron aboard, just as [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrived on the scene, unaware of Shockwave's or Starscream's presence on the ship. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

As the Ark approached Cybertron, Shockwave's voice alerted Galvatron to an intruder on board. As soon as Galvatron left the bridge, however, Shockwave transferred control of the ship's functions to Starscream. Using a [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian drone]] to distract Galvatron, Starscream ejected the time-displaced Decepticon from the Ark and fired on him using the ship's weaponry, forcing Galvatron to fall to Cybertron's surface. Starscream then directed Shockwave to take the Ark away from Cybertron to avoid the Autobots' early-warning system, unaware that it now consisted entirely of [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]], who was quickly dispatched by the incoming ''[[Warworld]]''. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}}

Starscream failed to specify a flight plan, however, so Shockwave, still lacking in initiative, had no reason to remove the Ark from the vicinity of Cybertron during [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s invasion - which Shockwave explained to him when he asked why they were still hanging around. This led Starscream to bring the Ark's legendary weaponry to bear on the ''Warworld''. As the newly arrived [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] was still on board with the [[Wrecker]]s after having defeated Bludgeon, the Autobots were forced to beat a hasty retreat from the ship as the Ark destroyed it. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

After the battle, however, Starscream became unresponsive to Shockwave, who was trying to convince him to relocate the Ark since they would've been noticed when they destroyed the ''Warworld'', and an Autobot probe passed by them. Starscream snapped out of his apparent stupor and exclaimed "He's here!", as if to herald the arrival of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]] fleet! {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

[[File:Shockwave starscream the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Interrogative: Why can't I quit you?]]
As the two watched Jhiaxus's fleet, Shockwave inquired as to how Starscream could know the identity of this mysterious visitor. [[Underbase|Glowing yellow energy lines]] began to manifest on Starscream's body, as a strange voice came from Starscream's mouth, identifying Jhiaxus as "one of the five", and vowing a reckoning. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}} The possessed Starscream directed the Ark to a [[Hub (G2)|Hub]] world, hiding their approach by manipulating the minds of any onlookers. Shockwave inquired to the identity of the force possessing Starscream; it merely replied back that it was "the four", and that it sought out "the fifth". As the entity had a use for Shockwave, it used its powers to separate him from the Ark's computers, and rebuilt him, rendering Shockwave whole once again. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}}

[[File:Ravage starscream shockwave war to end all wars.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Shockwave remained with the Ark as Starscream, now completely controlled by the Underbase, departed to confront Jhiaxus. After forcibly reuniting the wayward ex-senator with the consciousnesses of [[High Circuitmaster]] [[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]] and the other members of the ancient "Brain Trust" that created it, the Underbase left Starscream's unconscious body behind next to the drained husk that had been Jhiaxus. As the Wreckers' actions began to destroy the Hub Network, Shockwave stopped to retrieve Starscream. As he did so, he found himself surprised by such an act of compassion, and pondered if he was experiencing emotion. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}

By the time Shockwave and Starscream returned to Cybertron, the [[Transformer]] population had been reduced to [[shadow-leech]]es, save for a few who were able to evade the life energy-draining creatures. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}} One such Transformer was [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]], who was rescued from the shadow-leeches that used to be [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and the other [[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|cassette Decepticons]] by Starscream. {{storylink|King of Shadows}} The shadow-leeches ceased to exist when their creator, the [[Dark Matrix]] creature, was defeated by Rodimus Prime, though the damage had been done; the [[spark]]s of those who'd been converted passed on, and Cybertron had been rendered uninhabitable. With the Decepticon faction all but extinct, Shockwave, Starscream, and Ravage renounced the Great War, and spent the remainder of their days as the Autobots would—as emissaries of peace, helping to end conflicts among other worlds. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

==''Transformers '84''==
[[File:SecretsAndLies1 ShockwaveSkyfireBrain.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
The driving force behind [[Project Dreadnought]], Shockwave's division faced a constant resource shortage thanks to the Great War. After Starscream pegged the cause of this as Megatron's increasing obsession with Optimus Prime, Shockwave tested fired one of Dreadnought's half-completed [[Planetary engine|planetary turbines]], sending Cybertron, since ripped from its orbit, towards the [[Stellae Cimeterium]]. Though Shockwave hoped that this would cause Megatron to refocus their resources on Project Dreadnought, Megatron instead waited to see Optimus Prime's response. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}} Shockwave was later present when [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] brought news of the Autobots' response in the form of [[Ark (G1)|Project: Ark]]. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}} Seeing an opportunity to destroy [[Autobot High Command]], Megatron commissioned the starship [[Nemesis (G1)|''Nemesis'']] to destroy the Autobot Ark. Shockwave however barred [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] from boarding, feeling his subordinate's talents were better served on Cybertron.

After a motion sensor had been activated at the destroyed turbine, Shockwave ordered Skyfire to meet him there, his unannounced absence causing Megatron to send the [[Conehead]]s after him. When Shockwave arrived, Skyfire had been nearly killed by the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] whom Shockwave inflicted the same fate onto. After Shockwave had retrieved Skyfire's intact [[brain module]] from his remains, he was confronted by the Coneheads who took him back to the ''Nemesis''. As Megatron reprimanded him, Shockwave decided that the [[Decepticon leader]] would have to be removed from power if the [[Decepticon Empire]] could ever rise, and began plotting his destruction. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

Delegating Counterpunch to handle planetside affairs, Shockwave remained behind on the ''Nemesis'' to watch Megatron blunder into Optimus Prime's obvious trap. After the Ark crashed on the nearby [[Earth]], Shockwave, after incapacitating the Coneheads, prepared to return to Cybertron before he headed down to the planet to ensure there were no loose ends. Finding instead a rich supply of resources and energy, Shockwave set up a mining station where he was attacked by the Dinobots. Though initially holding the advantage, Shockwave was unprepared for Grimlock injecting himself with sample of raw energon, the power boost allowing him to punch the scientist directly into a mountain and knocking him off-line. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 2|Secrets & Lies #2}}

==Notes==
*Marvel writer [[Bob Budiansky]] stated Shockwave was "my attempt to take [[Spock]] from ''[[Star Trek]]'' and make him into a Decepticon".<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Rusting Carcass interview]</ref> How logical!

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]

Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2022-01-25T02:46:38Z

Charles RB: /* Marvel The Transformers comics */

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[[File:TFU Soundwave.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"Mouths are very 'in' at the moment."]]
Soundwave did a lot of stuff in the [[Marvel Comics continuity]]!

==Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics==
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Contentedfools.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|Ravage, Megatron, and Soundwave, the first Decepticons.]]
Millions of years ago, Soundwave was one of the first members of the Decepticons ''and part of the nucleus with [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]].'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Megatron}} After sowing discontent among the masses, he, Megatron and [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] began the war that would tear the planet itself out of its orbit. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''Soundwave was at Megatron's side during his assault on [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and updated his leader with information throughout the course of the battle.'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} The Decepticons, including Soundwave, attempted to hijack the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] four million years ago, only to fail and fall into deactivation sleep for four million years. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} {{storylink|Once upon a Time...}} In [[1984]], the detonation of the volcano, [[Mount St. Hilary]], reactivated the Autobots and Decepticons, unleashing their war on Earth. Learning the [[Human|inhabitants]] of this planet had access to its vast energy sources, Soundwave joined the Decepticons in raiding a [[Community Drive-In|drive-in movie theatre]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} Soon after, Soundwave participated in a raid on [[Harrison Nuclear Power Plant]], and after helping the Decepticons make off with large chunks of its machinery, helped use their bounty to build a [[Fortress Sinister|new headquarters atop a cliffside]]. Requiring help to find a way to process Earth fuels into a form usable by Cybertronians, the Decepticons subsequently abducted the Autobots' new human ally [[Sparkplug Witwicky]]. {{storylink|Power Play!}}

''While Sparkplug was labouring away on a conversion method, Soundwave devised means of his own to develop a crude form of fuel out of electric power. The Decepticons staged an attack on [[Sherman Dam]] to put Soundwave's formula to use, and the communications expert oversaw the production and extraction of the fuel while others prevented the Autobots from interfering.'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}} Soon after, the Decepticons' headquarters were infiltrated by the Autobot [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] and the human superhero [[Spider-Man]], seeking to rescue Sparkplug. Soundwave engaged the intruders, but was suckerpunched by Gears while distracted by the wall-crawling adventurer. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

[[File:Laserbeakwarriorschool.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|"Fly, my pretties, fly!"]]
''When [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] nearly caused the death of Ravage, Megatron rallied the other Decepticons, including Soundwave, to enact vengeance for his treason.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''Later, the Decepticons unleashed a surprise attack on the Ark. After Soundwave defeated [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], the battle was halted when [[Aunty]], the Ark's computer system, turned rogue. After the crisis was averted, Soundwave and the others were able to retreat.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}} Although Sparkplug's fuel conversion process was completed soon after, as one of the more seriously-injured Decepticons after recent battles, Soundwave was unable to join his fully-functional comrades in launching a fresh attack on the Ark—which turned out to be fortunate for him, since Sparkplug had poisoned the fuel. Only the surprise arrival of [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] prevented the Autobots from claiming victory, {{storylink|The Last Stand}} and Soundwave quickly fell into step behind him as he took command of the Decepticons and seized control of the Ark. {{storylink|The New Order}}

[[File:Ferdygabe.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|"Ferdy put all my records into this rectangle! And they keep playing one after the other! This is an excellent rectangle!"]]
Soundwave was relocated to the Decepticons' new headquarters on the captured [[Blackrock Enterprises]] [[oil-drilling platform]], {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils}} but he did not stay there for long. ''First, at Shockwave's command, he returned to Ark to instal a thermo-nuclear bomb in the [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] droid that guarded the ship, programming it to detonate should any surviving Autobots or traitorous Decepticons turn on Shockwave.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}} Next, Soundwave infiltrated [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]] by having a hapless worker bring him inside in his tape deck mode. Once he had breached the facility's defense systems, Soundwave attacked and secured the plant for Decepticon use. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Despite the human slave-workers under his command not being as efficient as he had hoped, Soundwave prepared an assembly line to Shockwave's specifications. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} The plant's facilities were used to create the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who built a massive radio dish that Soundwave used to beam a message back to Cybertron. However, the radio dish was destroyed when Soundwave was defeated by [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and the human trucker [[Bomber Bill]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}}

[[File:PrimeTime-Primewantsyou.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|That's a pretty weird way of admitting your attraction to him, Prime.]]
After Soundwave had returned to the aerospace plant, Shockwave had him search the facilities for any proof that the Autobots were spying on them; he had deduced that their continued interference was more than just coincidence. Sure enough, Soundwave discovered that the plant's phones had been tapped, and through them the Autobots had been eavesdropping on the Decepticons' plans. Shockwave then had Soundwave build a false head for [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], one which would control the Autobot leader's body for the Decepticons. After the Autobots were made to believe that the real head would be dumped into a nearby swamp, they came to put the false head onto Prime's body, which immediately turned on them. Soundwave and the other Decepticon troops then joined in pulverizing the Autobot forces. Their rampage came to a halt when Buster had Jetfire bring the real head out to the battlefield, and it was swapped out with the duplicate without anyone noticing. Optimus Prime, once again whole, turned on the Decepticons and beat them all back single-handedly. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[File:Soundwavedinobothunt.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"And you—YOU!—no longer exiiii... oh, wait."]]
''With both Megatron and Shockwave left missing in action by these Autobot victories, Soundwave assumed command of the Decepticons, dismissing [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'s own ambitions of leadership.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''His claim was that he was loyal to "either" Megatron and Shockwave, and was a mere acting leader... unless, of course, neither of them ever came back....'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!|#48's Soundwaves}}

''For his first plan as leader, he had his cassettes lead the weakest Autobot [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] into a trap, taking him prisoner, but his attempt to use Bumblebee as bait to lure Optimus Prime to his doom failed, as Prime once more took on their ranks on his own, defeated them all, and rescued 'Bee.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''Soundwave's second plan, on the other hand, enjoyed much greater success. Discovering that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] were on a rampage across North America, Soundwave, [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]], and [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] managed to subdue and capture both [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], and the Autobot unit sent to bring the Dinobot in. Soundwave then made use of a [[sonic lance]] to agitate Sludge into fighting [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] near [[Doonstown]], endangering the local humans. Though the sonic lance was destroyed and the hostages rescued, many Autobots were left badly injured, and the Decepticons even walked away with a bonus in the form of fuel stolen from a nearby power plant while the Autobots were distracted. On the way out, Soundwave proudly declared their victory, a turn of events that Optimus Prime did not enjoy.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} ''Left in a vegetative state following these events, both Grimlock and [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] dreamed of defeating Soundwave, though in each case they were ultimately beaten by their own pride.'' {{storylink|Victory!}}

[[File:Puttup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Soundwave subsequently went to ground, hiding in a human electronics shop in alternate mode. While there, he observed a news broadcast about Megatron, who had resurfaced but wound up rendered immobile in a [[Wyoming]] [[Wyoming base|coal mine]] due to lack of fuel. Soundwave sped to his rescue, re-energizing him. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} ''The pair agreed that Megatron should lie low in the coal mine for the time being, while Soundwave sought out the recently-returned Shockwave in hopes of organizing a peaceful alliance between the two rival leaders.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}} ''Awaiting the right time to drop the news that Megatron had returned, Soundwave began serving under Shockwve again, and started training the Constructicons so that their integration into Devastator would yield a more capable soldier. Pleased with their progress, Shockwave ordered the Constructicons to seek out a human... which outraged Soundwave; the very thought of sending their crack troops on such a mundane errand appeared as a total mismanagement of resources. Shockwave clarified that he was not after any human; he planned to abduct [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]], and use the Autobots' friend as leverage. Soundwave and the Constructicons tracked Buster down to a demolition derby. Though several Autobots were present, Devastator took care of distracting them while Soundwave made his advance on the boy. Buster had collapsed into a comatose state upon seeing Devastator, and intrigued as to why, Soundwave used his mind-reading abilities. He was shocked to find within Buster's mind a [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]]-induced vision of the Transformers' future. Soundwave considered this revelation too big a variable to proceed as initially planed, and ordered an immediate retreat. Shockwave was furious over Soundwave's decision, but upon hearing what Soundwave had uncovered, his anger likewise turned to curiosity.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''The vision, Soundwave and Shockwave deduced, showed the [[Combiner|next leap in Transformer evolution]]. Soundwave reported his findings to Megatron as well, prompting him to battle Shockwave for leadership. The Decepticons' human ally, [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]], televised the battle, much to Soundwave's distaste, and in order to prevent the Decepticons from looking like fools, he interrupted the duel and insisted that they agree to a joint leadership.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

At this time, Soundwave's signal finally reached Cybertron and [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus]] discovered that Soundwave and the other Earthbound Decepticons were still alive. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[File:Robot master soundwave bridge to nowhere.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
As the Decepticons began constructing a new base of operations, Soundwave helped Finkleberg broadcast another one of his supervillain-style monologues to the entire North American continent. Finkleberg was increasingly dissatisfied with his lot in life however, and demanded to speak with Megatron about how the Decepticons treated him. Soundwave warned the human that Megatron would not tolerate dissent among his ranks, but Finkleberg went off to rant at the Decepticon leader nonetheless. {{storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}}

''Soundwave was part of a group of Decepticons who staged a petty attack on a human town when a strange energy blast reversed all of their personalities! The cruel robots turned nice, and apologized profusely as they cleaned up the mess they had made. Once the blast's effects wore off, the Decepticons tracked its origin to England. They headed overseas to retaliate for what they assumed to be an Autobot trick. Though Starscream found the device responsible, a human invention called the "[[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|PARD]]," it was destroyed before he could take off with it.'' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}}

A Decepticon group on Cybertron then made contact with Megatron's Earth-bound forces, informing them that several soldiers were teleporting over via space-bridge. Megatron left to meet the new arrivals, only for the Autobots to attack in his absence. Soundwave suggested that Megatron return to deal with the situation, but Megatron instead opted to attack the Ark, which he incorrectly believed was unguarded. Though the Decepticons faced defeat on both fronts, Megatron managed to spin the situation to make himself appear more successful than Shockwave. Soundwave was thus present for Megatron resuming complete control of the Decepticons. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Soundwavetarget2006.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|You find: Insanity!]]
''When the Robot-Master hoax the Decepticons were perpetrating was threatened by the investigative work of [[Joy Meadows]], Soundwave was instrumental in ending the conflict that ensued between the Decepticons and the Dinobots by holding the reporter hostage and destroying her footage, and making it clear she'd be dead if she tried this again.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}} ''Not long thereafter, when the deranged future Decepticon, [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], traveled back in time, Soundwave was intrigued by the fact that he was unable to scan his mind to discern the truth of his identity. Siding with Megatron when conflict erupted, Soundwave and his leader were buried under an avalanche by Galvatron and then rescued by the Autobots in the name of forming an alliance to defeat their common enemy.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

After sending the Insecticon to take control of Optimus Prime, Soundwave and Megatron received a communique from [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] alerting them that his [[cerebro-shell]] had failed to subjugate the Autobot leader. The mission was far from a total loss, however, as the cerebro-shell allowed Megatron to tap into the Creation Matrix whenever Optimus activated it. The Autobot did so in order to give life to the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]], allowing Soundwave to aid Megatron in bringing on-line his own latest creations, the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

''Prior to [[Christmas]] [[1986]], Soundwave, Kickback, and Dirge took control of a [[NASA]] space monitoring station in order to send a message back to Cybertron. Though the Autobots inevitably arrived to interfere with the mission, Soundwave's teammates managed to hold them off long enough for him to get his message through. He then transformed into his alternate mode, hoped aboard Thrust, and fled the scene.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

[[File:Soundwave gets it in the face.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Megatron recruited [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] from Cybertron, and instructed the duo to deliver a challenge to Optimus Prime; Megatron desired to duel him to the death! Soundwave questioned Megatron's methods, as he pointed out he could easily open a channel to the Autobots' base and issue the challenge with no hassle. Megatron responded by clobbering Soundwave for his insolence. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

''Soundwave's loyalty to Megatron was shaken when the latter became increasingly paranoid. Consequently he manipulated his leader into summoning the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to Earth as part of a scheme by Shockwave to ensure a weaponless Megatron was destroyed by Optimus Prime.'' {{storylink|Prey!}} ''With Shockwave once more in charge, Soundwave soon found himself pitted against yet another contender for leadership of the Decepticons: Galvatron, once more back from the future. Upon detecting Galvatron's explosive arrival on Earth, Shockwave mobilized the Decepticons to aid the Dinobots in battling the mad time-traveler. As soon as Soundwave and the other Decepticons joined the fray, Galvatron fled, unwilling to destroy his own future-troops.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}} ''Afterwards, Megatron was revealed to have survived and soon returned to Decepticon leadership, albeit with his memories of the betrayal that had lampooned him on Cybertron lost. At Shockwave's behest, Soundwave had a cursory glance inside Megatron's mind, confirming that his amnesia was not an act.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Soundwave laserbeak night the transformers saved christmas.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9]]
Soundwave and Laserbeak tried to steal energy from the town of [[Midville]], only for a team of Autobots to show up to foil their plot. Faced by greater numbers, both Decepticons retreated, Soundwave assuming his alternate mode to be carried away by Laserbeak. {{storylink|The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas}}

Soundwave ''again'' served as co-conspirator when Shockwave once more used the Predacons to destroy Megatron. In the process a deranged Megatron seemingly committed suicide on the [[space bridge]]. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} Soundwave then came into contact with [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who had seized control of the Decepticon forces on Cybertron, and patched him through to Shockwave so the two commanders could communicate regularly between the two worlds. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

[[File:Soundwave laserbeak hunters.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
''While patrolling on the Decepticons' [[Club Con|mobile island base]], Soundwave found himself attacked and subdued by the time-traveling freelance peace-keeping agent, [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], and tricked into giving up information on the whereabouts of Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Hunters}} ''Although Death's Head's attempts to track down the Decepticon met with failure, Galvatron was ultimately entombed in lava, where he was later discovered by [[Susan Hoffman]]. Soundwave observed a televised broadcast of her discovery, and he and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] attempted to destroy Galvatron with explosives planted around the volcano in question. After a battle with the [[Throttlebot]]s, Soundwave found that he was unable to remote-detonate the explosives thanks to [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] jamming his signal.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}}

''After the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] had been called in to aid in underwater operations, Galvatron returned, making a bee-line for the Decepticons' command center. Soundwave rushed to Shockwave's side to receive his orders on how to deal with the situation, nearly getting his head blown off in the process; Shockwave had been left a nervous wreck by the prospect of facing down Galvatron once more. Though Soundwave's advice was to negotiate with Galvatron, Shockwave acted out of self-interest and instead told Soundwave to have the Seacons bar his advance. This wound up working to Galvatron's advantage; having anticipated such a reaction, the future-Decepticon easily tore through any opposition and breached the headquarter's walls, only to announce he had only wished to talk. This was a complete lie, but it served to sow the seeds of rebellion among the Decepticon ranks.'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}}

When the Autobots launched an attack on the Decepticons' island headquarters to rescue a recently captured Buster Witwicky, Shockwave converted the landmass into its rocket-ship mode and had it blast off into space. Soundwave was standing at the ready, within the ship's control room, as this took place. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[File:Bomshell marvel-41.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7]]
When Shockwave was removed from power, Soundwave smoothly transitioned to serving under the new Decepticon leader, [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. While attending his post, Soundwave detected both the ''[[Steelhaven (G1)|Steelhaven]]'' and Ark Autobot spacecrafts on the Earth's moon, and alerted Ratbat to his find. Seizing the opportunity to catch the united Autobot forces unawares, Ratbat had the bulk of his troops launched a surprise attack. During their assault, Soundwave lamented that he couldn't hear his opponents' death-screams in the vacuum of space. They were eventually forced back when Blaster and Grimlock rallied their forces, and the Decepticons absconded to their vessel. {{storylink|Totaled!}} Upon returning to Earth the Decepticons relocated their base to the [[Caribbean Sea]] and opened it as a holiday resort for humans. Soundwave participated in this charade, as it allowed the Seacons to search the nearby sea bed for the Autobot tapes [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]]. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[File:FlamesofBoltax-SoundwaveRatbat.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|left|In Soviet Russia, ''tape'' commands ''you''!]]
Soundwave helped to operate his [[Realvision]] playback system to decode data from Grand Slam and Raindance. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} The tapes, it was discovered, contained information on the [[Underbase]], the power of which was desired by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] so badly he sparked off a Decepticon-Decepticon war to cover himself. Soundwave ended up having his fuel pump torn into by [[Bomb-Burst (G1)|Bomb-Burst]]. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Once the infighting came to an end, the Decepticons returned to their headquarters for repairs. Their reprieve was brief, as Soundwave detected an Autobot invasion force approaching them. This turned out to be another of Starscream's distractions, and a temporary alliance between the two factions was struck to stop him. Following Starscream into space, they were able to cut his absorption of the Underbase's energies short. Unfortunately, the morsel of power Starscream had taken in was still enough to grant him unimaginable might. As Starscream rampaged across the Earth, Soundwave co-led the defense of [[Buenos Aires]] alongside [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]], but was temporarily deactivated by a blast of cosmic power. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

''He was back on his feet by the time that Starscream, now a [[Pretender]], was busy doubting his self-worth. Soundwave was extremely scared of Starscream by this point, and gave him a wide berth whenever they crossed in the halls of the Decepticon base.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}} Soundwave continued to operate under the command of the new Decepticon Earth commander, [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]], though like the other troops he was very unhappy about Starscream being allowed back in after trying to kill everyone. {{storylink|The Primal Scream|Primal Scream}} He was put in charge of guarding Optimus Prime after the Autobot leader surrendered his troops to Scorponok, hoping to elicit an alliance against the coming of [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. When Prime changed his mind about meekly waiting in a cell for Scorponok to make time for him, however, Soundwave provided little resistance in keeping him there. {{storylink|Surrender!}} After the Decepticon auxiliary army bombed Scorponok's base in New Jersey, Soundwave assumed temporary command of the active Decepticons in fighting back against the traitors, led by Starscream and Shockwave. {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} But Soundwave was caught off-guard by [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], who managed to hypnotize him. Though Mindipe had intended to have Soundwave order those under his command to lay down their arms, making them easy pickings, Kup had him do some alterations to his scheme at gun-point. Through Soundwave, all Decepticons were ordered to unite and join forces with the Autobots, in anticipation to the looming threat of Unicron. No sooner had this transpired did Primus summon all Transformers back to Cybertron to combat the Chaos-Bringer. {{storylink|Out of Time!}} Using Emirate [[Xaaron]] as his avatar, Primus told all of his children present, Soundwave included, about his eons-old struggle against his dark opposite. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:TreadshotMarvel.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|He's found a new gunformer to toady up with.]]
Soundwave survived the battle with Unicron, and attended a meeting between the briefly-allied Autobots and Decepticons with [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]]. There Blaster announced the imminent end of their world, and an evacuation was called for. Soundwave was still hanging out with Treadshot when he witnessed a fight break out between Grimlock and [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]. [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], who had assumed command of the Decepticons, demanded assurances out of the Autobots for this incident, and the latter were forced to comply. After being allowed to leave the planet ahead of the Autobots, the Decepticons double-crossed them by sabotaging their ships. Soundwave was last seen beside Bludgeon as the Decepticons left their self-destructing homeworld. {{storylink|Exodus!}}
{{-}}

===''Robo-Capers''===
[[File:Robocapers-Blondeboy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.4]]
After [[Shooting Star!|issue #51]]'s ''Robo-Capers'' strip was misprinted, Soundwave visited the offices of [[Marvel Film Makers]] to extract an apology from a hapless film-maker, destroying the building in the process. {{storylink|Robo-Capers issue 59}}

When [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] threatened to beat up Soundwave and take over his [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]], the Decepticon columnist gave up the position willingly, leaving behind heaps of unopened mail for his replacement. Rather than face Grimlock, Soundwave snuck out of his office by being carried away in his boombox mode by a [[blond boy|young man]]. {{Storylink|Robo-Capers issue 74}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Annual 1985===
[[File:Soundwave plague of the insecticons.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8]]
{{note|Due to being published early in the franchise, these stories are out of continuity with the above.<ref>"Plague of the Insecticons!" was later designated as [[universal stream]] [[Primax 1285.0 Gamma]] by [[Vector Prime]].</ref>}}
Realizing that their mission on Earth would be infinitely more difficult without capable human allies, Optimus attempted to open a dialogue with the American government. Though the meeting was planned in utmost secrecy, one foul-up on the humans' end allowed for Soundwave to learn of it; a phone call mentioning it was made without the proper scrambler procedures. Soundwave immediately informed Megatron of his discovery, and the Decepticons set about sabotaging any hope their enemies had of forming an alliance with the humans. {{storylink|Plague of the Insecticons!}}
{{-}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
''In one timeline, the Decepticons managed to conquer all of Cybertron by [[2005]], relegating the Autobots to its two moons. Upon Laserbeak's return from a spying mission on [[Moonbase One]], Megatron ordered Soundwave to play back the cassette's findings. The information encoded on his minion revealed that the Autobots were planning to make an Energon run to Earth, allowing the Decepticons to ambush the Autobots' shuttle partway to its destination and slay all aboard.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

''After the Decepticons' subsequent attack on Autobot City ended in failure, Megatron was deposed as Decepticon leader, and Starscream took over the position. Soundwave attended Starscream's coronation ceremony, only for the processions to be interrupted by a returning Megatron, having since been reborn as the super-Decepticon Galvatron. Galvatron reduced Starscream to a pile of scrap with a single blast, and Soundwave cheered as Galvatron retook his former role as Decepticon head-honcho.'' {{storylink|Judgment Day!}}

[[File:Menasor legacy of unicron.jpg|thumb|left]]
In [[2008]], Soundwave was under the command of Shockwave on Cybertron. When the bounty hunter named [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] arrived with the deactivated bodies of the renegades [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and demanded an audience, Shockwave had Soundwave wait nearby as a precautionary measure. Sure enough, Soundwave's monitoring abilities alerted Shockwave that the two Decepticons were not as dead as they seemed, and the three invaders began an assassination attempt on Shockwave. Soundwave summoned the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]], hoping that [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] could breach the sealed doors of the audience chamber in time, but wasn't swift enough.[[File:SoundwaveDeathsHead LegacyOfUnicron.jpg|thumb|right]] Death's Head killed Shockwave, and together the trio demanded that the Decepticons accept Scourge and Cyclonus as their new leaders. Faced with superior firepower and a hefty dose of explosives, Soundwave was reluctantly forced to accept on behalf of the Decepticons.

[[File:SpacePiratesSoundwaveLeader.JPG|upright=2.2|thumb|Or, in short, "Soundwave: Superior".]]
Wasting no time, Scourge and Cyclonus commanded the Decepticons to begin a full-scale assault on [[Autobase]]. This was effectively suicide, as the two armies were just about evenly matched. That, of course, was the point—Scourge and Cyclonus's true master, Unicron, wanted the children of Primus exhausted and depleted in number by the time of his glorious resurrection. After [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and Death's Head took the fight straight to the recuperating Unicron on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], however, he summoned his two minions back to his side. Seeing their "glorious leaders" abandon the battle, Soundwave and [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] sounded a retreat. In the absence of Unicron's spawn, Soundwave became the new permanent leader of the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

Aching to make a name for himself in Decepticon military history, Soundwave soon fell into a [[Quintesson]] trap. A lone Quintesson arrived at Decepticon headquarters, seeking an alliance against the Autobots, who supposedly had assembled most of their fleet and were on their way to [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]]. Instead of helping the Quintessons, Soundwave saw this as an opportunity to invade and destroy the Autobot territory on Cybertron, when most of their warriors were off-world. He assembled his various sub-commanders and set out aboard [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] to claim a glorious victory.

[[File:Soundwaveconsiders.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|It's funny, this situation. It reminds me of a joke...]]
Instead, Soundwave and the Decepticons walked right into an ambush. There were no Autobots on Quintessa: it was a ruse to draw them out of their base, where legions of [[Allicon]]s and [[Trident Attack Craft]]s waited to overwhelm the Decepticons. Seeing the danger his troops were in, Soundwave was forced to call in the Autobots. Sending a garbled distress beacon to Autobase, Soundwave hoped to draw a suitable fighting force of Autobots to their location. He was successful, as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and his men remained to fight even after learning who the distress call came from. Autobot and Decepticon fought side-by-side until the Quintesson invaders were either destroyed or driven off-world. In a moment of introspection, Soundwave realized how effective the two armies were when fighting as one instead of as enemies... but quickly brushed aside the idea. Simply too much had happened between the Autobots and Decepticons to ever hope for a peaceful end to the war. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

[[File:Soundwave transtime dimensional portal time wars.jpg|thumb|upright=0.5]]
In [[2009]], Soundwave and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] were on Earth, prepping a new energy extraction system to leech the planet dry. A surgical strike led by [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and Ultra Magnus destroyed all their equipment, however, leaving their power cells empty of [[energon]]. Looking for revenge, the Decepticons pursued the Autobots back to Autobot City, only to find an open [[trans-time dimensional portal]]. Realizing the Autobots had fled back to [[1989]] on a mission of unknown purpose, the vengeful Terrorcons wanted to pursue them. Giving in to popular opinion, Soundwave led his troops back through time and right into the midst of the Time Wars.

Recognizing that the uncontrolled [[Time rift|timestorm]] could conceivably destroy all of existence, Soundwave chose to put aside vendettas for the moment, and added his men to the alliance of Autobots and Decepticons from two time periods against the unmatched power and evil of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] and [[Straxus (G1)|Megatron]] combined. Still, the alliance was far from perfect: Soundwave was more than willing to allow the Autobots to charge in first, letting them die in order to "soften up" the resistance. When things turned ugly, Soundwave and the Terrorcons then fled back to 2009, apparently without ever getting their hands dirty. Their final fate after reality restructured itself and the timestorm abated is unknown. {{storylink|Time Wars}}
{{-}}

=====The Big Broadcast of 2006=====
{{NoteMarvelBB2006}}
In an alternate future of [[2006]], Soundwave was drawn to a battle on [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]] after succumbing to the hypnotizing effect of a [[Quintesson]] signal. After the Autobots managed to disable the signal, returning all combatants to their senses, Soundwave boarded Blast Off and left the planet behind. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Secrets Soundwave.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|I agree, Soundwave!]]
In an alternate timeline, Soundwave left [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s army and returned to serving at [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s side, helping him with the launch of a [[global warming satellite]]. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} When an [[Enclave]] was called by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] to prevent a [[Decepticon Civil War]] between the two factions, it was Soundwave that found evidence that Shockwave had set up Megatron for assassination. The Civil War duly broke out, both sides unaware that the attempt on Megatron's life had been staged by some Autobot saboteurs. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}}

Then Soundwave immediately turned into a double agent for Shockwave! When an energon shipment was hijacked by Shockwave's forces thanks to information Soundwave had given them, Megatron came to suspect the presence of a traitor in his ranks, but ironically assigned Soundwave to identify the culprit. To keep his own duplicity a secret, Soundwave set up [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] to take the fall, and Megatron destroyed the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]]. Soundwave not only got away with his treachery, he went on to happily blackmail everyone he'd mind-scanned. Eat your heart out, Starscream! {{storylink|Secrets (G1)|Secrets}}

[[File:ExternalForces starscream vs soundwave.jpg|thumb|left]]
Whoops, then Starscream blackmailed ''him'': agree to merge the two factions under a joint leadership ''for the good of the Decepticons'', or be exposed. Once Megatron and Shockwave were lured into battle with each other and then attacked by Autobots, Soundwave and Starscream took control and publicly teamed up. In secret, Soundwave had decided this was actually a good deal and all he needed now was to ensure Starscream had an... ''accident''. {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} Subsequently, Soundwave led an all-out attack on the [[Earthbase|Earthforce base]] as a diversion, while Starscream attempted to plunder an oil tanker. Starscream met with failure, however, leading Soundwave to withdraw his forces and hint to them that maybe be should have sole command... {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

[[File:Front Line! unhappy tidings.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
Starscream was aware of Soundwave's goals, and when he was attacked by a [[Louisiana bounty hunters|group of alien assassins]], he suspected that Soundwave had ordered the hit and struck back at him. Soundwave had the foresight to record an explanation before Starscream confronted him, and played a recording outlining how the hit against Starscream was an obvious set-up, its purpose to turn the two of them against one another. Soundwave was successful in convincing Starscream he was not responsible and that in actuality, it was the work of Megatron and Shockwave. As soon as their battle ended however, Bludgeon, Octopunch, and Stranglehold stormed their base to finish them off. {{storylink|External Forces!}} Unexpetely, the Autobots arrived to help fend off the assassins, as they needed Starscream in order to save [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] from a case of [[Corrodia Gravis]]. Soundwave got a few shots in before Bludgeon, Octopunch, and Stranglehold were forced to retreat against superior numbers. {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

Soon afterward, Soundwave learned that human reporter [[Irwin Spoon]] had secured an interview with the Autobots that could potentially resolve the public view of the Transformer war. Seeking to prevent this, he had the Stunticons capture the journalist. {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}} Although the Autobots were able to rescue him, a carefully planted [[cerebro-shell]] ensured that the story Irwin wrote was anything but accurate. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
Soundwave was present when the Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con' on New York and helped Megatron and Shockwave to set up a mine belt around the harbor. However Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

When Optimus Prime was kidnapped, Shockwave directed Soundwave to check on their prisoner at the laser-lab. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 16|Transforming Robots in Action: The Case of Optimus Prime}}

==Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic==
[[File:Soundwavemarvelg2.jpg|left|upright=0.9|thumb|He gave the "complete sentences" thing a decent go, but he never really got the hang of commas.]]
After Megatron deposed Bludgeon and reassumed control of the Decepticons, Soundwave once again served Megatron as a close adviser. One of his first acts was to ask, "Why revive Starscream?". Megatron shared Soundwave's concerns, and assured him the on-again-off-again traitor would be dealt with once Megatron had regrown his army. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}} When Optimus Prime finally intervened in the Decepticons' attack, Megatron and Soundwave both descended to Earth's surface. Megatron brutally beat Optimus near-death, and Soundwave then produced an energy-siphon to pilfer the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]'s energies from the Autobot commander. With this task done, Megatron then readied to snuff out his nemesis, only to be interrupted by Autobot reinforcements led by Grimlock. Finding his signal jammed, Soundwave was unable to call for reinforcements of their own to match the Autobots' numbers. Megatron sounded a retreat rather than risk losing his means of bring a [[Bludgeon's new army|new Decepticon army]] to life. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

Megatron afterwards drew his Decepticons to the moon of [[Tykos]] to violently acquire [[Rheanimum]] from the natives. However, things soured when Soundwave received a distress call from [[Skullgrin]]. In moments, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] was upon them. After several casualties, and Megatron missing in action, Soundwave led a party to discover if Megatron had survived and recover him if he had; when Mindwipe expressed doubts about the mission, Soundwave told him to shut up. He appeared to assume command when Megatron appeared dead, but ceased when Megatron turned out to still function. {{storylink|New Dawn}} Soundwave was present when Megatron began an alliance with the Autobots against the Cybertronian Empire. {{storylink|Escalation!|Tales of Earth Part Five}} After a united battle against the Empire on [[Ethos]], Soundwave was also forced to deliver a message to Megatron, the three most ominous words a Decepticon commander could hear...''"Starscream is missing."'' {{storylink|Escalation!}}

He was in command of the ''[[Warworld]]'' while Megatron was on Earth. When the Empire boarded the ship (thanks to Starscream's treachery) he and his bridge crew fled down to the planet in escape pods. {{storylink|Total War!}} He was later seen standing by in the final battle against the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
Soundwave was apparently one of the first Decepticons to return to Megatron's side after the Decepticon leader re-emerged. He helped Megatron rebuild his power base on Earth in secret, using human proxies to covertly recover the remains of [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] and other Decepticons lost on Earth during the Underbase Saga. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 14|Astrotrain's ''Classics'' profile}}

After the arrival of the mysterious Decepticon [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], Soundwave ran a neural scan on the Transformer to confirm his story of alternate dimensions and [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]] singularities. Soundwave confirmed that, at the very least, Landquake believed he was telling the truth. The Decepticons took off aboard Astrotrain to explore a new energy signature in the Southern Hemisphere...one which materialized at the same time as Landquake and possessed a similar resonance pattern. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}} In [[South America]], Soundwave engaged [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]'s troops alongside Megatron and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] on the ground. At Megatron's command, he dispatched [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] and [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to intercept the Autobot scouts who had been sent after the energy source. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}}

The Cassettes soon reported back that the energy had been discovered, and Megatron rallied the Decepticons behind Soundwave to break for the source's location. [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] interferred with the Decepticons' progress, however, by hurling Constructicons like shotputs until he knocked Soundwave down. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}}

Soundwave and Astrotrain got caught exchanging fire with [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] until the latter Autobot turned invisible and snuck around behind the Decepticons, getting the drop on Soundwave. An explosion from below rocked the battlefield, however, and the Decepticons withdrew from combat. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

When [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]] tried to assassinate Megatron, he used [[cerebro-shell]]s to take control of Soundwave and several other Megatron loyalists. The shells' effects were soon jammed by an attacking Autobot team, and in the chaos that followed, Soundwave noticed that the Autobots were targeting their [[Ark (G1)|base]]'s computers, but failed to stop them. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Soundwave was stationed aboard Starscream's warship when Megatron orchestrated the downfall of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his splinter faction. After their [[Seacon (G1)|inside men]] terminated Bludgeon, Soundwave informed Starscream he had received a transmission of surrender from the forces below. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{noteRG1}}
[[File:Battle patrol soundwave counterpoint.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|I'm blue at last!]]
Twenty-one years after the return of the [[Last Autobot]], Soundwave had taken charge of what Optimus Prime dubbed the "Neo-Decepticon" insurgents. After rallying his troops at [[Fort Scyk]] he led a strike force on the [[Kalis]] [[Baird Beaming Transmitter]], killing the guards and taking control of the facility. He then used it to direct one of Cybertron's orbital defence satellites back towards the planet itself, targeting Iacon and destroying the Last Autobot! {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

[[File:LooseEnds1 Soundwave Insecticons.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Tapes are ''so'' last century.]]
Soon afterwards, the insurgents [[Windrazor (G2)|Windrazor]], [[Afterburner (G2)|Afterburner]], [[Terradive (G2)|Terradive]], and [[Eagle Eye (G2)|Eagle Eye]] had blundered while trying to steal warheads from the [[Pax Cybertronia Decommissioning Depot]] and were engaged in a siege with [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s [[Cybertronian Civil Defense]]. Soundwave seized upon the opportunity to turn the [[Skyscorcher]]s into martyrs for the Decepticon cause and had [[Venom (G1)|Venom]], [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]], and [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] assassinate them. Unfortunately for Soundwave, the [[Wrecker]]s were also on the case and they easily captured the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] inside a [[detention-sphere]].

Back at Fort Scyk, Soundwave was contacted by Bludgeon, who had apparently gathered almost all the resources he needed to take revenge on the Autobots. Only one element remained and if Soundwave could procure it for him, Bludgeon agreed he would provide troops and firepower for the insurgency campaign. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}}

[[File:Soundwave loose ends.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6]]
After [[Dirtbag]] informed Soundwave of the departure of Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus for Earth, Soundwave saw his opportunity. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}} His unique talents made him highly suited for infiltrating the [[Hall of Silence]], constructed by the Autobot [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] to safely contain the remains of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] and, within him, the last remnants of the Matrix. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] and the Autobots on Cybertron faced the dilemma of destroying the Hall to prevent the Matrix from falling into Soundwave's hands but destroying the Matrix altogether. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Soundwave's mastery of sonic energy allowed him to navigate the booby traps inside the Hall of Silence, and then he used the pre-emptive destruction of the Hall by the Autobots to cover his escape. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}} He arrived on Bludgeon's [[Warworld]] and allowed the Pretender to use the Matrix's residual energy to power his [[Blitz Engine]] warrior drones. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} Soundwave was impressed by the drones when Bludgeon unleashed them on [[Cresta Superior]] as a test. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}}

[[File:Soundwave destiny.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
Soundwave returned to Cybertron in advance of Bludgeon's invasion to sow chaos. [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] transmitted live footage of a fight breaking out at a blockade to Soundwave, whose enjoyment of the riot was interrupted when he realized their comm-line had been hacked into. In order to neutralize the intruder, Soundwave deployed the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]]. The "intruder" was [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]], who had been convalescing in [[Garage|The Garage]] with other Autobots that had recently been cured of the adverse effects of [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]. Blaster had randomly accessed an old Decepticon comm-line frequency that Soundwave had been using, and overheard his discussion with Spinister. With the Autobots still rattled after the effects of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]'s [[Gene Key]] were reversed, Soundwave had been transmitting an irritant, subsonic signal across a frequency shared by all Cybertronians, agitating the Autobots into such a restless, rebellious state that they would be left defenseless. After thwarting their would-be assassins, Blaster convinced [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] to take the intracomm offline "for essential maintenance", stopping Soundwave's signal. With communications out, however, the Autobots would have no way of knowing if an attack was coming until it was too late. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}}

[[File:Wingthing Soundwave DestinyPt3.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]
[[File:Blaster soundwave destiny.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9]]
Soundwave continued his preparations for Bludgeon's invasion, dispatching [[Wingthing (G1)|Wingthing]] to alert the Neo-Decepticon cells that the time to begin the next phase of their plan had come, while Soundwave readied [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] for battle. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Three}} As the invasion proceeds, [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] was ordered into action to repel the Blitz Engines, but Soundwave ordered Monstructor to stop Omega. Before Soundwave could retreat from the field of battle, though, he was intercepted by Blaster. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Four}} Soundwave attempted to use his powers to distort Blaster's senses, but was defeated when his opponent overwhelmed Soundwave's hyper-senses. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Five}}

Soundwave's actions in attempting to restart the war had really all been part of a greater plan by the [[Dark Matrix]] creature, which sought to escape into the [[Multiverse]] and spread chaos across multiple realities. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}} Ravage, sensing this sinister influence, concluded that he could no longer trust his master. When the creature began its endgame, it proceeded to transform every Transformer on Cybertron it could reach into [[shadow-leech]]es, including Soundwave. The Soundwave-leech absorbed his surviving minions [[Howlback (G1)|Howlback]], [[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]], [[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]], [[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]], Wingthing, and [[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]], but Ravage managed to elude him long enough to be rescued by Starscream. {{storylink|King of Shadows}} Rodimus Prime defeated the Matrix creature in [[Zero Space]]; cut off from their creator's lifeforce, the shadow-leeches expired. Soundwave's dream of reviving the Decepticons and fulfilling Megatron's vision of universal conquest died with him, as the surviving Transformers—Autobot and Decepticon alike—would spend the remainder of their days as emissaries of peace. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

==''Transformers '84''==
Part of [[Decepticon High Command]], Soundwave attended a meeting at the [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]] where Megatron planned an invasion of [[Stanix]], {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}} fighting on the front lines during the attack. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}

When Cybertron found itself hurtling towards the [[Stellae Cimeterium]], Megatron held off taking any action until he knew what Optimus Prime's response was. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}} Soundwave was later present when [[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] brought Megatron knowledge of the ''Ark'', {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}} later boarding the [[Nemesis (G1)|''Nemesis'']], the warship that Megatron had been commissioned to attack the Autobot craft. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}
{{--}}

==Notes==
[[File:Soundwavecommercial.jpg|thumb|"Free! For only NINETY-NINE NINETY-NINE NINETY-NINE!!!"]]
*The Marvel US comics chose a purple scheme for Soundwave. This could have been an attempt to distinguish him from the other Decepticons, who were mostly blue (especially since blacks also ended up as blues in the industry's then-limited color palette). Or it could have been a simple error. But very likely, it had something to do with his early animation model, which appeared lavender, rather than blue. (See right) Compounding this error, Marvel US Soundwave was drawn without a mouthplate by artist [[José Delbo]]. The Marvel UK comics colored him blue like everywhere else (partially due to using a more sophisticated coloring system) and always included his faceplate.
*Soundwave was in charge of the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|UK letters page]] from issues #22 to #78, barring a few interruptions.
*Despite multiple Soundwave toy molds having multiple releases to date, no Soundwave toy has ever been produced with colors evoking his anomalous Marvel US scheme.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Classics Decepticons]]
[[Category:Communications specialists]]
[[Category:Decepticon leaders]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Letters page answerers]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Robo-Capers characters]]
[[Category:Scientists]]
[[Category:Spies]]

Marvel Comics timeline

2022-01-25T02:45:18Z

Charles RB:

[[File:Marvel Comics montage.jpg|upright=2.3|thumb]]
A timeline for the events of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marvel Comics universe(s)]]. Thanks to time-travel stories and a continuity break between the later UK and US strips, it has multiple 'branches' leading out of it.

This timeline just features stories published by [[Marvel Comics]] and a handful of "[[Ask Vector Prime]]" posts that are explicitly set in/about the published comics, but this continuity saw spinoffs in [[Condor Verlag]]'s ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'', [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Fleetway)|Fleetway's ''Generation 2'']], [[Fun Publications]] ''[[Transformers: Classics#Fiction|Classics]]'' tie-ins, and [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]''. (Plus an unofficial convention story "[[Alignment]]" that counts/doesn't count depending on how we feel that day)

{{noteukonly}}
==The Dawn of Time==
The universe is created. According to [[Primus|one source]], it was born from the remains of the old universe which [[Unicron|some greedy bugger had eaten]]. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

==Prehistory==
Life gradually evolved throughout the cosmos, eventually and miraculously bringing forth sentient beings. ''Energy being so powerful we'd consider them gods used to dominate the cosmos,'' {{storylink|Transformers: The Facts}} {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}} while organic life evolved through carbon-bonding and mechanical life (including Transformers and [[Quintesson]]s) evolved through the interaction of naturally occurring gears, levers, and pulleys. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

{{note|The above origin story for Transformers has been effectively [[retcon]]ned into obscurity. See below.}}
[[File:Primag2.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|left]]
[[File:Primusoriginal.jpg|thumb|Now this part, they all agree on.]]
At some point, the beings Primus and Unicron have a punch-up.

Accounts differ on the specifics. ''One account is they were leaders of the [[Light God]]s and the [[Dark God]]s respectively, leading their forces into battle with each other;'' {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}} another that they were the last of their pantheons (''Unicron's being the [[Lord of Chaos|Lords of Chaos]]''<ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/dreadtidings/Issue282.jpg Letters page] from [[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|Marvel UK issue #282]]</ref>) and Primus needed to beat Unicron to join the [[Omniversal Matrix]]; {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} another that Primus was called forth by the universe itself as a unique entity to prevent Unicron from destroying it, just as the Chaos-Bringer had done to the previous universe. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

In any case, Primus could only win by tricking Unicron into trapping his spirit in a barren asteroid—Primus was trapped in a second. Unicron turned his into a new body, while Primus turned his into the planet Cybertron and birthed the Transformers to battle Unicron in his place. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!|The Legacy of Unicron!}} {{storylink|The Primal Scream}}

The earliest of their kind rose from the guts of the planet itself {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} and were led by [[Prima]], the first bearer of the Primus-born [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}} Left out of the history books was the ''second'' born: the [[Liege Maximo]], created as a 'balance', evil where Prima was good. He too would create Transformers. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

At some point, [[Demon]]s inhabited Cybertron, but they were eventually imprisoned by Primus in the planet's depths. According to Transformer legend, they were the "flipside" of the Transformers. {{storylink|Dawn of Darkness}} {{storylink|Still Life!}}

{{note|Simon Furman intended that the Demons were botched attempts to create Transformer life,<ref>[http://www.alteredstatesmag.com/features/qanda/sfurman_3.php Altered States Magazine interview with Furman]</ref> but it was never clarified in-universe until the ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' sequel.}}

In olden times, Transformers reproduced by "[[Reproduction#Budding|budding]]", where a Transformer ''grows'' a new one: producing a mass of liquid metal that grows out of their chest and eventually forms another. As this diluted the essence of Primus, their slumbering god made his creations 'forget' they could do this once they hit a desired population number {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} and the Creation Matrix was used instead.

[[Nova Prime|Prime Nova]] replaced Prima. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

==Overlords==
[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb|"HELP! I'M BEING MUGGED!!"]]
''From an unknown point of time, Cybertron was ruled by the [[Overlord (rank)|Overlords]], a governing council of absolute rulers. Over time, their power and number dwindled, until Cybertron was composed of multiple city-states who were constantly clashing with each other; the key three powers were [[Vos (polity)|Vos]], [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] and [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. While all the major cities were using their might to pork energy at the expense of others, Iacon did ration theirs out to neighbouring smaller cities. Tarn and Vos, by comparison, built up vast armies.'' {{storylink|State Games}}

[[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] passed the Matrix on to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus]], {{storylink|Dark Creation}} a sports champion and notable figure from Iacon. {{storylink|Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}} {{storylink|Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}} ''By this point, having a Matrix evidently no longer meant leadership.''

{{note|Early stories like "State Games" naturally assumed "Optimus Prime" was just his name but later stories establish "Prime in name" equals "has Matrix"}}
{{--}}
===State Games===
[[File:State games 1.JPG|right|upright=0.6|thumb|They think it's all over... it is now!]]
''In an attempt to lessen growing hostilities caused by the splintering governments and the dwindling resources on Cybertron, the last Overlord started the [[Games (competition)|Games]]: an inter-city [[gladiatorial combat|gladiatorial tournament]]. This allowed the population to exorcise their hostilities, and soon the vicious athlete [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had a cult of personality based around him and his feats. He built this up, quietly planning to unite Cybertron under his own rule and turn it into a mighty cosmic dreadnought! One of his great rivals was Optimus Prime, the champion of Iacon.''

''In 1st Cycle 549<ref>[[Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Megatron]]</ref>, Vos — ruled by a [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]-headed criminal syndicate — sent its athletic team to bomb Tarn (ruled by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]) and finger Iacon as the culprit. As with all plans by Starscream, this cocked up — Tarn realised Vos had attacked it, and war broke out that devastated both cities. Iacon happily let its rivals beat on each other. During the conflict, Optimus Prime tries to get the Overlord to safety but Megatron secretly ensures the leader starves to death; once the war ended, Megatron used his fame and charisma to convince the war's survivors that Iacon was at fault for not stepping in to prevent the war, and that Iacon was the enemy. This angry mass became the first Decepticons.'' {{storylink|State Games}}
{{--}}
===War on the Horizon===
[[File:LegionOfTheLost1-Megatronorigin.jpg|thumb|Caaaaan yoooooou dig it?!]]
''The Decepticons were considered harmless cranks to be humored, but ultimately ignored. Megatron crafted the malcontent group into a more formidable organization'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!|Legion of the Lost!}} ''with Shockwave and Soundwave as his most significant officers'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Megatron}} ''and they soon had bases in Autobot cities. In secret, the Decepticons armed themselves and were given the ability to transform into war machines — and then hit an unprepared Cybertron without warning! {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers (comic issue)}}
{{-}}

==Early Great War==
[[File:Megatron brings these gifts TO YOU.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] leads the Decepticons, gaining more and more ground while the Autobots continue to fall; {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''simultaneously, his old rival Optimus Prime rises in the Autobot ranks. He starts off as head of the six-strong<ref>The letters page refers to it as having five members, not including Optimus: [http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/soundwaves/Issue054.jpg Marvel UK issue #54's Soundwaves at Transfans.co.uk]</ref> [[Elite Flying Corps]]. He clashes with his subordinate [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb]],'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''made worse when he saves Divebomb from being killed by [[Divebomb (G1)|a Decepticon who pinches his name]]. (Divebomb changes it to "Swoop" and never talks about being saved.)'' {{storylink|Grudge Match!}} Later, Prime is transferred to the [[Autobot Fourth Computerized Division]] and is swiftly promoted to Lieutenant Commander. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''Other war legends include the [[Magnificent Six]], who end up reduced to five traumatised wrecks after being captured by [[Megadeath (G1)|Megadeath]] at [[Yuss]].'' {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}

Megatron and Optimus first clash in battle over the powerful [[Underbase]], the creation of the neutral scientist [[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]]. Tragically, it was Optimus' own visit to Boltax that ''caused'' the clash: Optimus had willingly violated a neutrality agreement, putting neutrals at risk and not just giving Megatron a justification for attacking, but showing him how to evade the Underbase's defences. All of Boltax's followers were killed and in order to prevent this mighty database being captured, Optimus launched it into space. This 'victory' helped make his career but he knew he'd been driven by pride and glory-seeking. The shame of what he'd done always remained with him. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}}

Optimus became an iconic general, the only one with the skill and firepower to properly rally the army,{{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''and he was given field command of the whole thing. The [[Council of Autobot Elders]] still pulled the strings but he carried out unsanctioned plans behind their back.'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Optimus Prime datafile}}

[[File:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|upright=1.66|left|thumb|Prime rallies the troops by firing at nothing.]]
By 1st Cycle 820<ref>[[Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Optimus Prime]]</ref> Megatron has pushed the Autobots to Iacon itself, and Optimus Prime was at the [[Jan-Ja|front line]], rallying outnumbered and exhausted Autobots to drive back a larger Decepticon army. {{storylink|Surrender!}} ''The Decepticons advanced once more and began entering the city, but Optimus led a successful defensive, turning them back. During that battle, [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]] has the Iacon government grant Optimus full control of the armed forces and the ability to do what he wants without needing to go to them — which he was doing anyway!'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}}

Under Optimus, the Autobots retake, rebuild, and fortify their city-states. The war becomes evenly matched, though the very planet itself is blasted out of its orbit{{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''as Megatron, obsessed with that cosmic dreadnought plan, builds planet-engines and triggers one.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

''In one of many battles, a terrified [[Longtooth]] found himself surrounded by corpses and the near-dead; a passing Optimus gave him a piece of the Matrix to heal an ally, but Longtooth kept it to give himself a potential extra life.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}
{{--}}
===''1st Cycle 931'' (Cybertronian dating)<ref>[[The Quest!]]</ref>===
A thousand years into the war,<ref>The length of the war is given as "over a thousand years" in [[The Transformers (issue)|Marvel Comics #1]], but it's said to be just a hundred years in Marvel UK's [[Legion of the Lost!|Legion of the Lost!, Part 1]].</ref> the wonky orbit eventually takes Cybertron far too close to an asteroid belt, which will destroy it utterly; Optimus leads a team of the Autobots' finest in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] (along with backup warriors' minds, encoded in crystals, and five others, the future [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]) to clear the path of rocks. Following this, he intends to make peace gestures to the Decepticons... who then attack in force and board the Ark, causing Optimus to crash the ship into [[Earth|some uninhabited planet]] to end Megatron's threat. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

Shotly after the crash, Shockwave attempted to assist the Decepticons on the Ark, but his ship's guidance systems malfunctioned and he crashed in what would eventually be known as the [[Savage Land]]. The dying Ark detected this, and reactivated five Autobots to combat him. They were given the forms of the Savage Land's natives, and became the Dinobots. They faced off, but the battle was a stalemate until [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] brought down the mountain they were on, trapping all six in a tar pit.

==Post-Ark launch==
''The Autobots are left distraught by the loss of the Ark, and the Council has to retake control of the military. The Decepticons quickly gain a new leader in the brutal [[Trannis]] and the war begins going their way once again.'' {{storylink|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}} ''The Autobots hold [[Kalis]] long enough that university student [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] can propose using one of Megatron's lost world engines, hidden in the city, to themselves move the planet. Xaaron rejects the plan and Flame is left bitter.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}} ''Unfortunately they are eventually pushed back to Iacon.'' {{storylink|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}}

''Eventually Trannis just gets bored and has Iacon bombed to slag. The Autobots only survive due to Emirate Xaaron having prepared for the army to go underground, and a long-lasting insurgency begins. The commando group [[Wrecker|the Wreckers]] kill Trannis, but this just leaves [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] in charge. {{storylink|Cybertron: The Middle Years!}}'' He starts chucking all Autobots, neutrals, [[empty|empties]], failed Decepticons and the postman into the [[Smelting pool]]. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

[[File:Budding.jpg|left|thumb|Hope you weren't eating when you looked at this page...]]
Meanwhile, a bunch of Decepticons unlock the key to [[Reproduction|biomorphic reproduction]], the pre-Matrix way of reproducing. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} This new second generation of Decepticons, including [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], happily throw themselves into the war but eventually become bored with it; they leave Cybertron behind to colonise space (exterminating any organic life on said colony worlds in the process) under the aegis of the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]. Neither the Autobots nor Straxus's Decepticons notice this, carrying on a war Jhiaxus and Co believe is irrelevant. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

In time, these offshoots would encounter the monstrous [[Liege Maximo]] and come under his command. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}

Ten thousand years ago, the planet [[Nebulos]] is almost destroyed by war. The original [[World Watcher]]s are able to defuse the situation and the planet buried its weapons, dedicating itself to pacifism. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:Man of iron and knights.jpg|left|thumb]]
At some point, the Autobots send [[Navigator (Autobot)|Navigator]] to find the lost Ark. His ship crashes on Earth but [[United Kingdom|the wrong part entirely]]. By this point, humans have evolved and developed a feudal system. In [[1017]] AD local time, Navigator's companion first went looking for the Ark; he accidentally scared off [[Godwin the Strongarm]]'s army away from [[Stansham Castle]] and was dubbed "[[Man of Iron (Autobot)|the Man of Iron]]" by the terrified locals. He'd pop up two more times before the 20th century. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} With no word coming back, the Autobots of Cybertron gave up the Ark for dead and its crew. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

The [[Quintesson]]s rule [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. They were driven off "centuries ago". {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

''[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] grows weary of the war and leaves Cybertron, but an encounter with the boisterous [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] revives his spirits.'' {{storylink|Kup's Story!}}

Autobot astronomers worked out that the lost Underbase would make its way to Earth in a few hundred years. They sent [[Grand Slam (G1)|Grand Slam]] and [[Raindance]] to warn the Autobots there,<ref>They shouldn't know there ''are'' Autobots there, unless Navigator or the Man of Iron was talking to them (but then why were they left on Earth and never retrieved?)</ref> with all relevant data encoded on their cassette alt modes, but they were badly damaged in the crash and lay locked and insensate as tapes. In the 18th century, a pirate ship found them but was itself lost at sea. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

In the 1950s of Earth, the [[United States of America]] was at war with [[North Korea]]. Sergeant <s>Irving</s> <s>William</s> <s>Stanislas</s> '''Sparkplug''' Witwicky was taken prisoner and forced to fix North Korean vehicles. He secretly sabotaged them, costing the enemy men and materiel . {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

By this point, Cybertron is a mostly dead world: resource starved and ravaged, with the few remaining neutral civilians at constant risk of being killed for sport . {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} ''The pub [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] is one of the few neutral spots on the planet, allowing anyone in if they can pay.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}
{{-}}

==20th century onwards==
===Early 1980s===
''With morale at a low ebb, the Elders running the Cybertronian resistance decide to build a figurehead warrior to inspire troops: [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]. It will take years to build.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006|#81's Ultra Magnus profile}}

===1984/5===
[[File:Combat deck marvel 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
A volcanic eruption reactivates [[Teletraan I]], the internal computer of the Ark. The Autobots and the Decepticons awaken, and restart the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

The Decepticons kidnap the mechanic [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], and force him to adapt their systems to earthen fuel. {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}}

''After some battles'', {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}} the Decepticons launch a final attack on the Autobots. When the Decepticons have the upper hand, they fall due to Witwicky making the fuel poisonous for them. However, the Autobots' victory is short-lived, because of the arrival of [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], who defeats the remaining Autobots. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

Shockwave assumes command of the Decepticons (beating the snot out of Megatron to cement this) and deactivates all of the Autobots except [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], who was absent at the time of the attack, and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], who is kept alive as a disembodied head. Prime secretly passes the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], a life-giving power, onto human ally [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. {{storylink|The New Order}} {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}}

Ratchet retrieves the Dinobots from the [[Savage Land]] and, with their help, takes down Megatron. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}} ''With their help, the Ark is secured and the Autobots reactivated (sans Prime who's a prison of Shockwave), but at the seeming cost of [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]]'s life. The Dinobots go AWOL.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] secures a mutual-benefit alliance with [[G.B. Blackrock]], solving the Autobot fuel concerns. {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} Shockwave uses Optimus's [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to give life to the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} but later the Autobots recover their commander despite severe injuries. Shockwave is left MIA, and the Matrix returned to Optimus; he uses it to bring life to Decepticon construct [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], who joins the Autobots. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

''Buster Witwicky introduces the recovering Autobots to the concept of Christmas, which Prime takes ''[[:File:Arkchristmastree.jpg|a bit too far]]''.'' {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}}

===1986===
[[File:Soundwavedinobothunt.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.45|''EPIC WIN.'']]
''Optimus briefly suffers from doubts and second-guessing due his ordeal, recovering in time to end Autobot divisions. [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] assumes Decepticon command.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}} ''Swoop is recovered and reactivated by disgruntled scientist [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]], leading to the discovery that the Dinobots are suffering mental deterioration.'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''The Autobots begin a Dinobot Hunt, in which Jetfire proves himself as an Autobot, but Soundwave's interference leads to multiple Autobots being injured and an unopposed fuel raid—a major Decepticon victory.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} ''[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] almost makes a deal with [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] out of desperation over the wounded,'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}} ''and the Dinobots remain offline even when repaired.'' {{storylink|Victory!}} Meanwhile, small-time criminal [[Joey Slick]] finds Megatron (locked in gun-mode) and briefly becomes a notorious super-criminal. Megatron is reactivated. {{storylink|Shooting Star!}}

Shockwave returns and retakes command. The Autobots, desperate to bolster troop numbers due to the mass of injuries, activate the warriors whose minds were encoded on crystals. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}} Government agency [[Intelligence and Information Institute]] attempts to calm public fears by creating a "Robot-Master" figure who they pretend really controls the Transformers. Megatron, now backed by Soundwave and his cassettes, captures the Robot Master ([[Donny Finkleberg]]) and uses him to spread anti-Autobot propaganda. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Soon after, Shockwave attempts (and fails) to capture Bumblebee. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

''Buster Witwicky tries to prove his worth to the Autobots by trying to fight the Decepticons in robot armour, and is nearly killed by Shockwave.'' {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} ''Shockwave determines that affection for Buster is an Autobot weakness to exploit, but an attack on Buster is called off when it becomes clear the lad is having visions from the Matrix he once carried.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''The Autobots try to decipher the visions, with the Decepticons tapping in; both sides see the Matrix's vision of [[Special Teams]]. This prompts Megatron to make a play for Decepticon command again; Soundwave is forced to step in, getting Megatron and Shockwave to share command. A new [[Wyoming base|Decepticon base]] is established in [[Wyoming]]. The Dinobots are reactivated.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[File:Cosmosisakillingmachine.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|For every time Cosmos crashed in the G1 cartoon, he kills a Decepticon in the Marvel comics. The Decepitcons were wiped out two issues after his first appearance.]]
On Cybertron, both an Autobot resistance cell and Decepticon leader [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] pick up a signal from Earth, becoming aware of the war there. Straxus builds the space bridge to link the two planets, using information taken from scientist [[Spanner (G1)|Spanner]], but the Autobots prevent the Decepticons crossing in force and destroy Straxus's body, at the cost of being stuck on Earth. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}} {{ storylink|The Bridge to Nowhere!}} They are rapidly captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]], and Circuit Breaker. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

''Meanwhile, the Earth Autobots and Decepticons deal with the effects of the [[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|PARD]] device.'' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}} Deciding to go on the offensive, Optimus has [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] built and steals combiner technology from the Decepticons; the Decepticons suffer heavy losses, though Megatron regains full command, while the Autobots lose [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} He is tempted to remain AWOL and avoid the war, but eventually rejoins—taking Finkleberg with him to inform the Autobots about the arrivals from Cybertron. {{storylink|Showdown!}} ''The Dinobots, bored from lack of action, assist journalist [[Joy Meadows]] in blowing open the Robot Master hoax; both Triple-I and the Decepticons attempt to prevent this. While the Dinobots are helped by [[Centurion (Marvel)|Centurion]] (really controlled by Professor Morris), the Decepticons still succeed.'' {{storylink|In the National Interest}} ''The Dinobots go AWOL with Centurion.''

[[File:MagnusVGalv2006.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
''The Cybertron resistance, led by [[Emirate]] [[Xaaron]], plan [[Operation: Volcano]]—a major strike on the Decepticon forces. But the arrival of time-travelling Decepticons [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]], which causes Optimus, Ratchet and [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] to be sent to [[Limbo]] and Megatron to be offlined, throws the Autobots into a command crisis and has Volcano upset as Xaaron sends the recently activated Ultra Magnus to Earth to investigate. The confused Autobots suffer a humiliating defeat and turn to Megatron and Soundwave for leadership. Despite this, they lose again and Ultra Magnus has to step in to assist. Galvatron is eventually tricked into returning to the future by other time travellers, and Magnus goes home; a number of Autobots remain wounded. Volcano is called off when the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] are seconded to Earth under Megatron's orders, ruining Volcano's first strike; Autobot [[Wrecker]]s leader [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] is killed, however.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''The six Transformers stuck in Limbo, fall prey to the [[Limbo parasite|native parasites]]. They eventually escape them.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

Optimus oversees the creation of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] Special Team, who battle the Insecticons and new Decepticon jets over the [[Hoover Dam]]; it's a near failure due to flaws with [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} ''Still, the Aerialbots are sent on another mission to test them once more—their phobias and flaws cause disaster, but Jetfire didn't witness this and so they're forced to struggle with their problems on their own.'' {{storylink|The Return of the Transformers}} Because of these flaws, Optimus KILLS AND REMAKES THEIR MINDS (bloody hell!) to fix them. [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] lands a cerebro-shell in Prime's wound, and channels Matrix energy from him to make the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticon]] Special Team. Skids and Finkleberg are sent to investigate the lost "[[Cybertron Seven]]", getting caught in an Aerialbot-Stunticon-RAAT battle. Finkleberg betrays Skids to RAAT for money. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

Back on Cybertron,<ref>Grimlock says Fortress Maximus left in 1986, which is why he refers to Optimus Prime never returning to Cybertron, and the ''Headmasters'' issues run from there to 1987. [http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/grimgrams/Issue142.jpg #142 Grim Grams letters page] (We count it to the start of 1988 to fit in "Stargazing")</ref> rebel leader [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] has grown tired of the constant warfare and takes his squad, and anyone else who wishes to join, to the peaceful planet of [[Nebulos]] where they can avoid war. Unfortunately, the first encounter with [[Gort|a native]] goes badly wrong and the paranoid [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]] begins stirring up the population for a pre-emptive attack on the 'invaders'. Conflict almost breaks out but is defused when Fortress Maximus not only surrenders to [[World Watcher]]s leader [[Galen]], he and five others ''remove their heads'' as a gesture of complete faith in Nebulan mercy. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

''After two tricky missions over the Christmas holidays, Jetfire visits Buster for some advice.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

===1987===
RAAT continues to hunt down Autobots while Megatron enlists the Battlechargers to Earth. Their nationwide rampage forces Circuit-Breaker to cut a deal with RAAT's Autobot prisoners; in return for their help defeating the Battlechargers, they're released. Donny Finkleberg also cuts his RAAT ties. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}}

[[File:HarderTheyDie-Iaconno.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85]]
''Optimus Prime, worried how badly the Autobots did without him against Galvatron, works with Wheeljack to fake his own death as a test. However, when Megatron enlists the Predacons to Earth to kill Optimus — and they actually try to kill him too, on Shockwave's behalf — both leaders end up warped by Space Bridge to Cybertron, leaving the Autobots believing Optimus dead.'' {{storylink|Prey!}} ''Insult to injury, Megatron uses the Cybertronian Decepticon's spy networks to spread a rumour of an Optimus impersonator; Prime is thus targeted by the Wreckers and Ultra Magnus, only surviving because they witness his concern for a wounded [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] and realise he's the real deal. Megatron, meanwhile, is undermining Lord Straxus' command with his presence and madness, but Straxus is plotting to swap his mind with the crippled Lord's, giving Straxus a new body. {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}} {{storylink|Under Fire!}} {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

[[File:Trialbyfire-headmaster-rollcall.jpg|thumb|left|GAAAAH MY SPINE!!]] Back on Nebulos, Zarak continued to try and stir up trouble, but got more than he bargained for when he calls for aid against the Autobots and gets a Decepticon brigade under the command of [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]]. The Decepticons take advantage of the Autobot's surrender and attempt to conquer the planet, forcing Galen and Fortress Maximus into a compromise: scientist [[Arcana]] creates the [[binary bonding]] process, where five Nebulans (including himself and Galen) will become cyborgs that can transform ''into'' the heads of the five Autobots. The Decepticons are routed, with the "Headmaster" technology turning out to increase Autobot reaction speed and processing power. Unfortunately, now the war has spread to another planet. {{storylink|Broken Glass!}}

''On Earth, Galvatron has returned to the 1980s once more — displacing Skids into [[Limbo]]. He viciously damages Centurion and gives the [[Cybertron Seven]] and Dinobots a pasting before the Decepticons drive him off: Shockwave does ''not'' want the competition.'' {{storylink|Fallen Angel}} ''Blaster's crew arrive at the Ark to find the Autobots in mourning, while Prime himself rejuvantes the Cybertronian resistance and leads them to new victories. Straxus makes his move — and it goes wrong, as Megatron fights him off but is left mentally deranged. When Optimus returns to Earth by space bridge, Straxus' right-hand man [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] makes sure Megatron is sent away with him (and, accidentally, Ultra Magnus is sent too).'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}} ''Straxus' defeated consciousness flees into a cloned Megatron body, [[Project Re-Birth|his elaborate contingency plan]], and waits his chance.'' {{storylink|Two Megatrons!}} ''The Autobots celebrate Prime's return'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}} but in a cruel twist of fate, Optimus dies shortly after on a mission with the newly built Protectobots.

[[File:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Prime dies so much he died ''before'' he died!]]
To prevent a destructive battle, the Autobots, Megatron and the new Combaticons agree to have a proxy fight in the video game [[Multi-World]], with the losing leader being destroyed by explosives. When Optimus wins the game by sacrificing the "lives" of its characters, he is left distraught at abandoning his principles and considers himself the loser. Unknown to the Transformers, game creator [[Ethan Zachary]] made a back-up copy of Prime's mind. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} This comes in handy for Shockwave when his next attempt to kill Megatron — who ''is still mentally fragile'' and violently paranoid that Optimus faked his death — fails. A bluff causes Megatron to realise Optimus was backed up and he flees across the space bridge in a panic, blowing it up as he goes and seemingly dying. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} Instead he ends up in Cybertron in an amnesiac state, wandering around for years as an [[Empty]]. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Shockwave is now in charge of Earth but quickly finds himself dependent on Ratbat, a more hands-on Cybertronian leader. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

The Autobots hold Optimus's funeral, launching his body into space {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} (not realising the Matrix is still in it) {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}} and a group of top officers try to work out who should replace him. Grimlock and his Dinobots make a return to the Ark, intent on taking the job; he is initially rejected, but shows the skills necessary for leadership when he fights off [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

''During all this, Galvatron has been working on a new plan: a [[power siphon]] over an active volcano ([[Mount Verona]]), which will draw the energy off the [[Earth's core]] into himself — devastating the North America west coast. Ultra Magnus is drawn into this when he tries saving a human, [[Cindy Newell]], from Galvatron's fire barrier and gets himself beaten into submission. Luckily, a team of future Autobots under [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] have arrived.'' {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} ''Unfortunately, so did a 2007 mercenary called [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], looking for the reward money on Galvatron; he blew up Bumblebee to cover his tracks.'' {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} [[File:Goldbugorigins.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|And every British person browsing this page just shivered and felt dirty inside.]] ''Time-traveller Wreck-Gar rebuilds the Autobot into a new, stronger form named Goldbug. Death's Head and Rodimus Prime both end up battling Galvatron for their own reasons, allowing Ultra Magnus to sabotage the siphon as a delaying action, and the Autobots rig a [[Time-jump trigger device|time-jump override]] to force Galvatron back to their own timeline. Unfortunately, Galvatron had a countermeasure in place: only the Autobots and Death's Head are sent, leaving Goldbug'' {{storylink|Hunters}} {{storylink|Fire on High!}} ''and Magnus alone against him. Magnus is forced to sacrifice himself to stop the siphon, and he and Galvatron are entombed in Mount Verona.'' {{storylink|Vicious Circle!}}

{{note|In the US run, a [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] crossover occurs simultaneously with the events of "Afterdeath!" through "King of the Hill!" — literally so, with Optimus and Megatron's deaths happening between issues [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|of the miniseries]]. In it, [[Cobra]] steal the prototype [[Power Station Alpha]] which the Decepticons also covet; the two decide to team up, though Shockwave plans to modify Alpha and use it to suck Earth dry of natural energy. The Autobots and G.I. Joe have already teamed up — after a brief misunderstanding destroys Bumblebee, but the Joes rebuild him into Goldbug to make up for it — and when Cobra joins forces as well, the Decepticons lose. However, the Decepticon upgrades made Power Station Alpha partially sentient. The Autobots knew this and were disgusted when Cobra destroyed it anyway. (All of this is ignored by the US/UK run, as the UK hadn't got to that part of the Joe run yet.}}

Goldbug goes back to the Ark to find Grimlock is ''not'' handling power well, to the extent of wearing a crown. The new commander orders Grimlock and Blaster to recover stolen Autobot tech from a human supervillain called the [[Mechanic]], authorising the loss of human lives if necessary. When the Mechanic escapes, the Autobots decide to go AWOL rather than stay with Grimlock {{storylink|Mechanical Difficulties!}} and decide to fight Decepticons on their own. Their first solo mission leads them to a crashed Decepticon ship which is infected with [[Scraplet]]s. Both they and the Decepticon [[Triple Changer]]s are infected, with Goldbug and a [[Charlie Fong|human ally]] fleeing for a cure. Luckily, the cure turns out to be water. Even more luckily, Ratbat intervened by forcing the rebel [[Throttlebot]]s to go to Earth and kill all the infected (so ''he'' won't have to scorch the whole planet). With the extra numbers, the Scraplets are defeated and the fugitives now have a larger gang. Unfortunately, the ship's cargo has survived and the Decepticons brainwashed G.B. Blackrock {{storylink|Crater Critters}} into using it to create [[Wash and Roll|car washes]] that brainwash humans into handing their fuel over to the Decepticons. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}} ''Back at the Ark, the Autobots are getting more and more disgruntled at Grimlock's command, and especially with the Dinobot wasting so many Autobot's time by sending them after the fugitives. {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

[[File:ActionForce Dragonflies.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1]]
''Word reaches Straxus' cloning team that Megatron is dead, so they send Straxus in his cloned body down to Earth (under [[London]]) to take advantage. Unfortunately for Straxus, his consciousness was 'infected' with Megatron's: the clone believes he's Megatron and suppresses Straxus within himself.'' {{storylink|Two Megatrons!}} ''This Megatron goes on a rampage, opposed by both the human [[Action Force (team)|Action Force]] counter-terrorists and a handful of Autobots, thanks to [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] and Grimlock mistaking Megatron's signal for Goldbug and Blaster. The battle is only won when Centurion sacrifices himself to keep Megatron in the path of a missile strike.'' {{storylink|Ancient Relics!}}

[[File:Ratbatcarwash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|He'd have gotten away with it, if not for that meddling kid!]]
Ratbat arrives on Earth and takes full command away from Shockwave, while his car wash plan is rolled out across the United States; the second phase is to permanently brainwash all the patrons. Luckily, the Autobot's old friend Buster Witwicky discovers the plot by accident and is able to free Blackrock from mind control. {{storylink|Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom}}

''The Dinobot Swoop and the Predacon Divebomb duke it out once more, but the humiliation of having to be saved by the others causes Swoop to man up and admit to his friends that he'd had to be saved by Prime the first time round. (Grimlock has known for months but deliberately kept quiet)'' {{storylink|Grudge Match!}} ''In Oregon, Galvatron's remains are found and Shockwave orders him destroyed by the Combaticons; Cindy Newell recruits Joy Meadows and archaeologist [[Susan Hoffman]] to help her stop them and save the vulnerable Magnus, with last-minute aid from the Throttlebots. Nobody realises the battle woke Galvatron up.'' {{storylink|Ladies' Night (issue)|Ladies' Night}}

Over at Nebulos, the increasingly destructive war is causing the people and the [[Council of Peers]] to grow disgruntled with the Autobots as well as the Decepticons. Zarak makes a deal with Scorponok: in exchange for his life and in the hope of making Nebulos safe, he will help the Decepticons replicate the Headmaster process (and become Scorponok's own partner). Unprepared for this and concerned with protecting the Nebulans, the Autobot Headmasters are captured and the planet convinced that ''Zarak'' had saved the Peers. {{storylink|Love and Steel!}} Scorponok's more brutal instincts begin to override Zarak's own, and his war against the Autobots only increases the destruction. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Blasterbeourleaderplease.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1]]
''Out for revenge'', the Combaticons chase Blaster and the Throttlebots across the country, with RAAT (who've worked out the Autobot-Blackrock link) setting ambushes at every Blackrock petrol station. The fugitives take refuge at a used car lot but are betrayed by [[Big Steve Ludwig (G1)|the owner]], who sells them out to RAAT. The Throttlebots are all captured, while the Protectobots intervene to 'save' Blaster for his court martial at the Ark. {{storylink|Used Autobots}} They then leave him in mode-lock while they engage the Combaticons. A group of human children find and save Blaster, and with their help Blaster saves the Protectobots. A grateful [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] decides to let Blaster "escape", and the rebel lets the humans take a ride on a mode-locked [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]]. That turns out to be a mistake: it's noticed by the Ark {{storylink|Child's Play (issue)|Child's Play}} and Blast Off, with the young "[[Spacehikers]]", is captured. The Autobots are willing to rebel against Grimlock now, as long as Blaster is willing to lead them, but he's forced to surrender rather than let the children be hurt. {{storylink|Spacehikers!}}

''A wandering Starscream learns the meaning of Christmas but doesn't care.'' {{storylink|Stargazing}}
{{-}}

===1988===
[[File:Enemy action seacons.JPG|thumb|upright=0.85|Livin' the thuk life]]
''Galvatron tricks Shockwave into attacking him first by acting as shifty as possible, then lies to the Decepticons that he'd only been coming to talk but now they've made him an enemy: thus undermining his rival. A rattled Shockwave decides to find Megatron's body and use him as a disposable anti-Galvatron asset. (The Cybertron Decepticons try to recruit Galvatron and the [[Sparkabot]]s try to stop this happening, but Galvatron doesn't give a toss about either of them)'' {{storylink|Enemy Action!}} Ratbat, meanwhile, is getting things done: the Decepticons no longer have any Autobots on Earth to stop them and he's having them openly loot whatever they want. RAAT, still refusing to notice factions exist, threaten to execute the Throttlebots unless the Decepticons stop (so of course they don't). [[Walter Barnett (G1)|Walter Barnett]] realises the truth and smuggles their processors out in toy cars, and turns to Buster Witwicky for help in contacting the Autobots. Buster and Goldbug reach Mount St. Hilary and use the abandoned equipment to send out an SOS, but Ratbat catches up with them and gleefully captures the teenager, his old enemy. RAAT have publicly learned the difference in factions and take a public beating, {{storylink|Toy Soldiers!}} and now Buster is used as a hostage to prevent them attacking the [[Club Con|Decepticon island base]]. {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}}

[[File:G138 spike in control.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.85]]
The SOS reaches Nebulos, right as the war ramps up with the creation of the next binary bonded partners: the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmasters]], Nebulan freedom fighters who turn into weaponry. The first battle sees the destruction of the [[Nursery (Nebulos)|Nursery]], forcing Zarak to realise he's being changed for the worse. Aghast, he releases the Autobot Headmasters. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}} ''After another brief battle'' {{storylink|Worlds Apart!}} Galen/Fortress Maximus decide they should answer the SOS in the hope that, if the Autobots leave Nebulos, the Decepticons will follow. {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}} After they arrive at Earth, they encounter [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]]: Buster's older brother, out to find his sibling. When the Decepticons follow, Galen is killed in battle against Scorponok; Spike's bravery and resourcefulness in the battle see him chosen to be Maximus' new Headmaster partner. {{storylink|Trial by Fire!}}

His first mission is to rescue Buster from the Earth Decepticon's base. He fails but defeats Shockwave, sending the villain plummeting through the atmosphere. Ratbat allows Shockwave to be lost {{storylink|The Desert Island of Space!}} ''but Shockwave survives, gathers some troops at the abandoned [[Fortress Sinister]], and has 'Megatron's' body salvaged. Straxus's consciousness battles Megatron's for control, and loses. The Sparkabots simultaneously dig Ultra Magnus out of Mount Verona; the warrior is traumatised by his experiences but recovers in time to force Galvatron into retreat, the first time he's ever won that battle.'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} Maximus's Autobots learn about Ethan Zachary and his back-up of Optimus Prime's mind: while the back-up is sentient, it believes it's a video game character. The backup is used to help the Autobots steal Scorponok's new Pretender technology, giving both sides a Pretender squad. RAAT are humiliated yet again {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} and the government scraps them for their failures. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}}

''Meanwhile on Cybertron,<ref>Part One, published on the 19th August 1989, says it's "14 months ago" (i.e. June) but the Micromasters have clearly been built shortly before then</ref> two events have happened: [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] has risen to prominence and the resource-starved Autobot resistance have created the [[Micromaster]] process. The [[Battle Patrol]] are the first Autobots to downsize.'' {{storylink|A Small War!}}

[[File:Zombieskalis.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Mindless, ancient corpses have risen and they're buying He-Man!]]
''The mad scientist [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] reactivates Megatron's old planetary engine under [[Kalis]]. In order to protect his plan, he turns every corpse in the city into a [[zombie]]; Kalis is abandoned and the Wreckers and Xaaron captured. Three weeks later, the Sparkabots and Magnus — unaware of the crisis — return to Cybertron and, with the help of both their fellow rebels and the Decepticons, defeat Flame before his experiments can destroy Cybertron.'' {{storylink|City of Fear!}} {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}} {{storylink|Meltdown!}} ''Magnus intends to return to Earth with the Wreckers to stop Galvatron, but he's distracted by shutting down [[alien]]-run deathmatches in [[Tyrest]].'' {{storylink|Deadly Games!}} ''Making matters worse, the Wreckers warp to Earth to find Galvatron in a human city, with Cyclonus and Scourge — who want his time-jump device so they can go home — present. They're forced to withdraw. Cyclonus and Scourge, worried about Galvatron, seek sanctuary from Shockwave.'' {{storylink|Wrecking Havoc}}

''While this goes on''<ref>That whole "fourteen months" thing would strictly mean "A Small War" takes place ''during'' "Deadly Games" and "Wrecking Havoc"</ref>''Thunderwing tricks the Battle Patrol into an ambush and uses them to create Decepticon Micromasters. [[Roadhandler (G1)|Roadhandler]] is sent to kill the Battle Patrol to prevent this but his team ignore the order, and Xaaron admits it had been made in error.'' {{storylink|A Small War!}}

Unable to rebuild Optimus Prime, Maximus decides to approach Grimlock for aid. Grimlock refuses to give it or share any command, and it's arranged for him to fight Blaster (standing in for Maximus) to [[Code of Combat|decide leadership]]. Instead, the two are forced to work together when Ratbat's army attacks mid-fight, almost wiping out the Autobots. Grimlock agrees to work with others and Maximus has Goldbug go to Nebulos for help with Prime. {{storylink|Totaled!}} The Nebulans have poisoned all fuel sources to keep the Transformers out, but the bitter scientist [[Hi-Test (G1)|Hi-Test]] created the Powermaster process — a form of binary bonding where a Nebulan becomes an engine — and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] ravage the planet. Goldbug's three teammates become Autobot Powermasters to compensate, thanks to [[Hi-Q]]; more importantly, Optimus Prime is successfully resurrected but, out of necessity, has to be turned intn a Powermaster. {{storylink|People Power!}} ''Optimus Prime was secretly left disconnected from his old life: he remembered everything but did not emotionally understand it.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} On their way back to Earth, the Autobots rescue the Spacehikers and their friend [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] from the [[Cosmic Carnival]]. {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}}

''A Wreckers recon team is sent to Earth in advance of a second attack on Galvatron.'' {{storylink|Firebug!}} ''Unfortunately, things spiral out of control when Shockwave learns that Cyclonus and Scourge will kill him in 2008. He sics the brainwashed Megatron on them and has Cyclonus killed: dying before he was created is a paradox that damages space-time itself.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}} ''Megatron is then sent after Galvatron... just as Galvatron wanted. He convinces his past self to team up with him.'' {{storylink|Altered Image!}} ''Meanwhile, Shockwave's attempts to understand the paradoxes and his death cause him to go steadily insane.'' {{storylink|Dry Run!}}

[[File:MonsterconFromMars Skullgrinmania.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.95]]
While the Autobots are stranded on the moon, Scorponok's faction increase their operations on Earth. They create the [[Z Foundation]] front to raise money for anti-Transformer activity and spread anti-robot hate, {{storylink|Ca$h and Car-nage!}} and send the Pretender [[Skullgrin]] to scout for energy. Skullgrin achieves this by (we're not joking) becoming a media celebrity. Both plans go wrong when Circuit-Breaker blows Skullgrin's cover {{storylink|Monstercon from Mars!}} and the Z Foundation's hired mercs, the [[Roadjammers]], blow ''that'' cover. {{storylink|Ca$h and Car-nage!}} Things go even worse when the Autobots do get back to Earth and Scorponok targets [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]: the Autobot is able to successfully rip off his head, leaving a paralysed Zarak in his custody. {{storylink|All in the Minds!}}

''Optimus Prime regained control of the Earth Autobot force, sweet-talking a reluctant Grimlock into giving up power.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}} He learned that Ratbat's Decepticons had not only declared their island base as a sovereign nation with Buster as its monarch, ensuring it was protected from human action by international law, they'd set up [[Club Con|a holiday resort]] there to have an endless stream of human shields. This enabled them to search that part of the sea for two lost [[Mini-Cassette]] and their data on the [[Underbase]]. The Autobots sent Buster's girlfriend [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]] in as a "tourist" so she could smuggle Blaster in but while they learned the plot, they could not get the data themselves. Ratbat and Starscream (and a watching Buster) learned the Underbase would soon arrive in Earth's solar system, and Starscream began a-plotting. {{storylink|Club Con!}} {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}}

''On Christmas, the Wreckers accidentally hurt humans in an attempt to join in their celebrations. This caused the resurrected Prime to realise his obsessive duty towards Earth was down to guilt that he brought war to them.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}} ''Soon after this, the [[time rift]] caused by Cyclonus's death began to reach both Earth and Cybertron.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}
{{-}}

===1989===
[[File:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
''The new year started with the time rift causing natural disasters across Earth. The Autobots worked out Galvatron was responsible but were distracted first by the arrival of Scorponok's Decepticons, successfully retrieving their leader's head, and the arrival of future Transformers (which sent Optimus to limbo). Eventually, the present and future Bot/Cons agreed to work together against the mutual threat. Meanwhile, the Wreckers had teamed up with their Decepticon counterparts, the [[Mayhem Attack Squad]], but had been massacred by the Megatron-Galvatron teamup. When other allied forces arrived, Galvatron had gone completely insane from conflicting memories (causing Megatron to simply walk off in disgust). Eventually the time rift devoured Galvatron; Scourge, just wanting the madness to end, sacrificed himself; and Shockwave, talked out of madness by Ravage, arrived with Cyclonus' body. With all three gone, the rift ended. Mayhem leader Carnivac ignored his orders to kill the remaining Wreckers.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}} ''Megatron stealing the Mayhem's ship left both special ops teams stranded on Earth, while Galvatron's departure meant Skids was finally returned to Earth from Limbo.'' {{storylink|Survivors!}}

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|left|upright=1.2|thumb|Oh like you care about Hoist.]]
Starscream manipulated Scorponok and Ratbat's factions into a disastrous meeting, then Buster into summoning the Autobots (who would unite the 'Cons by arriving and be brutalised): all so he could get the Underbase himself. {{storylink|Cold War!}} By the time the Transformers had stopped fighting, Starscream had got to the power source. The Decepticon's island base was destroyed and the armies only survived because the newly godlike Starscream, boasting about the first Earth cities he'd level, couldn't be bothered to kill them. The Autobot-Decepticon force pursued him and learned, too late, that only binary-bonded and Pretender Transformers were immune to the Underbase powers: by the time Starscream and the Underbase were destroyed, almost all of the 'traditional' Transformers were dead, Soundwave and Ratchet being rare exceptions. Scorponok (who had killed Ratbat during the crisis) and Optimus Prime parted with their losses. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

With Buster safe, Spike Witwicky decided to retire as a Headmaster: costing the Autobots' Fortress Maximus. Optimus reluctantly let him go. However, the two were still mentally bonded. This was handy when Scorponok hired Carnivac and [[Snarler]] to kill off the human and Spike used their psychic link to summon Maximus for aid. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} The remaining Autobots, reeling from their losses, tried searching for new sources of parts to rebuild their troops. The Pretenders [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] tried to get black market microchips but unfortunately, the main suppliers were the [[Mecannibal]]s: robots that devoured other robots and kept the microchips after. Unable to stomach (ho ho) this, and their identities as tasty robots exposed, the Autobots instead forced the Mecannibals to rebuild many of their meals. On their way out, they managed to steer the killers towards the Decepticons Darkwing and Dreadwind. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

''Meanwhile on Cybertron, there was a further leader shakeup when Megatron deposed the decadent and lazy [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]. He was now confident, calm, and able to control his bloodlust, 'knowing' he was to become the unbeatable Galvatron so why worry?'' {{storylink|The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.}}

The ''original'' Megatron, wandering half-dead and insane around the [[Dead End (place)|Dead End]], regains his mind when he sees Autobots cornering [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]]. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} ''He hired Darkwing and Dreadwind to track down the corpse of Starscream for use in a scheme. The [[Triggerbot]]s shadowed them as they arrived in Earth's orbit on the 24th April<ref>The date's given in Part 1 (and contradicted in Part 3 but never mind that!)</ref> and pursued them to [[Peru]]. Starscream's corpse was walking around, powered by Underbase energy, and the Autobots hoped to save the 'base but were unable to stop the Decepticons killing it and taking the body. {{storylink|Race with the Devil}}

[[File:Megatrong1marveltwomegatrons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"NO! '''NO!''' YOU ARE NOT MAKING ME WORK OUT THE BLOODY CONTINUITY OF THIS!!!"]]
''The surviving members of the Wreckers and Mayhem Attack Squad, still stranded on Earth weeks after and believing they were being written off, met up. Carnivac proposed they team up and in doing so, they saved Skids from the monstrous hordes of Limbo. Snarler threatened to kill Carnivac for treason.'' {{storylink|Survivors!}} ''At this point on Cybertron''<ref>This is a best guess by the wiki: Megatron's clone has to die before the Air Strike Patrol arrive on Earth, the following UK story to "Survivors!" is the in-another-timeline "[[Aspects of Evil!]]", and "[[(Double) Deal of the Century!]]" requires Micromasters to be with Prime.</ref>'', the Straxus-clone Megatron is suffering a breakdown as Straxus's mind tries to take over again; the real Megatron arrives in a moment of weakness. When the clone realises the truth, he kills himself to defeat Straxus, leaving Megatron secretly in charge.'' {{storylink|Two Megatrons!}} ''Elsewhere on Cybertron, a newly formed Mayhem Attack Squad under [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (and including Snarler) have formed to kill Carnivac'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}} ''and the [[Decepticon High Council]] decide to test Thunderwing to see if he was fit to take control of the (apparently) now-leaderless Cybertronian forces.''<ref>Strictly speaking, this story should run before the fourteen-months-earlier-set "A Small War" but the subsequent run of Thunderwing stories are clearly meant to run now-ish. It also makes more sense for it to happen after Megatron or Megatron's clone are dead, so... basically the wiki is cheating a bit.</ref> ''Thunderwing's test saw him hunt down Autobots on Earth, but the new Headmaster [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] was able to stop him, using one of the Autobot victim's corpses to incinerate their killer.'' {{storylink|The Big Shutdown!}}

[[File:InterplanetaryWrestling-wunk.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6]]
In need of reinforcements, Optimus Prime requested aid from Cybertron and got the Micromaster [[Off Road Patrol]] and [[Race Car Patrol]]. The crews had an attitude problem and little respect for Prime, and after successfully thwarted Scorponok's plot to absorb lightning to power his new [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] base, they broke ties to set up shop in [[New York City]] all on their own. With the help of reporter [[Cecilia Santiago]], they gained human favour by fighting crime, teaching defence classes to kids, and Roadhandler becoming a pro-wrestling career. Lord Zarak put a stop to this by threatening to kill innocent humans in Roadhandler's fan club unless he 'took a dive' in a match against a Decepticon. Rather than keep risking innocents, Roadhandler insulted his fan club and publicly quit to severe all ties, returning to Prime's team afterwards. {{storylink|King Con!}} {{storylink|The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!}}

''[[Doubledealer]] used his two robot modes to con Optimus and Scorponok for personal profit.'' {{storylink|(Double) Deal of the Century!}} ''Soon after, Optimus admitted to his troops that the Matrix had been accidentally left inside his original corpse and, having been shot into space, could not be used to bring them back. Coincidentally enough, that day a Matrix-powered [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] landed in Colorado and went on a rampage until Nightbeat talked it into suicide: losing them a chance to find the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}} {{note|Although "Deathbringer" is a UK-only story, unusually its events are referenced in US issue [[Dark Creation|#65]] and so can also be assumed to form part of US continuity.}} ''Further tragedy hit when Carnivac, briefly storming away from the Survivors, was cornered by the Mayhems and chased from [[Texas]] into [[Mexico]]. Unwilling to let humans die (after he ''had'' allowed others to die so he could escape Texas), Carnivac gave up but was saved... only for Catilla to be killed in his place. Carnivac swore vengeance.'' {{storylink|Way of the Warrior}} {{storylink|Survival Run}} {{storylink|A Savage Place!}}

''Thunderwing reactivated and went on a brutal rampage until the Decepticons found him, requesting he come back to Cybertron. He instead pressganged them into a brazen attack on the Ark, out for revenge for his past humiliation; ''[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]]'' had to get him to back down. However, this single-mindedness and ambition meant that the Decepticon High Council approved him as the new leader.'' {{storylink|Rage!}} {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}} ''His first act was to abolish all neutral territory, which among other things meant [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] became a Decepticon-only place.'' {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}}

[[File:Autobotclassicpretenders-us58.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Ratchet was on the verge of a breakdown by the demands to repair the many Autobots, making him easy prey for Megatron: while the Air Strike Patrol drew the Autobot forces into a battle with Scorponok, the [[Sports Car Patrol]] infiltrate the Ark pretending to be Autobots and take him to Cybertron to use its medical tech. Once there, Megatron forces him to rebuild Starscream as a Pretender, threatening to blow up the Ark if not, and sends the new, reprogrammed Starscream to bring Earth to heel for him. The plan went awry when Prime ''talked'' to Lord Zarak and pointed out they were being manipulated, leaving them in a stronger position to resist Starscream; and Ratchet had not just sabotaged the Decepticon's reprogramming so his loyalty would end mid-fight, he'd secretly used Megatron's Pretender shells to fix Grimlock, Jazz, and Bumblebee (Ratchet just liked him better than Goldbug). In an act of sacrifice, Ratchet used a [[trans-time dimensional portal]] to warp the explosives off the Ark and into Megatron's base, seemingly killing them both {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} {{storylink|Skin Deep}} but actually merging them into a pain-ridden fusion in dimensional space. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

The loss of Ratchet sent Optimus into a depressive episode. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}} ''The loss of Megatron left Darkwing and Dreadwind unemployed, and they drowned their sorrows at Maccadam's (never noticing the Mecannibals had followed them and were fighting [[Quickswitch]].'' {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}} ''The resurrected Starscream also fell into depression, believing he was a laughing stock (even as Scorponok's men freaked out when they saw him)''. {{storylink|Fallen Star!}} Meanwhile, the Autobot Classic Pretenders were left stranded on Cybertron and fell in with Xaaron's rebels.

[[File:Demons senior.png|upright=1.1|thumb|left]]
''Three [[Autobot Military Academy]] cadets messed around in the [[Underworld]], with only [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] coming back alive. Their fight with the [[Mutant (G1)|mutants]] had woken up some of the [[Demon]]s that lurked under Cybertron and they committed an attack on Decepticons that was so horrible, it drove [[Seawatch]] catatonic and meant the Classic Pretenders had to prove it wasn't an Autobot killing to prevent reprisals. While the demons were eventually killed, Xaaron worried that there may be thousands more waiting to emerge. ''{{storylink|Underworld!}} {{storylink|Demons!}} {{storylink|Dawn of Darkness}}

''Beating up Autobots got Starscream out of his funk and scheming again''{{storylink|Fallen Star!}} at the worst time for Scorponok, as the Decepticons were angry that he was allowing the bastard responsible for the Underbase massacre to stick around. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}} Meanwhile, the Autobots grew worried that after more than a week of his growing funk,<ref>Thunderwing will say the Classics have been carrying out raids for eight days. Add in a few extra to give them time to fall in with Xaaron and you've got the length of time Prime's been despondent.</ref> Prime may actually just give up on the war entirely. An amok Guardian droid cleared his head; when he saw it attacking Autobots, he decided that to give up now would dishonour the dead. On Cybertron, the Classic Pretenders proved such a boost for the Autobots that after eight days of fuel raids Thunderwing ordered the Mayhem Attack Squad to take them out. Ironically, the Mayhems attacked when the Autobots were being warped back to Earth and ended up sending the whole group deep into Cybertron...

[[File:PrimalScream-Unicron.jpg|upright=0.9|thumb|"Wha-- Oh crap, sorry, I forgot I was in this."]]
...right to the centre, where the face of the slumbering god [[Primus]] was. The [[Keeper (Transformer)|Keeper]], guardian of the chamber, berated the arrivals and recounted the origins of the Transformers, warning that if Primus woke then Unicron would be alerted to his presence. Unfortunately the Mayhems, not hearing the warning, launched a second attack and a ricochet from [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] did indeed wake their god. His primal scream blasted the Transformers back to Earth, shook the planet... and alerted Unicron to Cybertron's whereabouts, years earlier than he would have otherwise learned it. {{storylink|The Primal Scream}}

''In the run-up to Christmas'', the Autobots began arranging a desperate "[[Matrix Quest]]": it was clear to all that their only hope against Unicron was the Creation Matrix, alleged source of Primus' power. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} ''Longtooth wasn't paying much attention to the briefings, finally succumbing to guilt for keeping a piece of the Matrix, a get-out-of-death-free card, when others did not. He sent it to Optimus'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} ''who pondered on Christmas Day which of the Autobots he should use it to resurrect. After seeing the destruction caused to a forest by a Transformer battle, he instead used the fragment to repair some of the damage they'd brought to Earth.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}}
{{-}}

===1990-91===
[[File:DarkCreation we would know more.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
The Autobots narrowed down the Matrix's location to ''a'' part of the galaxy and sent four teams to search for it. Unfortunately, Thunderwing detected them and personally led a squad (''of his old "Assault on the Ark" crew'') to find out what was going on. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} Meanwhile on Earth, the Air Strike Patrol still ran amok in America's southern states while the Autobots were distracted. The American government hired Blackrock to form a more effective counter-Transformer team than RAAT and he decided to recruit [[Mutant (human)|the rare few superhumans]] into a 'superhero' team called the [[Neo-Knights]] because of course. {{storylink|The Human Factor!}}

Nightbeat's team were able to save [[Pz-Zazz]] from an apocalypse, only to be gunned down, taken prisoner, and interrogated by the Decepticons. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} Thunderwing soon decided to acquire the Matrix for himself, even as Optimus Prime tried to make contact with the Matrix and instead saw visions of darkness{{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} as the Matrix had been quite corrupted by exposure to the Deathbringer, a [[Matrixspawn|minor parasite]], and the intoxicating sensation of murder and evil. Its "[[Matrixspawn]]" slaughtered an entire [[VsQs Exploration Team|astronaut team]]. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AllFallDown-Thunderwingpossessed.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|left|They sure like giving [[Geoff Senior]] the creepy ones, eh?]]
The [[Triggerbot]]s were almost lost at [[Cheyne]], manipulated and fed on by [[Vrobian|psychic parasites]], until the Decepticons inadvertently cleared Dogfight's mind by beating him for information. {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} Longtooth's team had more luck, investigating the return of an extinct animal on [[Pequod]] that was caused by a Matrix fragment; Longtooth himself went nuts after the [[Klud]] ripped his leg off, allowing the Decepticons to steal a lead and track the fragment to the moon of [[VsQs]]. {{storylink|Deadly Obsession}} The Classic Pretenders reached VsQs first but Thunderwing tore through them, and the Matrixspawn proved a distraction for all concerned. In the end it was Thunderwing who gained the Matrix and it gave itself to him. He went to the Ark {{storylink|Dark Creation}} and began to slaughter the Autobots, who were restricted in their defence for fear of damaging the Matrix. Once the Decepticon was damaged enough, however, the Matrix took control of him and manifested a demonic form, making it clear things had gone too far. Nightbeat, escaped from his cell, ended up blasting the Decepticon into space and the Matrix with it.

Luckily, only three were killed. ''Sixty billion'' died as Unicron devoured the planet [[Ghennix]], creating some minions from three 'lucky' survivors {{storylink|All Fall Down}} and sending them to an alternate dimension to "recruit" the local [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}} forcing him to act as an advance guard against Cybertron. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}}

[[File:HumanFactor-RaptureThunderpunch.jpg|upright=0.7|thumb]]

After the superhuman "[[Dynamo]]" had obliterated the Air Strike Patrol team around January/February,<ref>Blackrock dates "Back From The Dead"-"Skin Deep" to "a month or so ago" in "The Human Factor"</ref> Blackrock had his newly minted Neo-Knights go off to try and recruit him; so did an AWOL Starscream, hoping to use him as a Powermaster so he could challenge Scorponok; and Circuit-Breaker, looking for her own ally. In the end, Blackrock recruited both Dynamo and a reluctant Circuit-Breaker, while Starscream found himself recruited by a resurgent Shockwave {{storylink|The Human Factor!}} who'd been spying on Scorponok for a while and saw an opening to seize control. {{storylink|All Fall Down}} As well as losing the support of troops, Scorponok's Headmaster partner, Zarak, was becoming the dominant mind (to the extent of no longer considering himself/them the 'real' Scorponok).

While the bulk of the Autobots relaxed, Grimlock—bitter Thunderwing defeated him and that he is the only living Dinobot—went AWOL to go to [[Hydrus Four]], hoping to use its bizarre new 'miracle fuel' [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] to bring back the Dinobots. After fighting his way past demented creatures to get Nucleon, he learned it could bring back his comrades but with potentially hideous side effects; he tested it on himself and, when it didn't immediately do anything bad, decided to risk it. The Decepticons too suffered AWOL troops as Scorponok's authority suffered, said troops being pressganged into Shockwave's new army; and Prime's own authority suffered when he announced there'd be an unconditional surrender to Scorponok to start an anti-Unicron alliance. When Ratchet was retrieved from interdimensional space and found to be merged with Megatron, this would undermine his attempts to save the merged creature. Kup threatened to invoke the [[Crisis Act]] unless it was killed and while this didn't happen, nobody was happy when Optimus ordered Ratchet saved even though it meant saving Megatron. {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}}

[[File:Allthisandcivilwar-arethey.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Scorponok agreed to accept Prime's surrender as part of anti-Unicron negotiations but began to put all that off, too aware that this surrender was keeping his leadership afloat. While Zarak felt guilty about screwing them over, Optimus had to break out and confront him—while he was able to get through to Zarak, Shockwave launched his attack that very moment. The two rival leaders fought all the way into [[New York City|Manhattan]], forcing the [[President of the United States]] to call out the Neo-Knights; desperate to stop this [[Decepticon Civil War|new conflict]] stopping the fight against Unicron, Optimus led the Autobots in Scorponok's defence and a three way battle broke out until Circuit-Breaker attack Shockwave in a long-awaited revenge and Scorponok was convinced to stand down.

Meanwhile, the new Galvatron had led Hook, Line, and Sinker in tearing through the Autobot rebels on Cybertron. Galvatron pursued Xaaron into the bowels of Cybertron... and stopped attacking when he learned Unicron could also be stopped if every child of Primus came together. While Galvatron killed his fellow Heralds to keep Xaaron safe, the aged leader made contact with Primus and every active Transformer on Earth and Cybertron (plus the Neo-Knights by accident) was warped to the same place. {{storylink|Surrender!}} {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} {{storylink|Out of Time!}}

[[File:They are YOU splash page.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
(The Dinobots came back to find the Ark abandoned, shrugged, and started Nucleoning all the dead guys. Grimlock certainly wasn't suffering random paralysis as a side effect!){{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

Primus appointed Optimus as the combined leader (of course!), knowing this would draw out Unicron's sleeper agents. This, his ignoring that the Knights wanted to go home (and Circuit-Breaker had gone catatonic at the sight of so many robots), and the fact Xaaron appeared to ''no longer exist'' gave Optimus the creeps. Their god seemed not so interested in the Transformers' actual lives.

As Optimus and Scorponok bonded and prepared to tell Primus where to go, Unicron made his attack {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} after shutting himself down to 'drift' to Cybertron without Primus detecting him. The Transformers...

[[File:OnTheEdgeOfExtinction-Unicrondoublespread.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66]]
...ran away in ''absolute terror'' as this gigantic ''THING'' tore into Cybertron. Primus tried to rally them but ''died'', not having the available power to do shit. Eventually it came down to Galvatron—noticed only as an "unknown Decepticon"—to do it, shooting Unicron and inspiring others to start up. The Transformers and Neo-Knights fought bravely, doing damage but taking heavy casualties, and Zarak/Scorponok finally got past his shaky confidence and died in a hero. Reinforcements arrived with the Ark, all its dozens of casualties brought back by Nucleon. The corrupted Matrix joined the battle but, due to its corruption, was blasted; Optimus was able to grab it and, free from doubt, purge the artifact of darkness. Circuit Breaker's sanity was irrevocably ended to give Optimus an opening to use the Matrix, leaving Hi-Q behind as he made a suicide run at the Chaos-Bringer.

In the aftermath, the Demons rose up again {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} and the Transformers picked through their dead and wounded. The dying Optimus Prime appointed Grimlock as his successor before passing away. (Bludgeon, meanwhile, quietly snuck into the vacant Decepticon leadership.) {{storylink|Still Life!}} Unknown to anyone but himself, Hi-Q's mind is a merged version of him and ''Optimus Prime'': the Powermaster process had been merging them into one being!{{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

When Grimlock is paralysed, Hi-Q/Optimus is able to accelerate the Dinobot's nucleon transformation and with a new, mightier form, he sends the Demons packing. Unfortunately, he's left unable to transform. {{storylink|Still Life!}} More unfortunately, Cybertron is dying: without Primus's lifeforce, it cannot stay together. Prowl is unable to hold the alliance together (Grimlock doesn't care and Bludgeon wants it to fall) as tensions explode. The Transformers have to evacuate but Bludgeon sabotages the Autobot ships, leaving them to die, and stirs up the fatigued Decepticons with a grand speech and a plan of new conquest! {{storylink|Exodus!}} Luckily, Grimlock had a secret stash of ships and the Autobots are able to pursue the Decepticons. Barely noticed by the Autobots (who think he's kray-kray), OptiHi-Q has revealed his true identity and recruits the ignored Neo-Knights to find a "[[Last Autobot]]", last chance of Cybertron. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} The search goes badly though, leaving them worried they'll die on a foreign world . {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

[[File:Galvatron2vsmegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"RAAAAAAAA" "RAAAAAAA"]]
Shockwave and Starscream have already stolen the Ark, with Galvatron as a stowaway and Megatron and Ratchet both awaken. After a fight, Megatron and Galvatron decide to team up; the hero Ratchet stops them the only way he can, crashing the Ark into Earth once more. {{storylink|Exodus!}} {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} A raging Galvatron survives and tears through the [[Canada|Canadian]] wilds. A reluctant Spike Witwicky is (half of) the only Autobot on Earth and bonds once more with Fortress Maximus. It goes badly until they make peace and, unified, take down Galvatron II for good. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

[[File:EndOfTheRoad-itcanitis.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|You've only been gone four issues!]]
On Cybertron, [[Dynamo]]'s powers manage to lead Hi-Qimus Prime and chums to the slumbering Last Autobot. Elsewhere, with just ''two days'' lead, the Decepticons have completely subjugated [[Klo]] and, as Grimlock is using stolen Decepticon ships, they detect the incoming Autobots . {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} Bludgeon exploits Grimlock's gung-ho attitude and lures the army into a brutal ambush. Grimlock leads the handful of survivors in a never-say-die last stand but they're saved by the arrival of the Last Autobot... who has not only created a new body for the new Optimus Prime, but is resurrecting the dead Autobots! Bludgeon accepts defeat, promising a voluntary exile (he's lying).

Optimus reveals the Last Autobot had been Primus' safeguard for when the god died: he's used his power to not just save Cybertron, but restore it.

"We can go home!" {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

===1991-3===
With the war over, the Autobots begin to repair and resurrect many of their dead. Those that had lost their ability to transform were fixed.

Many Autobots, however, grow bored of the peace and form little gangs to go out into space, searching for new conflicts. (Why yes, Grimlock formed one of those gangs!) {{storylink|War Without End!}} Unknown to the Autobots, this peace is just a temporary thing: Bludgeon's army are quietly reorganising and building a horrific battleship called the [[Warworld]]! {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

Meanwhile, on Earth, Spike Witwicky continues to check up on Fortress Maximus' body now and again. {{storylink|Final Transformations}} He's sadly not around when a half-dead Megatron wakes up... {{storylink|Unfoldings!}}

===1993-94===
[[File:WarWithoutEnd-Firestormers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Anything ''X-Force'' can do, we can do better!]]
Grimlock's militia start running into the [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]'s [[cyberforming|eco-structuring]] crews: to their horror, they find ''seventeen'' planets have been wiped out and reformatted into little Cybertron's. They're able to save [[Nexus Seven]] through extreme violence and Grimlock puts out a call to Optimus Prime. The Empire's Liege Centuro [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], however, is hunting for them and Optimus is suffering recurring nightmares of a corpse-strewn wasteland. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Meanwhile, on Earth, Megatron is cutting a deal with Cobra: they give him a [[to sell toys|new body]] and let him 'borrow' weapons designer [[Sidney Biggles-Jones]], and he'll grant them Cybertronian tech. Megatron's involvement is spotted by G.I. Joe and they put out a call to Cybertron; Optimus dispatches a squad to investigate {{storylink|Realignments}} {{storylink|Goin' South}} while he meets Grimlock at a liberated planet.<ref>"Goin' South" and "War Without End!" both show G.I. Joe sending out a call, but the former has Optimus hearing the message (but never doing anything himself) and the latter has it when Optimus is captured. To limit clashes, we're splitting the difference: Optimus heard the message and then went off to "War Without End!". This also means the Earth-based stories are happening at pretty much the same time was "War Without End!"</ref>

[[File:Megatrong2cobra.jpg|left|upright=0.9|thumb|left|From Mud, through Blood, to the Green Paintjob Beyond]]
Unfortunately, Jhiaxus swiftly captures the Autobots. He attempts to 'reason' with Optimus, declaring the Autobot-Decepticon war was a minor squabble that Empire have moved on from, and that they've left behind destruction for construction (except for all the organics they call but organics don't count, right?). The Autobots have none of it and escape, pursued by the Cybertronians; Optimus is left worried that he's still having the nightmares, believing it to be a warning of a new apocalyptic threat on the way. {{storylink|War Without End!}} Simultaneously on Earth, the Autobots under [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] intervene in the Megatron/Cobra/Joe battle and it goes ''horribly wrong'': four dead, the Ark taking off under Megatron's control, and Biggles-Jones captured. {{storylink|Final Transformations}} Hot Spot himself kills himself in an all-or-nothing raid to destroy all of Cobra's Cybertronian parts. Luckily, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] had been smuggled onto the Ark and finds Spike Witwicky, better late than never, is also onboard and reactivating Fortress Maximus. Only able to hold back Megatron so Skydive and Biggles-Jones can escape, Spike and Maximus make the supreme sacrifice to blow up the Ark (and themselves with it). {{storylink|All or Nothing!}} Megatron will survive though: he rebuilt Starscream and was able to make his escape...

Optimus' small band try to raid an ancient alien weapons cache to use against Jhiaxus, having a fight with Bludgeon's Decepticons who want the same thing; both bands are chased away by a powerful alien guardian. {{storylink|Ghosts}} With that a bust, they try to lose Jhiaxus in the [[K'tord Nebula]] and they do manage it! Though that's because the place is seething with psychic parasites that drive you psychotically insane and everyone has to stop fighting in order to escape. Jhiaxus is left permanently rattled by the incident, as it removed his icy control and reminded him that he was a sadistic butcher. Speaking of sadistic butchers, Bludgeon has finally completed his Warworld and has constructed a 'second generation' of Decepticons: all he needs is the Matrix to activate them. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

The Autobots set up a new [[Autobase]] on a remote asteroid and call in reinforcements, but Optimus decides to wait until he deciphers his visions before any action is taken. Grimlock does as Grimlock does and goes AWOL with a strike force to blow up Jhiaxus' flagship: [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] are killed as a direct result and the Autobots captured. Optimus is able to save them from being deported to "the [[Liege Maximo]]" and, believing Grimlock has learned better, leaves him in charge {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}} while he goes to Cybertron. There, the [[Venerable One]]s help him commune with the Matrix and see visions of the Cybertronian Empire's origin, and the 'budding' process they used to replicate. Optimus ends the vision early and doesn't see the key bit: the replication also created a form of dark energy, the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}

[[File:Earth Tales 3 Starscream annoys Seekers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
Unknown to the Autobots, Bludgeon had decided the best way to lure out Optimus and steal the Matrix is by attacking Earth. The Warworld rains down indiscriminate fire and the Pretender leads a raiding party in sacking the city, and lures out... Megatron and Starscream, wanting Decepticon leadership back! Bludgeon fights back and is killed, {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)#"Tales of Earth Part One"|Tales Of Earth Part One}} {{storylink|The Power and the Glory#"Tales of Earth Part Two"|Tales of Earth Part Two}} and insult to injury is that Megatron co-opts his plan. (With an army back, he's thinking Starscream has outlived his usefulness - as is every other Decepticon!) Earth's superpowers are routed and Skydive, working with G.I. Joe, calls out for Autobot aid . {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness#"Tales of Earth Part Three"|Tales Of Earth Part Three}} That aid, however, is just Optimus Prime: to [[Hawk (G.I. Joe)|Hawk]]'s horror, he wants to ''talk'' to Megatron and convince him to unite against the Cybertronian Empire, rather than fight him off. Megatron instead sucker-punches Prime and tears the Matrix from him, and in an ironic role reversal Prime is saved by Grimlock, who disobeyed orders and took an Autobot force down to Earth after all . {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

[[File:Escalation over.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|left|''For once you must try not to shrink from facts Mankind survives by bestial acts!'']]
Megatron created the new [[Rotor Force]] and [[Laser Rod]] Decepticons and led them in a brutal raid to capture [[rheanimum]]. It was all good times until the Empire butchered a recon team led by Skullgrin and when the Decepticons launched a reprisal attack, they got flattened and Megatron personally near-killed by Jhiaxus. Desperate for revenge, he headed for the Autobots {{storylink|New Dawn}} to accept that team-up offer after all. {{storylink|Escalation!|Tales of Earth, Part Five}} It came in time as Jhiaxus was expanding the Empire's operations, hoping to draw out the Autobots through so much genocide Prime couldn't ignore it. (Starscream took the opportunity to ''mysteriously'' vanish) The first Autobot-Decepticon combined operation took place on [[Ethos]] and to Prime's disquiet, the battle was only won because of the fast, brutal tactics of Megatron's forces. Worse still, Megatron's brand of evil was at least understandable while the Empire showed a total lack of emotion or interest in the damage they did. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

It turned out Prime's visions were about something worse than the Empire: the [[Swarm (G2)|Swarm]], a ravenous cloud-like mass creating by the Cybertronian's "budding" process that tore through worlds and peoples in an attempt to 'complete' itself. The Autobot-Decepticon alliance learned its true nature after analysing the remains of its last meal, [[J'asik]], and resolved to deal with it. Unfortunately, by this point the Swarm had [[Mindset (G2)|eaten its first Imperials]] elsewhere and was now certain it wanted Transformers.

Just as unfortunately, Starscream had shopped them to Jhiaxus and [[Autobase]] Earth came under massed attack. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}} The Cybertronians captured the Warworld but their first wave on Earth was, against all odds, repulsed by their 'ancestors'. Jhiaxus angrily sent in a second wave and ordered all his battalions to head for Earth (thus the Swarm did, after eating [[Battalion Xerxes]]). While Grimlock led the battle in Nevada, Optimus Prime and Megatron departed the battle to retrieve the Matrix from the Warworld... which Starscream had just got his mitts on (''nice one Jhiaxus''), merging himself with it and the Warworld. He wiped out most of the Cybertronian fleet in a display of power and let Prime and Megatron enter {{storylink|Total War!}} so he could have fun torturing them. Jhiaxus flew into a rage when he found out, personally taking command and making it clear he'd gone beyond nuts; his sub-commander [[Rook (G2)|Rook]] departed to report to the Liege Maximo. When Optimus did manage to fight his way through the Warworld—a horrified Starscream realised the Matrix was turning him ''good''—he contacted Jhiaxus, proposing an alliance against the Swarm. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}}

[[File:Franciscog2.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb]]
Jhiaxus begins bombarding Earth in a display of pique. [[San Francisco]] is wiped out in seconds.

Luckily, the Matrix-corrupted Starscream is influenced to defend Earth from further attack. Unluckily, that's when the Swarm arrives {{storylink|Dark Shadows!#Tales of Earth Part Eight|Tales of Earth Part Eight}} and a brief moment of grace ends when Jhiaxus futilely opens fire. Optimus reclaims the Matrix and heads to Jhiaxus' flagship to assist, while Megatron takes the rheanimum down to Earth where the allied forces are digging in for an expected attack. Defences fail and casualties mount until the rheanimum is used to reinforce their metal. Jhiaxus has completely descended into madness, almost killing Optimus before the Swarm devours him too. Optimus Prime, however, has a plan: he allows the Swarm to devour him and the Matrix with it.

With the essence of Primus inside them, the Swarm are turned into a force for life. They depart Earth, recreating Optimus in a [[to sell toys|new body]], and the victorious Transformers celebrate victory and their new unity. Deep in space, however, the Liege Maximo judges the alliance weak and plots a counterstrike. {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

===Future events===
Over time, the Transformers would battle [[Mogahn the Mass]] and the [[Ebon Knights]], have a horrific battle at [[Pinea Omicron]], and finally face the Liege Maximo. In the end, the old Autobot-Decepticon war would be replaced with the [[Beast Wars (event)|Beast Wars]]. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

{{note|A rather loud shoutout to Furman's unofficial convention story "[[Alignment]]". "Ask Vector Prime" had previously said "Alignment" was definitely canon and then its writer said it wasn't on this wiki. Is it? That's up to you and your [[personal canon]]!}}

===123/9/005<ref>This is the date given in "The Quest!" but what that means in our dating system is not clear</ref>===
Sometime within six [[units of time|gluxins]] after the Autobot-Decepticon war ended, [[Theturis]]an student [[Dicet Alpha-zero]] used [[Transtime Pod|time travel]] to spy on it for a dissertation. (To future Theturis, the war was well documented, relatively recent, and considered "small") He accidentally startled Ultra Magnus at [[Mount Verona]], but was relieved to see events later didn't seem to have been changed by his blunder... not realising he was seeing a different ending to the Time Wars. Minor discrepancies on Theturis made Dicet worry time had been changed in unknown ways. {{storylink|The Quest!}}

==Marvel UK future timelines==
{{note|Events in the Marvel UK future timelines represent '''two''' main alternate futures tied around the [[The Transformers: The Movie|1986 film]].}}

===Original future===
====1986-9====
[[File:Targetmaster-nomore.jpg|thumb]]
Various big events take place, including the rise to prominence of the Decepticon general [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and the creation of Autobot hero [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]]; the war reaching [[Nebulos]]; and the development of the [[binary bonding]] and [[Pretender]] technology.

A smaller scale event is the death of [[Firebolt (G1)|Firebolt]], Hot Rod's Nebulan partner, on Earth. {{storylink|Headhunt}}

====1990====
Megatron was in command of a large number of Decepticons. He uncovered and executed Autobot deep-cover agent [[Warmonger]]. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

A [[Decepticon Civil War]] - between Megatron, Shockwave and Scorponok - kicks off here. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====1991====
[[File:Scorponok hot rod aspects of evil.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.95]]
The Civil War raged on before ending with Megatron victorious. While Shockwave would be absorbed into Megatron's army, Scorponok was left wounded, alone and hunted; he only survived by forcing the Autobots to intervene against his [[Air Strike Patrol|pursuers]]. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====1995====
To improve relations with human feminists, Optimus Prime creates [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], the first [[Female Transformer]]. It... doesn't work very well. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}} Earth has weather control systems. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

====2003====
Plans are drawn up for an [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth, funded with help from Earth's governments. Ultra Magnus is commanding the Ark at this point. {{storylink|Ark Duty}}

====2004====
Autobot City is completed. Shockwave attacks the opening ceremony, intending to shatter Autobot-human relations and use this victory to usurp control from Megatron. It fails badly. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====2006====
By this point, the Decepticons rule Cybertron; the Autobots reside in moon bases and Autobot City . Time travel technology is possessed by both factions.

Megatron starts the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. As a result, Optimus Prime is killed and Ultra Magnus becomes the new [[Supreme Commander|Autobot Commander]]; the monstrous Unicron turns up, reformatting a dying Megatron into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Deciding he doesn't want to work for Unicron, Galvatron, Cyclonus and Scourge time-travel back to 1986 inadvertently creating a new parallel timeline. Unicron mentally steers Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr to bring him back, and tortures Galvatron back into obedience when they have. {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

Unicron attacks Cybertron. Hot Rod opens the Matrix and becomes Rodimus Prime, who hurls Galvatron into space, destroys Unicron, and leads the Autobots in reclaiming Cybertron. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}} Shockwave takes command of the shattered Decepticons, while Galvatron is missing (he crosstime-jumped to 1986 at the moment of defeat). Rodimus, concerned about Galvatron, sends the Autobots searching across space to find the guy. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}}

Unicron's severed head goes on to crash on [[Junkion (planet)|Junk]], where he mind-controls the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] into building him a new body... {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

====2007====
[[File:Rodimusprimerequestdenied.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Justice comes at a price. That price is freedom of the rights of all sentient beings.]]
With the Autobot army stretched, Shockwave was able to re-organise the Decepticon army and retake half of Cybertron. Stalemate ensued; Rodimus, out of desperation, puts a dead-or-alive bounty on Galvatron's head, something that backfires when it causes [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] to crosstime-jump to 1987 looking for the bounty. {{storylink|Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!}} Rodimus, Kup, Blurr and (accidentally) Wreck-Gar went after him {{storylink|Burning Sky!}} and brought him back, but failed to secure Galvatron.

Shockwave, wanting to cement his power, set it up so Death's Head would kill Rodimus, Cyclonus and Scourge. All three lived, but the latter two would be fleeing Death's Head for the rest of the year. {{storylink|Headhunt}}

====2008====
[[File:LegacyofUnicron-Unicron.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2]]
Death's Head catches up with Cyclonus and Scourge on Junk in the New Year, but all three end up mentally enslaved by Unicron. He has them kill Shockwave and send the ''entire'' Decepticon army at the Autobots, a pointless battle that'll decimate both sides in advance of his arrival. Rodimus, however, has been alerted of Unicron's presence, and leads a strike-team to stop him. Thanks to Rodimus, Wreck-Gar, and Death's Head, Unicron's head is destroyed and his mind trapped in the Matrix, while Scourge and Cyclonus end up sent back in time. Soundwave takes command of the Decepticons and ends the battle. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}}

A [[Time Wars|time rift]] appears in 2008, causing the destruction of the [[Quintesson]] homeworld. They investigate many mechanical planets for emergency colonisation, eventually settling on Cybertron; Wreck-Gar comes into possession of these plans. The Quintessons launch a devastating attack on Autobot City on Earth, drawing out Rodimus so they can steal the Matrix; simultaneously, they trick the Decepticons on Cybertron into heading into an ambush. The Earth forces are slaughtered by [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] and the Cybertron force undone by Soundwave calling in the Autobots to help. Wreck-Gar broadcasts the Quintessons plans to ''every'' planet on their list, forewarning them and ensuring the surviving Quintessons will be hunted fugitives. {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

The rift gets worse, now threatening Earth and Cybertron. {{storylink|Time Wars}}

====2009====
On New Year's Day, the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] attack Earth with the intention of draining its energy before it was destroyed; the Autobots wrecked that plan. The Autobots also became aware that the source of the time rift was 1989, and a small team was sent back to that year to end the crisis. {{storylink|Time Wars}}
{{-}}

===Post-Time Wars future===
====1989====
Megatron - well, his [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] clone - seizes control of a large number of Decepticons. Knowing he will become Galvatron, he decides to work more patiently. {{storylink|The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.}}

A [[Decepticon Civil War]] - between Megatron, Shockwave and Scorponok - kicks off, with all factions having an Earth-bound presence. Megatron is actively working with his future-as-Galvatron in mind. {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] does something to bring the Dinobots back from the dead at some point.

====1992====
[[File:Snarl corriodia gravis destiny of the dinobots.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Still, could be worse, you could be stuck forever in that Stegosaurus form you hate so much, eh Snarl?"]]
[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] has contracted the wasting disease [[Corrodia Gravis]] at some point. The Dinobots head for the Savage Land, where (due to no other option) they have to transfer Snarl's mind into a real Stegosaurus. {{storylink|Destiny of the Dinobots!}}

{{note|This story also could fit in the later Earthforce run. As it was written before then and was set in "the future", we're placing it with the other future stories here but other wiki pages place it with Earthforce. [[Personal canon]]!}}

====2006====
Megatron starts the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. As a result, Optimus Prime is killed and Ultra Magnus becomes the new [[Supreme Commander|Autobot Commander]]; the monstrous Unicron turns up, reformatting a dying Megatron into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

''This'' time, Galvatron ''doesn't'' go back in time but sticks around to remain being Decepticon Commander after Unicron's destruction. He leads a conquest of Cybertron. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

====2009====
Rodimus Prime and his team return home from the [[Time Wars]] to find the present day for them is altered. Galvatron has conquered Cybertron. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
They either join or establish a resistance group on Cybertron, which is quickly defeated; Galvatron uses Rodimus's rage to give the Matrix-trapped Unicron an opening. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}} The Autobot forces — numbering 430 — flee Cybertron to the stronghold of [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]] on Earth, with a goodwill gesture of Energon. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} {{storylink|Edge of Impact}}

====2010<ref>The strip set the story in 2009 but this was corrected in #258's letters page</ref>====
[[File:EdgeofImpact-EvilRodimus.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|''I've got your Touch RIGHT HERE!'']]
On New Year's Day, as the Autobots are in transit to Earth, Unicron uses the Matrix to possess Rodimus's body. The possessed Rodimus first sabotages the ship and then tries to kill all the Autobots; reinforcements are called in from Autobot City but it's clear they can't stop him without killing Prime. Luckily, Prime is able to defeat Unicron within the Matrix, but Kup, thinking he's helping, rips the Matrix out of Rodimus Prime's body before he can exorcise it. This means another fight, against a prepared Unicron, will be needed. {{storylink|The Void! (UK)|The Void!}} {{storylink|Edge of Impact}} {{storylink|Shadow of Evil}} {{storylink|White Fire}}

It goes poorly and Unicron possesses Rodimus again later in the year. This time he recreates his old body and tears through Cybertron (burying Galvatron and possibly killing him) before being sucked back into the Matrix. As Autobots arrive, Rodimus screams at them that it's not safe to approach him. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}
{{-}}

====2356====
[[File:Aspects of Evil sickly Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|"I remember when this was all coloured in, lad.]]
The war is over, but Rodimus and the Matrix still contain Unicron. Rodimus has physically decayed and is kept in a medbay in Autobot City. Rodimus is visited by a [[Trachis|student]], whom Unicron's presence is able to corrupt towards evil; Prime realises the Chaos-Bringer is making another bid for freedom. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

{{note|This story was never resolved, so tens of thousands of kiddies last saw the hero Rodimus infected and dying due to possession by SATAN, who is WINNING. Bloody hell, [[Simon Furman]]!}}
{{-}}

==Big Broadcast future==
===2006===
The Autobots, under the command of [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] have made their base on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and formed an alliance with the Junkions. The Decepticons are now under the leadership of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] have a base on [[Chaar]]. The Quintessons, enemies of both sides, attempt to brainwash the Junkions in order to retrieve a lost artifact. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (US)}}

In a bizarre cosmic coincidence, the Wreck-Gar of a different timeline had to lie about events and somehow invented ''the very events from [[Primax 488.0 Gamma|this]] future!'' {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|UK reprints}}{{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

{{note|This story was filler in the US, adapting a cartoon story with no real connection to the comic story. Since it contradicted UK stories, they added a framing story that Wreck-Gar had made the whole thing up. In 2015, "Ask Vector Prime" placed this in its own special universe}}

==Earthforce timeline==
{{note|These weren't intentionally meant to be an alternate timeline but rapidly became irreconcilable with the US strips; Furman's admitted to not trying to make it work<ref name="fumint2">"...because (if I’m brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn’t necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?" [http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.net - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref> due to how difficult tying the UK/US strips together was at the time.}}

===1989 and early 1990===
[[File:Grimlock prime ark crew break-away.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb]]
Just like in the main timeline, Catilla was killed by the Mayhem Attack Squad; the Classic Pretenders are brought back; [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] used [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] to bring the Dinobots back from the dead; Shockwave is forming a splinter faction; and, unfortunately, [[the Primal Scream]] alerts Unicron to Cybertron's whereabouts and he summons Galvatron II to this timeline.

The big difference is Megatron is not in dimensional space, instead having slinked off to Earth in secret to form a Decepticon splinter faction. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Scorponok, meanwhile, leaves the planet with his forces;<ref>Not explicitly said but he's definitely not there in any stories</ref> [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] is kicked out for an attempted coup. {{storylink|The Living Nightlights!}} The Constructicons have somehow lost the ability to combine. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}}

[[Vector Prime|Some dude on Facebook]] even thinks things had been different since Cyclonus got killed! {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

===1990===
[[File:PerchanceToDream2.jpg|upright=1.9|thumb|left]]
The Ark is deserted for reasons unknown; Galvatron II<ref>He just says he's a "different Galvatron" to the one in the Time Wars in the original strip, but the [[Titan Books]] trade of ''Dinobot Hunt'' calls him Galvatron II</ref> breaks in to find a number of Underbase-killed Autobots that he can rejuvenate and turn evil. [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], Wheeljack, and [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] are awakened, and go on to take him down. {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

Prowl and Wheeljack both start feeling their age, as the Transformer arms race wearies them. {{storylink|Starting Over!}} Optimus, meanwhile, is focusing more and more on the threat of Unicron, considering this takes priority over Earth . {{storylink|Break-Away!}} [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] is somehow brought back too.

[[File:Earthforce.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb]]
Shockwave attempts but fails to force Grimlock to reveal how he brought the Dinobots back, hoping to bring back deceased Decepticons. A disagreement between Optimus and Grimlock {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} cause Grimlock to threaten to leave the Autobots on the 24th March,<ref>"The time: NOW."</ref> believing Optimus is not doing enough for Earth. It's decided to put Grimlock in charge of a separate [[Earthforce]] (numbering the revived Autobots, the Dinobots, and the Classic Pretenders) to handle the Decepticons here. {{storylink|Break-Away!}} Meanwhile, Megatron attempts to deploy a satellite that will alter Earth's temperature, but Prowl and Wheeljack intervene, {{storylink|Starting Over!}} calling for back-up from the other Autobots. {{storylink|Break-Away!}} After an initial pep talk to his new troops, one not-so-subtly designed to encourage them to chuck out the [[Autobot Code]], Grimlock orders them into battle. {{storylink|Once upon a Time...}}

Prowl is missing presumed dead after personally trying to bring the satellite down. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}} Bumblebee and Ironhide, while looking for him, destroy the Decepticon's new [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. {{storylink|Desert Island Risks!}} The Autobots ''and'' Megatron and Shockwave's two Decepticon groups eventually find the satellite, and the Decepticons turn on each other; Prowl, alive, has in fact disarmed the satellite ages ago though. {{storylink|Life in the Slow Lane}} Prowl goes on to become Grimlock's second-in-command.

At some point, Wheeljack sets up a [[Body Shop]] based around an [[Automated Construction Unit]]: a top-of-the-line facility for repairing Autobots. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} The other Aerialbots will be among those brought back online. {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}

[[File:Snow Fun final panel.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|left]]
Big important issue! The Dinobots inflict [[April Fools' Day]] on Grimlock! (While Shockwave's Decepticons fail to find the Autobot base.) {{storylink|Snow Fun!}} Prowl prevents Megatron from bolstering his forces by using [[time travel]] to alter the events of the Underbase battle. {{storylink|Flashback!}} And then Wheeljack and Skydive act really dumb. {{storylink|Mystery!}}

With a [[Decepticon Civil War]] about to break out and Earthforce holding a strategic advantage, the rival factions call an [[Enclave]] to stop the struggle, but the Autobots sabotage it by faking that Shockwave tried to kill Megatron. {{storylink|The Bad Guy's Ball!}} The Decepticon Mindwipe, gone rogue from Scorponok's crew, is prevented from conquering the Earth by two Earthforce members. {{storylink|The Living Nightlights!}}

[[File:Cry Wolf Needlenose.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9]]
Carnivac gets brutal revenge on the Mayhem Attack Squad for killing Catilla, taking down three of them. The [[Survivors]], trying to rescue Carnivac, unify with Earthforce in return for aid; as a result, [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]], [[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]], and [[Stranglehold]] are taken prisoner. {{storylink|Cry Wolf!}} {{storylink|Wolf in the Fold!}} {{storylink|Where Wolf?}}

Meanwhile, Soundwave is playing both sides of the civil war against each other, and frames Wildrider for it so as to avoid detection. {{storylink|Secrets (G1)|Secrets}} Starscream finds out and uses that to get Soundwave to help him in a master plan: get both Shockwave and Megatron to fight each other and sic Earthforce on them, then seize command of the two Decepticon factions themselves, and unite them. (Both, of course, plan to backstab the other and seize sole command) {{storylink|Bugged!}} {{storylink|Internal Affairs!}} The Autobots complete their new base, but are forced to deactivate its security system, {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}} at which point the full Decepticon army attacks. Starscream carries out the second objective of seizing an [[oil tanker]] while the Autobots are occupied, but Prowl had the Survivors out on patrol and Starscream is driven off. Soundwave uses the defeat to rally support for him being sole commander. {{storylink|Divide and Conquer!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-280-4MYItch-ObservationusPrime.jpg|left|upright=1.66|thumb]]
Optimus Prime inspects Earthforce, unfortunately at the same time [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] has gone insane; the Dinobots barely cover it up. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}} During Prime's stay, he oversees the rebuilding of Tracks, not knowing Grimlock is desperately trying to keep him from being rebuilt; of course, Grimlock fails and Tracks is placed under his command. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}} The remaining Mayhems escape from their cells. {{storylink|Shut Up!}} Jazz takes action to stop Octane endangering humans for fun. {{storylink|Manoeuvres!}}

Megatron and Shockwave try to regain control of their armies by putting hits out on Starscream and Shockwave. Their attempt is defeated by Earthforce, who are forced to keep Starscream alive after Snarl contracts [[Corrodia Gravis]] and only the Seeker is a suitable transplant donor. Starscream agrees to donate, but only if Earthforce keep Megatron and Shockwave off his back. {{storylink|Assassins}} {{storylink|External Forces!}} {{storylink|The Lesser Evil!}}

Soon after that, the Decepticons take control of Superion and send him on a rampage; he's only stopped thanks to human journalist [[Irwin Spoon]]. {{storylink|Inside Story!}} In exchange, the Autobots let Irwin do a big report on the Earthforce. In order to prevent the Autobots from being seen as human allies, the Decepticons abduct Iriwn {{storylink|Front Line! (issue)|Front Line!}}; the Autobots rescue him, but don't realise Irwin has had a cerebro-shell planted in his mind and will now only write smears about them. {{storylink|End of the Road! (UK)|End of the Road!}}

[[File:Magnificent Six the end.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb]]
With the Matrix irrecoverable and alliance impossible, Optimus sends six of the Earthforce - Prowl, Jazz, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack, Inferno, and Siverbolt - to [[Yuss]] to locate the former Underbase site, hoping to use it as a weapon as a last-ditch defence against Unicron. There, they came into conflict with the mad Decepticon known as [[Megadeath (G1)|Megadeath]], who tortured and humiliated all bar Silverbolt in times past. Facing up to personal demons, they defeated him and continue on to the Underbase site. {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}
{{-}}

==Rhythms of Darkness timeline==
===2006-09===
[[File:Nyc-alternate-future1.jpg|upright=1.5|thumb]]
Megatron starts the [[Battle of Autobot City]]. As a result, Optimus Prime is killed and Ultra Magnus becomes the new [[Supreme Commander|Autobot Commander]]; the monstrous Unicron turns up, reformatting a dying Megatron into [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Transformers: The Movie}}

Hot Rod gains the Matrix and becomes Rodimus Prime, but not in time to stop Unicron from devouring Cybertron. Unicron grants Galvatron freedom to command the Decepticons and conquer Earth. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}} Unknown to anyone, Primus' essence has now been scattered among his surviving children: no longer amoral because of the lack of Primal essence, the Cybertronian Empire undergo a reformation. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

The Autobots and the Americas' militaries are steadily annihilated, with Rodimus Prime falling in battle, until the last few soldiers fight a doomed last stand at [[New York City]]. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}
{{-}}

===2009===
[[File:GalvatrondeadrodimusUS67.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb]]
By this point, all of the Americas are under Decepticon control and much of them have been wiped out; a mere seven demoralised Autobots work with the remaining American resistance; and the [[European Crisis Coalition]] are preparing to launch a nuclear assault, not realising the Decepticons will absorb the resulting energy. The American human-Autobot resistance make a defiant public gesture, getting the attack called off. Galvatron is abducted by [[Hook, Line, and Sinker|three unknown figures]]. Inspired, humanity and the last three Autobots began a long uprising against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Rhythms of Darkness!}}

{{note|And that's where it ended until 2015, when we were told...}}

===2010 onwards===
Earth goes on to liberate Decepticon-held planets, starting with Nebulos, and forms the [[Human Confederacy|Confederation of Terran Worlds]]. The surviving Autobots become the Trio, an advisory body.

Unicron discovers the Cybertronian Empire and attempts to destroy it. The Empire strikes back and, remembering the prophecy that the enemy can be beaten [['Til all are one|when all are one]], send envoys to the Trio on Earth and the Decepticon prisoners in Styx. Together, the Transformers sacrifice many of their number to destroy Unicron's physical form and the Liege Maximo sacrifices himself to defeat the monster on the astral plane. The Cybertronian Empire and Confederation of Terran Worlds become staunch allies. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime}}

==Another Time and Place==
{{note|This story spins off from the original US/UK run, before Generation 2 starts - as Furman wouldn't have known he'd be coming back in two years!}}

===1991===
The Autobots began to recreate society on the rebuilt Cybertron. Unfortunately, [[Action Master|the majority of those brought back by nucleon lost their ability to transform]]; all the sufferers, including Optimus, felt emasculated. Grimlock, ashamed, went into hiding. Eventually he heard that there may be a cure on Hydrus Four but Optimus forbid him to go in case the Decepticons followed him, learning how to resurrect their own dead. The Dinobots went anyway and were swiftly captured by Decepticons. Optimus, terrified of the war breaking out again, initially ignored the situation for fear of renewed hostilities.

Bludgeon's plan on Hydrus Four was to resurrect Megatron and he came quite close, but Optimus had snapped out of his funk and joined an assault team that rescued the Dinobots. Bludgeon and zombie-Megatron were killed, a nucleon cure was found, and the war was now quite officially over. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

===Many years later===
On peacetime Cybertron, Optimus is alerted to the existence of a new, more powerful generation of Decepticons. The war is about to break out again... {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}

==Peace<ref>[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] implies this is an alternate timeline in [http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/dreadtidings/Issue212.jpg #212's letters page], in continuity with "Aspects of Evil!" in [http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/dreadtidings/Issue236.jpg #236's letters page], and that it's "just a story about the stupidity of war" in [http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/dreadtidings/Issue264.jpg #264's letters page].</ref>==
====2510====
[[File:Peace THE END.jpg|thumb|upright=1.9|It never ends.]]
The war continues into the early 26th Century, when the penultimate Decepticon is finally killed. A fatigued Rodimus Prime is in charge of a much reduced Autobot force (only the Wreckers, Ultra Magnus, Blurr, and the Technobots are in evidence). When Prime tries to stand down, [[Triton|a Decepticon double agent]] sparks off all the underlying tensions & friction among the Autobots and Rodimus breaks down as the Autobot civil war begins. {{storylink|Peace}}
{{-}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{stub}}

[[Category:Chronologies]]
[[Category:Generation 1 history]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics continuity| Marvel Comics timeline]]

Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2022-01-25T02:42:57Z

Charles RB: /* Marvel The Transformers comics */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{suite}}
[[File:Muk306 tacitus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Insert [[Furmanism]] here for humorous effect.]]
What did '''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]''' do? Find out in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marrrrrrrrvel Comics]]!

'''Hint:''' {{w|Giri (Japanese)|Heavy is the head... and heavier the heart.}}

{{quote|With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.|[[Abraham Lincoln]]|{{w|Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address|March 4, 1865}}}}

==Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics==
{{noteukonly}}
Before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] broke out on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Optimus Prime was a Transformer of note, displaying his skills in the [[IntraFormers Sharpshooting Competition]]. {{storylink|Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}} As a serious-minded individual, he also spoke out against [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]]'s faddish "[[Chic Chips]]" line of hardware accessories. {{storylink|Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}}

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|thumb|left]]
''At some point pre-war'', {{storylink|State Games}}<ref>This almost certainly wasn't the intention but later stories establish "Prime in name" = "has Matrix"</ref> the Matrix was passed to him by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

''Gladiatorial [[Games (competition)|Games]] were commissioned between the city-states to increase good will as the planet's population outpaced its resources. Optimus Prime was the gladiator champion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], and he shared a sporting rivalry with a young champion from [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] called [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. During a match in Tarn, Optimus intervened to stop Megatron killing his opponent, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. But sabotage plunged Tarn and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]] into an inter-city war that night. An [[Overlord (rank)|Autobot Overlord]] was damaged while trying to sort it out, so Optimus Prime left to get help. However, the Overlord 'mysteriously' perished while under the care of Megatron and Overlord's bodyguard, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]].'' {{storylink|State Games}} ''Following the destruction of Tarn and Vos, Prime had planned to become a medical officer, but enrolled in the Autobot army as soon as the Decepticons declared war. He was immediately put in charge of the [[Elite Flying Corps]].'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Optimus Prime}}

''The Autobots were completely unprepared for Megatron's initial strike, and many fell in battle. Optimus was barely able to organize his troops to fight back in time to save his kind from a total genocide.'' {{storylink|Once upon a Time...}}

''Optimus Prime saved the life of an Autobot named [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb]] from another [[Divebomb (G1)|flying Decepticon]] who had previously beaten him and taken his name. "Divebomb" hated Prime with a passion, and was humiliated by his rescue, and so he kept this to himself.'' {{storylink|What's in a Name?}}

[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29, a Cybertronic Suzuki touring motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962.]]
[[Lieutenant Commander]] Optimus Prime of the [[Autobot Fourth Computerized Division]] quickly made a name for himself as a combat leader. He decided the neutral [[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]] could help the Autobots win the war and, ignoring the risk to the neutral and [[Override (G1)|Override's]] concern this could escalate the war, went with the [[Triggerbot]]s to recruit him. This not only violated a neutrality agreement, and thus meant Megatron could claim Boltax's [[Underbase]] databank himself, but also allowed the Decepticons how to get past Boltax's defences. The [[circuit sect]] were butchered and Prime was forced to jettison the massive databank into space to prevent anyone acquiring its power. This 'victory' helped make his career but he knew he'd been driven by pride and glory-seeking. The shame of what he'd done always remained with him. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''Afterwards, Prime would learn that the Underbase was linked to Cybertron's core, and thus the power of [[Primus]] himself.'' {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}

[[File:Marvel71 neversurrender.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|thumb]]
As a general, he proved to be the only one capable of rallying the rag-tag forces into a proper army. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''As his reputation became known, he was promoted to field commander of the entire Autobot army but regrettably, the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] still pulled the strings. Unknown to the Elders, Optimus Prime began orchestrating unsanctioned military actions.'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Optimus Prime datafile}} ''As the Great War intensified, Autobot territories began falling under Decepticon dominion, one City-State at a time. The last City-State to be taken was the Autobot capital of Iacon.''{{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} The Decepticons almost overpowered the Autobot defensive line at [[Jan-Ja]] but Optimus fired up his troops and made an unexpected charge, repulsing the superior Decepticon forces. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

''On 1st Cycle 820'', {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile:Optimus Prime}} ''as Decepticons besieged Iacon, the Council of Elders prepared to surrender. Councillor [[Xaaron]] suggested that High Councillor [[Traachon]] step down and allow a military officer to assume Autobot leadership. Traachon then used his powers of veto and effectively elected himself out of office, allowing Optimus Prime to assume supreme command of the Autobots, becoming the first soldier to ever hold the mantle of Autobot leadership. This came when Optimus had already set in motion a plan behind their back: using [[shatter bomb]]s to collapse the bridge into Iacon after the Decepticons had 'triumphantly' begun crossing it. To ensure this worked, Optimus fought Megatron personally to keep his attention away from advancing: their first meeting since the Vos-Tarn war.'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} ''After one battle during which thousands of Autobots and Decepticons alike were killed, Prime came across [[Longtooth]] mourning his fallen comrade and gave him a fragment of the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Prime had to go through an experimental "box with a gun on top" phase before he could commit to the truck thing.]]
After over a thousand years of war, Cybertron—shaken from its orbit and drifting through space—came under threat when it floated into the path of a massive asteroid swarm that could potentially devastate the planet. Prime led a group of his most powerful Autobot warriors on the Autobot starship, the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], on a mission to destroy the asteroids. Although the Autobots were successful, in the aftermath of this mission the Ark was attacked by Decepticons, hoping to overcome their weakened foes. Intent on keeping the secrets of the Ark's computer, [[Aunty]], from the Decepticons, Prime set the craft on a suicide course, crashing it into the prehistoric planet Earth. After lying dormant for four million years, the Ark was awakened by the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in [[1984]], and Optimus Prime was rebuilt so that he could reconfigure his body into a semi truck. As the Decepticons fled, Optimus Prime called for a roll call of his own troops. Suspecting that after all this time, Cybertron probably no longer existed, Optimus Prime began studying the planet upon which they had landed; he was startled to realize that this planet did have sentient life! He swore that the Autobots would hide themselves from Earth's natives, so that they would be spared the horrors of the Transformers' war. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:PowerPlay-Optimustransforms.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|In the live-action movie's version of this scene, Sparkplug was replaced with some hot chick.]]
Optimus Prime and the other Autobots were all dangerously low on fuel, but thankfully [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] had befriended some humans who could help—[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and his son, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Leading the Autobots to Sparkplug's auto shop, Optimus Prime introduced himself to the humans. Unfortunately, the Decepticons had the same idea, and the warring factions met in battle. But while Prime was busy shooting Decepticons out of the air, Megatron grabbed Sparkplug, and so Prime was forced to face his nemesis one-on-one. Despite Prime's apparent victory, Sparkplug was snatched away by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], and the Decepticons retreated. Optimus Prime acknowledged Buster's sorrow at the kidnapping of his father, but noted that without fuel, retrieving him would be impossible. {{storylink|Power Play!}} Carrying [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] in his trailer, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots returned to the Ark, where [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] awaited. Optimus and a handful of his soldiers were refueled, and left to confront the Decepticons at their [[Fortress Sinister|cliffside fortress]]. With the mysterious [[Spider-Man]]'s help, Sparkplug was rescued, but not before Sparkplug had converted fuel for the Decepticons! {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Unfortunately, Optimus Prime couldn't stop the Autobots from overreacting to this bad news, and their actions caused Sparkplug Witwicky to suffer a heart attack. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:Boulderdamfight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Better get used to seeing this scene.]]
''When the Ark alerted Optimus Prime of a power surge at [[Sherman Dam]], he and his Autobots weren't surprised to find the Decepticons behind it. Afraid of the dam crumbling under the stress of the Decepticons' manipulations, he faced off against Megatron on the top of the dam, brandishing his energy ax. As he trash-talked Megatron, Prime was suddenly distracted by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s defeat. Megatron used this moment to his advantage, knocking Prime off the dam and firing his cannon into the dam itself. Prime quickly assembled his troops, directing them to divert the waves by digging trenches and elevating the neighboring humans. Mirage was angered when the humans still vilified them, despite their hard work, but Prime calmed him.'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime sent a team of Autobots to investigate the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]], a local legend in the [[United Kingdom]]. After befriending [[Sammy Harker]], and tangling with the Decepticons over the remains of the Man of Iron's ship, Optimus Prime and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] were forced to destroy the ship and its inhabitants, not realizing that its [[Navigator (Autobot)|Navigator]] knew the location of Cybertron. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} ''Back at the Ark, after [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] suffered a psychotic break and ran off, Optimus Prime ordered the Autobots to hunt him down before he could harm any humans! After Brawn was cornered, he threatened the Autobots with death, but was quickly overwhelmed, and Optimus Prime carried Brawn's defeated body back to the Ark. Another electrical shock returned Brawn to his senes, but in order to prove Brawn's loyalty, a [[Trial by Combat]] was orchestrated between him and the traitorous Decepticon, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. With the help of [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]]'s holograms, Brawn's death was faked once he had proved himself, and the two factions returned to their respective bases.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''The Decepticons did not stay there for long, and suddenly a full-scale attack was launched on the Ark! Mid-clash, the Ark's computer systems, "[[Aunty]]", went berserk, and it fell to Optimus and Megatron to team up against the malfunctioning program to save both armies. Megatron used his [[Antimatter|ability to tap into the power of a black hole]], in a bid to free them, only for Ravage and Windcharger to burst in and destroy Aunty themselves. Seeing little reason to put the cosmic energies he had gathered to waste, Megatron turned to finish off Optimus Prime. Thankfully, Windcharge used his magnetic abilities to propel Megatron from the Ark, and the rest of the Decepticons retreated in the absence of their leader.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

[[File:Marvel-us04-last-stand-megatron-stands-supreme.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] alerted Optimus Prime to information that Ratchet had uncovered from the Ark's databanks: millions of years ago, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] battled [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] to a standstill. This raised some questions, but there was little Optimus Prime could do with this knowledge now. With a Decepticon attack imminent, and the Autobots dangerously low on fuel, Optimus Prime had a desperate gamble. Using the [[Tubes of Transference]], the combined remaining fuel was compiled into five of the strongest Autobots, himself, [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], Huffer, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], and Mirage. Sure enough, the Decepticons descended quickly upon them, but even though Prime was still low on fuel, he was still quick enough to grab Starscream out of the air! It was not enough to defeat Megatron, however, and his nemesis hoisted Prime's body over his head in complete victory. ...That is, until Megatron and the other Decepticons doubled over in pain. Sparkplug had poisoned the Decepticons' fuel! Unfortunately, Optimus Prime's subsequent speech was short as he and the other Autobots were blasted into pieces. Shockwave had awakened and returned. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:NewOrder-OptimusPrimehead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Buster regretted the low volume on his Optimus Prime voice changer helmet.]]
Though the Decepticons had taken over the Ark, Ratchet was able to sneak Buster Witwicky inside, and the young human was startled to find Optimus Prime's decapitated head attached to machinery. {{storylink|The New Order}} Optimus Prime, in this weakened state, pleaded with Buster to detach two power cords and attach them to either side of the human's head. This released a tremendous amount of energy, transferring Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to the human, and Buster blacked out. After Buster awoke, he returned to Ratchet to tell him of Optimus Prime's defeat. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Ratchet had to see this for himself, and he was saddened to find out that Buster was correct. The Autobots were defeated, even including the mighty Optimus Prime! But Optimus would not let Ratchet give up or despair. He pushed Ratchet to action, telling him that even though Ratchet was nothing more than a doctor, now was the time for him to learn to be a warrior. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Since Shockwave's return, he had wrested leadership of the Decepticons from Megatron, and so the former Decepticon leader was ordered by Shockwave to prepare to move Optimus Prime's head from the Ark to the Decepticons' base of operations within [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]]. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

Shockwave planned to use the Creation Matrix energies within Optimus Prime's head to give life to a new Decepticon army, despite Optimus Prime's obvious objections. Shockwave didn't know that he had transferred most of the energy to Buster Witwicky, so Optimus Prime took quiet solace in the fact that the last of his remaining energies would be used on only six new warriors. {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} ''Meanwhile back at the Ark, Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] remotely controlled Prime's headless body to prevent [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] from setting off [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]'s nuclear arsenal.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

[[File:PrimeTime-Primewantsyou.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|He's mad as hell, ain't he ain't gonna take your orders anymore!]]
Optimus Prime's head watched helplessly as Shockwave brought his [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life using the rest of Prime's stored Creation Matrix energies. But Shockwave realized something was wrong when Prime failed to give life to his next creation, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Shockwave deduced what had happened, and so he sent Jetfire (who was still little more than a drone) out to capture Buster. Optimus Prime realized he had put Buster in tremendous danger, but thankfully Buster prevailed in thwarting his would-be-captors through applied use of the Creation Matrix on them. However, with the Matrix energy within Prime spent, the Autobot leader was useless to Shockwave, and so the Decepticon made plans to dispose of the head. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} In actuality, the head Shockwave disposed of was an impostor. Shockwave had learned that his headquarters were bugged, and so when the Autobots came to retrieve the head from a nearby swamp, the impostor head took control of Prime's body and turned on the Autobots. The day was saved only by the efforts of Buster, who was able to wrest control of Jetfire so that he could deliver the real head to its body. Once again whole, Prime retaliated against the Decepticons battling at the swamp, and one by one, they were destroyed. Shockwave himself arrived to battle Prime, but after they grappled, Shockwave was thrown into the swamps and disappeared. Instead of delivering a final blow, Optimus Prime rushed back to the plant to assure Buster's safety. The nightmare over, Prime transferred the Creation Matrix energies from Buster back into himself. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[File:Arkchristmastree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Prime may reconsider his return to the Autobots.]]
''His dignity restored with his head once again reunited with his body, Prime afterwards dressed as Santa Claus to appease Buster's strong sense of [[Christmas]] spirit.'' {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}}

''Optimus Prime questioned his ability to lead after his recent series of trials when a fight broke out amongst the Autobots on whether to use the Creation Matrix to create an army of unstoppable robot monsters. His introspection was interrupted by the intrusion of Ravage. The spy was captured, but it was not known by the Autobots that this was part of a larger Decepticon plot. Ravage escaped easily, and when Bumblebee gave chase, the Autobot was captured by the Decepticons. His disembodied arm was dropped in front of the Ark by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], a gauntlet cast. Prime decided to go alone to Decepticon headquarters to rescue Bumblebee, despite the other Autobots' objections. Indeed, Prime bested the Decepticons one-by-one, felling them all, until he arrived, heavily damaged, in the chamber where Bumblebee was held. After making short work of Soundwave, Optimus Prime returned to the Autobots, determined to do things right from then on.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

[[File:Optimus prime icarus theory.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
''After Optimus Prime visited Bumblebee in the repair bay, the Autobots were surprised to be attacked by the Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], who was thought to be dead. After Swoop's mind was reclaimed from [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]], Swoop went berserk and left once more. After learning that the Dinobots all would suffer the same involuntary rage, Optimus Prime called for a Dinobot Hunt!'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''Optimus Prime briefed the Autobots on the Dinobots and their nature and sent them to find the Dinobots in groups. Later, Optimus Prime traveled via [[Ark shuttlecraft]] to put a stop to a fight between Grimlock and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] that had claimed several Autobot and human injuries. Prime neutralized the rampaging Dinobots, but was saddened to hear that the Decepticons had seized the opportunity to steal large quantities of energy from the humans while the Autobots were kept busy. With the Dinobots in ruin and the Decepticons fueled, Optimus Prime's Autobots had suffered a major defeat.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} ''Optimus Prime later checked in with Ratchet, who was monitoring the comatose Dinobots. He implored Ratchet to find a way to save them from their constant nightmares.'' {{storylink|Victory!}}

[[File:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
With the Autobot ranks drastically depleted, Optimus Prime gave life to Jetfire using the Creation Matrix, and performed on him the [[Rite of the Autobrand]]. He guided Jetfire through the Ark; first into Ratchet's repair bay, and next into Wheeljack's lab, where additional troops were being assembled. Optimus Prime assigned Bumblebee to train these new recruits, but ordered them not to engage the enemy. When the group stumbled onto a Decepticon plot to siphon energy from a [[Brick Springhorn]] concert, Optimus gathered every able Autobot to assist. However, Bumblebee had disobeyed orders and his rookies had successfully thwarted the Decepticons. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

When a human named [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] appeared on television, claiming he controlled all Transformers, Optimus Prime led a team of Autobots into the [[Powder River Basin]] to prevent the human from getting hurt. Megatron, who had frozen, deactivated, at the bottom of the basin, was subsequently re-energized by Soundwave and his minions, and the combined might of their firepower and the human military's drove away Optimus and the Autobots in defeat. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Afterward, Bumblebee felt he had failed Optimus Prime due to his relative lack of size and strength, and so he ran away. When Optimus discovered that Bumblebee had become a target of interest for the Decepticons, Optimus hurriedly led another team of Autobots to the rescue, an act that helped prove Bumblebee's worth to himself. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

[[File:RobotBuster-outofyourminds.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"There's ''no slaggin' way'' Mary-Kate is the cuter Olsen Twin!"]]
''Optimus Prime was absolutely appalled to discover that Wheeljack and Ratchet had built Buster Witwicky a [[battlesuit]] to aid him in the battle against the Decepticons, asking them outright if they had lost their minds. Though Buster protested, noting that since he was trusted with holding the Creation Matrix he should be trusted with the suit as well, Optimus Prime ordered the armored suit destroyed. But Buster stole the armored suit under cover of night and attacked the Decepticon headquarters, where he defeated Frenzy. The victory was a fluke however, one not to be repeated against Shockwave. Shockwave bested the human, but the arrival of Optimus Prime and the Autobots convinced Shockwave to spare his life.'' {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} ''Following this incident, Buster began having strange nightmares, and Optimus Prime suspected that these nightmares were induced by the Creation Matrix.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Optimus himself featured prominently in Buster's visions, appearing in battle against Shockwave, only to be destroyed. Wanting to investigate these Creation Matrix-induced dreams, Optimus Prime and Buster were hooked up to machinery so that the human could share them. Optimus Prime and Buster witnessed strange five-robot combiners from each faction named [[Special Teams]] fighting at the [[Pullen Power Plant]], and awoke shouting their name. They had seen a vision of the next generation of Transformers...'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

Meanwhile on Cybertron, a group of Autobots were happy to learn that Optimus Prime and his Autobots still lived. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

''Optimus sent [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] out on a scouting mission to [[Greater Portland]], only for his soldier to fail to report back afterwards. Despite others among the Autobot ranks assuming that Tracks's vain streak had gotten the better of him once more, and he was too busy showing off to resume contact, Optimus sent out Jazz to check up on him. Jazz failed to find his fellow Autobots, and as a week passed, Optimus dispatched more soldiers to seek him out, but soon lost hope that they would ever retrieve their teammate. His optimism returned when Cosmos reported a possible lead placing Tracks in [[New York City]]. Optimus once more sent out troops to retrieve him, this time tasking the mission to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. The trio succeeded in their mission, and Optimus debriefed Tracks upon his return.'' {{storylink|Missing in Action}}

[[File:Optimus prime prowl jazz mirage to a power unknown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
''While on a mission to build friendly relations with the people of [[Pinewoodsville]], Optimus and the other Autobots were hit with a strange blast of energy that temporarily reversed their personalities. The group rampaged through the town, ruining months of goodwill work. Tracking the source of the blast to England, the Autobots flew overseas to put an end to what they assumed was a Decepticon plot. But the Decepticons had also been affected by the blast, and were likewise tracking its origin. Starscream happened upon Optimus and drove him off the road, sending the Autobot crashing into a tree, just as another energy blast muddled up the circuitry of all those present. Starscream became friendly, while Optimus's troops turned on him violently and tried to overthrow him. The personality reversal ended before Jazz could execute Optimus, but the latter was nonetheless left banged up from the ordeal. With his weapons non-responsive, Optimus was forced to hide inside a nearby tunnel while his troops carried on the mission. The culprit turned out to be a human invention, the "[[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|PARD]]." It was destroyed, along with [[Zeke Heilmann|a spy]] trying to steal it, after Starscream battled Jazz over both. With the threat neutralized, the Autobots carried Optimus back to their UK Base, where Ratchet was waiting to fix him up. '' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}}

[[File:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|"Year Two toys, attack!"]]
In front of all the active Autobots, Optimus Prime and Grapple unveiled their secret project: [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]! Designed to be their last line of defense, Prime planned to leave Omega Supreme to guard the Ark while Prime led the Autobots to the [[Wyoming base|Decepticon river basin headquarters]] to steal combiner technology from Devastator and promptly leave. The Dinobots scoffed at this plan, refusing to start a battle they were required to run away from, and so Grimlock and his Dinobots seceded from the Autobots. Though [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] raised concerns, Optimus Prime maintained that he had allowed for this. In fact, he allowed for everything save the interference of the humans, and after the mission was successfully pulled off, one human came after Skids; revenge for an earlier fender-bender with the Autobot. Skids was forced to pause, giving the Decepticons the opening they needed to blast him. Optimus Prime regretfully had to leave Skids behind, having to keep the safety of the rest of his troops in mind. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Primewoods.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
''Learning of the Dinobots' disastrous solo adventures, Optimus Prime wanted to disown them, but reluctantly acknowledged that they were necessary muscle for the team. Tragically, while speaking to the Autobots about their war thus far on Earth, he, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], and Ratchet mysteriously vanished in a flash of light!'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''They found themselves in a strange dimension called [[Limbo]], where they joined a conflict between [[Cloran|two]] [[Zenag|factions]] of creatures whose warring behavior seemed rather familiar. Though Prime agreed to help one tribe in staving off an invading army, he refused to take any life in doing so. The opposing tribe proposed to give Optimus access to a device that would allow the Autobots to return to their world should they eliminate the enemy tribe, but Optimus once more refused to take part in wholesale slaughter. The Autobots soon allied with Shockwave, [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]], and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], who were also shunted into this dimension. Though Shockwave was more willing to use violence to escape this world, they found out the whole alien war was just an illusion created by [[Limbo parasite|native parasites]], who fed on their emotions.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}} ''Upon his return, Optimus learned that they had been displaced by Autobots and Decepticons traveling from the future.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Aerialbots minds wiped marvel 22.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
As Ratchet sealed up one of Prime's wounds, the Autobot commander was delighted to see Skids was alive, having returned to him along with [[Donny Finkleberg]] (previously the Robot-Master). They had news for him regarding the arrival of Autobot reinforcements from Cybertron, but they were interrupted by a news bulletin. [[Hoover Dam]] was being attacked by Decepticons, so Optimus Prime leapt from the repair bay despite Ratchet's objections to call the new [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] into service. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Later Ratchet was able to finish sealing Prime's wound, but not before the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was able to implant a [[cerebro-shell]] within Prime's body. Through this link, the Decepticons would be able to share use of the Creation Matrix to give life to new troops! The Aerialbots hadn't done well on their first outing, so as Optimus Prime reformatted them, Megatron gave life to the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]! Shortly afterwards, Prime sent the Aerialbots out to assist Skids but they were thwarted by the Stunticons and all the Autobots present fell into the hands of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} When [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] experimented on the captive Skids's [[brain module]], she was able to access many images of Optimus Prime in his memory chips. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''When Prowl tried to apprehend the [[Battlecharger]]s, Prime intercepted and rebuked him for causing too much destruction.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

''When it dawned on Optimus that he had gone back on his word to not create a generation of "Ultimate Autobots" with the Matrix upon bringing the Aerialbots to life, a great unease befell him. Worse yet, he was troubled to consider that the Aerialbots' various neuroses and weaknesses might outwheigh their value in the field. The Autobot commander called upon Jetfire to lead the Aerialbots in an investigative mission, and to undermine them throughout to test them while pushing them to their psychological limits. Upon hearing Jetfire's report, he would decide if the Aerialbots' worth.''

''After the mission, wherein the Aerialbots fought against a group led by Starscream for control of a power plant, Jetfire informed Prime that the Aerialbots performed valiantly, despite their hang-ups, putting the debate at rest.'' {{storylink|The Return of the Transformers}}

''Prior to the Christmas of 1986, Prime gave the go-ahead to Prowl and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s mission to intercept Decepticon activity at a [[NASA]] facility and asked Jetfire to go along as support.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

[[File:Facsimile construct optimus prime prey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''Optimus Prime observed the records of how poorly the Autobots performed in his absence in Limbo, specifically how they went so far as to seek leadership from Megatron out of sheer desperation. Optimus Prime began to consider whether he was too important to the Autobots, and if they could carry on should he fall. To alleviate his doubts, he and a reluctant [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] plotted to fake Prime's death to teach the Autobots how to fend for themselves. While Prime was setting up an [[Facsimile construct|impostor version of himself]] to leave behind destroyed for the Autobots to find, Megatron sent the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to attack Prime.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:HarderTheyDie-Iaconno.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|You can't go home again.]]
''During the scuffle, Optimus and Megatron were transported to Cybertron, while Prime's counterfeit body, torn apart, was found by the Autobots. Optimus Prime surveyed Cybertron for the first time in four million years, and he couldn't believe how terribly it had fallen. Cities and buildings were cut to the ground, and even his beloved Iacon was in shambles. After Prime saved [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] from a [[Well-armed Decepticon bully|roving Decepticon]], the tiny Autobot followed him despite Prime's wishes to be alone. Unfortunately, Megatron (in league with [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]) had spread rumors that an imposter Optimus Prime had infiltrated Cybertron, which were readily believed due to Prime's four-million-year absence. Before too long, Prime was surrounded and shackled with [[energy restraints]] by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Wrecker]]s!'' {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}} ''With Outback's help in distracting the Wreckers with a [[gas particle bomb]], Prime was able to escape and the two set out to clear Optimus's name. Unfortunately, a couple of Guardian units caught up to them and though Prime defeated them, he was only able to do so after Outback had suffered mortal wounds.'' {{storylink|Under Fire!}} ''As Outback began to die in his arms, Prime told Outback of the time he, Prowl, and Ratchet were stuck in Limbo. His story was overheard by the Wreckers, but hearing Prime's words convinced Emirate Xaaron that this was in fact the real Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

[[File:Primefuneralnumberone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He approved of it ''so much'' that when he died for real the next day, they instead shot him into space.]]
''The return of Optimus Prime was a welcome boost to the Autobot underground resistance. Not only did Autobot morale increase, but Decepticons were spooked at his very appearance! But after a few [[Decepticon fuel store|strategic victories]], Prime knew he had to return to Earth. Prime and Ultra Magnus planned one last raid—they would besiege the [[Polyhex Decepticon stronghold|Decepticon stronghold]] in [[Polyhex]] and destroy Megatron! But Megatron's "eccentricities" had become too much for Cybertron's Decepticons to handle, and in the middle of their battle, all three were whisked away to Earth by the [[space bridge]]. Optimus Prime appeared before the Autobots just as they had finished their Earth-inspired burial of the impostor body he had left behind.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Game over, man! Game over!]]
The Autobots had been monitoring the humans' creation of [[Power Station Alpha]], and Optimus Prime, sensing its completion would need closer inspection, sent Bumblebee to its unveiling. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} Optimus Prime met an anticlimactic end in a gambit for [[Energy Futures Industries]]' [[Hydrothermocline]]. He and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] agreed to fight Megatron and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in a simulated, virtual world named ''[[Multi-World]]''. They agreed whichever leader lost in the virtual world would be blown up in the real world. Originally virtual Megatron was killed. But when Megatron cheated using the game's "Afterdeath" code, Prime resorted to killing virtual beings to gain the upper hand, and despite his victory, Prime believed he had truly lost. Before their eyes, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] detonated Optimus Prime's body, as was previously agreed. In secret, Ethan secured away a [[floppy disk]] that held a copy of Optimus Prime's mind. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} Meanwhile, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] had been sent to investigate Bumblebee's destruction at the hands of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], but he was recalled in the middle of this altercation when it was discovered that Optimus Prime had been "assassinated". {{storylink|Power Struggle}}

Optimus Prime's death unhinged Megatron further. The Decepticon leader simply couldn't believe that his eternal foe was truly dead, and he began blowing up random trucks. Megatron's paranoia grew so much that he blew up the space bridge with himself on it. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} Ratchet's subsequent efforts to restore Optimus Prime were unsuccessful, and after much grieving, Optimus Prime's body was launched into space as per Cybertronian custom. Omega Supreme presided over his funeral, and both he and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] gave eulogies. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

In front of a holographic image of Optimus Prime's head, the surviving Autobots tried to choose a new leader. Optimus Prime's replacement would be like him: a great warrior, wise, compassionate, kind, and courageous. As luck would have it, Grimlock chose exactly that moment to show all of those qualities for the first and only time in his life. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

''When Shockwave and [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snap Trap]] experimented on a [[Archforce|clone]] of Megatron using a [[psycho-probe]], it experienced visions of being defeated by Optimus Prime and Straxus.'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} ''Around the same time, [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] thought back over the mistakes he had made as leader of the Wreckers, including nearly executing Prime as a Decepticon spy.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

Optimus Prime's funeral barge eventually crashed on a giant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay for an untold time. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:Ethanzacharypretendertothethrone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Reaching level 70 was a momentous occasion.]]
Years passed as [[Ethan Zachary]], who still possessed the floppy disk that contained a copy of Optimus Prime's mind, tried to coax it into full sentience. This copy of Optimus Prime believed he was a video game character and nothing more, despite Ethan Zachary's constant prodding. Ethan thought he finally had a chance to jolt Prime back to his old self when he was investigated by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. The two put Optimus Prime in charge of a real team of Autobots, the [[Pretender]]s, and the disk copy Prime led them in battle against Decepticon Pretenders. Prime's delusions were unshaken. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Goldbug took the disk with him, but all attempts to rebuild Optimus Prime ended in failure. An argument over supreme Autobot leadership erupted between Grimlock's earthbound Autobots and a group of Autobots who had just arrived from [[Nebulos]] under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]. Ultimately, Fortress Maximus realized that Optimus Prime was the true leader of the Autobots, not anyone else, and so he sent Goldbug, [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Getaway]] back to Nebulos where the technology existed to fully restore Optimus Prime to life. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:PeoplePower-reprogrammed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Seriously, Prime's been playing WoW waaaay too long.]]
It wasn't quite so simple, however. Fortress Maximus's Autobots had left Nebulos in ruin, and the planet poisoned its fuel supply so that robots could never return and wage war. A loophole was found, however, in the [[Powermaster]] process, created by the scientist [[Hi-Q]]. As luck would have it, Hi-Q was the exact person Goldbug was searching for to rebuild Optimus Prime, but the scientist refused on the grounds that he would be reintroducing the war to his planet—and he didn't believe the Transformers were any more than clever yet unsentient machines. Optimus Prime was rebuilt anyway, even though he wouldn't live very long at all without unpoisoned fuel. Hi-Q changed his mind on the sentience of Transformers when he saw the rebuilt Optimus Prime (shocked out of his video game persona delusions) interact with Goldbug. Hi-Q underwent the Powermaster process himself to save Optimus Prime's life, and Powermaster Optimus Prime was able to defeat two Powermaster-enhanced Decepticons, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]]. Optimus Prime and his crew left Nebulos with their new Nebulon partners. {{storylink|People Power!}}

[[File:Rorzatherocket-cycleracerfromrigeliii.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
As they traveled through the void of space, Optimus taught his Nebulon companions about the Cybertronian civil war, only for his history lesson to be interrupted by a transmission advertising the "[[Cosmic Carnival]]," an intergalactic traveling show housing acts from many worlds. Optimus was ready to ignore the broadcast and push forward, only to notice that the Autobot [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was part of the carnival's line-up. He changed course, and investigated alongside Goldbug. As they poked around, the two Autobots took note of [[Spacehikers|four human children]] being kept as sideshow attractions. Outraged to see them held against their will, Prime confronted [[Berko]], another human acting as their keeper, and demanded to see his manager. Unfortunately, the head honcho, [[Big Top]], produced an ironclad contract signed by all four children as well as Sky Lynx. They had agreed to work to pay off a debt to the carnival, and were being legally held until they had done so. A conversation with Sky Lynx later, the Autobots decided to disregard any legalese and bust out both him and the children anyways; it was apparent that the carnival would never consider their debts payed, no matter how long they worked. Optimus further learned that Berko was also a prisoner of sorts, and offered him his freedom and safe passage to Earth if he helped them. Touched by the Autobot's show of genuine concern, Berko agreed. Goldbug and Berko went off to liberate the children while Optimus focused on freeing Sky Lynx. During Sky Lynx's next act, Optimus leaped into the circus ring with him, and helped his fellow Autobot ram through any opposition. Many of the other performers tried to stop them, including [[Rorza, the Rocket-cycle Racer from Rigel III]], who vowed to cleave Optimus in half for, allegedly, daring to ignore him. After the Autobots defeated all who stood in their way, the crowd broke into a cheer, and Optimus took a bow at Sky Lynx's suggestion. He reconvened with Goldbug on the ''Steelhaven'', who had been equally successful in his task. {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}}

[[File:Optimus prime cold comfort and joy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
''Before reuniting with the other Earthbound Autobots, Optimus Prime and the other Powermasters took a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to Earth on [[Christmas]] Day. Optimus Prime, seeing Earth's frozen wasteland, wondered why he even cared about the Earth in the first place, much less fought desperately to defend it. But after recalling the events that first brought him there, he remembered that it was his fault that the Ark crashed there four million years ago, and so any pain and suffering caused by the Transformers' war was his burden. His compassion for Earth renewed, he sought out his troops and announced that henceforth, the Autobots would make greater attempts at bringing more than just violence to the humans.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}}

''Returning to the Ark, Optimus easily assumed command of the Autobots there; while the Dinobots were initially unhappy, Prime quickly and effortlessly sweet-talked them into going along with it.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}} That done, he learned via television about the Decepticons' baffling island vacation resort, [[Club Con]]. Optimus Prime sent Blaster to investigate. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[File:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Enter a new challenger!]]
''Despite a mysterious disruption in time and space that threatened all reality, due to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s adventures in his own past (which was Prime's present), Optimus Prime halted a conference on the matter to rescue [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]. While Highbrow apologized for interrupting more important matters, he, Optimus Prime, and a few other Autobots were displaced to Limbo once again, allowing [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and other Autobots from the future to investigate the mysterious disruption. The other present-day Autobots thought Optimus Prime and the others had been disintegrated, and so attacked the "impostor" Autobots under Rodimus Prime's command, but Optimus spoke to them through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and calmed them down. A crazed yet seemingly unbeatable Galvatron attacked them, and Optimus Prime debated whether he should leave Limbo and team up with Rodimus against him, even though two Matrix-bearers coexisting at the same time would accelerate the timestorm's destruction of reality. Eventually, Optimus decided to ignore the dangers, and he materialized through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and engaged Galvatron one-on-one. Finally, Galvatron himself was eaten by the timestorm, and Scourge and the body of Cyclonus were also fed to it, which caused the timestorm to subside temporarily. Rodimus Prime promised to Optimus Prime that he would destroy all time machines when he returned to the future.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''When an battle between [[Getaway]] and [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] resulted in a human getting critically injured, a life-support system was assembled to keep the injured party alive. Saving the man's life became a race against time when [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] stole the power cell needed to power said system, forcing the Autobots to chase after him. The Aerialbots botched their task in forcing the [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]], Throttle's vehicle, to double back, and the jet wound up on the ocean floor along with the thief's loot. A team headed by Optimus took on the arduous task of heading underwater to retrieve the battery, with only a thirty minute window to do so before their Nebulan partners drowned. As Prime's team approached their objective, they were met by the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]. Badly outclassed by the enemy's superior underwater maneuverability and running out of time, Optimus ordered the Nebulans to see the power cell's retrieval through while the Autobots carried on the fight. Though odds were stacked against them, the Autobots emerged victorious when the Dreadwing's cockpit was breached by Hi-Q; with their own Nebulan allies now at risk of drowning, the Seacons saw to their rescue instead of remaining on the offensive.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

[[File:Fortmaxboat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Prime's not back five minutes and he's already using the previous leader as his personal boat.]]
Optimus Prime and Fortress Maximus accompanied Blaster to where Club Con was last situated, but it had been relocated by then. Despite this setback, Prime assured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] that the search for his brother Buster, who had been kidnapped by the Decepticons, would continue. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Sure enough, a distress signal in the Arctic led the Autobots to Buster, but also to a Decepticon ambush! After several Autobots were incapacitated, the battle stopped as it was discovered that this had all been arranged by Starscream, who had launched into space to seize the powers of the long lost [[Underbase]]. As the Autobots and Decepticons formed a loose alliance to stop Starscream, Optimus Prime warned that he had learned in his youth that fully possessing the Underbase led to madness or death. Starscream was stopped before he could absorb all of the Underbase, but he had absorbed enough of it to be able to destroy the Decepticons' island spacecraft in which the two factions were traveling. Thankfully, Optimus Prime had thought ahead and had the Ark follow them there in case of an emergency.

Several teams of allied Autobots and Decepticons followed Starscream to Earth to stop him, but Optimus Prime insisted that he stay behind on the Ark to work on a plan on his own. [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] had growing suspicions that the Autobot leader was really trying to claim the rest of the Underbase for himself, and they snuck on board as the Transformers on Earth were being shut down en masse by Starscream. Unfortunately for Optimus, they caught him while Hi-Q was disconnected from him, and so he was drastically overpowered. Optimus revealed to Scorponok that he was not trying to possess the Underbase... rather, he had been working on a rocket to deflect the Underbase towards Earth. He knew Starscream would try to absorb the rest, and sure enough, Starscream did—growing in size and power before their eyes. But possession of the Underbase resulted in madness ''and'' death, and Starscream's massive body exploded. Scorponok apologized for his bad appraisal of Optimus Prime's intentions, and the two commanders resolved to cease fighting so that they could gather their wounded and resume the fight another day. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:People's Gas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hell, let's just put the robot arms right there on the front of the trailer, why not.]]
Now that Buster had been reclaimed from the Decepticons, Spike told Optimus Prime that he felt his obligation to the Autobots was over. Prime reluctantly let Spike go, but told him that he was more attached to Fortress Maximus than he knew. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} Not only was Fortress Maximus now out of commission, but the Autobots had suffered incredible losses at the hands of the Underbase-powered Starscream. Optimus Prime assigned [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] to purchase [[microchip]]s on the black market at [[Grand Central Space Station]], knowing their Pretender shells would allow them to hide their robotic forms from the robophobic aliens there. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} Cloudburst and Landmine reached an ethical impasse involving the microchips, and so Optimus Prime reached out to Cybertron for reinforcements. He called upon the [[Micromaster]]s, specifically the [[Race Car Patrol]] and [[Off Road Patrol]], to investigate some Decepticon-originated weather problems in [[New York City]]. Hi-Q worried that the Micromasters were unreliable punks, but they were able to prove themselves against the Decepticons in the end, though they refused to join the Autobots proper. {{storylink|King Con!}}

[[File:Doubledealerofthecentury.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Optimus Prime is also corresponding with a cash-strapped Nicaraguan prince...]]
''The Race Car Patrol accompanied Prime on a more rural mission: receiving Autobot resistance plans couriered by [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]]. But a Decepticon, [[Doubledealer|Dealer]], abducted Chainclaw before he could deliver them, and offered the plans back to Prime as a ransom. Optimus Prime accepted, and a new Autobot named [[Doubledealer|Double]] offered to deliver the Energon payment himself. Upon his return with Chainclaw's unconscious form, Dealer claimed to have been "ransacked" by the Decepticons, who had taken both the energon and the plans. With Chainclaw safe, Optimus vowed to deal with the Decepticons himself, and led the Race Car Patrol against Scorponok's troops while "Double" hung back to rest.'' {{storylink|(Double) Deal of the Century!}}

''The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] trained against [[solid light simulation]]s of Optimus Prime and other high-ranking Autobots in [[Slaughter City]].'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}}

''Optimus Prime lamented that he could no longer use the Creation Matrix to heal his fallen troops, as the Matrix was inside his old body which had been shot into space; the Autobots had not known that the Matrix was in Optimus Prime's chest to remove at the time. On cue, a being who called himself [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] appeared on Earth, and it was seemingly powered by a piece of the Creation Matrix! Deathbringer proved to be invulnerable, but Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to harm something that held the essence of the Matrix anyhow. But after enough destruction, Optimus Prime was finally able to defeat it with help from [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], who convinced it to self-destruct in concordance with its primary function.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}} {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AssaultontheArk a noble sentiment.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
''[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] led a seemingly suicidal assault on the Ark, entirely for the purpose of seeking revenge against his defeat at the hands of Nightbeat, [[Siren (G1)|Siren]], and [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]]. Optimus Prime took Thunderwing on, berating him for having more courage than sense. True to Prime's words, Thunderwing's own troops dragged him away.'' {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}

Optimus Prime ordered Ratchet to get some downtime, fearing his overworked medic (and friend) was losing his grip on sanity. Soon after, Optimus Prime saw news reports of the Micromaster [[Air Strike Patrol]] holding [[MacDill Air Force Base]] hostage, so he took the largest ensemble of troops down to Earth he could muster, given the Autobots' depleted ranks. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} [[File:Resurrectiongambit-bombburst.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]] As he told the Micromasters to surrender or face the consequences, he received a transmission from Ratchet, back at the Ark, but [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] fired at Prime's communicator before the message could be completed. This enraged Optimus Prime, who began to suspect grander, more sinister things at work behind the scenes. Optimus Prime had been led to a staged battle, but before he could leave, Scorponok and his Decepticons also arrived, itching for a fight! But after the circumstances of the day, Optimus Prime wasn't about to deny them the opportunity, and he fought back with a shocking, cold fury that baffled even Scorponok. The humans at the Air Force base called out Prime on his reckless violence, and Prime apologized for his outburst. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

Since Optimus Prime knew the battle was staged, he scaled back his troops accordingly, and ordered them to return to the Ark and leave him behind. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] refused and remained at Optimus's side, helping him fend off the hordes of Decepticons who had attacked him. But Optimus Prime stopped Hot Rod short of firing on [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], as Prime had begun to appeal to his sense of logic. An unknown party was pulling the strings! Scorponok hesitated, but before an agreement could be reached, they were confronted by an old enemy thought defeated—Starscream! {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

Though Starscream's performance started out impressively, he soon began to show his true cowardly colors, and Optimus was able to rouse Scorponok from his stunned stupor. Optimus convinced him to order a coordinated strike against Starscream, ending with the Pretender begging Scorponok to retake him under his command. The conflict brought to an end, both factions again parted ways. Once again Optimus Prime turned his thoughts towards Ratchet... {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[File:YesterdaysHeroes-Whyyyy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Meanwhile, nobody mourns poor [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]].]]
...but it was too late! Ratchet had sacrificed himself to destroy Megatron, the orchestrator behind the events at MacDill Air Force Base. Optimus Prime was overcome with grief, and he decided to stop fighting altogether. After parking the Ark on Earth's moon, he walked out on its surface, apparently never to return again. This, of course, caused the Autobots to worry about the future of their cause, and Hot Rod quickly threw together a risky plan to win Prime back. He plotted a "rampage" by an "out-of-control" [[Guardian (Marvel)|Mark V Guardian droid]] to whisk Prime back into fighting shape, but when the droid truly went out of control, the plan worked just a little too well. Prime came to his senses, returned to the Ark, and destroyed the droid, but not before several Autobots suffered genuine injury. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

''Around the same time, Prime sent Cloudburst, [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] and [[Getaway]] to check up on the resurrected Starscream. This also resulted in them suffering genuine injury.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

''Out of nostalgia, Optimus kept a spare copy of his mind stored in an [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]] warehouse, seeing it as his last link to all those he had met in [[Ethan Zachary]]'s virtual world. Unfortunately, this made the installation a target for Decepticons, who could put the [[floppy disk]] to malicious use. The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] were stationed at the warehouse, but when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were spotted near the [[Rutter U.S. Military Base]], Optimus dispatched the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s to relieve Hot Spot's team, allowing them to battle their old rivals.''

[[File:Optimus hi-q prime bomb.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|"Ah crap, now my engine is flooded."]]
''Both the Powermasters and the Protectobots failed in their respective tasks. As a result, Scorponok was able to build a smart missile, one able to track Prime down wherever he went, and dodge any interference that came its way. After being briefly held captive by the Decepticons, Getaway learned of Scorponok's plan, and forewarned Prime of the deadly projectile. Prime insisted that he deal with the situation alone, blaming himself for allowing such a weapon to be created; had he not been so sentimental, the disk integral to its conception could have been destroyed long ago. He and Hi-Q drove out to an uninhabited area, and awaited the missile's approach. Their first attempt at disabling it had them go into a tunnel and collapse its entrance before the missile followed. When this failed to provoke a harmless detonation, Optimus Prime next used his battle station mode to attempt blasting the missile out of the sky. It managed to evade the entirety of his salvo, leaving Prime depleted of ammo. He next attempted to simply outpace the missile, pushing Hi-Q to his limit to afford him the necessary speed. The pair managed to dive into a nearby lake before the missile reached them, though the exertion damaged Hi-Q's armor, allowing water to seep inside. Optimus was forced to re-emerge to prevent the Nebulan from drowning.''

''After setting Hi-Q down out of harm's way, Optimus turned to the missile as it changed its course to meet him once more. Realizing that he couldn't evade it for much longer, Prime resolved to take the hit, and punched the missile down. No explosion followed, as the missile was revealed to be a dud! It turned out that Getaway had managed to convince the [[ABC|Decepticons' computer]] of Optimus's nobility, and it had disarmed the missile in order to spare the Autobot leader. Though Prime was saddened that the AI would likely meet its end at Scorponok's hand for its betrayal, Getaway tried to cheer him up; he pointed out that at the very least, it had been his honorable qualities which had inspired Earth's first fully-independent AI to make a decision for itself.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

Meanwhile, their creator, [[Primus]] had awakened within Cybertron, alerting his enemy [[Unicron]] to its location. Since the only thing that could stop Unicron was the Creation Matrix, and the Creation Matrix had been shot into space inside Optimus Prime's funeral barge, Prime and Emirate Xaaron assembled several teams of Autobots to scour a specific star system in which the funeral barge likely would have landed. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} ''On Cybertron, Longtooth learned of the quest for the Matrix and, feeling guilty, sent back the fragment that Optimus had given him.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} ''Prime deliberated about which Autobot he should revive with the fragment but after witnessing the environmental damage caused by the Autobots' pursuit of the Air Strike Patrol he decided to use its power to restore the Earth itself.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}} Though Optimus Prime was never very comfortable with the mystical side of the Creation Matrix, he approached an altar aboard the Ark and was given a vision of a Matrix corrupted by evil and imminent oblivion! {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} After several dead ends, the Prime's funeral barge and the Creation Matrix were found on the barren moon of [[VsQs]]. Optimus Prime and Hot Rod went together to meet the [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport]] as it landed, but were shocked to realize that Autobots were not delivering the Matrix at all! No, they were face to face with Lord Thunderwing, the Creation Matrix's next vessel! {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AllFallDown-andweshallwin.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"The sky will open. The lights will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect!"]]
Powered by the corrupted energies of the Matrix, Thunderwing was unstoppable. Even so, Optimus Prime pleaded for his troops to avoid trying to damage Thunderwing, for the Matrix was their only chance to destroy Unicron! After numerous losses were incurred, however, Optimus Prime decided to forgo the soft touch, and the Autobot leader let loose his full fury on the possessed Decepticon leader. More and more, the Matrix assumed control of Thunderwing, even taking possession of his mind, but Prime could not make Thunderwing notice this development. Thunderwing was not stopped by Prime's strength or by logic or reason, but by the cunning of Nightbeat. Nightbeat harpooned Thunderwing to the All-Terrain Turbo-Transport, shut off the [[artificial gravity]] systems, and Thunderwing and the transport were flung out into space. Thunderwing and the Matrix were presumed destroyed when the transport's self-destruct activated. Despite this seemingly catastrophic loss, Optimus Prime vowed to never give hope or give in to evil. With good on their side, they would ultimately prevail! {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:PriceofLife-Icannot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Optimus Prime is firmly against the Right to Die movement.]]
Optimus Prime was still hung up on Ratchet's death, and assigned Nightbeat to investigate any chance that his friend still lived. Nightbeat suggested that Ratchet and Megatron might still be alive in [[Unspace]], the dimension that serves as a middleman between transdimensional portal openings. Though Optimus didn't understand most of the details in Nightbeat's plan to retrieve the lost Autobot, the morsel of hope his subordinate gave him steeled Optimus for his next task. With the Matrix out of the picture, Optimus Prime had turned to another prophecy, one that claimed that Unicron could be destroyed if all Transformers worked together as one. That would be impossible so long as the war continued, so Prime announced his intentions to surrender the Autobots to the Decepticons on Earth. Unsurprisingly, this was met with hostility. Soon after concluding his announcement, Optimus learned that Nightbeat had been correct in his assumption that Ratchet still existed... but there were complications in his retrieval: Ratchet had been fused molecularly with Megatron into one frightening creature! {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Optimus Prime refused to let anyone harm the creature. This caused even more complications when the creature, unchecked, began to tear apart the Ark's engine systems. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], Prime's security officer, warned him that if he didn't put the creature down, he would personally remove Prime from command. Optimus Prime reluctantly approached the creature, intending to kill it, but when the half that was Ratchet put the barrel of Prime's gun to its own head, begging Prime to kill it, Optimus Prime had second thoughts. He ordered [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] to separate the two, even though Megatron would survive. Worse, one could not survive without the other. This did not please Kup and the others. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

[[File:Optimus prime zarak surrender.jpg|thumb]]
True to his word, Optimus Prime surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok's Decepticons, stationed in the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps. The Decepticons were enjoying this turn of events a little too much, which drew an outburst from Kup. Optimus Prime tried to tell Kup to have patience, but Kup reminded him that the Optimus Prime he knew would never back down, never surrender, no matter what the cost! But no matter, the deed was done, and Optimus Prime and the Autobots were escorted into cells. After a while, Optimus Prime began to suspect that Scorponok didn't really want to talk about an alliance against Unicron at all, and was ignoring the long term to satisfy his short-term problems with commanding respect amongst his troops. Optimus Prime knocked aside Soundwave, his guard, and found Kup and Hot Rod. Unfortunately, Kup wouldn't be so easily rounded up, citing Prime's recent problems. But Prime pleaded to him at length, noting that for a warrior race, perhaps surrender took the most courage of all! Kup quietly admitted Prime was right, and the three Autobots burst into Scorponok's quarters, where Scorponok's body had been stowed, leaving Lord Zarak and Bludgeon mostly vulnerable. Zarak and Hot Rod grabbed a hostage each, but Prime ordered both sides to stand down. They had to begin trusting each other, if they were to team up against Unicron. Optimus Prime and Scorponok were once again about to reach an agreement when they were once again interrupted! A splinter team of Decepticons, led by Shockwave and Starscream, attacked the Decepticons' underground base, causing it to implode. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

[[File:They are YOU splash page.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2]]
Optimus Prime's immediate concern was damage control—and not just towards the humans in nearby New York City, but to the fragile alliance that was nearly formed! He and Nightbeat left to keep Scorponok and Shockwave's feud from reaching New York, but the fight was accelerated with the arrival of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s new superhuman team, the [[Neo-Knights]]! {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Their best chance at securing the alliance was keeping Scorponok alive, but Circuit Breaker was making it very difficult. Upon approaching her, Optimus fell into Circuit-Breaker's sights, and she began to fry his circuits. Thanks to Blackrock pointing out to her that Shockwave, the robot who had initially crippled her, was present, Optimus was spared from going to the junkheap. Once Shockwave was out of the picture, Circuit-Breaker drained from her efforts in bringing him down, Optimus Prime and Scorponok once again (again) went to shake hands... {{storylink|Out of Time!}} when all Earthbound Transformers were whisked away by Primus to Cybertron. Primus spoke to them through the glowing body of Emirate Xaaron, telling them of the eternal conflict between himself and Unicron, and their part in defeated his eternal nemesis. Optimus began to grow concerned over Primus's apparent lack of concern over the well-being of his creation, and began to fear that their god saw them only as disposable chess pieces. Primus also selected Optimus Prime to be the Transformers' leader, which caught the attention of a hidden sect of [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultists]]. While Scorponok confided in Prime that he was scared of dying in the upcoming battle, the two were jumped by the cultists. Scorponok, the Autobots, and even the rest of the Decepticon army came to Prime's rescue, and it seemed the alliance was finally forged. ...Till, at least, Kup pointed out that Unicron himself was hovering over the planet, ready for attack. This coincided with Optimus Prime doubling over in debilitating pain, a condition he had been hiding from the Autobots for some time. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime's been reading his [[Jesus|New Testament]].]]
Kup and Getaway tried to push Prime along, but the force of Unicron's claws punching into the surface of Cybertron sent them reeling. Just the sheer, impossible size of Unicron paralyzed Optimus Prime and Scorponok with fear and awe. With both leaders' factions unable to rally their troops, Primus tried to intervene and battle Unicron himself. His efforts amounted to little however, and his avatar was destroyed. Optimus Prime was not shaken into action until a [[Galvatron II|brave, unidentified soldier]] attacked Unicron singlehandedly and was swatted away. Given new resolve by this act, Optimus charged alongside the remaining Autobots and Decepticons. But even as a united army, the Transformers seemed capable of little more than annoying their opponent. Casualties continued to mount, Scorponok among them. Having martyred himself, Scorponok asked Optimus Prime if he "did good" as he succumbed to his death throes. Optimus Prime nodded, called him his friend, and finally Scorponok passed away. Then, a Matrix-possessed Thunderwing suddenly returned. Although Thunderwing's body was completely disintegrated by Unicron, the Matrix itself persisted. As the artifact plummeted down planet-side, Prime ejected Hi-Q from his chest, knowing this next act would kill him. He seized the Matrix, fought its corruption, and plunged himself into Unicron's maw while holding it aloft. The Matrix's goodness came to the forefront once more thanks to Prime's influence, and its power was unleashed to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

[[File:EndOfTheRoad-itcanitis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Gotta sell that one last toy!]]
The Transformers' ultimate battle was won, but the cost was high! What was left of Optimus Prime's body was found, and he was amazingly still holding on to life, thanks to the Matrix energy that he'd absorbed. But he hadn't much longer, so he pulled Prowl close to him and told him that Grimlock would lead the Autobots. Prime died (again), and Prowl screamed in agony. But before too long, after the Powermaster absorbed [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] energy from Grimlock, Hi-Q announced that ''he'' was Optimus Prime! {{storylink|Still Life!}} Since Cybertron was threatening to break apart after the stress of Unicron's attack, Hi-Q and the other Neo-Knights were packed up on a ship meant to escape the planet. But Hi-Q had other ideas. {{storylink|Exodus!}} He persuaded the Neo-Knights to stay on the dying planet and search for the [[Last Autobot]], explaining that the pains Optimus Prime were feeling before he died were the start of a larger metamorphosis. If Prime had lived, the Powermaster process would have eventually merged the two into one, but it continued on even with Prime dead. Thankfully for the Neo-Knights, Hi-Q was not crazy, and they stumbled across the storage chamber for the Last Autobot. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

The Last Autobot set in motion the planet's healing process and took an interest in Hi-Q. A new robotic body was forged around Hi-Q's, and he and Optimus Prime were truly combined into one being! Optimus Prime, fully reborn as an [[Action Master]], took the Neo-Knights and the Last Autobot to [[Klo]], where the final battle was taking place. The Autobots had dwindled to just five of their number, and the Decepticons were approaching total victory, when Optimus Prime miraculously returned. Optimus Prime ushered in a new age of peace and harmony by shoving his fists through the Decepticons' heads and torsos, and with some resurrection help from the Last Autobot, the dead Autobots were restored and the Decepticons were forced to flee. The war finally over, Optimus Prime told his fellow Autobots that they'd help Klo rebuild... and then they'd finally go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Annual 1985===
{{note|Due to being published early in the franchise, these stories are out of continuity with the above.<ref>"Plague of the Insecticons!" was later designated as [[universal stream]] [[Primax 1285.0 Gamma]] by [[Vector Prime]].</ref>}}
[[File:Optimus prime plague of the insecticons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|"Shredder!"]]
Realizing that their mission on Earth would be infinitely more difficult without capable human allies, Optimus attempted to open a dialogue with the American government. Planning the meeting in utmost secrecy, Optimus, [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], and [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] managed to secure an audience with the [[Ronald Reagan|President of the United States]]. The three Autobots drove to the White House, where they were warmly received by their host... only for their talk to be interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. The Autobots did their best to take down the trio, only for [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to loudly proclaim that Optimus was his leader, and he was off to attack [[Washington, D.C.|the city]] as per his orders. Unfortunately, the President's soldier escorts were quick to turn on the Autobots, having assumed that Bombshell had revealed the robots' true intent.

Optimus sent Prowl and Warpath to deal with the Insecticons, while he went off on his own to "cut them off at their source"; Optimus had noticed that the Insecticons were sluggish and restrained during their initial strike, at odds with their sleek, efficient designs. He reasoned that they were not acting under their own free will, but were rather being remote-controlled by someone else. His assumption proved correct: [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] was operating all three Insecticons using a nearby control module. While he tracked the cat down, Optimus split his concentration in two, sending his [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] drone to help his soldiers on the battlefront. But upon being found, Ravage commanded Bombshell to double back and help him deal with Optimus, sending out a mental signal for his minion to infect the Autobot with a [[cerebro-shell]], and take control of his mind. But just as Bombshell was about to do so, Optimus's Roller drone was destroyed, and the Autobot keeled over in pain. The cerebro-shell missed its intended target, and implanted itself in Ravage, putting him under Bombshell's control. Since Bombshell himself was already under Ravage's control, the end result was two mindless and immobile Decepticons. With the battle over, Optimus and his troops fled the scene; they felt that the humans would not believe them should they try and explain the situation, and that the Decepticon had already sullied their reputation beyond repair. {{storylink|Plague of the Insecticons!}}

Optimus took a the bulk of the Autobot forces on a later mission, leaving only a handful behind and instructing them to purvey news broadcasts for Decepticon activity in his absence. {{storylink|Hunted!}}

===''Robo-Capers''===
Optimus Prime introduced to his readers four Transformers that, for various comical reasons, never made "the cut"; [[Bozo]], [[Busby]], [[Lamphead]], and [[Gogglebox]]. {{storylink|Robo-Capers issue 88}}

===Trigger-Happy!===
[[File:Optimus prime trigger-happy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
The Autobots intercepted a message from [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] and [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] to Megatron, detailing how the pair were planning to deliver battle plans to their leader. Optimus led a sting operation to seize the plans in transit, only for his lookout, [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], to botch the whole mission by firing his weapon during the Decepticons' approach, despite being under strict orders not to do so. The resulting firefight imperiled the residents of [[Rivers' Town]], and Optimus sent [[Override (G1)|Override]] to fetch Backstreet from his post so he could explain himself. Override wound up exaggerating Optimus's frustration over the situation, and Backstreet was led to believe that he would be terminated for his lapse in judgement! Panicked, Backstreet fled the scene.

Optimus ordered his troops to track down and bring in Backstreet before he did further harm, either to himself or to innocent bystanders. Though still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, Optimus had no choice but to tell his troops that Backstreet's termination might be necessary upon hearing that the fugitive had attacked a human military convoy unprovoked. This announcement prompted Override to come clean about the exchange that had preceded Backstreet going on the run. Optimus was outraged that such crucial information had been kept from him, but relieved to learn that Backstreet hadn't gone rogue without reason. Right on cue, [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] then contacted Prime and told him that Backstreet had finally been sighted. Unfortunately, Megatron had already gotten to him, and was in the process of recruiting Backstreet over to his side! Optimus ordered all other units to stand back, lest their swarming give off the wrong impression, and resolved to rescue Backstreet on his own.

Crashing through a perimeter made up of Megatron's goons, Optimus tackled down his nemesis just as he was about to strike Backstreet down, the former having already refused to defect. Megatron ordered all of his soldiers to stand back, declaring the honour of killing Prime to be his alone, and the two leaders clashed. Though paralyzed by his anxiety at first, Backstreet eventually snapped back to his senses upon hearing that Prime was still willing to take him back, despite recent events. He intervened just as Optimus was about to get his head blown off, knocking Megatron out cold in the process. The Decepticons rushed forward in response, but Optimus provided enough cover fire for both he and Backstreet to slip away safely.

Back at Autobot Headquarters, Backstreet pled guilty to the charges of desertion and insubordination levelled against him, and told Optimus that he was ready to accept whatever punishment awaited him. Instead reprimanding him, Optimus declared that Backstreet would henceforth always be accompanied by another Autobot while acting as lookout to prevent similar incidents from happening again. {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Arcee optimus primes rib.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
In an alternate timeline, Optimus Prime still maintained his Powermaster body in 1995. When a [[Feminist mob|feminist group]] on Earth raised complaints that all the Autobots seemed to fit male archetypes, Optimus tried to appease them in the name of public relations. When explanations that, as living machines, Transformers didn't ''have'' genders failed, Optimus opted to give in to their demands and construct a new warrior, fitting their specifications. The unveiling of a powder pink and curvaceous Autobot, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], did little to improve the humans' mood. A group of Decepticons led by Shockwave then crashed the unveiling, under the impression that the Autobots had constructed some sort of secret weapon. They were proved partially right, as after Optimus fell in combat, Arcee easily sent the Decepticons packing. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

Years later, in [[2004]], Prime was back in his original Earthly appearance. While attending the grand opening of Autobot City on Earth, the Autobots came under fire from Shockwave and his Decepticons. Optimus Prime and the Autobots bravely used their bodies as shields to protect their human guests until the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:Megatron prime duel the planet-eater.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
''By the year [[2005]], the Decepticons had conquered all of Cybertron, relegating the Autobots to its two moons and Autobot City on Earth. In anticipation for an offensive strike against Megatron's army, Optimus sent Ironhide to Earth to fetch the Energon cubes necessary for this endeavor. Little did Optimus know that Laserbeak had been spying on them the whole time; Megatron ambushed the shuttle and slew everyone on board.''

''The Decepticons next moved to attack Autobot City. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] informed Optimus of the attack, and Optimus too traveled to Earth, bringing the Dinobots as reinforcements. As they battled Devastator, Optimus vowed to stop Megatron himself, no matter the cost. He barreled through Megatron's soldiers, and went toe-to-toe with his long-time foe. In the brutal confrontation, Megatron was able to get the drop on Optimus by feigning surrender, only to pull a pistol and deal a fatal blow to the Autobot. Optimus nonetheless managed to impart severe injuries on his nemesis, forcing the Decepticons to flee.''

''As Optimus lay dying, he passed on the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus, telling him that one day an Autobot would use its power to light their darkest hour. Telling those present to follow Ultra Magnus as their new leader, Optimus then expired.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

In another timeline, Optimus was similarly responsible for beating Megatron to near-death in the year 2005. Unicron reformatting this version of the Decepticon leader yielded the crazed [[Galvatron II]]. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

A time traveler from the distant future, [[Dicet Alpha-zero]], would one day traverse the time-stream to observe several key moments in the Transformers' war. Among the many events he witnessed were Optimus's decision to crash the Ark on Earth; his time as a disembodied head in Shockwave's possession; his first death following his duel within [[Ethan Zachary]]'s computer game world; his subsequent resurrection as a Powermaster; his confrontation against Grimlock upon his return to Earth and his battle against Galvatron at the end of the Time Wars. {{storylink|The Quest!}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Primevsgrimlockbreakaway.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|That's got to be therapeutic.]]
After a group of Autobots were revived following an unsuccessful attempt on [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s part to brainwash them, Optimus sent out two of them, Wheeljack and Prowl, to investigate Decepticon activity in Arizona. {{storylink|Starting Over!}}

While dealing with the oncoming threat of Unicron, Optimus Prime came under a great deal of stress and began actively berating [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and his newly reactivated Dinobots for their more brutal methods of combating the enemy. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} This reprimand prompted Grimlock to offer his resignation from the Autobot army. Tempers got heated, and the two Autobots actually started brawling with one another in the conference room. After a few minutes of furious fighting, however, Prime and Grimlock effectively beat some sense into each other. Optimus Prime decided to take the Ark and its crew out into space, leaving Grimlock behind to command an "Earthforce" of Autobots, dedicated to protecting the planet in his absence. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-280-4MYItch-ObservationusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Optimus Prime returned briefly for an inspection after the Autobot [[Earthbase]] was completed, and the Dinobots barely managed to keep him from learning about the [[Emotional damper|berserker rages]] which plagued [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] every few million years. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}} He also oversaw the reconstruction of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in Wheeljack's [[Body Shop]], only to be left disconcerted when a saboteur kept on impeding Wheeljack's efforts to return the damaged Autobot to life. Optimus tasked Grimlock with uncovering whoever was behind delaying Wheeljack's efforts, unaware that the culprit was Grimlock himself. Tracks was nonetheless reactivated, and Optimus decided to leave the vain Autobot under Grimlock's command before returning to space, still unaware of Grimlock's hatred towards his newest underling. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}}

While assigning [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] a mission to the [[Acid Wastes]], Optimus found the latter five uncharacteristically lost in thought during his briefing. After regaining their attention, Optimus explained that he was sending them off to seek out the [[Underbase]]'s remains, hoping to use its connection to [[Primus]] as a substitute for the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in their impending battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He was further bewildered to find his troops making ridiculous excuses to avoid the mission. He sent them off despite this apparent show of cowardice.

Afterwards, Optimus accessed the Ark's archives for any clues as to why some of his finest were acting so strangely. He uncovered reports stating that Prowl and the others had been to the region before, and been tortured there by the sadistic [[Megadeath (G1)|Megadeath]]. Though puzzled over why they had kept this chapter of their lives a secret from him, the mission allowed the group to face the ghosts of their past, and they eventually succeeded in reaching their goal anyway. {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}
{{-}}

===Another Time & Place===
[[File:TFAnnual1991rip.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.1|They will each keep half in special BFF lockets.]]
After Klo, the Autobots returned to Cybertron in an effort to rebuild the planetary government and resources. Optimus Prime naturally took the lead in these endeavours, but matters weighed heavily on his spark. The Nucleon-soaked Hi-Q at the core of his new body was one thing, reducing Prime to a non-transforming "[[Action Master|Actionmaster]]" like many of his fellow Autobots. But more importantly, Optimus Prime feared that the newfound peace on Cybertron would not last. He desperately wanted his soldiers to stop being soldiers, yet was petrified that something might come along and disturb their inactivity. This trepidation kept Optimus from stopping Grimlock from jetting off on an ill-advised mission to [[Hydrus Four]] in search of a way to reverse the Nucleon process, and he even refused to listen to Prowl when he reported that Grimlock had taken off anyway. Prowl struck a chord, however, when he pointed out that if he could track Grimlock's destination, so could the Decepticons. Shamed by Prowl's rebuke, Optimus Prime soon pushed aside his recalcitrance and assembled a strike team to go after the Dinobots.

On Hydrus Four, the Autobots discovered the Decepticons had taken over the medical facility with the Nucleon supply, and taken the Dinobots hostage. It seemed Bludgeon had a plan for the Nucleon, using it to recreate Megatron himself. With a surgical strike, however, they managed to free the Dinobots and take the fight to the enemy. Optimus confronted Bludgeon himself in battle, but was saved when Grimlock suddenly charged through and struck the Decepticon leader in dino-mode. It turned out the Nucleon process could be reversed after all! After that, all Prime and Grimlock had to do was tear apart the zombie-like, half-revived Megatron. Piece o' cake.

Eons later, Prime reminisced on this adventure, relishing the sense of closure it had brought him. But since that time, Autobot probes had uncovered a new breed of Decepticons amassing in deep space. Steeling himself after his reverie, Prime walked off to warn his fellows that a new battle awaited them, and it was time to take up arms once more. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots when the joint Decepticon leaders [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targeting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Attack at Dawn}}

He was monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to humanity in [[New York City]]. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|The Troy Principle}} Those events were recorded on a videotape that was later found and watched by Autobots on Cybertron after a [[City of Fear!|nuclear disaster]] in [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 21|In Memory of Earth}}

In [[1973]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}} Optimus Prime held a meeting in which he discussed with his fellow Autobots the importance of defending Earth's oil supply from the Decepticons in case they had forgotten, and applauded [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]'s call for a one-world Autobot government. The Decepticons then attacked an oil tanker. Prime put [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] in charge of the rescue mission, while he coordinated stopping the other raids that the Decepticons were systematically carrying out. At the end of a long night full of battles, he treats the Autobots to a stash of Energon. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 6|A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}} Those events would later be observed via log recording by Autobots in the year [[2008]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}}

Optimus Prime requested that the [[Micromaster]]s take on Earth modes and join him on Earth. The [[Race Car Patrol]], [[Off Road Patrol]], [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]] and [[Sports Car Patrol]] emerged from hyperspace at several hundred mach into the Ark. A day later, a huge battle took place in New York as the Autobots battled the Decepticons. The Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con', however Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

When the Decepticons stole three nuclear missiles from the United State Federation to hold the world to ransom, Optimus Prime put the entire burden of discovering their whereabouts on the shoulders of the Double Targetmasters. Once the Decepticon base was located, he ordered that [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] be given the power and abilities of [[Pretender]]s and sent to defeat the Decepticons (and they did, hurrah!). {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}}

Optimus Prime was part of a wayward simulation watched by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] that mashed up previous adventures of the Autobots. It prominently ended with Optimus reviewing the characteristics of various Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 15|Memories of Bumblebee}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|"Save Nevada Alpha"}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Transformers in Action: Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 12|Transformers in Action: "By their Blasters you shall know them ...!"}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|Transformers in Action: The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 16|Transforming Robots in Action: The Case of Optimus Prime}}}}

==Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic==
[[File:Optimusprime-g2.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|More apocalyptic visions than you can shake a covenant at.]]
As time passed, with the Decepticons supposed in exile and Cybertron at peace, the Autobots functionally disbanded. They scattered across the galaxies, with many retiring in peace while others continued to fight ''for'' peace among other civilizations they came across. Optimus Prime was still based out of Cybertron for a time, when he was alerted to Megatron's resurgence on Earth by the Joe team. {{storylink|Goin' South}} He also had at least one encounter with Bludgeon's forces after [[Klo]], (which ended with both sides fleeing from the planet's [[Guardian (G2)|Guardian]]) {{storylink|Ghosts}} but eventually was no longer in direct command of all Autobots as they scattered across the galaxy.

The time came when Optimus Prime was called back into the skirmish, alongside his honor guard of [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], when Grimlock and his combat unit discovered a greater [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] that had sprouted up without their noticing it. These next generation Decepticons, led by the Liege Centuro [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], would conquer world after world using terraforming and exo-structuring processes to remake raw materials into a new Cybertron for their use. Optimus Prime, Grimlock and their "Dirty Dozen" of Autobots began a small resistance movement against Jhiaxus and his people, but realized they were out of their depth. As the call went out to reassemble the Autobot army en masse, Prime worried that they were still missing some greater threat—he had begun experiencing visions of an unknown peril that was heading their way, and wasn't sure if even the united Autobots would be enough to deal with it. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

A temporary cease fire with the Cybertronian Empire in the [[K'tord Nebula]] after encountering psychic parasites that fed off of aggression did nothing to forestall the greater conflict between them. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

Until he could identify this secondary threat, Prime ordered the Autobots to remain inactive at an Autobase built into a small asteroid belt. But certainly Grimlock was having none of that. He grabbed a sizeable percentage of their displaced warriors who had already arrived and headed out after Jhiaxus and his flagship, [[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]. Naturally, they got in over their heads. Prime grabbed some of his personal soldiers (Hot Rod, Kup, Prowl, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]) and hijacked a strike ship to get close enough to Twilight for a rescue mission. Once Grimlock and his men were sent out on a prison vessel, Optimus blasted the ship just enough to cause chaos, and give Grimlock enough time to overtake the crew. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Surprisingly enough, he gave Grimlock no rebuke once they met up again—in fact, Prime put the Dinobot commander in charge of the entire army! In order to fully understand the visions of impending doom he was receiving, Optimus Prime decided he needed to return to Cybertron itself, to help "cut through the static" that was garbling whatever message the Matrix was trying to send him. Engaging in a quasi-mystical ritual to expand his psychic boundaries, Optimus cast himself mentally back through time to witness the birth of the first Transformer, [[Prima]], as he rose from the living structure of Cybertron itself. What he saw next, however, was astonishing—Cybertronians birthing new Cybertronians themselves, causing living metal to burst forth from them in a bio-morphic reproduction process called "[[Reproduction#Budding|budding]]". Primus had apparently allowed this only up till a point, allowing the race to evolve in stages before discontinuing the ability and the memory of it from his progeny. Jhiaxus and his new Cybertronians, however, were the end result of some Decepticons somehow relearning the budding process. They were stronger, yes, and perhaps more evolved physically, but their souls, their sparks, were distilled too many times over. Optimus Prime awoke from his trance, believing he had come to understand the threat he sensed: the fractioning of his species. Little did he know that the threat was far less philosophical, and far more tangible, than he realized. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}

Megatron led an attacked on Washington D.C., prompting [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] to seek out Optimus for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Parth Three}} Prime jumped at the idea of joining forces with the original Decepticons to face off against the Cybertronians. Traveling to Earth alone, Optimus approached Megatron with the intent to talk. Instead, Megatron blasted him from behind, beat him to a pulp, ionized his every circuit, and then ripped out his chest and siphoned away the power of the Matrix. So no, the talking didn't go too well. Prime only survived due to Grimlock's talent for insubordination, as the Dinobot leader brought a massive strike team down to save their fallen leader before Megatron finished him off. Still, as the Autobots dragged Prime away to receive repair treatment, he knew Megatron would be back—Optimus had stuttered out enough information about "new Decepticons" to pique his old foe's interest, and once Megatron went after them and bit off more than he could chew, they'd meet again. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

In this, at least, Optimus Prime knew Megatron all too well. Only days later a heavily battered and bruised Megatron wandered into Autobase: Earth, looking for that alliance Prime had offered. {{storylink|New Dawn|Tales of Earth Part Four}} Prime accepted, but when news reached him that the planet [[Ethos]] was under attack, Megatron refused to involve himself; he considered the endangered world to be beneath his notice. Making it clear that their alliance would only work if the Decepticons accepted to work under Autobot terms, Optimus left to fight Ethos's invaders. {{storylink|Escalation!|Tales of Earth Part Five}} The culprit turned out to be once more Jhiaxus's army, who appalled Optimus with the complete amorality with which they dealt out genocide. Engaging them proved to be a losing battle, until Megatron and his troops turned up after all. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance was cemented through combat, and though Ethos lay in shambles, its last few survivors gained a reprieved from obliteration. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

With new allies, things were looking up for Prime until the unthinkable happened. His visions of death and apocalypse finally came true as the Autobots came across a devastated world looking almost identical to the images he had been experiencing. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}} Optimus now realized his visions were not metaphorical in nature, and almost drew the conclusion himself before [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s science team completed their analysis of the genocide—it was their fault. More specifically, some by-product of the Cybertronian race had been formed by the budding process which created Jhiaxus and the Cybertronians, an animate entity that scoured the cosmos of its own design. Before more data and analysis could be had, however, Jhiaxus and his troops arrived on Earth seeking to end their ancestors once and for all. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Tales of Earth Part Six}}

[[File:Megatrong2idiot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|No, no, shoot at ''each other''!]]
Optimus and Megatron fought shoulder-to-shoulder as the enemy forces descended en-masse, and though the first wave was destroyed, subsequent ones threatened to overwhelm the alliance utterly. Knowing that Jhiaxus's acquisition of the Matrix would signal their defeat, Optimus Prime asked Megatron if he had the means of reaching it, aboard the [[Warworld]] in orbit. His old foe answered in the affirmative; he had stashed a small vessel nearby in case the need for a quick getaway ever presented itself. {{storylink|Total War!}} The pair made their way out of Earth's atmosphere, but found the Warworld gunning down the Cybertronian fleet, despite reports that the enemy had already overrun it. Sneaking aboard, they found the Warworld's interior transformed into a living, squirming mass. The reason for this change was soon made evident; Starscream after having already betrayed the alliance to Jhiaxus, had in turn betrayed his new ally, taken the Matrix for himself, and used it to merge with Warworld! {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth Part Seven}} Starscream tried to force Optimus and Megatron into the Warworld's plasma core, though Megatron prevented their fall by grabbing hold of a cable. Megatron then flung Optimus to safety and kept Starscream's attention on himself so that Prime could progress unimpeded. As Optimus made his way through the ship, he found it strangely responsive to his needs, as though Starscream was, for some reason, out to help him. Upon reaching a communications console, Optimus begged Jhiaxus for an audience to discuss the impending threat which was bearing down on them all. As badly as Prime's last attempt to "just talk" with an enemy had gone, this time it went much worse, as Jhiaxus responded by ordering the orbital bombardment and destruction of the human city of [[San Francisco]]. Millions of lives were wiped out in an instant. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}}

[[File:Jhiaxusyouhavedestroyedme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Do you like me? Check (yes) or (no)."]]
As bad as things were, a silver lining did develop—Starscream proved too much of a "pedestrian villain" to actually corrupt the Matrix as had happened in the past. Instead, it was actually turning him more heroic, giving him selfless and self-sacrificing urges! The Warworld began blasting at Jhiaxus's ship in an attempt to forestall further attacks on Earth. But before Prime could even respond to this development, the Swarm itself arrived in orbit. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth Part Eight}} Not wanting to be a hero, much less a dead hero, Starscream willingly relinquished the Matrix to Optimus Prime. In yet another effort at unity and compromise, Prime took a skysled over to Jhiaxus's flagship, Twilight, in order to talk the Liege Centuro into working with the Autobots and Decepticons to commune with the Swarm.

[[File:RageInHeaven-HeroPrime.jpg|left|thumb|100px|He really does like to push the new toy at the last possible moment.]]
Instead, Jhiaxus tore off his face.

The formerly icy Cybertronian had been driven completely off his rocker by the extended conflict with his ancestors, and was now little more than a mad dog pounding away at Optimus Prime. The brutality only ended when the Swarm entered Twilight and consumed Jhiaxus utterly. At this point, Optimus had reasoned that the Swarm was merely a void, searching for something to complete the emptiness inside it. With desperate reasoning, Prime allowed the Swarm to assail him, hoping that he (and the Matrix inside him) would prove to be what it was searching for. His body ravaged to the point of total disintegration, Optimus Prime still managed to make mental contact with the Swarm as it consumed him, and expose it to the will of Primus. Having successfully purified the Swarm, Optimus Prime rematerialized in a new, more powerful body. In the aftermath, in front of the cheering masses, Prime declared a new age of peace and enlightenment.

Privately, however, Prime knew that [[Furmanism|it never ends]]... {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic==
{{note|The Fleetway comics follow the Marvel Comics continuity, telling a similar but divergent story to the US ''Generation 2'' series.}}
[[File:Optimus megatron war without end.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When the diabolical [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] launched an all-out attack on [[London]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] called in Optimus Prime who traveled to Earth with a small squad comprising [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Skram (G2)|Skram]]. On their arrival, Grimlock was nowhere to be found, having been incapacitated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] in a new body. Sending his troops to deal with the other Decepticons, Optimus sought out and confronted Bludgeon, blasting [[Windrazor (G2)|Tornado]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] out of the way and soundly beating the Decepticon leader in one-on-one combat. It was only then that the real threat revealed himself — Megatron! {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}}

Still weary from his battle with Bludgeon, Prime wasn't sure if he could beat Megatron and he was quickly proved correct as the Decepticon showed off the features of his new body, including the powerful [[Particle cannon|particle accelerator cannon]]. Fortunately for the Autobot leader, [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] ordered his [[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtroopers]] to attack Megatron, then Grimlock and his [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] intervened and finally Jazz and the others arrived. Outnumbered, Megatron summoned [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and retreated.

Later at [[Autobase]], Grimlock filled Prime in on what had happened in his absence. Thousands, perhaps millions of [[Cybertronian (faction)|new Decepticons]] had shown up and were [[cyberforming|eco-structuring]] worlds into new Cybertrons all over the galaxy and Grimlock had even tussled with these Decepticons' leader, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. However disturbing this news, Optimus's visions had warned him that there was something much worse out there... {{storylink|War Zone}}

Prime was still having apocalyptic visions when Grimlock went against orders and attempted to destroy the Cybertronian flagship ''[[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]''. The mission went badly, leading to the deaths of [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], until Prime showed up to save the day aboard the captured Cybertronian ship ''[[Sabre]]''. Afterwards, Optimus left Grimlock in charge of the Autobots as he went to investigate the source of his visions. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Deep beneath the surface of Cybertron, Prime was shown the creation of the Transformer race and learned of a previously-unknown method of [[reproduction]], that of budding. He also saw how the Cybertronian Empire had rediscovered this process to massively bolster their numbers. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}
{{-}}

==''Cybertron'' comic==
While reminiscing about some events throughout [[multiverse]], [[Vector Prime]] remembered the time [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] taunted Optimus Prime's disembodied head. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Classicscomicautobots.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"All right, do-over. This time I'll skip the visions of doom, and you won't get yourself tangled up with Cobra. Deal?"]]
After the war ended on Klo, Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron exhausted. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} Several of his most powerful warriors, uneasy with peacetime, left Cybertron to pursue whatever Decepticon stragglers remained in outer space. Though Optimus objected to their departure, he made no effort to actually stop them. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13|Grimlock's profile in Club magazine #13}} Since the war had gone on for so long, Prime had all along resigned himself to an inevitable death, and so finding the war at an end, Prime simply withdrew from society. No civilian job satisfied him. Now that peace was finally here, he had no idea what to do! {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} In his attempts to keep busy, he helped some of his soldiers adjust to the new status quo. Among these was Hot Rod, who he set up with an administrative job, {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Rodimus's profile in Club magazine #15}} and Nightbeat and Muzzle, to whom he offered a place as his personal investigative agents. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Muzzle's profile in Club magazine #22}} He also helped [[Lug (G1)|Lug]] in acquiring a ship to take him back to [[Nebulos]], {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Lug's profile in Club magazine #22}} and organized a project to restore the data destroyed from Cybertron's archives during the war. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Quig's profile in Club magazine #22}} As the years passed, Optimus became more and more of a recluse, spending deca-cycles within the Last Autobot's orbital watchtower. What the two legendary figures discussed in isolation is a mystery to all others. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}}

Fifteen years later, Optimus was somewhat relieved that Megatron had resurfaced on Earth. Though it shamed him, he once again had a purpose. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} He sent out messages to his off-world troops, key among them Grimlock {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13|Grimlock's profile in Club magazine #13}} and Rodimus (formerly Hot Rod) {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Rodimus's profile in Club magazine #15}} to rejoin the battle alongside him on Earth.

The team Optimus Prime returned to Earth commanding wound up including some of his best warriors, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus]], united to counter the return of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. When Transformers from another reality, [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], arrived on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron stumbled upon them, only to find himself under attack by Prime and his Autobots. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} Overwhelmed, Megatron managed to escape with Landquake, while the Autobots returned to Autobot headquarters with Skyfall. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}}

Optimus Prime took his Autobots and Skyfall to [[South America]], where the Decepticons were investigating a mysterious energy source that was similar to the radiation readings of their new dimension-traveling companions. After Prime left Jetfire in mid-transit to help [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNT]] fight the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], he and the remaining Autobots arrived at their destination and battled the rest of Megatron's forces on the ground. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} As the battle raged, Optimus Prime took on Megatron in a one-on-one battle. Megatron tried repeatedly to escape Prime so that he could discover the location of the energy readings, but Prime prevented him from doing so. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 4}} Megatron tried intimidation tactics, boasting that his troops outnumbered Prime's, assuring him the victory. Optimus was nearly felled, but Grimlock intervened in the duel by tossing Bonecrusher into Megatron, giving Optimus the respite he needed to continue keeping Megatron at bay. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} As Megatron's troops were eliminated from the fight, the Decepticon leader realized his gambit was up. He swore the next time he and Prime met, it would be different! Optimus Prime told him to leave before he lost his patience, and the Decepticons withdrew. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

The battle won, but the energy source still a mystery, Prime and his Autobots returned to their headquarters heavily damaged, and seemingly having lost Skyfall and Cliffjumper (along with Landquake). Later, he was pleased to have been visited (seemingly very quickly, if really at all) by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] when their paths crossed while the latter was hunting [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

At another time, Optimus Prime fought alongside Jetfire, Sunstreaker, and Ironhide to protect some humans from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. Later still, after Ratchet had been rescued from Megatron, Optimus overlooked the medic as he recovered from his trauma, and welcomed him back to the Autobots. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{note|The entire [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]] was destroyed in the [[BotCon 2012]] comic story "[[Invasion (issue)|Invasion]]". Optimus Prime was not featured in "Invasion", but comments made at BotCon 2012 imply that he was not on Earth at the time and would thus have been killed along with the rest of his universe.}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Optimus prime loose ends 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Hot Rod's first action as Autobot leader was to order a more comfortable chair.]]
In the twenty-one years since defeating Bludgeon on Klo and returning to Cybertron, Optimus Prime had grown more distant, sequestering himself to [[Nova Point]], where he was mentoring [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]]. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], catching wind of some dissident Decepticon activity, visited Prime to ask him to send the [[Wrecker]]s in to stop a potential uprising before it began. Prime, believing that such an action would only galvanize the Decepticons, forbade it. However, shortly thereafter, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to hijack a defense satellite and use it to destroy the [[Last Autobot]] where it stood in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

Kup defied the stand-down order and activated the Wreckers to stop a Neo-Decepticon raid on a weapons decommissioning facility in [[Kalis]], preventing the detonation of reclaimed warheads. Prime reluctantly conceded that the Wreckers' actions saved countless lives and chose not to punish Kup at this time, much to Magnus' concern due to the influence the Wreckers' war-hero status had had on his cadets. Prime didn't hear Magnus' concerns, however, as he was overcome with a vision of [[Unicron]], threatening to return and kill him again. Frustrated with Prime's lack of action, Kup decided to take a more proactive approach, and left with the Wreckers for [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}}

Kup's mission proved disastrous, as [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had devastated the planet, and had been waiting for Prime to return for one more showdown—a fact he revealed to Kup when the Wrecker leader was captured. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}} [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]'s distress signal was received on Cybertron, at which time the Autobots discovered a repeating message from Megatron, calling for Prime and taunting him. Ultra Magnus and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] took these messages to Optimus. With the revelation of Megatron's survival, Prime had no choice but to mobilize the Autobots to Earth, though he ordered Hot Rod to stay behind to watch over Cybertron. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Optimus arrived on Earth to find Megatron, along with an army of [[zombie]] Decepticons that he had revived and lobotomized, in the remains of [[Washington, D.C.]], about to destroy Springer. The insane Decepticon was thrilled to see that his nemesis had finally come. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} Prime realized that his inaction had resulted in Megatron's devastation of the planet, but did his best to contain himself as he ordered Megatron to let Springer go. Megatron proceeded to shoot Springer in the head with his [[fusion cannon]], and then sarcastically suggested that he misinterpreted Prime's meaning. This was enough to make the Autobot leader snap, and as the other Autobots engaged Megatron's zombie army, Prime and Megatron went head-to-head.

[[File:Prime megatron loose ends 5.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|OO, RIGHT IN THE TRIGGER]]
As the battle commenced, Megatron revealed his dark designs — he had set this confrontation up to be their final battle. Being linked with [[Aunty|Auntie]], the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s computer, he had programmed her to launch all of Earth's remaining nuclear weapons should he be terminated; should Megatron prevail over Prime, or should the two find themselves in a stalemate, he intended to fire the missiles anyway, ensuring that both would be destroyed, along with every remaining living thing on the planet!

During the battle, Kup destroyed Ratchet, sending Megatron into agony and providing Prime with the opening he needed to rip Megatron's spark from his chest, ending his old foe once and for all. Fortunately for Optimus, at about the same time, the group of Wreckers led by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] had reached the Ark, and Circuit Smasher was able to disable Auntie, not only preventing the nuclear launch, but deactivating the zombie Decepticons as well. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Prime mournfully watched as the bodies of the fallen zombie army—which had even included Autobots that had been left in stasis on the Ark—were gathered up to be destroyed by orbital bombardment. He refused First Aid's offer of repairs, choosing to wear his battle scars in memory of the fallen. Prime offered an apology to Kup, who wasn't quick to forgive. He was then tersely confronted by Circuit Smasher, who informed Prime that he and his human allies had unanimously voted for the Autobots to leave Earth immediately. Prime tried to ask his former ally to reconsider, believing that the Autobots could help humanity rebuild, but Spike rebuffed him, stating that they were far beyond "rebuilding" and had to start from scratch. Not wishing to bring further conflict upon the humans, Prime reluctantly chose to abide by their decision. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

[[File:Spike fort max optimus the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|After the war, Fort Max was finally able to become a chiropractor.]]
At least, he would ensure the other Autobots abide by the humans' wishes, as he surprised Ultra Magnus with the revelation that he was staying behind to help rebuild. Prime also revealed to Magnus that he believed his own resurrection at the hands of the Last Autobot had been a mistake, that his own time had passed, and that it was time for Hot Rod to assume the mantle of leadership. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}} Optimus proceeded to drive to the [[Yukon]], with the intent of destroying the Ark and its Cybertronian technology once and for all, though he was unable to decide whether this was out of altruism, or atonement. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}} However, when Optimus arrived at the Ark, he was surprised to find it taking off... and with a Transformer aboard who Prime recognized as Megatron. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

Later, Optimus sent a message to the Autobots on Cybertron telling them of the [[Galvatron II|Megatron-like character]]'s presence on the Ark. Hearing about the state of shock Scorponok left the people of Nebulos in, Prime reasoned the two damaged worlds of Earth and Nebulos could help each other. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Despite Circuit Smasher's electrified reception, Optimus Prime presented his plan to Blackrock and the humans, and they accepted. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}} Circuit Smasher remained recalcitrant, however, and even threatened to blow up the space bridge while Prime was constructing it. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} Nevertheless, work on Earth and Nebulos neared completion. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}}

[[File:Three primes war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Everybody's first Optimus is in rough shape.]]
When the space bridge was activated, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] came through, defeated the already wounded Prime and captured Spike. Optimus had to be hurriedly ushered in for repairs. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} He was being treated by G.B. Blackrock when his body suddenly vanished. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}

When Rodimus was journeying to [[Zero Space]], the [[Dark Matrix]] creature called on three different versions of Optimus from different points in this timeline. Of them was the wounded-'current'-Prime. The Dark Matrix creature commanded the Primes to attack Rodimus Prime who was carrying the [[Sword of Primus]]. Rodimus couldn't handle even one Prime and three Primes were too much for him. It was then that he called [[Rodimus (disambiguation)|multiple Rodimuses from across the multiverse]]. They managed to hold off Optimus long enough for him to shake off the entity's control. Optimus Prime counseled Rodimus on how to defeat the Anti-Matrix, and the beast was cut off from the rest of the multiverse. Optimus and Rodimus reverted to Cybertron, where Optimus finally expired from his accumulated injuries. He was at peace, though, believing the Last Autobot made a mistake reviving him years ago, and the Autobots were now in the hands of a worthy successor. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers '84''==
[[File:'84Optimus and The Ark.jpg|thumb|400px]]
With the earliest battles of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] all being in favour of the Decepticons, it was thought that they had all but won the conflict. Optimus Prime emerging as Autobot leader however led to the disorganized resistance rallying together into meaningful opposition against the Decepticons, stalling the aggressors' advance. Indeed Megatron became so obsessed with defeating this "upstart" that he all but forgot his original ambition of [[Project Dreadnought]]. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

After so many eons of war, Optimus Prime became convinced that Megatron represented not only the greatest threat to Cybertron's future, greater even than the [[Stellae Cimeterium]], but the lynchpin of the Decepticon army. As Cybertron drifted towards an [[asteroid belt]], Optimus saw a chance to remove Megatron from the combat theatre through the Ark, a ship which Optimus would crewed with the entirety of [[Autobot High Command]] to tempt [[Decepticon High Command]] into following, ordering [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] to inform Megatron of the ship's construction. After dodging questions from both the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] about his plan, Optimus met with Punch in the [[Badlands (Cybertron)|Badlands]], praising the spy for his performance and informing him of his true plan. After taking a moment to reflect on the trusts he was betraying, Optimus ordered Punch to ensure that no one would ever find the Ark and that Megatron never be allowed to return to Cybertron. When the time for launch came, Optimus led his troops in destroying the rocks before, as he predicted, Megatron attacked the ship. Without missing a beat, Optimus set the Ark on a collision course with the nearby [[Earth]], crashing it and cutting off everyone from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}

==Notes==
*In an alternate ending to [[The Last Stand]] (printed in [[The Transformers: The Complete Works Part 2]]) Optimus gets to finish up his speech as Shockwave's attack never comes. Optimus Prime declares that the Decepticons have been defeated once and for all instead.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robo-Capers characters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Transformers Annual 1986

2022-01-25T02:36:35Z

Charles RB: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=[[Transformers Annual]] 1986
|prev=Transformers Annual 1985
|next=Transformers Annual 1987
|prev2=Hunted!
|next2=In the Beginning...
|image=Transformers annual 1987.jpg
|caption=DANCING ROBOTS FROM SPACE!
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=September [[1986]]
|coverdate=[[1986]]
|compiled and edited by=[[Sheila Cranna]]
|designed by=[[Steve Cook]]
|price=£3.50
|ISBN=ISBN 0-86227-331-5
|pagecount=64
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}

The '''Transformers Annual 1986''' was published in the UK by Marvel Comics Ltd. in September 1986.

==Contents==
*Front Papers: Dinobots
*''This book belongs to''
*"[[In the Beginning...]]"
*"[[To a Power Unknown!]]"
*Datafile: [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]
*"[[The Return of the Transformers]]"
*The Transformers Threeplay Quiz
*Datafile: [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]
*"[[State Games]]"
*"[[Victory!]]"
*"[[The Mission]]"
*[[Who's Who]]: [[Autobot]] and [[Decepticon]]

==Synopsis==

===Front Papers===
[[File:Transformers annual 1987 Dinobots poster.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Snarl was really fed up with the trekking through the snow.]]
Two page inside cover poster of the Dinobots, originally given away as an A2 poster in [[Repeat Performance!|issue #28]]

==="This book belongs to"===
Page for the lucky owner to write their name. The page is filled out with the Autobot and Decepticon logos.

===In the Beginning...===
Subtitled ''The story of the Transformers ... So far'', this is a text story recapping the history of the comic. Teen hacker [[Adam Reynolds]] logs into the Decepticon mainframe and reads an overview of the [[Great War (G1)|Autobot/Decepticon war]].

===To a Power Unknown!===
A [[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|mysterious force]] causes the Autobots and Decepticons to change sides!

===Datafile: Optimus Prime===
Profile of Optimus, similar to the [[Transformers AtoZ]] and [[Fact File]] series that ran in the comic, but this was styled as if it was a file being accessed from a mainframe, to tie it into the "In the Beginning..." story.

===The Return of the Transformers===
[[Danny Phillips]] is obsessed with the Transformers having been rescued by [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] in the previous [[Missing in Action|Annual]]. While taking a walk, wanders into an abandoned nearby power plant and finds a bunch of Decepticons.

===The Transformers Threeplay Quiz===
Eight questions, each split into three parts of increasing difficulty, all general franchise questions (eg: Who pressed the fateful button that sent the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]] hurtling towards [[Earth]]?).
The answers are on the following page.

===Datafile: Megatron===
Profile of Megatron in the same style as the Optimus profile.

===State Games===
One of the more influential stories in the comics, this is a text story focusing on the early days of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], when Megatron was a gladiator in the [[Games (competition)|Games]].

===Victory!===
Following the events in "[[Dinobot Hunt!]]", the Dinobots dream about dying in battle while in a coma-like state.

===The Mission===
Text story wherein Jazz rushes to save Hoist in barren [[Alaska]], who had fallen down an abandoned human mineshaft while tracking the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]].

===Who's Who: Autobot and Decepticon===
Reprints of the Who's Who features from issues [[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]] and [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53-54]]

==Items of note==
*The Optimus Datafile casually mentions that he intended to become a medical officer until the war broke out.
*Following on from the previous year's Annual, where most of the stories didn't fit in with the continuity, this Annual fares much better:
**"Victory" fits [[Dinobot Hunt!|between]] [[Second Generation!|two]] weekly issues.
**"State Games" fills out the backstory of Megatron.
**The Quiz is taken entirely from the comic continuity.
**but...
**"The Return of the Transformers" contains a quite a few continuity issues, however [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] does point out a plot hole present in "[[Crisis of Command!]]".
**"To a Power Unknown!" is also difficult to place and features flying Autobots.

[[Category:Annuals|1987]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity

2022-01-25T02:35:39Z

Charles RB: /* Marvel The Transformers comics */

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{{suite}}
[[File:Muk306 tacitus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Insert [[Furmanism]] here for humorous effect.]]
What did '''[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]''' do? Find out in [[Marvel Comics continuity|Marrrrrrrrvel Comics]]!

'''Hint:''' {{w|Giri (Japanese)|Heavy is the head... and heavier the heart.}}

{{quote|With Malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds.|[[Abraham Lincoln]]|{{w|Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address|March 4, 1865}}}}

==Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics==
{{noteukonly}}
Before the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] broke out on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Optimus Prime was a Transformer of note, displaying his skills in the [[IntraFormers Sharpshooting Competition]]. {{storylink|Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}} As a serious-minded individual, he also spoke out against [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]]'s faddish "[[Chic Chips]]" line of hardware accessories. {{storylink|Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose's ''Transformers Universe'' entry}}

[[File:Sentinel prime lou.jpg|thumb|left]]
''At some point pre-war'', {{storylink|State Games}}<ref>This almost certainly wasn't the intention but later stories establish "Prime in name" = "has Matrix"</ref> the Matrix was passed to him by [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]. {{storylink|The Legacy of Unicron!}} {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

''Gladiatorial [[Games (competition)|Games]] were commissioned between the city-states to increase good will as the planet's population outpaced its resources. Optimus Prime was the gladiator champion of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], and he shared a sporting rivalry with a young champion from [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]] called [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. During a match in Tarn, Optimus intervened to stop Megatron killing his opponent, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. But sabotage plunged Tarn and [[Vos (polity)|Vos]] into an inter-city war that night. An [[Overlord (rank)|Autobot Overlord]] was damaged while trying to sort it out, so Optimus Prime left to get help. However, the Overlord 'mysteriously' perished while under the care of Megatron and Overlord's bodyguard, [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]].'' {{storylink|State Games}} ''Following the destruction of Tarn and Vos, Prime had planned to become a medical officer, but enrolled in the Autobot army as soon as the Decepticons declared war. He was immediately put in charge of the [[Elite Flying Corps]].'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile: Optimus Prime}}

''The Autobots were completely unprepared for Megatron's initial strike, and many fell in battle. Optimus was barely able to organize his troops to fight back in time to save his kind from a total genocide.'' {{storylink|Once upon a Time...}}

''Optimus Prime saved the life of an Autobot named [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb]] from another [[Divebomb (G1)|flying Decepticon]] who had previously beaten him and taken his name. "Divebomb" hated Prime with a passion, and was humiliated by his rescue, and so he kept this to himself.'' {{storylink|What's in a Name?}}

[[File:FlamesofBoltax-Triggerbots.jpg|upright=1.6|thumb|Optimus Prime's Cybertronic truck mode, along with a Cybertronic Grumman X-29, a Cybertronic Suzuki touring motorcycle, and a Cybertronic Porsche 962.]]
[[Lieutenant Commander]] Optimus Prime of the [[Autobot Fourth Computerized Division]] quickly made a name for himself as a combat leader. He decided the neutral [[Boltax (G1)|Boltax]] could help the Autobots win the war and, ignoring the risk to the neutral and [[Override (G1)|Override's]] concern this could escalate the war, went with the [[Triggerbot]]s to recruit him. This not only violated a neutrality agreement, and thus meant Megatron could claim Boltax's [[Underbase]] databank himself, but also allowed the Decepticons how to get past Boltax's defences. The [[circuit sect]] were butchered and Prime was forced to jettison the massive databank into space to prevent anyone acquiring its power. This 'victory' helped make his career but he knew he'd been driven by pride and glory-seeking. The shame of what he'd done always remained with him. {{storylink|The Flames of Boltax!}} ''Afterwards, Prime would learn that the Underbase was linked to Cybertron's core, and thus the power of [[Primus]] himself.'' {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}

[[File:Marvel71 neversurrender.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|left|thumb]]
As a general, he proved to be the only one capable of rallying the rag-tag forces into a proper army. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}} ''As his reputation became known, he was promoted to field commander of the entire Autobot army but regrettably, the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] still pulled the strings. Unknown to the Elders, Optimus Prime began orchestrating unsanctioned military actions.'' {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Optimus Prime datafile}} ''As the Great War intensified, Autobot territories began falling under Decepticon dominion, one City-State at a time. The last City-State to be taken was the Autobot capital of Iacon.''{{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} The Decepticons almost overpowered the Autobot defensive line at [[Jan-Ja]] but Optimus fired up his troops and made an unexpected charge, repulsing the superior Decepticon forces. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

''On 1st Cycle 820'', {{storylink|Transformers Annual 1986|Datafile:Optimus Prime} ''as Decepticons besieged Iacon, the Council of Elders prepared to surrender. Councillor [[Xaaron]] suggested that High Councillor [[Traachon]] step down and allow a military officer to assume Autobot leadership. Traachon then used his powers of veto and effectively elected himself out of office, allowing Optimus Prime to assume supreme command of the Autobots, becoming the first soldier to ever hold the mantle of Autobot leadership. This came when Optimus had already set in motion a plan behind their back: using [[shatter bomb]]s to collapse the bridge into Iacon after the Decepticons had 'triumphantly' begun crossing it. To ensure this worked, Optimus fought Megatron personally to keep his attention away from advancing: their first meeting since the Vos-Tarn war.'' {{storylink|And There Shall Come...a Leader!}} ''After one battle during which thousands of Autobots and Decepticons alike were killed, Prime came across [[Longtooth]] mourning his fallen comrade and gave him a fragment of the Matrix.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}}

[[File:Optimusprimeg1marvelfirst.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Prime had to go through an experimental "box with a gun on top" phase before he could commit to the truck thing.]]
After over a thousand years of war, Cybertron—shaken from its orbit and drifting through space—came under threat when it floated into the path of a massive asteroid swarm that could potentially devastate the planet. Prime led a group of his most powerful Autobot warriors on the Autobot starship, the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], on a mission to destroy the asteroids. Although the Autobots were successful, in the aftermath of this mission the Ark was attacked by Decepticons, hoping to overcome their weakened foes. Intent on keeping the secrets of the Ark's computer, [[Aunty]], from the Decepticons, Prime set the craft on a suicide course, crashing it into the prehistoric planet Earth. After lying dormant for four million years, the Ark was awakened by the eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in [[1984]], and Optimus Prime was rebuilt so that he could reconfigure his body into a semi truck. As the Decepticons fled, Optimus Prime called for a roll call of his own troops. Suspecting that after all this time, Cybertron probably no longer existed, Optimus Prime began studying the planet upon which they had landed; he was startled to realize that this planet did have sentient life! He swore that the Autobots would hide themselves from Earth's natives, so that they would be spared the horrors of the Transformers' war. {{storylink|The Transformers (issue)|The Transformers}}

[[File:PowerPlay-Optimustransforms.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|In the live-action movie's version of this scene, Sparkplug was replaced with some hot chick.]]
Optimus Prime and the other Autobots were all dangerously low on fuel, but thankfully [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] had befriended some humans who could help—[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] and his son, [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]. Leading the Autobots to Sparkplug's auto shop, Optimus Prime introduced himself to the humans. Unfortunately, the Decepticons had the same idea, and the warring factions met in battle. But while Prime was busy shooting Decepticons out of the air, Megatron grabbed Sparkplug, and so Prime was forced to face his nemesis one-on-one. Despite Prime's apparent victory, Sparkplug was snatched away by [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], and the Decepticons retreated. Optimus Prime acknowledged Buster's sorrow at the kidnapping of his father, but noted that without fuel, retrieving him would be impossible. {{storylink|Power Play!}} Carrying [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] in his trailer, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots returned to the Ark, where [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] awaited. Optimus and a handful of his soldiers were refueled, and left to confront the Decepticons at their [[Fortress Sinister|cliffside fortress]]. With the mysterious [[Spider-Man]]'s help, Sparkplug was rescued, but not before Sparkplug had converted fuel for the Decepticons! {{storylink|Prisoner of War!}} Unfortunately, Optimus Prime couldn't stop the Autobots from overreacting to this bad news, and their actions caused Sparkplug Witwicky to suffer a heart attack. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:Boulderdamfight.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Better get used to seeing this scene.]]
''When the Ark alerted Optimus Prime of a power surge at [[Sherman Dam]], he and his Autobots weren't surprised to find the Decepticons behind it. Afraid of the dam crumbling under the stress of the Decepticons' manipulations, he faced off against Megatron on the top of the dam, brandishing his energy ax. As he trash-talked Megatron, Prime was suddenly distracted by [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s defeat. Megatron used this moment to his advantage, knocking Prime off the dam and firing his cannon into the dam itself. Prime quickly assembled his troops, directing them to divert the waves by digging trenches and elevating the neighboring humans. Mirage was angered when the humans still vilified them, despite their hard work, but Prime calmed him.'' {{storylink|Decepticon Dam-Busters!}}

Meanwhile, Optimus Prime sent a team of Autobots to investigate the [[Man of Iron (Autobot)|Man of Iron]], a local legend in the [[United Kingdom]]. After befriending [[Sammy Harker]], and tangling with the Decepticons over the remains of the Man of Iron's ship, Optimus Prime and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] were forced to destroy the ship and its inhabitants, not realizing that its [[Navigator (Autobot)|Navigator]] knew the location of Cybertron. {{storylink|Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron}} ''Back at the Ark, after [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] suffered a psychotic break and ran off, Optimus Prime ordered the Autobots to hunt him down before he could harm any humans! After Brawn was cornered, he threatened the Autobots with death, but was quickly overwhelmed, and Optimus Prime carried Brawn's defeated body back to the Ark. Another electrical shock returned Brawn to his senes, but in order to prove Brawn's loyalty, a [[Trial by Combat]] was orchestrated between him and the traitorous Decepticon, [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. With the help of [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]]'s holograms, Brawn's death was faked once he had proved himself, and the two factions returned to their respective bases.'' {{storylink|The Enemy Within!}} ''The Decepticons did not stay there for long, and suddenly a full-scale attack was launched on the Ark! Mid-clash, the Ark's computer systems, "[[Aunty]]", went berserk, and it fell to Optimus and Megatron to team up against the malfunctioning program to save both armies. Megatron used his [[Antimatter|ability to tap into the power of a black hole]], in a bid to free them, only for Ravage and Windcharger to burst in and destroy Aunty themselves. Seeing little reason to put the cosmic energies he had gathered to waste, Megatron turned to finish off Optimus Prime. Thankfully, Windcharge used his magnetic abilities to propel Megatron from the Ark, and the rest of the Decepticons retreated in the absence of their leader.'' {{storylink|Raiders of the Last Ark}}

[[File:Marvel-us04-last-stand-megatron-stands-supreme.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] alerted Optimus Prime to information that Ratchet had uncovered from the Ark's databanks: millions of years ago, the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] battled [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] to a standstill. This raised some questions, but there was little Optimus Prime could do with this knowledge now. With a Decepticon attack imminent, and the Autobots dangerously low on fuel, Optimus Prime had a desperate gamble. Using the [[Tubes of Transference]], the combined remaining fuel was compiled into five of the strongest Autobots, himself, [[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]], Huffer, [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]], and Mirage. Sure enough, the Decepticons descended quickly upon them, but even though Prime was still low on fuel, he was still quick enough to grab Starscream out of the air! It was not enough to defeat Megatron, however, and his nemesis hoisted Prime's body over his head in complete victory. ...That is, until Megatron and the other Decepticons doubled over in pain. Sparkplug had poisoned the Decepticons' fuel! Unfortunately, Optimus Prime's subsequent speech was short as he and the other Autobots were blasted into pieces. Shockwave had awakened and returned. {{storylink|The Last Stand}}

[[File:NewOrder-OptimusPrimehead.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Buster regretted the low volume on his Optimus Prime voice changer helmet.]]
Though the Decepticons had taken over the Ark, Ratchet was able to sneak Buster Witwicky inside, and the young human was startled to find Optimus Prime's decapitated head attached to machinery. {{storylink|The New Order}} Optimus Prime, in this weakened state, pleaded with Buster to detach two power cords and attach them to either side of the human's head. This released a tremendous amount of energy, transferring Optimus Prime's [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to the human, and Buster blacked out. After Buster awoke, he returned to Ratchet to tell him of Optimus Prime's defeat. {{storylink|The Worse of Two Evils!}} Ratchet had to see this for himself, and he was saddened to find out that Buster was correct. The Autobots were defeated, even including the mighty Optimus Prime! But Optimus would not let Ratchet give up or despair. He pushed Ratchet to action, telling him that even though Ratchet was nothing more than a doctor, now was the time for him to learn to be a warrior. {{storylink|Warrior School!}} Since Shockwave's return, he had wrested leadership of the Decepticons from Megatron, and so the former Decepticon leader was ordered by Shockwave to prepare to move Optimus Prime's head from the Ark to the Decepticons' base of operations within [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]]. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

Shockwave planned to use the Creation Matrix energies within Optimus Prime's head to give life to a new Decepticon army, despite Optimus Prime's obvious objections. Shockwave didn't know that he had transferred most of the energy to Buster Witwicky, so Optimus Prime took quiet solace in the fact that the last of his remaining energies would be used on only six new warriors. {{storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}} {{storylink|DIS-Integrated Circuits!}} ''Meanwhile back at the Ark, Ratchet and [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] remotely controlled Prime's headless body to prevent [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] from setting off [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]]'s nuclear arsenal.'' {{storylink|The Wrath of Grimlock!}}

[[File:PrimeTime-Primewantsyou.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|He's mad as hell, ain't he ain't gonna take your orders anymore!]]
Optimus Prime's head watched helplessly as Shockwave brought his [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] to life using the rest of Prime's stored Creation Matrix energies. But Shockwave realized something was wrong when Prime failed to give life to his next creation, [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]]. {{storylink|The Next Best Thing to Being There!}} Shockwave deduced what had happened, and so he sent Jetfire (who was still little more than a drone) out to capture Buster. Optimus Prime realized he had put Buster in tremendous danger, but thankfully Buster prevailed in thwarting his would-be-captors through applied use of the Creation Matrix on them. However, with the Matrix energy within Prime spent, the Autobot leader was useless to Shockwave, and so the Decepticon made plans to dispose of the head. {{storylink|Brainstorm!}} In actuality, the head Shockwave disposed of was an impostor. Shockwave had learned that his headquarters were bugged, and so when the Autobots came to retrieve the head from a nearby swamp, the impostor head took control of Prime's body and turned on the Autobots. The day was saved only by the efforts of Buster, who was able to wrest control of Jetfire so that he could deliver the real head to its body. Once again whole, Prime retaliated against the Decepticons battling at the swamp, and one by one, they were destroyed. Shockwave himself arrived to battle Prime, but after they grappled, Shockwave was thrown into the swamps and disappeared. Instead of delivering a final blow, Optimus Prime rushed back to the plant to assure Buster's safety. The nightmare over, Prime transferred the Creation Matrix energies from Buster back into himself. {{storylink|Prime Time!}}

[[File:Arkchristmastree.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Prime may reconsider his return to the Autobots.]]
''His dignity restored with his head once again reunited with his body, Prime afterwards dressed as Santa Claus to appease Buster's strong sense of [[Christmas]] spirit.'' {{storylink|Christmas Breaker!}}

''Optimus Prime questioned his ability to lead after his recent series of trials when a fight broke out amongst the Autobots on whether to use the Creation Matrix to create an army of unstoppable robot monsters. His introspection was interrupted by the intrusion of Ravage. The spy was captured, but it was not known by the Autobots that this was part of a larger Decepticon plot. Ravage escaped easily, and when Bumblebee gave chase, the Autobot was captured by the Decepticons. His disembodied arm was dropped in front of the Ark by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]], a gauntlet cast. Prime decided to go alone to Decepticon headquarters to rescue Bumblebee, despite the other Autobots' objections. Indeed, Prime bested the Decepticons one-by-one, felling them all, until he arrived, heavily damaged, in the chamber where Bumblebee was held. After making short work of Soundwave, Optimus Prime returned to the Autobots, determined to do things right from then on.'' {{storylink|Crisis of Command!}}

[[File:Optimus prime icarus theory.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]]
''After Optimus Prime visited Bumblebee in the repair bay, the Autobots were surprised to be attacked by the Dinobot [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]], who was thought to be dead. After Swoop's mind was reclaimed from [[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]], Swoop went berserk and left once more. After learning that the Dinobots all would suffer the same involuntary rage, Optimus Prime called for a Dinobot Hunt!'' {{storylink|The Icarus Theory}} ''Optimus Prime briefed the Autobots on the Dinobots and their nature and sent them to find the Dinobots in groups. Later, Optimus Prime traveled via [[Ark shuttlecraft]] to put a stop to a fight between Grimlock and [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] that had claimed several Autobot and human injuries. Prime neutralized the rampaging Dinobots, but was saddened to hear that the Decepticons had seized the opportunity to steal large quantities of energy from the humans while the Autobots were kept busy. With the Dinobots in ruin and the Decepticons fueled, Optimus Prime's Autobots had suffered a major defeat.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} ''Optimus Prime later checked in with Ratchet, who was monitoring the comatose Dinobots. He implored Ratchet to find a way to save them from their constant nightmares.'' {{storylink|Victory!}}

[[File:Skidsgrapplesmokescreenhoisttracks.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
With the Autobot ranks drastically depleted, Optimus Prime gave life to Jetfire using the Creation Matrix, and performed on him the [[Rite of the Autobrand]]. He guided Jetfire through the Ark; first into Ratchet's repair bay, and next into Wheeljack's lab, where additional troops were being assembled. Optimus Prime assigned Bumblebee to train these new recruits, but ordered them not to engage the enemy. When the group stumbled onto a Decepticon plot to siphon energy from a [[Brick Springhorn]] concert, Optimus gathered every able Autobot to assist. However, Bumblebee had disobeyed orders and his rookies had successfully thwarted the Decepticons. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

When a human named [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] appeared on television, claiming he controlled all Transformers, Optimus Prime led a team of Autobots into the [[Powder River Basin]] to prevent the human from getting hurt. Megatron, who had frozen, deactivated, at the bottom of the basin, was subsequently re-energized by Soundwave and his minions, and the combined might of their firepower and the human military's drove away Optimus and the Autobots in defeat. {{storylink|I, Robot-Master!}} Afterward, Bumblebee felt he had failed Optimus Prime due to his relative lack of size and strength, and so he ran away. When Optimus discovered that Bumblebee had become a target of interest for the Decepticons, Optimus hurriedly led another team of Autobots to the rescue, an act that helped prove Bumblebee's worth to himself. {{storylink|Plight of the Bumblebee!}}

[[File:RobotBuster-outofyourminds.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|"There's ''no slaggin' way'' Mary-Kate is the cuter Olsen Twin!"]]
''Optimus Prime was absolutely appalled to discover that Wheeljack and Ratchet had built Buster Witwicky a [[battlesuit]] to aid him in the battle against the Decepticons, asking them outright if they had lost their minds. Though Buster protested, noting that since he was trusted with holding the Creation Matrix he should be trusted with the suit as well, Optimus Prime ordered the armored suit destroyed. But Buster stole the armored suit under cover of night and attacked the Decepticon headquarters, where he defeated Frenzy. The victory was a fluke however, one not to be repeated against Shockwave. Shockwave bested the human, but the arrival of Optimus Prime and the Autobots convinced Shockwave to spare his life.'' {{storylink|Robot Buster!}} ''Following this incident, Buster began having strange nightmares, and Optimus Prime suspected that these nightmares were induced by the Creation Matrix.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''Optimus himself featured prominently in Buster's visions, appearing in battle against Shockwave, only to be destroyed. Wanting to investigate these Creation Matrix-induced dreams, Optimus Prime and Buster were hooked up to machinery so that the human could share them. Optimus Prime and Buster witnessed strange five-robot combiners from each faction named [[Special Teams]] fighting at the [[Pullen Power Plant]], and awoke shouting their name. They had seen a vision of the next generation of Transformers...'' {{storylink|The Special Teams Have Arrived}} {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

Meanwhile on Cybertron, a group of Autobots were happy to learn that Optimus Prime and his Autobots still lived. {{storylink|The Smelting Pool!}}

''Optimus sent [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] out on a scouting mission to [[Greater Portland]], only for his soldier to fail to report back afterwards. Despite others among the Autobot ranks assuming that Tracks's vain streak had gotten the better of him once more, and he was too busy showing off to resume contact, Optimus sent out Jazz to check up on him. Jazz failed to find his fellow Autobots, and as a week passed, Optimus dispatched more soldiers to seek him out, but soon lost hope that they would ever retrieve their teammate. His optimism returned when Cosmos reported a possible lead placing Tracks in [[New York City]]. Optimus once more sent out troops to retrieve him, this time tasking the mission to [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], and [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]. The trio succeeded in their mission, and Optimus debriefed Tracks upon his return.'' {{storylink|Missing in Action}}

[[File:Optimus prime prowl jazz mirage to a power unknown.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
''While on a mission to build friendly relations with the people of [[Pinewoodsville]], Optimus and the other Autobots were hit with a strange blast of energy that temporarily reversed their personalities. The group rampaged through the town, ruining months of goodwill work. Tracking the source of the blast to England, the Autobots flew overseas to put an end to what they assumed was a Decepticon plot. But the Decepticons had also been affected by the blast, and were likewise tracking its origin. Starscream happened upon Optimus and drove him off the road, sending the Autobot crashing into a tree, just as another energy blast muddled up the circuitry of all those present. Starscream became friendly, while Optimus's troops turned on him violently and tried to overthrow him. The personality reversal ended before Jazz could execute Optimus, but the latter was nonetheless left banged up from the ordeal. With his weapons non-responsive, Optimus was forced to hide inside a nearby tunnel while his troops carried on the mission. The culprit turned out to be a human invention, the "[[Purnel's Auto-Reverse Defence|PARD]]." It was destroyed, along with [[Zeke Heilmann|a spy]] trying to steal it, after Starscream battled Jazz over both. With the threat neutralized, the Autobots carried Optimus back to their UK Base, where Ratchet was waiting to fix him up. '' {{storylink|To a Power Unknown!}}

[[File:CommandPerformances-Autobotsattack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|left|"Year Two toys, attack!"]]
In front of all the active Autobots, Optimus Prime and Grapple unveiled their secret project: [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]]! Designed to be their last line of defense, Prime planned to leave Omega Supreme to guard the Ark while Prime led the Autobots to the [[Wyoming base|Decepticon river basin headquarters]] to steal combiner technology from Devastator and promptly leave. The Dinobots scoffed at this plan, refusing to start a battle they were required to run away from, and so Grimlock and his Dinobots seceded from the Autobots. Though [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] raised concerns, Optimus Prime maintained that he had allowed for this. In fact, he allowed for everything save the interference of the humans, and after the mission was successfully pulled off, one human came after Skids; revenge for an earlier fender-bender with the Autobot. Skids was forced to pause, giving the Decepticons the opening they needed to blast him. Optimus Prime regretfully had to leave Skids behind, having to keep the safety of the rest of his troops in mind. {{storylink|Command Performances!}}

[[File:Primewoods.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
''Learning of the Dinobots' disastrous solo adventures, Optimus Prime wanted to disown them, but reluctantly acknowledged that they were necessary muscle for the team. Tragically, while speaking to the Autobots about their war thus far on Earth, he, [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], and Ratchet mysteriously vanished in a flash of light!'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}} ''They found themselves in a strange dimension called [[Limbo]], where they joined a conflict between [[Cloran|two]] [[Zenag|factions]] of creatures whose warring behavior seemed rather familiar. Though Prime agreed to help one tribe in staving off an invading army, he refused to take any life in doing so. The opposing tribe proposed to give Optimus access to a device that would allow the Autobots to return to their world should they eliminate the enemy tribe, but Optimus once more refused to take part in wholesale slaughter. The Autobots soon allied with Shockwave, [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]], and [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], who were also shunted into this dimension. Though Shockwave was more willing to use violence to escape this world, they found out the whole alien war was just an illusion created by [[Limbo parasite|native parasites]], who fed on their emotions.'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}} ''Upon his return, Optimus learned that they had been displaced by Autobots and Decepticons traveling from the future.'' {{storylink|Target: 2006}}

[[File:Aerialbots minds wiped marvel 22.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3]]
As Ratchet sealed up one of Prime's wounds, the Autobot commander was delighted to see Skids was alive, having returned to him along with [[Donny Finkleberg]] (previously the Robot-Master). They had news for him regarding the arrival of Autobot reinforcements from Cybertron, but they were interrupted by a news bulletin. [[Hoover Dam]] was being attacked by Decepticons, so Optimus Prime leapt from the repair bay despite Ratchet's objections to call the new [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] into service. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}} Later Ratchet was able to finish sealing Prime's wound, but not before the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]] [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] was able to implant a [[cerebro-shell]] within Prime's body. Through this link, the Decepticons would be able to share use of the Creation Matrix to give life to new troops! The Aerialbots hadn't done well on their first outing, so as Optimus Prime reformatted them, Megatron gave life to the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]! Shortly afterwards, Prime sent the Aerialbots out to assist Skids but they were thwarted by the Stunticons and all the Autobots present fell into the hands of [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}} When [[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]] experimented on the captive Skids's [[brain module]], she was able to access many images of Optimus Prime in his memory chips. {{storylink|Decepticon Graffiti!}} ''When Prowl tried to apprehend the [[Battlecharger]]s, Prime intercepted and rebuked him for causing too much destruction.'' {{storylink|...Perchance to Dream}}

''When it dawned on Optimus that he had gone back on his word to not create a generation of "Ultimate Autobots" with the Matrix upon bringing the Aerialbots to life, a great unease befell him. Worse yet, he was troubled to consider that the Aerialbots' various neuroses and weaknesses might outwheigh their value in the field. The Autobot commander called upon Jetfire to lead the Aerialbots in an investigative mission, and to undermine them throughout to test them while pushing them to their psychological limits. Upon hearing Jetfire's report, he would decide if the Aerialbots' worth.''

''After the mission, wherein the Aerialbots fought against a group led by Starscream for control of a power plant, Jetfire informed Prime that the Aerialbots performed valiantly, despite their hang-ups, putting the debate at rest.'' {{storylink|The Return of the Transformers}}

''Prior to the Christmas of 1986, Prime gave the go-ahead to Prowl and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]'s mission to intercept Decepticon activity at a [[NASA]] facility and asked Jetfire to go along as support.'' {{storylink|The Gift}}

[[File:Facsimile construct optimus prime prey.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
''Optimus Prime observed the records of how poorly the Autobots performed in his absence in Limbo, specifically how they went so far as to seek leadership from Megatron out of sheer desperation. Optimus Prime began to consider whether he was too important to the Autobots, and if they could carry on should he fall. To alleviate his doubts, he and a reluctant [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] plotted to fake Prime's death to teach the Autobots how to fend for themselves. While Prime was setting up an [[Facsimile construct|impostor version of himself]] to leave behind destroyed for the Autobots to find, Megatron sent the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] to attack Prime.'' {{storylink|Prey!}}

[[File:HarderTheyDie-Iaconno.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.66|You can't go home again.]]
''During the scuffle, Optimus and Megatron were transported to Cybertron, while Prime's counterfeit body, torn apart, was found by the Autobots. Optimus Prime surveyed Cybertron for the first time in four million years, and he couldn't believe how terribly it had fallen. Cities and buildings were cut to the ground, and even his beloved Iacon was in shambles. After Prime saved [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] from a [[Well-armed Decepticon bully|roving Decepticon]], the tiny Autobot followed him despite Prime's wishes to be alone. Unfortunately, Megatron (in league with [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]) had spread rumors that an imposter Optimus Prime had infiltrated Cybertron, which were readily believed due to Prime's four-million-year absence. Before too long, Prime was surrounded and shackled with [[energy restraints]] by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Wrecker]]s!'' {{storylink|...The Harder They Die!}} ''With Outback's help in distracting the Wreckers with a [[gas particle bomb]], Prime was able to escape and the two set out to clear Optimus's name. Unfortunately, a couple of Guardian units caught up to them and though Prime defeated them, he was only able to do so after Outback had suffered mortal wounds.'' {{storylink|Under Fire!}} ''As Outback began to die in his arms, Prime told Outback of the time he, Prowl, and Ratchet were stuck in Limbo. His story was overheard by the Wreckers, but hearing Prime's words convinced Emirate Xaaron that this was in fact the real Optimus Prime!'' {{storylink|Distant Thunder!}}

[[File:Primefuneralnumberone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|He approved of it ''so much'' that when he died for real the next day, they instead shot him into space.]]
''The return of Optimus Prime was a welcome boost to the Autobot underground resistance. Not only did Autobot morale increase, but Decepticons were spooked at his very appearance! But after a few [[Decepticon fuel store|strategic victories]], Prime knew he had to return to Earth. Prime and Ultra Magnus planned one last raid—they would besiege the [[Polyhex Decepticon stronghold|Decepticon stronghold]] in [[Polyhex]] and destroy Megatron! But Megatron's "eccentricities" had become too much for Cybertron's Decepticons to handle, and in the middle of their battle, all three were whisked away to Earth by the [[space bridge]]. Optimus Prime appeared before the Autobots just as they had finished their Earth-inspired burial of the impostor body he had left behind.'' {{storylink|Resurrection!}}

[[File:Afterdeath-gameoverman.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.1|Game over, man! Game over!]]
The Autobots had been monitoring the humans' creation of [[Power Station Alpha]], and Optimus Prime, sensing its completion would need closer inspection, sent Bumblebee to its unveiling. {{storylink|Blood on the Tracks}} Optimus Prime met an anticlimactic end in a gambit for [[Energy Futures Industries]]' [[Hydrothermocline]]. He and the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] agreed to fight Megatron and the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] in a simulated, virtual world named ''[[Multi-World]]''. They agreed whichever leader lost in the virtual world would be blown up in the real world. Originally virtual Megatron was killed. But when Megatron cheated using the game's "Afterdeath" code, Prime resorted to killing virtual beings to gain the upper hand, and despite his victory, Prime believed he had truly lost. Before their eyes, the human [[Ethan Zachary]] detonated Optimus Prime's body, as was previously agreed. In secret, Ethan secured away a [[floppy disk]] that held a copy of Optimus Prime's mind. {{storylink|Afterdeath!}} Meanwhile, [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] had been sent to investigate Bumblebee's destruction at the hands of [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]], but he was recalled in the middle of this altercation when it was discovered that Optimus Prime had been "assassinated". {{storylink|Power Struggle}}

Optimus Prime's death unhinged Megatron further. The Decepticon leader simply couldn't believe that his eternal foe was truly dead, and he began blowing up random trucks. Megatron's paranoia grew so much that he blew up the space bridge with himself on it. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} Ratchet's subsequent efforts to restore Optimus Prime were unsuccessful, and after much grieving, Optimus Prime's body was launched into space as per Cybertronian custom. Omega Supreme presided over his funeral, and both he and [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] gave eulogies. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend!}} {{storylink|Ashes, Ashes...}}

In front of a holographic image of Optimus Prime's head, the surviving Autobots tried to choose a new leader. Optimus Prime's replacement would be like him: a great warrior, wise, compassionate, kind, and courageous. As luck would have it, Grimlock chose exactly that moment to show all of those qualities for the first and only time in his life. {{storylink|King of the Hill!}}

''When Shockwave and [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snap Trap]] experimented on a [[Archforce|clone]] of Megatron using a [[psycho-probe]], it experienced visions of being defeated by Optimus Prime and Straxus.'' {{storylink|Salvage!}} ''Around the same time, [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] thought back over the mistakes he had made as leader of the Wreckers, including nearly executing Prime as a Decepticon spy.'' {{storylink|Legion of the Lost!}}

Optimus Prime's funeral barge eventually crashed on a giant moon of [[VsQs]], where it lay for an untold time. {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:Ethanzacharypretendertothethrone.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Reaching level 70 was a momentous occasion.]]
Years passed as [[Ethan Zachary]], who still possessed the floppy disk that contained a copy of Optimus Prime's mind, tried to coax it into full sentience. This copy of Optimus Prime believed he was a video game character and nothing more, despite Ethan Zachary's constant prodding. Ethan thought he finally had a chance to jolt Prime back to his old self when he was investigated by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]]. The two put Optimus Prime in charge of a real team of Autobots, the [[Pretender]]s, and the disk copy Prime led them in battle against Decepticon Pretenders. Prime's delusions were unshaken. {{storylink|Pretender to the Throne!}} Goldbug took the disk with him, but all attempts to rebuild Optimus Prime ended in failure. An argument over supreme Autobot leadership erupted between Grimlock's earthbound Autobots and a group of Autobots who had just arrived from [[Nebulos]] under the leadership of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]]. Ultimately, Fortress Maximus realized that Optimus Prime was the true leader of the Autobots, not anyone else, and so he sent Goldbug, [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Getaway]] back to Nebulos where the technology existed to fully restore Optimus Prime to life. {{storylink|Totaled!}}

[[File:PeoplePower-reprogrammed.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Seriously, Prime's been playing WoW waaaay too long.]]
It wasn't quite so simple, however. Fortress Maximus's Autobots had left Nebulos in ruin, and the planet poisoned its fuel supply so that robots could never return and wage war. A loophole was found, however, in the [[Powermaster]] process, created by the scientist [[Hi-Q]]. As luck would have it, Hi-Q was the exact person Goldbug was searching for to rebuild Optimus Prime, but the scientist refused on the grounds that he would be reintroducing the war to his planet—and he didn't believe the Transformers were any more than clever yet unsentient machines. Optimus Prime was rebuilt anyway, even though he wouldn't live very long at all without unpoisoned fuel. Hi-Q changed his mind on the sentience of Transformers when he saw the rebuilt Optimus Prime (shocked out of his video game persona delusions) interact with Goldbug. Hi-Q underwent the Powermaster process himself to save Optimus Prime's life, and Powermaster Optimus Prime was able to defeat two Powermaster-enhanced Decepticons, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] and [[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]]. Optimus Prime and his crew left Nebulos with their new Nebulon partners. {{storylink|People Power!}}

[[File:Rorzatherocket-cycleracerfromrigeliii.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
As they traveled through the void of space, Optimus taught his Nebulon companions about the Cybertronian civil war, only for his history lesson to be interrupted by a transmission advertising the "[[Cosmic Carnival]]," an intergalactic traveling show housing acts from many worlds. Optimus was ready to ignore the broadcast and push forward, only to notice that the Autobot [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] was part of the carnival's line-up. He changed course, and investigated alongside Goldbug. As they poked around, the two Autobots took note of [[Spacehikers|four human children]] being kept as sideshow attractions. Outraged to see them held against their will, Prime confronted [[Berko]], another human acting as their keeper, and demanded to see his manager. Unfortunately, the head honcho, [[Big Top]], produced an ironclad contract signed by all four children as well as Sky Lynx. They had agreed to work to pay off a debt to the carnival, and were being legally held until they had done so. A conversation with Sky Lynx later, the Autobots decided to disregard any legalese and bust out both him and the children anyways; it was apparent that the carnival would never consider their debts payed, no matter how long they worked. Optimus further learned that Berko was also a prisoner of sorts, and offered him his freedom and safe passage to Earth if he helped them. Touched by the Autobot's show of genuine concern, Berko agreed. Goldbug and Berko went off to liberate the children while Optimus focused on freeing Sky Lynx. During Sky Lynx's next act, Optimus leaped into the circus ring with him, and helped his fellow Autobot ram through any opposition. Many of the other performers tried to stop them, including [[Rorza, the Rocket-cycle Racer from Rigel III]], who vowed to cleave Optimus in half for, allegedly, daring to ignore him. After the Autobots defeated all who stood in their way, the crowd broke into a cheer, and Optimus took a bow at Sky Lynx's suggestion. He reconvened with Goldbug on the ''Steelhaven'', who had been equally successful in his task. {{storylink|The Cosmic Carnival}}

[[File:Optimus prime cold comfort and joy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.8]]
''Before reuniting with the other Earthbound Autobots, Optimus Prime and the other Powermasters took a [[Ark shuttlecraft|shuttle]] to Earth on [[Christmas]] Day. Optimus Prime, seeing Earth's frozen wasteland, wondered why he even cared about the Earth in the first place, much less fought desperately to defend it. But after recalling the events that first brought him there, he remembered that it was his fault that the Ark crashed there four million years ago, and so any pain and suffering caused by the Transformers' war was his burden. His compassion for Earth renewed, he sought out his troops and announced that henceforth, the Autobots would make greater attempts at bringing more than just violence to the humans.'' {{storylink|Cold Comfort and Joy!}}

''Returning to the Ark, Optimus easily assumed command of the Autobots there; while the Dinobots were initially unhappy, Prime quickly and effortlessly sweet-talked them into going along with it.'' {{storylink|The Quest!}} That done, he learned via television about the Decepticons' baffling island vacation resort, [[Club Con]]. Optimus Prime sent Blaster to investigate. {{storylink|Club Con!}}

[[File:TimeWars-OptimusPrimeentersthefray.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Enter a new challenger!]]
''Despite a mysterious disruption in time and space that threatened all reality, due to [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]'s adventures in his own past (which was Prime's present), Optimus Prime halted a conference on the matter to rescue [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]. While Highbrow apologized for interrupting more important matters, he, Optimus Prime, and a few other Autobots were displaced to Limbo once again, allowing [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and other Autobots from the future to investigate the mysterious disruption. The other present-day Autobots thought Optimus Prime and the others had been disintegrated, and so attacked the "impostor" Autobots under Rodimus Prime's command, but Optimus spoke to them through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and calmed them down. A crazed yet seemingly unbeatable Galvatron attacked them, and Optimus Prime debated whether he should leave Limbo and team up with Rodimus against him, even though two Matrix-bearers coexisting at the same time would accelerate the timestorm's destruction of reality. Eventually, Optimus decided to ignore the dangers, and he materialized through Rodimus Prime's Matrix and engaged Galvatron one-on-one. Finally, Galvatron himself was eaten by the timestorm, and Scourge and the body of Cyclonus were also fed to it, which caused the timestorm to subside temporarily. Rodimus Prime promised to Optimus Prime that he would destroy all time machines when he returned to the future.'' {{storylink|Time Wars}}

''When an battle between [[Getaway]] and [[Quake (G1)|Quake]] resulted in a human getting critically injured, a life-support system was assembled to keep the injured party alive. Saving the man's life became a race against time when [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]] stole the power cell needed to power said system, forcing the Autobots to chase after him. The Aerialbots botched their task in forcing the [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]], Throttle's vehicle, to double back, and the jet wound up on the ocean floor along with the thief's loot. A team headed by Optimus took on the arduous task of heading underwater to retrieve the battery, with only a thirty minute window to do so before their Nebulan partners drowned. As Prime's team approached their objective, they were met by the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]. Badly outclassed by the enemy's superior underwater maneuverability and running out of time, Optimus ordered the Nebulans to see the power cell's retrieval through while the Autobots carried on the fight. Though odds were stacked against them, the Autobots emerged victorious when the Dreadwing's cockpit was breached by Hi-Q; with their own Nebulan allies now at risk of drowning, the Seacons saw to their rescue instead of remaining on the offensive.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

[[File:Fortmaxboat.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Prime's not back five minutes and he's already using the previous leader as his personal boat.]]
Optimus Prime and Fortress Maximus accompanied Blaster to where Club Con was last situated, but it had been relocated by then. Despite this setback, Prime assured [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] that the search for his brother Buster, who had been kidnapped by the Decepticons, would continue. {{storylink|Cold War!}} Sure enough, a distress signal in the Arctic led the Autobots to Buster, but also to a Decepticon ambush! After several Autobots were incapacitated, the battle stopped as it was discovered that this had all been arranged by Starscream, who had launched into space to seize the powers of the long lost [[Underbase]]. As the Autobots and Decepticons formed a loose alliance to stop Starscream, Optimus Prime warned that he had learned in his youth that fully possessing the Underbase led to madness or death. Starscream was stopped before he could absorb all of the Underbase, but he had absorbed enough of it to be able to destroy the Decepticons' island spacecraft in which the two factions were traveling. Thankfully, Optimus Prime had thought ahead and had the Ark follow them there in case of an emergency.

Several teams of allied Autobots and Decepticons followed Starscream to Earth to stop him, but Optimus Prime insisted that he stay behind on the Ark to work on a plan on his own. [[Scorponok (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Scorponok]] and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] had growing suspicions that the Autobot leader was really trying to claim the rest of the Underbase for himself, and they snuck on board as the Transformers on Earth were being shut down en masse by Starscream. Unfortunately for Optimus, they caught him while Hi-Q was disconnected from him, and so he was drastically overpowered. Optimus revealed to Scorponok that he was not trying to possess the Underbase... rather, he had been working on a rocket to deflect the Underbase towards Earth. He knew Starscream would try to absorb the rest, and sure enough, Starscream did—growing in size and power before their eyes. But possession of the Underbase resulted in madness ''and'' death, and Starscream's massive body exploded. Scorponok apologized for his bad appraisal of Optimus Prime's intentions, and the two commanders resolved to cease fighting so that they could gather their wounded and resume the fight another day. {{storylink|Dark Star}}

[[File:People's Gas.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Hell, let's just put the robot arms right there on the front of the trailer, why not.]]
Now that Buster had been reclaimed from the Decepticons, Spike told Optimus Prime that he felt his obligation to the Autobots was over. Prime reluctantly let Spike go, but told him that he was more attached to Fortress Maximus than he knew. {{storylink|The Man in the Machine!}} Not only was Fortress Maximus now out of commission, but the Autobots had suffered incredible losses at the hands of the Underbase-powered Starscream. Optimus Prime assigned [[Cloudburst]] and [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] to purchase [[microchip]]s on the black market at [[Grand Central Space Station]], knowing their Pretender shells would allow them to hide their robotic forms from the robophobic aliens there. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} Cloudburst and Landmine reached an ethical impasse involving the microchips, and so Optimus Prime reached out to Cybertron for reinforcements. He called upon the [[Micromaster]]s, specifically the [[Race Car Patrol]] and [[Off Road Patrol]], to investigate some Decepticon-originated weather problems in [[New York City]]. Hi-Q worried that the Micromasters were unreliable punks, but they were able to prove themselves against the Decepticons in the end, though they refused to join the Autobots proper. {{storylink|King Con!}}

[[File:Doubledealerofthecentury.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.3|Optimus Prime is also corresponding with a cash-strapped Nicaraguan prince...]]
''The Race Car Patrol accompanied Prime on a more rural mission: receiving Autobot resistance plans couriered by [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]]. But a Decepticon, [[Doubledealer|Dealer]], abducted Chainclaw before he could deliver them, and offered the plans back to Prime as a ransom. Optimus Prime accepted, and a new Autobot named [[Doubledealer|Double]] offered to deliver the Energon payment himself. Upon his return with Chainclaw's unconscious form, Dealer claimed to have been "ransacked" by the Decepticons, who had taken both the energon and the plans. With Chainclaw safe, Optimus vowed to deal with the Decepticons himself, and led the Race Car Patrol against Scorponok's troops while "Double" hung back to rest.'' {{storylink|(Double) Deal of the Century!}}

''The [[Mayhem Attack Squad]] trained against [[solid light simulation]]s of Optimus Prime and other high-ranking Autobots in [[Slaughter City]].'' {{storylink|The Hunting Party (Marvel)|The Hunting Party}}

''Optimus Prime lamented that he could no longer use the Creation Matrix to heal his fallen troops, as the Matrix was inside his old body which had been shot into space; the Autobots had not known that the Matrix was in Optimus Prime's chest to remove at the time. On cue, a being who called himself [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]] appeared on Earth, and it was seemingly powered by a piece of the Creation Matrix! Deathbringer proved to be invulnerable, but Optimus Prime couldn't bring himself to harm something that held the essence of the Matrix anyhow. But after enough destruction, Optimus Prime was finally able to defeat it with help from [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], who convinced it to self-destruct in concordance with its primary function.'' {{storylink|Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer}} {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AssaultontheArk a noble sentiment.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1]]
''[[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] led a seemingly suicidal assault on the Ark, entirely for the purpose of seeking revenge against his defeat at the hands of Nightbeat, [[Siren (G1)|Siren]], and [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]]. Optimus Prime took Thunderwing on, berating him for having more courage than sense. True to Prime's words, Thunderwing's own troops dragged him away.'' {{storylink|Assault on the Ark!}}

Optimus Prime ordered Ratchet to get some downtime, fearing his overworked medic (and friend) was losing his grip on sanity. Soon after, Optimus Prime saw news reports of the Micromaster [[Air Strike Patrol]] holding [[MacDill Air Force Base]] hostage, so he took the largest ensemble of troops down to Earth he could muster, given the Autobots' depleted ranks. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}} [[File:Resurrectiongambit-bombburst.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6]] As he told the Micromasters to surrender or face the consequences, he received a transmission from Ratchet, back at the Ark, but [[Storm Cloud (G1)|Storm Cloud]] fired at Prime's communicator before the message could be completed. This enraged Optimus Prime, who began to suspect grander, more sinister things at work behind the scenes. Optimus Prime had been led to a staged battle, but before he could leave, Scorponok and his Decepticons also arrived, itching for a fight! But after the circumstances of the day, Optimus Prime wasn't about to deny them the opportunity, and he fought back with a shocking, cold fury that baffled even Scorponok. The humans at the Air Force base called out Prime on his reckless violence, and Prime apologized for his outburst. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

Since Optimus Prime knew the battle was staged, he scaled back his troops accordingly, and ordered them to return to the Ark and leave him behind. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] refused and remained at Optimus's side, helping him fend off the hordes of Decepticons who had attacked him. But Optimus Prime stopped Hot Rod short of firing on [[Zarak (G1)|Lord Zarak]], as Prime had begun to appeal to his sense of logic. An unknown party was pulling the strings! Scorponok hesitated, but before an agreement could be reached, they were confronted by an old enemy thought defeated—Starscream! {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}}

Though Starscream's performance started out impressively, he soon began to show his true cowardly colors, and Optimus was able to rouse Scorponok from his stunned stupor. Optimus convinced him to order a coordinated strike against Starscream, ending with the Pretender begging Scorponok to retake him under his command. The conflict brought to an end, both factions again parted ways. Once again Optimus Prime turned his thoughts towards Ratchet... {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

[[File:YesterdaysHeroes-Whyyyy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Meanwhile, nobody mourns poor [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]].]]
...but it was too late! Ratchet had sacrificed himself to destroy Megatron, the orchestrator behind the events at MacDill Air Force Base. Optimus Prime was overcome with grief, and he decided to stop fighting altogether. After parking the Ark on Earth's moon, he walked out on its surface, apparently never to return again. This, of course, caused the Autobots to worry about the future of their cause, and Hot Rod quickly threw together a risky plan to win Prime back. He plotted a "rampage" by an "out-of-control" [[Guardian (Marvel)|Mark V Guardian droid]] to whisk Prime back into fighting shape, but when the droid truly went out of control, the plan worked just a little too well. Prime came to his senses, returned to the Ark, and destroyed the droid, but not before several Autobots suffered genuine injury. {{storylink|Yesterday's Heroes!}}

''Around the same time, Prime sent Cloudburst, [[Chainclaw (G1)|Chainclaw]] and [[Getaway]] to check up on the resurrected Starscream. This also resulted in them suffering genuine injury.'' {{storylink|Fallen Star!}}

''Out of nostalgia, Optimus kept a spare copy of his mind stored in an [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]] warehouse, seeing it as his last link to all those he had met in [[Ethan Zachary]]'s virtual world. Unfortunately, this made the installation a target for Decepticons, who could put the [[floppy disk]] to malicious use. The [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] were stationed at the warehouse, but when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] were spotted near the [[Rutter U.S. Military Base]], Optimus dispatched the Autobot [[Powermaster]]s to relieve Hot Spot's team, allowing them to battle their old rivals.''

[[File:Optimus hi-q prime bomb.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|"Ah crap, now my engine is flooded."]]
''Both the Powermasters and the Protectobots failed in their respective tasks. As a result, Scorponok was able to build a smart missile, one able to track Prime down wherever he went, and dodge any interference that came its way. After being briefly held captive by the Decepticons, Getaway learned of Scorponok's plan, and forewarned Prime of the deadly projectile. Prime insisted that he deal with the situation alone, blaming himself for allowing such a weapon to be created; had he not been so sentimental, the disk integral to its conception could have been destroyed long ago. He and Hi-Q drove out to an uninhabited area, and awaited the missile's approach. Their first attempt at disabling it had them go into a tunnel and collapse its entrance before the missile followed. When this failed to provoke a harmless detonation, Optimus Prime next used his battle station mode to attempt blasting the missile out of the sky. It managed to evade the entirety of his salvo, leaving Prime depleted of ammo. He next attempted to simply outpace the missile, pushing Hi-Q to his limit to afford him the necessary speed. The pair managed to dive into a nearby lake before the missile reached them, though the exertion damaged Hi-Q's armor, allowing water to seep inside. Optimus was forced to re-emerge to prevent the Nebulan from drowning.''

''After setting Hi-Q down out of harm's way, Optimus turned to the missile as it changed its course to meet him once more. Realizing that he couldn't evade it for much longer, Prime resolved to take the hit, and punched the missile down. No explosion followed, as the missile was revealed to be a dud! It turned out that Getaway had managed to convince the [[ABC|Decepticons' computer]] of Optimus's nobility, and it had disarmed the missile in order to spare the Autobot leader. Though Prime was saddened that the AI would likely meet its end at Scorponok's hand for its betrayal, Getaway tried to cheer him up; he pointed out that at the very least, it had been his honorable qualities which had inspired Earth's first fully-independent AI to make a decision for itself.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

Meanwhile, their creator, [[Primus]] had awakened within Cybertron, alerting his enemy [[Unicron]] to its location. Since the only thing that could stop Unicron was the Creation Matrix, and the Creation Matrix had been shot into space inside Optimus Prime's funeral barge, Prime and Emirate Xaaron assembled several teams of Autobots to scour a specific star system in which the funeral barge likely would have landed. {{storylink|Bird of Prey!}} ''On Cybertron, Longtooth learned of the quest for the Matrix and, feeling guilty, sent back the fragment that Optimus had given him.'' {{storylink|Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?}} ''Prime deliberated about which Autobot he should revive with the fragment but after witnessing the environmental damage caused by the Autobots' pursuit of the Air Strike Patrol he decided to use its power to restore the Earth itself.'' {{storylink|The Greatest Gift of All!}} Though Optimus Prime was never very comfortable with the mystical side of the Creation Matrix, he approached an altar aboard the Ark and was given a vision of a Matrix corrupted by evil and imminent oblivion! {{storylink|Kings of the Wild Frontier.}} After several dead ends, the Prime's funeral barge and the Creation Matrix were found on the barren moon of [[VsQs]]. Optimus Prime and Hot Rod went together to meet the [[All-Terrain Turbo-Transport]] as it landed, but were shocked to realize that Autobots were not delivering the Matrix at all! No, they were face to face with Lord Thunderwing, the Creation Matrix's next vessel! {{storylink|Dark Creation}}

[[File:AllFallDown-andweshallwin.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"The sky will open. The lights will come down. Celestial choirs will be singing and everyone will know we should do the right thing and the world will be perfect!"]]
Powered by the corrupted energies of the Matrix, Thunderwing was unstoppable. Even so, Optimus Prime pleaded for his troops to avoid trying to damage Thunderwing, for the Matrix was their only chance to destroy Unicron! After numerous losses were incurred, however, Optimus Prime decided to forgo the soft touch, and the Autobot leader let loose his full fury on the possessed Decepticon leader. More and more, the Matrix assumed control of Thunderwing, even taking possession of his mind, but Prime could not make Thunderwing notice this development. Thunderwing was not stopped by Prime's strength or by logic or reason, but by the cunning of Nightbeat. Nightbeat harpooned Thunderwing to the All-Terrain Turbo-Transport, shut off the [[artificial gravity]] systems, and Thunderwing and the transport were flung out into space. Thunderwing and the Matrix were presumed destroyed when the transport's self-destruct activated. Despite this seemingly catastrophic loss, Optimus Prime vowed to never give hope or give in to evil. With good on their side, they would ultimately prevail! {{storylink|All Fall Down}}

[[File:PriceofLife-Icannot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.66|Optimus Prime is firmly against the Right to Die movement.]]
Optimus Prime was still hung up on Ratchet's death, and assigned Nightbeat to investigate any chance that his friend still lived. Nightbeat suggested that Ratchet and Megatron might still be alive in [[Unspace]], the dimension that serves as a middleman between transdimensional portal openings. Though Optimus didn't understand most of the details in Nightbeat's plan to retrieve the lost Autobot, the morsel of hope his subordinate gave him steeled Optimus for his next task. With the Matrix out of the picture, Optimus Prime had turned to another prophecy, one that claimed that Unicron could be destroyed if all Transformers worked together as one. That would be impossible so long as the war continued, so Prime announced his intentions to surrender the Autobots to the Decepticons on Earth. Unsurprisingly, this was met with hostility. Soon after concluding his announcement, Optimus learned that Nightbeat had been correct in his assumption that Ratchet still existed... but there were complications in his retrieval: Ratchet had been fused molecularly with Megatron into one frightening creature! {{storylink|Eye of the Storm}} Optimus Prime refused to let anyone harm the creature. This caused even more complications when the creature, unchecked, began to tear apart the Ark's engine systems. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], Prime's security officer, warned him that if he didn't put the creature down, he would personally remove Prime from command. Optimus Prime reluctantly approached the creature, intending to kill it, but when the half that was Ratchet put the barrel of Prime's gun to its own head, begging Prime to kill it, Optimus Prime had second thoughts. He ordered [[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] to separate the two, even though Megatron would survive. Worse, one could not survive without the other. This did not please Kup and the others. {{storylink|The Pri¢e of Life!}} {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

[[File:Optimus prime zarak surrender.jpg|thumb]]
True to his word, Optimus Prime surrendered his Autobots to Scorponok's Decepticons, stationed in the [[New Jersey (Earth)|New Jersey]] swamps. The Decepticons were enjoying this turn of events a little too much, which drew an outburst from Kup. Optimus Prime tried to tell Kup to have patience, but Kup reminded him that the Optimus Prime he knew would never back down, never surrender, no matter what the cost! But no matter, the deed was done, and Optimus Prime and the Autobots were escorted into cells. After a while, Optimus Prime began to suspect that Scorponok didn't really want to talk about an alliance against Unicron at all, and was ignoring the long term to satisfy his short-term problems with commanding respect amongst his troops. Optimus Prime knocked aside Soundwave, his guard, and found Kup and Hot Rod. Unfortunately, Kup wouldn't be so easily rounded up, citing Prime's recent problems. But Prime pleaded to him at length, noting that for a warrior race, perhaps surrender took the most courage of all! Kup quietly admitted Prime was right, and the three Autobots burst into Scorponok's quarters, where Scorponok's body had been stowed, leaving Lord Zarak and Bludgeon mostly vulnerable. Zarak and Hot Rod grabbed a hostage each, but Prime ordered both sides to stand down. They had to begin trusting each other, if they were to team up against Unicron. Optimus Prime and Scorponok were once again about to reach an agreement when they were once again interrupted! A splinter team of Decepticons, led by Shockwave and Starscream, attacked the Decepticons' underground base, causing it to implode. {{storylink|Surrender!}}

[[File:They are YOU splash page.jpg|thumb|left|upright=2]]
Optimus Prime's immediate concern was damage control—and not just towards the humans in nearby New York City, but to the fragile alliance that was nearly formed! He and Nightbeat left to keep Scorponok and Shockwave's feud from reaching New York, but the fight was accelerated with the arrival of [[G.B. Blackrock]]'s new superhuman team, the [[Neo-Knights]]! {{storylink|...All This and Civil War 2}} Their best chance at securing the alliance was keeping Scorponok alive, but Circuit Breaker was making it very difficult. Upon approaching her, Optimus fell into Circuit-Breaker's sights, and she began to fry his circuits. Thanks to Blackrock pointing out to her that Shockwave, the robot who had initially crippled her, was present, Optimus was spared from going to the junkheap. Once Shockwave was out of the picture, Circuit-Breaker drained from her efforts in bringing him down, Optimus Prime and Scorponok once again (again) went to shake hands... {{storylink|Out of Time!}} when all Earthbound Transformers were whisked away by Primus to Cybertron. Primus spoke to them through the glowing body of Emirate Xaaron, telling them of the eternal conflict between himself and Unicron, and their part in defeated his eternal nemesis. Optimus began to grow concerned over Primus's apparent lack of concern over the well-being of his creation, and began to fear that their god saw them only as disposable chess pieces. Primus also selected Optimus Prime to be the Transformers' leader, which caught the attention of a hidden sect of [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cultists]]. While Scorponok confided in Prime that he was scared of dying in the upcoming battle, the two were jumped by the cultists. Scorponok, the Autobots, and even the rest of the Decepticon army came to Prime's rescue, and it seemed the alliance was finally forged. ...Till, at least, Kup pointed out that Unicron himself was hovering over the planet, ready for attack. This coincided with Optimus Prime doubling over in debilitating pain, a condition he had been hiding from the Autobots for some time. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}}

[[File:EdgeofExtinction-sothatallmaylive.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime's been reading his [[Jesus|New Testament]].]]
Kup and Getaway tried to push Prime along, but the force of Unicron's claws punching into the surface of Cybertron sent them reeling. Just the sheer, impossible size of Unicron paralyzed Optimus Prime and Scorponok with fear and awe. With both leaders' factions unable to rally their troops, Primus tried to intervene and battle Unicron himself. His efforts amounted to little however, and his avatar was destroyed. Optimus Prime was not shaken into action until a [[Galvatron II|brave, unidentified soldier]] attacked Unicron singlehandedly and was swatted away. Given new resolve by this act, Optimus charged alongside the remaining Autobots and Decepticons. But even as a united army, the Transformers seemed capable of little more than annoying their opponent. Casualties continued to mount, Scorponok among them. Having martyred himself, Scorponok asked Optimus Prime if he "did good" as he succumbed to his death throes. Optimus Prime nodded, called him his friend, and finally Scorponok passed away. Then, a Matrix-possessed Thunderwing suddenly returned. Although Thunderwing's body was completely disintegrated by Unicron, the Matrix itself persisted. As the artifact plummeted down planet-side, Prime ejected Hi-Q from his chest, knowing this next act would kill him. He seized the Matrix, fought its corruption, and plunged himself into Unicron's maw while holding it aloft. The Matrix's goodness came to the forefront once more thanks to Prime's influence, and its power was unleashed to destroy Unicron. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}}

[[File:EndOfTheRoad-itcanitis.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Gotta sell that one last toy!]]
The Transformers' ultimate battle was won, but the cost was high! What was left of Optimus Prime's body was found, and he was amazingly still holding on to life, thanks to the Matrix energy that he'd absorbed. But he hadn't much longer, so he pulled Prowl close to him and told him that Grimlock would lead the Autobots. Prime died (again), and Prowl screamed in agony. But before too long, after the Powermaster absorbed [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] energy from Grimlock, Hi-Q announced that ''he'' was Optimus Prime! {{storylink|Still Life!}} Since Cybertron was threatening to break apart after the stress of Unicron's attack, Hi-Q and the other Neo-Knights were packed up on a ship meant to escape the planet. But Hi-Q had other ideas. {{storylink|Exodus!}} He persuaded the Neo-Knights to stay on the dying planet and search for the [[Last Autobot]], explaining that the pains Optimus Prime were feeling before he died were the start of a larger metamorphosis. If Prime had lived, the Powermaster process would have eventually merged the two into one, but it continued on even with Prime dead. Thankfully for the Neo-Knights, Hi-Q was not crazy, and they stumbled across the storage chamber for the Last Autobot. {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}}

The Last Autobot set in motion the planet's healing process and took an interest in Hi-Q. A new robotic body was forged around Hi-Q's, and he and Optimus Prime were truly combined into one being! Optimus Prime, fully reborn as an [[Action Master]], took the Neo-Knights and the Last Autobot to [[Klo]], where the final battle was taking place. The Autobots had dwindled to just five of their number, and the Decepticons were approaching total victory, when Optimus Prime miraculously returned. Optimus Prime ushered in a new age of peace and harmony by shoving his fists through the Decepticons' heads and torsos, and with some resurrection help from the Last Autobot, the dead Autobots were restored and the Decepticons were forced to flee. The war finally over, Optimus Prime told his fellow Autobots that they'd help Klo rebuild... and then they'd finally go home! {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}
{{-}}

===Transformers Annual 1985===
{{note|Due to being published early in the franchise, these stories are out of continuity with the above.<ref>"Plague of the Insecticons!" was later designated as [[universal stream]] [[Primax 1285.0 Gamma]] by [[Vector Prime]].</ref>}}
[[File:Optimus prime plague of the insecticons.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|"Shredder!"]]
Realizing that their mission on Earth would be infinitely more difficult without capable human allies, Optimus attempted to open a dialogue with the American government. Planning the meeting in utmost secrecy, Optimus, [[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]], and [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] managed to secure an audience with the [[Ronald Reagan|President of the United States]]. The three Autobots drove to the White House, where they were warmly received by their host... only for their talk to be interrupted by the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]]. The Autobots did their best to take down the trio, only for [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] to loudly proclaim that Optimus was his leader, and he was off to attack [[Washington, D.C.|the city]] as per his orders. Unfortunately, the President's soldier escorts were quick to turn on the Autobots, having assumed that Bombshell had revealed the robots' true intent.

Optimus sent Prowl and Warpath to deal with the Insecticons, while he went off on his own to "cut them off at their source"; Optimus had noticed that the Insecticons were sluggish and restrained during their initial strike, at odds with their sleek, efficient designs. He reasoned that they were not acting under their own free will, but were rather being remote-controlled by someone else. His assumption proved correct: [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] was operating all three Insecticons using a nearby control module. While he tracked the cat down, Optimus split his concentration in two, sending his [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] drone to help his soldiers on the battlefront. But upon being found, Ravage commanded Bombshell to double back and help him deal with Optimus, sending out a mental signal for his minion to infect the Autobot with a [[cerebro-shell]], and take control of his mind. But just as Bombshell was about to do so, Optimus's Roller drone was destroyed, and the Autobot keeled over in pain. The cerebro-shell missed its intended target, and implanted itself in Ravage, putting him under Bombshell's control. Since Bombshell himself was already under Ravage's control, the end result was two mindless and immobile Decepticons. With the battle over, Optimus and his troops fled the scene; they felt that the humans would not believe them should they try and explain the situation, and that the Decepticon had already sullied their reputation beyond repair. {{storylink|Plague of the Insecticons!}}

Optimus took a the bulk of the Autobot forces on a later mission, leaving only a handful behind and instructing them to purvey news broadcasts for Decepticon activity in his absence. {{storylink|Hunted!}}

===''Robo-Capers''===
Optimus Prime introduced to his readers four Transformers that, for various comical reasons, never made "the cut"; [[Bozo]], [[Busby]], [[Lamphead]], and [[Gogglebox]]. {{storylink|Robo-Capers issue 88}}

===Trigger-Happy!===
[[File:Optimus prime trigger-happy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
The Autobots intercepted a message from [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] and [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] to Megatron, detailing how the pair were planning to deliver battle plans to their leader. Optimus led a sting operation to seize the plans in transit, only for his lookout, [[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]], to botch the whole mission by firing his weapon during the Decepticons' approach, despite being under strict orders not to do so. The resulting firefight imperiled the residents of [[Rivers' Town]], and Optimus sent [[Override (G1)|Override]] to fetch Backstreet from his post so he could explain himself. Override wound up exaggerating Optimus's frustration over the situation, and Backstreet was led to believe that he would be terminated for his lapse in judgement! Panicked, Backstreet fled the scene.

Optimus ordered his troops to track down and bring in Backstreet before he did further harm, either to himself or to innocent bystanders. Though still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, Optimus had no choice but to tell his troops that Backstreet's termination might be necessary upon hearing that the fugitive had attacked a human military convoy unprovoked. This announcement prompted Override to come clean about the exchange that had preceded Backstreet going on the run. Optimus was outraged that such crucial information had been kept from him, but relieved to learn that Backstreet hadn't gone rogue without reason. Right on cue, [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] then contacted Prime and told him that Backstreet had finally been sighted. Unfortunately, Megatron had already gotten to him, and was in the process of recruiting Backstreet over to his side! Optimus ordered all other units to stand back, lest their swarming give off the wrong impression, and resolved to rescue Backstreet on his own.

Crashing through a perimeter made up of Megatron's goons, Optimus tackled down his nemesis just as he was about to strike Backstreet down, the former having already refused to defect. Megatron ordered all of his soldiers to stand back, declaring the honour of killing Prime to be his alone, and the two leaders clashed. Though paralyzed by his anxiety at first, Backstreet eventually snapped back to his senses upon hearing that Prime was still willing to take him back, despite recent events. He intervened just as Optimus was about to get his head blown off, knocking Megatron out cold in the process. The Decepticons rushed forward in response, but Optimus provided enough cover fire for both he and Backstreet to slip away safely.

Back at Autobot Headquarters, Backstreet pled guilty to the charges of desertion and insubordination levelled against him, and told Optimus that he was ready to accept whatever punishment awaited him. Instead reprimanding him, Optimus declared that Backstreet would henceforth always be accompanied by another Autobot while acting as lookout to prevent similar incidents from happening again. {{storylink|Trigger-Happy!}}

===Marvel UK future timelines===
{{note|The movie adaptation, originally published by Marvel US, is in italics}}
[[File:Arcee optimus primes rib.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
In an alternate timeline, Optimus Prime still maintained his Powermaster body in 1995. When a [[Feminist mob|feminist group]] on Earth raised complaints that all the Autobots seemed to fit male archetypes, Optimus tried to appease them in the name of public relations. When explanations that, as living machines, Transformers didn't ''have'' genders failed, Optimus opted to give in to their demands and construct a new warrior, fitting their specifications. The unveiling of a powder pink and curvaceous Autobot, [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], did little to improve the humans' mood. A group of Decepticons led by Shockwave then crashed the unveiling, under the impression that the Autobots had constructed some sort of secret weapon. They were proved partially right, as after Optimus fell in combat, Arcee easily sent the Decepticons packing. {{storylink|Prime's Rib!}}

Years later, in [[2004]], Prime was back in his original Earthly appearance. While attending the grand opening of Autobot City on Earth, the Autobots came under fire from Shockwave and his Decepticons. Optimus Prime and the Autobots bravely used their bodies as shields to protect their human guests until the Decepticons were driven off. {{storylink|Aspects of Evil!}}

[[File:Megatron prime duel the planet-eater.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
''By the year [[2005]], the Decepticons had conquered all of Cybertron, relegating the Autobots to its two moons and Autobot City on Earth. In anticipation for an offensive strike against Megatron's army, Optimus sent Ironhide to Earth to fetch the Energon cubes necessary for this endeavor. Little did Optimus know that Laserbeak had been spying on them the whole time; Megatron ambushed the shuttle and slew everyone on board.''

''The Decepticons next moved to attack Autobot City. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] informed Optimus of the attack, and Optimus too traveled to Earth, bringing the Dinobots as reinforcements. As they battled Devastator, Optimus vowed to stop Megatron himself, no matter the cost. He barreled through Megatron's soldiers, and went toe-to-toe with his long-time foe. In the brutal confrontation, Megatron was able to get the drop on Optimus by feigning surrender, only to pull a pistol and deal a fatal blow to the Autobot. Optimus nonetheless managed to impart severe injuries on his nemesis, forcing the Decepticons to flee.''

''As Optimus lay dying, he passed on the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus, telling him that one day an Autobot would use its power to light their darkest hour. Telling those present to follow Ultra Magnus as their new leader, Optimus then expired.'' {{storylink|The Planet-Eater!}}

In another timeline, Optimus was similarly responsible for beating Megatron to near-death in the year 2005. Unicron reformatting this version of the Decepticon leader yielded the crazed [[Galvatron II]]. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}}

A time traveler from the distant future, [[Dicet Alpha-zero]], would one day traverse the time-stream to observe several key moments in the Transformers' war. Among the many events he witnessed were Optimus's decision to crash the Ark on Earth; his time as a disembodied head in Shockwave's possession; his first death following his duel within [[Ethan Zachary]]'s computer game world; his subsequent resurrection as a Powermaster; his confrontation against Grimlock upon his return to Earth and his battle against Galvatron at the end of the Time Wars. {{storylink|The Quest!}}

===Earthforce===
{{Earthforcefiction}}
[[File:Primevsgrimlockbreakaway.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|That's got to be therapeutic.]]
After a group of Autobots were revived following an unsuccessful attempt on [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]]'s part to brainwash them, Optimus sent out two of them, Wheeljack and Prowl, to investigate Decepticon activity in Arizona. {{storylink|Starting Over!}}

While dealing with the oncoming threat of Unicron, Optimus Prime came under a great deal of stress and began actively berating [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and his newly reactivated Dinobots for their more brutal methods of combating the enemy. {{storylink|Two Steps Back!}} This reprimand prompted Grimlock to offer his resignation from the Autobot army. Tempers got heated, and the two Autobots actually started brawling with one another in the conference room. After a few minutes of furious fighting, however, Prime and Grimlock effectively beat some sense into each other. Optimus Prime decided to take the Ark and its crew out into space, leaving Grimlock behind to command an "Earthforce" of Autobots, dedicated to protecting the planet in his absence. {{storylink|Break-Away!}}

[[File:MarvelUK-280-4MYItch-ObservationusPrime.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Optimus Prime returned briefly for an inspection after the Autobot [[Earthbase]] was completed, and the Dinobots barely managed to keep him from learning about the [[Emotional damper|berserker rages]] which plagued [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] every few million years. {{storylink|The 4,000,000 Year Itch!}} He also oversaw the reconstruction of [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] in Wheeljack's [[Body Shop]], only to be left disconcerted when a saboteur kept on impeding Wheeljack's efforts to return the damaged Autobot to life. Optimus tasked Grimlock with uncovering whoever was behind delaying Wheeljack's efforts, unaware that the culprit was Grimlock himself. Tracks was nonetheless reactivated, and Optimus decided to leave the vain Autobot under Grimlock's command before returning to space, still unaware of Grimlock's hatred towards his newest underling. {{storylink|Makin' Tracks!}}

While assigning [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]], [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]], [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]], [[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] a mission to the [[Acid Wastes]], Optimus found the latter five uncharacteristically lost in thought during his briefing. After regaining their attention, Optimus explained that he was sending them off to seek out the [[Underbase]]'s remains, hoping to use its connection to [[Primus]] as a substitute for the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in their impending battle against [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. He was further bewildered to find his troops making ridiculous excuses to avoid the mission. He sent them off despite this apparent show of cowardice.

Afterwards, Optimus accessed the Ark's archives for any clues as to why some of his finest were acting so strangely. He uncovered reports stating that Prowl and the others had been to the region before, and been tortured there by the sadistic [[Megadeath (G1)|Megadeath]]. Though puzzled over why they had kept this chapter of their lives a secret from him, the mission allowed the group to face the ghosts of their past, and they eventually succeeded in reaching their goal anyway. {{storylink|The Magnificent Six!}}
{{-}}

===Another Time & Place===
[[File:TFAnnual1991rip.JPG|left|thumb|upright=1.1|They will each keep half in special BFF lockets.]]
After Klo, the Autobots returned to Cybertron in an effort to rebuild the planetary government and resources. Optimus Prime naturally took the lead in these endeavours, but matters weighed heavily on his spark. The Nucleon-soaked Hi-Q at the core of his new body was one thing, reducing Prime to a non-transforming "[[Action Master|Actionmaster]]" like many of his fellow Autobots. But more importantly, Optimus Prime feared that the newfound peace on Cybertron would not last. He desperately wanted his soldiers to stop being soldiers, yet was petrified that something might come along and disturb their inactivity. This trepidation kept Optimus from stopping Grimlock from jetting off on an ill-advised mission to [[Hydrus Four]] in search of a way to reverse the Nucleon process, and he even refused to listen to Prowl when he reported that Grimlock had taken off anyway. Prowl struck a chord, however, when he pointed out that if he could track Grimlock's destination, so could the Decepticons. Shamed by Prowl's rebuke, Optimus Prime soon pushed aside his recalcitrance and assembled a strike team to go after the Dinobots.

On Hydrus Four, the Autobots discovered the Decepticons had taken over the medical facility with the Nucleon supply, and taken the Dinobots hostage. It seemed Bludgeon had a plan for the Nucleon, using it to recreate Megatron himself. With a surgical strike, however, they managed to free the Dinobots and take the fight to the enemy. Optimus confronted Bludgeon himself in battle, but was saved when Grimlock suddenly charged through and struck the Decepticon leader in dino-mode. It turned out the Nucleon process could be reversed after all! After that, all Prime and Grimlock had to do was tear apart the zombie-like, half-revived Megatron. Piece o' cake.

Eons later, Prime reminisced on this adventure, relishing the sense of closure it had brought him. But since that time, Autobot probes had uncovered a new breed of Decepticons amassing in deep space. Steeling himself after his reverie, Prime walked off to warn his fellows that a new battle awaited them, and it was time to take up arms once more. {{storylink|Another Time & Place}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers Comic-Magazin''==
Powermaster Optimus Prime led the Autobots when the joint Decepticon leaders [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] and [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] tried to hijack the oil reserves of [[Alaska]]. The Autobots drove off the Decepticons, but not before [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] shot a minibot because he turned off his targeting computer. Optimus then sat his troops down and explained to them the differences between Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 2|Attack at Dawn}}

He was monitoring the Decepticons from a distance when Megatron made peaceful gestures to humanity in [[New York City]]. The Autobots returned to the Ark and discovered that a statue of [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] that the Decepticons had gifted to New York was actually Snaptrap in disguise. Snaptrap went on a rampage and the Decepticons used this distraction to attack various other targets. Prime led the Autobots to narrowly defeat this menace. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 4#Transformers in Action: The Troy Principle|The Troy Principle}} Those events were recorded on a videotape that was later found and watched by Autobots on Cybertron after a [[City of Fear!|nuclear disaster]] in [[Kalis]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 21|In Memory of Earth}}

In [[1973]], {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}} Optimus Prime held a meeting in which he discussed with his fellow Autobots the importance of defending Earth's oil supply from the Decepticons in case they had forgotten, and applauded [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]'s call for a one-world Autobot government. The Decepticons then attacked an oil tanker. Prime put [[Crossblades (G1)|Crossblades]] in charge of the rescue mission, while he coordinated stopping the other raids that the Decepticons were systematically carrying out. At the end of a long night full of battles, he treats the Autobots to a stash of Energon. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 6|A Big Day for Powermaster Optimus Prime}} Those events would later be observed via log recording by Autobots in the year [[2008]]. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 17|Powermaster Optimus Prime - A Robot, a Hero}}

Optimus Prime requested that the [[Micromaster]]s take on Earth modes and join him on Earth. The [[Race Car Patrol]], [[Off Road Patrol]], [[Rescue Patrol (G1)|Rescue Patrol]] and [[Sports Car Patrol]] emerged from hyperspace at several hundred mach into the Ark. A day later, a huge battle took place in New York as the Autobots battled the Decepticons. The Decepticons unleashed a robotic hell-beast known as 'King Con', however Optimus Prime rented a helicopter to fly a banner announcing huge raw oil deposit finds in the Rocky Mountains. After a short hesitation, the Decepticons retreated to pursue these findings. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 7|New York — A City Sinking in Terror}}

When the Decepticons stole three nuclear missiles from the United State Federation to hold the world to ransom, Optimus Prime put the entire burden of discovering their whereabouts on the shoulders of the Double Targetmasters. Once the Decepticon base was located, he ordered that [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] be given the power and abilities of [[Pretender]]s and sent to defeat the Decepticons (and they did, hurrah!). {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}}

Optimus Prime was part of a wayward simulation watched by [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]] that mashed up previous adventures of the Autobots. It prominently ended with Optimus reviewing the characteristics of various Autobots and Decepticons. {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 15|Memories of Bumblebee}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|"Save Nevada Alpha"}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|The Transformers' Grand Hour: Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Transformers in Action: Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 11|Transformers in Action: He Who Laughs Last ...}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 12|Transformers in Action: "By their Blasters you shall know them ...!"}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 13|The Energon Trap}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|Transformers in Action: The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 16|Transforming Robots in Action: The Case of Optimus Prime}}}}

==Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic==
[[File:Optimusprime-g2.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|More apocalyptic visions than you can shake a covenant at.]]
As time passed, with the Decepticons supposed in exile and Cybertron at peace, the Autobots functionally disbanded. They scattered across the galaxies, with many retiring in peace while others continued to fight ''for'' peace among other civilizations they came across. Optimus Prime was still based out of Cybertron for a time, when he was alerted to Megatron's resurgence on Earth by the Joe team. {{storylink|Goin' South}} He also had at least one encounter with Bludgeon's forces after [[Klo]], (which ended with both sides fleeing from the planet's [[Guardian (G2)|Guardian]]) {{storylink|Ghosts}} but eventually was no longer in direct command of all Autobots as they scattered across the galaxy.

The time came when Optimus Prime was called back into the skirmish, alongside his honor guard of [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]], when Grimlock and his combat unit discovered a greater [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]] that had sprouted up without their noticing it. These next generation Decepticons, led by the Liege Centuro [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], would conquer world after world using terraforming and exo-structuring processes to remake raw materials into a new Cybertron for their use. Optimus Prime, Grimlock and their "Dirty Dozen" of Autobots began a small resistance movement against Jhiaxus and his people, but realized they were out of their depth. As the call went out to reassemble the Autobot army en masse, Prime worried that they were still missing some greater threat—he had begun experiencing visions of an unknown peril that was heading their way, and wasn't sure if even the united Autobots would be enough to deal with it. {{storylink|War Without End!}}

A temporary cease fire with the Cybertronian Empire in the [[K'tord Nebula]] after encountering psychic parasites that fed off of aggression did nothing to forestall the greater conflict between them. {{storylink|Primal Fear!}}

Until he could identify this secondary threat, Prime ordered the Autobots to remain inactive at an Autobase built into a small asteroid belt. But certainly Grimlock was having none of that. He grabbed a sizeable percentage of their displaced warriors who had already arrived and headed out after Jhiaxus and his flagship, [[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]. Naturally, they got in over their heads. Prime grabbed some of his personal soldiers (Hot Rod, Kup, Prowl, [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]) and hijacked a strike ship to get close enough to Twilight for a rescue mission. Once Grimlock and his men were sent out on a prison vessel, Optimus blasted the ship just enough to cause chaos, and give Grimlock enough time to overtake the crew. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Surprisingly enough, he gave Grimlock no rebuke once they met up again—in fact, Prime put the Dinobot commander in charge of the entire army! In order to fully understand the visions of impending doom he was receiving, Optimus Prime decided he needed to return to Cybertron itself, to help "cut through the static" that was garbling whatever message the Matrix was trying to send him. Engaging in a quasi-mystical ritual to expand his psychic boundaries, Optimus cast himself mentally back through time to witness the birth of the first Transformer, [[Prima]], as he rose from the living structure of Cybertron itself. What he saw next, however, was astonishing—Cybertronians birthing new Cybertronians themselves, causing living metal to burst forth from them in a bio-morphic reproduction process called "[[Reproduction#Budding|budding]]". Primus had apparently allowed this only up till a point, allowing the race to evolve in stages before discontinuing the ability and the memory of it from his progeny. Jhiaxus and his new Cybertronians, however, were the end result of some Decepticons somehow relearning the budding process. They were stronger, yes, and perhaps more evolved physically, but their souls, their sparks, were distilled too many times over. Optimus Prime awoke from his trance, believing he had come to understand the threat he sensed: the fractioning of his species. Little did he know that the threat was far less philosophical, and far more tangible, than he realized. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}

Megatron led an attacked on Washington D.C., prompting [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] to seek out Optimus for reinforcements. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Parth Three}} Prime jumped at the idea of joining forces with the original Decepticons to face off against the Cybertronians. Traveling to Earth alone, Optimus approached Megatron with the intent to talk. Instead, Megatron blasted him from behind, beat him to a pulp, ionized his every circuit, and then ripped out his chest and siphoned away the power of the Matrix. So no, the talking didn't go too well. Prime only survived due to Grimlock's talent for insubordination, as the Dinobot leader brought a massive strike team down to save their fallen leader before Megatron finished him off. Still, as the Autobots dragged Prime away to receive repair treatment, he knew Megatron would be back—Optimus had stuttered out enough information about "new Decepticons" to pique his old foe's interest, and once Megatron went after them and bit off more than he could chew, they'd meet again. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness}}

In this, at least, Optimus Prime knew Megatron all too well. Only days later a heavily battered and bruised Megatron wandered into Autobase: Earth, looking for that alliance Prime had offered. {{storylink|New Dawn|Tales of Earth Part Four}} Prime accepted, but when news reached him that the planet [[Ethos]] was under attack, Megatron refused to involve himself; he considered the endangered world to be beneath his notice. Making it clear that their alliance would only work if the Decepticons accepted to work under Autobot terms, Optimus left to fight Ethos's invaders. {{storylink|Escalation!|Tales of Earth Part Five}} The culprit turned out to be once more Jhiaxus's army, who appalled Optimus with the complete amorality with which they dealt out genocide. Engaging them proved to be a losing battle, until Megatron and his troops turned up after all. The Autobot/Decepticon alliance was cemented through combat, and though Ethos lay in shambles, its last few survivors gained a reprieved from obliteration. {{storylink|Escalation!}}

With new allies, things were looking up for Prime until the unthinkable happened. His visions of death and apocalypse finally came true as the Autobots came across a devastated world looking almost identical to the images he had been experiencing. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Swarm}} Optimus now realized his visions were not metaphorical in nature, and almost drew the conclusion himself before [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s science team completed their analysis of the genocide—it was their fault. More specifically, some by-product of the Cybertronian race had been formed by the budding process which created Jhiaxus and the Cybertronians, an animate entity that scoured the cosmos of its own design. Before more data and analysis could be had, however, Jhiaxus and his troops arrived on Earth seeking to end their ancestors once and for all. {{storylink|Swarm (issue)|Tales of Earth Part Six}}

[[File:Megatrong2idiot.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.4|No, no, shoot at ''each other''!]]
Optimus and Megatron fought shoulder-to-shoulder as the enemy forces descended en-masse, and though the first wave was destroyed, subsequent ones threatened to overwhelm the alliance utterly. Knowing that Jhiaxus's acquisition of the Matrix would signal their defeat, Optimus Prime asked Megatron if he had the means of reaching it, aboard the [[Warworld]] in orbit. His old foe answered in the affirmative; he had stashed a small vessel nearby in case the need for a quick getaway ever presented itself. {{storylink|Total War!}} The pair made their way out of Earth's atmosphere, but found the Warworld gunning down the Cybertronian fleet, despite reports that the enemy had already overrun it. Sneaking aboard, they found the Warworld's interior transformed into a living, squirming mass. The reason for this change was soon made evident; Starscream after having already betrayed the alliance to Jhiaxus, had in turn betrayed his new ally, taken the Matrix for himself, and used it to merge with Warworld! {{storylink|Total War!|Tales of Earth Part Seven}} Starscream tried to force Optimus and Megatron into the Warworld's plasma core, though Megatron prevented their fall by grabbing hold of a cable. Megatron then flung Optimus to safety and kept Starscream's attention on himself so that Prime could progress unimpeded. As Optimus made his way through the ship, he found it strangely responsive to his needs, as though Starscream was, for some reason, out to help him. Upon reaching a communications console, Optimus begged Jhiaxus for an audience to discuss the impending threat which was bearing down on them all. As badly as Prime's last attempt to "just talk" with an enemy had gone, this time it went much worse, as Jhiaxus responded by ordering the orbital bombardment and destruction of the human city of [[San Francisco]]. Millions of lives were wiped out in an instant. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!}}

[[File:Jhiaxusyouhavedestroyedme.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|"Do you like me? Check (yes) or (no)."]]
As bad as things were, a silver lining did develop—Starscream proved too much of a "pedestrian villain" to actually corrupt the Matrix as had happened in the past. Instead, it was actually turning him more heroic, giving him selfless and self-sacrificing urges! The Warworld began blasting at Jhiaxus's ship in an attempt to forestall further attacks on Earth. But before Prime could even respond to this development, the Swarm itself arrived in orbit. {{storylink|Dark Shadows!|Tales of Earth Part Eight}} Not wanting to be a hero, much less a dead hero, Starscream willingly relinquished the Matrix to Optimus Prime. In yet another effort at unity and compromise, Prime took a skysled over to Jhiaxus's flagship, Twilight, in order to talk the Liege Centuro into working with the Autobots and Decepticons to commune with the Swarm.

[[File:RageInHeaven-HeroPrime.jpg|left|thumb|100px|He really does like to push the new toy at the last possible moment.]]
Instead, Jhiaxus tore off his face.

The formerly icy Cybertronian had been driven completely off his rocker by the extended conflict with his ancestors, and was now little more than a mad dog pounding away at Optimus Prime. The brutality only ended when the Swarm entered Twilight and consumed Jhiaxus utterly. At this point, Optimus had reasoned that the Swarm was merely a void, searching for something to complete the emptiness inside it. With desperate reasoning, Prime allowed the Swarm to assail him, hoping that he (and the Matrix inside him) would prove to be what it was searching for. His body ravaged to the point of total disintegration, Optimus Prime still managed to make mental contact with the Swarm as it consumed him, and expose it to the will of Primus. Having successfully purified the Swarm, Optimus Prime rematerialized in a new, more powerful body. In the aftermath, in front of the cheering masses, Prime declared a new age of peace and enlightenment.

Privately, however, Prime knew that [[Furmanism|it never ends]]... {{storylink|A Rage in Heaven!}}
{{-}}

==Fleetway ''Generation 2'' comic==
{{note|The Fleetway comics follow the Marvel Comics continuity, telling a similar but divergent story to the US ''Generation 2'' series.}}
[[File:Optimus megatron war without end.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4]]
When the diabolical [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] launched an all-out attack on [[London]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] called in Optimus Prime who traveled to Earth with a small squad comprising [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Skram (G2)|Skram]]. On their arrival, Grimlock was nowhere to be found, having been incapacitated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] in a new body. Sending his troops to deal with the other Decepticons, Optimus sought out and confronted Bludgeon, blasting [[Windrazor (G2)|Tornado]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] out of the way and soundly beating the Decepticon leader in one-on-one combat. It was only then that the real threat revealed himself — Megatron! {{storylink|War Without End (issue)|War Without End}}

Still weary from his battle with Bludgeon, Prime wasn't sure if he could beat Megatron and he was quickly proved correct as the Decepticon showed off the features of his new body, including the powerful [[Particle cannon|particle accelerator cannon]]. Fortunately for the Autobot leader, [[Rage (G1)|Rage]] ordered his [[Stormtrooper (G1)|Stormtroopers]] to attack Megatron, then Grimlock and his [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] intervened and finally Jazz and the others arrived. Outnumbered, Megatron summoned [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and retreated.

Later at [[Autobase]], Grimlock filled Prime in on what had happened in his absence. Thousands, perhaps millions of [[Cybertronian (faction)|new Decepticons]] had shown up and were [[cyberforming|eco-structuring]] worlds into new Cybertrons all over the galaxy and Grimlock had even tussled with these Decepticons' leader, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]. However disturbing this news, Optimus's visions had warned him that there was something much worse out there... {{storylink|War Zone}}

Prime was still having apocalyptic visions when Grimlock went against orders and attempted to destroy the Cybertronian flagship ''[[Twilight (G2)|Twilight]]''. The mission went badly, leading to the deaths of [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], until Prime showed up to save the day aboard the captured Cybertronian ship ''[[Sabre]]''. Afterwards, Optimus left Grimlock in charge of the Autobots as he went to investigate the source of his visions. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Devices and Desires!}}

Deep beneath the surface of Cybertron, Prime was shown the creation of the Transformer race and learned of a previously-unknown method of [[reproduction]], that of budding. He also saw how the Cybertronian Empire had rediscovered this process to massively bolster their numbers. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}}
{{-}}

==''Cybertron'' comic==
While reminiscing about some events throughout [[multiverse]], [[Vector Prime]] remembered the time [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] taunted Optimus Prime's disembodied head. {{storylink|Vector Prime: In the Beginning}}

==''Classics''==
{{noteclassics}}
[[File:Classicscomicautobots.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"All right, do-over. This time I'll skip the visions of doom, and you won't get yourself tangled up with Cobra. Deal?"]]
After the war ended on Klo, Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron exhausted. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} Several of his most powerful warriors, uneasy with peacetime, left Cybertron to pursue whatever Decepticon stragglers remained in outer space. Though Optimus objected to their departure, he made no effort to actually stop them. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13|Grimlock's profile in Club magazine #13}} Since the war had gone on for so long, Prime had all along resigned himself to an inevitable death, and so finding the war at an end, Prime simply withdrew from society. No civilian job satisfied him. Now that peace was finally here, he had no idea what to do! {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} In his attempts to keep busy, he helped some of his soldiers adjust to the new status quo. Among these was Hot Rod, who he set up with an administrative job, {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Rodimus's profile in Club magazine #15}} and Nightbeat and Muzzle, to whom he offered a place as his personal investigative agents. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Muzzle's profile in Club magazine #22}} He also helped [[Lug (G1)|Lug]] in acquiring a ship to take him back to [[Nebulos]], {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Lug's profile in Club magazine #22}} and organized a project to restore the data destroyed from Cybertron's archives during the war. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 22|Quig's profile in Club magazine #22}} As the years passed, Optimus became more and more of a recluse, spending deca-cycles within the Last Autobot's orbital watchtower. What the two legendary figures discussed in isolation is a mystery to all others. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}}

Fifteen years later, Optimus was somewhat relieved that Megatron had resurfaced on Earth. Though it shamed him, he once again had a purpose. {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 18|Optimus Prime's profile in Club magazine #18}} He sent out messages to his off-world troops, key among them Grimlock {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 13|Grimlock's profile in Club magazine #13}} and Rodimus (formerly Hot Rod) {{storylink|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 15|Rodimus's profile in Club magazine #15}} to rejoin the battle alongside him on Earth.

The team Optimus Prime returned to Earth commanding wound up including some of his best warriors, [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]], and [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus]], united to counter the return of [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. When Transformers from another reality, [[Skyfall (Cybertron)|Skyfall]] and [[Landquake (Timelines)|Landquake]], arrived on Earth unexpectedly, Megatron stumbled upon them, only to find himself under attack by Prime and his Autobots. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 1}} Overwhelmed, Megatron managed to escape with Landquake, while the Autobots returned to Autobot headquarters with Skyfall. {{storylink|Crossing Over, Part 2}}

Optimus Prime took his Autobots and Skyfall to [[South America]], where the Decepticons were investigating a mysterious energy source that was similar to the radiation readings of their new dimension-traveling companions. After Prime left Jetfire in mid-transit to help [[Armored Robot Hunters|RUNT]] fight the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], he and the remaining Autobots arrived at their destination and battled the rest of Megatron's forces on the ground. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 3}} As the battle raged, Optimus Prime took on Megatron in a one-on-one battle. Megatron tried repeatedly to escape Prime so that he could discover the location of the energy readings, but Prime prevented him from doing so. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 4}} Megatron tried intimidation tactics, boasting that his troops outnumbered Prime's, assuring him the victory. Optimus was nearly felled, but Grimlock intervened in the duel by tossing Bonecrusher into Megatron, giving Optimus the respite he needed to continue keeping Megatron at bay. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 5}} As Megatron's troops were eliminated from the fight, the Decepticon leader realized his gambit was up. He swore the next time he and Prime met, it would be different! Optimus Prime told him to leave before he lost his patience, and the Decepticons withdrew. {{storylink|Crossing Over: Part 6}}

The battle won, but the energy source still a mystery, Prime and his Autobots returned to their headquarters heavily damaged, and seemingly having lost Skyfall and Cliffjumper (along with Landquake). Later, he was pleased to have been visited (seemingly very quickly, if really at all) by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] when their paths crossed while the latter was hunting [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

At another time, Optimus Prime fought alongside Jetfire, Sunstreaker, and Ironhide to protect some humans from [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], and [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]. Later still, after Ratchet had been rescued from Megatron, Optimus overlooked the medic as he recovered from his trauma, and welcomed him back to the Autobots. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}

{{note|The entire [[Primax 207.0 Epsilon|Classicsverse]] was destroyed in the [[BotCon 2012]] comic story "[[Invasion (issue)|Invasion]]". Optimus Prime was not featured in "Invasion", but comments made at BotCon 2012 imply that he was not on Earth at the time and would thus have been killed along with the rest of his universe.}}

==''Regeneration One''==
{{NoteRG1}}
[[File:Optimus prime loose ends 1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Hot Rod's first action as Autobot leader was to order a more comfortable chair.]]
In the twenty-one years since defeating Bludgeon on Klo and returning to Cybertron, Optimus Prime had grown more distant, sequestering himself to [[Nova Point]], where he was mentoring [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]]. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]], catching wind of some dissident Decepticon activity, visited Prime to ask him to send the [[Wrecker]]s in to stop a potential uprising before it began. Prime, believing that such an action would only galvanize the Decepticons, forbade it. However, shortly thereafter, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] was able to hijack a defense satellite and use it to destroy the [[Last Autobot]] where it stood in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. {{storylink|Counterpoint}}

Kup defied the stand-down order and activated the Wreckers to stop a Neo-Decepticon raid on a weapons decommissioning facility in [[Kalis]], preventing the detonation of reclaimed warheads. Prime reluctantly conceded that the Wreckers' actions saved countless lives and chose not to punish Kup at this time, much to Magnus' concern due to the influence the Wreckers' war-hero status had had on his cadets. Prime didn't hear Magnus' concerns, however, as he was overcome with a vision of [[Unicron]], threatening to return and kill him again. Frustrated with Prime's lack of action, Kup decided to take a more proactive approach, and left with the Wreckers for [[Earth]]. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 1}}

Kup's mission proved disastrous, as [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had devastated the planet, and had been waiting for Prime to return for one more showdown—a fact he revealed to Kup when the Wrecker leader was captured. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 2}} [[Springer (G1)|Springer]]'s distress signal was received on Cybertron, at which time the Autobots discovered a repeating message from Megatron, calling for Prime and taunting him. Ultra Magnus and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] took these messages to Optimus. With the revelation of Megatron's survival, Prime had no choice but to mobilize the Autobots to Earth, though he ordered Hot Rod to stay behind to watch over Cybertron. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 3}}

Optimus arrived on Earth to find Megatron, along with an army of [[zombie]] Decepticons that he had revived and lobotomized, in the remains of [[Washington, D.C.]], about to destroy Springer. The insane Decepticon was thrilled to see that his nemesis had finally come. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 4}} Prime realized that his inaction had resulted in Megatron's devastation of the planet, but did his best to contain himself as he ordered Megatron to let Springer go. Megatron proceeded to shoot Springer in the head with his [[fusion cannon]], and then sarcastically suggested that he misinterpreted Prime's meaning. This was enough to make the Autobot leader snap, and as the other Autobots engaged Megatron's zombie army, Prime and Megatron went head-to-head.

[[File:Prime megatron loose ends 5.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.67|OO, RIGHT IN THE TRIGGER]]
As the battle commenced, Megatron revealed his dark designs — he had set this confrontation up to be their final battle. Being linked with [[Aunty|Auntie]], the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s computer, he had programmed her to launch all of Earth's remaining nuclear weapons should he be terminated; should Megatron prevail over Prime, or should the two find themselves in a stalemate, he intended to fire the missiles anyway, ensuring that both would be destroyed, along with every remaining living thing on the planet!

During the battle, Kup destroyed Ratchet, sending Megatron into agony and providing Prime with the opening he needed to rip Megatron's spark from his chest, ending his old foe once and for all. Fortunately for Optimus, at about the same time, the group of Wreckers led by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] had reached the Ark, and Circuit Smasher was able to disable Auntie, not only preventing the nuclear launch, but deactivating the zombie Decepticons as well. {{storylink|Loose Ends, Part 5}}

Prime mournfully watched as the bodies of the fallen zombie army—which had even included Autobots that had been left in stasis on the Ark—were gathered up to be destroyed by orbital bombardment. He refused First Aid's offer of repairs, choosing to wear his battle scars in memory of the fallen. Prime offered an apology to Kup, who wasn't quick to forgive. He was then tersely confronted by Circuit Smasher, who informed Prime that he and his human allies had unanimously voted for the Autobots to leave Earth immediately. Prime tried to ask his former ally to reconsider, believing that the Autobots could help humanity rebuild, but Spike rebuffed him, stating that they were far beyond "rebuilding" and had to start from scratch. Not wishing to bring further conflict upon the humans, Prime reluctantly chose to abide by their decision. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

[[File:Spike fort max optimus the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|After the war, Fort Max was finally able to become a chiropractor.]]
At least, he would ensure the other Autobots abide by the humans' wishes, as he surprised Ultra Magnus with the revelation that he was staying behind to help rebuild. Prime also revealed to Magnus that he believed his own resurrection at the hands of the Last Autobot had been a mistake, that his own time had passed, and that it was time for Hot Rod to assume the mantle of leadership. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Two}} Optimus proceeded to drive to the [[Yukon]], with the intent of destroying the Ark and its Cybertronian technology once and for all, though he was unable to decide whether this was out of altruism, or atonement. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}} However, when Optimus arrived at the Ark, he was surprised to find it taking off... and with a Transformer aboard who Prime recognized as Megatron. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Five}}

Later, Optimus sent a message to the Autobots on Cybertron telling them of the [[Galvatron II|Megatron-like character]]'s presence on the Ark. Hearing about the state of shock Scorponok left the people of Nebulos in, Prime reasoned the two damaged worlds of Earth and Nebulos could help each other. {{storylink|Destiny, Part One}} Despite Circuit Smasher's electrified reception, Optimus Prime presented his plan to Blackrock and the humans, and they accepted. {{storylink|Destiny, Part Two}} Circuit Smasher remained recalcitrant, however, and even threatened to blow up the space bridge while Prime was constructing it. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 1}} Nevertheless, work on Earth and Nebulos neared completion. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 2}}

[[File:Three primes war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|Everybody's first Optimus is in rough shape.]]
When the space bridge was activated, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Fortress Maximus]] came through, defeated the already wounded Prime and captured Spike. Optimus had to be hurriedly ushered in for repairs. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 3}} He was being treated by G.B. Blackrock when his body suddenly vanished. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 4}}

When Rodimus was journeying to [[Zero Space]], the [[Dark Matrix]] creature called on three different versions of Optimus from different points in this timeline. Of them was the wounded-'current'-Prime. The Dark Matrix creature commanded the Primes to attack Rodimus Prime who was carrying the [[Sword of Primus]]. Rodimus couldn't handle even one Prime and three Primes were too much for him. It was then that he called [[Rodimus (disambiguation)|multiple Rodimuses from across the multiverse]]. They managed to hold off Optimus long enough for him to shake off the entity's control. Optimus Prime counseled Rodimus on how to defeat the Anti-Matrix, and the beast was cut off from the rest of the multiverse. Optimus and Rodimus reverted to Cybertron, where Optimus finally expired from his accumulated injuries. He was at peace, though, believing the Last Autobot made a mistake reviving him years ago, and the Autobots were now in the hands of a worthy successor. {{storylink|The War to End All Wars, Part 5}}
{{--}}

==''Transformers '84''==
[[File:'84Optimus and The Ark.jpg|thumb|400px]]
With the earliest battles of the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]] all being in favour of the Decepticons, it was thought that they had all but won the conflict. Optimus Prime emerging as Autobot leader however led to the disorganized resistance rallying together into meaningful opposition against the Decepticons, stalling the aggressors' advance. Indeed Megatron became so obsessed with defeating this "upstart" that he all but forgot his original ambition of [[Project Dreadnought]]. {{storylink|Secrets & Lies issue 1|Secrets & Lies #1}}

After so many eons of war, Optimus Prime became convinced that Megatron represented not only the greatest threat to Cybertron's future, greater even than the [[Stellae Cimeterium]], but the lynchpin of the Decepticon army. As Cybertron drifted towards an [[asteroid belt]], Optimus saw a chance to remove Megatron from the combat theatre through the Ark, a ship which Optimus would crewed with the entirety of [[Autobot High Command]] to tempt [[Decepticon High Command]] into following, ordering [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] to inform Megatron of the ship's construction. After dodging questions from both the [[Council of Autobot Elders]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] about his plan, Optimus met with Punch in the [[Badlands (Cybertron)|Badlands]], praising the spy for his performance and informing him of his true plan. After taking a moment to reflect on the trusts he was betraying, Optimus ordered Punch to ensure that no one would ever find the Ark and that Megatron never be allowed to return to Cybertron. When the time for launch came, Optimus led his troops in destroying the rocks before, as he predicted, Megatron attacked the ship. Without missing a beat, Optimus set the Ark on a collision course with the nearby [[Earth]], crashing it and cutting off everyone from Cybertron. {{storylink|Transformers '84 issue 0|'84 #0}}

==Notes==
*In an alternate ending to [[The Last Stand]] (printed in [[The Transformers: The Complete Works Part 2]]) Optimus gets to finish up his speech as Shockwave's attack never comes. Optimus Prime declares that the Decepticons have been defeated once and for all instead.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Autobot leaders]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Multi-component Transformers]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Gladiators]]
[[Category:Matrix bearers]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Primes]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Autobots]]
[[Category:Robo-Capers characters]]
[[Category:Rulers of Cybertron]]
[[Category:TransTech Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Who's Who

2022-01-25T02:29:18Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

[[File:Decepticon whos who.jpg|thumb|upright=1.67|Like a simpler, paper-based version of this wiki.]]
The '''Who's Who''' was a feature in the [[Marvel Comics#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] comics that kept readers up to date with the current status of their favourite ''Transformers'' characters. Three editions of Who's Who were produced: one for the [[Decepticon]]s in issue [[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]], a two-parter for the [[Autobot]]s in issues [[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53-54]] and one for the [[human]]s in issue [[Robot Buster!|#59]]. The Autobot Who's Who and the Decepticon Who's Who were subsequently reprinted in the [[Transformers Annual 1986]].

They are in line with the then-current UK continuity where, for example, many of the Autobot characters that were deactivated during "[[Prime Time!]]" in the US comics were still active, and the human edition includes UK-only characters. Despite calls for its return on the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]], the idea was never revisited, probably because the rapidly-growing ''Transformers'' cast rendered it impractical.

==Decepticon Who's Who==
===[[Decepticon leader]]s===
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] — Missing, but presumed functional
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] — Acting Commander
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] — Missing, presumed destroyed
===[[Decepticon Mini-Cassette|Spy cassettes]]===
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]]
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]]
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]]
===[[Decepticon Planes|Jet planes]]===
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] — Aerospace Commander
*[[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]]
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]]
===[[Constructicon (G1)|The Constructicons]]===
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]]
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]]
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]]

==Autobot Who's Who==
===[[Autobot High Command|High Command]]===
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] — Autobot Commander
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] — Joint [[second-in-command]], injured
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] — Joint second-in-command
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] — Aerospace Commander
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] — Military Intelligence Officer
===Technicians===
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] — Chief Medical Officer, honorary member of High Command
*[[Ironhide (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ironhide]] — Security Officer
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] — Chief Mechanical Engineer
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] — Architect
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] — Maintenance
===[[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]===
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] — Dinobot Commander, injured
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] — Flamethrower, injured
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] — Jungle Warrior, injured
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] — Desert Warrior, injured
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] — Aerial Commando, injured
===Speedsters===
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] — Gunner, injured
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] — Warrior
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] — Theoretician
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] — Diversionary Tactician
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] — Warrior, injured with little possibility of revival
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] — Warrior, injured
===[[Mini Vehicle|Mini-Autobots]]===
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] — Construction Engineer, injured
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] — Espionage
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] — Transport and Reconnaissance, injured
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] — Demolitions
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Cliffjumper]] — Warrior, injured
*[[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] — Warrior, injured
===Trackers===
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] — Scout
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] — Strategist

==Human Who's Who==
===Friends/Allies===
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]]
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]]
*[[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]]
*[[G.B. Blackrock]]
*[[Bomber Bill]]
*[[Spider-Man]]
*[[Sammy Harker]]
*[[Joy Meadows]]
*[[Carl Thompson|General Carl Thompson]]
===Enemies/Antagonists===
*[[Circuit Breaker (G1)|Circuit Breaker]]
*[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]
*[[Peter Anthony Morris|Professor Morris]]
*[[Joey Slick]]

==Notes==
*Though Megatron is listed as "presumed destroyed" following [[Repeat Performance!|his battle with Ratchet and the Dinobots]], he returns to the comic just three issues later in issue [[Shooting Star!|#51]].
*Jetfire is referred to as a "Valkyrie jet-fighter".
*Sunstreaker was not so badly injured after all — he would be revived twice, sometime before issue [[Totaled!|#174]] and during issue [[...Perchance to Dream|#260]].
*Jessie's entry says she hasn't directly been involved in the war ''yet'' but is "always likely to play a larger part" in the lives of the Transformers due to her relationship with Buster. This could have been foreshadowing for "[[Devastation Derby!]]", a story starting the very next issue.

==See also==
*''[[Transformers AtoZ]]''

[[Category:Generation 1 media]]
[[Category:Marvel Generation 1 issues| ]]
[[Category:Profile books]]

Geoff Senior

2022-01-25T02:22:37Z

Charles RB:

[[Image:GeoffSenior.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Geoff Senior self-portrait]]
'''Geoff Senior''' is an artist who worked on both the original [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK and US ''Transformers'' comic books]] and was made secondary artist for Marvel Comics' ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics, starting with issue #10, after [[Derek Yaniger]] failed to meet deadlines. His first strip work was in UK [[Crisis of Command!|issue #42]]. At one point, he lived in Carlisle, England.

He studied at the Cumbria School of Art and Design but had no idea of what to do after. Luckily for us, one of his teachers introduced him to his neighbour [[Steve Parkhouse]] and that got him into comics.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 21-22</ref>

He is like unto a ''living god''.

Sadly, he has largely departed comics, and now works in the advertising field producing storyboards.

In July of 2007 he returned to ''Transformers'' with [[Transformers Comic issue 1|#1 of a new series]], providing the art for a [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Transformers'' movie prelude]]. He expressed bemusement that because the CGI model sheets he was given only show the front, he had ''no idea'' what the back of the characters looked like and couldn't make out their faces.<ref>[http://panelborders.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/podcast-transformers-and-now/ Panel Borders (click "Download This Episode Now" link as others go to the wrong podcast)]</ref> He would return every so often afterwards for convention comics, the odd page, and various covers. Long may this continue!

==Illustrator==
===Comic art===
====Marvel UK====
* Pencils for ''The Transformers'' [[Crisis of Command!|42-43]], [[Target: 2006|83-84, 86]], [[...The Harder They Die!|98]], [[Fallen Angel|101]], [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|113]], [[Burning Sky!|116]], [[Fire on High!|120]], [[Ancient Relics!|125 (continued in ''Action Force'' 24-27]]), [[Headhunt|134]], [[Ladies' Night (issue)|138]], [[The Legacy of Unicron!|146-147]], [[A Small War!|233]], [[Deathbringer (issue)|235]], [[A Savage Place!|239]], [[Two Megatrons!|244]], [[Dawn of Darkness|247]]
* Pencils for ''The Transformers Annual 1986'' story: "[[Victory!]]"
* Ink assists for ''The Transformers'' issue [[The Legacy of Unicron!|151]]

====Marvel USA====
*Pencils for ''The Transformers'' issues [[The Primal Scream|61]], [[Bird of Prey!|62]], [[Dark Creation|65]], [[All Fall Down|66]], [[On the Edge of Extinction!|75]]
*Pencils for ''Transformers: Generation 2'' issues [[Ghosts|0]], [[Total War!|10]], [[Dark Shadows!|11]], [[A Rage in Heaven!|12]]

====Hasbro====
*[[Beast Wars: Transformers video game advertising comic]]

====3H Productions====
*[[Terminus (issue)|Terminus]]

====Titan Magazines====
{{collist|3|
* [[Transformers Comic issue 1|''Transformers'' #1]]
* Poster included with [[Transformers Comic issue 7|''Transformers'' issue #7]].
}}

====IDW Publishing====
* ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]''
**Issue [[Less Than Zero|0]] (pg 2-6)
**Issue [[The War to End All Wars, Part 5|100]] (pg 11-20)

*''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers]]'' (pg 4-5, 17-18, 30-31)

===Cover art pencils===
====Marvel UK====
*''The Transformers'' issues [[Dinobot Hunt!|49]], [[Shooting Star!|51]], [[Robot Buster!|59]], [[Second Generation!|64]], [[Showdown!|72]], [[Target: 2006|88]], [[Prey!|97]], [[Fallen Angel|102]], [[Resurrection!|104]], [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|113]], [[Hunters|117]], [[Worlds Apart!|130]], [[Dark Star|209]], [[Aspects of Evil!|223, 224, 227]], [[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|229]], [[Prime's Rib!|234]], [[Deathbringer (issue)|235]], [[Way of the Warrior|237]], [[A Savage Place!|239]], [[Rage!|241]], [[Two Megatrons!|244]], [[Fallen Star!|248]], [[...Perchance to Dream|260]]
*''[[Transformers Annual 1991]]''
*''[[Transformers Collected Comics]]'' #5 and 6

====Marvel USA====
* ''The Transformers'' [[On the Edge of Extinction!|75]]
* ''Transformers: Generation 2'' [[Ghosts|0]]

====3H Productions====
* [[Terminus (issue)|Terminus]] dinner variant

====Panini====
* ''Transformers: Armada'' issue [[First Encounter!|#1]], [[Panini Armada issue 3|#3]]

====Titans Books====
* ''[[Transformers: All Fall Down]]'' [[BotCon 2001]]-exclusive cover
* ''[[Transformers: Target: 2006]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Fallen Angel]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Legacy of Unicron]]''
* ''[[Transformers: City of Fear]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Space Pirates]]''
* ''[[Transformers: Time Wars]]''

====IDW Publishing====
* ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' all issues, cover RI

* ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' [[Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness|21]], [[Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King|22]], [[Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering|23]], [[Crucible (Part 6): A Spark Among Embers|24]] cover B

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>Image:Deathshead147shockdeath.jpg|Traumatising future [[IDW Publishing|IDW]] [[James Roberts|staff]], yes?
Image:MarvelUK-113.jpg|[[113 (disambiguation)|Inspiring]] future IDW staff
Image:RG1 84 cvrRI.jpg|[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Being future IDW staff]]
Image:Megatrong1marveltwomegatrons.jpg|[[Two Megatrons!|I.D. Weirdness]]! </gallery>

*''[[:Category:Images by Geoff Senior|Extended Geoff Senior gallery]]''</center>

{{creatorstub}}

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.geoffsenior.com/ Geoff Senior's homepage]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3094391 BBC story on Death's Head, mentions advertising work]
*[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_white.php Geoff Senior comes out of retirement to tour, draw things]
*[http://www.smudgepencil.com/portfolio/geoff/ Geoff Senior online portfolio]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Senior, Geoff}}
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Titan]]

Mike Collins

2022-01-25T02:11:36Z

Charles RB:

'''Mike Collins''' is a Welsh comics writer and artist, having worked for many of the major comic companies in the US and UK including, DC comics, 2000AD, [[Marvel Comics]] and Panini UK.

Collins pencilled many early issues of the UK ''Transformers'' title, and is also memorably known for serving as the artist on the four 1985 [[Ladybird Books]] titles. Collins's style in his Transformers work, be it comic or book, favoured using the actual toys' designs instead of the more common comic/animation model sheets because when he started there ''were'' no available model sheets. When he visited the US, [[Bob Budiansky]] learned about this and gave Collins a copy of the 'bible', which Collins brought back "Moses-with-the-Tablets like".<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]] page 12</ref>

In addition he wrote the first and final parts of the Marvel UK story "[[Crisis of Command!]]".

Despite a long and storied career in TV, comics, and movies, he considers his cover to [[Christmas Breaker!]] to be his most significant and reproduced work.<ref>[https://twitter.com/MIKECOLLINS99/status/1473983873159675911?t=elldrIxNzoFfGWf5m-yoww&s=19 Mike Collins on Twitter]</ref>

==Notes==
* A European toy company bought the licensing rights for some unreleased [[Japan|Japanese]] Transformers toys and asked Marvel UK to make a comic about them. As Simon Furman was busy with ''Transformers'', Collins was asked to work on a pitch with [[James Hill]] before Hasbro just went and bought out their rival.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 18</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.freakhousegraphics.co.uk/ Mike Collins personal site]
*{{w|Mike Collins|Mike Collins on Wikipedia}}
*[http://www.myspace.com/dafreakhouse Mike Collins MySpace profile]
*[http://www.mikecollins.deviantart.com/ Mike Collins at deviantART]

{{creatorstub}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Mike}}
[[Category:Illustrators]]

James Hill

2022-01-25T02:11:01Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig3|James}}
{{picsneeded}}

'''James Hill''' is a British comic writer who wrote several [[Marvel UK]] stories before [[Simon Furman]] became the sole writer. How he got the job was that [[Sheila Cranna]] couldn't find Furman in the office one day and so asked Hill's friend [[Richard Starkings]] if he knew anybody who could write some text stories for the Annuals. As both men had worked at Harrier Comics, Starkings recommended Hill.<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]], page 16</ref>

His most notable stories are the first [[Christmas]] story and the hugely influential "[[State Games]]" story, which established the Decepticons' origins in gladiatorial combat and Megatron as a famous warrior—this idea has since become the default Megatron origin, in large part due to being an influence on [[Eric Holmes]]' ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin]]'' (not to mention [[The Route of All Evil|Dreamwave]]) which caused [[Hasbro]] to latch on.

He ''almost'' wrote an origin story about how the Transformers had evolved, but editor [[Ian Rimmer]] was more interested in Earth-based stories.<ref>[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1]], page 196</ref>

==Comic strips==
*"[[Christmas Breaker!]]"
*"[[Crisis of Command!]]" (with [[Mike Collins]])
*"[[The Gift]]"

==Annual text stories==
*"[[Missing in Action]]"
*"[[Hunted!]]"
*"[[The Return of the Transformers]]"
*"[[State Games]]"

==Notes==
* Hill's contributions to the 1985 annual were uncredited, and thus unconfirmed until his interview for IDW's ''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 1|Classics UK]]'' reprints. Prior to that, a summary section included in the [[Transformers: Fallen Angel|Titan Books reprint of "Fallen Angel"]] had speculated that he was the likely author of "[[Hunted!]]".
* A European toy company bought the licensing rights for some unreleased [[Japan|Japanese]] Transformers toys and asked Marvel UK to make a comic about them. As Simon Furman was busy with ''Transformers'', Hill was asked to work on a pitch with [[Mike Collins]] before Hasbro just went and bought out their rival.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 18</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, James}}
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Writers]]

The Transformers (Marvel comic)

2022-01-25T02:09:17Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the Marvel Comics series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{nav-G1|logo=MarvelTheTransformers Logo1.png}}

{{bigquote|Four million years ago, they came from '''Cybertron''', a world composed entirely of machinery... a world torn by an age-old war between the heroic '''Autobots''' and the evil '''Decepticons'''. These incredibly powerful living robots, capable of converting themselves into land and air vehicles, weapons and other mechanical forms, continue their conflict here on '''Earth'''. They are...'''THE TRANSFORMERS'''|Marvel US introductory blurb}}

[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|The heroic Autobots fight to crush Earth's highways. [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]] is very happy.]]
'''''The Transformers''''', the monthly comic book published in the U.S. by [[Marvel Comics]], was the very first original fiction to feature the famous robots in disguise, as well as the longest-running. It started life as [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|a four-issue, bimonthly limited series]] in 1984, but proved so popular that it continued publication as an ongoing monthly until spring of 1991. The series ultimately reached 80 issues and spun off several miniseries.

The series established the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], which would form the basis for several successor stories over the years. Marvel would publish the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' series]] only two years later, and [[IDW Publishing]] would later reunite several Marvel creatives for both [[The Transformers: Regeneration One|''Regeneration One'']], a continuation of the original Marvel comic, and the [[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Transformers '84]] prequel miniseries.

Nearly all of the U.S. stories were later published by Marvel UK, along with new stories that fit between the gaps of the U.S. tales. See [[#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] below.

==Marvel U.S.==
{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' US issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[Power Play!|#2]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#3]]
*[[The Last Stand|#4]]
*[[The New Order|#5]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6]]
*[[Warrior School!|#7]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#8]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#11]]
*[[Prime Time!|#12]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#13]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#15]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#16]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#17]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#18]]
*[[Command Performances!|#19]]
*[[Showdown!|#20]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#21]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#22]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#23]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#24]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#26]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#27]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#28]]
*[[Crater Critters|#29]]
*[[The Cure!|#30]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#31]]
*[[Used Autobots|#32]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#33]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#34]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#35]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#36]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#37]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#38]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]]
*[[Totaled!|#41]]
*[[People Power!|#42]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#43]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#44]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#45]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]]
*[[Club Con!|#47]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#48]]
*[[Cold War!|#49]]
*[[Dark Star|#50]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#51]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#52]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#53]]
*[[King Con!|#54]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#55]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#56]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#57]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#58]]
*[[Skin Deep|#59]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#61]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#62]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#63]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#64]]
*[[Dark Creation|#65]]
*[[All Fall Down|#66]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#67]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#68]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#69]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#70]]
*[[Surrender!|#71]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#72]]
*[[Out of Time!|#73]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#74]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#75]]
*[[Still Life!|#76]]
*[[Exodus!|#77]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#78]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#79]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#80]]
}}

===Related mini-series===
*''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]''
*''[[The Transformers Universe]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Though published by Marvel in the US and UK, is only related in the UK canon)

===Successor comics===
{{note|The different publishers' series are all mutually exclusive, effectively representing different branched timelines. The Collectors' Club and IDW efforts explicitly ignore the events of Marvel UK stories, although the latter takes copious ''characters and concepts'' from both the UK and G2 material}}
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
*''[[Transformers: Classics]]'' ([[Transformers Collectors' Club]])
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'', [[Transformers '84 issue 0|''Transformers '84'' #0]], & ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Secrets & Lies]]'' ([[IDW Publishing]])

===Overview===
[[File:Autobotline.gif|left|upright=1.4|thumb|After watching traffic reports for an hour, they finally decided to just stay home.]]
The story begins with a brief history of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and its [[Great War (G1)|civil war]], which eventually causes the planet to become lost in space. Battling aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the original 28 characters crash-land on [[Earth]] four million years ago and awaken in the (then-) present day of 1984. The quest for [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] becomes their initial goal, driving the first several issues.

As the first fiction in the entire [[The Transformers (franchise)|franchise]], the initial issues of ''Transformers'' were breaking completely new ground. Early issues contain a variety of plot points and conventions, some of which would go on to shape the very mythos... and others that would fall by the wayside, forgotten and hilariously quaint. The concept of the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] is a good example of the former group; "[[Atechnogenesis|naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys]]" comes to mind for the latter.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|With a single wave of Starscream's hand, Hound, Bluestreak, Mirage, Hoist, Brawn, and Gears cease to occupy valuable page space!]]
The book soon built its own elaborate and wide-reaching universe, including hundreds of characters—[[Transformer]]s, [[human]]s, [[alien]]s—on Earth, Cybertron, and beyond. Late in the series, a long-running plot brought in the sinister menace of [[Unicron]], giving him a backstory and build-up that for many fans surpassed his original appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for storytelling and gravitas. This backstory would eventually go on to eclipse the origin given in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]].

Because it was a book intended [[to sell toys]], ''Transformers'' featured an ever-rotating cast. New Transformers were often hastily brought in to meet the demands of [[Hasbro]], and older "product" was often swept aside or killed off ''en masse'' in [[Dark Star|epic, climactic battles]].

After some troubled times and steadily declining readership, the series was finally canceled at issue #80. A combination of factors was likely responsible: the Transformers toyline had become yesterday's fad, the core readership had grown older and moved on, and Hasbro seems to have pulled the plug.

Several subsequent series would build upon the series; see [[Marvel Comics continuity]] for more information.

===Creative team===
[[File:MarvelUS-75.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|He's authorized to devour anyone not in the current product line.]]
The book featured two primary writers: [[Bob Budiansky]] edited [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original 4-part limited series]] and wrote the book from issue #5 to issue #55. After that, [[Simon Furman]], already heavily experienced from his work on the UK book, took up the reins until the book was cancelled at issue #80. Other writers balked at having to keep track of this massive, unfamiliar cast, which is the reason the original miniseries has three writers and is an admitted mess.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref>

''Transformers'' is a bit notorious for wild swings in writing quality, as serious plots alternated with such strange concepts as [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Micromaster wrestling]] and [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|ridiculous bounty hunters]]. Some of this may be attributed to Bob Budiansky's eventual burn-out; after years of having to wrap his stories around to meet the latest toy-appearance demands from Hasbro, his later writing on the book showed a decline in quality. Among Transfans, he is sometimes remembered unfavourably because of this period, perhaps unfairly so considering his fundamental role in shaping the Transformers universe and most of its characters, as well as some of the book's [[Warrior School!|most gripping early stories]]. Still, even such oddball stories as "[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]" and "[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]" have both their merits and their fans.

Budiansky himself proposed that Simon Furman take over as the U.S. series writer.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004">[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/otfcc2004.txt Steve-o's OTFCC 2004 notes]</ref> With the changeover, the stories took on a more serious tone, relying on character conflict more than outlandish plot devices. Many fans regard Furman's run on the original book as one of the high points of all Transformers fiction.

The comic was written in "Marvel Style", where the writer gives the artist a plot outline instead of a full script. The artist then lays out the pages himself; afterward the writer comes back in and scripts the dialog based on the artist's work. This approach gives the artist a larger role in telling the story than simply drawing what the writer tells them to.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004" />

A number of artists worked on ''Transformers'', but the most frequent pencilers included [[Frank Springer]], [[Don Perlin]], [[José Delbo]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. Also of particular note is colorist [[Nelson Yomtov|Nelson "Nel" Yomtov]], who colored every single issue of the book, as well as all of the related mini-series.
{{--}}

===Publication and format===
As ''The Transformers'' title began life as a limited series, it was subject to the conventions Marvel had established for limited series at the time of its publication. "Standard" Marvel comics released concurrently in 1984 cost 60 cents and were printed on newsprint; in contrast, ''The Transformers'' sold for 75 cents and was printed on a whiter, higher-quality stock (for the time) known as "[[Mando paper]]".

Evidently considered a "deluxe format" book by Marvel, ''Transformers'' continued to be printed on Mando paper even after it became an ongoing series.<ref>''Marvel Age'' #23, November 1984</ref> It also remained at 75 cents—at least until [[King of the Hill!|issue 28]], when the price of the book rose to 1 dollar. With the exception of the double-sized [[Dark Star|issue 50]] and [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue 75]], which were both priced at $1.50, ''The Transformers'' would remain at 1 dollar for the remainder of its original run.

===Cover dates===
There is some confusion over when issues first appeared, due to changing practices regarding the cover dates. When the comic began in 1984, Marvel issues were normally cover dated four months ahead of their going on sale. This was partially a hangover from the days of fierce newsstand competition when each company tried to make its comics look newer than its rivals and partially a mechanism to compensate for slower distribution on newsstands and overseas sales.

As a result of this, although [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] is cover dated September, it went on sale in May. This is supported by the first Usenet post about Transformers which was posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics on May 22, 1984.<ref>Ted Nolan, "[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en Year's worst?] in net.comics, 22-May-84 02:07:22 EDT</ref>

In 1989, Marvel decided to rationalize things by moving to a system where the cover date was only two months in advance. In order to achieve this, issues released in August 1989 have the cover date "Mid November", those in September 1989 have "December" and those in October "Mid December". The relevant ''Transformers'' issues were [[Skin Deep|#59]], [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]] and [[The Primal Scream|#61]].

===Comics Magazine===
{{main|The Transformers Comics Magazine}}
Marvel US released a bimonthly digest-sized magazine, which reprinted the first twenty issues of the main series - two issues per magazine - until cancelled with #10.

==Marvel UK==
'''Marvel UK''' produced a G1 comic which ran for 332 issues, reprinting the American stories and adding in many new stories built around them.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]
}}

{{chapters|title=Second stories for issues with two non-reprint ''Transformers'' stories:|content=

*[[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*...
*[[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*...
*[[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]
*...
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
*...
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*...
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]
*...
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]
*...
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK Stories by Category:|content=
*'''US Reprints:''' [[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]

*'''UK Material:''' [[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]

*'''UK B&W Material:''' [[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]

*'''UK Text Material:''' [[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]

*'''Earthforce:''' [[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]

*'''Headmasters:''' [[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]

*'''G.I. Joe and the Transformers:''' [[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]

*'''Robo-Capers with Transformer material:''' [[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
}}

===Overview===
{{bigquote|Dear [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], To put it bluntly, the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic is 100% better than the American version we get over here. Your comics have beautiful covers, high quality artwork and very intelligent plots. Here in the States, Transformers comics are monthly instead of weekly and have bad artwork and stupid plots. Thank you for showing us the Autobots and Decepticons of the 21st Century. You guys in Britain are, as always, one step ahead when it comes to [[time travel]] (from Wells' Time Machine to [[Doctor Who]] — you always come through)! Bob Newell, Warren, MI.|Dread Tidings, issue #188}}

[[File:MarvelUK-244.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This is the best Cracker Jack prize ever!]]
Though not without contradiction, the Marvel UK book managed to weave a number of highly complex stories "behind the scenes" of the Marvel U.S. tales. Topics included expanded stories and battles in the early days of the war (before [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave's]] arrival), more intrigue among the [[Decepticon]] commanders on Earth, the [[Autobot]] resistance on Cybertron, and the time-travelling exploits of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who arrives directly from the future world of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

The UK book's weekly schedule and shorter format meant splitting stories into parts, often right in the middle of the action. Like the U.S. book, Marvel UK featured [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|a regular column of letters from readers]]; however, these were supposedly answered by various Transformers, including Grimlock, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], and others.

Exactly how many copies it sold is vaguely estimated at 200,000 at its height, though [[Ian Rimmer]] remembers 128,000 in 1986. Either way, it was the company's biggest hit and would establish a 'house style' that Marvel UK would use on their subsequent toy-and-cartoon licensed comics. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 6</ref> (None would reach ''Transformers'' height until ''The Real Ghostbusters'')

===Creative team===
[[File:Megatron-timewars-comparison.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Change of artists? Eh, who'll notice?]]
Most UK-specific stories were written by [[Simon Furman]], who was later assigned to write for the U.S. comic as well. Curiously, it was from this point that the divergences between the UK and U.S. stories became more pronounced.

Regular artists included [[Will Simpson]], [[Robin Smith]], [[Dan Reed]], [[Jeff Anderson]], [[Lee Sullivan]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. The large stable of artists resulted in some extreme contrasts of style throughout the book, such as Reed's highly organic art being followed by the clean, mechanical precision of Sullivan or Senior. Sometimes these changes occurred within the context of a single story.
{{--}}

===Complexity and contradiction in continuity===
[[File:Goldbugorigins.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|In no continuity was his face damaged. Maybe Bumblebee was just really ugly by Transformer standards.]]
Making the new stories align with the U.S. book occasionally involved some bending over backwards in storytelling terms. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], for example, winds up with partial amnesia at the end of [[Resurrection!|one story]], explaining why he doesn't remember the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] when he encounters them again in a [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|later U.S. story]]. U.S. reprints were sometimes physically edited as well; for example, a UK story has [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] being transported to [[Limbo]] after the events of U.S. #23, necessitating the removal of his occasional background appearances thereafter.

Another major change was the exclusion of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' crossover, which featured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee's]] destruction and subsequent restoration as Goldbug. UK continuity accounted for the reformatting by showing Bumblebee destroyed by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] during "[[Hunters]]". Also, the UK comic continued to feature Megatron and Shockwave after their apparent deaths in the U.S. comic. While Megatron's appearance was eventually [[Two Megatrons!|reconciled]] (sort of, if you squint) with the U.S. continuity, Shockwave's was not.

The "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" story in UK #255-260 began the [[Earthforce]] storyline and heralded a nigh-irreconcilable division between U.S. and UK stories. This was in part a deliberate decision to not try to maintain continuity due to past problems.<ref name="furint1">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past']. '''Question''' Why do you feel continuity suffered more instead of less, between Marvel UK and US when you took over the US book? "The problem was, we were badly out of synch with the US material reprints by the time I was also writing the US comic. I was trying my hardest to craft semi-crossover stories (like the [[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer two-parter]] with [[Dark Creation|US #65]]) and then the UK comic would run a batch of old UK reprint material and completely throw it out. I realised I was making matters worse (and more confusing) and not better, and pretty much stopped trying to directly tie the two together.</ref><ref name="furint2">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php]; "...because (if I’m brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn’t necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?"</ref>

===Publication and format===
The Marvel UK book was published fortnightly from #1 to #26, weekly from #27 to #308, and fortnightly again from #309 to its conclusion in #332. These issues used a larger, magazine-sized format, compared to the traditional size for modern U.S. comic books. They contained 24 pages, numbered inclusive of advertising (unlike the U.S. comic). The color and paper quality was better than that of the U.S. comic, resulting in much whiter whites and, in UK-exclusive stories, no ugly dot artifacts in the colored regions.

Typically, 11 pages would be devoted to a U.S. or UK Transformers story, while the remaining pages were divided between a [[Back-up strips|back-up strip]], a letters page, small humorous comic strips (most notably ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''), and advertisements. Between issues #213 and #289 the format was changed to accommodate three five-page strips: the US reprint (published in colour), a new UK story (published in black and white) and a back-up strip. Issue #289 was the last to contain new UK Transformers stories.

In issue #290 there was another format change, with the comic returning to full colour throughout and reprints of classic UK stories taking the place of new black and white material. The three-strip structure was then dropped for good with issue #309; issue #310 then returned to the traditional format of an 11-page US reprint and a back-up strip, albeit published fortnightly once more.

UK children's comics typically have a weekly or fortnightly publication schedule, and monthly publication is the preserve of more substantial magazines aimed at older readers. The decision to publish fortnightly necessitated the division of the U.S. storylines between two or more UK comics, otherwise the UK comic would run out of material. The back-up strip then bulked out the issue to an acceptable size. When the comic began to be published weekly, this required still more Transformers material, which led to longer runs of original UK stories.

The Marvel UK series ran for about a year longer than its American counterpart and altogether had about twice as many stories.

===Cover dates===
Similarly to the U.S. comic, there is also some confusion over when issues of the UK comic were published. The date on a British weekly during ''Transformers'''s run was normally the ''off''-sale date when it would be replaced by the next issue. For example [[Manoeuvres!|issue #283]] has a cover date of 18 August 1990 but was released on the 11th August 1990. During at least most of the run, the norm was for weekly comics to come out on a Saturday.

Occasionally, an issue was seen arriving on the Friday before it was "due", with such sightings usually during the Christmas/New Year period when distribution can be unsettled and overcompensated for, but it is hard to verify individual sightings.

===Marvel UK Annuals===
{{main|Transformers Annual}}
Marvel UK's '''Transformers Annuals''' were published every year, in summer to autumn in time for the Christmas market, for the life of the comic. Each annual was made up of a combination of a comic strip, text stories and editorial content. Some annuals also contained crossover stories with the main weekly comic in an attempt to boost sales. Due to falling sales, later annuals mainly contained reprinted stories from the comic. (Reprinted stories are not listed below.) These reprints are still of interest, as they present formerly black-and-white works in full colour.

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1985|Marvel UK Annual 1985]]|content=
*[[Plague of the Insecticons!]]
*[[Missing in Action]]
*[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]
*[[Hunted!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1986|Marvel UK Annual 1986]]|content=
*[[In the Beginning...]]
*[[The Return of the Transformers]]
*[[To a Power Unknown!]]
*[[State Games]]
*[[Victory!]]
*[[The Mission]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1987|Marvel UK Annual 1987]]|content=
*[[What's in a Name?]]
*[[Doomsday for Nebulos]]
*[[Vicious Circle!]]
*[[Stylor's Story]]
*[[Ark Duty]]
*[[The Final Conflict]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1989|Marvel UK Annual 1989]]|content=
*[[The Saga of the Transformers — So Far!]]
*[[Altered Image!]]
*[[Prime Bomb!]]
*[[All in the Minds!]]
*[[Peace]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1990|Marvel UK Annual 1990]]|content=
*[[The Quest!]]
*[[Destiny of the Dinobots!]]
*[[Trigger-Happy!]]
*[[Dreadwing Down!]]
*[[The Chain Gang!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1991|Marvel UK Annual 1991]]|content=
*[[The Magnificent Six!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1992|Marvel UK Annual 1992]]|content=
*[[Another Time & Place]]
}}

===Collected Comics===
{{main|Transformers Collected Comics}}
Marvel UK also published a companion series of sorts as a series of "Collected Comics" Specials, reprinting stories from the main series, mostly UK-original material.

==Notes==
[[File:TransformersGoesMonthly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Gor strewth kippers chips milk float!]]
*There was almost an entirely ''new'' Marvel continuity seperate from the other two, as a toy company in continental [[Europe]] had bought the licensing rights for some of the [[Japan|Japanese]] toys that Hasbro weren't releasing in Europe. Marvel UK were approached to create an extra comic about these toys, and [[Ian Rimmer]] got [[James Hill and [[Mike Collins]] to start work on ''It Wouldn't Be Called Transformers'' for the UK-and-European market before Hasbro just bought the other company out. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 18</ref>
* While Marvel US had some more involvement from Hasbro until the later years (when they'd lost interest), Marvel UK didn't even have to show Hasbro UK the scripts! This sort of laissez-faire attitude is very much ''not'' how licensed comics are done anymore.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 11</ref>
* [[The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas]] was a four-page comic special published in ''[[Woman's Day]]'' magazine. There were no credits, but it was obviously a Marvel Comics production.
* The inside cover infobox in Marvel UK #330 revealed that there were plans for the UK ''Transformers'' comic to continue after #332, albeit with a format change. The book was intended to have become a monthly with issue #333, and would have featured ten pages of recolored Transformers reprints, ten pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'', and a new five-page story per issue. However, by the publication of issue #332, Marvel UK evidently dropped this plan—although the news did not reach ''[[Combat Colin]]'' in time.
* According to the third issue of ''All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'''s entries on [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], the events of the Marvel UK Generation 1 comics take place on Marvel Earth-120185. The universe is named after the publication date of the first Marvel UK-exclusive story, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]".
* According to the [http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm Marvel Universe Appendix], the events of the Marvel US comics take place on Marvel Earth-91274.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/overview.html Guide to TF UK by Crespo99]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/4eeba9a9b0fe0817/1cdaf7df610e0376 May, 1984 net.comics review]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (Marvel Comics), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues| ]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues| ]]

Second Generation!

2022-01-25T02:08:41Z

Charles RB: /* Production notes */

{{disambig2|the story in the Marvel UK comics|the Titan Books trade paperback|Transformers: Second Generation}}
{{comicstory|
|prev=Devastation Derby!
|prev2=Victory!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #63–65
|next=The Smelting Pool!
|image=MarvelUK-064.jpg
|caption=...and he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
|title="Second Generation!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=Part 1: [[May 24|24th May]], [[1986]] Part 2: [[May 31|31st May]], 1986 Part 3: [[June 7|7th June]], 1986
|coverdate=Part 1: [[May 31|31st May]], 1986 Part 2: [[June 7|7th June]], 1986 Part 3: [[June 14|14th June]] 1986
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[John Stokes]] (Part 1), [[Barry Kitson]] & [[Tim Perkins]] (Part 2), [[Jeff Anderson]] (Part 3)
|colours=[[Josie Firmin]] (Part 1), [[Steve Whitaker]] & [[Stuart Place]] (Part 2), [[Tony Jozwiak]] (Part 3)
|lettering=[[Mike Scott]] (Parts 1-2), [[Annie Halfacree]] (Part 3)
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]}}
'''The Autobots and Decepticons learn the secrets of the next generation of combining Transformers due to a <s>commercial</s> message left in Buster's mind by the Creation Matrix.'''

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
[[File:SecondGeneration mindlink.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|Optimus Prime: limbo dynamo.]]
[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] dreams a terrible dream, in which he flees across a burning wasteland from the implacable [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. The [[Autobot]]s cannot help him; Shockwave cuts them down without mercy. Buster appears doomed... until a [[Superion (G1)|giant Autobot unknown to Buster]] suddenly appears and blasts Shockwave to scrap. The newcomer's victory is short-lived, however, as a [[Menasor (G1)|giant, unfamiliar Decepticon]] appears to attack him. While the two strangers fight, Buster tries to get away, but finds his path blocked by [[Combaticon (G1)|five more Decepticons]]—five Decepticons who, as Buster watches in horrified awe, ''merge together'' to become [[Bruticus (G1)|another giant]]!

Buster awakes with a start in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], where [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]], his father [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]], and the Autobots are all by his bedside. After they calm Buster down, Sparkplug rounds on the Autobots, blaming [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] for Buster's plight—a consequence of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] having been temporarily stored in his mind. But Optimus Prime is sure that Buster's "nightmare" is not an affliction, but a ''message'' from the Matrix itself, which he believes the Autobots can decipher if Buster will let them reach into his mind. Buster agrees, and he and Prime are hooked up to a machine that will let the Autobot leader join Buster in his dreams.

At the [[Wyoming base|Wyoming coal mine]] that serves as [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s current hideaway, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] brings news to the deposed Decepticon leader of the Matrix message within Buster's mind. Megatron quickly orders Soundwave to return to [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] so that he can learn the secrets of the message. Soundwave does so, arriving just in time to watch as Shockwave uses the machine he previously employed to drain the Matrix from Optimus Prime's mind to remotely tap into Buster's mind. The Decepticons observe as his dream unfolds...

===Part 2: "Electric Dreams!"===
[[File:SecondGeneration the names superion.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Together in the dream-world, Buster and Optimus Prime watch as a group of five new Autobots named the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] evacuate a [[Pullen Power Plant|power plant]]. When [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] spots what he believes to be a group of human vehicles heading towards the plant, the Protectobots move to head them off, only to find that they are not humans, but the Decepticon [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Through his holo-viewer, Shockwave marvels as the Stunticons combine into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], the giant Decepticon from Buster's earlier dream—a combination Shockwave recognizes as superior to the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. His elation at the notion the Decepticons will go on to master combiner technology even more efficiently in the future is cut short, however, when the Protectobots reveal that they too possess the same power, and merge into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]!

Menasor and Defensor grapple, but the Autobot combiner soon finds himself outnumbered when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] arrive and form [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], the other Decepticon Buster had previously witnessed. Fortunately, the giant Autobot he previously saw defeat Menasor is soon to join the fray: [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], combined form of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]! The flaws of combiner technology prove to be the Decepticons' downfall: Menasor orders his arm to fire his gun, but the limb objects to being given orders, delaying in pulling the trigger just enough for Superion to dodge the blast, causing it to hit Bruticus. While Defensor stomps the fallen Bruticus into unconsciousness, Menasor tries to flee, but the ground beneath his feet crumbles away thanks to a blast from Superion's [[stress fracture cannon]]. Before the two victorious Autobot combiners can take the defeated Decepticons into custody, however, an emergency summons from Optimus Prime calls them back to the Ark, which is under attack. Forced to leave the Decepticons behind, they separate into their component Autobots and roll out, as Buster's dream comes to an end and he and Prime awake.

Soon after, Soundwave reports the news of the "[[Special Teams]]" to Megatron. Galvanized by this new discovery, Megatron instructs Soundwave to let Shockwave know his whereabouts, so that he can reclaim the title of Decepticon leader from him once and for all!

===Part 3: "Return Bout!"===
[[File:SecondGeneration megatron vs shockwav.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.25|WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK BUT YOU WON'T MISS A ''SECOND'' OF THE TITLE MATCH IN ''PICTURE-IN-PICTURE''!!]]
The meeting between Megatron and Shockwave at the coal mine immediately descends into an out-and-out one-on-one battle for leadership, which [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] televises for one of his pirate broadcasts. The fight is seen over the airwaves by the Autobots, but Optimus Prime decides there is little they can do about it, and opts to have the Autobots focus their energies into realizing Buster's vision of the future by designing and constructing the Aerialbots and Protectobots. Preparations are interrupted by an alarm that sounds in the medical bay, alerting Prime and [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] to a change in the condition of the comatose [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Fortunately, it's good news—the five prehistoric Autobots have finally awoken, and are back to their old cranky selves.

Soundwave watches Megatron and Shockwave's battle on the sidelines with Robot-Master, despairing at the fact that a peaceful Decepticon co-existence seems impossible. Despair, however, slowly gives way to frustration; the two combatants are ''so'' evenly matched, and are both so conceited as to not accept it, that their continued in-fighting is only making the Decepticons look like a laughingstock. Soundwave steps into the middle of the battle and impertinently orders them to stop. Both equally outraged to be spoken to in this way by a subordinate, Megatron and Shockwave turn as one to reprimand him—an action that proves Soundwave's point for him, highlighting how alike Megatron and Shockwave really are. The pair relucantly agree to a joint leadership of the Decepticons for the greater good.

Meanwhile, in the far reaches of space, an electronic signal beamed into the void months earlier finally arrives at its destination: the distant world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]!
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (6)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (20)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (21)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (22)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (23)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (24)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (31)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (32)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (33)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (34)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (35)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (36)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (38)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (39)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (40)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (41)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (42)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (43)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (1)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (7)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (8)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (9)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (10)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (11)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (12)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (13)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (16)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (17)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (25)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (26)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (27)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (28)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (29)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (30)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (37)
}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (2)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (14)
*[[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]] (15)
*[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Buster:''' "Wow! These guys are neat!"
:— A dreaming '''Buster''' thinks ''everyone'' should go out and buy the '''Protectobots'''!

"I had hoped that a peaceful and profitable alliance could be arrived at between the two of them."
:—'''Soundwave''' is overly optimistic.

"'''Grimlock!''' Speak to me - are you alright?" 
"'''Get your clammy paws away from me, Ratchet!''' Since when have you or any other Autobots cared what happens to us Dinobots?!" 
"'''Yes''' - they're alright."
:—'''Ratchet''' checks on a just awakened '''Grimlock'''.

==Notes==
===Production notes===
[[File:Protectobots special teams second generation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75]]
*"Second Generation!" was written at the express request of Hasbro, to promote the Special Teams toys that were hitting shelves in the UK at the time. The problem was, the characters were still months away from being introduced in the US stories, necessitating the "dream sequence"/"vision of the future" plot hook as a way of featuring the characters chronologically ahead of time.<ref>Simon Furman: "There were odd occasions where Hasbro UK would actually get it together and coordinate a story with a toy release. The Special Teams (in UK #63-65) story was one such instance, and in that case (because we were some way off reprinting the corresponding US issues) we had to work them in somehow (chronologically ahead of time)." [http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref> To its credit, the comic commits to the idea, with heavy advance promotion, free gifts, and special features (see "[[#Back-up material|back-up material]]," below) to sell kids on the new characters.
*Readers had already received a "trailer" for "Second Generation!" in the mini-comic "[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", included with [[Rock and Roll-Out!|issue #54]] a couple of months prior, which was retold (and expanded to add an ending after its cliffhanger) as the "dream sequence" for "Second Generation!", with some panels and dialogue directly lifted (right, and see "[[#Other trivia|Other trivia]]" below for more). The story was also adapted to become the UK audio cassette adventure, "[[The Special Teams]]," though we don't know the exact sequence of real-life events: was the short story conceived first, then used as the basis of the mini-comic, "Second Generation!", and the audio cassette independently, or did each of these works precipitate the other?
*With finished [[character model]]s for the Special Teams obviously unavailable to the comic's artists, all twenty-four of the new arrivals are consistently drawn based on their toys and [[package art]].
*"Second Generation!" and its lead-in were historically overlooked by fans, being a blatant [[to sell toys]] happening between more popular stories. [[James Roberts]] would call for its reappraisal in ''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'', writing that the story is significant as the time the cast becomes unwieldy for Marvel UK as well as Marvel US; and that it's the "last of the "old school" Generation 1 stories" as elements like the buried ''Ark'', the dustbowl, and Jessie and the Witwickies would be seen less and less.

===Continuity notes===
*Footnotes remind us that Buster's current condition has come about after the events of the previous two stories, "[[Robot Buster!]]" and "[[Devastation Derby!]]".
*Sparkplug mentions his previous attempt to get Buster to stay away from the Autobots, as seen in [[The New Order|US issue #5]].
*Buster recalls his first meeting with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (from [[The Transformers (issue)|US issue #1]]), Optimus Prime transferring the Matrix to him (from [[The Worse of Two Evils!|US issue #6]]), and him transferring the Matrix ''back'' to Prime (from [[Prime Time!|US issue #12]]), all complete with recreations of panels from those stories.
[[File:SecondGeneration holograph display unit.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
[[File:SecondGeneration dinobots awaken.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
*As in the [[Devastation Derby!|preceding story]], Shockwave's Decepticons are based out of a "fortress," but it's not clear which one; is it the "makeshift fortress" the [[Plight of the Bumblebee!|last US story]] oddly described Shockwave's forces as using, or is it the Decepticons' [[Fortress Sinister|original fortress]], recently re-introduced to UK continuity in "[[Robot Buster!]]," or did the UK comic intend for them to be the one and the same?
*It probably doesn't mean anything in regard to the above question, but the "holograph display unit" Shockwave uses to view Buster's dreams is based on the design of a piece of machinery seen in the "makeshift fortress" (right).
*We have to assume that Buster's dream is not a ''literal'' vision of the future, as it doesn't appear to fit into future continuity. When they are eventually introduced in [[Afterdeath!|US issue #24]], the Protectobots and Combaticons appear to be meeting for the first time, after which Optimus Prime dies at the end of the story. That would mean the events seen here—in which the teams have a separate encounter while Prime is still alive—doesn't fit. You could argue there's a little wiggle-room in issue #24's dialogue to handwave it and fit the events of the story between [[Decepticon Graffiti!|issue #23]] and #24, but the "dream" setting means there's little need.
*Optimus Prime is really gung-ho to build these new super-Autobots for a guy who not so long ago in "[[Crisis of Command!]]" decreed he would never use the Matrix to build [[Ultimate Autobot]]s. This continuity sticking point was simply unavoidable given the demands of Hasbro and the US stories, and would be smoothed over in the story "[[The Return of the Transformers]]," published in [[Transformers Annual 1986|that year's Transformers annual]].
*Speaking of the annual, readers are directed by a footnote to check it out for more details on the plight of the Dinobots (right), who have been comatose since the events of "[[Dinobot Hunt!]]". The annual contains the one-shot story "[[Victory!]]", which bridges the gap between "Dinobot Hunt!" and "Second Generation!", but it would not actually be published for another three months.
*This story sees Megatron and Shockwave enter into a joint leadership ''ahead'' of when the US reprints will show them doing the same, in [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|US issue #19]]. Dialogue in that story will be edited for the UK reprint to reflect this change.
*The signal shown reaching Cybertron on the final page of this story was sent by Soundwave back in [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|US issue #10]]. The inclusion of this scene is another rare example of the UK comic directly setting up the next US story.
{{--}}

===Transformers references===
[[File:SecondGeneration commercial swipe.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75|Just in case you didn't think this comic was enough of a commercial already, here's a ''literal commercial'' inside your commercial.]]
*The brief battle between Superion and Menasor seen in part 1 ends with Superion hurling the Decepticon into a rocky overhang, which collapses on top of him as the Aerialbot combiner raises his arms in triumph. This is directly based on the short animated segment from the television advert for the Aerialbot and Stunticon toys (right). This even extends to artist John Stokes copying a screengrab directly, which is why Menasor's legs are attached "backwards" for one panel—because the commercial used an early character model with alternate limb configuration.

===Real-life references===
*The title for part 2 (given in the "next issue" box at the end of part 1), "Electric Dreams!", is taken from the title of the {{w|Electric Dreams (film)|1984 movie of the same name}}, though probably indirectly; the reference was more likely specifically to the film's theme song, "{{w|Together in Electric Dreams}}," which far eclipsed the actual film in popularity and notability in 1980s UK.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*Robot-Master introduces his broadcast at the start of part 3 by explaining for the audience that Megatron and Shockwave are fighting for Decepticon leadership. This doesn't make any sense; ''he's'' supposed to be pretending to be their master, and telling the public otherwise destroys the whole cover-story he's supposed to be perpetrating for [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple-I]].
*Cybertron is described as residing in "a galaxy far, far beyond our own." Given that it used to orbit [[Alpha Centauri]], the ''closest'' [[star system]] to our own Sun at 4.37 lightyears' distance, that's ''extraordinarily'' unlikely; this was probably supposed to say that it is a ''solar system'' far beyond our own, given the high frequency with which [[star system#Those poor, confused writers|"solar system" and "galaxy" are confused]] in ''Transformers'' fiction.

===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:SecondGeneration take him out.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|I've heard of not being able to tell your left from your right, but...]]
*Shockwave has the blue shoulders of his outdated early color scheme throughout parts 1 and 2.
*Throughout part 1, Ratchet has red boots and shoulders instead of white, and a white helmet with a red forehead crest, instead of the inverse.
*Part 1, page 7, panel 1: Both of Menasor's legs are red; one should be grey, the other white. As noted above, he is largely drawn in this panel to the specifications of the early character model used in the Aerialbots and Stunticons television commercial, instead of being based on toy package art like in the rest of the comic.
*Part 1, page 9: Megatron's helmet is oddly green here; the two subsequent issues render it more blue.
*Part 1, page 9, panel 2: Megatron is missing his [[fusion cannon]].
*Part 2, page 4, panel 2: Buster says "These guy's are neat" when it should be "guys".
*Part 2, page 6, panel 2: Vortex is coloured like Blades. Soundwave cooked up an "explanation" for this in the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] of [[Command Performances!|issue #71]], claiming Vortex had special "camouflage circuits" that let him disguise himself as Blades, but he was pretty open about the fact he was making it up on the spot.
*Part 2, page 6, panel 5: As in "The Special Teams Have Arrived," Menasor orders Dead End (his left arm) to shoot Superion, but in this story, the art incorrectly shows Drag Strip (Menasor's right arm) carrying out the deed (right). This was corrected for the ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' reprint of the story by changing the name of the offending Stunticon, but subsequent reprints use the original, unaltered page.
*Throughout part 3:
**Soundwave's shoulder cannon disappears and reappears, and when it ''does'' appear, it's miscoloured silver-white instead of blue.
**Wheeljack is missing his shoulder cannon and fins.
**Optimus Prime's shoulder exhaust pipes are consistently colored red instead of silver-white.
*Part 3, page 2: Perspective and proportion on Shockwave's legs haven taken a holiday here.
*Part 3, page 6, panel 4: Optimus Prime's lower legs are grey instead of blue.
{{--}}

===Other trivia===
[[File:Stokesswipes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|On a single page, you can find three John Stokes panels (above) swiped from panels from a single page of Herb Trimpe's work in "Prime Time!".]]
[[File:Puttup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|And no, it's not clear how he can spit without a mouth.]]
*In addition to the above-mentioned copying of a television commercial, artist John Stokes continues the form he established in the [[Transformers Annual 1985]] story "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]," by littering his work on part 1 of "Second Generation!" with "swipes" from previous US issues, copying and adapting poses and panel-staging. These include:
**Shockwave's pose on page 2, panel 1, is copied from [[Warrior School!|US issue #7]], page 20, panel 2.
**Several panels of Optimus Prime and the humans on page 8 are copied from [[Prime Time!|US issue #12]], page 22 (right).
**Megatron's pose on page 9, panel 2, is copied from [[I, Robot-Master!|US issue #15]], page 20, panel 4.
**Also on page 9, the layout of panel 4 is swiped from US issue #15, page 21, panel 2.
**Shockwave on page 16, panel 5 is swiped from his stroll with Megatron in [[Repeat Performance!|US issue #8]], page 5, panel 2.
**As seen above, page 11, panel 1, showing Shockwave striding toward the holo-viewer, is swiped from [[Plight of the Bumblebee!|US issue #16]], page 2, panel 3.
**The shot of Soundwave in the doorway on page 10, panel 6, seems to be composited from [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|US issue #10]], page 14, panel 7, and page 21, panel 2, explaining the odd way Soundwave is holding his gun sideways and at the ready.
*Similarly, part 2 features several panels and figures copied from "The Special Teams Have Arrived"—but in this case, it's artist Barry Kitson copying ''himself'', since he drew both of them. Replicated scenes include:
**The inset panel of Hot Spot and Optimus Prime on page 1 is a mirror-flip of "The Special Teams Have Arrived" page 1, panel 2.
**The Protectobots transforming on page 2, panel 2 is copied from the "The Special Teams Have Arrived" page 2, panel 1 (see "Production notes," above).
**The figures of Menasor (with Hot Spot looking up at him aghast) on page 4, panel 3, and Defensor on page 5, panel 6 come from panels 3 and 5 of page 2 of the mini-comic.
**Lastly, the Aerialbots combing in mid-air as the other combiners fight in the foreground is copied from "The Special Teams Have Arrived" page 3, panel 1.
*The colourists on issue #64 are credited rather cryptically as "W & P," they're [[Steve Whitaker|Steve '''W'''hitaker]] and [[Stuart Place|Stuart '''P'''lace]], who have both worked on the series already.<ref>[http://maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/transfo2.htm The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators]</ref>
*Throughout his tenure as host of the letters page, Soundwave would often use the word "Puttup!" (an onomatopoeic sound effect intended to represent spitting in disgust) to express dislike of things. With part 3 of "Second Generation!", it makes the jump into the comic strip itself, as he spits at Robot-Master in response to the offer of a cigarette (right).

===Courtesy of my...===
*In the dream sequence, Superion defeats Menasor using his [[stress fracture cannon]].

===Back-up material===
'''Issue #63:'''
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''Rocket Raccoon'' ("The Book of Revelations," Part 2) and ''[[Robo-Capers]]''. The fifth and final installment of the ''{{w|Biggles (1986)|Biggles}}'' advert-comic runs this issue, causing ''Matt and the Cat'' to be left out again.
*'''Free Gift:''' The "Special Teams Special Collection Wallchart," a fold-out poster profiling all twenty members of the Special Teams and their combined forms (below). The spots for the four leaders and the four combined robots were left blank; the illustrations to fill these spots were included as free "collector cards" with the next seven issues, which buyers would stick in place on the chart. This issue came with Onslaught's card.
*Kicking off this issue is "[[Robot War|Robot War III]]", the third (and as it would turn out, final) in an irregular series of text features summarising the events of the comic so far.
'''Issue #64:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Rocket Raccoon'' ("The Book of Revelations," Part 3), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''Free Gift:''' Hot Spot collector card for the Special Teams Special Collection Wallchart
'''Issue #65:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Rocket Raccoon'' ("The Book of Revelations," Part 4), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''[[Fact File|Fact File Interface]]:''' [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]
*'''Free Gift:''' Silverbolt collector card for the Special Teams Special Collection Wallchart
 
[[File:SecondGenerations special teams wallchart.jpg|thumb|center|upright=5|The Special Teams wallchart with all collector cards in place. For unknown reasons, Defensor and Bruticus use new Barry Kitson art instead of toy package art like the others. The Onslaught, Silverbolt, and Menasor cards were printed at the wrong orientation, in portrait format instead of landscape, requiring you to trim off the top and bottom to fit them inside the provided spaces.]]
{{-}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Issue #63:''' Superion & Menasor [[package art]]; cover design by [[Alan Stevens]].
*'''Issue #64:''' Buster and Prime share a vision of the [[Special Teams]], by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''Issue #65:''' Megatron vs. Shockwave with commentary from Robot-Master, by [[Robin Smith]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-063.jpg|'''Issue #63'''
File:MarvelUK-064.jpg|'''Issue #64'''
File:MarvelUK-065.jpg|'''Issue #65'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Tfcolcom10.jpg|'''[[Transformers Collected Comics#10 – Holiday Special 1988|''Collected Comics'' #10]]'''; cover by [[Bryan Hitch]] (Marvel UK, 1988)
File:TitanSG.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Second Generation]]''''' (Titan Books, 2005)
File:Classicuk2.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v4.jpg|'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 4: Second Generation'']]''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Second Generation!

2022-01-25T02:08:18Z

Charles RB:

{{disambig2|the story in the Marvel UK comics|the Titan Books trade paperback|Transformers: Second Generation}}
{{comicstory|
|prev=Devastation Derby!
|prev2=Victory!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #63–65
|next=The Smelting Pool!
|image=MarvelUK-064.jpg
|caption=...and he must let the world think that he is dead until he can find a way to control the raging spirit that dwells within him.
|title="Second Generation!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=Part 1: [[May 24|24th May]], [[1986]] Part 2: [[May 31|31st May]], 1986 Part 3: [[June 7|7th June]], 1986
|coverdate=Part 1: [[May 31|31st May]], 1986 Part 2: [[June 7|7th June]], 1986 Part 3: [[June 14|14th June]] 1986
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[John Stokes]] (Part 1), [[Barry Kitson]] & [[Tim Perkins]] (Part 2), [[Jeff Anderson]] (Part 3)
|colours=[[Josie Firmin]] (Part 1), [[Steve Whitaker]] & [[Stuart Place]] (Part 2), [[Tony Jozwiak]] (Part 3)
|lettering=[[Mike Scott]] (Parts 1-2), [[Annie Halfacree]] (Part 3)
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]}}
'''The Autobots and Decepticons learn the secrets of the next generation of combining Transformers due to a <s>commercial</s> message left in Buster's mind by the Creation Matrix.'''

==Synopsis==
===Part 1===
[[File:SecondGeneration mindlink.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5|Optimus Prime: limbo dynamo.]]
[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] dreams a terrible dream, in which he flees across a burning wasteland from the implacable [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]. The [[Autobot]]s cannot help him; Shockwave cuts them down without mercy. Buster appears doomed... until a [[Superion (G1)|giant Autobot unknown to Buster]] suddenly appears and blasts Shockwave to scrap. The newcomer's victory is short-lived, however, as a [[Menasor (G1)|giant, unfamiliar Decepticon]] appears to attack him. While the two strangers fight, Buster tries to get away, but finds his path blocked by [[Combaticon (G1)|five more Decepticons]]—five Decepticons who, as Buster watches in horrified awe, ''merge together'' to become [[Bruticus (G1)|another giant]]!

Buster awakes with a start in the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], where [[Jesse (G1)|Jesse]], his father [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]], and the Autobots are all by his bedside. After they calm Buster down, Sparkplug rounds on the Autobots, blaming [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] for Buster's plight—a consequence of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] having been temporarily stored in his mind. But Optimus Prime is sure that Buster's "nightmare" is not an affliction, but a ''message'' from the Matrix itself, which he believes the Autobots can decipher if Buster will let them reach into his mind. Buster agrees, and he and Prime are hooked up to a machine that will let the Autobot leader join Buster in his dreams.

At the [[Wyoming base|Wyoming coal mine]] that serves as [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s current hideaway, [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] brings news to the deposed Decepticon leader of the Matrix message within Buster's mind. Megatron quickly orders Soundwave to return to [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] so that he can learn the secrets of the message. Soundwave does so, arriving just in time to watch as Shockwave uses the machine he previously employed to drain the Matrix from Optimus Prime's mind to remotely tap into Buster's mind. The Decepticons observe as his dream unfolds...

===Part 2: "Electric Dreams!"===
[[File:SecondGeneration the names superion.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Together in the dream-world, Buster and Optimus Prime watch as a group of five new Autobots named the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] evacuate a [[Pullen Power Plant|power plant]]. When [[Blades (G1)|Blades]] spots what he believes to be a group of human vehicles heading towards the plant, the Protectobots move to head them off, only to find that they are not humans, but the Decepticon [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Through his holo-viewer, Shockwave marvels as the Stunticons combine into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], the giant Decepticon from Buster's earlier dream—a combination Shockwave recognizes as superior to the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. His elation at the notion the Decepticons will go on to master combiner technology even more efficiently in the future is cut short, however, when the Protectobots reveal that they too possess the same power, and merge into [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]]!

Menasor and Defensor grapple, but the Autobot combiner soon finds himself outnumbered when the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] arrive and form [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], the other Decepticon Buster had previously witnessed. Fortunately, the giant Autobot he previously saw defeat Menasor is soon to join the fray: [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], combined form of the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]]! The flaws of combiner technology prove to be the Decepticons' downfall: Menasor orders his arm to fire his gun, but the limb objects to being given orders, delaying in pulling the trigger just enough for Superion to dodge the blast, causing it to hit Bruticus. While Defensor stomps the fallen Bruticus into unconsciousness, Menasor tries to flee, but the ground beneath his feet crumbles away thanks to a blast from Superion's [[stress fracture cannon]]. Before the two victorious Autobot combiners can take the defeated Decepticons into custody, however, an emergency summons from Optimus Prime calls them back to the Ark, which is under attack. Forced to leave the Decepticons behind, they separate into their component Autobots and roll out, as Buster's dream comes to an end and he and Prime awake.

Soon after, Soundwave reports the news of the "[[Special Teams]]" to Megatron. Galvanized by this new discovery, Megatron instructs Soundwave to let Shockwave know his whereabouts, so that he can reclaim the title of Decepticon leader from him once and for all!

===Part 3: "Return Bout!"===
[[File:SecondGeneration megatron vs shockwav.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.25|WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK BUT YOU WON'T MISS A ''SECOND'' OF THE TITLE MATCH IN ''PICTURE-IN-PICTURE''!!]]
The meeting between Megatron and Shockwave at the coal mine immediately descends into an out-and-out one-on-one battle for leadership, which [[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] televises for one of his pirate broadcasts. The fight is seen over the airwaves by the Autobots, but Optimus Prime decides there is little they can do about it, and opts to have the Autobots focus their energies into realizing Buster's vision of the future by designing and constructing the Aerialbots and Protectobots. Preparations are interrupted by an alarm that sounds in the medical bay, alerting Prime and [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] to a change in the condition of the comatose [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Fortunately, it's good news—the five prehistoric Autobots have finally awoken, and are back to their old cranky selves.

Soundwave watches Megatron and Shockwave's battle on the sidelines with Robot-Master, despairing at the fact that a peaceful Decepticon co-existence seems impossible. Despair, however, slowly gives way to frustration; the two combatants are ''so'' evenly matched, and are both so conceited as to not accept it, that their continued in-fighting is only making the Decepticons look like a laughingstock. Soundwave steps into the middle of the battle and impertinently orders them to stop. Both equally outraged to be spoken to in this way by a subordinate, Megatron and Shockwave turn as one to reprimand him—an action that proves Soundwave's point for him, highlighting how alike Megatron and Shockwave really are. The pair relucantly agree to a joint leadership of the Decepticons for the greater good.

Meanwhile, in the far reaches of space, an electronic signal beamed into the void months earlier finally arrives at its destination: the distant world of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]!
{{--}}

==Featured Characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (5)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (6)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (19)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (20)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (21)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (22)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (23)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (24)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (31)
*[[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (32)
*[[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (33)
*[[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (34)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (35)
*[[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (36)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (38)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (39)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (40)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (41)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (42)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (43)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (1)
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (7)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (8)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (9)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (10)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (11)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (12)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (13)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (16)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (17)
*[[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (25)
*[[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (26)
*[[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]] (27)
*[[Drag Strip (G1)|Drag Strip]] (28)
*[[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] (29)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (30)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (37)
}}
|c3=
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (2)
*[[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (14)
*[[Jesse (G1)|Jessie]] (15)
*[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]] (18)
}}

==Quotes==

'''Buster:''' "Wow! These guys are neat!"
:— A dreaming '''Buster''' thinks ''everyone'' should go out and buy the '''Protectobots'''!

"I had hoped that a peaceful and profitable alliance could be arrived at between the two of them."
:—'''Soundwave''' is overly optimistic.

"'''Grimlock!''' Speak to me - are you alright?" 
"'''Get your clammy paws away from me, Ratchet!''' Since when have you or any other Autobots cared what happens to us Dinobots?!" 
"'''Yes''' - they're alright."
:—'''Ratchet''' checks on a just awakened '''Grimlock'''.

==Notes==
===Production notes===
[[File:Protectobots special teams second generation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.75]]
*"Second Generation!" was written at the express request of Hasbro, to promote the Special Teams toys that were hitting shelves in the UK at the time. The problem was, the characters were still months away from being introduced in the US stories, necessitating the "dream sequence"/"vision of the future" plot hook as a way of featuring the characters chronologically ahead of time.<ref>Simon Furman: "There were odd occasions where Hasbro UK would actually get it together and coordinate a story with a toy release. The Special Teams (in UK #63-65) story was one such instance, and in that case (because we were some way off reprinting the corresponding US issues) we had to work them in somehow (chronologically ahead of time)." [http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past'].</ref> To its credit, the comic commits to the idea, with heavy advance promotion, free gifts, and special features (see "[[#Back-up material|back-up material]]," below) to sell kids on the new characters.
*Readers had already received a "trailer" for "Second Generation!" in the mini-comic "[[The Special Teams Have Arrived]]", included with [[Rock and Roll-Out!|issue #54]] a couple of months prior, which was retold (and expanded to add an ending after its cliffhanger) as the "dream sequence" for "Second Generation!", with some panels and dialogue directly lifted (right, and see "[[#Other trivia|Other trivia]]" below for more). The story was also adapted to become the UK audio cassette adventure, "[[The Special Teams]]," though we don't know the exact sequence of real-life events: was the short story conceived first, then used as the basis of the mini-comic, "Second Generation!", and the audio cassette independently, or did each of these works precipitate the other?
*With finished [[character model]]s for the Special Teams obviously unavailable to the comic's artists, all twenty-four of the new arrivals are consistently drawn based on their toys and [[package art]].
*"Second Generation!" and its lead-in were historically overlooked by fans, being a blatant [[to sell toys]] happening between more popular stories. [[James Roberts]] would call for its reappraisal in ''[[The Transformers Classic UK Volume 2]]'', writing that the story is significant as the time the cast becomes unwieldy for Marvel UK as well as Marvel US; and that it's the "last of the "old school" Generation 1 stories" as elements like the buried ''Ark'', the dustbowl, and Jessie and the Witwickies would be seen less and less.

===Continuity notes===
*Footnotes remind us that Buster's current condition has come about after the events of the previous two stories, "[[Robot Buster!]]" and "[[Devastation Derby!]]".
*Sparkplug mentions his previous attempt to get Buster to stay away from the Autobots, as seen in [[The New Order|US issue #5]].
*Buster recalls his first meeting with [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (from [[The Transformers (issue)|US issue #1]]), Optimus Prime transferring the Matrix to him (from [[The Worse of Two Evils!|US issue #6]]), and him transferring the Matrix ''back'' to Prime (from [[Prime Time!|US issue #12]]), all complete with recreations of panels from those stories.
[[File:SecondGeneration holograph display unit.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
[[File:SecondGeneration dinobots awaken.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]]
*As in the [[Devastation Derby!|preceding story]], Shockwave's Decepticons are based out of a "fortress," but it's not clear which one; is it the "makeshift fortress" the [[Plight of the Bumblebee!|last US story]] oddly described Shockwave's forces as using, or is it the Decepticons' [[Fortress Sinister|original fortress]], recently re-introduced to UK continuity in "[[Robot Buster!]]," or did the UK comic intend for them to be the one and the same?
*It probably doesn't mean anything in regard to the above question, but the "holograph display unit" Shockwave uses to view Buster's dreams is based on the design of a piece of machinery seen in the "makeshift fortress" (right).
*We have to assume that Buster's dream is not a ''literal'' vision of the future, as it doesn't appear to fit into future continuity. When they are eventually introduced in [[Afterdeath!|US issue #24]], the Protectobots and Combaticons appear to be meeting for the first time, after which Optimus Prime dies at the end of the story. That would mean the events seen here—in which the teams have a separate encounter while Prime is still alive—doesn't fit. You could argue there's a little wiggle-room in issue #24's dialogue to handwave it and fit the events of the story between [[Decepticon Graffiti!|issue #23]] and #24, but the "dream" setting means there's little need.
*Optimus Prime is really gung-ho to build these new super-Autobots for a guy who not so long ago in "[[Crisis of Command!]]" decreed he would never use the Matrix to build [[Ultimate Autobot]]s. This continuity sticking point was simply unavoidable given the demands of Hasbro and the US stories, and would be smoothed over in the story "[[The Return of the Transformers]]," published in [[Transformers Annual 1986|that year's Transformers annual]].
*Speaking of the annual, readers are directed by a footnote to check it out for more details on the plight of the Dinobots (right), who have been comatose since the events of "[[Dinobot Hunt!]]". The annual contains the one-shot story "[[Victory!]]", which bridges the gap between "Dinobot Hunt!" and "Second Generation!", but it would not actually be published for another three months.
*This story sees Megatron and Shockwave enter into a joint leadership ''ahead'' of when the US reprints will show them doing the same, in [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|US issue #19]]. Dialogue in that story will be edited for the UK reprint to reflect this change.
*The signal shown reaching Cybertron on the final page of this story was sent by Soundwave back in [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|US issue #10]]. The inclusion of this scene is another rare example of the UK comic directly setting up the next US story.
{{--}}

===Transformers references===
[[File:SecondGeneration commercial swipe.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75|Just in case you didn't think this comic was enough of a commercial already, here's a ''literal commercial'' inside your commercial.]]
*The brief battle between Superion and Menasor seen in part 1 ends with Superion hurling the Decepticon into a rocky overhang, which collapses on top of him as the Aerialbot combiner raises his arms in triumph. This is directly based on the short animated segment from the television advert for the Aerialbot and Stunticon toys (right). This even extends to artist John Stokes copying a screengrab directly, which is why Menasor's legs are attached "backwards" for one panel—because the commercial used an early character model with alternate limb configuration.

===Real-life references===
*The title for part 2 (given in the "next issue" box at the end of part 1), "Electric Dreams!", is taken from the title of the {{w|Electric Dreams (film)|1984 movie of the same name}}, though probably indirectly; the reference was more likely specifically to the film's theme song, "{{w|Together in Electric Dreams}}," which far eclipsed the actual film in popularity and notability in 1980s UK.

===Continuity and plotting errors===
*Robot-Master introduces his broadcast at the start of part 3 by explaining for the audience that Megatron and Shockwave are fighting for Decepticon leadership. This doesn't make any sense; ''he's'' supposed to be pretending to be their master, and telling the public otherwise destroys the whole cover-story he's supposed to be perpetrating for [[Intelligence and Information Institute|Triple-I]].
*Cybertron is described as residing in "a galaxy far, far beyond our own." Given that it used to orbit [[Alpha Centauri]], the ''closest'' [[star system]] to our own Sun at 4.37 lightyears' distance, that's ''extraordinarily'' unlikely; this was probably supposed to say that it is a ''solar system'' far beyond our own, given the high frequency with which [[star system#Those poor, confused writers|"solar system" and "galaxy" are confused]] in ''Transformers'' fiction.

===Artwork and technical errors===
[[File:SecondGeneration take him out.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5|I've heard of not being able to tell your left from your right, but...]]
*Shockwave has the blue shoulders of his outdated early color scheme throughout parts 1 and 2.
*Throughout part 1, Ratchet has red boots and shoulders instead of white, and a white helmet with a red forehead crest, instead of the inverse.
*Part 1, page 7, panel 1: Both of Menasor's legs are red; one should be grey, the other white. As noted above, he is largely drawn in this panel to the specifications of the early character model used in the Aerialbots and Stunticons television commercial, instead of being based on toy package art like in the rest of the comic.
*Part 1, page 9: Megatron's helmet is oddly green here; the two subsequent issues render it more blue.
*Part 1, page 9, panel 2: Megatron is missing his [[fusion cannon]].
*Part 2, page 4, panel 2: Buster says "These guy's are neat" when it should be "guys".
*Part 2, page 6, panel 2: Vortex is coloured like Blades. Soundwave cooked up an "explanation" for this in the [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|letters page]] of [[Command Performances!|issue #71]], claiming Vortex had special "camouflage circuits" that let him disguise himself as Blades, but he was pretty open about the fact he was making it up on the spot.
*Part 2, page 6, panel 5: As in "The Special Teams Have Arrived," Menasor orders Dead End (his left arm) to shoot Superion, but in this story, the art incorrectly shows Drag Strip (Menasor's right arm) carrying out the deed (right). This was corrected for the ''[[Transformers Collected Comics|Collected Comics]]'' reprint of the story by changing the name of the offending Stunticon, but subsequent reprints use the original, unaltered page.
*Throughout part 3:
**Soundwave's shoulder cannon disappears and reappears, and when it ''does'' appear, it's miscoloured silver-white instead of blue.
**Wheeljack is missing his shoulder cannon and fins.
**Optimus Prime's shoulder exhaust pipes are consistently colored red instead of silver-white.
*Part 3, page 2: Perspective and proportion on Shockwave's legs haven taken a holiday here.
*Part 3, page 6, panel 4: Optimus Prime's lower legs are grey instead of blue.
{{--}}

===Other trivia===
[[File:Stokesswipes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|On a single page, you can find three John Stokes panels (above) swiped from panels from a single page of Herb Trimpe's work in "Prime Time!".]]
[[File:Puttup.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|And no, it's not clear how he can spit without a mouth.]]
*In addition to the above-mentioned copying of a television commercial, artist John Stokes continues the form he established in the [[Transformers Annual 1985]] story "[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]," by littering his work on part 1 of "Second Generation!" with "swipes" from previous US issues, copying and adapting poses and panel-staging. These include:
**Shockwave's pose on page 2, panel 1, is copied from [[Warrior School!|US issue #7]], page 20, panel 2.
**Several panels of Optimus Prime and the humans on page 8 are copied from [[Prime Time!|US issue #12]], page 22 (right).
**Megatron's pose on page 9, panel 2, is copied from [[I, Robot-Master!|US issue #15]], page 20, panel 4.
**Also on page 9, the layout of panel 4 is swiped from US issue #15, page 21, panel 2.
**Shockwave on page 16, panel 5 is swiped from his stroll with Megatron in [[Repeat Performance!|US issue #8]], page 5, panel 2.
**As seen above, page 11, panel 1, showing Shockwave striding toward the holo-viewer, is swiped from [[Plight of the Bumblebee!|US issue #16]], page 2, panel 3.
**The shot of Soundwave in the doorway on page 10, panel 6, seems to be composited from [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|US issue #10]], page 14, panel 7, and page 21, panel 2, explaining the odd way Soundwave is holding his gun sideways and at the ready.
*Similarly, part 2 features several panels and figures copied from "The Special Teams Have Arrived"—but in this case, it's artist Barry Kitson copying ''himself'', since he drew both of them. Replicated scenes include:
**The inset panel of Hot Spot and Optimus Prime on page 1 is a mirror-flip of "The Special Teams Have Arrived" page 1, panel 2.
**The Protectobots transforming on page 2, panel 2 is copied from the "The Special Teams Have Arrived" page 2, panel 1 (see "Production notes," above).
**The figures of Menasor (with Hot Spot looking up at him aghast) on page 4, panel 3, and Defensor on page 5, panel 6 come from panels 3 and 5 of page 2 of the mini-comic.
**Lastly, the Aerialbots combing in mid-air as the other combiners fight in the foreground is copied from "The Special Teams Have Arrived" page 3, panel 1.
*The colourists on issue #64 are credited rather cryptically as "W & P," they're [[Steve Whitaker|Steve '''W'''hitaker]] and [[Stuart Place|Stuart '''P'''lace]], who have both worked on the series already.<ref>[http://maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/transfo2.htm The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators]</ref>
*Throughout his tenure as host of the letters page, Soundwave would often use the word "Puttup!" (an onomatopoeic sound effect intended to represent spitting in disgust) to express dislike of things. With part 3 of "Second Generation!", it makes the jump into the comic strip itself, as he spits at Robot-Master in response to the offer of a cigarette (right).

===Courtesy of my...===
*In the dream sequence, Superion defeats Menasor using his [[stress fracture cannon]].

===Back-up material===
'''Issue #63:'''
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''Rocket Raccoon'' ("The Book of Revelations," Part 2) and ''[[Robo-Capers]]''. The fifth and final installment of the ''{{w|Biggles (1986)|Biggles}}'' advert-comic runs this issue, causing ''Matt and the Cat'' to be left out again.
*'''Free Gift:''' The "Special Teams Special Collection Wallchart," a fold-out poster profiling all twenty members of the Special Teams and their combined forms (below). The spots for the four leaders and the four combined robots were left blank; the illustrations to fill these spots were included as free "collector cards" with the next seven issues, which buyers would stick in place on the chart. This issue came with Onslaught's card.
*Kicking off this issue is "[[Robot War|Robot War III]]", the third (and as it would turn out, final) in an irregular series of text features summarising the events of the comic so far.
'''Issue #64:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Rocket Raccoon'' ("The Book of Revelations," Part 3), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''Free Gift:''' Hot Spot collector card for the Special Teams Special Collection Wallchart
'''Issue #65:'''
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Rocket Raccoon'' ("The Book of Revelations," Part 4), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''[[Fact File|Fact File Interface]]:''' [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]
*'''Free Gift:''' Silverbolt collector card for the Special Teams Special Collection Wallchart
 
[[File:SecondGenerations special teams wallchart.jpg|thumb|center|upright=5|The Special Teams wallchart with all collector cards in place. For unknown reasons, Defensor and Bruticus use new Barry Kitson art instead of toy package art like the others. The Onslaught, Silverbolt, and Menasor cards were printed at the wrong orientation, in portrait format instead of landscape, requiring you to trim off the top and bottom to fit them inside the provided spaces.]]
{{-}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Issue #63:''' Superion & Menasor [[package art]]; cover design by [[Alan Stevens]].
*'''Issue #64:''' Buster and Prime share a vision of the [[Special Teams]], by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''Issue #65:''' Megatron vs. Shockwave with commentary from Robot-Master, by [[Robin Smith]].
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-063.jpg|'''Issue #63'''
File:MarvelUK-064.jpg|'''Issue #64'''
File:MarvelUK-065.jpg|'''Issue #65'''
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Tfcolcom10.jpg|'''[[Transformers Collected Comics#10 – Holiday Special 1988|''Collected Comics'' #10]]'''; cover by [[Bryan Hitch]] (Marvel UK, 1988)
File:TitanSG.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Second Generation]]''''' (Titan Books, 2005)
File:Classicuk2.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2|''The Transformers Classics UK'' Volume 2]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2012)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v4.jpg|'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 4: Second Generation'']]''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Nelson Yomtov

2022-01-25T01:49:39Z

Charles RB: /* Criticism of Yomtov's work */

'''Nelson Yomtov''' (born [[February 29]], [[1952]]) was the colourist of every single issue of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel US ''Transformers'']] comic book. He is usually credited as '''Nel Yomtov.'''

Outside of ''Transformers'', Yomtov was also a longtime editor at Marvel Comics before moving to DC for a short while. He moved on from comics to Rosen Publishing, Parachute Press, consulting for Major League Baseball, and in 2008 he was named executive editor at Hammond World Atlas. Yomtov is also a writer, having written several books about baseball and conspiracy-based concepts like UFOs.

==Contributions to ''Transformers''==
Yomtov coloured all 80 issues of the original Marvel US comics series, and all the miniseries; [[The Transformers Universe|''Universe'']], [[The Transformers: Headmasters|''Headmasters'']], [[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|''The Movie'']], and [[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|''G.I. Joe'']]. In fact, until its revival in [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'']], Nel Yomtov was the only colorist at all on any Marvel US ''Transformers'' comics, including the two issues reprinted from Marvel UK. He was also the only creative talent to stay with the book for its entire original run—a lengthy run of 7 years. This makes Nel Yomtov one of the most consistent creative forces in ''Transformers'' comics history.

[[File:Earlymegatron.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Marvel Megatron's helmet wasn't blue just 'cuz Yomtov felt like it.]]

Because he was the only colorist ever credited on ''Transformers'', Yomtov has also been given credit for many creative color choices that made the Marvel comics stand out from its cartoon counterpart. Many of these coloring choices, however, are artifacts of production material that would be revised before use in the cartoon. For example, Yomtov colored Megatron's helmet blue or black throughout the comic's run because the first [[character model]]s for Megatron did so, but the cartoon would change the head's color to silver like the rest of his body. These circumstances similarly affected Yomtov's color schemes for [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] and Starscream.

He even made decisions which separated the US comics from their UK counterparts. For example, his Emirate Xaaron was solid yellow, instead of his more varied UK color scheme.

Though Yomtov can be given credit for the colors of all of the internal art, this is not true of the covers, some of which were done in a painterly style by the original artist. Even for those covers which weren't painted, credits for cover art at the time were fairly slapdash, so it is difficult to discern.

<center><gallery>
File:Starscreamdisintegratedcircuits.jpg|Early preproduction material gave Starscream a black chest, hence Starscream's blues
File:TreadshotMarvel.jpg|Likewise, the first commercial for [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] colored him up in lavender.
File:Galvatron2vsmegatron.jpg|Both Yomtov and the UK colorists used Galvatron's toy colors.
File:Xaarondelbo.jpg|Though apparently Xaaron lost all his non-yellow colors sometime around 1989.
</gallery>
</center>

==Criticism of Yomtov's work==
[[File:Scorponokbase-interior2.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Transformers like to bleach their technology.]]
Despite the volume of Nel Yomtov's work on ''Transformers'', its quality has often been called into question. Yomtov made many coloring errors—coloring characters the wrong way, making up entirely new color schemes for guys he didn't know, coloring one character as another character and even coloring characters based on their Pretender shells or secondary components.

His colors have often been criticised for laziness, due to Yomtov's fondness for coloring group scenes or backgrounds in [[block coloring|block color]]s. His extensive use of white in later Cybertron scenes, and his love of monochrome (all green! all pink!) flashbacks have also come under criticism. Yomtov's supporters note that many of these techniques are perfectly valid artistic techniques, used to make scenes easier to read or more interesting, or to create higher contrast in an image.

Yomtov's art was especially criticised by children reading the UK comic, who didn't why the colouring was suddenly less rich and was 'dotty' sometimes. As the comic originally wouldn't admit to running reprints, it couldn't say: "Look kids, in America they have to use a more limited colouring method designed for cheaper paper stock." When questioned in #61, the team simply lied that their artists were experimenting with different techniques.<ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/soundwaves/Issue061.jpg #61's Soundwaves]</ref> British fans would, however, slowly work out that the American strips were from somewhere else based on the colouring.

Yomtov has been quoted as saying that it was quite a challenge to keep up with all the new characters that were constantly being introduced at Hasbro's insistence. {{fact}}

<center><gallery>
File:Generic decepticons marvel 1.jpg|
File:Pretendertothethrone-landmine.jpg|
File:Fasttrack.jpg
</gallery>
</center>

==Notes==

*The August 1991 "Bullpen Bulletins" depicts Yomtov attempting to prove that, although he "quit [his] jazz group, The Bluesicians" a few months earlier, he's "still the best jazz harmonica player in New York".

==External links==
* [http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2880755.Nelson_Yomtov Books by Nel Yomtov]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yomtov, Nelson}}
[[Category:Colorists]]
[[Category:Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Musicians]]

Shooting Star!

2022-01-25T01:44:38Z

Charles RB: /* Other trivia */

{{disambig2|the Marvel comic issue|the Autobot satellite|Shooting Star}}
{{comicstory|
|prev=Prime Time!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #13
|next=Rock and Roll-Out!
|prev2=Dinobot Hunt!
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #51–52
|next2=Rock and Roll-Out!
|image=MarvelUS-13.jpg
|caption=I '''''am''''' the NRA.
|title="Shooting Star!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[October 22]], [[1985]] ("on sale" [[November 12]], 1985)
|coverdate=February 1986
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Don Perlin]]
|inker=[[Al Gordon]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|editor=[[Michael Carlin]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''A small-time crook's life changes when he finds a special gun.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Slickjoey.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|''Wherever you are{{-}}you're gonna see me fly{{-}}like a shooting star{{-}}across a midnight sky'']]
A small-time loser named [[Joey Slick]] flees through the woods, attempting to escape from thugs trying to kill him. He stumbles across a gun in a stream, but it doesn't work... until the two laughing thugs ''tell'' it to blast them, which it does. Retreating to an empty barn, Joey soon discovers that the gun is [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. His cerebro-circuitry damaged by the fall he suffered during his battle with [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], Megatron's higher brain functions has been disconnected, leaving him unable to think for himself and able only to respond without question to what he is told or asked.

Crime lord [[Jake Lomax]], the gangster who sent the thugs after Slick because of an unpaid debt, is incensed that they failed. Crunching up [[Daily Globe|his newspaper]], he orders that Slick be killed immediately. Lomax's men hunt Slick to his run-down apartment in an immigrant neighborhood, but he is able to use Megatron to collapse a water tower on top of them, allowing him to escape. Needing money after being rejected by a [[Cascade Motor Court|crummy motel]] for being two dollars short, he holds up a [[6-12|convenience store]]... then uses Megatron's firepower to stop pursuing police cars. Realizing the possibilities, he soon uses Megatron to strike a one-man crime wave.

In short order, now redolent in riches, Joey finds himself surrounded by hangers-on and wannabes. Trying to reconnect with the things that matter, he returns to his old neighborhood, only to find himself feared by the adults he once called friends, and worshipped by the neighoborhood's children for his "super gun." Realizing that his is not the life he wants, Joey blasts his way into Lomax's compound and confronts the gangster one on one. Despite his earlier bluster, Lomax is quick to surrender and plead for his life. No longer afraid of Lomax, Joey tosses the gun away and punches the mobster out, then tosses the money he owes him at his unconscious form. Joey turns to find Megatron looming over him—the impact with the ground after Joey threw him aside has reconnected his higher brain functions, and he is furious at Joey for attempting to command him. Megatron attempts to kill the impudent fleshling, but when Joey shows absolutely no fear before him, Megatron is impressed and spares him. Megatron leaves to rejoin the Decepticons, and Joey submits to arrest by the police, the baffled officers watching as the dark shape of Megatron disappears over the horizon.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]]'' (9)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*''[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'' (5)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'' (6)
*''[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]]'' (7)
*''[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'' (8)
|c3=
*[[Joey Slick]] (1)
*[[Whitey]] (2)
*[[Marko]] (3)
*[[Jake Lomax]] (10)
*[[Charlene (pool girl)|Charlene]] (11)
*[[Kim|Mr. Kim]] (12)
*[[Clyde]] (13)
*[[Peréz|Mrs. Perez]] (14)
*[[Ralston]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"You are not dead. I am not a weird angel. I am a '''Transformer'''."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Marko was right--Joey Slick '''is''' a loser! '''And I'm sick of lookin' at this loser's face!'''"
:—'''Joey Slick''' monologues to the man in the mirror

"You made all this possible. But it ain't all I thought it would be -- I got everything that I could want. So how come I feel like I got '''nothin''''? Heck, you're the only one I feel I can talk to -- and you're as brainless as a '''beer can!''' That ain't right, right?"
:—'''Joey Slick''', on the verge of insight, speaks to a mindless '''Megatron'''

"Y-you're not gonna kill me?" 
'''''THWOK''''' 
"...'''Heck no!''' I'm just gonna pay back what I owe you -- 600 dollars plus interest! Now we're even, slimeball! Spend some of it to fix up your house, okay?"
:—'''Jake Lomax''' gets punched out by '''Joey Slick''', after Slick has trashed his mansion

"But Megatron '''gives''' no thanks -- he only '''takes'''. And now I take your '''life''', fleshling!" 
"M-my life? ...Sure, why not, take it! Jake Lomax wanted my life. I thought he was the most terrifyin' thing I could imagine! Well, I just punched him out! Nothin' you can do to me now can take that away from me -- '''ever!''' Do what you want, Megatron!" 
"You surprise me, fleshling. Such audacity in a member of your species is wholely unexpected. It is deserving of Megatron's '''respect''' -- not his '''wrath!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Joey Slick''' have a little heart to heart

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Megatron has been missing in action since his defeat by Ratchet in [[Repeat Performance!|issue #8]].
*The front-page headline of the motel clerk's newspaper reads "ROBOTS LEAVE PLANE PLANT," a reference to the Decepticons' defeat and the liberation of [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]] in [[Prime Time!|issue #12]].

===Real-life references===
*As usual, the action is set in and around [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]; specificailly, Joey lives in the real-life "{{w|Neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon#Southwest|Southwest section}}," though it's drawn looking a lot more like a New York neighborhood.
*The kids on Joey's block mention the [[Seattle Seahawks]] football team, a local favorite since Portland doesn't have its own NFL team. Joey mentions the [[N.F.L.]] by name as well.
*The [[Cascade Motor Court]] Joey tries to get a room at seems to be based on a ''real'' Cascade Motor Court motel Google tells us existed back in the 1950s... though it was in Bend, Oregon, a good three hours away, versus the "90 minutes out of Portland" this one is.
*Joey robs a "[[6-12]]" convenience store, a reference to [[7-Eleven]].
*Joey feels the kids are treating him "like [[Al Capone]]".

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Megatron's pistol form spends much of the issue miscolored, with a black muzzle tip and body. The black tip sticks is almost always present, but occasionally the body's colored white/silver, with the black correctly being shifted to the "slide" to which his fusion cannon/scope would attach (if he had it attached, which he doesn't, which you could consider an error in and of itself).
*Additionally, when in robot mode, his Decepticon insignia is coloured ''very'' faintly, except on page 22.
*Page 5, panel 3: Starscream has red wings and purple null rays. Soundwave is colored a ''very'' dark purple (so dark he almost looks blue, a little darker than he appeared [[Prime Time!|last issue]]) instead of his normal lighter shade.
*Page 17, panel 3: Some of the lettering in Joey's speech bubble has been obscured or erased, turning the sentence "Buncha bloodsuckers!" into "Bunc a bloodsucker !"
*Page 21, panel 4: Megatron's gun barrel, which normally peeps up over his shoulder, is missing here...
*Page 22, panel 1: ...and here.

===UK printing===
'''Issue #51:'''
*'''Published:''' [[March 1|1st March]], 1986
*'''Cover date:''' [[March 8|8th March]], 1986
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''[[Robotix]]'' ("A World in Chaos," Part 1), ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''Matt and the Cat''. Due to an error, this issue's ''Robo-Capers'' was missing the black layer of print. A corrected version would be printed in [[Plight of the Bumblebee!|issue #58]].
'''Issue #52:'''
*'''Published:''' [[March 8|8th March]]
*'''Cover date:''' [[March 15|15th March]], 1986
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robotix'' ("A World in Chaos," Part 2), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''[[Fact File|Fact File Interface]]:''' [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
*'''Free Gift:''' A [[Panini]] ''Transformers'' sticker album

===Other trivia===
[[File:Daily Globe.jpg|right|thumb|For God's sake do not scroll left.]]
*This story would be the subject of an annoyed letter to the UK comic in #61, asking why the art had "gone back to sub-standard dotty colouring and often ropey drawing". At the time, the comic didn't admit it was running reprints from America—which used a different colouring method and different paper stock to the UK, and thus meant colorists like Yomtov had to work with a more limited palette than his British counterparts—and <strike>Simon Furman</strike> "[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave's]]" cover was that this was the artists "experimenting with different colouring methods". <ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/soundwaves/Issue061.jpg #61's Soundwaves]</ref>
*''Marvel Age'' #33 reported [http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=4613 Sam de la Rosa] as the inker of both "[[Prime Time!]]" and this issue instead of Al Gordon. While de la Rosa would never work on ''Transformers'', he did go on to ink a number of comics starring [[Venom (Marvel)|Venom]].
*This issue is the first time Bob Budiansky uses the names "Jake" and "Charlene" for some incidental human characters (Jake Lomax and his moll, Charlene). These will (deliberately? unconsciously?) go on to become Budiansky's "go-to" names for multiple guest-spot characters in future issues of the series.
*Rather than the [[Daily Bugle]], used in past issues when a newspaper has been required, this issue features two fictional papers, the [[Daily Globe]] (pictured at right) and the [[Globe-Journal]]. This is probably reflective of the decision to "separate" the ongoing Transformers adventures from the Marvel Universe, which it spent much of its first year being written to take place in. That said, there ''is'' a [https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Daily_Globe_(Earth-616) Daily Globe] in the Marvel Universe!
*The sole decorations in Joey's apartment: a couple of pinup girls. Classy!

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 11 active; 12 inactive. (23 total)
*Decepticons: 16 active as Megatron returns to operational status; [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] missing in action; [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] left lifeless when last seen. (18 total)

===Covers (3)===
*'''US issue #13:''' Gun mode Megatron Prime, by [[Don Perlin]].
*'''UK issue #51:''' Megatron and Joey Slick, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #52:''' reuse of art from US cover.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-13.jpg|'''US issue #13''' - Look, it's STILL a gun...
File:MarvelUK-051.jpg|'''UK issue #51''' - A purple Megatron? That is just [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|crazy!]]
File:MarvelUK-052.jpg|'''UK issue #52''' - The UK gets free sticker albums. What do ''you'' get?
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Transformers Digest 07-cover.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine issue 7|''The Transformers Comics Magazine'' #7]]''' (Marvel US, 1987)
File:Titan-CybertronReduxSC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Cybertron Redux]]'' paperback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:Titan-CybertronReduxHC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Cybertron Redux]]'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:IDW Generations 2 Cover A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 2 Cover B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 2 Cover RI.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] retailer incentive cover''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:Generations TPB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] TPB''' (IDW Publishing, 2007)
File:Classic Transformers Vol1.jpg|'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 1|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:TFClassicsVol1.JPG|'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1|''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v4.jpg|'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 4: Second Generation'']]''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
File:HXClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers Classics#Japanese reprints|The Transformers Classics]], Vol. 4''''' ([[Mediaboy Mook]], 2019)
</gallery>

====Titan edits====
*It's standard practice for any collection of comics to remove the publishing indicia usually found on the first page of an issue, but Titan's ''Cybertron Redux'' reprint of this issue accidentally deletes the creator credits along with it, because they're printed outside the splash page panel, just above the indicia itself.

====IDW ''Transformers Classics'' edits====
[[File:ShootingStar damaged reprint.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Quality!]]
*IDW's reprint of this issue was created using a scan of a physical copy featuring several printing defects that caused splotches of the lineart to be missing.
**Page 5, panels 3 and 6: Portions of the lineart of Megatron's chin in panel 3, and his chest, knee and the barn wall behind him in panel 6 are missing (see right).
**Page 6, panel 5: The lower-right corner of Lomax's mouth has been re-drawn to fill in the missing lineart.
**Page 9, panel 3: Likewise, a portion of Joey's chin and shirt.
**Page 17, panels 3-4: Patches of colour appear within the silhouette of Joey as he sits in his chair when he should be solid black.
*The ''Transformers Classics'' series of reprints normally recolors Soundwave blue to match his cartoon and toy appearance, but his one panel appearance in this issue goes unaltered.
*Mr. Kim is recolored with a Caucasian skintone.
*Page 11, panel 6: The yellow patches on the motel clerk's newspaper (used in several other spot in this issue, intended to add a sense of texture) are erased from this panel only.
*Page 17, panel 3: The missing lettering is filled in.
*Page 22, panel 1: Careless text recreation turns the word "member" in Megatron's speech into the nonsense "memser."
{{--}}

===Advertisements===
* ''Thundercats'', ''Misty'', and [[Care Bears]] comics (inside front cover)
* Not one, but ''two'' advertisements related to ''[[GoBots]]''! [[:File:ShootingStarQuikGoBotsAd.jpg|The first]] is for a [[Nestlé]] Quik-sponsored contest to win a "complete set of ''GoBots'' toys" between pages 4 & 5, while another is for the syndicated Hanna-Barbera ''Challenge of the GoBots'' television series between pages 7 & 8. One must assume that Marvel didn't run advertising approvals by [[Hasbro]]...
* Glow in the dark Solar Ball - between pages 5 & 6
* ''The Jetsons'' and ''Galtar and the Golden Lance'' cartoons - between pages 8 & 9
* ''G.I. Joe'' and ''Transformers'' on videocassette from [[Family Home Entertainment]], 5 new adventures for each title now $14.95 each —upper half of page between pages 16 and 17
* J & S Comics - lower half of page between pages 16 and 17
* [[New York Comic Con|New York Comic Book Convention]] and Marvel Super Mart - between pages 17 & 18
* Academic Industries "Comic Classics Offer" - between pages 19 & 20
* East Coast Comics - between pages 20 & 21
* Marvel Comics subscriptions
* Bullpen Bulletins (inside back cover)
* ''Secret Wars II'' #8 and 9 (back cover)

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

Shooting Star!

2022-01-25T01:44:17Z

Charles RB: /* Other trivia */

{{disambig2|the Marvel comic issue|the Autobot satellite|Shooting Star}}
{{comicstory|
|prev=Prime Time!
|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (US)]] #13
|next=Rock and Roll-Out!
|prev2=Dinobot Hunt!
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #51–52
|next2=Rock and Roll-Out!
|image=MarvelUS-13.jpg
|caption=I '''''am''''' the NRA.
|title="Shooting Star!"
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|date=[[October 22]], [[1985]] ("on sale" [[November 12]], 1985)
|coverdate=February 1986
|writer=[[Bob Budiansky]]
|penciler=[[Don Perlin]]
|inker=[[Al Gordon]]
|colorist=[[Nelson Yomtov|Nel Yomtov]]
|letterer=[[Janice Chiang]]
|editor=[[Michael Carlin]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''A small-time crook's life changes when he finds a special gun.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Slickjoey.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|''Wherever you are{{-}}you're gonna see me fly{{-}}like a shooting star{{-}}across a midnight sky'']]
A small-time loser named [[Joey Slick]] flees through the woods, attempting to escape from thugs trying to kill him. He stumbles across a gun in a stream, but it doesn't work... until the two laughing thugs ''tell'' it to blast them, which it does. Retreating to an empty barn, Joey soon discovers that the gun is [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. His cerebro-circuitry damaged by the fall he suffered during his battle with [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]], Megatron's higher brain functions has been disconnected, leaving him unable to think for himself and able only to respond without question to what he is told or asked.

Crime lord [[Jake Lomax]], the gangster who sent the thugs after Slick because of an unpaid debt, is incensed that they failed. Crunching up [[Daily Globe|his newspaper]], he orders that Slick be killed immediately. Lomax's men hunt Slick to his run-down apartment in an immigrant neighborhood, but he is able to use Megatron to collapse a water tower on top of them, allowing him to escape. Needing money after being rejected by a [[Cascade Motor Court|crummy motel]] for being two dollars short, he holds up a [[6-12|convenience store]]... then uses Megatron's firepower to stop pursuing police cars. Realizing the possibilities, he soon uses Megatron to strike a one-man crime wave.

In short order, now redolent in riches, Joey finds himself surrounded by hangers-on and wannabes. Trying to reconnect with the things that matter, he returns to his old neighborhood, only to find himself feared by the adults he once called friends, and worshipped by the neighoborhood's children for his "super gun." Realizing that his is not the life he wants, Joey blasts his way into Lomax's compound and confronts the gangster one on one. Despite his earlier bluster, Lomax is quick to surrender and plead for his life. No longer afraid of Lomax, Joey tosses the gun away and punches the mobster out, then tosses the money he owes him at his unconscious form. Joey turns to find Megatron looming over him—the impact with the ground after Joey threw him aside has reconnected his higher brain functions, and he is furious at Joey for attempting to command him. Megatron attempts to kill the impudent fleshling, but when Joey shows absolutely no fear before him, Megatron is impressed and spares him. Megatron leaves to rejoin the Decepticons, and Joey submits to arrest by the police, the baffled officers watching as the dark shape of Megatron disappears over the horizon.

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*''[[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]]'' (9)
|c2=
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (4)
*''[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]]'' (5)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'' (6)
*''[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]]'' (7)
*''[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]'' (8)
|c3=
*[[Joey Slick]] (1)
*[[Whitey]] (2)
*[[Marko]] (3)
*[[Jake Lomax]] (10)
*[[Charlene (pool girl)|Charlene]] (11)
*[[Kim|Mr. Kim]] (12)
*[[Clyde]] (13)
*[[Peréz|Mrs. Perez]] (14)
*[[Ralston]] (15)
}}

==Quotes==
"You are not dead. I am not a weird angel. I am a '''Transformer'''."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Marko was right--Joey Slick '''is''' a loser! '''And I'm sick of lookin' at this loser's face!'''"
:—'''Joey Slick''' monologues to the man in the mirror

"You made all this possible. But it ain't all I thought it would be -- I got everything that I could want. So how come I feel like I got '''nothin''''? Heck, you're the only one I feel I can talk to -- and you're as brainless as a '''beer can!''' That ain't right, right?"
:—'''Joey Slick''', on the verge of insight, speaks to a mindless '''Megatron'''

"Y-you're not gonna kill me?" 
'''''THWOK''''' 
"...'''Heck no!''' I'm just gonna pay back what I owe you -- 600 dollars plus interest! Now we're even, slimeball! Spend some of it to fix up your house, okay?"
:—'''Jake Lomax''' gets punched out by '''Joey Slick''', after Slick has trashed his mansion

"But Megatron '''gives''' no thanks -- he only '''takes'''. And now I take your '''life''', fleshling!" 
"M-my life? ...Sure, why not, take it! Jake Lomax wanted my life. I thought he was the most terrifyin' thing I could imagine! Well, I just punched him out! Nothin' you can do to me now can take that away from me -- '''ever!''' Do what you want, Megatron!" 
"You surprise me, fleshling. Such audacity in a member of your species is wholely unexpected. It is deserving of Megatron's '''respect''' -- not his '''wrath!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Joey Slick''' have a little heart to heart

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Megatron has been missing in action since his defeat by Ratchet in [[Repeat Performance!|issue #8]].
*The front-page headline of the motel clerk's newspaper reads "ROBOTS LEAVE PLANE PLANT," a reference to the Decepticons' defeat and the liberation of [[Blackrock Aerospace Assembly Plant Number One]] in [[Prime Time!|issue #12]].

===Real-life references===
*As usual, the action is set in and around [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]; specificailly, Joey lives in the real-life "{{w|Neighborhoods of Portland, Oregon#Southwest|Southwest section}}," though it's drawn looking a lot more like a New York neighborhood.
*The kids on Joey's block mention the [[Seattle Seahawks]] football team, a local favorite since Portland doesn't have its own NFL team. Joey mentions the [[N.F.L.]] by name as well.
*The [[Cascade Motor Court]] Joey tries to get a room at seems to be based on a ''real'' Cascade Motor Court motel Google tells us existed back in the 1950s... though it was in Bend, Oregon, a good three hours away, versus the "90 minutes out of Portland" this one is.
*Joey robs a "[[6-12]]" convenience store, a reference to [[7-Eleven]].
*Joey feels the kids are treating him "like [[Al Capone]]".

===Artwork and technical errors===
*Megatron's pistol form spends much of the issue miscolored, with a black muzzle tip and body. The black tip sticks is almost always present, but occasionally the body's colored white/silver, with the black correctly being shifted to the "slide" to which his fusion cannon/scope would attach (if he had it attached, which he doesn't, which you could consider an error in and of itself).
*Additionally, when in robot mode, his Decepticon insignia is coloured ''very'' faintly, except on page 22.
*Page 5, panel 3: Starscream has red wings and purple null rays. Soundwave is colored a ''very'' dark purple (so dark he almost looks blue, a little darker than he appeared [[Prime Time!|last issue]]) instead of his normal lighter shade.
*Page 17, panel 3: Some of the lettering in Joey's speech bubble has been obscured or erased, turning the sentence "Buncha bloodsuckers!" into "Bunc a bloodsucker !"
*Page 21, panel 4: Megatron's gun barrel, which normally peeps up over his shoulder, is missing here...
*Page 22, panel 1: ...and here.

===UK printing===
'''Issue #51:'''
*'''Published:''' [[March 1|1st March]], 1986
*'''Cover date:''' [[March 8|8th March]], 1986
*'''[[Back-up strips]]:''' ''[[Robotix]]'' ("A World in Chaos," Part 1), ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''Matt and the Cat''. Due to an error, this issue's ''Robo-Capers'' was missing the black layer of print. A corrected version would be printed in [[Plight of the Bumblebee!|issue #58]].
'''Issue #52:'''
*'''Published:''' [[March 8|8th March]]
*'''Cover date:''' [[March 15|15th March]], 1986
*'''Back-up strips:''' ''Robotix'' ("A World in Chaos," Part 2), ''Robo-Capers'' and ''Matt and the Cat''
*'''[[Fact File|Fact File Interface]]:''' [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] and [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]]
*'''Free Gift:''' A [[Panini]] ''Transformers'' sticker album

===Other trivia===
[[File:Daily Globe.jpg|right|thumb|For God's sake do not scroll left.]]
*This story would be the subject of an annoyed letter to the UK comic in #61, asking why the art had "gone back to sub-standard dotty colouring and often ropey drawing". At the time, the comic didn't admit it was running reprints from America—which used a different colouring method and different paper stock to the UK, and thus meant colorists like Yomtov had to work with a more limited palette than his British counterparts—and <strike>Simon Furman</strike> "[[Soundwave (G1)/G1 Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave's]]" cover was that this was the artists "experimenting with different colouring methods". <ref>[http://transfans.co.uk/media/2KX/media/comics/the_transformers_uk/soundwaves/Issue061.jpg #61's Soundwaves]</ref>
*''Marvel Age'' #33 reported [http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=4613 Sam de la Rosa] as the inker of both "[[Prime Time!]]" and this issue instead of Al Gordon. While de la Rosa would never work on ''Transformers'', he did go on to ink a number of comics starring [[Venom (Marvel)|Venom]].
*This issue is the first time Bob Budiansky uses the names "Jake" and "Charlene" for some incidental human characters (Jake Lomax and his moll, Charlene). These will (deliberately? unconsciously?) go on to become Budiansky's "go-to" names for multiple guest-spot characters in future issues of the series.
*Rather than the [[Daily Bugle]], used in past issues when a newspaper has been required, this issue features two fictional papers, the [[Daily Globe]] (pictured at right) and the [[Globe-Journal]]. This is probably reflective of the decision to "separate" the ongoing Transformers adventures from the Marvel Universe, which it spent much of its first year being written to take place in. That said, there ''is'' a [https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Daily_Globe_(Earth-616) Daily Globe] in the Marvel Universe!
*The sole decorations in Joey's apartment: a couple of pinup girls. Classy!

===Bot Roster===
*Autobots: 11 active; 12 inactive. (23 total)
*Decepticons: 16 active as Megatron returns to operational status; [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] missing in action; [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] left lifeless when last seen. (18 total)

===Covers (3)===
*'''US issue #13:''' Gun mode Megatron Prime, by [[Don Perlin]].
*'''UK issue #51:''' Megatron and Joey Slick, by [[Geoff Senior]].
*'''UK issue #52:''' reuse of art from US cover.
<gallery>
File:MarvelUS-13.jpg|'''US issue #13''' - Look, it's STILL a gun...
File:MarvelUK-051.jpg|'''UK issue #51''' - A purple Megatron? That is just [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|crazy!]]
File:MarvelUK-052.jpg|'''UK issue #52''' - The UK gets free sticker albums. What do ''you'' get?
</gallery>

===Reprints===
<gallery>
File:Transformers Digest 07-cover.jpg|'''[[The Transformers Comics Magazine issue 7|''The Transformers Comics Magazine'' #7]]''' (Marvel US, 1987)
File:Titan-CybertronReduxSC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Cybertron Redux]]'' paperback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:Titan-CybertronReduxHC.jpg|'''''[[Transformers: Cybertron Redux]]'' hardback''' (Titan Books, 2003)
File:IDW Generations 2 Cover A.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] cover A''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 2 Cover B.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] cover B''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:IDW Generations 2 Cover RI.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] retailer incentive cover''' (IDW Publishing, 2006)
File:Generations TPB.jpg|'''[[The Transformers: Generations#"Shooting Star!"|''The Transformers: Generations'' #2]] TPB''' (IDW Publishing, 2007)
File:Classic Transformers Vol1.jpg|'''[[Classic Transformers Volume 1|''Classic Transformers'' Volume 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2008)
File:TFClassicsVol1.JPG|'''[[The Transformers Classics, Vol. 1|''The Transformers Classics'', Vol. 1]]''' (IDW Publishing, 2011)
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v4.jpg|'''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|''The Definitive G1 Collection, Vol. 4: Second Generation'']]''' (Hachette Partworks, Ltd., 2018)
File:HXClassicsVol4.jpg|'''''[[The Transformers Classics#Japanese reprints|The Transformers Classics]], Vol. 4''''' ([[Mediaboy Mook]], 2019)
</gallery>

====Titan edits====
*It's standard practice for any collection of comics to remove the publishing indicia usually found on the first page of an issue, but Titan's ''Cybertron Redux'' reprint of this issue accidentally deletes the creator credits along with it, because they're printed outside the splash page panel, just above the indicia itself.

====IDW ''Transformers Classics'' edits====
[[File:ShootingStar damaged reprint.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Quality!]]
*IDW's reprint of this issue was created using a scan of a physical copy featuring several printing defects that caused splotches of the lineart to be missing.
**Page 5, panels 3 and 6: Portions of the lineart of Megatron's chin in panel 3, and his chest, knee and the barn wall behind him in panel 6 are missing (see right).
**Page 6, panel 5: The lower-right corner of Lomax's mouth has been re-drawn to fill in the missing lineart.
**Page 9, panel 3: Likewise, a portion of Joey's chin and shirt.
**Page 17, panels 3-4: Patches of colour appear within the silhouette of Joey as he sits in his chair when he should be solid black.
*The ''Transformers Classics'' series of reprints normally recolors Soundwave blue to match his cartoon and toy appearance, but his one panel appearance in this issue goes unaltered.
*Mr. Kim is recolored with a Caucasian skintone.
*Page 11, panel 6: The yellow patches on the motel clerk's newspaper (used in several other spot in this issue, intended to add a sense of texture) are erased from this panel only.
*Page 17, panel 3: The missing lettering is filled in.
*Page 22, panel 1: Careless text recreation turns the word "member" in Megatron's speech into the nonsense "memser."
{{--}}

===Advertisements===
* ''Thundercats'', ''Misty'', and [[Care Bears]] comics (inside front cover)
* Not one, but ''two'' advertisements related to ''[[GoBots]]''! [[:File:ShootingStarQuikGoBotsAd.jpg|The first]] is for a [[Nestlé]] Quik-sponsored contest to win a "complete set of ''GoBots'' toys" between pages 4 & 5, while another is for the syndicated Hanna-Barbera ''Challenge of the GoBots'' television series between pages 7 & 8. One must assume that Marvel didn't run advertising approvals by [[Hasbro]]...
* Glow in the dark Solar Ball - between pages 5 & 6
* ''The Jetsons'' and ''Galtar and the Golden Lance'' cartoons - between pages 8 & 9
* ''G.I. Joe'' and ''Transformers'' on videocassette from [[Family Home Entertainment]], 5 new adventures for each title now $14.95 each —upper half of page between pages 16 and 17
* J & S Comics - lower half of page between pages 16 and 17
* [[New York Comic Con|New York Comic Book Convention]] and Marvel Super Mart - between pages 17 & 18
* Academic Industries "Comic Classics Offer" - between pages 19 & 20
* East Coast Comics - between pages 20 & 21
* Marvel Comics subscriptions
* Bullpen Bulletins (inside back cover)
* ''Secret Wars II'' #8 and 9 (back cover)

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

The Transformers (Marvel comic)

2022-01-25T01:37:09Z

Charles RB: /* Notes */

{{disambig2|the Marvel Comics series|other uses of ''The Transformers''|Transformers (disambiguation)}}
{{nav-G1|logo=MarvelTheTransformers Logo1.png}}

{{bigquote|Four million years ago, they came from '''Cybertron''', a world composed entirely of machinery... a world torn by an age-old war between the heroic '''Autobots''' and the evil '''Decepticons'''. These incredibly powerful living robots, capable of converting themselves into land and air vehicles, weapons and other mechanical forms, continue their conflict here on '''Earth'''. They are...'''THE TRANSFORMERS'''|Marvel US introductory blurb}}

[[File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|The heroic Autobots fight to crush Earth's highways. [[Leonard McCoy|Doctor McCoy]] is very happy.]]
'''''The Transformers''''', the monthly comic book published in the U.S. by [[Marvel Comics]], was the very first original fiction to feature the famous robots in disguise, as well as the longest-running. It started life as [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|a four-issue, bimonthly limited series]] in 1984, but proved so popular that it continued publication as an ongoing monthly until spring of 1991. The series ultimately reached 80 issues and spun off several miniseries.

The series established the [[Marvel Comics continuity]], which would form the basis for several successor stories over the years. Marvel would publish the [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' series]] only two years later, and [[IDW Publishing]] would later reunite several Marvel creatives for both [[The Transformers: Regeneration One|''Regeneration One'']], a continuation of the original Marvel comic, and the [[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Transformers '84]] prequel miniseries.

Nearly all of the U.S. stories were later published by Marvel UK, along with new stories that fit between the gaps of the U.S. tales. See [[#Marvel UK|Marvel UK]] below.

==Marvel U.S.==
{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' US issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[Power Play!|#2]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#3]]
*[[The Last Stand|#4]]
*[[The New Order|#5]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#6]]
*[[Warrior School!|#7]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#8]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#9]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#11]]
*[[Prime Time!|#12]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#13]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#14]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#15]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#16]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#17]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#18]]
*[[Command Performances!|#19]]
*[[Showdown!|#20]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#21]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#22]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#23]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#24]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#25]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#26]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#27]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#28]]
*[[Crater Critters|#29]]
*[[The Cure!|#30]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#31]]
*[[Used Autobots|#32]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#33]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#34]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#35]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#36]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#37]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#38]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#39]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#40]]
*[[Totaled!|#41]]
*[[People Power!|#42]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#43]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#44]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#45]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#46]]
*[[Club Con!|#47]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#48]]
*[[Cold War!|#49]]
*[[Dark Star|#50]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#51]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#52]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#53]]
*[[King Con!|#54]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#55]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#56]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#57]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#58]]
*[[Skin Deep|#59]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#61]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#62]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#63]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#64]]
*[[Dark Creation|#65]]
*[[All Fall Down|#66]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#67]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#68]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#69]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#70]]
*[[Surrender!|#71]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#72]]
*[[Out of Time!|#73]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#74]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#75]]
*[[Still Life!|#76]]
*[[Exodus!|#77]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#78]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#79]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#80]]
}}

===Related mini-series===
*''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]''
*''[[The Transformers: Headmasters]]''
*''[[The Transformers Universe]]''
*''[[Transformers: The Movie (Marvel comic)|Transformers: The Movie]]'' (Though published by Marvel in the US and UK, is only related in the UK canon)

===Successor comics===
{{note|The different publishers' series are all mutually exclusive, effectively representing different branched timelines. The Collectors' Club and IDW efforts explicitly ignore the events of Marvel UK stories, although the latter takes copious ''characters and concepts'' from both the UK and G2 material}}
*''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Transformers: Generation 2]]''
*''[[Transformers: Classics]]'' ([[Transformers Collectors' Club]])
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'', [[Transformers '84 issue 0|''Transformers '84'' #0]], & ''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies|Secrets & Lies]]'' ([[IDW Publishing]])

===Overview===
[[File:Autobotline.gif|left|upright=1.4|thumb|After watching traffic reports for an hour, they finally decided to just stay home.]]
The story begins with a brief history of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] and its [[Great War (G1)|civil war]], which eventually causes the planet to become lost in space. Battling aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], the original 28 characters crash-land on [[Earth]] four million years ago and awaken in the (then-) present day of 1984. The quest for [[Transformer fuel|fuel]] becomes their initial goal, driving the first several issues.

As the first fiction in the entire [[The Transformers (franchise)|franchise]], the initial issues of ''Transformers'' were breaking completely new ground. Early issues contain a variety of plot points and conventions, some of which would go on to shape the very mythos... and others that would fall by the wayside, forgotten and hilariously quaint. The concept of the life-giving [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] is a good example of the former group; "[[Atechnogenesis|naturally occurring gears, levers and pulleys]]" comes to mind for the latter.

[[File:Newyorkunderbase.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|With a single wave of Starscream's hand, Hound, Bluestreak, Mirage, Hoist, Brawn, and Gears cease to occupy valuable page space!]]
The book soon built its own elaborate and wide-reaching universe, including hundreds of characters—[[Transformer]]s, [[human]]s, [[alien]]s—on Earth, Cybertron, and beyond. Late in the series, a long-running plot brought in the sinister menace of [[Unicron]], giving him a backstory and build-up that for many fans surpassed his original appearance in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' for storytelling and gravitas. This backstory would eventually go on to eclipse the origin given in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]].

Because it was a book intended [[to sell toys]], ''Transformers'' featured an ever-rotating cast. New Transformers were often hastily brought in to meet the demands of [[Hasbro]], and older "product" was often swept aside or killed off ''en masse'' in [[Dark Star|epic, climactic battles]].

After some troubled times and steadily declining readership, the series was finally canceled at issue #80. A combination of factors was likely responsible: the Transformers toyline had become yesterday's fad, the core readership had grown older and moved on, and Hasbro seems to have pulled the plug.

Several subsequent series would build upon the series; see [[Marvel Comics continuity]] for more information.

===Creative team===
[[File:MarvelUS-75.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|He's authorized to devour anyone not in the current product line.]]
The book featured two primary writers: [[Bob Budiansky]] edited [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|the original 4-part limited series]] and wrote the book from issue #5 to issue #55. After that, [[Simon Furman]], already heavily experienced from his work on the UK book, took up the reins until the book was cancelled at issue #80. Other writers balked at having to keep track of this massive, unfamiliar cast, which is the reason the original miniseries has three writers and is an admitted mess.<ref>[http://rustingcarcass.yuku.com/topic/954/t/Bob-Budiansky.html Interview at Rusting Carcass]</ref>

''Transformers'' is a bit notorious for wild swings in writing quality, as serious plots alternated with such strange concepts as [[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|Micromaster wrestling]] and [[Ca$h and Car-nage!|ridiculous bounty hunters]]. Some of this may be attributed to Bob Budiansky's eventual burn-out; after years of having to wrap his stories around to meet the latest toy-appearance demands from Hasbro, his later writing on the book showed a decline in quality. Among Transfans, he is sometimes remembered unfavourably because of this period, perhaps unfairly so considering his fundamental role in shaping the Transformers universe and most of its characters, as well as some of the book's [[Warrior School!|most gripping early stories]]. Still, even such oddball stories as "[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom]]" and "[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]" have both their merits and their fans.

Budiansky himself proposed that Simon Furman take over as the U.S. series writer.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004">[http://www.camphortree.net/tf/tidbits/otfcc2004.txt Steve-o's OTFCC 2004 notes]</ref> With the changeover, the stories took on a more serious tone, relying on character conflict more than outlandish plot devices. Many fans regard Furman's run on the original book as one of the high points of all Transformers fiction.

The comic was written in "Marvel Style", where the writer gives the artist a plot outline instead of a full script. The artist then lays out the pages himself; afterward the writer comes back in and scripts the dialog based on the artist's work. This approach gives the artist a larger role in telling the story than simply drawing what the writer tells them to.<ref name="steveo otfcc2004" />

A number of artists worked on ''Transformers'', but the most frequent pencilers included [[Frank Springer]], [[Don Perlin]], [[José Delbo]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. Also of particular note is colorist [[Nelson Yomtov|Nelson "Nel" Yomtov]], who colored every single issue of the book, as well as all of the related mini-series.
{{--}}

===Publication and format===
As ''The Transformers'' title began life as a limited series, it was subject to the conventions Marvel had established for limited series at the time of its publication. "Standard" Marvel comics released concurrently in 1984 cost 60 cents and were printed on newsprint; in contrast, ''The Transformers'' sold for 75 cents and was printed on a whiter, higher-quality stock (for the time) known as "[[Mando paper]]".

Evidently considered a "deluxe format" book by Marvel, ''Transformers'' continued to be printed on Mando paper even after it became an ongoing series.<ref>''Marvel Age'' #23, November 1984</ref> It also remained at 75 cents—at least until [[King of the Hill!|issue 28]], when the price of the book rose to 1 dollar. With the exception of the double-sized [[Dark Star|issue 50]] and [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue 75]], which were both priced at $1.50, ''The Transformers'' would remain at 1 dollar for the remainder of its original run.

===Cover dates===
There is some confusion over when issues first appeared, due to changing practices regarding the cover dates. When the comic began in 1984, Marvel issues were normally cover dated four months ahead of their going on sale. This was partially a hangover from the days of fierce newsstand competition when each company tried to make its comics look newer than its rivals and partially a mechanism to compensate for slower distribution on newsstands and overseas sales.

As a result of this, although [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]] is cover dated September, it went on sale in May. This is supported by the first Usenet post about Transformers which was posted by Ted Nolan to net.comics on May 22, 1984.<ref>Ted Nolan, "[http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/msg/1cdaf7df610e0376?dmode=source&hl=en Year's worst?] in net.comics, 22-May-84 02:07:22 EDT</ref>

In 1989, Marvel decided to rationalize things by moving to a system where the cover date was only two months in advance. In order to achieve this, issues released in August 1989 have the cover date "Mid November", those in September 1989 have "December" and those in October "Mid December". The relevant ''Transformers'' issues were [[Skin Deep|#59]], [[Yesterday's Heroes!|#60]] and [[The Primal Scream|#61]].

===Comics Magazine===
{{main|The Transformers Comics Magazine}}
Marvel US released a bimonthly digest-sized magazine, which reprinted the first twenty issues of the main series - two issues per magazine - until cancelled with #10.

==Marvel UK==
'''Marvel UK''' produced a G1 comic which ran for 332 issues, reprinting the American stories and adding in many new stories built around them.

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK issues:|content=
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]
}}

{{chapters|title=Second stories for issues with two non-reprint ''Transformers'' stories:|content=

*[[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*...
*[[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*...
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*...
*[[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]
*...
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
*...
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*...
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]
*...
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]
*...
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]
}}

{{chapters|title=''The Transformers'' UK Stories by Category:|content=
*'''US Reprints:''' [[The Transformers (issue)|#1]]
*[[The Transformers (issue)|#2]]
*[[Power Play!|#3]]
*[[Power Play!|#4]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#5]]
*[[Prisoner of War!|#6]]
*[[The Last Stand|#7]]
*[[The Last Stand|#8]]
*[[The New Order|#22]]
*[[The New Order|#23]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#24]]
*[[The Worse of Two Evils!|#25]]
*[[Warrior School!|#26]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#27]]
*[[Repeat Performance!|#28]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#33]]
*[[DIS-Integrated Circuits!|#34]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#35]]
*[[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#36]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#37]]
*[[Brainstorm!|#38]]
*[[Prime Time!|#39]]
*[[Prime Time!|#40]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#51]]
*[[Shooting Star!|#52]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#53]]
*[[Rock and Roll-Out!|#54]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#55]]
*[[I, Robot-Master!|#56]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#57]]
*[[Plight of the Bumblebee!|#58]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#66]]
*[[The Smelting Pool!|#67]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#68]]
*[[The Bridge to Nowhere!|#69]]
*[[Command Performances!|#70]]
*[[Command Performances!|#71]]
*[[Showdown!|#72]]
*[[Showdown!|#73]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#89]]
*[[Aerialbots over America!|#90]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#91]]
*[[Heavy Traffic!|#92]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#94]]
*[[Decepticon Graffiti!|#95]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#105]]
*[[Afterdeath!|#106]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#107]]
*[[Gone but Not Forgotten!|#108]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#109]]
*[[Funeral for a Friend!|#110]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#111]]
*[[King of the Hill!|#112]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#121]]
*[[Mechanical Difficulties!|#122]]
*[[Crater Critters|#123]]
*[[Crater Critters|#124]]
*[[The Cure!|#126]]
*[[The Cure!|#127]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#128]]
*[[Buster Witwicky and the Car Wash of Doom|#129]]
*[[Used Autobots|#139]]
*[[Used Autobots|#140]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#141]]
*[[Child's Play (issue)|#142]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#154]]
*[[Toy Soldiers!|#155]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#156]]
*[[Trial by Fire!|#157]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#158]]
*[[The Desert Island of Space!|#159]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#143]]
*[[Spacehikers!|#144]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#162]]
*[[Pretender to the Throne!|#163]]
*[[People Power!|#176]]
*[[People Power!|#177]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#178]]
*[[The Cosmic Carnival|#179]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#180]]
*[[The Big Broadcast of 2006 (issue)|#181]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#190]]
*[[Monstercon from Mars!|#191]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#192]]
*[[Ca$h and Car-nage!|#193]]
*[[Club Con!|#194]]
*[[Club Con!|#195]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#196]]
*[[The Flames of Boltax!|#197]]
*[[Cold War!|#206]]
*[[Cold War!|#207]]
*[[Dark Star|#208]]
*[[Dark Star|#209]]
*[[Dark Star|#210]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#211]]
*[[The Man in the Machine!|#212]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#213]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#214]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#215]]
*[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?|#216]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#217]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#218]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#219]]
*[[Recipe for Disaster!|#220]]
*[[King Con!|#232]]
*[[King Con!|#233]]
*[[King Con!|#234]]
*[[King Con!|#235]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#236]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#237]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#238]]
*[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!|#239]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#240]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#241]]
*[[Back from the Dead|#242]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#243]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#244]]
*[[The Resurrection Gambit!|#245]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#246]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#247]]
*[[All the Familiar Faces!|#248]]
*[[Skin Deep|#249]]
*[[Skin Deep|#250]]
*[[Skin Deep|#251]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#252]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#253]]
*[[Yesterday's Heroes!|#254]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#259]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#260]]
*[[The Primal Scream|#261]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#262]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#263]]
*[[Bird of Prey!|#264]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#282]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#283]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#284]]
*[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.|#285]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#286]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#287]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#288]]
*[[Deadly Obsession|#289]]
*[[Dark Creation|#290]]
*[[Dark Creation|#291]]
*[[Dark Creation|#292]]
*[[Dark Creation|#293]]
*[[All Fall Down|#294]]
*[[All Fall Down|#295]]
*[[All Fall Down|#296]]
*[[All Fall Down|#297]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#298]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#299]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#300]]
*[[Rhythms of Darkness!|#301]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#302]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#303]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#304]]
*[[The Human Factor!|#305]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#306]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#307]]
*[[Eye of the Storm|#308]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#309]]
*[[The Pri¢e of Life!|#310]]
*[[Surrender!|#311]]
*[[Surrender!|#312]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#313]]
*[[...All This and Civil War 2|#314]]
*[[Out of Time!|#315]]
*[[Out of Time!|#316]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#317]]
*[[The Void! (US)|#318]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#319]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#320]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#321]]
*[[On the Edge of Extinction!|#322]]
*[[Still Life!|#323]]
*[[Still Life!|#324]]
*[[Exodus!|#325]]
*[[Exodus!|#326]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#327]]
*[[A Savage Circle|#328]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#329]]
*[[The Last Autobot?|#330]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#331]]
*[[End of the Road! (US)|#332]]

*'''UK Material:''' [[Man of Iron (issue)|#9]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#10]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#11]]
*[[Man of Iron (issue)|#12]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#13]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#14]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#15]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#16]]
*[[The Enemy Within!|#17]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#18]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#19]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#20]]
*[[Raiders of the Last Ark|#21]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#29]]
*[[Decepticon Dam-Busters!|#30]]
*[[The Wrath of Guardian!|#31]]
*[[The Wrath of Grimlock!|#32]]
*[[Christmas Breaker!|#41]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#42]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#43]]
*[[Crisis of Command!|#44]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#45]]
*[[The Icarus Theory|#46]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#47]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#48]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#49]]
*[[Dinobot Hunt!|#50]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#59]]
*[[Robot Buster!|#60]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#61]]
*[[Devastation Derby!|#62]]
*[[Second Generation!|#63]]
*[[Second Generation!|#64]]
*[[Second Generation!|#65]]
*[[In the National Interest|#74]]
*[[In the National Interest|#75]]
*[[In the National Interest|#76]]
*[[In the National Interest|#77]]
*[[Target: 2006|#78]]
*[[Target: 2006|#79]]
*[[Target: 2006|#80]]
*[[Target: 2006|#81]]
*[[Target: 2006|#82]]
*[[Target: 2006|#83]]
*[[Target: 2006|#84]]
*[[Target: 2006|#85]]
*[[Target: 2006|#86]]
*[[Target: 2006|#87]]
*[[Target: 2006|#88]]
*[[The Gift|#93]]
*[[Prey!|#96]]
*[[Prey!|#97]]
*[[...The Harder They Die!|#98]]
*[[Under Fire!|#99]]
*[[Distant Thunder!|#100]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#101]]
*[[Fallen Angel|#102]]
*[[Resurrection!|#103]]
*[[Resurrection!|#104]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#113]]
*[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|#114]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#115]]
*[[Burning Sky!|#116]]
*[[Hunters|#117]]
*[[Hunters|#118]]
*[[Fire on High!|#119]]
*[[Fire on High!|#120]]
*[[Ancient Relics!|#125]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#130]]
*[[Worlds Apart!|#131]]
*[[Kup's Story!|#132]]
*[[Headhunt|#133]]
*[[Headhunt|#134]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#135]]
*[[Grudge Match!|#136]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#137]]
*[[Ladies' Night (issue)|#138]]
*[[Stargazing|#145]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#146]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#147]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#148]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#149]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#150]]
*[[The Legacy of Unicron!|#151]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#152]]
*[[Enemy Action!|#153]]
*[[Salvage!|#160]]
*[[Salvage!|#161]]
*[[City of Fear!|#164]]
*[[City of Fear!|#165]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#166]]
*[[Legion of the Lost!|#167]]
*[[Meltdown!|#168]]
*[[Meltdown!|#169]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#170]]
*[[Deadly Games!|#171]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#172]]
*[[Wrecking Havoc|#173]]
*[[Totaled!|#174]]
*[[Totaled!|#175]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#182]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#183]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#184]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#185]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#186]]
*[[Space Pirates!|#187]]
*[[Firebug!|#188]]
*[[Dry Run!|#189]]
*[[Cold Comfort and Joy!|#198]]
*[[Time Wars|#199]]
*[[Time Wars|#200]]
*[[Time Wars|#201]]
*[[Time Wars|#202]]
*[[Time Wars|#203]]
*[[Time Wars|#204]]
*[[Time Wars|#205]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#213]]
*[[The Fall and Rise of the Decepticon Empire.|#214]]

*'''UK B&W Material:''' [[Race with the Devil|#215]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#216]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#217]]
*[[Race with the Devil|#218]]
*[[Survivors!|#219]]
*[[Survivors!|#220]]
*[[Survivors!|#221]]
*[[Survivors!|#222]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#223]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#224]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#225]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#226]]
*[[Aspects of Evil!|#227]]
*[[(Double) Deal of the Century!|#228]]
*[[The Hunting Party (Marvel)|#229]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#230]]
*[[The Big Shutdown!|#231]]
*[[A Small War!|#232]]
*[[A Small War!|#233]]
*[[Prime's Rib!|#234]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#235]]
*[[Deathbringer (issue)|#236]]
*[[Way of the Warrior|#237]]
*[[Survival Run|#238]]
*[[A Savage Place!|#239]]
*[[Out to Lunch!|#240]]
*[[Rage!|#241]]
*[[Assault on the Ark!|#242]]
*[[Mind Games|#243]]
*[[Two Megatrons!|#244]]
*[[Underworld!|#245]]
*[[Demons!|#246]]
*[[Dawn of Darkness|#247]]
*[[Fallen Star!|#248]]
*[[Whose Lifeforce Is It Anyway?|#249]]
*[[The Greatest Gift of All!|#250]]
*[[The Void! (UK)|#251]]
*[[Edge of Impact|#252]]
*[[Shadow of Evil|#253]]
*[[White Fire|#254]]

*'''UK Text Material:''' [[Cybertron: The Middle Years!|#83]]
*[[Dreadwind's Xmas!|#302]]

*'''Earthforce:''' [[...Perchance to Dream|#255]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#256]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#257]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#258]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#259]]
*[[...Perchance to Dream|#260]]
*[[Starting Over!|#261]]
*[[Two Steps Back!|#262]]
*[[Break-Away!|#263]]
*[[Desert Island Risks!|#264]]
*[[Once upon a Time...|#265]]
*[[Life in the Slow Lane|#266]]
*[[Snow Fun!|#267]]
*[[Flashback!|#268]]
*[[Mystery!|#269]]
*[[The Bad Guy's Ball!|#270]]
*[[The Living Nightlights!|#271]]
*[[Cry Wolf!|#272]]
*[[Wolf in the Fold!|#273]]
*[[Where Wolf?|#274]]
*[[Secrets (G1)|#275]]
*[[Bugged!|#276]]
*[[Internal Affairs!|#277]]
*[[The House that Wheeljack Built!|#278]]
*[[Divide and Conquer!|#279]]
*[[The 4,000,000 Year Itch!|#280]]
*[[Makin' Tracks!|#281]]
*[[Shut Up!|#282]]
*[[Manoeuvres!|#283]]
*[[Assassins|#284]]
*[[External Forces!|#285]]
*[[The Lesser Evil!|#286]]
*[[Inside Story!|#287]]
*[[Front Line! (issue)|#288]]
*[[End of the Road! (UK)|#289]]

*'''Headmasters:''' [[Ring of Hate!|#130]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#131]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#132]]
*[[Ring of Hate!|#133]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#134]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#135]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#136]]
*[[Broken Glass!|#137]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#138]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#139]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#140]]
*[[Love and Steel!|#141]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#142]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#143]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#144]]
*[[Brothers in Armor!!|#145]]

*'''G.I. Joe and the Transformers:''' [[Blood on the Tracks|#265]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#266]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#267]]
*[[Blood on the Tracks|#268]]
*[[Power Struggle|#269]]
*[[Power Struggle|#270]]
*[[Power Struggle|#271]]
*[[Power Struggle|#272]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#273]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#274]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#275]]
*[[Ashes, Ashes...|#276]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#278]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#279]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#280]]
*[[...All Fall Down!|#281]]

*'''Robo-Capers with Transformer material:''' [[Robo-Capers issue 74|#74]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 87|#87]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 88|#88]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 91|#91]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 97|#97]]
*[[Robo-Capers issue 114|#114]]
*[[The Wind of Change!|#183]]
}}

===Overview===
{{bigquote|Dear [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], To put it bluntly, the Marvel UK ''Transformers'' comic is 100% better than the American version we get over here. Your comics have beautiful covers, high quality artwork and very intelligent plots. Here in the States, Transformers comics are monthly instead of weekly and have bad artwork and stupid plots. Thank you for showing us the Autobots and Decepticons of the 21st Century. You guys in Britain are, as always, one step ahead when it comes to [[time travel]] (from Wells' Time Machine to [[Doctor Who]] — you always come through)! Bob Newell, Warren, MI.|Dread Tidings, issue #188}}

[[File:MarvelUK-244.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|This is the best Cracker Jack prize ever!]]
Though not without contradiction, the Marvel UK book managed to weave a number of highly complex stories "behind the scenes" of the Marvel U.S. tales. Topics included expanded stories and battles in the early days of the war (before [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave's]] arrival), more intrigue among the [[Decepticon]] commanders on Earth, the [[Autobot]] resistance on Cybertron, and the time-travelling exploits of [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]], who arrives directly from the future world of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.

The UK book's weekly schedule and shorter format meant splitting stories into parts, often right in the middle of the action. Like the U.S. book, Marvel UK featured [[Letters page (Marvel UK)|a regular column of letters from readers]]; however, these were supposedly answered by various Transformers, including Grimlock, [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], and others.

Exactly how many copies it sold is vaguely estimated at 200,000 at its height, though [[Ian Rimmer]] remembers 128,000 in 1986. Either way, it was the company's biggest hit and would establish a 'house style' that Marvel UK would use on their subsequent toy-and-cartoon licensed comics. <ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 2]]'' page 6</ref> (None would reach ''Transformers'' height until ''The Real Ghostbusters'')

===Creative team===
[[File:Megatron-timewars-comparison.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|Change of artists? Eh, who'll notice?]]
Most UK-specific stories were written by [[Simon Furman]], who was later assigned to write for the U.S. comic as well. Curiously, it was from this point that the divergences between the UK and U.S. stories became more pronounced.

Regular artists included [[Will Simpson]], [[Robin Smith]], [[Dan Reed]], [[Jeff Anderson]], [[Lee Sullivan]], [[Geoff Senior]], and [[Andrew Wildman]]. The large stable of artists resulted in some extreme contrasts of style throughout the book, such as Reed's highly organic art being followed by the clean, mechanical precision of Sullivan or Senior. Sometimes these changes occurred within the context of a single story.
{{--}}

===Complexity and contradiction in continuity===
[[File:Goldbugorigins.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|In no continuity was his face damaged. Maybe Bumblebee was just really ugly by Transformer standards.]]
Making the new stories align with the U.S. book occasionally involved some bending over backwards in storytelling terms. [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], for example, winds up with partial amnesia at the end of [[Resurrection!|one story]], explaining why he doesn't remember the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] when he encounters them again in a [[Gone but Not Forgotten!|later U.S. story]]. U.S. reprints were sometimes physically edited as well; for example, a UK story has [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] being transported to [[Limbo]] after the events of U.S. #23, necessitating the removal of his occasional background appearances thereafter.

Another major change was the exclusion of the ''[[G.I. Joe and the Transformers (comic)|G.I. Joe and the Transformers]]'' crossover, which featured [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee's]] destruction and subsequent restoration as Goldbug. UK continuity accounted for the reformatting by showing Bumblebee destroyed by [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]] and rebuilt by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] during "[[Hunters]]". Also, the UK comic continued to feature Megatron and Shockwave after their apparent deaths in the U.S. comic. While Megatron's appearance was eventually [[Two Megatrons!|reconciled]] (sort of, if you squint) with the U.S. continuity, Shockwave's was not.

The "[[...Perchance to Dream]]" story in UK #255-260 began the [[Earthforce]] storyline and heralded a nigh-irreconcilable division between U.S. and UK stories. This was in part a deliberate decision to not try to maintain continuity due to past problems.<ref name="furint1">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php TransFans.co.uk - Interviews: Simon Furman - Part 1 'The Past']. '''Question''' Why do you feel continuity suffered more instead of less, between Marvel UK and US when you took over the US book? "The problem was, we were badly out of synch with the US material reprints by the time I was also writing the US comic. I was trying my hardest to craft semi-crossover stories (like the [[Deathbringer (issue)|Deathbringer two-parter]] with [[Dark Creation|US #65]]) and then the UK comic would run a batch of old UK reprint material and completely throw it out. I realised I was making matters worse (and more confusing) and not better, and pretty much stopped trying to directly tie the two together.</ref><ref name="furint2">[http://transfans.co.uk/interviews_furman.php]; "...because (if I’m brutally honest) I didn't try too hard to make it work in the first place. By that point, I was just trying to tell a bunch of fun UK stories that didn’t necessarily impact on the larger (US) storyline. How was I to know 15 or so years later people would be trying to reconcile it all?"</ref>

===Publication and format===
The Marvel UK book was published fortnightly from #1 to #26, weekly from #27 to #308, and fortnightly again from #309 to its conclusion in #332. These issues used a larger, magazine-sized format, compared to the traditional size for modern U.S. comic books. They contained 24 pages, numbered inclusive of advertising (unlike the U.S. comic). The color and paper quality was better than that of the U.S. comic, resulting in much whiter whites and, in UK-exclusive stories, no ugly dot artifacts in the colored regions.

Typically, 11 pages would be devoted to a U.S. or UK Transformers story, while the remaining pages were divided between a [[Back-up strips|back-up strip]], a letters page, small humorous comic strips (most notably ''[[Robo-Capers]]'' and ''[[Combat Colin]]''), and advertisements. Between issues #213 and #289 the format was changed to accommodate three five-page strips: the US reprint (published in colour), a new UK story (published in black and white) and a back-up strip. Issue #289 was the last to contain new UK Transformers stories.

In issue #290 there was another format change, with the comic returning to full colour throughout and reprints of classic UK stories taking the place of new black and white material. The three-strip structure was then dropped for good with issue #309; issue #310 then returned to the traditional format of an 11-page US reprint and a back-up strip, albeit published fortnightly once more.

UK children's comics typically have a weekly or fortnightly publication schedule, and monthly publication is the preserve of more substantial magazines aimed at older readers. The decision to publish fortnightly necessitated the division of the U.S. storylines between two or more UK comics, otherwise the UK comic would run out of material. The back-up strip then bulked out the issue to an acceptable size. When the comic began to be published weekly, this required still more Transformers material, which led to longer runs of original UK stories.

The Marvel UK series ran for about a year longer than its American counterpart and altogether had about twice as many stories.

===Cover dates===
Similarly to the U.S. comic, there is also some confusion over when issues of the UK comic were published. The date on a British weekly during ''Transformers'''s run was normally the ''off''-sale date when it would be replaced by the next issue. For example [[Manoeuvres!|issue #283]] has a cover date of 18 August 1990 but was released on the 11th August 1990. During at least most of the run, the norm was for weekly comics to come out on a Saturday.

Occasionally, an issue was seen arriving on the Friday before it was "due", with such sightings usually during the Christmas/New Year period when distribution can be unsettled and overcompensated for, but it is hard to verify individual sightings.

===Marvel UK Annuals===
{{main|Transformers Annual}}
Marvel UK's '''Transformers Annuals''' were published every year, in summer to autumn in time for the Christmas market, for the life of the comic. Each annual was made up of a combination of a comic strip, text stories and editorial content. Some annuals also contained crossover stories with the main weekly comic in an attempt to boost sales. Due to falling sales, later annuals mainly contained reprinted stories from the comic. (Reprinted stories are not listed below.) These reprints are still of interest, as they present formerly black-and-white works in full colour.

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1985|Marvel UK Annual 1985]]|content=
*[[Plague of the Insecticons!]]
*[[Missing in Action]]
*[[And There Shall Come...a Leader!]]
*[[Hunted!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1986|Marvel UK Annual 1986]]|content=
*[[In the Beginning...]]
*[[The Return of the Transformers]]
*[[To a Power Unknown!]]
*[[State Games]]
*[[Victory!]]
*[[The Mission]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1987|Marvel UK Annual 1987]]|content=
*[[What's in a Name?]]
*[[Doomsday for Nebulos]]
*[[Vicious Circle!]]
*[[Stylor's Story]]
*[[Ark Duty]]
*[[The Final Conflict]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1989|Marvel UK Annual 1989]]|content=
*[[The Saga of the Transformers — So Far!]]
*[[Altered Image!]]
*[[Prime Bomb!]]
*[[All in the Minds!]]
*[[Peace]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1990|Marvel UK Annual 1990]]|content=
*[[The Quest!]]
*[[Destiny of the Dinobots!]]
*[[Trigger-Happy!]]
*[[Dreadwing Down!]]
*[[The Chain Gang!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1991|Marvel UK Annual 1991]]|content=
*[[The Magnificent Six!]]
}}

{{chapters|title=[[Transformers Annual 1992|Marvel UK Annual 1992]]|content=
*[[Another Time & Place]]
}}

===Collected Comics===
{{main|Transformers Collected Comics}}
Marvel UK also published a companion series of sorts as a series of "Collected Comics" Specials, reprinting stories from the main series, mostly UK-original material.

==Notes==
[[File:TransformersGoesMonthly.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Gor strewth kippers chips milk float!]]
* While Marvel US had some more involvement from Hasbro until the later years (when they'd lost interest), Marvel UK didn't even have to show Hasbro UK the scripts! This sort of laissez-faire attitude is very much ''not'' how licensed comics are done anymore.<ref>''[[The Transformers Classics UK]]'' page 11</ref>
* [[The Night the Transformers Saved Christmas]] was a four-page comic special published in ''[[Woman's Day]]'' magazine. There were no credits, but it was obviously a Marvel Comics production.
* The inside cover infobox in Marvel UK #330 revealed that there were plans for the UK ''Transformers'' comic to continue after #332, albeit with a format change. The book was intended to have become a monthly with issue #333, and would have featured ten pages of recolored Transformers reprints, ten pages of ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'', and a new five-page story per issue. However, by the publication of issue #332, Marvel UK evidently dropped this plan—although the news did not reach ''[[Combat Colin]]'' in time.
* According to the third issue of ''All-New Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z'''s entries on [[Death's Head (G1)|Death's Head]], the events of the Marvel UK Generation 1 comics take place on Marvel Earth-120185. The universe is named after the publication date of the first Marvel UK-exclusive story, "[[Man of Iron (issue)|Man of Iron]]".
* According to the [http://www.marvunapp.com/master/earthteaz.htm Marvel Universe Appendix], the events of the Marvel US comics take place on Marvel Earth-91274.
{{--}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.oneshallstand.com/articles/overview.html Guide to TF UK by Crespo99]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/net.comics/browse_thread/thread/4eeba9a9b0fe0817/1cdaf7df610e0376 May, 1984 net.comics review]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transformers (Marvel Comics), The}}
[[Category:Continuities]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Marvel UK issues| ]]
[[Category:Marvel US issues| ]]