MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

File:WinIfYouDare cvr.jpg

2019-02-17T01:44:40Z

Cpshelton:

{{IDWG1cover |description= {{art|art=[[Nicoletta Baldari]]}} |series=Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|TPB=no|type=|cover=Cover |year=18}}

[[Category: Images by Nicoletta Baldari]]

File:WinIfYouDare cvr.jpg

2019-02-17T01:44:12Z

Cpshelton: Corrected the cover artist

{{IDWG1cover |description= {{art|art=[[Nicoletta Baldari]]}} |series=Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare|TPB=no|type=|cover=Cover |year=18}}

[[Category: Images by Marcello Ferreria]]

Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare

2019-02-17T01:43:18Z

Cpshelton: Corrected the cover artist

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare''
|image=WinIfYouDare cvr.jpg
|prev= Transformers: Bumblebee - Go For the Gold
|next=
|caption=
|title="Win If You Dare"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 12]], [[2018]]
|coverdate=
|writer=[[James Asmus]]
|art=[[Marcelo Ferreira]], [[Áthilla Fabbio]]
|color=[[Valentina Pinto]]
|letters=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=
|cover=[[Nicoletta Baldari]]
|continuity=[[Generation 1 cartoon continuity]]-ish
|pagecount=67
}}

'''Feeling overlooked, Bumblebee learns that strength isn't everything when he and an unusual new friend are caught up in a Combaticon plot.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] has never been the fastest or strongest Autobot, a fact that he's all too aware of as he races towards the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' after recovering from his latest run-in with the Decepticons. Despite Bumblebee's bravado, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] are concerned for the yellow Autobot, and Prime warns him to pick his battles more wisely in future as the other Autobots roll out, leaving him behind to finish his road tests.

That evening, Bumblebee drives through [[California]]'s [[Yosemite National Park]], quietly mulling over his inability to measure up to the other Autobots; if he was the ''best'' at something, the way the others were, would they still leave him behind? He's interrupted from his self-pity by the sound of engines; transforming to disguise himself, he discovers a pair of jeeps racing along the highway. When one of them clips his bumper, however, Bumblebee is nearly sent careening over a cliff... and then that same jeep attempts to run the competition off the road. Bumblebee gives chase, but his efforts are rendered moot when the mystery jeep attempts to finish off his competitor, who is only saved when Bumblebee transforms to [[robot mode]] and, much to its driver's surprise, drags the car back onto solid ground.

Towing the jeep home, Bumblebee makes fast friends with the [[human]] he's rescued; introducing himself as [[Mateo Cruz]], he explains the nature of his prosthetic limbs to a confused Bumblebee and shows him around his garage, offering to repair the damage Bumblebee sustained rescuing him. His mother, Cruz explains, works for the military's aerospace program and refurbishes old planes with her son for a hobby; showing the [[Autobot]] a pair of new prosthetic limbs that they built together, however, Cruz explains that her new job has kept her away from home...

... and, in a [[Sierra Station|military base]] not far away, director [[Angela Cruz]] reveals the results of her latest job to her superiors: the [[B-2 stealth bomber]], the world's first "invisible" large-scale aircraft. In a few days' time, the plane will be unveiled in a demonstration, but, until then, its existence must be concealed to keep it out of the wrong hands. The humans are unaware, however, that those "wrong hands" have been spying on them all along - the mystery jeep, revealed as the Decepticon [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]!

The next morning, Mateo reunites with a repaired Bumblebee, who's stayed the night in the family's garage, and the two head out into town to find the mysterious jeep driver, who's been terrorizing Mateo's friendly races outside of town. Their first port of call is the local garage, where Mateo's friend [[Nicole]] works. Despite Bumblebee's best attempts to play matchmaker, and Nicole inviting Mateo to the school dance, his self-consciousness winds up getting the better of him. The two head off to investigate what Nicole claims is the jeep's usual hangout, a [[Herman's Military Surplus and Museum|run-down military surplus and museum]] on the edge of town.

Bumblebee is apprehensive about directly confronting the driver, but Mateo isn't: he strides into the hangar and comes face-to-face with [[Herman|the proprietor]], who warns him to leave. Mateo stalls for time, however, and realizes that something is afoot when he spies snapshots of his mother's latest, top-secret project. Just as Bumblebee comes to realize that something's fishy, Mateo bolts towards him... and Swindle bursts through the hangar walls, smashing Mateo's prosthetic leg as he zooms away. Herman grumbles that the cops are probably on their way, but as he prepares to leave, he finds his way blocked by [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]], who warns him to keep his mouth shut.

Out in the desert, the chase is on as Bumblebee pursues their jeep, who leads them on a dangerous pursuit as he swerves across the train tracks, right in front of an oncoming train. Both Mateo and Bumblebee struggle for control, but Bumblebee wins out at the last second and swerves away. The pair bicker about whether or not they should have pursued their target, as Swindle transforms to taunt Bumblebee before driving away.

The pair regroup at Mateo's house, where Bumblebee tells his human friend what Swindle has been up to: since he was kicked out of the Decepticons, Swindle has been getting by, trading [[human]] military secrets for personal gain. Bumblebee speculates that Swindle will be trying to film footage of Ms. Cruz's test flight tomorrow... but, until then, why not stop by the school dance? Mateo is apprehensive; he's uncoordinated at the best of times, and now that he's missing a leg, he has even less confidence in himself than before. Bumblebee points out that Mateo has another option - the prototype leg he and his mother have worked on - and if he wants to join Bumblebee when he next tangles with Swindle, then they're going to the dance.

That same evening, Angela is on her way home when her car suffers a mysterious breakdown. Her calls for help on her satellite phone are received by Swindle, masquerading as a military jeep, who drives out to intercept her. The moment Angela accepts the Decepticon's phony explanation and climbs aboard, however, the doors slam shut...

At the school dance, Bumblebee drops off Mateo, who's still unsure about the plan, and the wireless transmitter Bumblebee's installed in his prosthetics. Bumblebee pulls into an alley to give him a quick pep talk — it's not about being ''perfect'', it's about doing your best, and showing who you really are — before sending him off.

Out in the desert, Angela attempts to escape from Swindle's interior, to no avail. Angela quickly catches onto the situation: her captor is a Decepticon, the ''reason'' why the US military commissioned the B-2 in the first place. As Swindle drives into Herman's museum, the other [[Combaticon]]s reveal themselves, and tell her that if she wants to see her son again, then she'll have to outfit his group with the same stealth upgrades!

Indeed, the Combaticons' plan to kidnap Mateo starts well: with so many military personnel being flown in for the impending test of the B-2, nobody notices chopper-mode Vortex hovering over the school... not even Mateo, who waves off Bumblebee's concerns. When Nicole appears, Mateo finds enough confidence to dance and quickly discovers that his limbs are being controlled by Bumblebee, using the two-way radio transmitter to help Mateo pull off a flawless dance routine. The warm moment is cut short when Bumblebee realizes the identity of the helicopter circling overhead, and, with his requests for backup jammed by Vortex's counter-frequency, he roars off, leaving Mateo... but doesn't expect Mateo to bolt outside and see him being chased by Vortex. When Nicole follows, and sees "Mateo's car" speed off, she mistakes it for a hijacking and the two pursue Bumblebee in her car.

Meanwhile, the Combaticons have imprisoned Angela in Herman's main hangar, and attempt to interrogate her regarding her stealth engineering techniques. The interrogation session is cut short when Brawl reveals that Vortex strayed from the mission, and is after Bumblebee instead of Mateo — and this distraction provides Angela with the perfect opportunity to escape, blinding Brawl long enough to make for the door.

Mateo discovers he's able to use his limbs as a makeshift communicator to Bumblebee, who's already racing to the military base in the hopes that the army will be able to stop the Decepticons. After all, Bumblebee rationalizes, he's ''not'' strong enough to take down the Combaticons on his own...
In the meantime, Angela has quickly gotten the better of her captors, having commandeered a plane, she takes off and nearly runs down [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]], as [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] orders his unit to recapture their hostage. Angela is able to make it within visual range of Sierra Station, but learns that the base personnel aren't in any shape to take the fight to the Decepticons, a problem made worse when Vortex shoots down her plane. Bumblebee witnesses the incident from the ground, and orders Mateo and Nicole to turn around, only for Swindle and the other Combaticons to show up. Bumblebee is only just able to prevent Brawl from blowing them to bits, but when an unharmed Angela parachutes into the base, the Decepticons realize that there's only one way they can win now - [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]!

As the Combaticons combine and begin laying waste to the base, Bumblebee is paralyzed by indecision, before Mateo encourages ''him,'' using the same advice Bumblebee gave him at the dance and galvanizing him into action. Bumblebee finally realizes that it's not about strength, speed, or being the best: it's about finding what ''you're'' best at, and doing what your opponent can't. And, for Bumblebee, that unique talent is ''teamwork''. Bumblebee swings into action and does what he does best, zooming around Bruticus's legs to rescue Angela and ferrying his human friends to safety as the military police open fire on the Decepticon and topple the [[combiner]].

Reduced to his components once more, Onslaught suggests that they simply steal the plane, much to Swindle's displeasure: he needed a ''big'' win to get back into [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s good books. Using Vortex's jamming frequency, however, Bumblebee sends Swindle a message of encouragement... a message, it turns out, designed to keep the Decepticons confused long enough for Angela and the teens to start up the B-2 bomber and fly over their position, pummeling them with an aerial bombardment. Bumblebee - riding on the plane's fuselage - finishes the job by dropping an EMP bomb on the disoriented Decepticons.

As dawn breaks, Optimus Prime and the other Autobots lead the captured Decepticons away, and Bumblebee takes a moment to reconnect with Prime, apologizing for going AWOL. Bumblebee shares what he's learned with Prime, who acknowledges that sometimes, it's hard to recognize all that someone is capable of - especially someone like Bumblebee.

The two teenagers share stories of their adventures with Angela as Mateo gears up for one last race with Bumblebee, and as Optimus proudly watches, our heroes ride off into the dawn!

==Quotes==
"Fighting is '''overrated'''." 
"Seriously?" 
"Well, most of my fights involve listening to '''Starscream'''. And that guy's voice is a nightmare." 
:—'''Bumblebee''' and '''Mateo'''

"Are '''you''' getting a weird vibe here? Or is it just that usually when I see vehicles like this — they turn into '''Decepticons''' who try to tear me '''apart?'''"
:—'''Bumblebee''' investigate's Herman's Military Surplus

"'''Imbeciles!''' Who left the '''door open?!'''" 
"'''Hey! You''' try to use little human locks with these hands!" 

:—'''Swindle''' and '''Onslaught'''

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (4)
* [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (5)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (7)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (8)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (9)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (10)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (11)

|c2=
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (12)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (17)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (18)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (19)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (20)
*[[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (22)

|c3=
* [[Mateo Cruz]] (13)
* [[Angela Cruz]] (14)
* [[Nicole]] (15)
* [[Herman]] (16)
* [[Devlin]] (21)
}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* [[IDW Publishing|IDW]]'s first graphic novel, ''Win If You Dare'' is set in a new continuity, one that's loosely based on the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original Sunbow cartoon]]. It can't actually ''be'' this continuity, however; [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] is shown as a member of the Autobot crew operating on [[Earth]] (though it's not like the cartoon was particularly dedicated to showing where new cast members came from). More importantly, however, the Transformers do not appear to be common knowledge amongst humanity, with only the government and select members of the US military aware of their existence (but see "Errors" for more on that).
* In real life, the {{w|Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit|B-2 Spirit}} was first developed in 1989, and introduced into the military in 1997; the level of technology on display suggests that this story takes place sometime in the mid-to-late 1990s.

===Transformers references===
* Naturally, the title is named after the lyrics from the [[Stan Bush]] song "[[Dare]]".
* As per the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], the Autobots are shown operating out of their crashed [[Ark (G1)|starship]], wedged in the side of what is presumably [[Mount St. Hilary]].
* The conceit of Bumblebee being insecure and wanting to prove his worth as an Autobot draws on his original [[Bob Budiansky]] character bio, that aspect of which went mostly unused in the cartoon.
* Mateo shares a first name and a very similar surname with [[Mateo Chavez]], a human who was connected to the aerospace industry in the pages of ''[[Optimus Prime (comic)|Optimus Prime]]'' [[Primeless, Part 2|#12]]. His prosthetic limbs — which are rather absurdly science-fictional in design — bear a resemblance to those of Mike Power, the [[Atomic Man]], who put in an appearance in the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].
* While disguised as an ordinary car, Bumblebee plays romantic music to try and force Mateo and Nicole together, akin to [[Bumblebee (Movie)|his live-action film counterpart]].
* In his [[alternate mode]], Bumblebee is shown communicating through a screen on his dashboard, using an image of his head — similar to how the Autobots of ''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots|Rescue Bots]]'' and the 2001 ''[[Transformers:_Robots_in_Disguise_(2001_cartoon)|Robots in Disguise]]'' series communicated with their human friends while disguised.
* Bumblebee notes that Swindle has been kicked out of the Decepticons, and now gets by through selling military secrets; Swindle did something similar in the cartoon episodes "[[Aerial Assault]]" and "[[B.O.T.]]", where he parleyed with human dictators and other unsavory sorts for his own personal gain.
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]], and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] are mentioned but do not appear.

===Real-world references===
* Mateo encourages his mom to "blind them with science", during her presentation, referencing the {{w|Thomas Dolby}} {{w|She Blinded Me with Science|song}} of the same name.
* Bumblebee is shown playing a [[Nintendo]] [[Game Boy]] while in Mateo's garage.
* Herman's Military Surplus and Museum might be a reference to minor character [[wikia:simpsons:Herman Hermann|Herman]] from ''{{w|The Simpsons}}'', a paranoid veteran who also ran a military surplus.

===Errors===
* The Transformers don't appear to be common knowledge in this story, with Mateo expressing shock at Bumblebee's existence, and Bumblebee himself desiring to stay hidden from humanity, though video feeds from inside the ''Ark'' show the Autobots performing goodwill deeds around the world, assisting humanity in full view. (Perhaps Mateo just doesn't read the news very often.)
* When fleeing after seeing the stealth bomber photos, Mateo is seen in Bumblebee's mirror, and his prosthetic arm is drawn on the left--normally correct, but since this is a ''reflection'' his arms should be reversed.

===Other trivia===
* The inner cover features a photo of Bumblebee's ''[[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' toy.
* The graphic novel comes with a four-page "The Process" featurette, detailing how a scene from the novel went from script to thumbnails to inks to colour.
* Originally solicited as being written by famed Batmanologist Chris Sims and his writing partner Chad Bowers (who previously worked together on the ''X-Men '92'' comic), early details for the book suggested an entirely different plot, involving Bumblebee's brother being injured and Bumblebee having to "prove his worth" to the Autobots. <ref> [http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news/sims-bowers-bumblebee-gn/ Sims, Bowers, and Ferreira Team For "Transformers: Bumblebee – Win If You Dare"] </ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:IDW issues]]

The Transformers: All Hail Megatron

2018-09-20T15:51:57Z

Cpshelton: Fixed broken link to McCarthy's oneshallstand.com 2009 interview.

[[File:All Hail Megatron TPB vol1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|This didn't happen]]
'''''The Transformers: All Hail Megatron''''' is the second major "act" of [[IDW Publishing]]'s [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|ongoing comic universe]], intended to serve as a "soft reboot" of IDW's increasingly complicated storylines and create a jumping-on point for new readers following the truncated ending of the previous collection of mini-series and one-shots. It marks a radical shift in tone and content in the ongoing story, showing a victorious Decepticon army on Earth while the Autobots are defeated and on the run throughout the universe.

Lasting from 2008 to 2009, the series ran for sixteen issues (including four "Coda" issues of short stories), with a small handful of vaguely-associated ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]''-series tie-ins. A standalone sketchbook and preview comic, "[[Focus on: Decepticons!]]", may be considered "All Hail Megatron #0".

The first advertisement for the series was simply a red Decepticon symbol on a black background with "Swear Allegiance 2008" written in red. Follow-up ads used the visual style of post-revolutionary Communist propaganda. The first details of the series were revealed on the trashy Australian tabloid current affairs programme ''Today Tonight'' on [[January 16]], 2008.

{{chapters|series=ahm|style=3 |prev=The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots |next=The Transformers (IDW) |align=left |content=
*[[Focus on: Decepticons!|Focus]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 1|#1]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 2|#2]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 3|#3]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 4|#4]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 5|#5]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 6|#6]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 7|#7]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 8|#8]]
*[[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 14|#14]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 15|#15]]
*[[All Hail Megatron issue 16|#16]]
}}

==Overview==
[[File:AHM1 decepticons attack.jpg|left|thumb|225px]]
One year after the events of ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]'', a traitor in the [[Autobot]] ranks has given the [[Decepticon]]s the means to conquer the Autobots, win the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]], and do as they will on the unprotected planet [[Earth]]. The Decepticons conquer [[New York City]] and hold the population hostage, and the [[United States military]] proves unable to stop them. The attack spreads to other cities around the globe as well.

[[File:Slowmotionmoviewalkahm5.jpg|thumb|Kup's team provide one of the book's more iconic images.]]
Meanwhile, the Autobots are in a sorry state on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] in critical condition, the [[Matrix of Leadership]] in Decepticon hands, and a traitor suspected in their ranks. Tensions and tempers flare. The arrival of a second group commanded by [[Kup (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Kup]] finally provides them with the [[energon]] needed to repair Optimus Prime, as well as more information about the betrayal, but the coming of the [[Insecticon swarm|Insecticon Swarm]] drives the combined Autobot forces onto the defensive. During a running battle with the Swarm, [[Sunstreaker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sunstreaker]] reveals that ''he'' was the traitor and sacrifices himself to save the others. However, another reason for the betrayal is that [[Hunter O'Nion]] is now a captive of the Decepticons...

The Decepticons question their place now that the war is apparently over; [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] begins to doubt [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'s goals and secretly teams up with some Decepticons in another bid to overthrow Megatron. A rebellion soon ensues.

The Autobots are saved from the Swarm by the timely arrival of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], who transports them to Earth. A pitched battle with the Decepticons follows. It is revealed that Sunstreaker betrayed the Autobots due to [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] messing with Hunter. The Decepticons are driven off; the intervention of a disgruntled [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] prevents the European Union from nuking New York City, though he pays for his "betrayal". Megatron is severely damaged by the combined efforts of Optimus Prime and the humans. The captive Hunter is euthanized by [[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sideswipe]], and everyone angsts.

{{note|While we don't see much of the Decepticon's rampages on Earth in this comic, later comics by [[Zander Cannon]], [[Mike Costa]], and [[John Barber]] would flesh it out. Notably, Costa's "[[Ride-Along]]" would imply and Barber's "[[All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|Edge of the Earth]]" would confirm that '''a billion people''' had died because of the invasion!}}
{{--}}

==Production==
{{quote|I read everything that had been put out by IDW and there's no disrespect of what Simon's done coming from me. I grew up reading Simon Furman books and still have those big format TF comics in my back room. There's no way I'm going to spit on anything that man's done.|[[Shane McCarthy]]<ref>[http://www.oneshallstand.com/reviews/articles/shane-mccarthy.html Shane McCarthy's January 2009 interview with OneShallStand.com to the question of retcons and continuity errors in All Hail Megatron]</ref>}}
[[File:ShaneMcCarthy.jpg|left|thumb|Series writer Shane McCarthy.]]
Writer [[Shane McCarthy]] pitched ''All Hail Megatron'' in direct response to a request from IDW for a tale that would change the whole direction of the line in hopes of regaining some of the ground lost as [[Simon Furman]]'s run had wound on. Specifically featuring a cast made up almost entirely of 1984-1986 characters for their high recognizability, the series was originally intended as only six issues, [[Chris Ryall]] requested its expansion to twelve.<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=11723 Shane McCarthy podcast interview]</ref> Similar to a tactic DC Comics had employed after its series ''{{w|Infinite Crisis}}'' two years prior, McCarthy jumped the entire IDW universe forward one year in time in order to present a story that could shock readers with its sudden, dramatic differences, the product of unseen changes that occurred within the "missing year". Originally, the series was slated to be issues #35–46 in the IDW overarching "sub-numbering" scheme,<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?p=64272#p64272 Chris Ryall on the IDW forums, explaining the original sub-numbering plan]</ref> leaving Furman twelve issues set during the "missing year" to wrap up any loose ends he could (though in the end, only nine issues were published across ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]''). Ultimately, however, the sub-numbering was dropped before release of the series.<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?p=81142#p81142 Chris Ryall on the IDW forums again, dismissing sub-numbering altogether]</ref>

[[File:AHM 06 CoverA.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Drift on the cover to [[All Hail Megatron issue 6|issue #6]].]]
Unlike Furman's ongoing series of mini-series and inter-connected ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]'' issues, ''All Hail Megatron''<nowiki>'</nowiki> twelve-issue run is almost entirely self-contained, with the only supplemental issues coming in the form of ''[[Spotlight: Jazz]]'', featuring a framing story set during the events of the main series, and ''[[Spotlight: Drift]]'', providing some backstory for McCarthy's original character [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]. This new Autobot made his debut in the pages of ''All Hail Megatron'' proper, and his introduction was heavily hyped by the company, garnering the character quite an infamous reputation as a polarizing figure in the fandom and marking him as one of the most distinctive elements of McCarthy's tenure on the brand for good or for ill. A small handful of other ''Spotlights'' were published while ''All Hail Megatron'' was running, but had nothing to do with the story; regardless, they would go on to be collected with ''Jazz'' and ''Drift'' in a trade paperback labelled as the third volume of the ''All Hail Megatron'' story.

Drift was not all that set the fandom's sensibilities ablaze: the abandonment of not just Furman's storyline, but nearly all of the unique elements (discussed in more detail below) he had introduced into IDW continuity, also sat ill with many readers. Whether planned or in response to this, with issue #7, ''All Hail Megatron'' abruptly began referring back to several of these elements (including what seemed a very hasty explanation for why Cybertron was habitable again), and soon, it was announced that a four-issue mini-series, ''All Hail Megatron: Coda'', would follow the main twelve-issue series and feature stories set between Furman and McCarthy's runs that would deal with the assorted dropped concepts and continuity glitches. This idea ultimately fell through; instead, the four "Coda" issues were appended to the end of the series as issues #13-16, and mostly featured stories set after ''All Hail'', paving the way for the upcoming [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]].<ref>http://ryalltime.blogspot.com/2009/04/hailing-frequencies-still-open.html</ref>
{{--}}

==Creative team==
[[File:AHM 01 CoverB.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Hutchison's cover to [[All Hail Megatron issue 1|issue #1]].]]
Shane McCarthy wrote all twelve issues of the main series, which were predominantly illustrated by [[Guido Guidi]] and colored by [[Josh Burcham]]. A short lead-in time coupled with personal and family sickness meant that Guidi was not able to illustrate every issue, so [[Casey Coller]], [[E. J. Su]], [[Robert Deas]] and [[Emiliano Santalucia]] stepped in to provide back-up lineart, while Deas also helped with coloring. The "B" variant covers for each issue were drawn by [[Trevor Hutchison]] in the style of [[Soviet Union]] propaganda posters.

Each of the four "Coda" issues was split into two eleven-page stories, written and drawn by several different creators. These opened with an Optimus Prime and [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] story by returning fan-favourites Simon Furman and [[Don Figueroa]] in issue #13, which saw Figueroa debut the new "skeletal" art style he would then employ as artist of the soon-to-debut ongoing series, and the first tale by incumbent ongoing writer [[Mike Costa]], centred on Starscream with art by [[Chee Yang Ong]]. Issue #14 added an epilogue to Sunstreaker's story by the returning McCarthy and Santalucia, while line editor [[Andy Schmidt]] planted the seeds for [[Infestation (IDW)|future]] [[The Transformers: Heart of Darkness|stories]] with his contribution to issue #14, covering the return of [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]], with art by IDW cover contest winner [[Andrew Griffith]]. Issue #15 was dedicated to explaining character transformations; while [[Denton J. Tipton]] and Casey Coller dealt with [[Perceptor (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Perceptor]]'s change from scientist to sniper, writer-artist [[Nick Roche]] returned to the character of Kup with a story that bridged Roche's earlier ''[[Spotlight: Kup]]'' with ''All Hail''. Written with some assistance from [[James Roberts]], this story transformed the "Rocherts" team into fandom darlings, resulting in their collaboration on the ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' mini-series and defining the character of [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] for the IDW universe. Lastly, issue #16 saw Mike Costa set up further plot points for the ongoing in a [[Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Spike Witwicky]] story with art by Guidi, while Chee returned to illustrate a Bumblebee story in #16 by [[Zander Cannon]], paving the way for the [[The Transformers: Bumblebee|''Bumblebee'' mini-series]] the pair would soon produce.
{{-}}

==Discrepancies==
{{bigquote|I knew from day one that this was going to piss some people off.|Shane McCarthy on fan reaction to the changes in ''All Hail Megatron''<ref>[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18585 Comic Book Resources article on Shane McCarthy and All Hail Megatron]</ref>}}
[[File:AHMSeekers.JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|The Seekers' reversion to older F-15 [[alternate mode]]s stood out as strange.]]
As noted above, ''All Hail Megatron'' has some odd discontinuities with the preceding storylines. Before ''All Hail'', IDW's Transformers universe had very much been the vision of one creator—Furman—and was written very tightly, with most stories across different publications interrelating and forming a complex, unfolding tapestry. To then see so much of this ignored or thrown out as another creator took the reins of the universe proved aggravating to fans, and garnered ''All Hail'' an especially negative reputation at the time. As time has gone on and more and more creators have contributed to the IDW universe, making their own changes to what has gone before them, hindsight has seen ''All Hail''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s changes stand out far less in the grand scheme than they did when they first occurred, but as one of the more controversial aspects of a series that lasted an entire year, we here dedicate some space to noting the major offenses.

Most visibly, several characters were redesigned into their original Generation 1 forms; though done in the name of recognizability,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/botcon-2009-idw-publishing-panel-167766/ Botcon 2009 IDW Publishing Panel report]</ref> for characters like the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]], and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]], who had previously been given modern alternate forms in earlier stories, this stood out as especially technologically incongruous and illogical, On the flipside, characters such as [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]], [[Sideswipe (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sideswipe]], and [[Sunstreaker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Sunstreaker]] were updated into new forms based on their concurrently-available ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' toys, at Hasbro's request.<ref>[http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?t=4855&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=225 Discussion on ''All Hail Megatron'' #4 preview, with Guidi joining in]</ref> The Seekers actually reflect ''both'' these approaches, as they've reverted from modern F-22s to F-15s (which they were in the original cartoon), but they're drawn in the style of their [[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]] toys. This mix-and-match approach to design would only increase with the onset of the ongoing series, as artistic freedom resulted in characters changing designs from issue to issue, depending on artist.

[[File:AHM7 megs rips out matrix.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|The Matrix had a sudden introduction into IDW continuity.]]
Virtually all of the new technologies Furman introduced during his run such as [[Ore-13|Ultra-Energon]], the [[Magnificence]], and [[holomatter]] avatars were entirely discarded, with [[Pretender]] technology only getting a late-on nod in Kup's "Coda" story, its conveyance of ultimate power seemingly completely forgotten by the time of Perceptor's "Coda" tale, given the depiction of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] therein. The [[Matrix of Leadership]] was promptly retconned in as a key factor in IDW's history, despite not appearing in [[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|the story depicting the war's origin]] (years later, James Roberts's "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]" would expand and explain this glitch), while the paucity of energon that drove the backstory of Furman's new vision seemed a thing of the past. The creation of the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s is a major plot point in ''All Hail'', despite two of the team's members previously appearing in ''[[Spotlight: Blaster]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron: Origin]]'', while past depictions of IDW's eloquent [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]] were ignored in favor of instating his monotone speech patterns from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]].

Despite their initial remit of trying to ''fix'' glitches, the four ''Coda'' issues did not fare too well on the continuity front, immediately doing away with Starscream's change in heart from the main story's conclusion and partially re-writing a scene from Furman's Sunstreaker and Hunter story to skew it in another direction. It was Andy Schmidt's Galvatron story from #14 that proved most chaotic, full of legitimate ''errors'' rather than conscious changes, as the writer mixed up which of the [[Dead Universe]] Transformers could survive in the living universe longer than their comrades,<ref>http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?t=6553&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0</ref> and invalidated an [[All Hail Megatron issue 6|earlier reference]] to [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] as a modern-day Decepticon (a nixed plot point that would have seen him presented as the Decepticon equivalent of Kup<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=11723 McCarthy on Scourge]</ref>) by presenting him as another of the Dead Universe legions. This story also mistakenly reiterated Cyclonus's "patriotic" personality, which was dismissed as a facade in ''[[Revelation (IDW)|Revelation]]'', but [[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|future stories]] would continue to run with this depiction of the character as it proved far more interesting.
{{--}}

==Motion comic pitch==
In 2012, a motion comic version of ''All Hail Megatron'' was pitched to [[IDW Publishing]] by Sideshow Productions. The pitch (adapting a scene from the first issue) featured [[Daniel Ross]] as [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], [[David Sobolov]] as [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] and [[Michael Bell]] as [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] and [[Skywarp (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Skywarp]]. IDW rejected the pitch and the motion comic went unproduced.<ref>http://ceron.jp/url/www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm7291277</ref>

==Notes==
*A persistent rumor among fans is that the series was originally conceived as an ''[[The Transformers: Evolutions|Evolutions]]'' title—a parallel universe, and the decision to incorporate it into the existing IDW storyline came later. However, no statements from the creators have backed this up, and the writer himself has claimed that it was never meant to be a hard reboot.<ref>[http://www.allspark.com/forums/index.php/topic/48377-all-hail-megatron-1/page-4#entry985562 Shane McCarthy on the Allspark.com, confirming continuity]</ref>
*[[Titan Books|Titan]] reprinted the series and some of the covers in their [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|''Revenge of the Fallen'' comic]], in issues 1–8, making up titles for each chapter from the fourth part onwards. When plans changed, requiring the story to be cut-off with issue #8, they hacked up, edited, and pasted together [[:File:Titan AHM cutandpaste.jpg|three pages into one page]] and told readers to buy the trade paperbacks to get the whole story.
*[[Guido Guidi]] made modernized designs for at least two characters which were eventually not used. The characters were [[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]], who would have turned into a modern microcassette recorder — which reporters still use today — and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] who was cut from the series due to ''[[Spotlight: Wheelie]]''.
<gallery>
File:Unused AHM Soundwave.jpg|A modern alt mode? ''GET OUT.''
File:Unused AHM Wheelie concept.jpg|Me Wheelie say, it lucky day when not used for AHM... ay.
</gallery>
*The story got a sort-of sequel eight years later, when the 50th issue of [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'']] kicked off "All Hail ''Optimus''".

==Collections==
*'''Volume 1 TPB''' ([[February 18]], [[2009]]) ISBN 1600103715 / ISBN 978-1600103711
:*Collects issues 1–6
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery (not including the sketch covers). Also included is an art gallery consisting of [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] in both Cybertronian modes, and sketches of Cliffjumper, Perceptor, Soundwave, Ratbat, Frenzy, the Constructicons and Devastator.

*'''Volume 2 TPB''' ([[September 16]], [[2009]]) ISBN 1600105246 / ISBN 978-1600105241
:*Collects issues 7–12
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery and a 2-page art gallery featuring sketches of Reflector, Frenzy, Kup and Hot Rod.

*'''Volume 3 TPB''' ([[October 28]], [[2009]]) ISBN 1600105416 / ISBN 978-1600105418
:*Collects the ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]''s: [[Spotlight: Blurr|Blurr]], [[Spotlight: Jazz|Jazz]], [[Spotlight: Drift|Drift]], [[Spotlight: Cliffjumper|Cliffjumper]] and [[Spotlight: Metroplex|Metroplex]].
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery, a 1-page art gallery featuring the [[Throttlebot]]s and new cover art by [[Trevor Hutchison]].
{{note| Volume 3 is actually the fifth volume of ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]''s, but presented as a collection of ''All Hail Megatron'' for marketing.}}

*'''Volume 4 TPB''' ([[January 13]], [[2010]]) ISBN 1600105920 / ISBN 978-1600105920
:*Collects issues 13–16
:*Bonus material consists of a cover gallery.

*'''''All Hail Megatron: Earth War''''' ([[July 19]], [[2010]]) ISBN 1600108164 / ISBN 978-1600108167
:*Collects issues 1–12
:*[http://www.sfbc.com/pages/nm/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1065621274|link Science Fiction Book Club] exclusive softcover

*'''''The Complete All Hail Megatron'' HC''' ([[July 27]], [[2011]]) ISBN 1600109551 / ISBN 978-1600109553
:*Collects issues 1–16, and the ''Spotlights'' of Volume 3.
:*Bonus material includes a cover gallery and the art sketches from previous collections.
:*New cover by Trevor Hutchison.

*'''''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Five]]''''' ([[December 14]], 2011) ISBN 978-1613770528
:*Collects issues 1–16

*'''''All Hail Megatron'' HC (Red Label)''' ([[March 18]], [[2015]])<ref>http://idwlimited.com/shop/all-hail-megatron-red-label-edition/</ref>
:*Collects the entire four-volume series.
:*Limited to 350 copies
:*Exclusive slipcase and cover
:*Each book is numbered and signed by artist [[Guido Guidi]]

*'''''The Complete All Hail Megatron'' Paperback Trade''' ([[November 15]], [[2017]]) ISBN 168405219X / ISBN 978-1684052196
:*Paperback edition of the 2011 hardcover.
:*New material, if any CURRENTLY UNKNOWN.

===Covers===
<gallery>
File:All Hail Megatron TPB vol1.jpg|Volume 1 cover by [[Klaus Scherwinski]]
File:All Hail Megatron v2.jpg|Volume 2 cover by [[Trevor Hutchison]]
File:AHM v3.jpg|Volume 3 cover by Trevor Hutchison
File:All Hail Megatron v4.jpg|Volume 4 cover by Trevor Hutchison
File:AHM earthwar tpb.jpg|''All Hail Megatron: Earth War'' cover by Trevor Hutchison
File:Allhailmegatronhc.jpg|''The Complete All Hail Megatron'' cover by Trevor Hutchison
File:IDWCollection5.jpg|''The IDW Collection, Volume 5'' cover by [[E. J. Su]]
</gallery>

===International Printings===

====Spain====
''All Hail Megatron'' was translated and released in Spain by [[NORMA Editorial]].

'''Volume 1'''
*ISBN 978-84-679-0069-9

'''Volume 2'''
*ISBN 978-84-679-0164-1

====Japan====
''The Complete All Hail Megatron'' was translated and released in Japan by Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions.

'''The Complete All Hail Megatron''' (トランスフォーマー:オール・ヘイル・メガトロン)
*ISBN 479687514X
*ISBN 978-4796875141

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{comicstub}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:All Hail Megatron}}
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 comic series]]

Darkwing (G1)

2018-02-15T16:13:00Z

Cpshelton: Undo revision 1240630 by Cpshelton (talk)

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{Disambigm|Darkwing (disambiguation)|Darkwind (disambiguation)}}
:''Darkwing is a [[Decepticon]] [[Powermaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Darkwing boxart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Fun fact: the Panavia Tornado actually is a terror that flaps in the night]]''
'''Darkwing''' (aka '''Darkwind''' or '''Blackwing''') has just as dim a view of existence as his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], he's simply more proactive about it. After all, he figures if everything is pointless, depressing, and inevitably leads to a life of painful and ceaseless suffering ''anyway'', he might at least make sure others are getting it a lot worse than he is. You can always count on Darkwing to attempt to make a bad situation worse for everyone involved, and to complain about it all loudly while he's at it. He's [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to the hot-headed [[Nebulan]] thief [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]].

He can combine with his fellow Powermaster Dreadwind to form the superjet [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
Darkwing and Dreadwind fought [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], but were forced to retreat due to Optimus's superior power. They soon returned and Optimus set out to fight them again, this time with [[Tommy Kennedy]] in tow. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5#Season 5|Season 5: FFOD, Part 5}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingpeoplepower.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|It's guy love between two guys.]]
Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] were Decepticon mercenaries, affiliated with no army or unit full-time. For their own reasons, however, they were interested in finding the location of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and his crew of Decepticon warriors. Tracking the group to the planet [[Nebulos]], Darkwing demanded the Nebulans give them the information on Scorponok's whereabouts. When they refused, Darkwing and Dreadwind began a campaign of terror on the planet that only stopped due to precautions the Nebulans had taken to poison their fuel supplies, a measure of foresight to prevent Transformers from returning to their world after the last war. Darkwing and Dreadwind froze up, becoming little more than a curiosity and tourist attraction in an open square.

Their luck changed thanks to a jealous and vindictive scientist named [[Hi-Test (G1)|Hi-Test]], who had worked on the fuel-tainting process but received none of the glory. Working with a thief named [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]], Hi-Test stole information from his former boss [[Hi-Q]], and used it to create a new form of bio-mechanical engineering called the [[Powermaster]] Process, which would cybernetically enable him and Throttle to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Decepticons, becoming their engines to restore their ability to move and intake energy. Reaching an agreement with the Nebulans, Darkwing agreed to become binary bonded to Throttle, and the new Decepticon Powermasters began ransacking Nebulos once again. Now, however, many of their heists involved busting into restaurants and food courts so their Nebulan partners could gorge themselves, restocking their energy supplies and continuing to fuel their larger partners. Their antics were eventually interrupted when a group of Autobots arrived on Nebulos. Darkwing and Dreadwind were threatening the Council of Peers when [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Getaway]], [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] charged them. Though the Decepticons held their own, Darkwing called for a retreat rather than face the enemy's superior numbers.

Darkwing and his allies went on to hassle the Council of Peers once more, this time to obtain the Autobots' location. By this time however, the Autobots had underwent the Powermaster binary bonding procedure with Hi-Q and his staff. Atop of this, the Decepticons had to contend with a reborn and upgraded [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]! Caught unawares by their enemies' power, Darkwing, Dreadwind and their partners were soundly defeated. It was decreed then that Hi-Test and Throttle were to be banished from Nebulos, and the pair blasted off-planet within Darkwing and Dreadwind's combined form, [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|People Power!}} ''These events were observed by the [[time travel]]ling [[Dicet Alpha-zero]].'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

Darkwing, Dreadwind, and their Powermaster partners eventually found themselves working for the [[Mecannibal]]s at [[Grand Central Space Station]], wrangling not only clients, but robots for the Mecannibals to devour. They discovered that two of their clients, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]], were actually robots disguised as humans, and turned them in to their hungry bosses. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} The Autobots-in-disguise made a savory deal with the Mecannibals, and so Darkwing and Dreadwind followed them to [[Femax]]. In the process, however, they were not only beaten up by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], but Hi-Test and Throttle's ship was discovered to be Darkwing and Dreadwind, robots themselves. Cloudburst and Landmine snitched, and the Powermasters found themselves on the run from their former bosses. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

''At some point, the pair ended up on [[Earth]], working for [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind served, in their combined form, as Throttle's getaway vehicle after the Nebulan stole an Autobot-made power cell. In its flight from the crime scene, the Dreadwing was shot down, and sent heading for the ocean. Though Dreadwind pleaded with Darkwing to disengage so that he wouldn't be taken down along with the latter, the pair found their combination mechanism fused, and so both wound up plunging into the drink. They remained nonoperational on the ocean floor while the Autobots retrieved their loot.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

''On Scorponok's orders, Darkwing and Dreadwind attacked [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]], where Optimus Prime had left behind a [[floppy disk]] containing a copy of his mind. They found the facility being guarded by [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. Dreadwind kept them busy with strafing runs while Darkwing made his way inside. Throttle found the disk post-haste, but on his way out, he and Darkwing were met by Getaway and [[Rev]], who had managed to slip past Dreadwind. Getaway got a shot off with his plasma-shell shotgun, badly injuring Darkwing's leg. Retaliating with his electro-kinetic blasters, Darkwing disarmed his opponent. With his opponent weaponless, Darkwing turned to the scuffle between their respective Nebulan partners. Forcing Rev to stand down at gun-point, the Decepticons resumed their exit. Though Darkwing's injury made it difficult for him to transform, he managed the effort, and reconvened with Dreadwind to combine into their Dreadwing form. Though Getaway caught back up to the Decepticons, his efforts only resulted in his hand getting stuck in their combination joint. Dreadwing blasted off, with the hapless Autobot getting tugged along for the ride.''

''After Getaway was stashed in a holding cell, Darkwing and Dreadwind were sent out by Scorponok once more. This time, they were carrying a smart missile that their leader had programmed to track Optimus wherever he went. After launching the payload, equipped with a camera so the Decepticons could witness Optimus's demise, the duo doubled back to base, hoping to make it back in time for the show. It wound up never coming about, as Getaway managed to escape and reprogram the missile into a dud.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingunicron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And when I say, "I love you Dread," it's not what it implies.]]
Returning to Cybertron, they took a job working for deposed Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who hired them to retrieve a special cargo from Earth: the deactivated body of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. ''En-route to Earth, the Powermaster duo crossed paths with an Autobot shuttle and decided to shoot it down for sport, managing to do so after a chase over the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]'s surface. Believing that bit of fun to be done with, they then headed down planet-side, unaware that the Autobots had managed to ditch their ship at the last moment, and were now covertly following them. Upon arriving in southern [[Peru]], Darkwing and his allies found that Starscream was NOT so deactivated after all: his [[zombie]] body stalked the Earth, somehow animated past death by the remainder of the Underbase's energies. After the Decepticons were trounced by the zombie, their Autobot pursuers caught up to them, and were themselves attacked by Starscream. This distraction allowed for Hi-Test and Throttle to link up with their larger partners, re-energizing them into working condition. The Nebulans then managed to siphon the Underbase power directly from Starscream's corpse, causing him to crupple down into a heap. Before the Autobots could properly react to the situation, Darkwing and Dreadwind gathered up Starscream's parts, and flew off to meet with their employer.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}} The corpse was delivered to Megatron on Cybertron, who had recently abducted the Autobot medical officer Ratchet to exhort him into rebuilding Starscream using Pretender technology. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Megatron was impressed enough to offer Dreadwind and Darkwing full-time positions working for him, which they gratefully accepted as they weren't entirely sure that they had lost their Mecannibal pursuers. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} Darkwing and Dreadwind were soon put to task, helping the Sports Car Patrol deal with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], recently revived as [[Pretender]]s by Ratchet under Megatron's nose. The battle spread outside Megatron's base, moments before the headquarters detonated with Ratchet and Megatron still inside. With Megatron seemingly deceased, Darkwing and Dreadwind found themselves out of work again. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

''The two wandered rather aimlessly after that. They apparently spent quite a bit of time over-energizing at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] while complaining about their lot in life. Unbeknownst to the pair, a couple of Mecannibals had managed to track them down. Blissfully unaware of what was going on around them due to their inebriation, Darkwind and Dreadwind were rescued by Quickswitch, who used his tunneling mode to bury the Mecannibals alive deep underground.'' {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}} ''Subsequently Darkwing and Dreadwind attended the [[1989]] [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party where they monopolised the sofa, much to the annoyance of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]].'' {{storylink|:File:MarvelUK-250.jpg|''The Transformers'' #250 cover}}

When [[Primus]] gathered all his children to do battle with Unicron on Cybertron, Darkwing marked this solemn occasion by guffawing loudly at something Dreadwind was telling him and thus pissing off several Autobots. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Despite this frivolity, when the battle began Darkwing and Dreadwind were front and center. They joined the Autobots [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Cloudburst]] in taking the fight right into Unicron's face, and Darkwing was quite eager to bash him up. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} After the planet-eater was destroyed, Darkwing was among those who found Optimus's ruined form on the battlefield, still clinging to life despite being at ground zero when Unicron detonated. Prime named his successor, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] before finally expiring. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

But the Transformers' troubles were far from over, even after Unicron's demise. With Primus's consciousness sundered during the apocalyptic battle, Cybertron could no longer hold itself together, and the planet slowly began ripping itself apart. On his way to an "emergency meeting" alongside Dreadwind, Darkwing complained how it was typical that their lives seemed to be a never-ending series of misfortunes. Upset that he couldn't vent his frustration towards anyone directly responsible for his current predicament, Darkwing decided that that Autobots were to blame. Thus, Darkwing and Dreadwind joined up with the Decepticons conspirators operating under [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s command, and departed the planet in search of new worlds to conquer. The Autobots were left behind, their ships sabotaged so that they would be unable to escape Cybertron's destruction as the Decepticons had. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Darkwing looked on while Bludgeon randomly chose what world the Decepticons would wage war upon next, selecting [[Klo]] by stabbing his sword on a galactic map. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Darkwing and Dreadwind combined into their Dreadwing from to partake in the carnage, {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and were responsible for killing off their old sparring partner, [[Getaway]], in this form. Neither were seen for the rest of the battle, but they presumably went into exile with the rest of the Decepticons after the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] turned the tide on that planet. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Darkwing was present when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in [[New York City]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind delivered 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}} 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}} Darkwing, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and Dreadwind were hiding in an airbase in Nevada, before revealing their liquid crystal Decepticon insignia and flying off. They then used the distraction of a hijacked tanker to attack oil fields and refineries. {{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}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Save Nevada Alpha}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} }}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Darkwing-surrenderordie.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Dreadwind probably complained about this too.]]
[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] led Darkwing and the Decepticons to raid an ancient race's weapons cache, but they were driven off by a [[Guardian (G2)|monstrous entity]], guardian of said weapons. {{storylink|Ghosts}}

When Bludgeon orchestrated a siege on planet Earth to antagonize Optimus Prime out into the open, Darkwing operated as the Decepticons' air support. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Darkwing was badly damaged while defending his commander against the returning [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

After resuming leadership of the Decepticons, Megatron allowed repairs to be performed on Darkwing. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}} The Decepticon jet was rebuilt in [[Dreadwing (G2)|a much larger and more powerful form]]. Darkwing made his debut with the new body by obliterating the inoffensive [[Rheanimum]] miners of [[Tykos]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
After the Decepticons' defeat on Klo, Darkwing and Dreadwind retreated with Bludgeon to the corners of the galaxy, where the Decepticons regrouped. Fifteen years later, both had reverse-engineered the Powermaster process on their bodies, and separated from Hi-Test and Throttle. Dreadwind had left Darkwing behind to join [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]'s team, and Dreadwind complained about it constantly. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Darkwing remained at Bludgeon's command, and was one of his top aides in preparing for a counter-strike from the recently reactivated Megatron. At Darkwing's suggestion, Bludgeon hired the best of the techno-guilds to reinforce their computer systems with firewalls and cyber-traps to protect their tactical layouts. And yet, Bludgeon's battle-plans were still compromised. Darkwing had uncovered a traitor among Bludgeon's crew. By backtracking the electronic imprint of the Decepticon who transmitted the information to Megatron, Darkwing fingered [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] as the culprit. Bludgeon and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] confronted Hun-Grrr and, after a brief but brutal brawl between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], Hun-Grrr was taken off-line. The traitor defeated.

Then the Seacons killed Bludgeon and surrendered the faction to Megatron. Given Darkwing's involvement in identifying the problem and branding the so-called traitor, it is unknown if he was also in on the Seacons' betrayal. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
More than twenty-one years after the final conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Darkwing and Dreadwind teamed up with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] after observing the effect of his [[Gene Key]] on Cybertron's Autobots. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} They joined the corrupted Headmasters, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], in hunting down Grimlock, but were caught in a flash-bomb effect when Grimlock unleashed the nucleon-augmented [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] on them. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was forced to turn himself over to the Decepticon in exchange for their prisoner [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], Darkwing and Dreadwind acted as armed escorts bringing Prime before [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Darkwing and Dreadwind were members of the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction during the [[Dark Ages]], working under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Poor saps. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Stormbringer2 NebulosDecepticons1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Launchpad, Megavolt's on the loose!"]]
A few hundred years ago, Darkwing and Dreadwind were part of the last "big push" for control of Cybertron. Shortly after the Battle of [[Thunderhead Pass]], they were led into battle by [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Years later, Darkwing was commander of the Decepticon [[Infiltration protocol|Infiltration Unit]] on [[Nebulos]], alongside his partner Dreadwind, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] and [[Roadgrabber]]. Their infiltration was apparently still in the early stages when the rogue Decepticon juggernaut known as [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] came crashing down on the planet. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} Darkwing sent most of his troops into battle, knowing the show of resistance was futile but necessary to convince Megatron later that they fought for their territory. Still, he and Dreadwind remained and participated in the fight, but quickly departed after the last of their comrades was deactivated. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

A few years later, after Megatron was defeated on Earth, Dreadwind and Darkwing were among the Decepticons who had heard the (self-proclaimed) Decepticon leader [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s rallying call and gathered on a desolate asteroid that was now their new headquarters. However, with the lack of resources, poor morale, and Starscream's weak leadership, the Decepticons largely collapsed into anarchy and resorted to cannibalism with not enough energon to go around. Darkwing apparently got sick of this and had the lugnuts to leave. When Dreadwind took more than his fair share of energon and was hunted down, he tried to blame the theft on Darkwing. After Dreadwind was killed, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] opined that Darkwing was a thief, as well. {{Storylink|All His Engines}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-8-LiokaiserDarkwingRavage.jpg|thumb|75px|Darkwing is the little blue guy.]]
Darkwing was among the Decepticons present when [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] revealed the existence of the [[Predacon (Kre-O)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Stationed in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s throne room in [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Darkwing reported that a "transmission" from [[Earth]] was not a message but a transfer of matter, namely [[Destro]] teleporting himself to Trypticon using the [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}}

==Commercial appearances==
Dreadwind and Darkwing show up in several [[commercial]]s:
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingcommercials.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Hello, hello, hello!]]
*Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] startled the Autobot Powermasters by revealing that the Decepticons had been able to develop Powermasters of their own! They used their Nebulan partners to transform before raining down destruction upon their earth-bound foes. Then, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] joined the battle, and made a display of his considerable firepower against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Powermasters|Powermasters commercial}}
*After a series of defeats forced the Autobots to develop Pretender technology, Dreadwind and Darkwing broke into the Autobots' research lab and approached the new Autobot warriors. The Decepticon duo was quickly forced to retreat as the Pretenders' ability to fight alongside their shells proved overwhelming. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Pretenders|Pretenders commercial}}
*Later, Darkwing and Dreadwind were the victims of the new Autobot [[Micromaster]]s. Optimus Prime unleashes an army of the miniature robots upon a Decepticon base, who slipped past [[Piranacon (G1)|the guard]]. Once inside, they crawled up both Dreadwind and Darkwing and overwhelmed them. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster Patrols|Micromaster Patrols commercial}}
{{note|Footage from the first commercial, depicting Dreadwind and Darkwing in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] chasing [[Getaway]] and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] in vehicle mode, was used at the beginning of the commercial for the [[Triggerbot]]s and [[Triggercon]]s. This animation seemed to be meant to represent these other toys. Don't pay too close attention, kids!}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
During a battle eons ago, Dreadwind and Darkwing defeated [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. They were on the verge of destroying the three Autobots when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived. No match for the Autobot leader, the pair were forced to retreat. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Darkwing attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

The two Powermasters crossed paths with their Autobot counterparts once again, and this time the Decepticons were victorious. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} Darkwing was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1toy-Darkwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|When you're in trouble, it's 'cuz of DW.]]
*'''Darkwing''' (Powermaster, 1988)
**''Accessories'': "Throttle" Powermaster engine, left & right laser-guided electro-kinetic blasters

:Darkwing transforms into a Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter jet. He is locked in this mode until his packed-in partner Throttle is placed into the engine socket on his back (or until you push down the relevant buttons in said socket). Once "unlocked", he can also form the back half of the "Dreadwing" super-jet.

:Use caution when transforming him from jet to robot mode: the large clip inside the jet nosecone is famously prone to growing large stress marks, before breaking off entirely. You really have to make sure the Powermaster feature's release buttons are being pushed firmly in - and may have more luck doing it with your fingertips than with Throttle.

:This mold was used to make the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Darkwing/darkwing.htm More information on Darkwing at TFU.info]''

===Generation 2===
[[File:G2DreadwingToy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's get dangerous.]]
*'''Dreadwing''' (Decepticon, 1994)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-10'''
**''Accessories:'' 12 missiles

{{note|The ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] toy was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] Darkwing's upgraded form via the Marvel Comics continuity.}}
:Dreadwing transforms into a "flying wing" style stealth bomber with an under-slung six-missile Gatling cannon. He can also transform into a treaded "tank" mode. In jet form, he can combine with his packed-in partner [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen's]] jet mode to make a complete aircraft.

:The same mold is used by [[BB]], the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] [[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]], and [[Gigant Bomb]]. The mold was also used for [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]] in ''Generation 2'', albeit only in a limited test market release.

:The toy's American and Japanese bios leave pretty wide open the possibility of this Dreadwing being a [[Dreadwing (G2)|separate character]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Dreadwing/dreadwing.htm More information on Dreadwing at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:UniverseDarkwindToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Proof that photoshop dreams do come true.]]
*'''Darkwind''' (Ultra Class 2009)
**''Series'': Generation 1 Series
**''Accessories:'' "Kinetic Blaster" launcher, projectile

:Darkwind (renamed from Darkwing apparently due to [[trademark]] reasons) is an extensive redeco of the [[Size class|Ultra Class]] ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Silverbolt (G1)#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]] toy. He and his casemate [[Countdown (G1)#Universe (2008)|Countdown]] were "stealth" [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]], meaning he appeared in stores before [[Hasbro]] bothered to tell anybody about it. Their boxes advertise Hasbro's included battery brand, [[Pow-R-Fuel]].

:Darkwind transforms into a (fictional) FB-129 supersonic fighter-bomber. As an Ultra-scale toy, he comes with various light and sound [[gimmick]]s (exactly the same ones as ''Universe'' [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and Silverbolt), including a machine gun type sound when one presses the big blue button on the fuselage, and different classic transformation sound effects depending on whether he is being transformed from [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] or vice versa.

:This mold was also used to make [[Skyjack (G2)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Skyfall]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUDarkwind/darkwind.htm More information on Darkwind at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:TF-POTP-Blackwing.jpg|thumb|right|400px|More descriptively, Purple-with-yellow-lightning-bolts-wing.]]
*'''Blackwing''' (Deluxe Class, [[2018]])
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''PP-18'''
**''Accessories'': Two blasters, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun
:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Blackwing" (renamed for trademark reasons) is a heavy retool of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Air Raid (G1)#Generations|Air Raid]]. He can combine with his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)#Generations|Dreadwind]]. Like all other ''Power of the Primes'' Deluxe Class figures, he comes with Prime Armor with a place for a [[Prime Master]] (and by extension, a [[Titan Master]], [[Enigma of Combination]], and [[Matrix|Matrix core]]) that can transform into a hand for a combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the chest armor or be held as a gun. His Prime Armor (redecoed from Dreadwind) is sculpted to look like a combination of the detail on Hi-Test and Throttle in their engine mode.
{{CWSkydiveMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*In the Marvel continuity, several UK Annual stories depict Darkwing and Dreadwind as working for different Decepticon groups on Earth, but the continuity of these stories is difficult to wrangle. In "[[Prime Bomb!]]", they work for Scorponok, along with the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. This can only happen after Scorponok takes full control of the Decepticons of Earth after the [[Underbase Saga]] but, while the Combaticons are not destroyed on-panel by Starscream, it is generally believed that all non-organic enhanced Transformers are disabled. "[[Dreadwing Down!]]" from the next year's annual stars the two Powermasters alongside the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], so it can only have taken place before the Underbase Saga, but also the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], who is on Cybertron under the [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]'s command at that time. While some creative massaging of the facts can put these stories in continuity, it's probably best to consider Darkwing and Dreadwind officially unaffiliated with any army until after the war with [[Unicron]]. Their sudden appearances in "[[The Void! (US)|The Void!]]" among the various Autobots and Decepticons summoned by Primus does indicate they are on either Earth or Cybertron immediately prior, though.
*Like most manga-original Kreons, Darkwing is made up of existing Kreon parts. He wears [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]]'s helmet and the [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Wheeljack]] backpack to replicate wings, and wields the small pistol first used by [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackwing''' (ブラックウイング ''Burakkuuingu'')
*''French:'' '''Ailenoire''' (Canada)

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Darkwing (G1)

2018-02-15T16:12:34Z

Cpshelton: Undo revision 1240631 by Cpshelton (talk)

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{Disambigm|Darkwing (disambiguation)|Darkwind (disambiguation)}}
:''Darkwing is a [[Decepticon]] [[Powermaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Darkwing boxart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Fun fact: the Panavia Tornado actually is a terror that flaps in the night]]''
'''Darkwing''' (aka '''Darkwind''' or '''Blackwing''') has just as dim a view of existence as his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], he's simply more proactive about it. After all, he figures if everything is pointless, depressing, and inevitably leads to a life of painful and ceaseless suffering ''anyway'', he might at least make sure others are getting it a lot worse than he is. You can always count on Darkwing to attempt to make a bad situation worse for everyone involved, and to complain about it all loudly while he's at it. He's [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to the hot-headed [[Nebulan]] thief [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]].

He can combine with his fellow Powermaster Dreadwind to form the superjet [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
Darkwing and Dreadwind fought [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], but were forced to retreat due to Optimus's superior power. They soon returned and Optimus set out to fight them again, this time with [[Tommy Kennedy]] in tow. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5#Season 5|Season 5: FFOD, Part 5}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingpeoplepower.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|It's guy love between two guys.]]
Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] were Decepticon mercenaries, affiliated with no army or unit full-time. For their own reasons, however, they were interested in finding the location of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and his crew of Decepticon warriors. Tracking the group to the planet [[Nebulos]], Darkwing demanded the Nebulans give them the information on Scorponok's whereabouts. When they refused, Darkwing and Dreadwind began a campaign of terror on the planet that only stopped due to precautions the Nebulans had taken to poison their fuel supplies, a measure of foresight to prevent Transformers from returning to their world after the last war. Darkwing and Dreadwind froze up, becoming little more than a curiosity and tourist attraction in an open square.

Their luck changed thanks to a jealous and vindictive scientist named [[Hi-Test (G1)|Hi-Test]], who had worked on the fuel-tainting process but received none of the glory. Working with a thief named [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]], Hi-Test stole information from his former boss [[Hi-Q]], and used it to create a new form of bio-mechanical engineering called the [[Powermaster]] Process, which would cybernetically enable him and Throttle to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Decepticons, becoming their engines to restore their ability to move and intake energy. Reaching an agreement with the Nebulans, Darkwing agreed to become binary bonded to Throttle, and the new Decepticon Powermasters began ransacking Nebulos once again. Now, however, many of their heists involved busting into restaurants and food courts so their Nebulan partners could gorge themselves, restocking their energy supplies and continuing to fuel their larger partners. Their antics were eventually interrupted when a group of Autobots arrived on Nebulos. Darkwing and Dreadwind were threatening the Council of Peers when [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Getaway]], [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] charged them. Though the Decepticons held their own, Darkwing called for a retreat rather than face the enemy's superior numbers.

Darkwing and his allies went on to hassle the Council of Peers once more, this time to obtain the Autobots' location. By this time however, the Autobots had underwent the Powermaster binary bonding procedure with Hi-Q and his staff. Atop of this, the Decepticons had to contend with a reborn and upgraded [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]! Caught unawares by their enemies' power, Darkwing, Dreadwind and their partners were soundly defeated. It was decreed then that Hi-Test and Throttle were to be banished from Nebulos, and the pair blasted off-planet within Darkwing and Dreadwind's combined form, [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|People Power!}} ''These events were observed by the [[time travel]]ling [[Dicet Alpha-zero]].'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

Darkwing, Dreadwind, and their Powermaster partners eventually found themselves working for the [[Mecannibal]]s at [[Grand Central Space Station]], wrangling not only clients, but robots for the Mecannibals to devour. They discovered that two of their clients, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]], were actually robots disguised as humans, and turned them in to their hungry bosses. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} The Autobots-in-disguise made a savory deal with the Mecannibals, and so Darkwing and Dreadwind followed them to [[Femax]]. In the process, however, they were not only beaten up by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], but Hi-Test and Throttle's ship was discovered to be Darkwing and Dreadwind, robots themselves. Cloudburst and Landmine snitched, and the Powermasters found themselves on the run from their former bosses. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

''At some point, the pair ended up on [[Earth]], working for [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind served, in their combined form, as Throttle's getaway vehicle after the Nebulan stole an Autobot-made power cell. In its flight from the crime scene, the Dreadwing was shot down, and sent heading for the ocean. Though Dreadwind pleaded with Darkwing to disengage so that he wouldn't be taken down along with the latter, the pair found their combination mechanism fused, and so both wound up plunging into the drink. They remained nonoperational on the ocean floor while the Autobots retrieved their loot.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

''On Scorponok's orders, Darkwing and Dreadwind attacked [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]], where Optimus Prime had left behind a [[floppy disk]] containing a copy of his mind. They found the facility being guarded by [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. Dreadwind kept them busy with strafing runs while Darkwing made his way inside. Throttle found the disk post-haste, but on his way out, he and Darkwing were met by Getaway and [[Rev]], who had managed to slip past Dreadwind. Getaway got a shot off with his plasma-shell shotgun, badly injuring Darkwing's leg. Retaliating with his electro-kinetic blasters, Darkwing disarmed his opponent. With his opponent weaponless, Darkwing turned to the scuffle between their respective Nebulan partners. Forcing Rev to stand down at gun-point, the Decepticons resumed their exit. Though Darkwing's injury made it difficult for him to transform, he managed the effort, and reconvened with Dreadwind to combine into their Dreadwing form. Though Getaway caught back up to the Decepticons, his efforts only resulted in his hand getting stuck in their combination joint. Dreadwing blasted off, with the hapless Autobot getting tugged along for the ride.''

''After Getaway was stashed in a holding cell, Darkwing and Dreadwind were sent out by Scorponok once more. This time, they were carrying a smart missile that their leader had programmed to track Optimus wherever he went. After launching the payload, equipped with a camera so the Decepticons could witness Optimus's demise, the duo doubled back to base, hoping to make it back in time for the show. It wound up never coming about, as Getaway managed to escape and reprogram the missile into a dud.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingunicron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And when I say, "I love you Dread," it's not what it implies.]]
Returning to Cybertron, they took a job working for deposed Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who hired them to retrieve a special cargo from Earth: the deactivated body of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. ''En-route to Earth, the Powermaster duo crossed paths with an Autobot shuttle and decided to shoot it down for sport, managing to do so after a chase over the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]'s surface. Believing that bit of fun to be done with, they then headed down planet-side, unaware that the Autobots had managed to ditch their ship at the last moment, and were now covertly following them. Upon arriving in southern [[Peru]], Darkwing and his allies found that Starscream was NOT so deactivated after all: his [[zombie]] body stalked the Earth, somehow animated past death by the remainder of the Underbase's energies. After the Decepticons were trounced by the zombie, their Autobot pursuers caught up to them, and were themselves attacked by Starscream. This distraction allowed for Hi-Test and Throttle to link up with their larger partners, re-energizing them into working condition. The Nebulans then managed to siphon the Underbase power directly from Starscream's corpse, causing him to crupple down into a heap. Before the Autobots could properly react to the situation, Darkwing and Dreadwind gathered up Starscream's parts, and flew off to meet with their employer.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}} The corpse was delivered to Megatron on Cybertron, who had recently abducted the Autobot medical officer Ratchet to exhort him into rebuilding Starscream using Pretender technology. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Megatron was impressed enough to offer Dreadwind and Darkwing full-time positions working for him, which they gratefully accepted as they weren't entirely sure that they had lost their Mecannibal pursuers. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} Darkwing and Dreadwind were soon put to task, helping the Sports Car Patrol deal with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], recently revived as [[Pretender]]s by Ratchet under Megatron's nose. The battle spread outside Megatron's base, moments before the headquarters detonated with Ratchet and Megatron still inside. With Megatron seemingly deceased, Darkwing and Dreadwind found themselves out of work again. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

''The two wandered rather aimlessly after that. They apparently spent quite a bit of time over-energizing at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] while complaining about their lot in life. Unbeknownst to the pair, a couple of Mecannibals had managed to track them down. Blissfully unaware of what was going on around them due to their inebriation, Darkwind and Dreadwind were rescued by Quickswitch, who used his tunneling mode to bury the Mecannibals alive deep underground.'' {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}} ''Subsequently Darkwing and Dreadwind attended the [[1989]] [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party where they monopolised the sofa, much to the annoyance of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]].'' {{storylink|:File:MarvelUK-250.jpg|''The Transformers'' #250 cover}}

When [[Primus]] gathered all his children to do battle with Unicron on Cybertron, Darkwing marked this solemn occasion by guffawing loudly at something Dreadwind was telling him and thus pissing off several Autobots. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Despite this frivolity, when the battle began Darkwing and Dreadwind were front and center. They joined the Autobots [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Cloudburst]] in taking the fight right into Unicron's face, and Darkwing was quite eager to bash him up. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} After the planet-eater was destroyed, Darkwing was among those who found Optimus's ruined form on the battlefield, still clinging to life despite being at ground zero when Unicron detonated. Prime named his successor, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] before finally expiring. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

But the Transformers' troubles were far from over, even after Unicron's demise. With Primus's consciousness sundered during the apocalyptic battle, Cybertron could no longer hold itself together, and the planet slowly began ripping itself apart. On his way to an "emergency meeting" alongside Dreadwind, Darkwing complained how it was typical that their lives seemed to be a never-ending series of misfortunes. Upset that he couldn't vent his frustration towards anyone directly responsible for his current predicament, Darkwing decided that that Autobots were to blame. Thus, Darkwing and Dreadwind joined up with the Decepticons conspirators operating under [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s command, and departed the planet in search of new worlds to conquer. The Autobots were left behind, their ships sabotaged so that they would be unable to escape Cybertron's destruction as the Decepticons had. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Darkwing looked on while Bludgeon randomly chose what world the Decepticons would wage war upon next, selecting [[Klo]] by stabbing his sword on a galactic map. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Darkwing and Dreadwind combined into their Dreadwing from to partake in the carnage, {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and were responsible for killing off their old sparring partner, [[Getaway]], in this form. Neither were seen for the rest of the battle, but they presumably went into exile with the rest of the Decepticons after the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] turned the tide on that planet. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Darkwing was present when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in [[New York City]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind delivered 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}} 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}} Darkwing, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and Dreadwind were hiding in an airbase in Nevada, before revealing their liquid crystal Decepticon insignia and flying off. They then used the distraction of a hijacked tanker to attack oil fields and refineries. {{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}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Save Nevada Alpha}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} }}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Darkwing-surrenderordie.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Dreadwind probably complained about this too.]]
[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] led Darkwing and the Decepticons to raid an ancient race's weapons cache, but they were driven off by a [[Guardian (G2)|monstrous entity]], guardian of said weapons. {{storylink|Ghosts}}

When Bludgeon orchestrated a siege on planet Earth to antagonize Optimus Prime out into the open, Darkwing operated as the Decepticons' air support. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Darkwing was badly damaged while defending his commander against the returning [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

After resuming leadership of the Decepticons, Megatron allowed repairs to be performed on Darkwing. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}} The Decepticon jet was rebuilt in [[Dreadwing (G2)|a much larger and more powerful form]]. The art seems to indicate that Darkwing's new body is actually meant to be a version [[Dreadwing_(G2)|Dreadwing (G2)]], not to be confused with the [[Dreadwing_(G1)|original combined form]] of Darkwing and Dreadwind. Darkwing made his debut with the new body by obliterating the inoffensive [[Rheanimum]] miners of [[Tykos]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
After the Decepticons' defeat on Klo, Darkwing and Dreadwind retreated with Bludgeon to the corners of the galaxy, where the Decepticons regrouped. Fifteen years later, both had reverse-engineered the Powermaster process on their bodies, and separated from Hi-Test and Throttle. Dreadwind had left Darkwing behind to join [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]'s team, and Dreadwind complained about it constantly. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Darkwing remained at Bludgeon's command, and was one of his top aides in preparing for a counter-strike from the recently reactivated Megatron. At Darkwing's suggestion, Bludgeon hired the best of the techno-guilds to reinforce their computer systems with firewalls and cyber-traps to protect their tactical layouts. And yet, Bludgeon's battle-plans were still compromised. Darkwing had uncovered a traitor among Bludgeon's crew. By backtracking the electronic imprint of the Decepticon who transmitted the information to Megatron, Darkwing fingered [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] as the culprit. Bludgeon and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] confronted Hun-Grrr and, after a brief but brutal brawl between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], Hun-Grrr was taken off-line. The traitor defeated.

Then the Seacons killed Bludgeon and surrendered the faction to Megatron. Given Darkwing's involvement in identifying the problem and branding the so-called traitor, it is unknown if he was also in on the Seacons' betrayal. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
More than twenty-one years after the final conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Darkwing and Dreadwind teamed up with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] after observing the effect of his [[Gene Key]] on Cybertron's Autobots. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} They joined the corrupted Headmasters, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], in hunting down Grimlock, but were caught in a flash-bomb effect when Grimlock unleashed the nucleon-augmented [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] on them. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was forced to turn himself over to the Decepticon in exchange for their prisoner [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], Darkwing and Dreadwind acted as armed escorts bringing Prime before [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Darkwing and Dreadwind were members of the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction during the [[Dark Ages]], working under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Poor saps. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Stormbringer2 NebulosDecepticons1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Launchpad, Megavolt's on the loose!"]]
A few hundred years ago, Darkwing and Dreadwind were part of the last "big push" for control of Cybertron. Shortly after the Battle of [[Thunderhead Pass]], they were led into battle by [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Years later, Darkwing was commander of the Decepticon [[Infiltration protocol|Infiltration Unit]] on [[Nebulos]], alongside his partner Dreadwind, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] and [[Roadgrabber]]. Their infiltration was apparently still in the early stages when the rogue Decepticon juggernaut known as [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] came crashing down on the planet. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} Darkwing sent most of his troops into battle, knowing the show of resistance was futile but necessary to convince Megatron later that they fought for their territory. Still, he and Dreadwind remained and participated in the fight, but quickly departed after the last of their comrades was deactivated. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

A few years later, after Megatron was defeated on Earth, Dreadwind and Darkwing were among the Decepticons who had heard the (self-proclaimed) Decepticon leader [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s rallying call and gathered on a desolate asteroid that was now their new headquarters. However, with the lack of resources, poor morale, and Starscream's weak leadership, the Decepticons largely collapsed into anarchy and resorted to cannibalism with not enough energon to go around. Darkwing apparently got sick of this and had the lugnuts to leave. When Dreadwind took more than his fair share of energon and was hunted down, he tried to blame the theft on Darkwing. After Dreadwind was killed, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] opined that Darkwing was a thief, as well. {{Storylink|All His Engines}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-8-LiokaiserDarkwingRavage.jpg|thumb|75px|Darkwing is the little blue guy.]]
Darkwing was among the Decepticons present when [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] revealed the existence of the [[Predacon (Kre-O)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Stationed in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s throne room in [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Darkwing reported that a "transmission" from [[Earth]] was not a message but a transfer of matter, namely [[Destro]] teleporting himself to Trypticon using the [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}}

==Commercial appearances==
Dreadwind and Darkwing show up in several [[commercial]]s:
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingcommercials.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Hello, hello, hello!]]
*Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] startled the Autobot Powermasters by revealing that the Decepticons had been able to develop Powermasters of their own! They used their Nebulan partners to transform before raining down destruction upon their earth-bound foes. Then, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] joined the battle, and made a display of his considerable firepower against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Powermasters|Powermasters commercial}}
*After a series of defeats forced the Autobots to develop Pretender technology, Dreadwind and Darkwing broke into the Autobots' research lab and approached the new Autobot warriors. The Decepticon duo was quickly forced to retreat as the Pretenders' ability to fight alongside their shells proved overwhelming. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Pretenders|Pretenders commercial}}
*Later, Darkwing and Dreadwind were the victims of the new Autobot [[Micromaster]]s. Optimus Prime unleashes an army of the miniature robots upon a Decepticon base, who slipped past [[Piranacon (G1)|the guard]]. Once inside, they crawled up both Dreadwind and Darkwing and overwhelmed them. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster Patrols|Micromaster Patrols commercial}}
{{note|Footage from the first commercial, depicting Dreadwind and Darkwing in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] chasing [[Getaway]] and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] in vehicle mode, was used at the beginning of the commercial for the [[Triggerbot]]s and [[Triggercon]]s. This animation seemed to be meant to represent these other toys. Don't pay too close attention, kids!}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
During a battle eons ago, Dreadwind and Darkwing defeated [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. They were on the verge of destroying the three Autobots when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived. No match for the Autobot leader, the pair were forced to retreat. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Darkwing attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

The two Powermasters crossed paths with their Autobot counterparts once again, and this time the Decepticons were victorious. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} Darkwing was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1toy-Darkwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|When you're in trouble, it's 'cuz of DW.]]
*'''Darkwing''' (Powermaster, 1988)
**''Accessories'': "Throttle" Powermaster engine, left & right laser-guided electro-kinetic blasters

:Darkwing transforms into a Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter jet. He is locked in this mode until his packed-in partner Throttle is placed into the engine socket on his back (or until you push down the relevant buttons in said socket). Once "unlocked", he can also form the back half of the "Dreadwing" super-jet.

:Use caution when transforming him from jet to robot mode: the large clip inside the jet nosecone is famously prone to growing large stress marks, before breaking off entirely. You really have to make sure the Powermaster feature's release buttons are being pushed firmly in - and may have more luck doing it with your fingertips than with Throttle.

:This mold was used to make the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Darkwing/darkwing.htm More information on Darkwing at TFU.info]''

===Generation 2===
[[File:G2DreadwingToy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's get dangerous.]]
*'''Dreadwing''' (Decepticon, 1994)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-10'''
**''Accessories:'' 12 missiles

{{note|The ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] toy was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] Darkwing's upgraded form via the Marvel Comics continuity.}}
:Dreadwing transforms into a "flying wing" style stealth bomber with an under-slung six-missile Gatling cannon. He can also transform into a treaded "tank" mode. In jet form, he can combine with his packed-in partner [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen's]] jet mode to make a complete aircraft.

:The same mold is used by [[BB]], the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] [[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]], and [[Gigant Bomb]]. The mold was also used for [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]] in ''Generation 2'', albeit only in a limited test market release.

:The toy's American and Japanese bios leave pretty wide open the possibility of this Dreadwing being a [[Dreadwing (G2)|separate character]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Dreadwing/dreadwing.htm More information on Dreadwing at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:UniverseDarkwindToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Proof that photoshop dreams do come true.]]
*'''Darkwind''' (Ultra Class 2009)
**''Series'': Generation 1 Series
**''Accessories:'' "Kinetic Blaster" launcher, projectile

:Darkwind (renamed from Darkwing apparently due to [[trademark]] reasons) is an extensive redeco of the [[Size class|Ultra Class]] ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Silverbolt (G1)#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]] toy. He and his casemate [[Countdown (G1)#Universe (2008)|Countdown]] were "stealth" [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]], meaning he appeared in stores before [[Hasbro]] bothered to tell anybody about it. Their boxes advertise Hasbro's included battery brand, [[Pow-R-Fuel]].

:Darkwind transforms into a (fictional) FB-129 supersonic fighter-bomber. As an Ultra-scale toy, he comes with various light and sound [[gimmick]]s (exactly the same ones as ''Universe'' [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and Silverbolt), including a machine gun type sound when one presses the big blue button on the fuselage, and different classic transformation sound effects depending on whether he is being transformed from [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] or vice versa.

:This mold was also used to make [[Skyjack (G2)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Skyfall]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUDarkwind/darkwind.htm More information on Darkwind at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:TF-POTP-Blackwing.jpg|thumb|right|400px|More descriptively, Purple-with-yellow-lightning-bolts-wing.]]
*'''Blackwing''' (Deluxe Class, [[2018]])
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''PP-18'''
**''Accessories'': Two blasters, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun
:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Blackwing" (renamed for trademark reasons) is a heavy retool of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Air Raid (G1)#Generations|Air Raid]]. He can combine with his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)#Generations|Dreadwind]]. Like all other ''Power of the Primes'' Deluxe Class figures, he comes with Prime Armor with a place for a [[Prime Master]] (and by extension, a [[Titan Master]], [[Enigma of Combination]], and [[Matrix|Matrix core]]) that can transform into a hand for a combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the chest armor or be held as a gun. His Prime Armor (redecoed from Dreadwind) is sculpted to look like a combination of the detail on Hi-Test and Throttle in their engine mode.
{{CWSkydiveMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*In the Marvel continuity, several UK Annual stories depict Darkwing and Dreadwind as working for different Decepticon groups on Earth, but the continuity of these stories is difficult to wrangle. In "[[Prime Bomb!]]", they work for Scorponok, along with the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. This can only happen after Scorponok takes full control of the Decepticons of Earth after the [[Underbase Saga]] but, while the Combaticons are not destroyed on-panel by Starscream, it is generally believed that all non-organic enhanced Transformers are disabled. "[[Dreadwing Down!]]" from the next year's annual stars the two Powermasters alongside the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], so it can only have taken place before the Underbase Saga, but also the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], who is on Cybertron under the [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]'s command at that time. While some creative massaging of the facts can put these stories in continuity, it's probably best to consider Darkwing and Dreadwind officially unaffiliated with any army until after the war with [[Unicron]]. Their sudden appearances in "[[The Void! (US)|The Void!]]" among the various Autobots and Decepticons summoned by Primus does indicate they are on either Earth or Cybertron immediately prior, though.
*Like most manga-original Kreons, Darkwing is made up of existing Kreon parts. He wears [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]]'s helmet and the [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Wheeljack]] backpack to replicate wings, and wields the small pistol first used by [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackwing''' (ブラックウイング ''Burakkuuingu'')
*''French:'' '''Ailenoire''' (Canada)

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Darkwing (G1)

2018-02-15T16:10:40Z

Cpshelton: /* Marvel Generation 2 comic */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{Disambigm|Darkwing (disambiguation)|Darkwind (disambiguation)}}
:''Darkwing is a [[Decepticon]] [[Powermaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Darkwing boxart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Fun fact: the Panavia Tornado actually is a terror that flaps in the night]]''
'''Darkwing''' (aka '''Darkwind''' or '''Blackwing''') has just as dim a view of existence as his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], he's simply more proactive about it. After all, he figures if everything is pointless, depressing, and inevitably leads to a life of painful and ceaseless suffering ''anyway'', he might at least make sure others are getting it a lot worse than he is. You can always count on Darkwing to attempt to make a bad situation worse for everyone involved, and to complain about it all loudly while he's at it. He's [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to the hot-headed [[Nebulan]] thief [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]].

He can combine with his fellow Powermaster Dreadwind to form the superjet [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
Darkwing and Dreadwind fought [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], but were forced to retreat due to Optimus's superior power. They soon returned and Optimus set out to fight them again, this time with [[Tommy Kennedy]] in tow. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5#Season 5|Season 5: FFOD, Part 5}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingpeoplepower.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|It's guy love between two guys.]]
Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] were Decepticon mercenaries, affiliated with no army or unit full-time. For their own reasons, however, they were interested in finding the location of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and his crew of Decepticon warriors. Tracking the group to the planet [[Nebulos]], Darkwing demanded the Nebulans give them the information on Scorponok's whereabouts. When they refused, Darkwing and Dreadwind began a campaign of terror on the planet that only stopped due to precautions the Nebulans had taken to poison their fuel supplies, a measure of foresight to prevent Transformers from returning to their world after the last war. Darkwing and Dreadwind froze up, becoming little more than a curiosity and tourist attraction in an open square.

Their luck changed thanks to a jealous and vindictive scientist named [[Hi-Test (G1)|Hi-Test]], who had worked on the fuel-tainting process but received none of the glory. Working with a thief named [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]], Hi-Test stole information from his former boss [[Hi-Q]], and used it to create a new form of bio-mechanical engineering called the [[Powermaster]] Process, which would cybernetically enable him and Throttle to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Decepticons, becoming their engines to restore their ability to move and intake energy. Reaching an agreement with the Nebulans, Darkwing agreed to become binary bonded to Throttle, and the new Decepticon Powermasters began ransacking Nebulos once again. Now, however, many of their heists involved busting into restaurants and food courts so their Nebulan partners could gorge themselves, restocking their energy supplies and continuing to fuel their larger partners. Their antics were eventually interrupted when a group of Autobots arrived on Nebulos. Darkwing and Dreadwind were threatening the Council of Peers when [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Getaway]], [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] charged them. Though the Decepticons held their own, Darkwing called for a retreat rather than face the enemy's superior numbers.

Darkwing and his allies went on to hassle the Council of Peers once more, this time to obtain the Autobots' location. By this time however, the Autobots had underwent the Powermaster binary bonding procedure with Hi-Q and his staff. Atop of this, the Decepticons had to contend with a reborn and upgraded [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]! Caught unawares by their enemies' power, Darkwing, Dreadwind and their partners were soundly defeated. It was decreed then that Hi-Test and Throttle were to be banished from Nebulos, and the pair blasted off-planet within Darkwing and Dreadwind's combined form, [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|People Power!}} ''These events were observed by the [[time travel]]ling [[Dicet Alpha-zero]].'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

Darkwing, Dreadwind, and their Powermaster partners eventually found themselves working for the [[Mecannibal]]s at [[Grand Central Space Station]], wrangling not only clients, but robots for the Mecannibals to devour. They discovered that two of their clients, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]], were actually robots disguised as humans, and turned them in to their hungry bosses. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} The Autobots-in-disguise made a savory deal with the Mecannibals, and so Darkwing and Dreadwind followed them to [[Femax]]. In the process, however, they were not only beaten up by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], but Hi-Test and Throttle's ship was discovered to be Darkwing and Dreadwind, robots themselves. Cloudburst and Landmine snitched, and the Powermasters found themselves on the run from their former bosses. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

''At some point, the pair ended up on [[Earth]], working for [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind served, in their combined form, as Throttle's getaway vehicle after the Nebulan stole an Autobot-made power cell. In its flight from the crime scene, the Dreadwing was shot down, and sent heading for the ocean. Though Dreadwind pleaded with Darkwing to disengage so that he wouldn't be taken down along with the latter, the pair found their combination mechanism fused, and so both wound up plunging into the drink. They remained nonoperational on the ocean floor while the Autobots retrieved their loot.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

''On Scorponok's orders, Darkwing and Dreadwind attacked [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]], where Optimus Prime had left behind a [[floppy disk]] containing a copy of his mind. They found the facility being guarded by [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. Dreadwind kept them busy with strafing runs while Darkwing made his way inside. Throttle found the disk post-haste, but on his way out, he and Darkwing were met by Getaway and [[Rev]], who had managed to slip past Dreadwind. Getaway got a shot off with his plasma-shell shotgun, badly injuring Darkwing's leg. Retaliating with his electro-kinetic blasters, Darkwing disarmed his opponent. With his opponent weaponless, Darkwing turned to the scuffle between their respective Nebulan partners. Forcing Rev to stand down at gun-point, the Decepticons resumed their exit. Though Darkwing's injury made it difficult for him to transform, he managed the effort, and reconvened with Dreadwind to combine into their Dreadwing form. Though Getaway caught back up to the Decepticons, his efforts only resulted in his hand getting stuck in their combination joint. Dreadwing blasted off, with the hapless Autobot getting tugged along for the ride.''

''After Getaway was stashed in a holding cell, Darkwing and Dreadwind were sent out by Scorponok once more. This time, they were carrying a smart missile that their leader had programmed to track Optimus wherever he went. After launching the payload, equipped with a camera so the Decepticons could witness Optimus's demise, the duo doubled back to base, hoping to make it back in time for the show. It wound up never coming about, as Getaway managed to escape and reprogram the missile into a dud.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingunicron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And when I say, "I love you Dread," it's not what it implies.]]
Returning to Cybertron, they took a job working for deposed Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who hired them to retrieve a special cargo from Earth: the deactivated body of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. ''En-route to Earth, the Powermaster duo crossed paths with an Autobot shuttle and decided to shoot it down for sport, managing to do so after a chase over the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]'s surface. Believing that bit of fun to be done with, they then headed down planet-side, unaware that the Autobots had managed to ditch their ship at the last moment, and were now covertly following them. Upon arriving in southern [[Peru]], Darkwing and his allies found that Starscream was NOT so deactivated after all: his [[zombie]] body stalked the Earth, somehow animated past death by the remainder of the Underbase's energies. After the Decepticons were trounced by the zombie, their Autobot pursuers caught up to them, and were themselves attacked by Starscream. This distraction allowed for Hi-Test and Throttle to link up with their larger partners, re-energizing them into working condition. The Nebulans then managed to siphon the Underbase power directly from Starscream's corpse, causing him to crupple down into a heap. Before the Autobots could properly react to the situation, Darkwing and Dreadwind gathered up Starscream's parts, and flew off to meet with their employer.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}} The corpse was delivered to Megatron on Cybertron, who had recently abducted the Autobot medical officer Ratchet to exhort him into rebuilding Starscream using Pretender technology. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Megatron was impressed enough to offer Dreadwind and Darkwing full-time positions working for him, which they gratefully accepted as they weren't entirely sure that they had lost their Mecannibal pursuers. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} Darkwing and Dreadwind were soon put to task, helping the Sports Car Patrol deal with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], recently revived as [[Pretender]]s by Ratchet under Megatron's nose. The battle spread outside Megatron's base, moments before the headquarters detonated with Ratchet and Megatron still inside. With Megatron seemingly deceased, Darkwing and Dreadwind found themselves out of work again. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

''The two wandered rather aimlessly after that. They apparently spent quite a bit of time over-energizing at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] while complaining about their lot in life. Unbeknownst to the pair, a couple of Mecannibals had managed to track them down. Blissfully unaware of what was going on around them due to their inebriation, Darkwind and Dreadwind were rescued by Quickswitch, who used his tunneling mode to bury the Mecannibals alive deep underground.'' {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}} ''Subsequently Darkwing and Dreadwind attended the [[1989]] [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party where they monopolised the sofa, much to the annoyance of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]].'' {{storylink|:File:MarvelUK-250.jpg|''The Transformers'' #250 cover}}

When [[Primus]] gathered all his children to do battle with Unicron on Cybertron, Darkwing marked this solemn occasion by guffawing loudly at something Dreadwind was telling him and thus pissing off several Autobots. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Despite this frivolity, when the battle began Darkwing and Dreadwind were front and center. They joined the Autobots [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Cloudburst]] in taking the fight right into Unicron's face, and Darkwing was quite eager to bash him up. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} After the planet-eater was destroyed, Darkwing was among those who found Optimus's ruined form on the battlefield, still clinging to life despite being at ground zero when Unicron detonated. Prime named his successor, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] before finally expiring. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

But the Transformers' troubles were far from over, even after Unicron's demise. With Primus's consciousness sundered during the apocalyptic battle, Cybertron could no longer hold itself together, and the planet slowly began ripping itself apart. On his way to an "emergency meeting" alongside Dreadwind, Darkwing complained how it was typical that their lives seemed to be a never-ending series of misfortunes. Upset that he couldn't vent his frustration towards anyone directly responsible for his current predicament, Darkwing decided that that Autobots were to blame. Thus, Darkwing and Dreadwind joined up with the Decepticons conspirators operating under [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s command, and departed the planet in search of new worlds to conquer. The Autobots were left behind, their ships sabotaged so that they would be unable to escape Cybertron's destruction as the Decepticons had. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Darkwing looked on while Bludgeon randomly chose what world the Decepticons would wage war upon next, selecting [[Klo]] by stabbing his sword on a galactic map. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Darkwing and Dreadwind combined into their Dreadwing from to partake in the carnage, {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and were responsible for killing off their old sparring partner, [[Getaway]], in this form. Neither were seen for the rest of the battle, but they presumably went into exile with the rest of the Decepticons after the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] turned the tide on that planet. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Darkwing was present when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in [[New York City]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind delivered 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}} 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}} Darkwing, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and Dreadwind were hiding in an airbase in Nevada, before revealing their liquid crystal Decepticon insignia and flying off. They then used the distraction of a hijacked tanker to attack oil fields and refineries. {{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}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Save Nevada Alpha}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} }}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Darkwing-surrenderordie.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Dreadwind probably complained about this too.]]
[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] led Darkwing and the Decepticons to raid an ancient race's weapons cache, but they were driven off by a [[Guardian (G2)|monstrous entity]], guardian of said weapons. {{storylink|Ghosts}}

When Bludgeon orchestrated a siege on planet Earth to antagonize Optimus Prime out into the open, Darkwing operated as the Decepticons' air support. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Darkwing was badly damaged while defending his commander against the returning [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

After resuming leadership of the Decepticons, Megatron allowed repairs to be performed on Darkwing. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}} The Decepticon jet was rebuilt in [[Dreadwing (G2)|a much larger and more powerful form]]. The art seems to indicate that Darkwing's new body is actually meant to be a version of [[Dreadwing_(G2)|Dreadwing (G2)]], not to be confused with the [[Dreadwing_(G1)|original combined form]] of Darkwing and Dreadwind. Darkwing made his debut with the new body by obliterating the inoffensive [[Rheanimum]] miners of [[Tykos]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
After the Decepticons' defeat on Klo, Darkwing and Dreadwind retreated with Bludgeon to the corners of the galaxy, where the Decepticons regrouped. Fifteen years later, both had reverse-engineered the Powermaster process on their bodies, and separated from Hi-Test and Throttle. Dreadwind had left Darkwing behind to join [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]'s team, and Dreadwind complained about it constantly. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Darkwing remained at Bludgeon's command, and was one of his top aides in preparing for a counter-strike from the recently reactivated Megatron. At Darkwing's suggestion, Bludgeon hired the best of the techno-guilds to reinforce their computer systems with firewalls and cyber-traps to protect their tactical layouts. And yet, Bludgeon's battle-plans were still compromised. Darkwing had uncovered a traitor among Bludgeon's crew. By backtracking the electronic imprint of the Decepticon who transmitted the information to Megatron, Darkwing fingered [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] as the culprit. Bludgeon and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] confronted Hun-Grrr and, after a brief but brutal brawl between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], Hun-Grrr was taken off-line. The traitor defeated.

Then the Seacons killed Bludgeon and surrendered the faction to Megatron. Given Darkwing's involvement in identifying the problem and branding the so-called traitor, it is unknown if he was also in on the Seacons' betrayal. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
More than twenty-one years after the final conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Darkwing and Dreadwind teamed up with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] after observing the effect of his [[Gene Key]] on Cybertron's Autobots. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} They joined the corrupted Headmasters, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], in hunting down Grimlock, but were caught in a flash-bomb effect when Grimlock unleashed the nucleon-augmented [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] on them. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was forced to turn himself over to the Decepticon in exchange for their prisoner [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], Darkwing and Dreadwind acted as armed escorts bringing Prime before [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Darkwing and Dreadwind were members of the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction during the [[Dark Ages]], working under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Poor saps. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Stormbringer2 NebulosDecepticons1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Launchpad, Megavolt's on the loose!"]]
A few hundred years ago, Darkwing and Dreadwind were part of the last "big push" for control of Cybertron. Shortly after the Battle of [[Thunderhead Pass]], they were led into battle by [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Years later, Darkwing was commander of the Decepticon [[Infiltration protocol|Infiltration Unit]] on [[Nebulos]], alongside his partner Dreadwind, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] and [[Roadgrabber]]. Their infiltration was apparently still in the early stages when the rogue Decepticon juggernaut known as [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] came crashing down on the planet. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} Darkwing sent most of his troops into battle, knowing the show of resistance was futile but necessary to convince Megatron later that they fought for their territory. Still, he and Dreadwind remained and participated in the fight, but quickly departed after the last of their comrades was deactivated. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

A few years later, after Megatron was defeated on Earth, Dreadwind and Darkwing were among the Decepticons who had heard the (self-proclaimed) Decepticon leader [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s rallying call and gathered on a desolate asteroid that was now their new headquarters. However, with the lack of resources, poor morale, and Starscream's weak leadership, the Decepticons largely collapsed into anarchy and resorted to cannibalism with not enough energon to go around. Darkwing apparently got sick of this and had the lugnuts to leave. When Dreadwind took more than his fair share of energon and was hunted down, he tried to blame the theft on Darkwing. After Dreadwind was killed, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] opined that Darkwing was a thief, as well. {{Storylink|All His Engines}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-8-LiokaiserDarkwingRavage.jpg|thumb|75px|Darkwing is the little blue guy.]]
Darkwing was among the Decepticons present when [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] revealed the existence of the [[Predacon (Kre-O)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Stationed in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s throne room in [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Darkwing reported that a "transmission" from [[Earth]] was not a message but a transfer of matter, namely [[Destro]] teleporting himself to Trypticon using the [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}}

==Commercial appearances==
Dreadwind and Darkwing show up in several [[commercial]]s:
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingcommercials.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Hello, hello, hello!]]
*Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] startled the Autobot Powermasters by revealing that the Decepticons had been able to develop Powermasters of their own! They used their Nebulan partners to transform before raining down destruction upon their earth-bound foes. Then, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] joined the battle, and made a display of his considerable firepower against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Powermasters|Powermasters commercial}}
*After a series of defeats forced the Autobots to develop Pretender technology, Dreadwind and Darkwing broke into the Autobots' research lab and approached the new Autobot warriors. The Decepticon duo was quickly forced to retreat as the Pretenders' ability to fight alongside their shells proved overwhelming. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Pretenders|Pretenders commercial}}
*Later, Darkwing and Dreadwind were the victims of the new Autobot [[Micromaster]]s. Optimus Prime unleashes an army of the miniature robots upon a Decepticon base, who slipped past [[Piranacon (G1)|the guard]]. Once inside, they crawled up both Dreadwind and Darkwing and overwhelmed them. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster Patrols|Micromaster Patrols commercial}}
{{note|Footage from the first commercial, depicting Dreadwind and Darkwing in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] chasing [[Getaway]] and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] in vehicle mode, was used at the beginning of the commercial for the [[Triggerbot]]s and [[Triggercon]]s. This animation seemed to be meant to represent these other toys. Don't pay too close attention, kids!}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
During a battle eons ago, Dreadwind and Darkwing defeated [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. They were on the verge of destroying the three Autobots when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived. No match for the Autobot leader, the pair were forced to retreat. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Darkwing attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

The two Powermasters crossed paths with their Autobot counterparts once again, and this time the Decepticons were victorious. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} Darkwing was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1toy-Darkwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|When you're in trouble, it's 'cuz of DW.]]
*'''Darkwing''' (Powermaster, 1988)
**''Accessories'': "Throttle" Powermaster engine, left & right laser-guided electro-kinetic blasters

:Darkwing transforms into a Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter jet. He is locked in this mode until his packed-in partner Throttle is placed into the engine socket on his back (or until you push down the relevant buttons in said socket). Once "unlocked", he can also form the back half of the "Dreadwing" super-jet.

:Use caution when transforming him from jet to robot mode: the large clip inside the jet nosecone is famously prone to growing large stress marks, before breaking off entirely. You really have to make sure the Powermaster feature's release buttons are being pushed firmly in - and may have more luck doing it with your fingertips than with Throttle.

:This mold was used to make the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Darkwing/darkwing.htm More information on Darkwing at TFU.info]''

===Generation 2===
[[File:G2DreadwingToy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's get dangerous.]]
*'''Dreadwing''' (Decepticon, 1994)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-10'''
**''Accessories:'' 12 missiles

{{note|The ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] toy was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] Darkwing's upgraded form via the Marvel Comics continuity.}}
:Dreadwing transforms into a "flying wing" style stealth bomber with an under-slung six-missile Gatling cannon. He can also transform into a treaded "tank" mode. In jet form, he can combine with his packed-in partner [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen's]] jet mode to make a complete aircraft.

:The same mold is used by [[BB]], the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] [[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]], and [[Gigant Bomb]]. The mold was also used for [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]] in ''Generation 2'', albeit only in a limited test market release.

:The toy's American and Japanese bios leave pretty wide open the possibility of this Dreadwing being a [[Dreadwing (G2)|separate character]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Dreadwing/dreadwing.htm More information on Dreadwing at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:UniverseDarkwindToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Proof that photoshop dreams do come true.]]
*'''Darkwind''' (Ultra Class 2009)
**''Series'': Generation 1 Series
**''Accessories:'' "Kinetic Blaster" launcher, projectile

:Darkwind (renamed from Darkwing apparently due to [[trademark]] reasons) is an extensive redeco of the [[Size class|Ultra Class]] ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Silverbolt (G1)#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]] toy. He and his casemate [[Countdown (G1)#Universe (2008)|Countdown]] were "stealth" [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]], meaning he appeared in stores before [[Hasbro]] bothered to tell anybody about it. Their boxes advertise Hasbro's included battery brand, [[Pow-R-Fuel]].

:Darkwind transforms into a (fictional) FB-129 supersonic fighter-bomber. As an Ultra-scale toy, he comes with various light and sound [[gimmick]]s (exactly the same ones as ''Universe'' [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and Silverbolt), including a machine gun type sound when one presses the big blue button on the fuselage, and different classic transformation sound effects depending on whether he is being transformed from [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] or vice versa.

:This mold was also used to make [[Skyjack (G2)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Skyfall]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUDarkwind/darkwind.htm More information on Darkwind at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:TF-POTP-Blackwing.jpg|thumb|right|400px|More descriptively, Purple-with-yellow-lightning-bolts-wing.]]
*'''Blackwing''' (Deluxe Class, [[2018]])
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''PP-18'''
**''Accessories'': Two blasters, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun
:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Blackwing" (renamed for trademark reasons) is a heavy retool of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Air Raid (G1)#Generations|Air Raid]]. He can combine with his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)#Generations|Dreadwind]]. Like all other ''Power of the Primes'' Deluxe Class figures, he comes with Prime Armor with a place for a [[Prime Master]] (and by extension, a [[Titan Master]], [[Enigma of Combination]], and [[Matrix|Matrix core]]) that can transform into a hand for a combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the chest armor or be held as a gun. His Prime Armor (redecoed from Dreadwind) is sculpted to look like a combination of the detail on Hi-Test and Throttle in their engine mode.
{{CWSkydiveMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*In the Marvel continuity, several UK Annual stories depict Darkwing and Dreadwind as working for different Decepticon groups on Earth, but the continuity of these stories is difficult to wrangle. In "[[Prime Bomb!]]", they work for Scorponok, along with the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. This can only happen after Scorponok takes full control of the Decepticons of Earth after the [[Underbase Saga]] but, while the Combaticons are not destroyed on-panel by Starscream, it is generally believed that all non-organic enhanced Transformers are disabled. "[[Dreadwing Down!]]" from the next year's annual stars the two Powermasters alongside the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], so it can only have taken place before the Underbase Saga, but also the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], who is on Cybertron under the [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]'s command at that time. While some creative massaging of the facts can put these stories in continuity, it's probably best to consider Darkwing and Dreadwind officially unaffiliated with any army until after the war with [[Unicron]]. Their sudden appearances in "[[The Void! (US)|The Void!]]" among the various Autobots and Decepticons summoned by Primus does indicate they are on either Earth or Cybertron immediately prior, though.
*Like most manga-original Kreons, Darkwing is made up of existing Kreon parts. He wears [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]]'s helmet and the [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Wheeljack]] backpack to replicate wings, and wields the small pistol first used by [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackwing''' (ブラックウイング ''Burakkuuingu'')
*''French:'' '''Ailenoire''' (Canada)

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Darkwing (G1)

2018-02-15T16:10:20Z

Cpshelton: /* Marvel Generation 2 comic */

{{factions|decepticon|decepticong2}}
{{Disambigm|Darkwing (disambiguation)|Darkwind (disambiguation)}}
:''Darkwing is a [[Decepticon]] [[Powermaster]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Darkwing boxart.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Fun fact: the Panavia Tornado actually is a terror that flaps in the night]]''
'''Darkwing''' (aka '''Darkwind''' or '''Blackwing''') has just as dim a view of existence as his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]], he's simply more proactive about it. After all, he figures if everything is pointless, depressing, and inevitably leads to a life of painful and ceaseless suffering ''anyway'', he might at least make sure others are getting it a lot worse than he is. You can always count on Darkwing to attempt to make a bad situation worse for everyone involved, and to complain about it all loudly while he's at it. He's [[Binary bonding|binary-bonded]] to the hot-headed [[Nebulan]] thief [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]].

He can combine with his fellow Powermaster Dreadwind to form the superjet [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]].

==Fiction==
===Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
Darkwing and Dreadwind fought [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]], but were forced to retreat due to Optimus's superior power. They soon returned and Optimus set out to fight them again, this time with [[Tommy Kennedy]] in tow. {{Storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 5#Season 5|Season 5: FFOD, Part 5}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Marvel ''The Transformers'' comics====
{{noteukonly}}
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingpeoplepower.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|It's guy love between two guys.]]
Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] were Decepticon mercenaries, affiliated with no army or unit full-time. For their own reasons, however, they were interested in finding the location of [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and his crew of Decepticon warriors. Tracking the group to the planet [[Nebulos]], Darkwing demanded the Nebulans give them the information on Scorponok's whereabouts. When they refused, Darkwing and Dreadwind began a campaign of terror on the planet that only stopped due to precautions the Nebulans had taken to poison their fuel supplies, a measure of foresight to prevent Transformers from returning to their world after the last war. Darkwing and Dreadwind froze up, becoming little more than a curiosity and tourist attraction in an open square.

Their luck changed thanks to a jealous and vindictive scientist named [[Hi-Test (G1)|Hi-Test]], who had worked on the fuel-tainting process but received none of the glory. Working with a thief named [[Throttle (G1)|Throttle]], Hi-Test stole information from his former boss [[Hi-Q]], and used it to create a new form of bio-mechanical engineering called the [[Powermaster]] Process, which would cybernetically enable him and Throttle to [[Binary bonding|binary bond]] with the Decepticons, becoming their engines to restore their ability to move and intake energy. Reaching an agreement with the Nebulans, Darkwing agreed to become binary bonded to Throttle, and the new Decepticon Powermasters began ransacking Nebulos once again. Now, however, many of their heists involved busting into restaurants and food courts so their Nebulan partners could gorge themselves, restocking their energy supplies and continuing to fuel their larger partners. Their antics were eventually interrupted when a group of Autobots arrived on Nebulos. Darkwing and Dreadwind were threatening the Council of Peers when [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Goldbug]], [[Getaway]], [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] and [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] charged them. Though the Decepticons held their own, Darkwing called for a retreat rather than face the enemy's superior numbers.

Darkwing and his allies went on to hassle the Council of Peers once more, this time to obtain the Autobots' location. By this time however, the Autobots had underwent the Powermaster binary bonding procedure with Hi-Q and his staff. Atop of this, the Decepticons had to contend with a reborn and upgraded [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]! Caught unawares by their enemies' power, Darkwing, Dreadwind and their partners were soundly defeated. It was decreed then that Hi-Test and Throttle were to be banished from Nebulos, and the pair blasted off-planet within Darkwing and Dreadwind's combined form, [[Dreadwing (G1)|Dreadwing]]. {{storylink|People Power!}} ''These events were observed by the [[time travel]]ling [[Dicet Alpha-zero]].'' {{storylink|The Quest!}}

Darkwing, Dreadwind, and their Powermaster partners eventually found themselves working for the [[Mecannibal]]s at [[Grand Central Space Station]], wrangling not only clients, but robots for the Mecannibals to devour. They discovered that two of their clients, [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] and [[Cloudburst]], were actually robots disguised as humans, and turned them in to their hungry bosses. {{storylink|Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?}} The Autobots-in-disguise made a savory deal with the Mecannibals, and so Darkwing and Dreadwind followed them to [[Femax]]. In the process, however, they were not only beaten up by [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], but Hi-Test and Throttle's ship was discovered to be Darkwing and Dreadwind, robots themselves. Cloudburst and Landmine snitched, and the Powermasters found themselves on the run from their former bosses. {{storylink|Recipe for Disaster!}}

''At some point, the pair ended up on [[Earth]], working for [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind served, in their combined form, as Throttle's getaway vehicle after the Nebulan stole an Autobot-made power cell. In its flight from the crime scene, the Dreadwing was shot down, and sent heading for the ocean. Though Dreadwind pleaded with Darkwing to disengage so that he wouldn't be taken down along with the latter, the pair found their combination mechanism fused, and so both wound up plunging into the drink. They remained nonoperational on the ocean floor while the Autobots retrieved their loot.'' {{storylink|Dreadwing Down!}}

''On Scorponok's orders, Darkwing and Dreadwind attacked [[Alternate Reality, Inc.]], where Optimus Prime had left behind a [[floppy disk]] containing a copy of his mind. They found the facility being guarded by [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. Dreadwind kept them busy with strafing runs while Darkwing made his way inside. Throttle found the disk post-haste, but on his way out, he and Darkwing were met by Getaway and [[Rev]], who had managed to slip past Dreadwind. Getaway got a shot off with his plasma-shell shotgun, badly injuring Darkwing's leg. Retaliating with his electro-kinetic blasters, Darkwing disarmed his opponent. With his opponent weaponless, Darkwing turned to the scuffle between their respective Nebulan partners. Forcing Rev to stand down at gun-point, the Decepticons resumed their exit. Though Darkwing's injury made it difficult for him to transform, he managed the effort, and reconvened with Dreadwind to combine into their Dreadwing form. Though Getaway caught back up to the Decepticons, his efforts only resulted in his hand getting stuck in their combination joint. Dreadwing blasted off, with the hapless Autobot getting tugged along for the ride.''

''After Getaway was stashed in a holding cell, Darkwing and Dreadwind were sent out by Scorponok once more. This time, they were carrying a smart missile that their leader had programmed to track Optimus wherever he went. After launching the payload, equipped with a camera so the Decepticons could witness Optimus's demise, the duo doubled back to base, hoping to make it back in time for the show. It wound up never coming about, as Getaway managed to escape and reprogram the missile into a dud.'' {{storylink|Prime Bomb!}}

[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingunicron.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|And when I say, "I love you Dread," it's not what it implies.]]
Returning to Cybertron, they took a job working for deposed Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]], who hired them to retrieve a special cargo from Earth: the deactivated body of [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]]. ''En-route to Earth, the Powermaster duo crossed paths with an Autobot shuttle and decided to shoot it down for sport, managing to do so after a chase over the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]'s surface. Believing that bit of fun to be done with, they then headed down planet-side, unaware that the Autobots had managed to ditch their ship at the last moment, and were now covertly following them. Upon arriving in southern [[Peru]], Darkwing and his allies found that Starscream was NOT so deactivated after all: his [[zombie]] body stalked the Earth, somehow animated past death by the remainder of the Underbase's energies. After the Decepticons were trounced by the zombie, their Autobot pursuers caught up to them, and were themselves attacked by Starscream. This distraction allowed for Hi-Test and Throttle to link up with their larger partners, re-energizing them into working condition. The Nebulans then managed to siphon the Underbase power directly from Starscream's corpse, causing him to crupple down into a heap. Before the Autobots could properly react to the situation, Darkwing and Dreadwind gathered up Starscream's parts, and flew off to meet with their employer.'' {{storylink|Race with the Devil}} The corpse was delivered to Megatron on Cybertron, who had recently abducted the Autobot medical officer Ratchet to exhort him into rebuilding Starscream using Pretender technology. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}} Megatron was impressed enough to offer Dreadwind and Darkwing full-time positions working for him, which they gratefully accepted as they weren't entirely sure that they had lost their Mecannibal pursuers. {{storylink|All the Familiar Faces!}} Darkwing and Dreadwind were soon put to task, helping the Sports Car Patrol deal with [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]], and [[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]], recently revived as [[Pretender]]s by Ratchet under Megatron's nose. The battle spread outside Megatron's base, moments before the headquarters detonated with Ratchet and Megatron still inside. With Megatron seemingly deceased, Darkwing and Dreadwind found themselves out of work again. {{storylink|Skin Deep}}

''The two wandered rather aimlessly after that. They apparently spent quite a bit of time over-energizing at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House]] while complaining about their lot in life. Unbeknownst to the pair, a couple of Mecannibals had managed to track them down. Blissfully unaware of what was going on around them due to their inebriation, Darkwind and Dreadwind were rescued by Quickswitch, who used his tunneling mode to bury the Mecannibals alive deep underground.'' {{storylink|Out to Lunch!}} ''Subsequently Darkwing and Dreadwind attended the [[1989]] [[Transformer]]s' [[Christmas]] party where they monopolised the sofa, much to the annoyance of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]].'' {{storylink|:File:MarvelUK-250.jpg|''The Transformers'' #250 cover}}

When [[Primus]] gathered all his children to do battle with Unicron on Cybertron, Darkwing marked this solemn occasion by guffawing loudly at something Dreadwind was telling him and thus pissing off several Autobots. {{storylink|The Void! (US)|The Void!}} Despite this frivolity, when the battle began Darkwing and Dreadwind were front and center. They joined the Autobots [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Cloudburst]] in taking the fight right into Unicron's face, and Darkwing was quite eager to bash him up. {{storylink|On the Edge of Extinction!}} After the planet-eater was destroyed, Darkwing was among those who found Optimus's ruined form on the battlefield, still clinging to life despite being at ground zero when Unicron detonated. Prime named his successor, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] before finally expiring. {{storylink|Still Life!}}

But the Transformers' troubles were far from over, even after Unicron's demise. With Primus's consciousness sundered during the apocalyptic battle, Cybertron could no longer hold itself together, and the planet slowly began ripping itself apart. On his way to an "emergency meeting" alongside Dreadwind, Darkwing complained how it was typical that their lives seemed to be a never-ending series of misfortunes. Upset that he couldn't vent his frustration towards anyone directly responsible for his current predicament, Darkwing decided that that Autobots were to blame. Thus, Darkwing and Dreadwind joined up with the Decepticons conspirators operating under [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s command, and departed the planet in search of new worlds to conquer. The Autobots were left behind, their ships sabotaged so that they would be unable to escape Cybertron's destruction as the Decepticons had. {{storylink|Exodus!}} Darkwing looked on while Bludgeon randomly chose what world the Decepticons would wage war upon next, selecting [[Klo]] by stabbing his sword on a galactic map. {{storylink|A Savage Circle}} Darkwing and Dreadwind combined into their Dreadwing from to partake in the carnage, {{storylink|The Last Autobot?}} and were responsible for killing off their old sparring partner, [[Getaway]], in this form. Neither were seen for the rest of the battle, but they presumably went into exile with the rest of the Decepticons after the return of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] turned the tide on that planet. {{storylink|End of the Road! (US)|End of the Road!}}

====''Transformers Comic-Magazin''====
Darkwing was present when Megatron made peaceful gestures to Humanity in [[New York City]]. Darkwing and Dreadwind delivered 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}} 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}} Darkwing, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]], and Dreadwind were hiding in an airbase in Nevada, before revealing their liquid crystal Decepticon insignia and flying off. They then used the distraction of a hijacked tanker to attack oil fields and refineries. {{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}}

{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Megatron's Ultimatum}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|Save Nevada Alpha}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 9|Headmaster of the Dimensions}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 10|Wanderer Between the Worlds}} {{storylink|Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 14|The Countdown to a New Space Age!}} }}

====Marvel ''Generation 2'' comic====
[[File:Darkwing-surrenderordie.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.85|Dreadwind probably complained about this too.]]
[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] led Darkwing and the Decepticons to raid an ancient race's weapons cache, but they were driven off by a [[Guardian (G2)|monstrous entity]], guardian of said weapons. {{storylink|Ghosts}}

When Bludgeon orchestrated a siege on planet Earth to antagonize Optimus Prime out into the open, Darkwing operated as the Decepticons' air support. {{storylink|Devices and Desires! (Marvel)|Tales of Earth Part One}} Darkwing was badly damaged while defending his commander against the returning [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory|Tales of Earth Part Two}}

After resuming leadership of the Decepticons, Megatron allowed repairs to be performed on Darkwing. {{storylink|The Gathering Darkness|Tales of Earth Part Three}} The Decepticon jet was rebuilt in [[Dreadwing (G2)|a much larger and more powerful form]]. The art seems to indicate that Darkwing's new body is actually meant to be a version [[Dreadwing_(G2)|Dreadwing (G2)]], not to be confused with the [[Dreadwing_(G1)|original combined form]] of Darkwing and Dreadwind. Darkwing made his debut with the new body by obliterating the inoffensive [[Rheanimum]] miners of [[Tykos]]. {{storylink|New Dawn}}
{{-}}

====''Classics''====
{{noteclassics}}
After the Decepticons' defeat on Klo, Darkwing and Dreadwind retreated with Bludgeon to the corners of the galaxy, where the Decepticons regrouped. Fifteen years later, both had reverse-engineered the Powermaster process on their bodies, and separated from Hi-Test and Throttle. Dreadwind had left Darkwing behind to join [[Bug Bite (GoBots)|Bug Bite]]'s team, and Dreadwind complained about it constantly. {{storylink|Games of Deception}}

Darkwing remained at Bludgeon's command, and was one of his top aides in preparing for a counter-strike from the recently reactivated Megatron. At Darkwing's suggestion, Bludgeon hired the best of the techno-guilds to reinforce their computer systems with firewalls and cyber-traps to protect their tactical layouts. And yet, Bludgeon's battle-plans were still compromised. Darkwing had uncovered a traitor among Bludgeon's crew. By backtracking the electronic imprint of the Decepticon who transmitted the information to Megatron, Darkwing fingered [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Grrr]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]] as the culprit. Bludgeon and the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] confronted Hun-Grrr and, after a brief but brutal brawl between [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and [[Piranacon (G1)|Piranacon]], Hun-Grrr was taken off-line. The traitor defeated.

Then the Seacons killed Bludgeon and surrendered the faction to Megatron. Given Darkwing's involvement in identifying the problem and branding the so-called traitor, it is unknown if he was also in on the Seacons' betrayal. {{storylink|At Fight's End}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
{{noterg1}}
More than twenty-one years after the final conflict between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Darkwing and Dreadwind teamed up with [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] after observing the effect of his [[Gene Key]] on Cybertron's Autobots. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Three}} They joined the corrupted Headmasters, [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], in hunting down Grimlock, but were caught in a flash-bomb effect when Grimlock unleashed the nucleon-augmented [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] on them. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part Four}}

===Ladybird Books continuity===
When [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] was forced to turn himself over to the Decepticon in exchange for their prisoner [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]], Darkwing and Dreadwind acted as armed escorts bringing Prime before [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]. {{storylink|Autobot Hostage}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
Darkwing and Dreadwind were members of the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction during the [[Dark Ages]], working under the command of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Poor saps. {{storylink|Transformers: War Within: The Age of Wrath|War Within: The Age of Wrath}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:Stormbringer2 NebulosDecepticons1.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb|"Launchpad, Megavolt's on the loose!"]]
A few hundred years ago, Darkwing and Dreadwind were part of the last "big push" for control of Cybertron. Shortly after the Battle of [[Thunderhead Pass]], they were led into battle by [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] and the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Spotlight: Blaster}}

Years later, Darkwing was commander of the Decepticon [[Infiltration protocol|Infiltration Unit]] on [[Nebulos]], alongside his partner Dreadwind, [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]], [[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]], [[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] and [[Roadgrabber]]. Their infiltration was apparently still in the early stages when the rogue Decepticon juggernaut known as [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] came crashing down on the planet. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 2|Stormbringer #2}} Darkwing sent most of his troops into battle, knowing the show of resistance was futile but necessary to convince Megatron later that they fought for their territory. Still, he and Dreadwind remained and participated in the fight, but quickly departed after the last of their comrades was deactivated. {{storylink|Stormbringer issue 3|Stormbringer #3}}

A few years later, after Megatron was defeated on Earth, Dreadwind and Darkwing were among the Decepticons who had heard the (self-proclaimed) Decepticon leader [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'s rallying call and gathered on a desolate asteroid that was now their new headquarters. However, with the lack of resources, poor morale, and Starscream's weak leadership, the Decepticons largely collapsed into anarchy and resorted to cannibalism with not enough energon to go around. Darkwing apparently got sick of this and had the lugnuts to leave. When Dreadwind took more than his fair share of energon and was hunted down, he tried to blame the theft on Darkwing. After Dreadwind was killed, [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] opined that Darkwing was a thief, as well. {{Storylink|All His Engines}}
{{-}}

===''Kre-O'' online manga===
[[File:KreO-webcomic-8-LiokaiserDarkwingRavage.jpg|thumb|75px|Darkwing is the little blue guy.]]
Darkwing was among the Decepticons present when [[Megatron (Kre-O)|Megatron]] revealed the existence of the [[Predacon (Kre-O)|Predacons]]. {{storylink|Behemoth Combination! But They're Cute? The Predacon Unit}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers vs. G.I. Joe''===
Stationed in [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s throne room in [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], Darkwing reported that a "transmission" from [[Earth]] was not a message but a transfer of matter, namely [[Destro]] teleporting himself to Trypticon using the [[M.A.S.S. Device]]. {{storylink|Funeral for a Friend}}

==Commercial appearances==
Dreadwind and Darkwing show up in several [[commercial]]s:
[[File:Dreadwinddarkwingcommercials.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Hello, hello, hello!]]
*Darkwing and [[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] startled the Autobot Powermasters by revealing that the Decepticons had been able to develop Powermasters of their own! They used their Nebulan partners to transform before raining down destruction upon their earth-bound foes. Then, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] joined the battle, and made a display of his considerable firepower against the Decepticons. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Powermasters|Powermasters commercial}}
*After a series of defeats forced the Autobots to develop Pretender technology, Dreadwind and Darkwing broke into the Autobots' research lab and approached the new Autobot warriors. The Decepticon duo was quickly forced to retreat as the Pretenders' ability to fight alongside their shells proved overwhelming. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Pretenders|Pretenders commercial}}
*Later, Darkwing and Dreadwind were the victims of the new Autobot [[Micromaster]]s. Optimus Prime unleashes an army of the miniature robots upon a Decepticon base, who slipped past [[Piranacon (G1)|the guard]]. Once inside, they crawled up both Dreadwind and Darkwing and overwhelmed them. {{storylink|Commercial/Generation 1#Micromaster Patrols|Micromaster Patrols commercial}}
{{note|Footage from the first commercial, depicting Dreadwind and Darkwing in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] chasing [[Getaway]] and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] in vehicle mode, was used at the beginning of the commercial for the [[Triggerbot]]s and [[Triggercon]]s. This animation seemed to be meant to represent these other toys. Don't pay too close attention, kids!}}

==Games==
===''Transformers Legends''===
During a battle eons ago, Dreadwind and Darkwing defeated [[Getaway]], [[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]], and [[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]]. They were on the verge of destroying the three Autobots when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] arrived. No match for the Autobot leader, the pair were forced to retreat. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and Darkwing attempted to revive [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]], but when Thunderwing proved uncontrollable, the pair had to cooperate with the Wreckers to defeat him. {{storylink|Stormbringer (Legends)|Stormbringer}}

The two Powermasters crossed paths with their Autobot counterparts once again, and this time the Decepticons were victorious. {{storylink|End of the Road (Legends)|End of the Road}} Darkwing was among a group of Decepticons who joined a time-displaced [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] in attacking the fused-together [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], but were fought off by some Autobots. {{storylink|Savage Circle}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1toy-Darkwing.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|When you're in trouble, it's 'cuz of DW.]]
*'''Darkwing''' (Powermaster, 1988)
**''Accessories'': "Throttle" Powermaster engine, left & right laser-guided electro-kinetic blasters

:Darkwing transforms into a Panavia Tornado GR1 fighter jet. He is locked in this mode until his packed-in partner Throttle is placed into the engine socket on his back (or until you push down the relevant buttons in said socket). Once "unlocked", he can also form the back half of the "Dreadwing" super-jet.

:Use caution when transforming him from jet to robot mode: the large clip inside the jet nosecone is famously prone to growing large stress marks, before breaking off entirely. You really have to make sure the Powermaster feature's release buttons are being pushed firmly in - and may have more luck doing it with your fingertips than with Throttle.

:This mold was used to make the [[Godmaster (lifeform)|Godmaster]] [[Hydra (Masterforce)|Hydra]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Darkwing/darkwing.htm More information on Darkwing at TFU.info]''

===Generation 2===
[[File:G2DreadwingToy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Let's get dangerous.]]
*'''Dreadwing''' (Decepticon, 1994)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-10'''
**''Accessories:'' 12 missiles

{{note|The ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] toy was officially [[repurposing|repurposed]] as [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] Darkwing's upgraded form via the Marvel Comics continuity.}}
:Dreadwing transforms into a "flying wing" style stealth bomber with an under-slung six-missile Gatling cannon. He can also transform into a treaded "tank" mode. In jet form, he can combine with his packed-in partner [[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen's]] jet mode to make a complete aircraft.

:The same mold is used by [[BB]], the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'']] [[Dreadwind (RID)|Dreadwind]], and [[Gigant Bomb]]. The mold was also used for [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]] in ''Generation 2'', albeit only in a limited test market release.

:The toy's American and Japanese bios leave pretty wide open the possibility of this Dreadwing being a [[Dreadwing (G2)|separate character]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Decepticon/Dreadwing/dreadwing.htm More information on Dreadwing at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Universe (2008)===
[[File:UniverseDarkwindToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|thumb|Proof that photoshop dreams do come true.]]
*'''Darkwind''' (Ultra Class 2009)
**''Series'': Generation 1 Series
**''Accessories:'' "Kinetic Blaster" launcher, projectile

:Darkwind (renamed from Darkwing apparently due to [[trademark]] reasons) is an extensive redeco of the [[Size class|Ultra Class]] ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Silverbolt (G1)#Universe (2008)|Silverbolt]] toy. He and his casemate [[Countdown (G1)#Universe (2008)|Countdown]] were "stealth" [[exclusive]] to [[Toys"R"Us]], meaning he appeared in stores before [[Hasbro]] bothered to tell anybody about it. Their boxes advertise Hasbro's included battery brand, [[Pow-R-Fuel]].

:Darkwind transforms into a (fictional) FB-129 supersonic fighter-bomber. As an Ultra-scale toy, he comes with various light and sound [[gimmick]]s (exactly the same ones as ''Universe'' [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] and Silverbolt), including a machine gun type sound when one presses the big blue button on the fuselage, and different classic transformation sound effects depending on whether he is being transformed from [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] or vice versa.

:This mold was also used to make [[Skyjack (G2)#Universe (2008)|''Universe'' Skyfall]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Decepticon/TFUDarkwind/darkwind.htm More information on Darkwind at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Generations===
[[File:TF-POTP-Blackwing.jpg|thumb|right|400px|More descriptively, Purple-with-yellow-lightning-bolts-wing.]]
*'''Blackwing''' (Deluxe Class, [[2018]])
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''PP-18'''
**''Accessories'': Two blasters, Prime Armor/combiner hand, Prime Master gap filler/gun
:''[[Power of the Primes (toyline)|Power of the Primes]]'' "Blackwing" (renamed for trademark reasons) is a heavy retool of ''[[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' [[Air Raid (G1)#Generations|Air Raid]]. He can combine with his partner [[Dreadwind (G1)#Generations|Dreadwind]]. Like all other ''Power of the Primes'' Deluxe Class figures, he comes with Prime Armor with a place for a [[Prime Master]] (and by extension, a [[Titan Master]], [[Enigma of Combination]], and [[Matrix|Matrix core]]) that can transform into a hand for a combiner. He also comes with a piece that can fill the gap in the chest armor or be held as a gun. His Prime Armor (redecoed from Dreadwind) is sculpted to look like a combination of the detail on Hi-Test and Throttle in their engine mode.
{{CWSkydiveMold}}
{{-}}

==Notes==
*In the Marvel continuity, several UK Annual stories depict Darkwing and Dreadwind as working for different Decepticon groups on Earth, but the continuity of these stories is difficult to wrangle. In "[[Prime Bomb!]]", they work for Scorponok, along with the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]. This can only happen after Scorponok takes full control of the Decepticons of Earth after the [[Underbase Saga]] but, while the Combaticons are not destroyed on-panel by Starscream, it is generally believed that all non-organic enhanced Transformers are disabled. "[[Dreadwing Down!]]" from the next year's annual stars the two Powermasters alongside the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]], so it can only have taken place before the Underbase Saga, but also the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] [[Quake (G1)|Quake]], who is on Cybertron under the [[Triumvirate|Triumverate]]'s command at that time. While some creative massaging of the facts can put these stories in continuity, it's probably best to consider Darkwing and Dreadwind officially unaffiliated with any army until after the war with [[Unicron]]. Their sudden appearances in "[[The Void! (US)|The Void!]]" among the various Autobots and Decepticons summoned by Primus does indicate they are on either Earth or Cybertron immediately prior, though.
*Like most manga-original Kreons, Darkwing is made up of existing Kreon parts. He wears [[Jazz (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Jazz]]'s helmet and the [[Wheeljack (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Wheeljack]] backpack to replicate wings, and wields the small pistol first used by [[Bumblebee (Kre-O)|Bumblebee]].

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Blackwing''' (ブラックウイング ''Burakkuuingu'')
*''French:'' '''Ailenoire''' (Canada)

[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kre-O Decepticons]]
[[Category:Kreons]]
[[Category:Power of the Primes]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Regeneration One Decepticons]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

Dissolution Part 2: Anomie

2017-02-18T05:34:15Z

Cpshelton:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #2
|prev=Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron
|next=Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced
|image=LL2_regcvr.jpg
|title="Dissolution Part 2: Anomie"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 1]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=January 2017
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Jack Lawrence]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''While Rodimus's team gets to grips with the Functionist Universe, Tailgate's increasingly aggressive behavior lands Anode in hot water.'''

==Synopsis==
Confronted by [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] and his [[Functionary|Functionaries]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] and company realize they have wound up in the [[Functionist Universe|alternate universe]] previously glimpsed by [[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]]—a world ruled by the [[Functionist Council]], where [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] never lived to start the [[Great War (G1)|war]]. Believing them to be members of the [[Anti-Vocationist League]], like the other prisoners currently in his clutches, Twelve-of-Twelve has them arrested; Megatron instructs everyone to go along peacefully, hoping the rest of the council can be reasoned with. After a Functionary destroys their "teleport den," the group is paraded through the streets, where Megatron observes in disgust as the populace fawns over Twelve-of-Twelve. Rodimus is naturally in a bad mood about the whole situation, and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] only succeeds in annoying him more when he tries to sympathize. [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] and [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] observe several large screens around the city displaying countdown clocks and wonder how they are connected to the "Day of Revelation" mentioned by their captor, but Drift's attention is soon diverted to a colossal, building-sized statue of [[Primus]], bearing the inscription "Survive and Thrive" at its base. Haunted by the phrase, Drift tells Ratchet about the vision he experienced just before they left: a vision that included [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]], [[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]], [[Sparkeater (creature)|sparkeaters]], the legendary "[[Phantom Fleet]]" of lost [[Worldsweeper]]s... and those words, and many others, scrawled in multiple ancient dialects. Drift also begins to describe the "rain" in his vision, but before he can finish, a grenade clatters into the street and blows up in the faces of the Functionaries leading the group. The [[Anti-Vocationist League]] has arrived to save its captive members!

On [[Necroworld]], [[Anode]] finds [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] lounging by the Memorial to the Disappeared, relaxing after the difficult business of apologizing to everyone for Anode's lack of a social filter. Anode claims not to care what any of them think, but Lug knows she's lying, as she hid her original function from [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] when asked. After a bit of poking, Anode admits that she's interested in the quest for [[Cyberutopia]], thinking it might be nice to settle down there; Lug retorts with a laugh that Anode isn't interested in "settling down," but in plundering its treasures. Just then, the body of [[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] comes flying through the air and crashes into the memorial, followed swiftly by a furious [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], who has beaten Fangry to a pulp for his attack on [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]]. Anode attempts to intervene, but Tailgate backhands her away, inadvertently hurling her against a chunk of debris that impales her through the torso. As Fangry's fellow Decepticons beat a hasty retreat when Tailgate snarls at them, Cyclonus arrives on the scene and reproaches the little 'bot for his actions. In an attempt to make Tailgate understand the enormity and severity of the change his new powers represent, Cyclonus takes him to the site of the group's battle with the [[Decepticon Justice Division]], still littered with the bodies of the many, ''many'' Decepticons Tailgate killed. Tailgate thinks he is merely attempting to make him feel guilty for causing so much death, and argues that it was kill-or-be-killed; Cyclonus tries to make him understand that it is evidence of how much his strength is growing, potentially to a point beyond his control, and how fast his increasing powers are burning through his [[energon]]. Tailgate tries to argue otherwise... at which point, his energon reserves deplete and he collapses.

Back in the [[Censere|Necrobot]]'s fortress, Anode awakes with a start in the med-bay, roused by nightmarish recollections of her old life. Her wounds have been patched by another of the "Disappeared," [[Kaput]], who responded to Lug's calls for help. But no sooner has the medic introduced himself than [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] storms into the med-bay and pins Anode down, announcing that she is making a citizen's arrest. Just as Anode had feared, Velocity remembers her—as a thief. While [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] goes to check the life-support pods and make sure there aren't any other late-to-revive stragglers like Anode and Lug in them (with a strange remark to [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] on the way out, tapping his neck and saying he "needs another" something when he gets back because he is "starting to feel it again"), Velocity produces the "snowflake" treasure previously found by Anode and demands they talk about "the Lighthouse..."

[[File:Anomie-AntiVocationistLeague.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
The Anti-Vocationist League, it turns out, are a bunch of total wimps who can't put up any kind of fight against the Functionaries. At Rodimus's urging, Megatron breaks his bonds, frees the rest of the team, then takes command of the situation, directing everyone in a brief, dramatic, one-sided battle that sees them emerge victorious. Twelve-of-Twelve boasts that they still cannot stop the broadcast that is about to begin, but when [[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] snags him around the throat with a chain, all his bravado disappears and he puts in a distress call to be teleported out. As he vanishes, [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] marvels over Megatron's leadership skills, while Rodimus asks the AVL leader [[Clicker]] what the next step of his plan is. Clicker explains they will be using a concealed matter transporter nearby to relocate to the AVL's base of operations: Cyberutopia. Rodimus stares gape-mouthed at Clicker, but before he can ask any questions, the countdown timers all reach zero, and are replaced on the screens with an image of Functionist Council member [[Six-of-Twelve]]. The Day of Revelation has come, Six-of-Twelve tells everyone watching: the day on which the Functionists reveal to the world what the alternate mode of "The Useless One"–their prisoner, the rebel icon [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]–is for!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (2)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (4)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (5)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (6)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (9)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (13)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (18)
*[[Kaput]] (23)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (25)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (26)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (27)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]] (12)
*[[Rapidfire]] (20)
*Two other "Disappeared" Decepticons (19, 21)
*[[Jack-Knife]]'s corpse (24)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (1)
*[[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] (3)
*[[Twelve-of-Twelve]] (7)
*Multiple [[Functionary|Functionaries]] (8)
*[[Anode]] (10)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (11)
*Two [[Lunabot]]s (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*Other [[Anti-Vocationist League]]rs (16)
*[[Clicker]] (17)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (22)
*[[Six-of-Twelve]] (28)
*Functionist Universe [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (29)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Be careful. When you lie to me, you lie to '''God.'''"
:—'''Twelve-of-Twelve''' threatens our heroes

"The ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s been stolen; we're '''once again''' without a map to Cyberutopia; and now, to top it all, we're trapped in entirely the wrong universe. We've never been further from our goal. '''Ever.''' In fact, it's hard to escape the conclusion that we'd be closer to finding the '''Knights of Cybertron''' if we hadn't started looking for them in the first place." 
"What was that? What was that supposed to be? The opposite of a '''pep talk,''' that's what that was. God! I was angry, now I'm angry and '''depressed.''' Can I be chained to someone else, please?"
:—'''Minimus Ambus''' gets on '''Rodimus'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s nerves

"Ah. Okay. Oooh-kay. I get it. Bad guy or not, he was a '''person.''' Point taken. Lesson learned. Except '''no.''' Because it was '''him or me''', Cyclonus, I didn't kill him for '''fun!''' And if I'm '''honest?''' I don't think you get to play that card. I mean, how many people have '''you''' killed? '''Innocent''' people. How often do you think about '''them?'''" 
"Every day."
:—'''Tailgate''' and '''Cyclonus'''

"I'm making a '''citizen's arrest.'''" 
''(beat)'' 
"Who knows how to make a citizen's arrest?"
:—'''Velocity'''

"The '''A.V.L.''' would have you believe that not everyone has a purpose; that Primus built some of us - '''one''' of us - without a specific function in mind. 'All Hail The Useless One'. No more. Because today...today we tell you what the Useless One is ''for''."
:—'''Six-of-Twelve''' chews the scenery.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Rewind references the "Black Box Consortia," the Functionist Universe version of the [[Black Block Consortia]] who were previously mentioned in [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|''More than Meets the Eye'' #35]]. This finally confirms that wasn't just a typo!
*Oddly enough, Tailgate and Cyclonus' current relationship parallels their dynamic from the beginning of the comic. But this time, it's ''Tailgate'' who's the violent and powerful bot that needs to calm down.
*Primus's statue renders the character as he appeared in [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|the ''More than Meets the Eye'' 2012 annual]].
*Drift mentioned having another vision recently last issue; we here learn that he was not referring to his original vision, which inspired him to join the ''[[Lost Light]]'' crew, but rather to a new premonition that guided him and Ratchet to Necroworld, which took place off-panel prior to [[The Dying of the Light Part 2: The Sun in Flight|''More than Meets the Eye'' #51]].
*The Worldsweepers seen in Drift's vision last issue are identified by him as the [[Phantom Fleet]], which disappeared in the [[Dark Nebula]]. The Nebula was previously mentioned in [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|the ''More than Meets the Eye: Revolution'' one-shot]] as the home of the [[Dire Wraith]]s.
*The Anti-Vocationist League members seen in this issue include two [[Lunabot]]s, as seen before in issue #35. Also present is a memory stick Transformer - they were wiped out by the Council in a [[mass recall]] at the very end of issue #35. Clearly, at least one survived...
*Kaput previously appeared in [[Omega's Conundrum|''Spotlight: Orion Pax'']]. His inclusion among the "Disappeared" tells us that the Necrobot didn't keep his list in chronological order, because Kaput was known to be active until just a few years ago, having helped to repair [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] following the events of ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'', according to "[[Zero Point]]."
*Swerve's remarks to Nautica as he leaves indicate he is undergoing a process that temporarily keeps him from "feeling" something. After last issue drew attention to how he didn't appear to be feeling any sadness over [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s death, that's rather worrying...
*When Six-of-Twelve previously appeared in issue #35, he had a normal-shaped head, but as Chromedome notes, it has since been redesigned to resemble the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. The fate of the Matrix is unknown in the Functionist Universe; without the war to bring [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] to prominence, it presumably must still reside in the [[Undergrid]] where it was concealed millennia ago, per [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|''More than Meets the Eye'' #19]].

===Transformers references===
*Continuing with the standard set by issue #35 the crowd scenes set within the Functionist Universe feature Easter egg appearances by lots of characters from the [[Unicron Trilogy]], including [[Inferno (Energon)|''Energon'' Inferno]], [[Smokescreen (Armada)|''Armada'' Smokescreen]], [[Strongarm (Energon)|''Energon'' Strongarm]], [[Metroplex (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Metroplex]], [[Scavenger (Armada)|''Armada'' Scavenger]], [[Quickmix (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Quickmix]], [[Menasor (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Menasor]] (with a proper face), [[Landmine (Energon)|''Cybertron'' Landmine]], and [[Smokescreen (Armada)|''Armada'' Hoist]], as well as [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|''Robots in Disguise'']] characters [[Grimlock (RID 2001)|Grimlock]] and [[Hightower (RID)|Hightower]]. The two Lunabots seen among the Anti-Vocationist League remain based on [[Jetfire (Armada)|''Energon'' Jetfire]], just as the one seen in issue #35 was.
*The two nameless Decepticons who flee Tailgate's wrath alongside [[Rapidfire]] are based on the [[Divebomb (Energon)|''Energon'' Divebomb]] and [[Hardtop (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Hardtop]] molds, with new color schemes. As a dune buggy, "Hardtop" seems to be in [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]]-blues-and-greys.

===Real life references===
*The title of this issue, "Anomie," is a word meaning the "lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group."

===Errors===
*On the regular cover, Cyclonus's [[Great Sword]] is ''way'' too short. He's not holding it an angle that would induce foreshortening.
*Twelve-of-Twelve gives the date as "1st Cycle 3041" in order to be consistent with last issue, but as noted in last issue's article, that's way off what has most recently been provided as the date for the present day.
*On page 5, panel 1, there's a little 'bot standing on the rooftop with a crane-arm on his back. The tip of his crane arm is cut off where it meets the edge of the roof, because the roof was apparently "pasted" onto the art.
*On page 13, panel 2, the edge of Tailgate's first speech balloon isn't properly aligned with the edge of the panel.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in January 2017, this issue arrives a little late, slipping into the first week of February.
* [[Shock (G1)|Shock]]'s name is visible on the Necrobot's memorial, but he didn't disappear; he was killed by a sparkeater and his body was found in [[Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|''More than Meets the Eye'' #2]]. It was his fellow [[Duobot]], [[Ore]], who mysteriously disappeared in the 2012 annual. Rather than consider this a mistake, we'll assume it's a subtle extension of the joke that nobody could tell the two Duobots apart—not even the Necrobot!

===Soundtrack===
For all of "Dissolution":
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEI75kn9FTc Neither Here Nor There]" by {{w|Lost in the Trees}}

For this issue alone:
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYigyIuY8to It Ended on an Oily Stage]" by {{w|British Sea Power}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTS5jXKLGkQ Optimo]" by {{w|Liquid Liquid}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G21swi--fc Lille]" by {{w|Lisa Hannigan}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Cyclonus defends Swerve, Tailgate, and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Subscription cover A:''' Our heroes at the wrong ends of an array of blasters, by [[Alex Milne]]; one of a series of black-and-white "Artist's Edition" covers on IDW's January titles.
*'''Subscription cover B:''' Megatron reaches for Cybertron, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Rodimus stares out at an alien world, by [[Joana Lafuente]]; one of a series of retailer incentive variants by Lafuente on January's ''Transformers'' titles.

<gallery>
File:LL2 regcvr.jpg|
File:LL2 subcvrA.jpg|
File:LL2 subcvrB.jpg|
File:LL2 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #3
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting January's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[New Cybertron Part 3: Behind My Bleeding Back|''Optimus Prime'' #3]], [[Desperate Measures|''Till All Are One'' #7]], ''Revolutionaries'' #2, and [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 2|''G.I. Joe'' #2]].
*2017 IDW Annuals
*''[[Action Man]]'' trade paperback
*''[[Revolution]]'' trade paperback
*IDW on Comixology Unlimited

==External links==
*[http://www.cbr.com/transformers-lost-light-2-exclusive-preview/ Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

Prowl (TM2)

2016-07-02T21:06:25Z

Cpshelton: /* Origins and complications */

{{factions|maximal|autobot|ozsa}}
{{disambig3|Prowl}}
:''Prowl is a [[Retcon|complete continuity headache]] appearing in [[Binaltech|numerous]] [[Beast Era|convoluted]] portions of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Prowl2-bw-packageart.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Give a hoot! Read a book!]]
'''Prowl''' is not a verbose [[Maximal]], preferring instead to listen. He gathers information, analyzes it, and instantly suggests an appropriate course of action. His logical mind is without match among his Maximal brethren, who rank him among their best military strategists. Prowl feels that he fulfilled that same role in a previous life.

==Fiction==
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Story of Binaltech''====
Offered a glimpse of the fast-approaching future by the time-travelling [[Decepticon]] [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] was witness to the death of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and various other Autobots in the year 2005. In an attempt to alter the course of these events, he began [[Project Bodyshop (project)|Project: Bodyshop]], developing new [[Binaltech]] bodies for his comrades that they would be able to control via the [[Genetronic Translink System|GT System]]. A body was developed to be used a secondary unit by Prowl, and designated "Prowl 2".

When Prowl came under attack from Decepticons on a mission in the vicinity of Saturn, Wheeljack made a desperate attempt to preserve Prowl's life by attempting a long-range transfer of his spark into his new body via [[Transwarp|subspace]]. Unfortunately, the process malfunctioned and Prowl's spark was lost. The body, however, had already been programmed with Prowl's [[datatrax]], and [[Chip Chase]], recalling [[Roll for It|the time years before]] when he had taken control of Prowl's body, volunteered to have his own mind transferred into the shell, bringing it to true life as "Prowl II". {{storylink|Prowl & Chase}}

Thanks to Prowl II and Overdrive's efforts, the Ravage with knowledge of the future was eventually captured and made to reveal some of his secrets to the Autobots. {{storylink|Darkest Hour (prose)|Darkest Hour}}

After Unicron's defeat at the hands of Ultra Magnus, Prowl II remained vigilant knowing that Ravage still held an advantage over the Autobots with his knowledge of the future. He rallied the Autobot forces off Cybertron to better avoid whatever future catastrophe might await them. During the Autobots' absence, Shockwave returned Megatron to the timestream, and the Decepticon leader took full control of the Transformers' homeworld. {{storylink|Binal Time}} Optimus then summoned Prowl II and many other Autobots, and told them that scientists had been able to retrieve some of the data about the future. Most pertinent was the existence of a "[[Large switch|kill switch]]" which would immobilize all transformers once pulled. The Autobots used the device as a last resort, but as it turns out, all those in Binaltech bodies were unaffected by its power. With most of the Autobots in Binaltech bodies, they secured an easy victory over the Decepticons. {{storylink|Kill Switch}}

Eventually, Prowl's lost spark was discovered, having traveled through subspace into [[OG World|another timeline]]. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 1}} Prowl's spark was deemed too weak to make the dimensional crossing back to his [[BT World|own timeline]] unprotected, so Chip allowed his lifeforce to be transferred back into his human body, so that "Prowl II" could cease to be and the body be used to house the true Prowl's spark at last. {{storylink|Unfinished Business, Part 2}}

====Ask Vector Prime====
When Prowl and Wheeljack traveled from [[BT World]] to [[OG World]] and subsequently took up permanent residence in the dimension, they transferred their sparks into new, non-Binaltech bodies, leaving the old bodies in storage. Years later, when the elderly Chip Chase fell ill, Wheeljack remembered the time his essence had powered Prowl's Binaltech body back in Wheeljack's home universe, and repeated the process using the [[Cortexitron]] and Prowl's Alpha BT unit in hopes of preserving Chip's lifeforce. Unfortunately, the process was not entirely successful, and the new Chip/Prowl fusion was put into stasis until eventually, [[Maximal]] technology enabled it to be reactivated. Some memories were lost, but Prowl II was once again alive. {{storylink|Ask Vector Prime/Facebook src#September 10|Ask Vector Prime, 10/9/2015}}

===''Beast Wars'' toy bio===
Prowl II appears to have lost all specific memories of his prior existence. He remained convinced that he was a great military strategist in a previous life. {{storylink|Prowl II#Toys|Prowl Transmetal 2 toy bio}}

===IDW ''Beast Wars'' comics===
[[File:BWAscendProwl2RazorbeastWolfang.jpg|left|upright=1.4|thumb|"Hey, Prowl. Someone told me you sound like an owl." "Who?"]]
[[File:IDW Prowl.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|"Problem, Razorbeast?" "Yeah. We have no idea who the hell you are."]]

During the Great War, many Autobots fell victim to an infection that destroyed their bodies. To help boost the defense against the Decepticons on Earth, humans and Autobots combined their technology to create new Transformer bodies. One result of this cooperation was a warrior that was the combination of a human's essence and a robotic body. This warrior took on the mantle of "Prowl" for a short time and lived to the era of Maximals and Predacons. {{storylink|Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook #3}}

Prowl was one of the [[protoform]]s left behind by the crew of the ''[[Axalon (BW)|Axalon]]'' on prehistoric [[Earth]]. He was activated and put in chronal phase by [[Razorbeast]] at [[Magmatron]]'s request, but was protected from Magmatron's [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] shell-program by Razorbeast's viral code.

Accompanied by [[Nightglider|Night Glider]], [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], and [[Air Hammer]], Prowl sped to meet up with Razorbeast. {{Storylink|The Gathering issue 2|The Gathering #2}} These fliers and a phalanx of other Maximals finally reached Razorbeast's team just in time to fight off [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage's]] Predacon militia. In the battle that ensued, Prowl battled [[Sky Shadow (BW)|Sky Shadow]]. After the skirmish, Razorbeast had a spark-to-spark conversation with Prowl, telling him how tempted he was to end [[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]]'s life while he was in the captivity of Magmatron. Prowl assured him that he made the right decision, as it was what happened in the here and now that mattered, not what could happen in there and then of the future. {{storylink|The Gathering issue 4|The Gathering #4}}

During yet another attack by the Predacon militia, Ravage learned from a temporally displaced Magmatron that [[Shokaract]] was the real threat, and a truce was called. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 2|The Ascending #2}} Prowl was one of several Maximals who were taken back to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the present day, as it was under attack from Shokaract and [[Unicron]]'s acolytes. Prowl airlifted [[Snarl (BW)|Snarl]] (who invisibility-cloaked them both) in an effort to put a chronal displacement device on Shokaract. However, when Snarl jumped off, Prowl was visible once again and was blasted out of the sky. Fortunately, his sacrifice was not in vain, as the monster was taken to Magmatron's limbo and convinced to end this madness before Unicron consumed them all. {{storylink|The Ascending issue 4|The Ascending #4}}

===''TransTech''===
[[File:Blastcharge withered hope.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|His only fictional appearance that ''isn't'' headache-inducing.]]
Prowl II was a member of the [[Axiom Nexus Security Administration]]. He, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], and [[Prowl (Armada)|Prowl]] were part of the group investigating the discovery of [[Comet]]'s body. {{storylink|Withered Hope}}

On the day of the [[Waruder]] invasion of Cybertron, Prowl aided his fellow police officers in arresting [[Megatron (Movie)#TransTech|C-81]], [[Battletrap]], and [[Stepper (SG)|Stepper]]. {{Storylink|Cybertron's Most Wanted}}
{{-}}
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{charstubfiction|{{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}}}

==Origins and complications==
Due to the fact that ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' (1986) was not released in Japan until 1989, the production staff of the assorted Japanese-exclusive series were not entirely aware of the fact that several characters died during the film. As a result, a few of these deceased characters continued to appear in subsequent Japanese series—[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] in ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (cartoon)|The Headmasters]]'' and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] in ''[[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Victory (cartoon)|Victory]]''. Prowl was an especially erroneous instance, because he had been ''specifically'' name-checked as being among the deceased in the Japanese dub of "[[Dark Awakening (episode)|Dark Awakening]]", and yet... here he was, with a speaking line and everything.

The story accompanying ''[[Binaltech]]'' (2003–2008) introduced the [[Genetronic Translink System]], a mechanism which allowed Transformers to simultaneously operate multiple bodies. This served as a possible explanation for the survival of many of these characters, but it did not explain how Prowl could still be around, since he had specifically been stated to be dead. Enter "Prowl II", an identical clone (sort of) with Prowl's memories that seemingly [[retcon]]ned the appearances in ''The Headmasters'' into being "Prowl II", rather than Prowl.

This continuity patch-job failed to stick, however—eighteen chapters in, the events of the ''Binaltech'' storyline were branched off into a parallel dimension, leaving the appearances of Prowl in ''The Headmasters'' as an anomaly once more.

The anomaly continued in early 2008, when IDW's ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars Sourcebook|Beast Wars Sourcebook]]'' profiled the [[Transmetal 2]] [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Warrior]] Prowl. Originally released in 2007, this Prowl's [[bio]] noted that he believed himself "to have been a great military strategist in a former life", a reference to the original Prowl. As the ''Sourcebook'' had already chosen to represent the [[Magnaboss (BW)|Magnaboss]] component ''also'' known as Prowl as an upgraded version of the original character, Transmetal 2 Prowl—here given the moniker of "Prowl II"—was established to be an upgraded version of the semi-clone from ''Binaltech''. This made little sense, however, given that the storyline of the ''Binaltech'' world was incompatible with the history of the ''Beast Wars'' universe, plus, a few months after the publication of the ''Sourcebook'', the ''Binaltech'' story restored the original Prowl to life and put Chip back in his own body.

All of this would finally be patched with the publication of the manga "[[Controverse]]", and later, an answer in [[Ask Vector Prime]] that was written with input from Ichikawa. Between the two works, Prowl (and Wheeljack) were shown leaving the [[BT World]] timeline and traveling to the [[OG World]] timeline and switching to bodies reminiscent of their classic G1 appearances. It was then explained that the original BT body, now lacking a spark, would eventually be reactivated with Chip's life force to form Prowl II. And thus was the problem solved, and there was much rejoicing.

==Toys==
===Beast Wars===
[[File:Prowl tm2 fktoy.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Pr'''OWL'''. Get it? Yuk yuk yuk. Oh, Hasbro.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Deluxe Transmetal 2, [[1999]])

:Prowl is a [[Transmetal 2]] bio-mechanical owl with a flip-around-reveal [[spark crystal]] in his owl-skull. In [[beast mode]], he has a spring-gear-activated spinning head-and-wing gimmick. Oddly, the ''advertised'' [[robot mode]] for this figure has limited range of motion, since its wings would prevent its arms from moving forward. However, box art suggests folding the wings over the shoulders, rather than sticking out sideways from the chest.

:His toy was released in two color schemes: The first one, available in the first few [[wave]]s of product with Prowl, features a white, turquoise, and red coloration. Several waves in, however, he and [[Dinobot II#Beast Wars|Dinobot]] were re-shipped as part of [[Hasbro]]'s early experiments in refreshing a line with same-character [[redeco]] [[variant]]s, with Prowl now colored black, blue, and red. As a running change variation, he was sold under the same individual SKU rather than as a completely new release, and his packaging makes no mention of this new color scheme.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/Prowl/prowl.htm More information on Transmetal 2 Prowl (white) at TFU.info]''
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1999/Maximal/ProwlBlack/prowl.htm More information on Transmetal 2 Prowl (black) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[File:BinaltechProwl.jpg|upright=1.67|thumb|Chip Chase cosplaying.]]
*'''Prowl''' (Binaltech, [[2005]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-15'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun, traffic direction baton
{{note|Prowl II was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] from ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech]]'' [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Prowl]].}}

:Prowl transforms into a fully-licensed 1:24-scale [[wikipedia:Acura RSX|Acura RSX]] with opening doors, hood and trunk. His engine becomes a (non-firing) gun, while a clear-plastic nightstick is hidden under his car mode rear section. For his standard Japanese ''Binaltech'' release, Prowl received a [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] deco based on a real Japanese police car (the [[Hasbro]] [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Alternators/Binaltech|Prowl]]'s deco being based more on the original Generation 1 toy), a different spoiler mold, different rims, right-side steering, a Japanese police cherry blossom emblem instead of an Acura logo, and gray plastic instead of stony-blue. He was also labeled as a "Honda Integra Type-R", the model's make in Japan.
{{-}}

==Notes==
*The ''Beast Wars'' toy bio notes that Prowl fires "highly corrosive acid pellets", a nod to the original Prowl's weapon, but this Prowl has no gun of any type. However, real owls ''do'' spit up hardened pellets of undigested bone, fur and other leftovers from recent meals... so basically, Prowl horks up hardened barf-bullets at his enemies. Delightful!
*There is another "[[Prowl 2]]" toy out there, the [[Spy Changer]] from the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' toyline]]. No release of the toy included a [[bio]], and consequently, just exactly ''who'' this figure represents was debated for a long time. [[Ask Vector Prime]] would eventually clarify the mystery there as well.

[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Beast Wars Maximals]]
[[Category:Clones]]
[[Category:Japanese-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Law enforcement]]
[[Category:Repurposed toys]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:Transmetals 2]]
[[Category:TransTech Maximals]]

File:TAAO1 cvrREA.jpg

2016-06-17T13:28:16Z

Cpshelton: Cpshelton uploaded a new version of "File:TAAO1 cvrREA.jpg": The TransMissions logo on the previous version was incorrect and missing its background. This is the correct version that is on the printed comic.

{{IDWG1cover
|description=
{{art|lineart=[[Alex Milne]]|colors=[[Josh Perez]]}}
|series=Till All Are One
|issueno=1
|storytitle=
|cover=TransMissions Podcast exclusive cover
|year=16}}

[[Category: Images by Alex Milne]]
[[Category: Images by Josh Perez]]

The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye

2015-10-01T16:34:34Z

Cpshelton: Link to issue 45 wiki page was broken

{{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''''' is an ongoing comic series published by [[IDW Publishing]], starting in January [[2012]]. This series follows the adventures of [[Hot Rod/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] and his team as they travel through space, hunting for the legendary [[Knights of Cybertron]] 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 ongoing [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|Generation 1 continuity]].

In 2014, it was nominated for three True Believer Awards (formerly the Eagle Awards): Favourite American Comicbook: 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>

{{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=|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]]
*[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye issue 46|#46]]
*[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye issue 47|#47]]
*[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye issue 48|#48]]
}}

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 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]]'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}}

==Overview==
In contrast to the 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/IDW Generation 1 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)/IDW Generation 1 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)/IDW Generation 1 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)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]]; 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)|Rewind]] and [[mnemosurgery|mnemosurgeon]] [[Chromedome (G1)|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]].

[[File:MTMTE28 subcvr.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|All of your favorite childhood heroes... wait, what's ''he'' doing there?]]
''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. Following an unexpected [[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)|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)/IDW Generation 1 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)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]: using his mnemosurgery skills to tap the memories and learn the secrets of mass-murdering Decepticon [[Overlord (Masterforce)|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 [[Tyrest (G1)|Chief Justice Tyrest]] to wipe out all those Transformers he sees as tainted by original sin.

The book then goes into the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" crossover with ''Robots in Disguise'' with the ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues mainly dealing with the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s quest to find and revive Metroplex and Orion Pax's investigation into the relation of the Dead Universe to 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.]]
After the conclusion of "Dark Cybertron", "Season 2" of the series kicks off with a three part story arc involving 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 while the present day story deals with the arrival of a [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|coffin]]; disappearing objects and a mystery involving [[The Gloaming|Rewind's Message]]. The cast underwent a reshuffle, as tertiary crew members like [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]] were moved to the main cast and new crew members like [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] were added. The new members included two new original characters, [[Nautica]] and [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]. Answers to the mysteries revolving around the coffin led 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, as they discover that they can't fight fate.

In the aftermath, several characters departed for other comics while new people [[Velocity]] and [[Thunder Clash]] joined the crew. Elsewhere, the Decepticon Justice Division learned Megatron had called for an end to Decepticon warfare; they doubled down and joined [[Deathsaurus (Victory)|Deathsaurus's]] splinter faction, determined to kill Megatron for heresy. The ''Lost Light'' discovered a message from a (dead) spy within the DJD while helping Swerve with his self-worth issues and followed its directions to the [[Necrobot]]'s home world. It contained a sobering reminder that all of them were killers and would one day have to face it, and Megatron was shaken to see a visual representation of the billions he was responsible for.

{{--}}

==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|]]
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:

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKmZRO8XzyY "Lost Coastlines"] by [[Wikipedia:Okkervil River|Okkervil River]] — an overall anthem for the series
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLs3aLq8quw "I've Got a Plan"] by [[Wikipedia: My Friend the Chocolate Cake|My Friend the Chocolate Cake]] — [[theme song]] for Rodimus
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7maZZOQ_hKA "I Would Fix You"] by [[Wikipedia:Kenickie|Kenickie]] — theme song for Chromedome and Rewind
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYbgWDA2U-M "Hello Cruel World"] by [[Wikipedia:Mark Oliver Everett|Mark Oliver Everett]] — theme song for Tailgate
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcX_JleLsbk "True Men"] by [[Wikipedia:Jon DeRosa|Jon DeRosa]] — theme song for Ultra Magnus

Songs for Season 2
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Ae0TfhK8M "Let's Make This Precious"] by [[Wikipedia: Dexys Midnight Runners|Dexys Midnight Runners]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45vgN4F_6bk "A Question of Trust"] by [[Wikipedia: Their Hearts Were Full of Spring|Their Hearts Were Full of Spring]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjPqsDU0j2I "Mr. Blue Sky"] by [[Wikipedia:Electric Light Orchestra|Electric Light Orchestra]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlX0Hfh1_3Y "Let's Get Started"] by [[Wikipedia: Frisbie (band)|Frisbie]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DpDxT2q9QE "The Old Man's Back Again"] by [[Wikipedia: Scott Walker (singer)|Scott Walker]] - theme song for Megatron
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLkwnM0BJR4 "Speedway"] by [[Wikipedia:Morrissey|Morrissey]] - another theme song for Megatron

==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.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 1''''' (reissue) ([[May 21]], 2014) ISBN 1613779658 / ISBN 978-1613779651
:*Contains issues #1 to #3, as well as the preceding ''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 ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #25–#27, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #26–#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–#27 and "Dark Cybertron: Finale".
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 7''''' ([[May 18]], 2015) ISBN 1631403273 / ISBN 978-1631403279
:*Contains issues #34 to #38
:*Bonus content includes covers of each issue.

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

*'''''The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye Volume 8''''' ([[October 7]], 2015) ''SCHEDULED by AMAZON'' ISBN 1631404520 / ISBN 978-1631404528
:*Contains issues #39 to #44
:*Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

<gallery>
File:MTMTE vol1.jpg|Volume 1 cover by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
File:MTMTE vol2.jpg|Volume 2 cover by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
File:MTMTE vol3.jpg|Volume 3 cover by Alex Milne and [[Joana Lafuente]]
File:MTMTE vol4.jpg|Volume 4 cover by Alex Milne and Joana Lafuente
File:MTMTE vol5.jpg|Volume 5 cover by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
File:DC vol1.jpg|Dark Cybertron Volume 1 cover by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
File:MTMTE vol1 reissue.jpg|Volume 1 reissue cover by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
File:DC vol2.jpg|Dark Cybertron Volume 2 cover by Phil Jimenez and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
File:IDWCollectionP2V1.jpg|IDW Collection Phase 2 Vol 1 cover by [[Sarah Stone]]
File:MTMTE vol6.jpg|Volume 6 cover by [[Casey Coller]] and Joana Lafuente
File:DC HC.jpg|Dark Cybertron Hardcover cover by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
File:MTMTE vol7.jpg|Volume 7 cover by Alex Milne and Josh Perez
</gallery>

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:More than Meets the Eye, The Transformers}}
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]

The Transformers: Robots in Disguise

2015-04-15T18:15:36Z

Cpshelton: Added link to issue 40 wiki page

{{disambig3|Robots in Disguise}}
[[File:RID vol1.jpg|thumb|250px|"Ironhide, Go-Bots ahead!" "ATTACK!"]]
'''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise''''' is an ongoing comic series begun by [[IDW Publishing]] in [[2012]]. The series focuses on [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] and the [[Autobot]]s trying to organize peace among the [[NAIL]]s and [[Decepticon]]s and bring [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] to a new [[Golden Age]].

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 ongoing [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|Generation 1 continuity]].

The series was retitled simply '''''The Transformers''''' starting with issue #35<ref>http://www.previewsworld.com/Home/1/1/71/979?articleID=152755 IDW Publishing Products Shipping In November 2014
</ref> to avoid confusion with the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 franchise)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'']] franchise.

{{chapters|series=rid|style=3 |prev=Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|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|#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 Chapter 5: I Dream of Wires|#32]]
*[[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
*[[The Crucible|#34]]
}}{{chapters|series=exrid|style=3|next=|align=left|content=
*[[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]]
}}

==Overview==
Based on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the series focuses on [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 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)/IDW Generation 1 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 (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]]; [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], trying his hand at legitimately gaining power through political manipulations; security chief [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]], slowly turning to the dark side as his past weighs down on him; under-appreciated but perennially upbeat [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]; and [[Ironhide (G1)|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)|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]], [[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]], [[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]], and others.

[[File:RID28 subcvr.jpg|thumb|150px|left|"Optimus, Kiss-Players ahead!" "ATTACK!"]]
Tensions run high following the apparent destruction of the ''[[Lost Light]]'', and [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] plots to have [[Skywarp (G1)|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. It is while they are being searched for by the other Autobots, Decepticons and NAILs that something else is discovered instead: a [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] has returned to Cybertron, and it dubs Starscream the 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. It turns out that 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, the Dinobots and the Aerialbots—now [[Superion (G1)|Superion]]—make a triumphant return to take Devastator down, 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)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] are chronicled in a few side-story issues narrated by Pax himself. Alongside [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]], Pax discovers that [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] are carrying out a plan of [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 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]]" crossover event.

After the crossover concludes, "Season 2" brings major changes. The setting shifts from Cybertron to Earth and the Autobots fall back under the command of Optimus Prime following Bumblebee's death. The Decepticons, equally undergo a command change and are now led by Galvatron. New additions to the main cast of Autobots include [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]. As well, the Construticons are now working for Prowl. Simultaneously, more of Galvatron's backstory is built, 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.

Upon arriving in Earth's orbit the crew of ''[[Ark-7]]'' is attacked by human missiles that are based off Cybertronian technology. Unwilling to risk the ship, Optimus takes Arcee, Jazz, Sideswipe, Kup and Prowl down to Earth in Sky Lynx while Jetfire falls back to the Moon. When they arrive Optimus, Kup and Jazz meet the ex-Seeker Thundercracker, who just wants to get on with life, and are ambushed by the Decepticons now led by Galvatron. 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". Escaping, using a plan of Prowl's, they meet up with Sideswipe and Arcee and wind up in a town called Poverty Flat where Prowl unleashes Devastator on the Decepticons. Mid-fight the Decepticons are knocked out and teleported away by Skywarp. Returning to their ship, the Autobots manage to track the signal of the "Mind Bomb" to an island called Bikini Atoll. Sending Jazz in they discover Trion's shuttle prompting Optimus to lead an assault on the facility. Simultaneously, having been tipped off by Scavenger to base's existence, the Decepticons arrive. Jazz discovers Trion but is stopped by Prowl from freeing him, claiming that the humans have another Cybertronian than Trion. Prowl is knocked out by the "Mind Bomb" but manages to upload himself to the EDC's server and destroy the base using their own arsenal. Taking Trion, the Autobots beat a hasty retreat with Prowl saying they need to speak to someone who knows what the EDC is hiding. At the same time, Galvatron kills General Witwicky and frames Prowl while the confused Thundercracker finds an EDC drone army based off Ramjet and Thrust.

Meanwhile, back on Cybertron, Wheeljack is finally repaired and is introduced to the new world order by Starscream, Windblade and Ironhide. He is slowly swayed by Starscream to rebuild Superion to fight for Cybertron as the Autobots have Devastator and Menasor and Monstructor are unaccounted for, putting the planet at risk if one of them were to attack.

==Creative team==
[[File:Barber and griffith.jpg|right|thumb|250px|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 #1–5.
:* 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 #6–9.
:* Bonus material: cover gallery.

* '''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 3''''' ([[April 17]], 2013) ISBN 1613776268 / ISBN 978-1613776261
:* Contains Annual 2012 and issues #10–11.
:* 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 #12–16.
:* Bonus material: cover gallery.

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

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

* '''''The Transformers: Robots in Disguise Volume 1''''' (reissue) ([[May 21]], 2014) ISBN 161377964X / ISBN 978-1613779644
:* Contains issues #1–5.
:* 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–#27, ''More than Meets the Eye'' issues #26–#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 "[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]", ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1–5 and ''Robots in Disguise'' #1–6.

* '''''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 Cybertron'' issue #1 ''Robots in Disguise'' issues #23–#27 and "Dark Cybertron: Finale".
:* Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

* '''''The Transformers: Volume 7''''' ([[April 8]], 2015) ''SCHEDULED'' ISBN 1631402854 / ISBN 978-1631402852
:* Contains issues #33 to #38
:* Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

* '''''The Transformers: Combiner Wars''''' ([[August 25]], 2015) ''SCHEDULED'' ISBN 1631403869 / ISBN 978-1631403866
:* Contains issues #39 to #41, as well as the issues #1-#3 of the ''Transformers: Windblade'' ongoing.
:* Bonus content UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

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

<gallery>
Image:RID vol1.jpg|Volume 1 cover by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]]
Image:RID vol2.jpg|Volume 2 cover by Andrew Griffith and [[Joana Lafuente]]
Image:RID vol3.jpg|Volume 3 cover by [[Brendan Cahill]] and Josh Perez
Image:RID vol4.jpg|Volume 4 cover by Andrew Griffith and Josh Perez
Image:RID vol5.jpg|Volume 5 cover by [[Casey Coller]] and Joana Lafuente
Image:DC vol1.jpg|Dark Cybertron Volume 1 cover by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
Image:RID vol1 reissue.jpg|Volume 1 reissue cover by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
Image:DC vol2.jpg|Dark Cybertron Volume 2 cover by Phil Jimenez and Romulo Fajardo Jr.
File:IDWCollectionP2V1.jpg|IDW Collection Phase 2 Vol 1 cover by [[Sarah Stone]]
Image:RID vol6.jpg|Volume 6 cover by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
Image:DC HC.jpg|Dark Cybertron Hardcover cover by Casey Coller and Joana Lafuente
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robots in Disguise}}
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]

Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide

2015-03-04T15:31:27Z

Cpshelton: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=38
|prev=Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet
|next=
|image=MTMTE38 regcvr.jpg
|title="Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 4]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=February 2015
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]]
}}

'''Faced with the choice of allowing Megatron to be created, or damning Cybertron in order to create a better universe, the time-travelling ''Lost Light''ers learn that there truly is no future but that which they make for themselves.'''

==Synopsis==

Realizing his life is in danger, [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] lashes out at [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], demanding that he be sent back in time to save himself. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] restrains the former [[Decepticon]], and he and Perceptor insist that [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] has the matter well in hand. Megatron is unconvinced, given Rodimus's track record, but the decision is out of his hands: Perceptor sends Rodimus's team back in time, draining the last of the power from the ship's [[quantum generator]]s.

In the distant past, in [[Con Facility 113]], [[Brainstorm]] aims his gun at the [[reproduction|constructed cold]] Megatron's half-built form, but is suddenly taken out by a whirlwind-generating "[[grenado]]" hurled by Rodimus as he and his team materialize on the scene. Consulting the facility computers, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] observes that Brainstorm has tried to delete information on Megatron from them, and calls upon [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] to help him fill in the blanks, but Rewind finds that his database has now been completely overwritten with the history of the alternate timeline. Brainstorm has not yet been stopped! The scientist recover and draws his gun once more, but Rung—having seen in the computer records that Brainstorm had been hesitating for ten long minutes before they arrived—is able to talk him into standing down. Brainstorm explains that he never wanted to kill anyone: he had intended to track Megatron through time using a [[spark]]print taken from him during his therapy session with Rung, planning simply to steer him away from "life-changing events", only to have his hand forced when he realized part-way into his journey that he was following a print accidentally taken from ''Rung'' instead. At that point, Brainstorm's injuries take their toll and he keels over... but just as he hits the floor, ''Rewind'' uses his gun to kill Megatron instead!

The shaken archivist shares what his overwritten database has told him: that if Megatron dies, although Cybertron will be consigned to a dystopian [[Functionism|Functionist]]-governed future, the ''rest of the universe'' will be spared the devastation of the Transformers' war. No one can really argue against his logic... except for [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], who refuses to let the Functionists "win". Grabbing Megatron's body when nobody is looking and snatching the [[Point One Percenter]] spark taken from [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] from Brainstorm's chest compartment, he locks himself in a nearby room and implants the spark into Megatron's body. With this action, Whirl ensures the safety of the existing timeline: Magnus contacts Rodimus let him know that time has begun moving again, but that, with the quantum engines out of power, they are now stranded in the past. To spare them this fate, Tailgate suggests they use the [[time phone]] to try and prevent the ''[[Lost Light]]'' from taking off in the first place, altering their destinies. Together, the group sends a message to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] on the ship's launch day, warning their future selves of all the dangers that they will face on their journey—though as [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] points out, if it was successful, all the ''good'' they have done on their trip will also not happen. Rodimus cuts off Cyclonus's rant and hands him Whirl's gun: though they cannot travel through time, Perceptor ''can'' teleport them one last time to a location on Cybertron that may hold the key to their salvation.

After Rodimus and Cyclonus have left, the weakened Brainstorm explains his motivations to Rewind: originally, he had created the time machine in order to save [[Quark]], the unrequited love of his life, from dying in [[Grindcrore (prison)|Grindcore prison]]. Following the original Rewind's death and Chromedome's emotional breakdown, however, Brainstorm decided to expand the scope of his mission, and decided to save as many lives as possible by preventing the war. Afterward, [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] asks Rewind to explain exactly where Rodimus and Cyclonus have gone; Rewind tells him they have gone to [[Unitrex]], the city in which the first interstellar starships were created. Pulling up an image of the region from his database, Rewind is struck by the sight of some very familiar fuel quills poking up from below the city...

Rodimus and Cyclonus arrive in a secret facility underneath Unitrex, where they are accosted by a security guard and his pack of [[turbofox]]es. Cyclonus deals with the guard, blasting him with Whirl's gun and locking his spasming form in a nearby room with his pets, while Rodimus speeds on ahead, locating the experimental generator that Perceptor has sent them to find. At Perceptor's direction, using information gained from the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s own engines, Rodimus makes a few modifications to the generator to turn it into a functional quantum engine, then plugs the case into it in order to charge it for a jump back to the future. As Cyclonus rejoins him, Rodimus ensures that he has brought Whirl's gun with him—they cannot leave an experimental weapon from Brainstorm's future arsenal lying about in the past, though Cyclonus can't read the scientist's terrible handwriting on the handle, and does not realize he shot the guard with a "[[Sparkeater Gun]]". Adding to the weirdness of the day, the entire complex suddenly disappears around them, shunted into the future by the newly-fashioned quantum engine—little do the pair realize that they have just been responsible for ''creating'' the ''Lost Light'' they will come to call home!

The next day, after everyone has returned to their proper place and time, things get back to normal aboard the ''Lost Light''. Brainstorm is in the brig; Chromedome and Rewind now sleep in the same room once more; everyone enjoys a movie screening and a singalong in ''[[Swerve's]]''; and Megatron retires to his quarters to silently regard his [[Rodimus Star]]. Rung pays a visit to Perceptor's lab to talk over recent events—Perceptor explains that the crew were ''always'' supposed to travel through time, their actions having always been part of history, and that the alternate "functionist timeline" only came into being accidentally, as a result of his tampering with the time machine's paradox locks. Further, he speculates that that alternate timeline may now actually exists as its own parallel universe...

...which is shown to be the case, as, across time and space, [[Functionist Council]] member [[One-of-Twelve]] is summoned by [[Quark]] with news of a world-shaking discovery made by janitorial 'bot [[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]]. Dubbing Sweep "alt mode exalted" for his contributions, One-of-Twelve bring the news before the 'bot to whom it pertains: the captive Rung, "The Useless One", held prisoner due to the mystery of his [[alternate mode]]. But that mystery has now been solved, and the threat that the truth of Rung's form poses to the Functionists' regime demands his execution. But as One-of-Twelve holds a gun on him, Rung merely encourages him to pull the trigger, as doing so will only herald the beginning of the end...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (3)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (5)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (6)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (7)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (8)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (10)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (11)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (12)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (15)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (16)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (17)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Brainstorm]] (4)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)

|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (9)
*[[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]]-to-be (13)
*''[[Quark]]'' (14)
*[[One-of-Twelve]] (20)
*[[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==

"'''Rodimus?''' You want me to put my '''life''' in the hands of an Autobot who '''somersaults''' onto the bridge? An Autobot who pretends to be '''dead''' if you ask him a difficult question? An Autobot who, in response to a crisis in morale perpetuated by his own '''woeful''' captaincy, introduced a '''reward system''' based on his own '''face?'''" 
"You were happy to leave this to Rodimus when you thought it was '''Prime's''' life on the line..." 
"What? Don't be clever, it makes you sound stupid. God, now I'm starting to '''sound''' like him."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' on Rodimus, and [[Rodimus Star]]s

"Neatest handwriting. You?" 
"''Sigh.'' For abandoning my evil ways."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Megatron''' on the attributes that earned them their Rodimus Stars

"The old '''time-traveling''' grenade trick!" 
"'''Is''' it old?" 
"It is now."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Tailgate'''

"Holy '''heck''', that was intense! And it was '''exactly''' like the climax to [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]'s '''play'''—except Brainstorm isn't a giant turbofox and the gun isn't a shovel and we're not trapped inside a carnival mirror and none of us are speaking in rhyme!"
:—'''Tailgate''', after Rung gets Brainstorm to stand down

"I never '''set out''' to kill anyone. All I wanted to was stop the war by steering Megatron away from '''life-changing events'''. 
"No one cares." 
"You say that, Whirl, but maybe—" 
"<big>'''♪'''</big> No one cares what you have to say...! <big>'''♫'''</big>"
:—'''Braintorm''' and '''Whirl'''

"Cyclonus thought you'd traced the wrong energy signature. I said, 'Percy, make a mistake? The last time '''that''' happened it turned out '''physics''' had screwed up.' Ha!"
:—'''Rodimus''', to Perceptor

"I am '''so''' lost. '''Loved''' the pink flying sled—but that bit when he watches himself playing guitar? I mean, '''what?'''" 
"It's from the first one!" 
"There's a first one?"
:—'''Tailgate''' and '''Riptide''' on ''Back to the Future Part II''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Whirl mentions that this issue takes place in the middle of the "[[Silver Harvest]]", the name given in [[Twenty Plus One|issue #31]] to the discovery of Tyrest's stockpile of Matrix-born sparks, which was itself originally alluded to in [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|issue #19]].
*The data on Megatron erased by Brainstorm includes his batch code. It was originally established that Megatron had no batch code ''waaaay'' back in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|issue #22]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing series]].
*Brainstorm's sparkprint of Rung was taken back in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]], during the short blackout that showed the audience an x-ray view of Rung and Megatron. We assumed at the time that the blackout itself was the first of what would be many subsequent power outages that accompanied the slow quantum erasure of the ship and its crew, but perhaps it was, as Megatron suggested at the time, simply a power surge caused by the activation of Brainstorm's scanner.
*It was in the same issue that Megatron talked about the Maccadam's brawl during his therapy session, which Brainstorm was able to learn about because he was standing outside the room at the time.
*Brainstorm collected the Point One Perceptor spark from Luna 1 in [[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|issue #17]].
*At long last, Tailgate is revealed to be the sender of the warning message we heard all the way back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]], in an attempt to warn the crew of all the terrible things that await them on their journey: Tailgate himself warns "Don't open the coffin" containing the alternate Rodimus's corpse, in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]]; Rodimus cautions "Don't let [[Legislator|them]] take [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]" to Luna 1, as seen in issue #19; Rung urges "Don't go to [[Delphi]]", where the twin terrors of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] and [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] lurk, from issues [[Life After the Big Bang|#4]] and [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]]; Chromedome guards the mistake he made in [[Remembrance Day|issue #14]], "Do not look in the basement", where [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] is imprisoned; and Riptide completes the message by warning them not to trust Brainstorm, but as we saw in issue #1, this part of the transmission was lost.
*Brainstorm makes reference to when he was "sort of dead once", as seen in the closing chapters of "[[Dark Cybertron]]".
*Quark was captured during the fall of [[K'th Kinsere]], a located brought out several times during Roberts's works; the Decepticons' attack on it was specifically described in issue #31. He was incarcerated in [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]] prison, previously mentioned in "[[Bullets]]".
*Brainstorm's love for Quark probably explains, to some extent, his fanboyish "please notice me sempai" infatuation with Perceptor beyond his being a rival scientist—he's also a microscope, like Quark, and Quark was always designed to resemble [[Perceptor (Animated)|''Animated'' Perceptor]].
*As is made obvious by the story though apparently not actually realized by any of the characters, Rodimus and Cyclonus do not simply visit a "secret base", but are actually teleported inside the younger version of the ''Lost Light'' itself, ''inside'' said base. The launch pad they find themselves on when the ship disappears is labelled "U1", the previous name of the ship, as revealed in issue #31. Essentially "perfected" by its own future crew, the ship is sent into the future, where it will be found by the NAILs who then sold it to Drift in issue #31. How the NAILs ''knew'' its original name remains a question, though...
*And of course, the unfortunate guard, mutated by the Sparkeater Gun, becomes the [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] that menaced the ship in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]], and has been locked in the chamber it was freed from since the very beginning. The remains of three turbofoxes were found in the cell in issue #3, but presumably these weren't the ''original'' three turbofoxes we see in this issue; in #3, Rodimus speculated that the [[NAIL]]s who would eventually come to own the ''Lost Light'' were feeding the sparkeater the creatures to keep it docile, and issue #31 seemed to back that assertion up by revealing that said NAILs had stolen a brace of turbofoxes from the ''[[Alchemy-Seven]]''. Perhaps they were inspired to use turbofoxes saw what the Sparkeater did to the ones it was first locked up with.
*All this would also mean that the poor fellow Whirl shot with the gun last issue also turned into a sparkeater. Could that guy and whatever he got up to after being mutated have been the ''origin'' of the sparkeater myth, in turn inspiring Brainstorm to create the gun in the first place?? Oh, no, I've gone cross-eyed, Basil.
*"The Useless One" was originally mentioned in our first glimpse of the "Functionist timeline" in [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|issue #35]], and is here confirmed to be that timeline's version of Rung, thought it was fairly easy to deduce at the time. To no-one's great surprise, we here receive our first implication that his alternate mode is part of something much greater...
*Perceptor notes that the Functionist timeline may function as a starting point for additional alternate timelines. Although the concept of alternate timelines and parallel universes was discounted as impossible back in issue 35, they are a long-standing concept in Transformers - so it's possible that the Transformers multiverse was created through Brainstorm's briefcase.
*Perceptor mentions that his actions tampering with Brainstorm's time machine accidentally created the conditions for the existence of parallel universes. But if their timeline hadn't started to collapse and the Functionist timeline hadn't started to intrude, Rewind's database wouldn't have been overwritten. If Rewind's database hadn't been overwritten, he wouldn't have had the motivation to destroy Megatron's original spark. Furthermore, the revelation of the Functionist dystopia was also what prompted Whirl to save Megatron's life by transplanting the new spark, preserving the timeline. So that means Perceptor accidentally creating parallel universes must also have been preordained to occur. So the multiverse and all its infinite timelines were always destined to exist. My head hurts.

===Transformers references===
*The pistol Brainstorm trains on Megatron (which is also brandished by One-of-Twelve on the final page) is based on Megatron's original Generation 1 Walther P38 [[alternate mode]], sans the [[fusion cannon]]/scope and stock attachments, but retaining its barrel-extending silencer.
*Megatron was constructed cold in "[[Con Facility 113]]," yet another of Roberts's many references to [[113 (disambiguation)|the number]].
*The title of this issue, "Predestination: An Expert's Guide", parallels the title of issue #30, "Predestination: A Beginner's Guide."

===Real-life references===
*You don't need us to tell you that the 'bots are watching ''{{w|Back to the Future Part II}}''—which is, of course, about characters travelling back in time to put history to rights and avert a terrible alternate timeline from happening, just like this story has been. Tailgate missed out on seeing the {{w|Back to the Future|first one}}, but Cyclonus evidently didn't, since he is able to lead everyone in a singalong of "{{w|The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)|The Power of Love}}" by {{w|Huey Lewis and the News}}, which doesn't appear (properly) in the sequel. "The Power of love," the song intones, "might just save your life"—a fitting summation of the emotions revealed this issue to have secretly driven the storyline.
*Whirl likes the film well enough, but he'd rather have ''{{w|Alphaville (film)|Alphaville}}''—it's directed by Jean-Luc Godard, whose work he expressed a fondness form in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]].

===Errors===
*When spotting the familiar fuel quills of the ''Lost Light'', Rewind says "They looks awfully familiar", rather than "That looks" or "They look".

===Other trivia===
*Originally intended for release in February 2015, continuing delays afflicting multiple IDW titles as a result of port closures on the west coast of America saw this issue pushed to the first week of March.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMRBCCDTl7s It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)]" by {{w|R.E.M.}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXS8FmruAQg Good Goodnight]" by {{w|Aqualung (musician)|Aqualung}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSo1yr9aHpM If the World Ends]" by {{w|Guillemots (band)|Guillemots}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10hgnG5YC8 Where Are They Now?]" by {{w|Gene (band)|Gene}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Brainstorm, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Rodimus tries to separate Whirl and Rewind, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Megatron in a {{w|Coast Salish art}} style, by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]

<gallery>
File:MTMTE38 regcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE38 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE38 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #39
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
*''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' [[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 4|#4]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' #6
*IDW ''Edward Scissorhands'' comic
*IDW''Skylanders Champions'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-38-idw-2015 Preview]

Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide

2015-03-04T15:09:44Z

Cpshelton: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=38
|prev=Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet
|next=
|image=MTMTE38 regcvr.jpg
|title="Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 4]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=February 2015
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]]
}}

'''Faced with the choice of allowing Megatron to be created, or damning Cybertron in order to create a better universe, the time-travelling ''Lost Light''ers learn that there truly is no future but that which they make for themselves.'''

==Synopsis==

Realizing his life is in danger, [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] lashes out at [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], demanding that he be sent back in time to save himself. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] restrains the former [[Decepticon]], and he and Perceptor insist that [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] has the matter well in hand. Megatron is unconvinced, given Rodimus's track record, but the decision is out of his hands: Perceptor sends Rodimus's team back in time, draining the last of the power from the ship's [[quantum generator]]s.

In the distant past, in [[Con Facility 113]], [[Brainstorm]] aims his gun at the [[reproduction|constructed cold]] Megatron's half-built form, but is suddenly taken out by a whirlwind-generating "[[grenado]]" hurled by Rodimus as he and his team materialize on the scene. Consulting the facility computers, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] observes that Brainstorm has tried to delete information on Megatron from them, and calls upon [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] to help him fill in the blanks, but Rewind finds that his database has now been completely overwritten with the history of the alternate timeline. Brainstorm has not yet been stopped! The scientist recover and draws his gun once more, but Rung—having seen in the computer records that Brainstorm had been hesitating for ten long minutes before they arrived—is able to talk him into standing down. Brainstorm explains that he never wanted to kill anyone: he had intended to track Megatron through time using a [[spark]]print taken from him during his therapy session with Rung, planning simply to steer him away from "life-changing events", only to have his hand forced when he realized part-way into his journey that he was following a print accidentally taken from ''Rung'' instead. At that point, Brainstorm's injuries take their toll and he keels over... but just as he hits the floor, ''Rewind'' uses his gun to kill Megatron instead!

The shaken archivist shares what his overwritten database has told him: that if Megatron dies, although Cybertron will be consigned to a dystopian [[Functionism|Functionist]]-governed future, the ''rest of the universe'' will be spared the devastation of the Transformers' war. No one can really argue against his logic... except for [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], who refuses to let the Functionists "win". Grabbing Megatron's body when nobody is looking and snatching the [[Point One Percenter]] spark taken from [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] from Brainstorm's chest compartment, he locks himself in a nearby room and implants the spark into Megatron's body. With this action, Whirl ensures the safety of the existing timeline: Magnus contacts Rodimus let him know that time has begun moving again, but that, with the quantum engines out of power, they are now stranded in the past. To spare them this fate, Tailgate suggests they use the [[time phone]] to try and prevent the ''[[Lost Light]]'' from taking off in the first place, altering their destinies. Together, the group sends a message to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] on the ship's launch day, warning their future selves of all the dangers that they will face on their journey—though as [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] points out, if it was successful, all the ''good'' they have done on their trip will also not happen. Rodimus cuts off Cyclonus's rant and hands him Whirl's gun: though they cannot travel through time, Perceptor ''can'' teleport them one last time to a location on Cybertron that may hold the key to their salvation.

After Rodimus and Cyclonus have left, the weakened Brainstorm explains his motivations to Rewind: originally, he had created the time machine in order to save [[Quark]], the unrequited love of his life, from dying in [[Grindcrore (prison)|Grindcore prison]]. Following the original Rewind's death and Chromedome's emotional breakdown, however, Brainstorm decided to expand the scope of his mission, and decided to save as many lives as possible by preventing the war. Afterward, [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] asks Rewind to explain exactly where Rodimus and Cyclonus have gone; Rewind tells him they have gone to [[Unitrex]], the city in which the first interstellar starships were created. Pulling up an image of the region from his database, Rewind is struck by the sight of some very familiar fuel quills poking up from below the city...

Rodimus and Cyclonus arrive in a secret facility underneath Unitrex, where they are accosted by a security guard and his pack of [[turbofox]]es. Cyclonus deals with the guard, blasting him with Whirl's gun and locking his spasming form in a nearby room with his pets, while Rodimus speeds on ahead, locating the experimental generator that Perceptor has sent them to find. At Perceptor's direction, using information gained from the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s own engines, Rodimus makes a few modifications to the generator to turn it into a functional quantum engine, then plugs the case into it in order to charge it for a jump back to the future. As Cyclonus rejoins him, Rodimus ensures that he has brought Whirl's gun with him—they cannot leave an experimental weapon from Brainstorm's future arsenal lying about in the past, though Cyclonus can't read the scientist's terrible handwriting on the handle, and does not realize he shot the guard with a "[[Sparkeater Gun]]". Adding to the weirdness of the day, the entire complex suddenly disappears around them, shunted into the future by the newly-fashioned quantum engine—little do the pair realize that they have just been responsible for ''creating'' the ''Lost Light'' they will come to call home!

The next day, after everyone has returned to their proper place and time, things get back to normal aboard the ''Lost Light''. Brainstorm is in the brig; Chromedome and Rewind now sleep in the same room once more; everyone enjoys a movie screening and a singalong in ''[[Swerve's]]''; and Megatron retires to his quarters to silently regard his [[Rodimus Star]]. Rung pays a visit to Perceptor's lab to talk over recent events—Perceptor explains that the crew were ''always'' supposed to travel through time, their actions having always been part of history, and that the alternate "functionist timeline" only came into being accidentally, as a result of his tampering with the time machine's paradox locks. Further, he speculates that that alternate timeline may now actually exists as its own parallel universe...

...which is shown to be the case, as, across time and space, [[Functionist Council]] member [[One-of-Twelve]] is summoned by [[Quark]] with news of a world-shaking discovery made by janitorial 'bot [[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]]. Dubbing Sweep "alt mode exalted" for his contributions, One-of-Twelve bring the news before the 'bot to whom it pertains: the captive Rung, "The Useless One", held prisoner due to the mystery of his [[alternate mode]]. But that mystery has now been solved, and the threat that the truth of Rung's form poses to the Functionists' regime demands his execution. But as One-of-Twelve holds a gun on him, Rung merely encourages him to pull the trigger, as doing so will only herald the beginning of the end...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (3)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (5)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (6)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (7)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (8)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (10)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (11)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (12)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (15)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (16)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (17)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Brainstorm]] (4)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)

|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (9)
*[[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]]-to-be (13)
*''[[Quark]]'' (14)
*[[One-of-Twelve]] (20)
*[[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==

"'''Rodimus?''' You want me to put my '''life''' in the hands of an Autobot who '''somersaults''' onto the bridge? An Autobot who pretends to be '''dead''' if you ask him a difficult question? An Autobot who, in response to a crisis in morale perpetuated by his own '''woeful''' captaincy, introduced a '''reward system''' based on his own '''face?'''" 
"You were happy to leave this to Rodimus when you thought it was '''Prime's''' life on the line..." 
"What? Don't be clever, it makes you sound stupid. God, now I'm starting to '''sound''' like him."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' on Rodimus, and [[Rodimus Star]]s

"Neatest handwriting. You?" 
"''Sigh.'' For abandoning my evil ways."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Megatron''' on the attributes that earned them their Rodimus Stars

"The old '''time-traveling''' grenade trick!" 
"'''Is''' it old?" 
"It is now."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Tailgate'''

"Holy '''heck''', that was intense! And it was '''exactly''' like the climax to [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]'s '''play'''—except Brainstorm isn't a giant turbofox and the gun isn't a shovel and we're not trapped inside a carnival mirror and none of us are speaking in rhyme!"
:—'''Tailgate''', after Rung gets Brainstorm to stand down

"I never '''set out''' to kill anyone. All I wanted to was stop the war by steering Megatron away from '''life-changing events'''. 
"No one cares." 
"You say that, Whirl, but maybe—" 
"<big>'''♪'''</big> No one cares what you have to say...! <big>'''♫'''</big>"
:—'''Braintorm''' and '''Whirl'''

"Cyclonus thought you'd traced the wrong energy signature. I said, 'Percy, make a mistake? The last time '''that''' happened it turned out '''physics''' had screwed up.' Ha!"
:—'''Rodimus''', to Perceptor

"I am '''so''' lost. '''Loved''' the pink flying sled—but that bit when he watches himself playing guitar? I mean, '''what?'''" 
"It's from the first one!" 
"There's a first one?"
:—'''Tailgate''' and '''Riptide''' on ''Back to the Future Part II''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Whirl mentions that this issue takes place in the middle of the "[[Silver Harvest]]", the name given in [[Twenty Plus One|issue #31]] to the discovery of Tyrest's stockpile of Matrix-born sparks, which was itself originally alluded to in [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|issue #19]].
*The data on Megatron erased by Brainstorm includes his batch code. It was originally established that Megatron had no batch code ''waaaay'' back in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|issue #22]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing series]].
*When Whirl performs his Spark transplant, Rodimus comments, "A forged spark inside a constructed cold body. The first hybrid." Might this imply that we'll learn that other Cybertronians were born in this way? Perhaps during the war spark hotspots were harvested by either Autobots or Decepticons and then had bodies built for them rather than wait for the natural forging process to complete?
*Brainstorm's sparkprint of Rung was taken back in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]], during the short blackout that showed the audience an x-ray view of Rung and Megatron. We assumed at the time that the blackout itself was the first of what would be many subsequent power outages that accompanied the slow quantum erasure of the ship and its crew, but perhaps it was, as Megatron suggested at the time, simply a power surge caused by the activation of Brainstorm's scanner.
*It was in the same issue that Megatron talked about the Maccadam's brawl during his therapy session, which Brainstorm was able to learn about because he was standing outside the room at the time.
*Brainstorm collected the Point One Perceptor spark from Luna 1 in [[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|issue #17]].
*At long last, Tailgate is revealed to be the sender of the warning message we heard all the way back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]], in an attempt to warn the crew of all the terrible things that await them on their journey: Tailgate himself warns "Don't open the coffin" containing the alternate Rodimus's corpse, in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]]; Rodimus cautions "Don't let [[Legislator|them]] take [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]" to Luna 1, as seen in issue #19; Rung urges "Don't go to [[Delphi]]", where the twin terrors of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] and [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] lurk, from issues [[Life After the Big Bang|#4]] and [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]]; Chromedome guards the mistake he made in [[Remembrance Day|issue #14]], "Do not look in the basement", where [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] is imprisoned; and Riptide completes the message by warning them not to trust Brainstorm, but as we saw in issue #1, this part of the transmission was lost.
*Brainstorm makes reference to when he was "sort of dead once", as seen in the closing chapters of "[[Dark Cybertron]]".
*Quark was captured during the fall of [[K'th Kinsere]], a located brought out several times during Roberts's works; the Decepticons' attack on it was specifically described in issue #31. He was incarcerated in [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]] prison, previously mentioned in "[[Bullets]]".
*Brainstorm's love for Quark probably explains, to some extent, his fanboyish "please notice me sempai" infatuation with Perceptor beyond his being a rival scientist—he's also a microscope, like Quark, and Quark was always designed to resemble [[Perceptor (Animated)|''Animated'' Perceptor]].
*As is made obvious by the story though apparently not actually realized by any of the characters, Rodimus and Cyclonus do not simply visit a "secret base", but are actually teleported inside the younger version of the ''Lost Light'' itself, ''inside'' said base. The launch pad they find themselves on when the ship disappears is labelled "U1", the previous name of the ship, as revealed in issue #31. Essentially "perfected" by its own future crew, the ship is sent into the future, where it will be found by the NAILs who then sold it to Drift in issue #31. How the NAILs ''knew'' its original name remains a question, though...
*And of course, the unfortunate guard, mutated by the Sparkeater Gun, becomes the [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] that menaced the ship in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]], and has been locked in the chamber it was freed from since the very beginning. The remains of three turbofoxes were found in the cell in issue #3, but presumably these weren't the ''original'' three turbofoxes we see in this issue; in #3, Rodimus speculated that the [[NAIL]]s who would eventually come to own the ''Lost Light'' were feeding the sparkeater the creatures to keep it docile, and issue #31 seemed to back that assertion up by revealing that said NAILs had stolen a brace of turbofoxes from the ''[[Alchemy-Seven]]''. Perhaps they were inspired to use turbofoxes saw what the Sparkeater did to the ones it was first locked up with.
*All this would also mean that the poor fellow Whirl shot with the gun last issue also turned into a sparkeater. Could that guy and whatever he got up to after being mutated have been the ''origin'' of the sparkeater myth, in turn inspiring Brainstorm to create the gun in the first place?? Oh, no, I've gone cross-eyed, Basil.
*"The Useless One" was originally mentioned in our first glimpse of the "Functionist timeline" in [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|issue #35]], and is here confirmed to be that timeline's version of Rung, thought it was fairly easy to deduce at the time. To no-one's great surprise, we here receive our first implication that his alternate mode is part of something much greater...
*Perceptor notes that the Functionist timeline may function as a starting point for additional alternate timelines. Although the concept of alternate timelines and parallel universes was discounted as impossible back in issue 35, they are a long-standing concept in Transformers - so it's possible that the Transformers multiverse was created through Brainstorm's briefcase.

===Transformers references===
*The pistol Brainstorm trains on Megatron (which is also brandished by One-of-Twelve on the final page) is based on Megatron's original Generation 1 Walther P38 [[alternate mode]], sans the [[fusion cannon]]/scope and stock attachments, but retaining its barrel-extending silencer.
*Megatron was constructed cold in "[[Con Facility 113]]," yet another of Roberts's many references to [[113 (disambiguation)|the number]].
*The title of this issue, "Predestination: An Expert's Guide", parallels the title of issue #30, "Predestination: A Beginner's Guide."

===Real-life references===
*You don't need us to tell you that the 'bots are watching ''{{w|Back to the Future Part II}}''—which is, of course, about characters travelling back in time to put history to rights and avert a terrible alternate timeline from happening, just like this story has been. Tailgate missed out on seeing the {{w|Back to the Future|first one}}, but Cyclonus evidently didn't, since he is able to lead everyone in a singalong of "{{w|The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)|The Power of Love}}" by {{w|Huey Lewis and the News}}, which doesn't appear (properly) in the sequel. "The Power of love," the song intones, "might just save your life"—a fitting summation of the emotions revealed this issue to have secretly driven the storyline.
*Whirl likes the film well enough, but he'd rather have ''{{w|Alphaville (film)|Alphaville}}''—it's directed by Jean-Luc Godard, whose work he expressed a fondness form in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]].

===Errors===
*When spotting the familiar fuel quills of the ''Lost Light'', Rewind says "They looks awfully familiar", rather than "That looks" or "They look".

===Other trivia===
*Originally intended for release in February 2015, continuing delays afflicting multiple IDW titles as a result of port closures on the west coast of America saw this issue pushed to the first week of March.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMRBCCDTl7s It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)]" by {{w|R.E.M.}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXS8FmruAQg Good Goodnight]" by {{w|Aqualung (musician)|Aqualung}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSo1yr9aHpM If the World Ends]" by {{w|Guillemots (band)|Guillemots}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o10hgnG5YC8 Where Are They Now?]" by {{w|Gene (band)|Gene}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Brainstorm, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Rodimus tries to separate Whirl and Rewind, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Megatron in a {{w|Coast Salish art}} style, by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]

<gallery>
File:MTMTE38 regcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE38 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE38 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #39
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
*''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' [[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 4|#4]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' #6
*IDW ''Edward Scissorhands'' comic
*IDW''Skylanders Champions'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-38-idw-2015 Preview]

Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON

2015-01-26T18:14:20Z

Cpshelton: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=exrid|issueno=37
|prev=Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.
|next=Onyx Interface Part Four
|caption=
|image=TF37 regcvr.jpg
|title="Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[January 14]], [[2015]] (iBooks) [[January 21]], [[2015]] (print)
|coverdate=January 2015
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]] & [[Thomas Deer]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''Unexpected alliances are forged as Prowl and Spike join forces to obtain the Enigma of Combination, and Arcee and Galvatron find some common ground.'''

==Synopsis==

At the [[Earth Defense Command]]'s [[Bikini Atoll]] base, [[Sanjay Bharwaney]] contacts [[Marissa Faireborn]] to let her know that [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] is circling in the sky above. Faireborn is busy dealing with [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] and has little time for Thundercracker's eccentricities, and simply cautions that he not be allowed to discover the army of [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] drones being manufactured being the base.

In [[Tokyo]], [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] finds herself caught between [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'s [[Decepticon]]s and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]... but just as it looks like she's about to pick a side in the fight, she instead takes flight on [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]]'s borrowed [[Jet pack|jetpack]], [[Jimmy Pink]] still in hand. Galvatron pursues her, knocking Jimmy from her hands and into the waiting clutches of [[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]], then dragging her into the upper atmosphere and slamming her into a satellite. Arcee retaliates by grabbing the Decepticon leader and flying at high speed back towards the planet, dropping him on the [[Australia]]n outback at terminal velocity, but the impact does little to harm Galvatron. As he emerges from the crater his landing has made, it becomes clear that fighting is not his intention: he merely wants to talk to Arcee in private.

Hiding in a wood with [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] receives an update on the fight from [[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]]—whom he once again accidentally refers to as "[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]]", only to deny doing so a moment later—and orders him break off the fight and converge on his position. Prowl and Spike's conversation then resumes: Spike believes that Prowl forgives him because he now understands that Spike was fighting for his species' preservation, but Prowl explains his reasons are not so empathetic. In actuality, he understands Spike's actions because he now sees how truly destructive the Transformer race is, and wants Spike's help to recover the [[Enigma of Combination]], which will somehow "stop" their ever-continuing conflict. As a final prod to convince Spike to help him, Prowl reveals that Galvatron killed his [[Sparkplug Witwicky|father]].

As Faireborn, Blackrock and [[Jones]] arrive at the [[Onyx]] [[Wanmu]] facility, Blackrock continues talking about the history of human civilization, going so far as to claim that [[Gilgamesh]], Earth's first hero, is his ancestor, and that his family name derives from the walls of "black rock" he erected to protect the city of [[Uruk (Earth)|Uruk]]. Civilization was born, Blackrock explains, from the effects of the Enigma of Combination, uniting minds and ideas, just as it would do all throughout history, with his family line always there to reap the benefits. Following the arrival of Cybertronians on Earth, Blackrock realised the Enigma's origin, and began collecting Cybertronian artifacts, which he now displays in a huge "trophy room" that he guides Jones and Faireborn through.

Galvatron talks of the Enigma to Arcee, and of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s attempts to resurrect aspects of lost Cybertronian history—including, he implies, the mad scientist's experiments on Arcee herself. Claiming that Prowl was responsible for Daniel Witwicky's death, and professing such moral degradation is an inevitable result of the process of combination's erasure of mental individuality, Galvatron convinces Arcee to temporarily join forces in order to foil Prowl's plans by destroying the Enigma. Together, the pair head for the top of [[Mount Fuji]], where Jimmy Pink is being held aboard a Decepticon shuttle.

Aboard the ''[[Ark-7]]'', [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] chews out Sideswipe for letting Arcee take his jetpack, lamenting the loss of the good old days of clearer morality. Sideswipe shifts blame onto [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]], who took Prowl and the Constructicons to Earth in the first place, but Sky Lynx whines that Prowl bribed him with high-grade [[Engex]], and believes that he wouldn't do anything ''really'' bad.

Concurrently putting the lie into Sky Lynx's words, Prowl, Spike and the Constructicons cross the Wanmu Reservoir, closing on the Onyx facility. The Constructicons lie about Jimmy being safe with Arcee, eager to take their revenge on Spike, but Prowl keeps them in check, and provides Spike with a stealth polymer coating to allowing him to slip into the Onyx base unseen. Sneaking in through the vents, Spike eavesdrops on Blackrock, Faireborn and Jones's conversation, and spies the Enigma in the trophy room below. As news comes in from [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] that the Decepticons' shuttle is approaching their position, Prowl has him scramble communications in the area, and then combines with the Constructicons into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to launch a direct attack on the Onyx facility. Tearing into the base, his true intention is made clear: the alliance with Spike has been a sham to get the Enigma, and he's still as determined to kill the human as ever. Blackrock, however, is unfazed by the sudden attack, and at the press of a button, he activates the drone army beneath Bikini Atoll, which rockets into the sky and heads straight for Wanmu!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (7)
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] (19)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (26)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (27)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (28)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (30)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (31)

|c2=

*[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] (9)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (10)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (11)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (16)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (17)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (18)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s head (23)
*[[Mini-Constructicon]]'s corpse (24)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]'s corpse (25)

|c3=
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney]] (2)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (3)
*[[Jimmy Pink]] (6)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (20)
*[[Jones]] (21)
*[[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] (22)

|c4=
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (1)
*[[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] drones (4)
*[[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] drones (5)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (8)
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (12)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (13)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (14)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (15)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (29)

}}

==Quotes==

"Someday, after you all get yourselves '''killed''', I'll really '''miss''' these tête-à-têtes. For '''now''', let's agree to... actually, you know what? '''None''' of this is my problem. Have '''fun''', idiots."
:—'''Arcee''' decides not to help the Constructicons

'''Jones:''' "E.D.C. is securing the situation in '''Tokyo'''. No fatalities, somehow." 
'''Faireborn:''' "''Gah.''" 
'''Blackrock:''' "That '''bothers''' you?" 
'''Faireborn:''' "Only because it means that somehow Prowl might actually '''be''' in control."

"You sent the Enigma to '''Earth'''? Smooth move, old man. How's '''that''' working out?" 
"I see why Jhiaxus liked you." 
"Well, I hated '''him.'''" 
"We have '''many things''' in common."
:—'''Arcee''' and '''Galvatron'''

'''Faireborn:''' "You talk to us like a '''James Bond supervillain''' and now, '''what'''—you '''expected''' this?" 
'''Jones:''' "Is this all your '''mad scheme''' to rule the world"? 
'''Blackrock:''' "No, all that stuff was a '''relatively''' lonely trillionaire trying to impress '''two ladies''' who aren't impressed by '''money.'''" 
'''Jones/Faireborn:''' "Ew."

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Prowl talks about his past as "a cop", referring to his time in mechaforensics seen in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "Shadowplay" trilogy, and after that, his stint as a security officer in [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s forces in ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron: Origin]]''. Curiously, he mentions recognizing the corruption within the system, and claims to have helped "take down" the system; the extent of the implications here are unclear, but it suggests that he may have actually ''joined'' Sentinel's security forces to help taken down the post-[[Nominus Prime|Nominus]] system down from within. At the very least, we do know that Sentinel Prime had a sub-faction of loyalists within the Senate who did not agree with the rest of its members, so perhaps this is the internal revolution Prowl hints at.
**This might also refer to the overthrow of Zeta Prime as shown in ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''. That story takes place after Sentinel Prime has been killed and his successor Zeta Prime has become a brutal tyrant, while a pre-Prime Orion Pax and his Autobot soldiers (Prowl, Bumblebee, Ironhide, etc.) still serve under Zeta Prime's command. Prowl was part of Orion Pax's team when they joined forces with Megatron to remove Zeta Prime from power. Naturally, they were immediately betrayed by Megatron after Zeta Prime was killed, so this could be what Prowl is referring to when he says, "Megatron turned our revolution into a grab for power."
*Prowl also notes that, in the process, he "lost everything... everyone", which is hard not to interpret as a reference to his failed relationship with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]; his joining the security forces was the impetus for their break-up, as noted in [[Elegant Chaos Part 1: All Our Parlous Yesterdays|''More than Meets the Eye'' #36]]. After that, he goes on to say he "almost walked away"—he'd previously detailed a [[Peaceful Resolution|failed attempt]] to escape the war in ''[[Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]''.
*Recognizable objects in Blackrock's "trophy room" include: Ramjet's disembodied head, last seen in [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'s possession after he dismembered the traitorous Seeker in ''[[Spotlight: Ramjet]]''; Thrust's charred body, removed from the burning building it was left in in ''[[Ride-Along|Spotlight: Prowl]]''; the remains of a Mini-Constructicon (probably ''not'' the one Spike killed in [[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|issue #35]], since its head is intact); a white lamborghini that is probably one of the [[Machination]]'s [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] [[Sunstreaker clone|clones]]; and a space bridge which Blackrock says he found in Mesa Verde National Park, which identifies it as the one the Decepticons used to return to Cybertron in ''[[The Question|Spotlight: Bumblebee]]''. See also "Transformers references", below.
*While talking with Arcee about Jhiaxus, Galvatron remarks "we lost much from the ancient days", his words implying that the scientist's experiments on Arcee were to "restore" of an element of the Cybertron of old, like combination. This, then, would mean that she did not represent, as she has always been presented up until now, the ''introduction'' of gender into the Cybertronian race, but rather, its ''re''introduction. This revelation likely goes hand in hand with the recent addition of the [[Thirteen|original thirteen Transformers]] to IDW continuity, given that a [[female Transformer]], [[Solus Prime (G1)|Solus Prime]], is counted among their number and was name-checked in [[The Crucible|issue #34]].
*Galvatron describes how the gestalt process "rots away the individual". It's been clear that the process hasn't been agreeing with Prowl for some time now, after the nosebleeds he's been suffering and the demand for something or someone to "get out of his head" in issue #35, but this explanation goes a little further than that: under John Barber's pen, the five remaining Constructicons have always spoken with a rather unified voice, lacking in any of the individualistic quirks that previously defined them (Hook's snobbishness, Mixmaster's craziness, Scavenger's self-esteem issues, etc). As they have been combining together longer than anyone save [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]], this serves as a retroactive explanation for their comparatively recent lack of individuality.

===Transformers references===
*As he takes off after Arcee, Galvatron has boot-jets, but he also uses his cannon for propulsion, hearkening back to when he did the same thing in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Also in Blackrock's trophy room are a car is based on the Decepticon [[Slicer (Decepticon)|Slicer]], who has not appeared in IDW continuity yet, and one resembling a Ford Model T, and is rather evocative of the [[Bonnie and Clyde's car|AllSpark mutation]] seen in John Barber's earlier ''[[Transformers: Sector 7|Sector 7]]'' mini-series, set in the live-action movie continuity.
*Though far from an exact match, the Decepticons' shuttle in this issue takes some design cues from their original Generation 1 spaceship, the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', with its large three rear fins/wings.

===Real-life references===
*Like the other chapters of "Onyx Interface", this issue is named after a {{w|Mission of Burma}} album, in this case ''{{w|ONoffON}}''. As is comic book standard, the title is rendered in all-caps as "ONOFFON", but we've taken the formatting of the album title to be the "correct" one for this article.
*Building upon last issue's references to the city of Uruk, this issue introduces Uruk's king {{w|Gilgamesh}} into the narrative. Though a real historical figure, Gilgamesh is perhaps better known—as Blackrock describes him—as "Earth's first hero", from his starring role in one of the first great works of literature in recorded history, the ''{{w|Epic of Gilgamesh}}'', in which he is depicted as a great hero of strength so prodigious it enabled him to build the city walls Blackrock talks about here.
*The Enigma of Combination is credited by Blackrock with allowing the scientists of the {{w|Manhattan Project}} to create the atom bomb, and with leading {{w|DARPA}} to develop computer networking technology. This wouldn't be the first time something from Cybertron allowed for advancements in human technology: the live action-movie series [[Megatron (Movie)|Megatron]] was noted to be the source of many parts of the modern age, including the former, according to the ''[[Transformers: Movie Prequel|Movie Prequel]]'' and aforementioned ''Sector Seven'' mini-series.
*Jimmy Pink tries to play {{w|Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon}} with the Decepticons.

===Errors===
*This issue is labelled part two of "Onyx Interface", but it's part ''three''. We've taken the liberty of correcting it for this article title, as it'll undoubtedly be fixed for the trade.
*The errors in the spelling of Uruk's name and the date of its founding carry over from last issue.

===Other notes===
*This issue's release was slightly delayed by highway closures in the US, but iBooks evidently didn't get the message to delay their release of the digital version accordingly, as it went up a week early.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Arcee versus Galvatron, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Thundercracker and Buster stargaze, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Prowl and Arcee, by [[Kotteri]]
<gallery>
File:TF37 regcvr.jpg|
File:TF37 subcvr.jpg|
File:TF37 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*''The Transformers'' #38
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Elegant Chaos Part 2|#37]]
*''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' [[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 3|#3]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' #5
*IDW ''Transformers'' graphic novel library
*''[[Angry Birds Transformers (comic)|Angry Birds Transformers]]''
*''Machi Koro'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://tformers.com/idw-comics-preview-the-transformers-issue-37/25666/news.html Preview]

Aaron Archer

2014-10-07T19:35:29Z

Cpshelton:

{{disambig2|the real-life Hasbro designer|the ''[[Transformers_Animated_(franchise)|Animated]]'' supervillain|Angry Archer}}
[[Image: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 on toylines such as ''[[Batman]]'' 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 Aaron was promoted to lead designer on the ''Transformers'' brand, 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]]''. As well as designing characters and planning out the toylines, Aaron also wrote the story concepts for all three [[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.

==Toys Aaron had a hand in designing==
===Beast Wars===
* [[Dinobot II|''Transmetal 2'' Dinobot]]
* [[Iguanus (BW)|''Transmetal 2'' Iguanus]]
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys|''Transmetal 2'' Megatron]]
* [[Optimus Minor]]

[[Image:ArcherinterviewArmadayearbook.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Proof that Archer is fluent in Japanese?]]
===Armada===
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]
* [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]]
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Unicron]]
* Many, many [[Mini-Con]]s

===Energon===
* [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]
* Early [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] concept

===Masterpiece===
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th_Anniversary.2FMasterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]<ref name="transmissionsinterview"/>

===Universe (2008)===
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (deco stripe pattern)

==Orson's World==
[[Image: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 of 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">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/1647228-post82.html Former Transfandom.com staff member telling his side of the story], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/1647942-post91.html continued].</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.

==Notes==
[[Image:Archerbot-04.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
* 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)|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>
* When the [[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]] '''Piranhacons''' (who would eventually become the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]) were first introduced in a Hasbro panel at [[OTFCC 2004]], [[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] was labelled "Archerbot" after Aaron as a joke, as Skalor's name had not yet cleared Hasbro Legal.
*[[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 Wal-Mart-[[exclusive]] [[Starscream (G1)/toys|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"

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.aaronarcher.com/ Aaron's own website]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20070710020958/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362808&Category=20&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0 An interview with Aaron about his work on the Transformers and his youth, at CantonRep.com] (archived)
*[http://www.fieldsedge.com/Transformers.html An interview with Aaron at Fields Edge.com]
*[http://www.transformersclub.com/TFCCwedding.cfm Photos of Aaron's wedding.]
*[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-Archers-beard/102205256483486 Fans of Aaron Archer's beard]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer, Aaron}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Designers]]
[[Category:Hasbro]]

Aaron Archer

2014-10-07T19:17:58Z

Cpshelton: /* Toys Aaron had a hand in designing */

{{disambig2|the real-life Hasbro designer|the ''[[Transformers_Animated_(franchise)|Animated]]'' supervillain|Angry Archer}}
[[Image: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 on toylines such as ''[[Batman]]'' 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 Aaron was promoted to lead designer on the ''Transformers'' brand, 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]]''. As well as designing characters and planning out the toylines, Aaron also wrote the story concepts for all three [[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> He and his wife now reside in Morganton, North Carolina, where they operate their own art studio.

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.

==Toys Aaron had a hand in designing==
===Beast Wars===
* [[Dinobot II|''Transmetal 2'' Dinobot]]
* [[Iguanus (BW)|''Transmetal 2'' Iguanus]]
* [[Megatron (BW)/toys|''Transmetal 2'' Megatron]]
* [[Optimus Minor]]

[[Image:ArcherinterviewArmadayearbook.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Proof that Archer is fluent in Japanese?]]
===Armada===
* [[Hot Shot (Armada)/toys|Hot Shot]]
* [[Megatron (Armada)/toys|Megatron]]
* [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]
* [[Thrust (Armada)|Thrust]]
* [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]
* [[Unicron]]
* Many, many [[Mini-Con]]s

===Energon===
* [[Signal Flare (Energon)|Signal Flare]]
* Early [[Scorponok (Energon)|Scorponok]] concept

===Masterpiece===
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#20th_Anniversary.2FMasterpiece|20th Anniversary Optimus Prime]]

===Universe (2008)===
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (deco stripe pattern)

==Orson's World==
[[Image: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 of 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">[http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/1647228-post82.html Former Transfandom.com staff member telling his side of the story], [http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/1647942-post91.html continued].</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.

==Notes==
[[Image:Archerbot-04.jpg|right|180px|thumb|]]
* 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)|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>
* When the [[Transformers: Energon (franchise)|Energon]] '''Piranhacons''' (who would eventually become the [[Transformers Collectors' Club]] [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]]) were first introduced in a Hasbro panel at [[OTFCC 2004]], [[Skalor (G1)|Skalor]] was labelled "Archerbot" after Aaron as a joke, as Skalor's name had not yet cleared Hasbro Legal.
*[[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 Wal-Mart-[[exclusive]] [[Starscream (G1)/toys|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"

==Footnotes==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.aaronarcher.com/ Aaron's own website]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20070710020958/http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=362808&Category=20&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0 An interview with Aaron about his work on the Transformers and his youth, at CantonRep.com] (archived)
*[http://www.fieldsedge.com/Transformers.html An interview with Aaron at Fields Edge.com]
*[http://www.transformersclub.com/TFCCwedding.cfm Photos of Aaron's wedding.]
*[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-Archers-beard/102205256483486 Fans of Aaron Archer's beard]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer, Aaron}}
[[Category:Convention guests]]
[[Category:Designers]]
[[Category:Hasbro]]

Talk:Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9

2014-03-10T16:56:20Z

Cpshelton: /* The Ore in Metroplex's Thumb */

==The Ore in Metroplex's Thumb==

'''[EDIT: Sorry, ignore this comment. I misread "Regenesis" as "Regeneration"]''' How do we know the ore that was in Metroplex's thumb is the Regenesis Ore? Wasn't that ore only in Crystal City which had been buried for the last 6 million years? Wasn't the plague that the Necrotitan spread a combination of the Death and Regenesis ores, so wouldn't you need some other ore to counteract it? The only thing explicitly said in the comic is that it is not Ore-13, but it's not clear which ore it is. --[[User:Cpshelton|Cpshelton]] 12:50, 10 March 2014 (EDT)

Talk:Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9

2014-03-10T16:51:47Z

Cpshelton:

==The Ore in Metroplex's Thumb==

How do we know the ore that was in Metroplex's thumb is the Regenesis Ore? Wasn't that ore only in Crystal City which had been buried for the last 6 million years? Wasn't the plague that the Necrotitan spread a combination of the Death and Regenesis ores, so wouldn't you need some other ore to counteract it? The only thing explicitly said in the comic is that it is not Ore-13, but it's not clear which ore it is. --[[User:Cpshelton|Cpshelton]] 12:50, 10 March 2014 (EDT)

Talk:Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9

2014-03-10T16:48:03Z

Cpshelton: Created page with "How do we know the ore that was in Metroplex's thumb is the Regenesis Ore? Wasn't that ore only in Crystal City which had been buried for the last 6 million years? Wasn't th..."

How do we know the ore that was in Metroplex's thumb is the Regenesis Ore? Wasn't that ore only in Crystal City which had been buried for the last 6 million years? Wasn't the plague that the Necrotitan spread a combination of the Death and Regenesis ores, so wouldn't you need some other ore to counteract it? The only thing explicitly said in the comic is that it is not Ore-13, but it's not clear which ore it is.

The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6

2013-10-05T02:10:35Z

Cpshelton: /* Issue manifest */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers Classics]]'', Vol. 6
|prev=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5
|next=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 7
|image=TFClassicsVol6.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 9]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|writer=
|pencils=
|inks=
|colors=
|letters=
|edits by=
|cover=[[Guido Guidi]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|pagecount=284
|price=$24.99US
|ISBN=ISBN 1613777647 / ISBN 978-1613777640
}}

'''''The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6''''', the sixth in [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprint series, reprints [[Marvel Comics]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' issues 65–76.

==Issue manifest==
===="[[Dark Creation]]"====
Original date: February 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Geoff Senior

===="[[All Fall Down]]"====
Original date: March 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Geoff Senior

===="[[Rhythms of Darkness!]]"====
Original date: April 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Human Factor!]]"====
Original date: May 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: [[Dwayne Turner]]

===="[[Eye of the Storm]]"====
Original date: June 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: [[Andrew Wildman]]

===="[[The Pri¢e of Life!]]"====
Original date: July 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[Surrender!]]"====
Original date: August 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[...All This and Civil War 2]]"====
Original date: September 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[Out of Time!]]"====
Original date: October 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[The Void! (US)|The Void!]]"====
Original date: November 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[On the Edge of Extinction!]]"====
Original date: December 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Geoff Senior

===="[[Still Life!]]"====
Original date: January 1991 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

{{DEFAULTSORT:Classics, Vol. 6}}
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic compilations]]

The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6

2013-10-05T02:07:17Z

Cpshelton:

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers Classics]]'', Vol. 6
|prev=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5
|next=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 7
|image=TFClassicsVol6.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 9]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|writer=
|pencils=
|inks=
|colors=
|letters=
|edits by=
|cover=[[Guido Guidi]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|pagecount=284
|price=$24.99US
|ISBN=ISBN 1613777647 / ISBN 978-1613777640
}}

'''''The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6''''', the sixth in [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprint series, reprints [[Marvel Comics]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' issues 65–76.

==Issue manifest==
===="[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.]]"====
Original date: December 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: [[José Delbo]]

===="[[Deadly Obsession]]"====
Original date: January 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Dark Creation]]"====
Original date: February 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Geoff Senior

===="[[All Fall Down]]"====
Original date: March 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Geoff Senior

===="[[Rhythms of Darkness!]]"====
Original date: April 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Human Factor!]]"====
Original date: May 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: [[Dwayne Turner]]

===="[[Eye of the Storm]]"====
Original date: June 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: [[Andrew Wildman]]

===="[[The Pri¢e of Life!]]"====
Original date: July 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[Surrender!]]"====
Original date: August 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[...All This and Civil War 2]]"====
Original date: September 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[Out of Time!]]"====
Original date: October 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

===="[[The Void! (US)|The Void!]]"====
Original date: November 1990 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: Andrew Wildman

{{DEFAULTSORT:Classics, Vol. 6}}
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic compilations]]

The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5

2013-10-05T02:06:23Z

Cpshelton:

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers Classics]]'', Vol. 5
|prev=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4
|next=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6
|image=TFClassicsVol5.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 28]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|writer=
|pencils=
|inks=
|colors=
|letters=
|edits by=
|cover=[[Guido Guidi]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|pagecount=276
|price=$24.99US
|ISBN=ISBN 1613776330 / ISBN 978-1613776339
}}

'''''The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5''''', the fifth in [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprint series, reprints [[Marvel Comics]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' issues 51–64.

==Issue manifest==
===="[[The Man in the Machine!]]"====
Original date: April 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]"====
Original date: May 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Recipe for Disaster!]]"====
Original date: June 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[King Con!]]"====
Original date: July 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!]]"====
Original date: August 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: [[Jim Fern]]

===="[[Back from the Dead]]"====
Original date: September 1989 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Resurrection Gambit!]]"====
Original date: October 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[All the Familiar Faces!]]"====
Original date: November 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Skin Deep]]"====
Original date: Mid November 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]"====
Original date: December 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Primal Scream|Primal Scream]]"====
Original date: Mid December 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Art by: [[Geoff Senior]]

===="[[Bird of Prey!]]"====
Original date: November 1989 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: [[Geoff Senior]]

===="[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.]]"====
Original date: December 1989 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: [[José Delbo]]

===="[[Deadly Obsession]]"====
Original date: January 1990 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: [[José Delbo]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Classics, Vol. 5}}
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic compilations]]

The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5

2013-10-05T02:04:47Z

Cpshelton: /* Issue manifest */

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers Classics]]'', Vol. 5
|prev=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 4
|next=The Transformers Classics, Vol. 6
|image=TFClassicsVol5.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 28]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|writer=
|pencils=
|inks=
|colors=
|letters=
|edits by=
|cover=[[Guido Guidi]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|pagecount=276
|price=$24.99US
|ISBN=ISBN 1613776330 / ISBN 978-1613776339
}}

'''''The Transformers Classics, Vol. 5''''', the fifth in [[IDW Publishing]]'s reprint series, reprints [[Marvel Comics]] ''[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|The Transformers]]'' issues 51–62.

==Issue manifest==
===="[[The Man in the Machine!]]"====
Original date: April 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Guess Who the Mecannibals Are Having for Dinner?]]"====
Original date: May 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Recipe for Disaster!]]"====
Original date: June 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[King Con!]]"====
Original date: July 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Interplanetary Wrestling Championship!]]"====
Original date: August 1989 
Story by: Bob Budiansky 
Pencils by: [[Jim Fern]]

===="[[Back from the Dead]]"====
Original date: September 1989 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Resurrection Gambit!]]"====
Original date: October 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[All the Familiar Faces!]]"====
Original date: November 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Skin Deep]]"====
Original date: Mid November 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[Yesterday's Heroes!]]"====
Original date: December 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Pencils by: José Delbo

===="[[The Primal Scream|Primal Scream]]"====
Original date: Mid December 1989 
Story by: Simon Furman 
Art by: [[Geoff Senior]]

===="[[Bird of Prey!]]"====
Original date: November 1989 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: [[Geoff Senior]]

===="[[Kings of the Wild Frontier.]]"====
Original date: December 1989 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: [[José Delbo]]

===="[[Deadly Obsession]]"====
Original date: January 1990 
Story by: [[Simon Furman]] 
Pencils by: [[José Delbo]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Classics, Vol. 5}}
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic compilations]]

Nightmare Fuel

2013-08-23T14:31:50Z

Cpshelton:

:''Nightmare Fuel is dangerous stuff from the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''
[[File:Nightmare fuel shadowplay.jpg|thumb|350px|]]

Rumoured to be able to push a [[Warworld]] into [[hyperspace]], '''Nightmare Fuel''' is a potent liquor for [[Transformer|Cybertronians]].

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] once offered to share some Nightmare Fuel with [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] only to find him frozen in place. {{storylink|The Reluctant Specialist}} When [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] held a storytelling session in [[Swerve's|Swerve's bar]] to try and repair the neural connections in [[Rung]]'s brain, [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] purloined a bottle of Nightmare Fuel from Trailbreaker's secret stash to serve to the participants. He had to wear protective gloves to do so. {{storylink|Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|An Intimate Beheading}}

==Notes==
*"[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/NightmareFuel Nightmare Fuel]" is a term coined by [[wikipedia:Mystery Science Theater 3000|Mystery Science Theater 3000]] and popularized by the website [http://www.tvtropes.org TV Tropes] to describe horrifying scenes in fiction. The issue in which it is introduced includes an [[Empurata|extremely apposite example]].
*Nightmare Fuel comes with a picture of the pretender [[Skullgrin]] (formerly thought by fans to be the [[Liege Maximo]] but confirmed by [[Alex Milne]] in an [http://theunderbase.libsyn.com/the-underbase-deconstructs-shadowplay interview] (at 1:48:35) to be Skullgrin) on the bottle.

[[Category:Drink]]
[[Category:Generation 1 substances]]
[[Category:Intoxicants]]

Airwave (Prime)

2013-07-12T03:53:37Z

Cpshelton: /* Notes */ I think it's important to keep the timecode of where she specifically mentions Airwave in the interview. It's a long interview and she doesn't discuss it until almost an hour in.

{{faction|autobot}}

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' Autobot|the Decepticon Micromaster|Airwave (G1)}}
:''Airwave is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-robotmode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|For a clearer, full-body view, please look at [[Airwave (G1)|the art from which he was carefully duplicated.]]]]

Watching his world die around him has been tough on '''Airwave'''. The uncompromising commander of the outpost town of [[Last Spark]], he feels betrayed by the [[Autobot]] high command, and subscribes strongly to the theory that the ends justify the means.

{{quote|How do you not see it? How is it not clear? They left us behind.|''Airwave''|[[Beast Hunters issue 2]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Hunters'' comic===
Airwave was one of many Autobots imprisoned by [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. Although he made his escape in the chaos that followed the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots']] escape from the [[Decepticon]]'s facility, what he saw of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and his men made a bad, bad first impression. As a consequence, he made it clear to Grimlock that his outpost of Last Spark neither desired nor would tolerate any interaction with the Dinobots. After his people started being killed by an unknown predator, however, he grudgingly agreed to [[Firestar (Prime)|Firestar]]'s request to allow [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] and [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]] to help investigate. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1}}

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-jetmode.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Got to finish this caption before - YEEARGH!]]After Sludge, Snarl and Firestar returned to Last Spark to discover that some of the bodies there had been drained of [[Energon]] before any attacks were even recorded, they realized the killer must have been someone already living in the town. Airwave, entering the crypt, scoffed at the whole idea...until Sludge suddenly realized the evidence they'd collected pointed at Airwave himself as the killer. Exposed, he struck down Firestar from behind and made his escape in jet mode, rallying the unsuspecting inhabitants of Last Spark to attack the Dinobots by falsely proclaiming them the killers. He then returned to the fight, firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Sludge was able to bring him down from the sky, but the fully-charged Airwave was more than a match for him even on the ground. Airwave declared to the battered Sludge that the planet was dying, that there was no escape, and that the only thing that mattered was who survived the longest. Just before he could deliver the ''coup de grace'', however, he was cut in half by Firestar. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Airwave is a little peculiarly based on ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Airwave (G1)|Airwave]], who is not only fairly obscure, but a ''[[Decepticon]]''. [[Mairghread Scott]] has [http://www.geekcastradio.com/attf2/interviews-mairghread-scott confirmed] (at 52:04 into the linked interview) that she put Airwave in the story as a reference to the Decepticon Micromaster and that she imagined he was formerly a Decepticon in the Aligned continuity.
* Airwave's vehicle mode on Cybertron is a very realistically-rendered [[Wikipedia:Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29 "Fulcrum"]]. Huh.

[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]

Airwave (Prime)

2013-07-11T03:50:52Z

Cpshelton: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot}}

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' Autobot|the Decepticon Micromaster|Airwave (G1)}}
:''Airwave is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-robotmode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|For a clearer, full-body view, please look at [[Airwave (G1)|the art from which he was carefully duplicated.]]]]

Watching his world die around him has been tough on '''Airwave'''. The uncompromising commander of the outpost town of [[Last Spark]], he feels betrayed by the [[Autobot]] high command, and subscribes strongly to the theory that the ends justify the means.

{{quote|How do you not see it? How is it not clear? They left us behind.|''Airwave''|[[Beast Hunters issue 2]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Hunters'' comic===
Airwave was one of many Autobots imprisoned by [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. Although he made his escape in the chaos that followed the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots']] escape from the [[Decepticon]]'s facility, what he saw of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and his men made a bad, bad first impression. As a consequence, he made it clear to Grimlock that his outpost of Last Spark neither desired nor would tolerate any interaction with the Dinobots. After his people started being killed by an unknown predator, however, he grudgingly agreed to [[Firestar (Prime)|Firestar]]'s request to allow [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] and [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]] to help investigate. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1}}

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-jetmode.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Got to finish this caption before - YEEARGH!]]After Sludge, Snarl and Firestar returned to Last Spark to discover that some of the bodies there had been drained of [[Energon]] before any attacks were even recorded, they realized the killer must have been someone already living in the town. Airwave, entering the crypt, scoffed at the whole idea...until Sludge suddenly realized the evidence they'd collected pointed at Airwave himself as the killer. Exposed, he struck down Firestar from behind and made his escape in jet mode, rallying the unsuspecting inhabitants of Last Spark to attack the Dinobots by falsely proclaiming them the killers. He then returned to the fight, firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Sludge was able to bring him down from the sky, but the fully-charged Airwave was more than a match for him even on the ground. Airwave declared to the battered Sludge that the planet was dying, that there was no escape, and that the only thing that mattered was who survived the longest. Just before he could deliver the ''coup de grace'', however, he was cut in half by Firestar. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Airwave is a little peculiarly based on ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Airwave (G1)|Airwave]], who is not only fairly obscure, but a ''[[Decepticon]]''. It may be that [[Hasbro]] wouldn't sign off on a traditionally Autobot character being a secret murderer.
** In a recent interview, series writer [[Mairghread Scott]] confirmed that she intentionally put Airwave in the story as a reference to the Decepticon Micromaster and that he is a (former) Decepticon in the Aligned continuity ([http://www.geekcastradio.com/attf2/interviews-mairghread-scott The Pull Bag Interviews Mairghread Scott @ 52:04]). So perhaps this page should be merged with G1 Airwave after all.
* Airwave's vehicle mode on Cybertron is a very realistically-rendered [[Wikipedia:Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29 "Fulcrum"]]. Huh.

[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]

Airwave (Prime)

2013-07-11T03:50:25Z

Cpshelton:

{{faction|autobot}}

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' Autobot|the Decepticon Micromaster|Airwave (G1)}}
:''Airwave is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-robotmode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|For a clearer, full-body view, please look at [[Airwave (G1)|the art from which he was carefully duplicated.]]]]

Watching his world die around him has been tough on '''Airwave'''. The uncompromising commander of the outpost town of [[Last Spark]], he feels betrayed by the [[Autobot]] high command, and subscribes strongly to the theory that the ends justify the means.

{{quote|How do you not see it? How is it not clear? They left us behind.|''Airwave''|[[Beast Hunters issue 2]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Hunters'' comic===
Airwave was one of many Autobots imprisoned by [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. Although he made his escape in the chaos that followed the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots']] escape from the [[Decepticon]]'s facility, what he saw of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and his men made a bad, bad first impression. As a consequence, he made it clear to Grimlock that his outpost of Last Spark neither desired nor would tolerate any interaction with the Dinobots. After his people started being killed by an unknown predator, however, he grudgingly agreed to [[Firestar (Prime)|Firestar]]'s request to allow [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] and [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]] to help investigate. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1}}

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-jetmode.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Got to finish this caption before - YEEARGH!]]After Sludge, Snarl and Firestar returned to Last Spark to discover that some of the bodies there had been drained of [[Energon]] before any attacks were even recorded, they realized the killer must have been someone already living in the town. Airwave, entering the crypt, scoffed at the whole idea...until Sludge suddenly realized the evidence they'd collected pointed at Airwave himself as the killer. Exposed, he struck down Firestar from behind and made his escape in jet mode, rallying the unsuspecting inhabitants of Last Spark to attack the Dinobots by falsely proclaiming them the killers. He then returned to the fight, firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Sludge was able to bring him down from the sky, but the fully-charged Airwave was more than a match for him even on the ground. Airwave declared to the battered Sludge that the planet was dying, that there was no escape, and that the only thing that mattered was who survived the longest. Just before he could deliver the ''coup de grace'', however, he was cut in half by Firestar. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Airwave is a little peculiarly based on ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Airwave (G1)|Airwave]], who is not only fairly obscure, but a ''[[Decepticon]]''. It may be that [[Hasbro]] wouldn't sign off on a traditionally Autobot character being a secret murderer.
** In a recent interview, series writer [Mairghread Scott] confirmed that she intentionally put Airwave in the story as a reference to the Decepticon Micromaster and that he is a (former) Decepticon in the Aligned continuity ([http://www.geekcastradio.com/attf2/interviews-mairghread-scott The Pull Bag Interviews Mairghread Scott @ 52:04]). So perhaps this page should be merged with G1 Airwave after all.
* Airwave's vehicle mode on Cybertron is a very realistically-rendered [[Wikipedia:Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29 "Fulcrum"]]. Huh.

[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]

Airwave (Prime)

2013-07-11T03:48:52Z

Cpshelton: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot}}

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' Autobot|the Decepticon Micromaster|Airwave (G1)}}
:''Airwave is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-robotmode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|For a clearer, full-body view, please look at [[Airwave (G1)|the art from which he was carefully duplicated.]]]]

Watching his world die around him has been tough on '''Airwave'''. The uncompromising commander of the outpost town of [[Last Spark]], he feels betrayed by the [[Autobot]] high command, and subscribes strongly to the theory that the ends justify the means.

{{quote|How do you not see it? How is it not clear? They left us behind.|''Airwave''|[[Beast Hunters issue 2]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Hunters'' comic===
Airwave was one of many Autobots imprisoned by [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. Although he made his escape in the chaos that followed the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots']] escape from the [[Decepticon]]'s facility, what he saw of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and his men made a bad, bad first impression. As a consequence, he made it clear to Grimlock that his outpost of Last Spark neither desired nor would tolerate any interaction with the Dinobots. After his people started being killed by an unknown predator, however, he grudgingly agreed to [[Firestar (Prime)|Firestar]]'s request to allow [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] and [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]] to help investigate. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1}}

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-jetmode.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Got to finish this caption before - YEEARGH!]]After Sludge, Snarl and Firestar returned to Last Spark to discover that some of the bodies there had been drained of [[Energon]] before any attacks were even recorded, they realized the killer must have been someone already living in the town. Airwave, entering the crypt, scoffed at the whole idea...until Sludge suddenly realized the evidence they'd collected pointed at Airwave himself as the killer. Exposed, he struck down Firestar from behind and made his escape in jet mode, rallying the unsuspecting inhabitants of Last Spark to attack the Dinobots by falsely proclaiming them the killers. He then returned to the fight, firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Sludge was able to bring him down from the sky, but the fully-charged Airwave was more than a match for him even on the ground. Airwave declared to the battered Sludge that the planet was dying, that there was no escape, and that the only thing that mattered was who survived the longest. Just before he could deliver the ''coup de grace'', however, he was cut in half by Firestar. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Airwave is a little peculiarly based on ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Airwave (G1)|Airwave]], who is not only fairly obscure, but a ''[[Decepticon]]''. It may be that [[Hasbro]] wouldn't sign off on a traditionally Autobot character being a secret murderer.
** In a recent interview, series writer Mairghread Scott confirmed that she intentionally put Airwave in the story as a reference to the Decepticon Micromaster and that he is a (former) Decepticon in the Aligned continuity. ([http://www.geekcastradio.com/attf2/interviews-mairghread-scott The Pull Bag Interviews Mairghread Scott @ 52:04]) So perhaps this page should be merged with the G1 Airwave after all.
* Airwave's vehicle mode on Cybertron is a very realistically-rendered [[Wikipedia:Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29 "Fulcrum"]]. Huh.

[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]

Airwave (Prime)

2013-07-11T03:43:31Z

Cpshelton: /* Notes */

{{faction|autobot}}

{{disambig2|the ''Prime'' Autobot|the Decepticon Micromaster|Airwave (G1)}}
:''Airwave is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Aligned continuity family]].''

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-robotmode.jpg|right|thumb|300px|For a clearer, full-body view, please look at [[Airwave (G1)|the art from which he was carefully duplicated.]]]]

Watching his world die around him has been tough on '''Airwave'''. The uncompromising commander of the outpost town of [[Last Spark]], he feels betrayed by the [[Autobot]] high command, and subscribes strongly to the theory that the ends justify the means.

{{quote|How do you not see it? How is it not clear? They left us behind.|''Airwave''|[[Beast Hunters issue 2]]}}

==Fiction==
===''Beast Hunters'' comic===
Airwave was one of many Autobots imprisoned by [[Shockwave (WFC)|Shockwave]]. Although he made his escape in the chaos that followed the [[Dinobot (FOC)|Dinobots']] escape from the [[Decepticon]]'s facility, what he saw of [[Grimlock (WFC)|Grimlock]] and his men made a bad, bad first impression. As a consequence, he made it clear to Grimlock that his outpost of Last Spark neither desired nor would tolerate any interaction with the Dinobots. After his people started being killed by an unknown predator, however, he grudgingly agreed to [[Firestar (Prime)|Firestar]]'s request to allow [[Sludge (FOC)|Sludge]] and [[Snarl (FOC)|Snarl]] to help investigate. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 1}}

[[File:AirwavePrime-BH2-jetmode.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Got to finish this caption before - YEEARGH!]]After Sludge, Snarl and Firestar returned to Last Spark to discover that some of the bodies there had been drained of [[Energon]] before any attacks were even recorded, they realized the killer must have been someone already living in the town. Airwave, entering the crypt, scoffed at the whole idea...until Sludge suddenly realized the evidence they'd collected pointed at Airwave himself as the killer. Exposed, he struck down Firestar from behind and made his escape in jet mode, rallying the unsuspecting inhabitants of Last Spark to attack the Dinobots by falsely proclaiming them the killers. He then returned to the fight, firing indiscriminately into the crowd. Sludge was able to bring him down from the sky, but the fully-charged Airwave was more than a match for him even on the ground. Airwave declared to the battered Sludge that the planet was dying, that there was no escape, and that the only thing that mattered was who survived the longest. Just before he could deliver the ''coup de grace'', however, he was cut in half by Firestar. {{storylink|Beast Hunters issue 2}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
* Airwave is a little peculiarly based on ''[[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]]'' [[Airwave (G1)|Airwave]], who is not only fairly obscure, but a ''[[Decepticon]]''. It may be that [[Hasbro]] wouldn't sign off on a traditionally Autobot character being a secret murderer.
** In a recent interview, series writer Mairghread Scott confirmed that she intentionally put Airwave in the story as a reference to the Decepticon Micromaster and that he is a (former) Decepticon in the Aligned continuity. [http://www.geekcastradio.com/attf2/interviews-mairghread-scott The Pull Bag Interviews Mairghread Scott(52:04)]
* Airwave's vehicle mode on Cybertron is a very realistically-rendered [[Wikipedia:Mikoyan MiG-29|MiG-29 "Fulcrum"]]. Huh.

[[Category:Fiction-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Prime Autobots]]