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The War to End All Wars, Part 5

2025-01-12T20:31:16Z

DarkStranger: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rg1|issueno=100
|prev=The War to End All Wars, Part 4
|next=King of Shadows
|title="The War to End All Wars" Part 5
|image=RG1 100 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 19]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=March 2014
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|pencils=[[Andrew Wildman]] (1-10) [[Geoff Senior]] (11-20) [[Guido Guidi]] (21-32)
|finishes=[[Stephen Baskerville]] (1-10, 21-32) Geoff Senior (11-20)
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''The Autobots fight the foes across Cybertron, Nebulos and Earth as Rodimus Prime returns to Zero Space and finds himself in the fight of his life against the corrupted power of the Matrix.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Shadow-leeches the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7|"We're not based on an active toyline! Anyone could die at any moment! I'M FREAKING OUT!"]]
Returning to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] following their defeat of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his forces, [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]]s are aghast to discover that their homeworld has been reduced to a barren wasteland during their time away. As they explore the deserted streets, events suddenly crystallize for Rodimus: their absence, he realizes, was orchestrated by someone—specifically, the dark entity that has recently been posing as [[Primus]]. Punctuating this realization, the Autobots come under attack from streamers of living shadow that suck the life from anyone unfortunate enough to feel their touch. [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] corrals one of these "[[shadow-leech]]es" in a sonic bubble long enough for [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to examine it, leading to the horrifying revelation that it ''used'' to be [[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]], and that ''all'' the leeches are former Transformers, transfigured into this new form along with their world. With conventional weaponry having no effect on the creatures, Rodimus sends [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] to fetch the [[Sword of Primus]], but just after he departs, help arrives in the form of the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]; [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]]'s prior possession by the dark entity has granted him a form of immunity against the leeches, and the power to slay them, with the other Dinobots having been saved from transfiguration by their proximity to their leader. Appalled at Grimlock's willful slaughter of creatures that used to be fellow Transformers, Rodimus vows to find another way; when Jetfire returns with the sword, Rodimus is able to use its energies to hold the leeches at bay. The Dinobots explain that [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] has taken the [[space bridge]] network offline, save for the portal linking Cybertron to [[Earth]] and [[Nebulos]], which reminds Rodimus of a passage from the [[Covenant of Primus]] that spoke of a trinity of planets that served as a gateway to the [[multiverse]] he previously glimpsed through [[Zero Space]]. He orders [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to lead a team in retaking the space bridge network in the [[Star Chamber]], while he prepares to confront the architect of their situation.

[[File:Sparkplug the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|He chose...poorly.]]
Within the void of Zero Space, the voiceless presence continues to torment [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], this time appearing before him in the form of his father [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]] and subject him to guilt over his abandonment of his family. As Spike howls in despair, the crack in Zero Space widens, though which glimpses of many other universes become visible, the barriers between worlds slowly being broken down by the chaos the dark entity has instigated. That chaos spreads now, as the entity directs Galvatron to Nebulos, there to raze the last of the three planets that it requires be reduced to rubble to facilitate its crossing!

Now aware that the dark entity has been manipulating him all along, stoking his rages with visions of slaughter, Rodimus uses the Covenant of Primus to open a portal to Zero Space to confront the creature, which now stands revealed as the fragment of corrupted energy from the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] that possessed the [[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]]. The entity explains to Rodimus that, left on Earth after the Deathbringer's destruction, it returned to Cybertron along with all the other Transformers when [[Primus]] recalled them there prior to the battle with [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]. Possessing an [[Acolyte of Unicron]], the entity discovered a subterranean graveyard of Transformers who had made pilgrimages to Primus's chamber, and learned that it could drain the lingering traces of their [[spark]] energy. It controlled the [[Demon|Primordials]] into abducting more victims for it to feed upon, and thrived in the chaos of Cybertron's recreation, integrating itself inextricably into the planet, becoming as one with it as Primus once was. But peace did not suit its plans, and so it whispered in [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s ear, leading him to re-ignite the war, and even manipulated [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] into his [[Gene Key]] experiments. Now, the creature has grown as much as it can within this universe, and so seeks to ascend into the multiverse—but to do that, it requires a Matrix, and so Rodimus Prime must die! From throughout this timeline, the entity summons three versions of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] and orders them into battle.

Magnus leads a team of Autobots to the Star Chamber, with Kup and the Dinobots electing to merely blast their way in rather than wait for [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] to hack the system. The complex proves to be alive with shadow-leeches, but the Dinobots hold them off while the other Autobots split into two squads; Magnus's takes a unit to Nebulos, while [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] takes his squad to Earth, where they immediately come under fire from [[Linda Chang]]'s forces. Fortunately, Roadbuster recognizes the [[human]]s and is able to quickly explain the situation to them, leading Chang to propose they join forces to head back through the space bridge and rescue Spike, who they believe to be on Nebulos.

[[File:WarToEndAllWars5-HotRodimusPrimesAnswer.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7|And your second wish is?]]
Faring poorly in his battle with the three iterations of Optimus Prime and unable to reach Spike to snap him out of his trance of despair, Rodimus recalls the previous glimpse of the multiverse the entity offered him, and uses the Covenant to send out ripples through space and time. The Optimuses descend upon him, the entity mocking his actions as a last, desperate gasp... until suddenly, in response to his call, a small army of other incarnations of Rodimus from through the multiverse arrive to join the fight!

On Nebulos, Ultra Magnus's team tracks down Galvatron, whose rampage has halted briefly as Rodimus's actions in Zero Space draw all of the entity's attention for a moment. Magnus engages Galvatron hand-to-hand, and with brutal finality, snaps his neck, and crushes his head, killing the future Decepticon at last. The corrupted [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] suddenly appears and almost shoots Magnus in the back, but the other Autobots, together with Chang's forces, arrive to join the fight.

As the army of Rodimuses turn their weapons on the entity, its control over Optimus falters, and the former Autobot leader is able to shake it off long enough to give Rodimus advice. The entity cannot be destroyed, Optimus warns, merely contained—Primus's grand plan will ultimately result in the creation of an optimum universe from the best elements of all realities, so to prevent the plan from being contaminated by the dark entity, ''this'' reality must be severed from the multiverse. Though hesitant, Rodimus realizes this truly is the only course of action, and succeeds in reaching Spike and making him understand that the death of his family was not his fault. As the furious entity descends upon them, Spike breaks free of his bonds, and the crack in Zero Space begins to close. The entity makes a last dash for the fissure, but Rodimus brings down the Sword of Primus upon the crack, and in one flash of energy, the crack, the entity, and the alternate Rodimus and Optimus Primes vanish, and "our" Rodimus, Optimus, and Spike reappear on Cybertron in Primus's chamber. With his final words, Optimus thanks Rodimus for saving Primus's dream, then passes away in his protege's arms.

[[File:Ravage starscream shockwave war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2]]
Eons pass...

Far in the future, an aged, withered Rodimus Prime walks the molten surface of a dead Cybertron. He reflects upon the millennia past, on how the Transformers, cut off from the multiverse and Primus himself, have slowly died out. But it has not been a wasted life... the inhabitants of Earth and Nebulos have been brought together and have thrived, rebuilding their broken worlds, while the Transformers, with Cybertron lost to them, spread out across the galaxy, bringing peace to other races. Even enemies like [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]], and [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] were changed, the lust for war having left them. But now, Rodimus is the last Cybertronian left, and has returned to their homeworld to die. As he collapses, the last traces of energy leave his body, and surge across the planet's surface... into the only structures yet remaining: the cocoons into which the primordials sealed themselves so long ago. Like a blooming flower, an energized cocoon opens... and the [[Botanica (BM)|first]] of a new breed of Cybertronian emerges.

For after all... it never ends.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|3|
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (2)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (3)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (4)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (7)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (8)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (9)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (10)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (11)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (12)
*[[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (13)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (14)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (15)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (16)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (17)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (18)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (19)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (20)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (21)
*''[[Scattershot (G1)|Scattershot]]'' (23)
*''Animated'' [[Jetstorm (Animated)|Jetstorm]] (27)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Leobreaker]] (28)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (32)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (33)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (34)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (35)
*[[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (36)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (37)
*''[[Last Autobot]]'' (43)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (44)
*[[Backstreet (G1)|Backstreet]] (45)
*''Animated'' [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus Prime]] (47)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)|Exillion Red Version]] (48)
*[[2005 IDW continuity|IDW (2005)]] [[Hot Rod (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Rodimus]] (49)
*''Classics'' [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (50)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (51)
}}
|c2=
*[[Iguanus (G1)|Iguanus]] (17)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (22)
*''Prime'' [[Starscream (WFC)|Starscream]] (29)
*''[[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]]'' (39)
*''[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]]'' (40)
*''[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]]'' (41)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'' (42)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (55)
*[[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]] (56)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (57)
|h3=[[Human]]s/[[Nebulan]]s|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (24)
*''[[Sparkplug Witwicky]]'' (25)
*[[Linda Chang]] (46)
*[[Gordon Kent]] (52)
*[[G.B. Blackrock]] (53)
*[[Borx]] (54)

|h4=Others|c4=
*''[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'s corpse'' (1)
*[[Gas Skunk]] (24)
*[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]] (26)
*''[[Demon]]s'' (30)
*[[Dark Matrix]] creature (31)
*[[Acolyte of Unicron|Acolytes of Unicron]] (38)
*[[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] (58)
}}

==Quotes==
"Grimlock! The Dinobots! Boy am I glad to see your ugly mugs!" 
"Stand back. When it come to shadow-leeches, me have [[The Touch|the touch.]]"

:—'''Blaster''' and '''Grimlock'''

"Everyone-- Max up your molecular cohesion. There's no telling what...UNH!" 
"HEFF! What? '''Humans'''?" 
"Not just any humans, robot. Mean and ticked-off humans... with big guns!"

:—'''Prowl''' and '''Kup''', surprised that '''Linda Chang''' isn't happy to see them

"What? Have... you...done.. I am- the- the-" 
'''WHOOM''' 
"Oh, sorry. Thought you'd finished. Our bad."

:—'''Galvatron''' is rudely interrupted by a direct shot to the chest from '''Swoop'''.

"When first we met, you threw down a gauntlet. Insisting that somehow, you and I are destined to fight again and again and ''again''. Win or lose. Live or die. Well, '''no more'''. It's '''over'''...'''finished'''!"

:—'''Ultra Magnus''' slips in one last [[Furmanism]] before finally killing '''Galvatron'''.

"Do not grieve, Rodimus Prime. You...have...'''saved''' us. Thanks to you, the dream-- will not--die-"

:—'''Optimus Prime''''s last words

==Full Circle==
This oversized issue contains "Full Circle", a bonus section with several extra features:
*Lineart and a script extract describing a panel of Prime and Megatron's battle from [[Loose Ends, Part 5|issue #85]]
*"[[King of Shadows]]", a short prose story by Simon Furman describing [[Ravage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ravage]]'s activities during the Dark Matrix creature's takeover of Cybertron, featuring an illustration by John-Paul Bove
*Pin-up by Stephen Baserkville
*"It Never Ends", a farewell letter from Andrew Wildman
*"The Feeling", reflections on the series from John-Paul Bove
*Pin-up by Jason Cardy
*Complete cover gallery of the entire Marvel series and ''Regeneration One''
*"End Words", a closing letter from Simon Furman

==Notes==

===Continuity notes===
*The dark entity possessed Grimlock back in issues [[Destiny, Part Three|#93]] and [[Destiny, Part Four|#94]].
*The entity is also revealed to have been responsible for awakening Galvatron from his icy tomb in [[Loose Ends, Part 5|issue #85]].
*The Transformers were recalled to Cybertron by Primus at the climax of [[Out of Time!|issue #73]].
*Rodimus found the graveyard in the Primus chamber in issue #93.
*The dark Matrix entity is revealed to have been behind the attacks carried out by the Primordials in issues [[On the Edge of Extinction!|#75]] and [[Still Life!|#76]]. The scene of Runabout's capture from the end of #75 is recreated here, complete with Ben-Day dot color effects.
*Also recreated is Dreadwind and Darkwing's rush for cover amid the planet's chaotic recreation from the start of [[Exodus!|issue #77]].
*The flashback to Soundwave's subtle corruption shows him in his original Marvel purple coloration; the same was true of flashbacks to earlier Marvel stories in [[Counterpoint|#80.5]], firmly indicating that his change to his more recognizable blue scheme was an actual in-universe change the character underwent at some point after this, and not just a coloring whim.
*The versions of Optimus Prime that the entity summons up represent three of his forms from throughout the Marvel continuity: his original body, his [[Powermaster]] form, and his battered present-day form (distinguished from his original body by, among other things, his white biceps).
*Rodimus glimpsed other incarnations of himself back in #93.
*Ravage is shown with Starscream and Shockwave; the details of how he hooked up with the pair following their last appearance in the previous issue are covered in "[[King of Shadows]]", the short story included in this issue's bonus section.

===Transformers references===
[[File:Grimlock kup mirage war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3]]
*As he slices into the shadow-leeches, Grimlock professes to have [[The Touch|the touch]].
*Grimlock instructs Slag to "Melt metal!", paraphrasing the famous Dinobot quote "Munch metal!" from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*All the various Rodimuses who appear in this issue also showed up in issue #93, with one change: Exillion Red Version swapped in for Powerlinx Hot Shot.
*As he brings down the Sword of Primus on the crack, Rodimus declares: "I am Alpha. I am Omega. I am the beginning... and the end!" While a biblical quote in and of itself, it is also a paraphrasing from the Covenant of Primus previously heard in the Furman-penned ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Nemesis Part 2]]".
*"Do not grieve," Optimus tells Rodimus as he lies dying, a direct lift from his dying speech in the movie.
*The idea of a wizened Rodimus reflecting on the Transformers' past is evocative of the UK storyline, "[[Aspects of Evil!]]".
*When Grimlock tells Kup, "This my specialty! GO!", his energo-sword crackles with a "[[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]" sound effect.
{{--}}

===Errors===
*The number of Autobots present in this story varies wildly. When they are first surrounded by shadow-leeches, only ten robots are visible. Later, in the Star Chamber, closer to FIFTY heads can be counted.
*Scattershot's presence at the Star Chamber appears to be erroneous, given that he was also present during the attack on the Hub with the ''Lancer One'' crew in [[The War to End All Wars, Part 3|#98]].
*During Rodimus' final, dying monologue, he laments how he "denied susentance and renewal" - obviously, that should be "sustenance and renewal".

===Furminated===
*Hosehead, Slingshot, and Tailgate are taken out by the shadow-leeches; Streetwise goes down later as well.
*Iguanus is revealed to be one of the undead shadow-leeches.
*Sparkplug Witwicky is revealed to be dead, to nobody's surprise.
*Scattershot, last seen outside the Star Chamber, is heavily implied to be one of the shadow-leech victims.
*Magnus kills Galvatron.
*Prowl and Kup take out the possessed Fortress Maximus.
*Optimus Prime dies from his wounds, inflicted by Fortress Maximus in the real world and possibly by the Hot Rod Squad in Zero Space.
*ARE ALL DEAD, as the many Transformers converted to shadow-leeches are killed off by the Primus sword (see ''[[Shadow-leech]]'' for a list of known victims), and the remaining survivors eventually die off over the eons, culminating in the aged Rodimus doing a faceplant onto Cybertron's surface. His essence causes one of the Demons to evolve into [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] though, so IT NEVER ENDS.

===Other trivia===
*The cover gallery is selectively edited when it comes to the first 80 issues, due to the fact that they were published by [[Marvel Comics]] and not IDW Publishing. Obviously, the Marvel logo from the top left of each issue is missing. A generic border is shown for [[Heavy Traffic!|#22]] instead of the original Marvel Comics 25th Anniversary border used for every Marvel comic released that month in 1986, showcasing their universe of characters. Other elements that are intrinsically part of the original covers remain, such as [[Man of Iron (issue)|#33–#34]] referencing "The House of Ideas" and "Marvel Majesty!" [[Prisoner of War!|And yeah...]] [[Spider-Man]].
*Continuing the humor from [[End of the Road! (US)|issue #80]] of the original Marvel series, this issue was billed as '''#100''' in a [[The Transformers Four-Issue Limited Series|'''four-issue''' limited series]].

===Covers (6)===
<gallery>
File:RG1 100 cvrA.jpg|'''Cover A'''
File:RG1 100 cvrB.jpg|'''Cover B'''
File:RG1 100 cvrRIA.jpg|'''Cover RI-A'''
File:RG1 100 cvrRIB.jpg|'''Cover RI-B'''
File:RG1 100 subcvr.jpg|'''Subscription cover'''
File:RG1 100 concvr.jpg|'''Convention cover'''
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Rodimus Prime versus three versions of Optimus Prime in Zero Space, by [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Jason Cardy]].
*'''Cover B:''' an homage to [[The Transformers (issue)|issue #1]], by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''Cover RI-A:''' Fortress Maximus and Galvatron consumed by the Dark Matrix energy, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]].
*'''Cover RI-B:''' blank cover for unique [[Herb Trimpe]] sketches.
*'''Subscription cover:''' the Autobots and [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] versus the Decepticons and [[Cobra]], by [[Robert Atkins]], [[Juan Castro]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]; part of an interlinking image with the subscription cover of ''[[G.I. Joe (comic)|G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero]]'' #200
*'''Convention cover:''' an homage to [[The Transformers (issue)|Transformers (UK) issue #1]], by Andrew Wildman, [[Stephen Baskerville]], and [[John-Paul Bove]].

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/transformers-regeneration-one-100-script-wrap/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50570 Simon Furman interview on issue #100]

==Reprints==
*'''''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]] Volume 4''''' ([[May 14]], [[2014]]) ISBN 1613779631 / ISBN 978-1613779637
**Contains issues #96–100, along with a cover gallery and comments from some of the series creators.

*'''''[[Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection|Transformers: The Definitive G1 Collection: Volume 24: The War to End All Wars]]''''' ([[September 19]], [[2018]])
**Contains issues #96–100, along with the prose story "[[King of Shadows]]" and rare/unseen sketchbook art.

* '''''[[Transformers: Best of Hot Rod]]''''' ([[May 4]], 2022)
** Collects ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]'' [[Rise|#10: "Rise"]], ''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[Spotlight: Hot Rod|Hot Rod]]'', [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|''The Transformers'' (1984)]] [[White Fire|#254: "White Fire"]], ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|Lost Light]]'' [[Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre|#20: "Crucible (Part 2): Lūstrāre"]], ''Regeneration One'' #100: "The War to End All Wars, Part 5", and [[Transformers Annual|''Transformers'' Annual]] [[Transformers Annual 1989|1989]]: "[[Peace]]".
** Bonus content includes an art gallery.

<gallery>
File:RG1-Vol4.jpg|'''Volume 4'''; cover art by [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Jason Cardy]]
File:DefinitiveG1Collection v24.jpg|'''''Definitive G1 Collection: Chapter 24'''''; cover art by [[Don Figueroa]] (Magnus) and retro art by [[Guido Guidi]] and [[Stephen Baskerville]]
File:BestOfHotRod cvr.jpg|'''''Transformers: Best of Hot Rod'''''; cover art by [[James Biggie]]
</gallery>

{{DEFAULTSORT:War to End All Wars, Part 5}}

The War to End All Wars, Part 1

2025-01-12T17:39:34Z

DarkStranger: /* Transformers references */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rg1|issueno=96
|prev=Destiny, Part Five
|next=The War to End All Wars, Part 2
|title="The War to End All Wars" Part 1
|image=RG1 96 cvrA.jpg
|caption= Fortunately, Jhiaxus's attempt to smash Rodimus's foot was unsuccessful.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 27]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=November 2013
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Guido Guidi]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Rodimus Prime takes command in the wake of Bludgeon's attack as the Autobots try to pick up the pieces, only for new attacks to come from returning figures from the past.'''

==Synopsis==
The cleanup from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s dual assault on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has begun. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] wonders aloud if the resulting carnage can really be called a "victory", and if so, he'd hate to see what a defeat would look like. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] fears that things could get even worse, and is still troubled by the visions shown to him by [[Primus]] in [[Zero Space]]. They are interrupted by [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], who summons them to the point where Bludgeon impacted upon falling to Cybertron's surface from the [[Warworld]]. They're stunned to find he is still alive, though just barely. He begs for Rodimus Prime to finish what he started by chucking him out of the Warworld's bridge, but Rodimus refuses, intent on punishing Bludgeon by denying him the glorious death he so coveted. He instructs Powerglide to get a medic to tend to Bludgeon when one becomes available. He then radios [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who has had no luck in locating [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], though Magnus can't imagine that Galvatron could have just walked away from the blast that was meant to destroy them both, Magnus having used Galvatron as a shield against it. Rodimus then radios a team to assist Ultra Magnus in locating the rogue Decepticon who is a threat to the time stream, above all else. Rodimus transforms and takes off for a meeting with his advisors, while [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], the other [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and the [[Demon]]s grumble that they helped turn the tide of the battle, and no one has acknowledged that fact.

Back on [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] is building a [[space bridge]] in Oklahoma, to help link Nebulos and Earth, watched over by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]], who is constantly putting down the location and the idea in general. When Optimus begins to ask Spike a question, by name, Spike immediately cuts him off, saying only his friends call him Spike, and Optimus is to refer to him as Circuit Smasher. Optimus asks if Circuit Smasher is truly respecting the [[Little America]] collective's decision to allow the Space Bridge to be built by hovering over Optimus' work, and openly wondering if Circuit Smasher is bent on sabotaging the whole project. Circuit Smasher replies that he was actually referring to the natural disasters common to the area. Optimus wishes aloud that he could reach the Spike he once knew. He then recounts how the Witwickys always stood by and believed in and allied themselves with the Autobots, and wondered if [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] would have turned against them so readily. At the mention of his dead brother's name, Spike flares up and angrily demands that Optimus never say Buster's name again. They're interrupted by an alert that Optimus believes is about some cargo he needs to continue building the Space Bridge, but is surprised to see it's actually Rodimus Prime hailing him!

Rodimus Prime seeks Optimus Prime's formal authority to take charge on Cybertron, saying it seems there are one too many Primes. Optimus almost immediately cedes leadership of the Autobots to Rodimus Prime, surprising Rodimus. Optimus reveals that he knew a new Prime would come about, since the "universe abhors a vacuum", and his previous death provided just such an opportunity for the universe to put in motion events that would lead to a new Prime coming to be. Optimus asks if the new Prime has chosen a name, and Rodimus replies that the name 'Rodimus Prime' was chosen for him, by the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Optimus bids Rodimus arise, saying he is now the leader of the Cybertronian race and speaks for Primus. The transfer of leadership complete, Rodimus Prime gets down to business, identifying the four issues Primus showed him in Zero Space that are leading to the dissolution of time, if not dealt with: Galvatron, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], the [[Dark Matrix]] energy creature, and Spike Witwicky. Rodimus puts [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] in charge of the "[[Zero Unit]]", which will have wide-ranging abilities to investigate and respond to figuring out how to deal with the issues at hand. Optimus wonders aloud what Spike has to do with anything, but Rodimus Prime says even if he isn't important in the grand scheme of things now, he will be.

[[File:Magnus gunrunner war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
Meanwhile, in [[Kalis]], Ultra Magnus is leading [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]], [[Rapido]], [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] on the search for Galvatron, and they soon find him! Skram leaps into action before Ultra Magnus can stop him, but Galvatron quickly dispatches Skram with a blast from his cannon. Saying Galvatron is too dangerous for any grandstanding, he orders Gunrunner to attack with everything he's got. The [[Pretender]] happily complies, launching a volley of rockets at the time-displaced Decepticon and shooting with all his guns blazing. The assault brings the structure Galvatron was on crashing into a pile of rubble, but Ultra Magnus is taking no chances, and tells Gunrunner to cover him while he inspects the rubble. Almost as soon as he exits his Pretender shell, he nervously tells Magnus to hurry- then he's put in the crosshairs and shot! Rapido and Blurr report that [[Acolyte of Unicron|Acolytes of Unicron]] are attacking en masse. While fighting them, Magnus wonders why they're still around when Unicron met a very mortal end. One of his bots replies that "maybe they just went underground"...which they are literally doing, dragging the incapacitated Galvatron with them. Magnus is able to catch up with one of the cultists, who gladly spills the beans on the attack; they believe that Unicron's angel of death has come to them and chaos and the destruction of all is at hand...starting with Ultra Magnus!

[[File:Zero unit the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
Meanwhile, at Zero Initiative headquarters, Nightbeat and Bumblebee are busy digging deep back into Cybertronian history, as Galvatron is a known wrench in the temporal workings of the universe, and the threats posed by the Dark Matrix and Spike are too ill-defined to deal with at the moment. Nightbeat says that Jhiaxus somehow has managed to delete himself from his contemporaries' memories, and all surviving official records. Nightbeat has managed to dig up civilian beta-logs, and in one crowd shot, at the opening of the [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]], he's been able to identify all bots present, except one, who Bumblebee deduces must be Senator Jhiaxus. Bumblebee then wonders that as a Senator, Jhiaxus must have had contact with other mechanical worlds, so couldn't they contact those worlds and ask for information on Jhiaxus? Nightbeat excitedly agrees, and sends a mass message to those worlds that Cybertronians had dealings with, asking for any information they have on Jhiaxus.

[[File:Clar macro jungle war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
On Nebulos, [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] is supervising the construction of a space bridge portal in the [[Clar Macro-jungle]], and talks with the senior scientist about the project, but is much more interested in the project the Nebulans have undertaken regarding the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process. The scientist tells him that since the project has been declassified, he's glad to share. The original heads of any Decepticons who went through the process will remain in stasis until they are transported back to Cybertron- and possibly forever after that. [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] has retrieved his original head, and his former Headmaster partner [[Stylor]] has been reverse-engineered back into a regular Nebulan, to reintegrate into Nebulan society again as a private citizen. Quickmix then asks about "the big guy". The scientist replies that he assumes Quickmix is asking about [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]? He says that the building of a new body for Fortress Maximus is well underway. At the site of his new body's construction, unknown and unnoticed by anyone, a portion of the Dark Matrix energy enters the tube where Maximus' original head is being held in stasis, and enters its new host...

Bumblebee and Nightbeat are lamenting that they sent out eighty-eight messages, but haven't even received so much as an acknowledgement of any of them. They simultaneously think to launch a probe to see what's going on. The probe passes near the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], onboard which [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (as the ship's operating system) is trying to convince an unresponsive [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] to relocate the ship, as they must have been noticed when they attacked the Warworld. Starscream is suddenly thrown out of his stupor and announces "He's here!!"

Down on the surface of Cybertron, [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] informs Rodimus Prime that a horde of ships just appeared out of nowhere, without any warning. Before he can do any more than ask who and how many, a message is beamed to Rodimus Prime. Appearing on screen, Jhiaxus announces himself, and states that he comes in peace...

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear first or only in flashbacks or recordings.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|3|
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (2)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (3)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (4)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (5)
*[[Siren (G1)|Siren]] (7)
*[[Drench (G2)|Drench]]? (8)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (9)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (10)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (11)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (12)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (13)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (14)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (15)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (17)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (18)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (19)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (20)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (23)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (25)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (28)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (29)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (30)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (31)
*[[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] (33)
*[[Rapido]] (34)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (35)
*[[Skram (G2)|Skram]] (36)
*''[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'' (41)
*[[Groundpounder (G1)|Groundpounder]] (42)
*[[Takedown]] (43)
*[[Neutro]] (44)
*[[Crumble]] (45)
*[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] (46)
*[[Erector (G1)|Erector]] (47)
*''[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]'' (49)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (53)
}}
|c2=
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (6)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (16)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (24)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'' (39)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (51)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (52)
|h3=[[Human]]s & [[Nebulan]]s|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (26)
*[[Borx]] (48)
*''[[Stylor]]'' (50)
|h4=Others|c4=
*[[Demon]]s (22)
*''[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'' (32)
*[[Acolyte of Unicron|Acolytes of Unicron]] (37)
*''[[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]]'' (38)
*''[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'' (40)
}}

==Quotes==
"Phrrm... Krll... Me... F-fnsh... ...Whtyuh ... Strted." 
"No. I can think of no more fitting punishment than to deny you whatever "glorious" death you coveted. Powerglide, when a medic becomes available, direct him over here."
:- '''Bludgeon's''' dreams are laid waste by '''Rodimus Prime'''.

"I wonder, would Buster have taken against us so readily?" 
"NEVER...MENTION...HIS...NAME. '''Is that understood?''' 
"Yes. I think it is. Finally."
:- '''Optimus Prime''' and '''Spike''' have a light-hearted chat

"We should launch a probe." 
"Great minds..."
:- '''Nightbeat''' and '''Bumblebee''' spontaneously speaking in unison

"My name is Jhiaxus. I come in peace."
:- '''Jhiaxus'''. This is gonna end well....

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Rodimus refers to a "triumv'''e'''rate of terror", with "triumvirate" misspelled. Furman [[Triumvirate#Notes|might just have trouble spelling that word.]]
*In responding to Ultra Magnus' statement that Magnus' survival was a miracle, Rodimus Prime says, of Galvatron, "Maybe it was just a time for a miracle'''s'''." This was not fixed for the trade paperback.

===Continuity errors===
*While not an out-and-out error, it does seem odd that Stylor apparently suffered no ill effects from being reverse-engineered back into a regular Nebulan from being Chromedome's head/binary-bonded partner, especially when other Headmaster and Powermaster partners essentially became one being, most notably Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Spike even went comatose when his connection with Fortress Maximus was severed.

===Continuity notes===
*The acolytes of Unicron previously appeared in [[The Void! (US)|issue #74]] of the original Marvel run.
*Chromedome becomes the only Autobot Headmaster to reunite his original head and body, as he was the only one who survived his entire binary-bond with his Nebulan partner without either of them dying, and the only one whose head wasn't given a new body by Scorponok.
*Skram has the letters G2 on his dashboard (in the panel when they first spot Galvatron), probably a reference to himself and Rapido being Generation 2 characters.

===Real-life references===
*"{{w|The war to end war|The war to end all wars}}" is an archaic name for [[World War I]], used by idealists before [[World War II]] ruined all expectations.

===Other trivia===
*Rapido appears in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] with his European toy release's pink windows, rather than his U.S. release's gray windows. Additionally, he's also sporting his correct (and very toyetic) engine block gun.

===Transformers references===
*Rodimus refers to the events of [[On the Edge of Extinction!|Issue #75]] as the "[[Unicron War]]", a term used originally by Japanese media in [[1986]] to refer to the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Note Gunrunner's reluctance to leave his shell, and his squirelly behaviour and sense of feeling "exposed" once out in the open—a personality trait introduced to the character by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] in their [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More than Meets the Eye'']] profile series, which expanded upon his original [[bio]] simple note that he was "shy and insecure" outside his shell by adding some survivor's guilt to his backstory that left him unwilling to leave its safe confines.
*The alert that interrupts the heated discussion between Spike and Optimus sounds ''suspiciously'' like the scene transition music from the Sunbow Transformers cartoon.

===Furminated===
*Gunrunner takes a shot through the chest from the Acolytes of Unicron.

===Covers (4)===
<gallery>
File:RG1 96 cvrA.jpg|
File:RG1 96 cvrB.jpg|
File:RG1 96 subcvr.jpg|
File:RG196 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Rodimus Prime atop a fractured field of images, paralleling the cover of [[Counterpoint|issue #80.5]], by [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Jason Cardy]]
*'''Cover B:''' Rodimus contemplates Bludgeon's decapitated skull, in homage to the cover of [[The Power and the Glory|''Generation 2'' #5]], by [[Guido Guidi]]
*'''Cover SUB:''' Blank cover for sketches
*'''Cover RI:''' Black-and-white lineart of Rodimus Prime and Jhiaxus, made to look like a production-stage paste-up of a classic Marvel cover with yellowing tape and glue, by [[Geoff Senior]]

===Advertisements===
*"[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" checklist, highlighting [[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
*Thanks to VIP Attendees to IDW Studios during [[BotCon 2013]]
*IDW ''Samurai Jack'' comic
*''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]] Color Classics'' Vol. 2
*IDW ''Powerpuff Girls'' comic
*''[[My Little Pony]]: Friendship Is Magic'' Annual 2013
*''My Little Pony: The Magic Begins''
*''[[Star Trek]]: Khan''
*CGC
*''My Little Pony Micro-Series: Luna'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/script-wrap-tf-regeneration-one-96/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]

{{DEFAULTSORT:War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

The War to End All Wars, Part 2

2025-01-12T16:38:03Z

DarkStranger: /* External links */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rg1|issueno=97
|prev=The War to End All Wars, Part 1
|next=The War to End All Wars, Part 3
|title="The War to End All Wars" Part 2
|image=RG1 97 cvrA.jpg
|caption="C'mon, gimme a hug!"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[December 18]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=December 2013
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|breakdowns=[[Guido Guidi]]
|finishes=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''When Jhiaxus and his forces arrive on Cybertron, diplomacy soon gives way to attempted genocide.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] surveys with disgust the [[Camp Zero|hastily constructed shanty town]] the [[Demon|primordial Cybertronians]] have been sequestered in, feeling responsible for the creatures' well-being after leading them to the planet's surface. As the creatures crowd around a crude drawing of [[Primus]] they have scrawled on a wall, [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] observes the timid streak they have developed, in contrast to their normal ferocity, and wonders if they are merely biding their time...

[[File:Jhiaxus the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Gold and blue bikini set: $300 Red head piece: $150 Genocidal, Nazi-esque worldview: model's own]]
At the [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] confers with his men over the sudden appearance in [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] airspace of [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] and his army. From the [[Ops-Command HQ]], the [[Zero Unit]] of [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] proposes actively inviting the mysterious ex-senator for a face-to-face discussion, and so a crowd gathers at [[Eugenesis Plaza]] to await the arrival of the enigmatic newcomers. In a flash, Jhiaxus appears through an advanced form of [[space bridge]] along with his ''"[[Primum Fugae]]"'', a team of five, sleek, silent warriors. Rodimus proposes they talk somewhere private; Jhiaxus accepts, though menacingly makes clear his awareness of Autobot snipers overlooking the plaza. As Rodimus and Jhiaxus leave for [[Nova Point]], Jhiaxus's men take to the skies.

On [[Earth]], while [[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] and [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] are putting the finishing touches to a space bridge, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] contacts [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] on [[Nebulos]] to confirm the bridge link-up will be ready on his end. Quickmix also updates Prime on the restoration of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], presently underway at the Nebulan science center; as Maximus's head is reconnected to his body, the giant Autobot screams in agony before suddenly falling silent, a dark twinkle behind his eyes.

At Nova Point, Rodimus inquires of Jhiaxus what he has been doing in his eons away from Cybertron, and why Primus would consider him a threat to his grand plan. Jhiaxus scoffs at the mere mention of Primus and explains he long ago dismissed the notion of their creator's plan and chose to sculpt the universe into an ordered form under his own power. Before Rodimus's horrified eyes, Jhiaxus unveils a hologram of the [[Hub (G2)|Hub Network]], a cosmos-wide structure of interconnected metallic planets, and invites the Autobot leader to add Cybertron to its ever-growing web. Quickly deducing that the worlds are not newly created, but mecha-formed existing planets, Rodimus angrily demands to know how many supported life... and Jhiaxus sneers, offering up the caveat that it depends on how one ''classifies'' life. Rodimus slams Jhiaxus into a wall, furiously refusing his offer, only to find that the former senator has untold strength of his own, derived from the [[Underbase]]. Jhiaxus hurls Rodimus away, and easily fends off attempted interventions by Bumblebee and Jetfire before transforming and blasting his way out of the hall.

[[File:Nightjar dinobots war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
Concurrently, elsewhere on Cybertron, Jhiaxus's men set their sights on the primordials' ghetto, and immediately begin slaughtering the creatures. The [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]]s come to the beasts' defense, but as the two forces meet in combat, [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] is stabbed through the chest by [[Firecrest]]. Just as [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] and a contingent of Autobots come rolling up in an attempt to stop the massacre, the ''Primum Fugae'' receive a message from Jhiaxus to join him in departing the planet, and take wing. Their foes gone for now, the Autobots extract Rodimus from the rubble and update him; no deaths have been incurred save those primordials that were slain, but the Dinobots are out of action for now. Fortunately, Nightbeat has studied the data he captured from Jhiaxus and his men and believes he has come up with a way to defeat them—and Rodimus is ready to put it to use, vowing to take the fight to their new enemies!

Out in space, a short time earlier, as [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] and [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] watch Jhiaxus's fleet heading for Cybertron from their vantage point aboard the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], Shockwave inquires as to how Starscream knows Jhiaxus's name. As the familiar glowing yellow tech-patterns of the Underbase begin to creep across Starscream's metallic skin, another voice emerges from his lips... a voice that recognizes Jhiaxus as "one of the five"... a voice that vows a reckoning...
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|2|
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (2)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (3)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (4)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (5)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (6)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (7)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (8)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (9)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (10)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (11)
*[[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]] (12)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (13)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (14)
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (15)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (22)
*[[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] (23)
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (24)
*[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] (25)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (26)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (27)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (28)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (29)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (30)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (31)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (32)
}}
|c2=
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (33)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (34, voice only)
|h3=[[Nebulan]]s|c3=
*[[Borx]] (27)
|h4=[[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian Empire]]|c4=
*[[Firecrest]] (16)
*[[Hawk (RG1)|Hawk]] (17)
*[[Rook (G2)|Rook]] (18)
*[[Nightjar]] (19)
*[[Wryneck]] (20)
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (21)
|h5=Others
|c5=
*[[Demon]]s (1)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Optimus thanks Landfill for his report on the completion of the space bridge, but it's Scoop who's delivering the report.

===Continuity errors===
*Perhaps not technically an error, but Rodimus Prime marveling at Jhiaxus having the Space Bridge technology to teleport down from orbit seems at odds with Soundwave having the tech to teleport safely out of the [[Hall of Silence]] in [[Natural Selection, Part One|#86]]. Sure, Rodimus didn't know that, but the implication that Jhiaxus is so amazingly technologically advanced because of that tech doesn't ring true.

===Continuity notes===
*The Demons' ghetto is called resettlement camp "Zero", one of [[Simon Furman|Furman]]'s many references to the number throughout this series.
*Rodimus welcomes Jhiaxus "on behalf of the [[Unified Cybertron Alliance]]". Back in "[[Loose Ends, Part 1]]" Optimus Prime was concerned that any show of overt force by the Wreckers against Neo-Decepticon insurgents would risk the very existence of the Unified Cybertron Alliance but since then the planet has seen the chaos caused by [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s [[Gene Key]], the invasion of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Blitz Engine]]s and a full insurrection by [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s troops, so it seems Prime drastically overestimated what it would take to damage the Alliance. This, coupled with the fact that we only ever see Autobots in any positions of power during the series also begs the question of just who they were allied ''with'' at this point.
*The space bridge Scoop, Landfill and Quickmix are building is the original Marvel continuity design first seen in "[[The Bridge to Nowhere!]]", resembling a suspension bridge.
*Starscream absorbed the power of the Underbase back in [[Dark Star|issue #50]]; clearly, the consciousnesses of one or more of the five senators seen in [[Less Than Zero|issue #0]] were among the energies he absorbed, which have hung around in his body until now.

===Real-life references===
*The Nebulans' science center is called the [[Technodrome]], which can't be anything other than a reference to the monocular battle fortress of ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' fame.
*Formerly known just as "The Hub" in the ''Generation 2'' comics that introduced it, Jhiaxus's web of worlds is here renamed the "Hub Network" in a cute reference to [[Hasbro]]'s [[Hub Network|Hub television network]].

===Other trivia===

===Transformers references===
*Jhiaxus's space bridge does not require any kind of structural mechanism for the portal to form, nor does it need anything to generate an exit portal, which opens directly at his intended location. These are evolutions of the technology that were introduced with the [[Transwarp Drive|transwarp technology]] of ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'', and which have become more common in depictions of space bridges in subsequent years, particularly in the [[Unicron Trilogy]].
*The true purpose of Jhiaxus's mysterious Hub in ''Generation 2'' was explained in the non-canon novella, ''[[Alignment]]''. Given Jhiaxus's areligious rantings here, it's likely that that purpose—to allow the [[Liege Maximo]] to ascend to the realm of the gods—has no bearing on its role in the ''Regeneration One'' story.

===Furminated===
*A number of the Demons are killed off by the Primum Fugae.

===Covers (3)===
<gallery>
File:RG1 97 cvrA.jpg|'''Cover A'''
File:RG1 97 cvrB.jpg|'''Cover B'''
File:RG1 97 cvrRI.jpg|'''Cover RI'''
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Jhiaxus reveals the Hub to Rodimus Prime, by [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Jason Cardy]].
*'''Cover B:''' The infected Fortress Maximus on the rampage, by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''Cover RI:''' Sludge against Jhiaxus's troops, by [[Geoff Senior]].

===Advertisements===
*"[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" checklist, highlighting [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|''More than Meets the Eye'' #25]]
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Color Classics'' Vol. 2
*IDW ''[[Doctor Who]]'' comic finale
*''[[My Little Pony]] Micro-Series: Luna''
*''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' [[Monopoly]]
*IDW ''Ben 10'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2013/12/17/script-wrap-regeneration-one-97/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]

{{DEFAULTSORT:War to End All Wars, Part 2}}

The War to End All Wars, Part 1

2025-01-12T12:59:50Z

DarkStranger:

{{Comicstory|
|series=rg1|issueno=96
|prev=Destiny, Part Five
|next=The War to End All Wars, Part 2
|title="The War to End All Wars" Part 1
|image=RG1 96 cvrA.jpg
|caption= Fortunately, Jhiaxus's attempt to smash Rodimus's foot was unsuccessful.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 27]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=November 2013
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Guido Guidi]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Rodimus Prime takes command in the wake of Bludgeon's attack as the Autobots try to pick up the pieces, only for new attacks to come from returning figures from the past.'''

==Synopsis==
The cleanup from [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]]'s dual assault on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has begun. [[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] wonders aloud if the resulting carnage can really be called a "victory", and if so, he'd hate to see what a defeat would look like. [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] fears that things could get even worse, and is still troubled by the visions shown to him by [[Primus]] in [[Zero Space]]. They are interrupted by [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]], who summons them to the point where Bludgeon impacted upon falling to Cybertron's surface from the [[Warworld]]. They're stunned to find he is still alive, though just barely. He begs for Rodimus Prime to finish what he started by chucking him out of the Warworld's bridge, but Rodimus refuses, intent on punishing Bludgeon by denying him the glorious death he so coveted. He instructs Powerglide to get a medic to tend to Bludgeon when one becomes available. He then radios [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]], who has had no luck in locating [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]], though Magnus can't imagine that Galvatron could have just walked away from the blast that was meant to destroy them both, Magnus having used Galvatron as a shield against it. Rodimus then radios a team to assist Ultra Magnus in locating the rogue Decepticon who is a threat to the time stream, above all else. Rodimus transforms and takes off for a meeting with his advisors, while [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]], the other [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and the [[Demon]]s grumble that they helped turn the tide of the battle, and no one has acknowledged that fact.

Back on [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] is building a [[space bridge]] in Oklahoma, to help link Nebulos and Earth, watched over by [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]], who is constantly putting down the location and the idea in general. When Optimus begins to ask Spike a question, by name, Spike immediately cuts him off, saying only his friends call him Spike, and Optimus is to refer to him as Circuit Smasher. Optimus asks if Circuit Smasher is truly respecting the [[Little America]] collective's decision to allow the Space Bridge to be built by hovering over Optimus' work, and openly wondering if Circuit Smasher is bent on sabotaging the whole project. Circuit Smasher replies that he was actually referring to the natural disasters common to the area. Optimus wishes aloud that he could reach the Spike he once knew. He then recounts how the Witwickys always stood by and believed in and allied themselves with the Autobots, and wondered if [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster]] would have turned against them so readily. At the mention of his dead brother's name, Spike flares up and angrily demands that Optimus never say Buster's name again. They're interrupted by an alert that Optimus believes is about some cargo he needs to continue building the Space Bridge, but is surprised to see it's actually Rodimus Prime hailing him!

Rodimus Prime seeks Optimus Prime's formal authority to take charge on Cybertron, saying it seems there are one too many Primes. Optimus almost immediately cedes leadership of the Autobots to Rodimus Prime, surprising Rodimus. Optimus reveals that he knew a new Prime would come about, since the "universe abhors a vacuum", and his previous death provided just such an opportunity for the universe to put in motion events that would lead to a new Prime coming to be. Optimus asks if the new Prime has chosen a name, and Rodimus replies that the name 'Rodimus Prime' was chosen for him, by the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. Optimus bids Rodimus arise, saying he is now the leader of the Cybertronian race and speaks for Primus. The transfer of leadership complete, Rodimus Prime gets down to business, identifying the four issues Primus showed him in Zero Space that are leading to the dissolution of time, if not dealt with: Galvatron, [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]], the [[Dark Matrix]] energy creature, and Spike Witwicky. Rodimus puts [[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] and [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] in charge of the "[[Zero Unit]]", which will have wide-ranging abilities to investigate and respond to figuring out how to deal with the issues at hand. Optimus wonders aloud what Spike has to do with anything, but Rodimus Prime says even if he isn't important in the grand scheme of things now, he will be.

[[File:Magnus gunrunner war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
Meanwhile, in [[Kalis]], Ultra Magnus is leading [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]], [[Rapido]], [[Skram (G2)|Skram]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] on the search for Galvatron, and they soon find him! Skram leaps into action before Ultra Magnus can stop him, but Galvatron quickly dispatches Skram with a blast from his cannon. Saying Galvatron is too dangerous for any grandstanding, he orders Gunrunner to attack with everything he's got. The [[Pretender]] happily complies, launching a volley of rockets at the time-displaced Decepticon and shooting with all his guns blazing. The assault brings the structure Galvatron was on crashing into a pile of rubble, but Ultra Magnus is taking no chances, and tells Gunrunner to cover him while he inspects the rubble. Almost as soon as he exits his Pretender shell, he nervously tells Magnus to hurry- then he's put in the crosshairs and shot! Rapido and Blurr report that [[Acolyte of Unicron|Acolytes of Unicron]] are attacking en masse. While fighting them, Magnus wonders why they're still around when Unicron met a very mortal end. One of his bots replies that "maybe they just went underground"...which they are literally doing, dragging the incapacitated Galvatron with them. Magnus is able to catch up with one of the cultists, who gladly spills the beans on the attack; they believe that Unicron's angel of death has come to them and chaos and the destruction of all is at hand...starting with Ultra Magnus!

[[File:Zero unit the war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.7]]
Meanwhile, at Zero Initiative headquarters, Nightbeat and Bumblebee are busy digging deep back into Cybertronian history, as Galvatron is a known wrench in the temporal workings of the universe, and the threats posed by the Dark Matrix and Spike are too ill-defined to deal with at the moment. Nightbeat says that Jhiaxus somehow has managed to delete himself from his contemporaries' memories, and all surviving official records. Nightbeat has managed to dig up civilian beta-logs, and in one crowd shot, at the opening of the [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]], he's been able to identify all bots present, except one, who Bumblebee deduces must be Senator Jhiaxus. Bumblebee then wonders that as a Senator, Jhiaxus must have had contact with other mechanical worlds, so couldn't they contact those worlds and ask for information on Jhiaxus? Nightbeat excitedly agrees, and sends a mass message to those worlds that Cybertronians had dealings with, asking for any information they have on Jhiaxus.

[[File:Clar macro jungle war to end all wars.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
On Nebulos, [[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] is supervising the construction of a space bridge portal in the [[Clar Macro-jungle]], and talks with the senior scientist about the project, but is much more interested in the project the Nebulans have undertaken regarding the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] process. The scientist tells him that since the project has been declassified, he's glad to share. The original heads of any Decepticons who went through the process will remain in stasis until they are transported back to Cybertron- and possibly forever after that. [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] has retrieved his original head, and his former Headmaster partner [[Stylor]] has been reverse-engineered back into a regular Nebulan, to reintegrate into Nebulan society again as a private citizen. Quickmix then asks about "the big guy". The scientist replies that he assumes Quickmix is asking about [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]? He says that the building of a new body for Fortress Maximus is well underway. At the site of his new body's construction, unknown and unnoticed by anyone, a portion of the Dark Matrix energy enters the tube where Maximus' original head is being held in stasis, and enters its new host...

Bumblebee and Nightbeat are lamenting that they sent out eighty-eight messages, but haven't even received so much as an acknowledgement of any of them. They simultaneously think to launch a probe to see what's going on. The probe passes near the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], onboard which [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (as the ship's operating system) is trying to convince an unresponsive [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] to relocate the ship, as they must have been noticed when they attacked the Warworld. Starscream is suddenly thrown out of his stupor and announces "He's here!!"

Down on the surface of Cybertron, [[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] informs Rodimus Prime that a horde of ships just appeared out of nowhere, without any warning. Before he can do any more than ask who and how many, a message is beamed to Rodimus Prime. Appearing on screen, Jhiaxus announces himself, and states that he comes in peace...

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear first or only in flashbacks or recordings.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|3|
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Rodimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (2)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (3)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (4)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (5)
*[[Siren (G1)|Siren]] (7)
*[[Drench (G2)|Drench]]? (8)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (9)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (10)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (11)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (12)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (13)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Wheeljack]] (14)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (15)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (17)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (18)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (19)
*[[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (20)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (23)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (25)
*[[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (27)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (28)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (29)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (30)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (31)
*[[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] (33)
*[[Rapido]] (34)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (35)
*[[Skram (G2)|Skram]] (36)
*''[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'' (41)
*[[Groundpounder (G1)|Groundpounder]] (42)
*[[Takedown]] (43)
*[[Neutro]] (44)
*[[Crumble]] (45)
*[[Quickmix (G1)|Quickmix]] (46)
*[[Erector (G1)|Erector]] (47)
*''[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]'' (49)
*[[Mirage (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Mirage]] (53)
}}
|c2=
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (6)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (16)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (24)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'' (39)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (51)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (52)
|h3=[[Human]]s & [[Nebulan]]s|c3=
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Circuit Smasher]] (26)
*[[Borx]] (48)
*''[[Stylor]]'' (50)
|h4=Others|c4=
*[[Demon]]s (22)
*''[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]]'' (32)
*[[Acolyte of Unicron|Acolytes of Unicron]] (37)
*''[[Deathbringer (Marvel)|Deathbringer]]'' (38)
*''[[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]]'' (40)
}}

==Quotes==
"Phrrm... Krll... Me... F-fnsh... ...Whtyuh ... Strted." 
"No. I can think of no more fitting punishment than to deny you whatever "glorious" death you coveted. Powerglide, when a medic becomes available, direct him over here."
:- '''Bludgeon's''' dreams are laid waste by '''Rodimus Prime'''.

"I wonder, would Buster have taken against us so readily?" 
"NEVER...MENTION...HIS...NAME. '''Is that understood?''' 
"Yes. I think it is. Finally."
:- '''Optimus Prime''' and '''Spike''' have a light-hearted chat

"We should launch a probe." 
"Great minds..."
:- '''Nightbeat''' and '''Bumblebee''' spontaneously speaking in unison

"My name is Jhiaxus. I come in peace."
:- '''Jhiaxus'''. This is gonna end well....

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Rodimus refers to a "triumv'''e'''rate of terror", with "triumvirate" misspelled. Furman [[Triumvirate#Notes|might just have trouble spelling that word.]]
*In responding to Ultra Magnus' statement that Magnus' survival was a miracle, Rodimus Prime says, of Galvatron, "Maybe it was just a time for a miracle'''s'''." This was not fixed for the trade paperback.

===Continuity errors===
*While not an out-and-out error, it does seem odd that Stylor apparently suffered no ill effects from being reverse-engineered back into a regular Nebulan from being Chromedome's head/binary-bonded partner, especially when other Headmaster and Powermaster partners essentially became one being, most notably Optimus Prime and [[Hi-Q]] and [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] and [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Spike even went comatose when his connection with Fortress Maximus was severed.

===Continuity notes===
*The acolytes of Unicron previously appeared in [[The Void! (US)|issue #74]] of the original Marvel run.
*Chromedome becomes the only Autobot Headmaster to reunite his original head and body, as he was the only one who survived his entire binary-bond with his Nebulan partner without either of them dying, and the only one whose head wasn't given a new body by Scorponok.
*Skram has the letters G2 on his dashboard (in the panel when they first spot Galvatron), probably a reference to himself and Rapido being Generation 2 characters.

===Real-life references===
*"{{w|The war to end war|The war to end all wars}}" is an archaic name for [[World War I]], used by idealists before [[World War II]] ruined all expectations.

===Other trivia===
*Rapido appears in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] with his European toy release's pink windows, rather than his U.S. release's gray windows. Additionally, he's also sporting his correct (and very toyetic) engine block gun.

===Transformers references===
*Rodimus refers to the events of [[On the Edge of Extinction!|Issue #75]] as the "[[Unicron War]]", a term used originally by Japanese media in [[1986]] to refer to the events of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Note Gunrunner's reluctance to leave his shell, and his squirelly behaviour and sense of feeling "exposed" once out in the open—a personality trait introduced to the character by [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] in their [[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|''More than Meets the Eye'']] profile series, which expanded upon his original [[bio]] simple note that he was "shy and insecure" outside his shell by adding some survivor's guilt to his backstory that left him unwilling to leave its safe confines.

===Furminated===
*Gunrunner takes a shot through the chest from the Acolytes of Unicron.

===Covers (4)===
<gallery>
File:RG1 96 cvrA.jpg|
File:RG1 96 cvrB.jpg|
File:RG1 96 subcvr.jpg|
File:RG196 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Rodimus Prime atop a fractured field of images, paralleling the cover of [[Counterpoint|issue #80.5]], by [[Andrew Wildman]] and [[Jason Cardy]]
*'''Cover B:''' Rodimus contemplates Bludgeon's decapitated skull, in homage to the cover of [[The Power and the Glory|''Generation 2'' #5]], by [[Guido Guidi]]
*'''Cover SUB:''' Blank cover for sketches
*'''Cover RI:''' Black-and-white lineart of Rodimus Prime and Jhiaxus, made to look like a production-stage paste-up of a classic Marvel cover with yellowing tape and glue, by [[Geoff Senior]]

===Advertisements===
*"[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" checklist, highlighting [[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|Chapter 1]]
*Thanks to VIP Attendees to IDW Studios during [[BotCon 2013]]
*IDW ''Samurai Jack'' comic
*''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]] Color Classics'' Vol. 2
*IDW ''Powerpuff Girls'' comic
*''[[My Little Pony]]: Friendship Is Magic'' Annual 2013
*''My Little Pony: The Magic Begins''
*''[[Star Trek]]: Khan''
*CGC
*''My Little Pony Micro-Series: Luna'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/script-wrap-tf-regeneration-one-96/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]

{{DEFAULTSORT:War to End All Wars, Part 1}}

Natural Selection, Part Five

2025-01-10T22:37:42Z

DarkStranger:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #90
|prev=Natural Selection, Part Four
|next=Destiny, Part One
|title="Natural Selection, Part Five"
|image=RG1 90 cvrA.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 10]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2013
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|color assists=[[James Stayte]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''As subterfuge from within brings his plan crashing down, Scorponok faces off against Grimlock in final battle.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Hot rod sword of primus natural selection.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|[[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!#Notes|Request...]]pending.]]
Deep within [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] holds the [[Sword of Primus]] above the head of a cowering [[Demon]], and announces that the will of Primus decrees he use the blade to exterminate all of the creature's kind so the next step in the evolution of the [[Transformer]] race can begin. But after a moment's hesitation, Hot Rod concludes that Primus' will is not ''his'' will, and he will not further the grievous wrong their creator committed, on which their race is built. Taking the [[Covenant of Primus]] as well, Hot Rod exits the chamber—the gashes on his chest healing closed as he does so—and, vowing to return, heads back to the surface, the Demons all parting before him, genuflecting in fear of the light of Primus's artifacts.

In [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] and [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]]'s united teams storm the [[Civil Defense Hub]]. Grimlock catches [[Roadblock (G1)|Roadblock]] and [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] unaware and stomps them flat, prompting [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] to insist that they be careful to disable, rather than destroy, the guards, since many of them are [[Gene Key]]-reprogrammed Autobots. [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]'s speed allows him to prevent the sealing off of the hub's lower levels, and the team bursts into the control room, where [[Wingspan]] and [[Pounce]] wisely surrender immediately. A quick scan of the computer by Grapple reveals that the data on Scorponok's new technologies is intact, which will allow [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]] sufferers to be cured, but also that the planet's orbital defenses have targeted the approaching ''[[Valiant (G1)|Valiant]]'' cruiser, returning from [[Earth]], and that the [[Clone (subgroup)|clones]] have locked the system. Grimlock and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] leave to confront [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] at the [[Sonic Canyons]], while Blurr puts his speed to use racing through all possible passcodes for the computer... but even his prodigious pace is not fast enough to stop the missiles launching. [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] demands the abort code from Pounce at gunpoint, but the clone does not believe his threats... until Crosshairs shoots Wingspan dead. The terrified Pounce immediately hands over the code, allowing the missiles to be safely detonated before they strike the ''Valiant''.

On [[Earth]], in the Yukon, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] monologues on the bridge of the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]], as the craft grows nearer and nearer to being spaceworthy. Down in the lower decks, meanwhile, the lobotomized [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] sits slumped by [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s immobile body. Starscream is shocked to hear a voice suddenly speak to him.. and even ''more'' shocked to discover that he can speak again! The voice is that of Shockwave, speaking through the Ark, who explains that he has removed the blocks [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] placed in Starscream's mind. Awoken by the destruction of [[Aunty|Auntie]], Shockwave is one with the ship now, but does not have complete autonomy: the Ark still requires a pilot, and that role would be much better filled by Starscream than by Galvatron...

At the Sonic Canyons, Scorponok rages as [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] announces another delay caused by a minor technical difficulty, and knocks [[Roadblock (G2)|Roadblock]] into the canyons in anger. The other Decepticons watch with silent concern as Scorponok continues to rant, until Grimlock arrives on a [[sky-sled]] and opens fire, lecturing Scorponok on loyalty, and how it must be won through action. Glad of a target, Scorponok transforms and blasts Grimlock out of the sky, subduing him with his failsafe crystal and ordering Perceptor to activate the Gene Key. Scorponok continues to pontificate about the true unification of Cybertron and his role in it as the key hums to life... but when its effects tear through all present, the result is highly unexpected: everyone is back to normal! It is revealed that Grimlock never used the Gene Key on Perceptor, and that the scientist has been the Autobots' "inside man" all along, pretending to work with Scorponok in order to sabotage the Gene Key. Scorponok turns on Perceptor, but Grimlock tackles him from behind before he can fire, and calls for the other Dinobots, in hiding nearby, to strike. The remaining few Decepticons quickly flee, leaving Scorponok to face Grimlock alone on the bridge over the canyons. As they battle, [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] blasts out a support strut, and the structure begins to collapse. [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] flies in on a sky-sled and offers Grimlock his hand, but the Dinobot leader refuses: thanks to Scorponok, he went too far over the line, and knows there can be no going back. Locked in battle, both Scorponok and Grimlock tumble into the bottomless darkness of the canyons as the other Dinobots look on in horror.

Back on Earth, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrives at the Ark site... just as the giant vessel takes off! Looking up at the bridge window, Optimus sees Galvatron staring back, and believes that Megatron has returned!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{collist|3|
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (1)
*[[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] (4)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (5)
*[[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] (6)
*[[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (7)
*[[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (8)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (9)
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (10)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (11)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (12)
*[[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] (13)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (21)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (22)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (23)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (28)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (29)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (30)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (35)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (36)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (37)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (38)
*[[Kup (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Kup]] (39)
*[[Override (G1)|Override]] (40)
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (41)
*[[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]]? (42)
*[[Skram (G2)|Skram]] (43)
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (44)
*''[[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]]'' (45)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (46)
}}
|c2=
{{collist|2|
*[[Roadblock (G1)|G1 Roadblock]] (3)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (14)
*[[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (15)
*Purple-and-black (16)
*Green-and-black (17)
*[[Sparkstalker]] (18)
*[[Pounce]] (19)
*[[Wingspan]] (20)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (24)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (25)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (26)
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (27)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (31)
*[[Roadblock (G2)|G2 Roadblock]] (32)
*[[Skyquake (G1)|Skyquake]] (33)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (34)
}}
|c3=
|h4=Others|c4=
*[[Demon]]s (2)
}}

==Quotes==

"Pounce?! Whaddawe ''Do?''" 
"What do you ''think?''" 
"''We surrender!''"
:- '''Wingspan''' and '''Pounce''', surrounded by Autobots.

"Well played, Perceptor - a truely inspired performance, but you have simply ''delayed'' my plans, nothing more. I'll ''inscribe'' that on your tomb..."
:-'''Scorponok''' hides his anger.

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*On page 13, Highbrow is colored like Needlenose.
*Skyquake is colored like Machine Wars Starscream.
*The Ark is drawn to match its [[The Transformers (cartoon)|cartoon]] appearance instead of its unique Marvel shape, but is still colored in traditional Marvel silver.

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
[[File:Roadblock guzzle natural selection.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8]]
*Guzzle and Roadblock are chatting about the [[Mecannibal]]s when Grimlock so rudely interrupts them.
*[[Sky-sled]]s make a reappearance in Marvel continuity after debuting in [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]].

===Real-life references===
*The passcode Pounce provides is in [[Japan]]ese: "juu-kyuu-hachi-juushi-nijuu-juu-yon" ("10-9-8-14-20-10-4"). At first glance, this seems meaningless (especially considering that "juushi" is completely wrong since it should instead be "juuyon"). But when read as "juukyuu hachijuushi nijuu juuyon", it becomes "19-84-20-14", suggesting the intent was to reference both the year the ''Transformers'' brand began ([[1984]]) and its 30th anniversary ([[2014]]) that was, at the time, just one year away.
**However, while the names of those years when spoken in English as "nineteen eighty-four" and "twenty fourteen" do match how the names of the numbers 19, 84, 20, and 14 are spoken in Japanese (minus the erroneous "juushi"), the numbers 1984 and 2014 are actually spoken in Japanese as "senkyuuhyaku hachijuuyon" and "nisen juuyon", respectively. And to denote these numbers as specifically referring to years, an additional "-nen" (年) is needed at the end of both, meaning that the full passcode should have been something like "sen-kyuu-hyaku-hachi-juuyon-nen-nisen-juuyon-nen" for the reference to have better matched the language it was trying to imitate.

===Other trivia===
*Shockwave says he has "destricted" Starscream's blocks. "Destriction" is in fact a word, from "striction", meaning "binding", but is marked as both obsolete and rare by the Oxford English dictionary.

===Transformers references===

===Furminated===
*Roadblock, bashed into the Sonic Canyons by Scorponok in a fit of rage.
*Wingspan, shot by Crosshairs to coerce Pounce into giving up a missile abort passcode.
*Scorponok and Grimlock tumble into the Canyons. Grimlock is later revealed to have survived.

===Covers (3)===
<gallery>
File:RG1 90 cvrA.jpg|
File:RG1 90 cvrB.jpg|
File:RG1 90 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Grimlock vs. Scorponok on the bridge above the Sonic Canyons, by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
*'''Cover B:''' Grimlock in scorpion mode Scorponok's grip, by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''Cover RI:''' Scorponok fires on Grimlock's sky-sled, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]].

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Destiny, Part One|#90]]
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' #16
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #16
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files]]'' #1
*''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight:]] [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]''
*[[Free Comic Book Day]]
*''BioShock Infinite''
*''Danger Girl: Trinity'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/script-wrap-regeneration-one-90/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Natural Selection, Part 5}}
[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

Natural Selection, Part Three

2025-01-10T21:10:31Z

DarkStranger: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' #88
|prev=Natural Selection, Part Two
|next=Natural Selection, Part Four
|title="Natural Selection, Part Three"
|image=RG188 cvrB.jpg
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[February 13]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=February 2013
|writer=[[Simon Furman]]
|penciler=[[Andrew Wildman]]
|inker=[[Stephen Baskerville]]
|colorist=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letterer=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
}}
'''Grimlock plots rebellion as more and more Autobots fall under the influence of Scorponok, while Hot Rod makes a startling discovery in the depths of Cybertron.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:Misfire natural selection.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8]]
[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] bursts into the [[Decepticon]] base at [[Fort Scyk]], intending to rally the disenfranchised warriors lurking there, but his excessively florid speech serves more to confuse than to convince. [[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] speaks up for the group, pointing out that the presently-absent [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] is in charge and already has a plan in motion, but Scorponok makes clear that he is not ''requesting'' their obedience by killing Misfire on the spot. The other Decepticons fall into line; last out of the fort is [[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]], who surreptitiously beams a message to Soundwave, presently off out in space on [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Warworld]]. But Soundwave has concerns of his own to deal with first, as he is taken on a tour of the Warworld by its master and shown the army of "[[Blitz Engine|ultimate warrior drones]]" the vessel's factories have been producing, which require the energy of the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] to be brought to life. Convinced, Soundwave provides Bludgeon co-ordinates to the location of [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]'s hidden remains, and the Warworld sets course to recover them and the spark of Matrix energy that remains with them.

In [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], the effects of Scorponok's [[Gene Key]] have spread throughout the [[Autobot]]s, who wreak destruction all across the city. Amidst the chaos, [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] is looking for his fellow [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] when he comes across [[Overdrive]], who is then blindsided by [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and becomes the next victim of the Gene Key. As Overdrive roars off to mess some stuff up, Brainstorm orders Grimlock back to the Civil Defense Hub on Scorponok's orders.

[[File:Hot rod demons natural selection.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6]]
Not far away, in the [[Senate Forum]], an unaffected [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]], [[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] meet with [[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]], who leads them to a secret passage below the building. They wonder what has become of their acting leader [[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] and the excavation team he went to meet with, little suspecting that he has come under attack by subterranean [[Demon]]s. Presently, Hot Rod is attempting to escape through underground tunnels, pursued all the way by the monsters, driven into an even more vicious frenzy that usual by something that they sense within Hot Rod that reminds them of their [[Primus|creator]]. Shifting to vehicle mode to outpace the Demons, Hot Rod hurdles a chasm, only to wind up simply passing through what appears to be a solid wall on the other side. In this secret chamber, suspended in twin beams of light, he discovers a sword and a golden disc...

Grimlock returns to the defense hub, where Scorponok chides him for disobedience. Grimlock balks, demanding that Scorponok honor the rest of their deal and provide new, [[Nucleon (substance)|Nucleon]]-free bodies for the rest of the Dinobots immediately, so Scorponok arranges a test of loyalty: [[Punch (G1)|Punch]], immune to the Gene Key's effects, is brought before Grimlock, and the Dinobot leader is ordered to execute him or Scorponok will order the other Dinobots destroyed. Grimlock turns his gun on Scorponok himself, but the former [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] has anticipated this and protected himself with a forcefield. Scorponok produces a crystal that gives him control over the new body he created for Grimlock and uses it to subdue the Dinobot, before establishing contact with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to get an update on the endgame of his plan: the construction of a giant Gene Key in the [[Sonic Canyons]] that will be able to convert everyone else on Cybertron at once!

And on Earth, [[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] accesses the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s computers using the lobotomized [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]], just as [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] had done before him, and prepares to launch the ship on a course back to Cybertron!
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]] (14)
*Mr. Red and Blue (15)
*[[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] (16)
*Blue Pretender-lookin' guy (17)
*[[Landfill (G1)|Landfill]] (18)
*[[Rapido]] (19)
*[[Override (G1)|Override]] (20)
*[[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] (21)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (22)
*[[Overdrive]] (23)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] (24)
*[[Grapple (G1)|Grapple]] (25)
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]] (26)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (27)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (28)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Hot Rod]] (29)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (31)
*[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]] (32)
*[[Punch (G1)|Punch]] (33)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (34)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (1)
*[[Pounce]] (2)
*[[Ruckus (G1)|Ruckus]] (3)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (4)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (5)
*[[Windsweeper]] (6)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (7)
*Green dude (8)
*[[Dreadwind (G1)|Dreadwind]] (9)
*[[Darkwing (G1)|Darkwing]] (10)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (11)
*[[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (12)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (13)
*[[Galvatron II|Galvatron]] (35)
*[[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (36)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (37)
{{!}}}
|h4=Others|c4=
*[[Demon]]s (30)
}}

==Quotes==
"Aren't you a little, y'know, ''dead''?"
:—'''Needlenose''' on Scorponok

"Oh. I beg your pardon, Misfire. Did I make it sound like a request?"
:—'''Scorponok'''

'''Punch:''' "Grimlock? What are you ''doing''? You're one of us. This scum... they're beneath you." 
'''Scorponok:''' "Ah, but ''are'' we? I believe there is no upper limit to what Grimlock will do. His only allegiance is to himself and his fellow Dinobots. He will bend with the prevailing wind, which right now... is blowing full force in the direction of blanket Decepticon rule!"

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*Dreadwind has a mouth.
*In the panel where Grimlock is ordered to execute Punch, Darkwing is colored as Dreadwind.

===Continuity errors===
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] is mentioned by Grapple, despite the fact he was killed by [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]] in [[All Fall Down|issue #66]]. With the [[Last Autobot]] and his resurrection abilities having been at Cybertron's disposal in the intervening twenty years, though, it's probably not worth the time to call this a serious error.
*In "[[Counterpoint]]" and "[[Loose Ends, Part 1]]" Fort Scyk was in [[Polyhex]] but here (and in its next appearance in "[[Destiny, Part Three]]") it is in the [[Badlands (Cybertron)|Badlands]].

===Continuity notes===
*One of the Decepticon [[Clone (subgroup)|Clones]] appears with Soundwave's troops at Fort Scyk. Although they are usually depicted as being identical, [[Natural Selection, Part Four|the next issue]] will reveal some visual differences between them, allowing us to chalk this up as an appearance by Pounce.
*Misfire was last seen being caught in the explosion of the cannon that killed [[Finback]] in [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]]. He wasn't explicitly killed, so hey, here he is.
*Dreadwind and Darkwing were last seen among Bludgeon's forces in the [[End of the Road! (US)|final issue]] of the original series. Guess they ditched him in the twenty-year gap.
[[File:Punch scorponok grimlock natural selection.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7]]
*The rarely-seen Pretender [[Gunrunner (G1)|Gunrunner]], [[Omnibot (G1)|Omnibot]] [[Overdrive]], and double agent [[Punch (G1)|Punch]] make their Marvel continuity debuts this issue; the vanishingly uncommon [[Skyhammer (G1)|Skyhammer]] shows up too, but he beat them all to having a Marvel continuity appearance by showing up in the delightfully bonkers German ''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]]'' back in 1990, plus a brief appearance in [[BotCon 2012]]'s comic, [[Invasion (issue)|Invasion]], set in the [[Transformers: Classics|Classics]] continuity.
*Crosshairs paraphrases his original bio quote on page 9, remarking that he only shoots when he can "see the wires in their eyes."
*The sword and disc Hot Rod finds are evocative of the sword and shield Primus wielded during his battle with [[Unicron/Generation 1|Unicron]], as seen in [[The Primal Scream|issue #61]]. Clearly, a deeper connection between Hot Rod and Primus is being implied here, which originated back in the day with the fact that Primus's astral form looked ''really really'' similar to Hot Rod.
*Punch is more than likely immune to the Gene Key because, unbeknownst to Scorponok, he's partially a Decepticon already in his guise as Counterpunch.

===Real-life references===

===Other trivia===

===Transformers references===
*The whole dealio with the Warworld and its origin as a hodgepodge of technology from loads of different races is straight out of the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comic, right down to it being used to spawn an army for Bludgeon that requires the Matrix to be brought to life. Here, however, Bludgeon has merely created some generic robot drones, whereas in ''Generation 2'', he created new-toy-characters the [[Laser Rod]]s and [[Rotor Force]].
*When Landfill crashes through the glass wall, he sends a number of recognizable items flying, including the head of [[Straxus (G1)|Lord Straxus]], a [[Acolyte of Unicron|Unicron cosplayer]] helmet, and possibly an Xbox 360.

===Furminated===
*Misfire gets his head crushed by Scorponok.
*Punch avoids execution by Grimlock, but... he's still a captive of Scorponok, so, not lookin' so good for him.

===Covers (3)===
<gallery>
File:RG188 cvrA.jpg|'''Cover A'''
File:RG188 cvrB.jpg|'''Cover B'''
File:RG188 cvrRI.jpg|'''Cover RI'''
</gallery>
*'''Cover A:''' Scorponok tortures Grimlock, by Andrew Wildman and [[Jason Cardy]].
*'''Cover B:''' Skyhammer, Overdrive, Landfill, [[Dogfight (G1)|Dogfight]] and Guzzle rage and destroy as Scorponok laughs, by [[Guido Guidi]].
*'''Cover RI:''' ''Classics'' Hot Rod races through the tunnels with demons clinging on, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]].

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part Four|#89]]
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Before the Dawn|#14]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Remembrance Day|#14]]
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' #1
*''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'' Micro-Series: [[Twilight Sparkle]]
*''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight:]] [[Spotlight: Megatron|Megatron]]''
*King of the Nerds
*''Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[https://simonfurman.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/script-wrap-tf-regeneration-one-88/ Simon Furman's Script (W)rap]
*[https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.443792499024283.97260.146805978722938&type=1 Pages 1-5 commentary]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Natural Selection, Part 3}}
[[Category:Regeneration One issues]]

Time Will Rust

2018-09-19T21:25:11Z

DarkStranger: /* Real-life references */

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=23
|prev=Unstopped and Unstoppable
|next=
|caption=Rum-Maj...the Ever-LIVING!
|image=OP23 cvrA.jpg
|title="Time Will Rust"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 5]], 2018
|coverdate=August 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''The consequences prove fatal when Slide leads the other colonists in an attempt to rescue Jazz from G.I. Joe.'''

==Synopsis==
''Six months ago, on the planet [[Devisiun]], an elder of the planet's [[Native Devisen|native species]] recounts the planet's history for two children. Once Devisen was a lush, green world, until what they called the "Unyielding Shimmer" descended upon the planet—a fatally wounded [[Devisen Titan|Titan]] who fell from the sky. Cybertronian colonists emerged from the Titan and took Devisiun for their own, remaking the planet in their mechanical image.''

In [[Monument Valley]] on [[Earth]], [[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] finds himself in chains after surrendering to [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] in order to secure [[Rom]] passage to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] through [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s [[space bridge]]. While Jazz and his jailer [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] trade barbs over the past indiscretions that initially brought them to blows—Spike's illegal stockpiling of Cybertronian weaponry, Jazz's killing of police officer [[John Powell]]—senior Joe officer [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] argues outside with teammates [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] and [[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]], his own daughter [[Marissa Faireborn]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] about the dangers Cybertronians pose to Earth. Unfortunately, Flint's negative views are only reinforced by what happens next, as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] comes swooping out of the skies, and [[Slide]] and the other young colonist soldiers leap from his cargo bay! They are here with the intention of rescuing Jazz, as proof that they—unlike, Slide thinks, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]—have not abandoned their comrades. While [[Slag (G1)|Slug]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], and [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] engage the impetuous youths, Mainframe and Hi-Tech ready non-lethal rounds in defiance of Flint's lethal force order, and Marissa tries to call [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] in to help.

''Slide remembers the colonization of Devisiun less morbidly. In her memory, the natives were a poor people with little to live for, who the colonists saved from their feral existence. She remembers her happy life there, playing with the natives with her bonded partner [[Oiler]]... and how that life was taken away from her when Oiler died on Earth, thanks to following the words of Optimus Prime.''

In [[New Cybertron]] on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Rum-Maj]] eavesdrop on Marissa's phonecall to Thundercracker. Rum-Maj reflects that cyclical violence seems to be the way of Cybertronians, worsening now as the enormity of the threat of [[Unicron]] hastens everything on the way to its end. Neither of the two want to see another world they've come to call home die, but Wreck-Gar has no idea how to prevent it. Fortunately, Rum-Maj tells him as she looks over over the shoal of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] swimming in the waters below, ''she'' does...

Jazz reflects on his first trip to Earth, sent by Optimus Prime as an advance scout on a mission of infiltration; on the escalation that followed as he called in the other Autobots; and on the devastation that resulted as the [[Decepticon]]s unleashed their fury upon the planet. Lost in thought, he does not notice the noise of battle outside until Spike brings it to his attention by cautioning him that it is not his problem. But as far as Jazz is concerned, it's ''absolutely'' his problem; he is responsible both for bringing the Autobots to Earth in the first place, and for the colonists being here, now, trying to rescue him. Revealing that he was only a prisoner because he allowed himself to be one, Jazz stands, easily snaps his chains, and smashes his way through the door outside, determined to stop the fighting.

''[[Gimlet]] thinks back on his life on [[Eukaris]], a world founded as a haven for beastformers by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity#Onyx Prime|a Prime]] who worked to have his kind accepted by other Transformers. It was in the spirit of that noble goal that Gimlet and his friend [[Bump]] volunteered to join Optimus Prime and help bring peace to another organic world, Earth.''

Frustrated at being repeatedly shot by Mainframe, Gimlet crushes the [[VAMP]] he is driving. Too late, Gimlet realizes that in doing so, he has grievously wounded Mainframe himself—but that realization only lasts a moment before Slug, driven to a berserker fury by the young colonist's act, cleaves Gimlet in two with his sword, killing him. Lying in Hi-Tech's arms, Mainframe recalls how he blamed all Cybertronians for the destruction they brought to Earth, and how he learned the error of his ways upon getting to know some of them personally, realizing they were all individuals, just like humans. It is with this thought in his mind that Mainframe dies, using his last words to urge Hi-Tech not to let the entire Earth/Cybertron alliance fall apart because of what has happened.

Sky Lynx turns on Slug, blasting him with his flame breath, while Slide charges into the Dinobot from behind, angrily declaring him "the same as Optimus Prime." The words cut deep; Slug has long had issues with Prime and way Slug believes he has used the Dinobots to do the Autobots' dirty work and keep his own hands clean. Slug is reminded of the ''new'' purpose the Dinobots now have—defending the next generation of [[protoform]]s born within [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]—and the red mist lifts, leaving him horrified and numb at what he has done to Gimlet. Still the fighting rages on as Slide and Strafe grapple, and things seem poised to get even worse when Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar descend from the heavens, riding at the front of the Sharkticon swarm. Fortunately, Jazz is able to get between the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and everyone else and confirms that they are here as friends. Slide, of course, doesn't want to hear it; the Junkions killed Oiler, after all, and she still hates Optimus Prime for allying with them—just as he allied with killers like the Decepticons, and just as Slide believes he is now standing by and allowing the ultimate killer, the planet-eating Unicron, to destroy the colonies. It is then, as if on cue, that Unicron itself appears in the skies over Earth...!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] (4)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (10)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (12)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (14)
*[[Gimlet]] (15)
*[[Bump]] (16)
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (17)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (18)
*[[Slide]] (19)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (25)
*''[[Aileron]]'' (31)
*''[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]]'' (34)
*''[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'' (35)
*''[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]'' (36)
{{!}}}

|c2=
*''[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'' (24)
*''[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'' (26)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]]'' (33)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (3)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (7)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (8)
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]] (9)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (13)
*''[[Scarlett]]'' (32)

|h4=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c4=
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (21)
*[[Rum-Maj]] (22)
*Various [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (23)
*[[Vajra]] (37)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Native Devisen]]s'' (1)
*''[[Devisen Titan]]'' (2)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (6)
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (11)
*''[[Oiler]]'' (20)
*''[[John Powell]]'' (27)
*''[[Snarl (BW)|Snarl]]?'' (28)
*''[[Longrack (BWN)|Longrack]]?'' (29)
*''[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'' (30)
*[[Unicron]] (38)
}}

==Quotes==
"First it was an '''embassy,''' then a city, now a giant '''space dinosaur'''—the Cybertronians are turning our world into theirs." 
"I kinda '''like''' the dinosaur."
:—'''Flint''' and '''Mainframe'''

"This is the '''nature''' of Cybertronians. A cycle '''repeating''', only more '''rapidly''', as history approaches its '''finale.''' Unicron is the '''black hole'''—the '''singularity'''—the '''strange attractor''' at '''time's end.''' Events are recycled, '''faster''' and '''faster.''' This is, through '''conspiracy,''' what Shockwave wrought. This is what, through '''brashness''', Optimus wrought. This is what, through '''intrigue''', Pyra wrought. In their desire to '''forestall''' the '''collapse''' of all things, they have done little but '''escalate''' the '''chaos'''. Junkions know of '''such things''' as '''endings.''' You and I stood by while our homeworld '''died''', my love. I refuse to do so again."
:—'''Rum-Maj'''

"Prime never wanted the '''how''' of it all... he just wanted '''results.''' I'm sure it was a lot easier if he '''didn't''' know. His '''finger''' pulled the trigger. He blamed the bullet for what came next."
:—'''Slug'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*As with last issue, the title of this story is a line from the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]].
*The events of [[Unicron issue 1|''Unicron'' #1]]-[[Our Finest|3]] have occurred between last issue and this one; this issue takes place concurrently with [[Road's End|''Unicron'' #4]], released on the same day, which also concludes with Unicron arriving over Earth. Filnt notes "the president had more important places to be," with a footnote directing readers to ''Unicron'' #4; as seen in that issue, she's with the larger Joe force in Trinity Bay, [[Texas]].
*The fact that the Titan who brought Cybertronian life to Devisiun did not survive its landing on the planet was originally revealed in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]]. This Titan's name is never given, but the native Devisens refer to it as the "World Breaker," and all that came from it as the "Unyielding Shimmer."
*Spike recalls the conversation he once had with Optimus Prime in a prison cell, in [[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|''Transformers'' vol. 1 #3]].
*The idea that Jazz was the first Autobot sent to Earth by Optimus Prime was introduced in [[Police Action: Part 1|''The Transformers'' Vol. 1 #25]] and clarified with more detail in [[What It's Really Like|issue #8]].
*Jazz is shown [[scanning]] an [[alternate mode]] on Earth; the mechanism by which Transformers in the IDW continuity assumed their alternate mode has always been somewhat nebulous, with several offhand comments implying manual reconstruction playing a role in the process. This scene finally clarifies that the process is similar to the on-board [[trans-scan]]ning used by Transformers of the live-action movies, involving an on-board set of optical scanners capable of nigh-instantaneously reconstructing a Transformer's alternate mode into an identical shape. Barring an off-panel scene in the now-canon ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' miniseries, this is the first time we see a Transformer changing alternate modes in the space of a single issue.
*Other scenes seen in flashback include Optimus Prime arriving on Earth for the first time (which took place off-panel in [[Infiltration issue 6|''Infiltration'' #6]]), Devastator's rampage (from ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''), and John Powell wielding a Megatron gun (from [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #17]]).
*This is not the first time Gimlet's temper has landed him in trouble; in what might be called foreshadowing, [[Primeless, Part 1|''Optimus Prime'' #11]] had an emotional Gimlet ''almost'' flatten Mainframe.
*Mainframe recalls working with Soundwave in [[Valley Forge|''Revolution'' #5]].
*Slug's longstanding issues with Optimus Prime were explored in ''[[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]]''.
*Slug flashes back to the Dinobots watching the emergence of the next generation of protoforms, from ''[[The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation]]''.

===Transformers references===
*Rum-Maj's description of Unicron (quoted above) as "the black hole at time's end" is certainly very evocative of the [[Unicron Singularity]] from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', a black hole created by Unicron's destruction which was, in the episode "[[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]", even described as "the end of time."
*Wreck-Gar says he fell in love with Rum-Maj on the planet [[Thrull]], a world that first appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]."

===Real-life references===
*Wreck-Gar's sounding a little more like his classic self with the number of pop-culture references he makes this issue, including:
**"Second verse - same as the first"—a phrase popularized by the band {{w|Ramones}} in their song "{{w|Judy Is a Punk}}"
**"Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent"—from the opening narration to ''{{w|Dragnet (franchise)|Dragnet}}'' 
**"No one is innocent"—probably an allusion to the {{w|Sex Pistols}} song {{w|No One Is Innocent (song)|of the same name}}
**He refers to Rum-Maj as "Honey Bunches of Oats", the name of a breakfast cereal by Post.
*Rum-Maj's Sharkticon steed is given the name "Vajra," a {{w|Vajra|Sanskrit word}} meaning "thunderbolt" and "diamond," which is the name of a clubbed weapon wielded by the Vedic deity Indra.

===Errors===
*On page 3, Marissa's surname is misspelled "Fairborne" instead of "Faireborn."
*Wreck-Gar refers to Rum-Maj as "mon chère," which is grammatically incorrect French; he ought to be using the feminine determiner, "ma chère" (while the male would be "mon cher").
*Swoop's eyes are miscolored as blue instead of their usual yellow.
*Perhaps not ''strictly'' an error, but during the flashback to Gimlet and Bump's days on Eukaris, Bump is depicted as wearing a faceplate. Unlike Gimlet, who was always be-faceplated, Bump's original toy had a normal mouth and it had also been previously implied he and the other colonists only began wearing faceplates as a tribute to Optimus. By contrast, Slide's flashback depicts both her and Oiler with mouths before they met Optimus. In the same vein, Soundwave's faceplate is drawn slightly differently from his other appearances, having a raised point in the center like his G1 cartoon counterpart instead of sloping down to the center.
*Slug's flashback is something of an anachronism; it depicts the Dinobots in their dinosaur bodies, battling Decepticons during the height of the Great War — when the team only adopted those same dinosaur modes ten thousand years ago on Earth. It's not clear if this is an artist or authorial error!

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for released in August 2018, this issue arrived a little late, in the first week of September.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Rum-Maj, Wreck-Gar, and the Sharkticons, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' The colonist soldiers by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
<gallery>
File:OP23 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP23 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP23 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #24
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*''TMNT: Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road'' mini-series
*''[[Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare]]'' graphic novel
*In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
*''Wynonna Earp'' Season 3

==External links==
*[https://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive-preview-optimus-prime-23/ Preview]

[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Time Will Rust

2018-09-19T21:24:48Z

DarkStranger: /* Real-life references */

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=23
|prev=Unstopped and Unstoppable
|next=
|caption=Rum-Maj...the Ever-LIVING!
|image=OP23 cvrA.jpg
|title="Time Will Rust"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 5]], 2018
|coverdate=August 2018
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''The consequences prove fatal when Slide leads the other colonists in an attempt to rescue Jazz from G.I. Joe.'''

==Synopsis==
''Six months ago, on the planet [[Devisiun]], an elder of the planet's [[Native Devisen|native species]] recounts the planet's history for two children. Once Devisen was a lush, green world, until what they called the "Unyielding Shimmer" descended upon the planet—a fatally wounded [[Devisen Titan|Titan]] who fell from the sky. Cybertronian colonists emerged from the Titan and took Devisiun for their own, remaking the planet in their mechanical image.''

In [[Monument Valley]] on [[Earth]], [[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] finds himself in chains after surrendering to [[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]] in order to secure [[Rom]] passage to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] through [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s [[space bridge]]. While Jazz and his jailer [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] trade barbs over the past indiscretions that initially brought them to blows—Spike's illegal stockpiling of Cybertronian weaponry, Jazz's killing of police officer [[John Powell]]—senior Joe officer [[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] argues outside with teammates [[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] and [[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]], his own daughter [[Marissa Faireborn]], and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] about the dangers Cybertronians pose to Earth. Unfortunately, Flint's negative views are only reinforced by what happens next, as [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] comes swooping out of the skies, and [[Slide]] and the other young colonist soldiers leap from his cargo bay! They are here with the intention of rescuing Jazz, as proof that they—unlike, Slide thinks, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]—have not abandoned their comrades. While [[Slag (G1)|Slug]], [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]], and [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] engage the impetuous youths, Mainframe and Hi-Tech ready non-lethal rounds in defiance of Flint's lethal force order, and Marissa tries to call [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] in to help.

''Slide remembers the colonization of Devisiun less morbidly. In her memory, the natives were a poor people with little to live for, who the colonists saved from their feral existence. She remembers her happy life there, playing with the natives with her bonded partner [[Oiler]]... and how that life was taken away from her when Oiler died on Earth, thanks to following the words of Optimus Prime.''

In [[New Cybertron]] on [[Marshall Islands|Bikini Atoll]], [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and [[Rum-Maj]] eavesdrop on Marissa's phonecall to Thundercracker. Rum-Maj reflects that cyclical violence seems to be the way of Cybertronians, worsening now as the enormity of the threat of [[Unicron]] hastens everything on the way to its end. Neither of the two want to see another world they've come to call home die, but Wreck-Gar has no idea how to prevent it. Fortunately, Rum-Maj tells him as she looks over over the shoal of [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] swimming in the waters below, ''she'' does...

Jazz reflects on his first trip to Earth, sent by Optimus Prime as an advance scout on a mission of infiltration; on the escalation that followed as he called in the other Autobots; and on the devastation that resulted as the [[Decepticon]]s unleashed their fury upon the planet. Lost in thought, he does not notice the noise of battle outside until Spike brings it to his attention by cautioning him that it is not his problem. But as far as Jazz is concerned, it's ''absolutely'' his problem; he is responsible both for bringing the Autobots to Earth in the first place, and for the colonists being here, now, trying to rescue him. Revealing that he was only a prisoner because he allowed himself to be one, Jazz stands, easily snaps his chains, and smashes his way through the door outside, determined to stop the fighting.

''[[Gimlet]] thinks back on his life on [[Eukaris]], a world founded as a haven for beastformers by [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity#Onyx Prime|a Prime]] who worked to have his kind accepted by other Transformers. It was in the spirit of that noble goal that Gimlet and his friend [[Bump]] volunteered to join Optimus Prime and help bring peace to another organic world, Earth.''

Frustrated at being repeatedly shot by Mainframe, Gimlet crushes the [[VAMP]] he is driving. Too late, Gimlet realizes that in doing so, he has grievously wounded Mainframe himself—but that realization only lasts a moment before Slug, driven to a berserker fury by the young colonist's act, cleaves Gimlet in two with his sword, killing him. Lying in Hi-Tech's arms, Mainframe recalls how he blamed all Cybertronians for the destruction they brought to Earth, and how he learned the error of his ways upon getting to know some of them personally, realizing they were all individuals, just like humans. It is with this thought in his mind that Mainframe dies, using his last words to urge Hi-Tech not to let the entire Earth/Cybertron alliance fall apart because of what has happened.

Sky Lynx turns on Slug, blasting him with his flame breath, while Slide charges into the Dinobot from behind, angrily declaring him "the same as Optimus Prime." The words cut deep; Slug has long had issues with Prime and way Slug believes he has used the Dinobots to do the Autobots' dirty work and keep his own hands clean. Slug is reminded of the ''new'' purpose the Dinobots now have—defending the next generation of [[protoform]]s born within [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]—and the red mist lifts, leaving him horrified and numb at what he has done to Gimlet. Still the fighting rages on as Slide and Strafe grapple, and things seem poised to get even worse when Rum-Maj and Wreck-Gar descend from the heavens, riding at the front of the Sharkticon swarm. Fortunately, Jazz is able to get between the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]] and everyone else and confirms that they are here as friends. Slide, of course, doesn't want to hear it; the Junkions killed Oiler, after all, and she still hates Optimus Prime for allying with them—just as he allied with killers like the Decepticons, and just as Slide believes he is now standing by and allowing the ultimate killer, the planet-eating Unicron, to destroy the colonies. It is then, as if on cue, that Unicron itself appears in the skies over Earth...!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Jazz (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Jazz]] (4)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (10)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (12)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (14)
*[[Gimlet]] (15)
*[[Bump]] (16)
*[[Roulette (Universe)|Roulette]] (17)
*[[Midnight Express (RID)|Midnight Express]] (18)
*[[Slide]] (19)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (25)
*''[[Aileron]]'' (31)
*''[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]]'' (34)
*''[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'' (35)
*''[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]'' (36)
{{!}}}

|c2=
*''[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'' (24)
*''[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]'' (26)
*''[[Soundwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Soundwave]]'' (33)

|h3=[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]|c3=
*[[Zilong Qian|Talon]] (3)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
*[[Mainframe (G.I. Joe)|Mainframe]] (7)
*[[Flint (G.I. Joe)|Flint]] (8)
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney|Hi-Tech]] (9)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (13)
*''[[Scarlett]]'' (32)

|h4=[[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]|c4=
*[[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (21)
*[[Rum-Maj]] (22)
*Various [[Sharkticon (G1)|Sharkticons]] (23)
*[[Vajra]] (37)

|h5=Others|c5=
*''[[Native Devisen]]s'' (1)
*''[[Devisen Titan]]'' (2)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (6)
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (11)
*''[[Oiler]]'' (20)
*''[[John Powell]]'' (27)
*''[[Snarl (BW)|Snarl]]?'' (28)
*''[[Longrack (BWN)|Longrack]]?'' (29)
*''[[Blackarachnia (BW)|Blackarachnia]]'' (30)
*[[Unicron]] (38)
}}

==Quotes==
"First it was an '''embassy,''' then a city, now a giant '''space dinosaur'''—the Cybertronians are turning our world into theirs." 
"I kinda '''like''' the dinosaur."
:—'''Flint''' and '''Mainframe'''

"This is the '''nature''' of Cybertronians. A cycle '''repeating''', only more '''rapidly''', as history approaches its '''finale.''' Unicron is the '''black hole'''—the '''singularity'''—the '''strange attractor''' at '''time's end.''' Events are recycled, '''faster''' and '''faster.''' This is, through '''conspiracy,''' what Shockwave wrought. This is what, through '''brashness''', Optimus wrought. This is what, through '''intrigue''', Pyra wrought. In their desire to '''forestall''' the '''collapse''' of all things, they have done little but '''escalate''' the '''chaos'''. Junkions know of '''such things''' as '''endings.''' You and I stood by while our homeworld '''died''', my love. I refuse to do so again."
:—'''Rum-Maj'''

"Prime never wanted the '''how''' of it all... he just wanted '''results.''' I'm sure it was a lot easier if he '''didn't''' know. His '''finger''' pulled the trigger. He blamed the bullet for what came next."
:—'''Slug'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*As with last issue, the title of this story is a line from the [[Dark Cybertron (prophecy)|Dark Cybertron prophecy]].
*The events of [[Unicron issue 1|''Unicron'' #1]]-[[Our Finest|3]] have occurred between last issue and this one; this issue takes place concurrently with [[Road's End|''Unicron'' #4]], released on the same day, which also concludes with Unicron arriving over Earth. Filnt notes "the president had more important places to be," with a footnote directing readers to ''Unicron'' #4; as seen in that issue, she's with the larger Joe force in Trinity Bay, [[Texas]].
*The fact that the Titan who brought Cybertronian life to Devisiun did not survive its landing on the planet was originally revealed in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]]. This Titan's name is never given, but the native Devisens refer to it as the "World Breaker," and all that came from it as the "Unyielding Shimmer."
*Spike recalls the conversation he once had with Optimus Prime in a prison cell, in [[Things Fall Apart, Part 2: "A Rude Awakening"|''Transformers'' vol. 1 #3]].
*The idea that Jazz was the first Autobot sent to Earth by Optimus Prime was introduced in [[Police Action: Part 1|''The Transformers'' Vol. 1 #25]] and clarified with more detail in [[What It's Really Like|issue #8]].
*Jazz is shown [[scanning]] an [[alternate mode]] on Earth; the mechanism by which Transformers in the IDW continuity assumed their alternate mode has always been somewhat nebulous, with several offhand comments implying manual reconstruction playing a role in the process. This scene finally clarifies that the process is similar to the on-board [[trans-scan]]ning used by Transformers of the live-action movies, involving an on-board set of optical scanners capable of nigh-instantaneously reconstructing a Transformer's alternate mode into an identical shape. Barring an off-panel scene in the now-canon ''[[Hearts of Steel]]'' miniseries, this is the first time we see a Transformer changing alternate modes in the space of a single issue.
*Other scenes seen in flashback include Optimus Prime arriving on Earth for the first time (which took place off-panel in [[Infiltration issue 6|''Infiltration'' #6]]), Devastator's rampage (from ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''), and John Powell wielding a Megatron gun (from [[Revenge of the Decepticons Part 4: Burning Chrome|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #17]]).
*This is not the first time Gimlet's temper has landed him in trouble; in what might be called foreshadowing, [[Primeless, Part 1|''Optimus Prime'' #11]] had an emotional Gimlet ''almost'' flatten Mainframe.
*Mainframe recalls working with Soundwave in [[Valley Forge|''Revolution'' #5]].
*Slug's longstanding issues with Optimus Prime were explored in ''[[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]]''.
*Slug flashes back to the Dinobots watching the emergence of the next generation of protoforms, from ''[[The Transformers: Salvation|Salvation]]''.

===Transformers references===
*Rum-Maj's description of Unicron (quoted above) as "the black hole at time's end" is certainly very evocative of the [[Unicron Singularity]] from ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|Transformers: Cybertron]]'', a black hole created by Unicron's destruction which was, in the episode "[[Guardian (episode)|Guardian]]", even described as "the end of time."
*Wreck-Gar says he fell in love with Rum-Maj on the planet [[Thrull]], a world that first appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[Five Faces of Darkness, Part 1]]."

===Real-life references===
*Wreck-Gar's sounding a little more like his classic self with the number of pop-culture references he makes this issue, including:
**"Second verse as the first"—a phrase popularized by the band {{w|Ramones}} in their song "{{w|Judy Is a Punk}}"
**"Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent"—from the opening narration to ''{{w|Dragnet (franchise)|Dragnet}}'' 
**"No one is innocent"—probably an allusion to the {{w|Sex Pistols}} song {{w|No One Is Innocent (song)|of the same name}}
**He refers to Rum-Maj as "Honey Bunches of Oats", the name of a breakfast cereal by Post.
*Rum-Maj's Sharkticon steed is given the name "Vajra," a {{w|Vajra|Sanskrit word}} meaning "thunderbolt" and "diamond," which is the name of a clubbed weapon wielded by the Vedic deity Indra.

===Errors===
*On page 3, Marissa's surname is misspelled "Fairborne" instead of "Faireborn."
*Wreck-Gar refers to Rum-Maj as "mon chère," which is grammatically incorrect French; he ought to be using the feminine determiner, "ma chère" (while the male would be "mon cher").
*Swoop's eyes are miscolored as blue instead of their usual yellow.
*Perhaps not ''strictly'' an error, but during the flashback to Gimlet and Bump's days on Eukaris, Bump is depicted as wearing a faceplate. Unlike Gimlet, who was always be-faceplated, Bump's original toy had a normal mouth and it had also been previously implied he and the other colonists only began wearing faceplates as a tribute to Optimus. By contrast, Slide's flashback depicts both her and Oiler with mouths before they met Optimus. In the same vein, Soundwave's faceplate is drawn slightly differently from his other appearances, having a raised point in the center like his G1 cartoon counterpart instead of sloping down to the center.
*Slug's flashback is something of an anachronism; it depicts the Dinobots in their dinosaur bodies, battling Decepticons during the height of the Great War — when the team only adopted those same dinosaur modes ten thousand years ago on Earth. It's not clear if this is an artist or authorial error!

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for released in August 2018, this issue arrived a little late, in the first week of September.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Rum-Maj, Wreck-Gar, and the Sharkticons, by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' The colonist soldiers by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Black-and-white lineart version of Cover A
<gallery>
File:OP23 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP23 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP23 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #24
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*''TMNT: Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road'' mini-series
*''[[Transformers: Bumblebee - Win If You Dare]]'' graphic novel
*In Memoriam: Harlan Ellison
*''Wynonna Earp'' Season 3

==External links==
*[https://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive-preview-optimus-prime-23/ Preview]

[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Talk:Time Will Rust

2018-09-19T21:24:02Z

DarkStranger: Created page with "Given that the same paragraph references a Sex Pistols song, I think Wreck-Gar is referencing another punk band in the Ramones with the "Second verse, same as the first" line...."

Given that the same paragraph references a Sex Pistols song, I think Wreck-Gar is referencing another punk band in the Ramones with the "Second verse, same as the first" line. 'Judy Is A Punk' is one of their most popular songs.

Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists

2017-07-03T18:20:03Z

DarkStranger:

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #6
|prev=Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production
|next=After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)
|image=LL6_regcvr.jpg
|title="Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 7]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=May 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]]
}}
'''The Autobots' sojourn on Functionist Cybertron comes to an end, but not everyone makes it out alive... while on Necroworld, Anode risks it all to conquer death.'''

==Synopsis==
In response to [[Rung (G1)#The Functionist Universe|Rung]]'s challenge, the angry [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] simply slugs him across the jaw, and Rung crumples like a wet napkin. A scolding from [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] snaps some sense into Rodimus, and he takes up Rung's mission, ordering everyone else to evacuate while ''he'' steers [[Cog (base)|The Cog]] into [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]]. Unfortunately, outside, down below, [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] chooses that moment to open fire on Luna 2 to to save [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] from its tractor beam, and one of his shots blows The Cog out of the sky!

On [[Necroworld]], [[Kaput]] leads [[Anode]], [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]], and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] through the [[Censere|Necrobot]]'s flower fields. Nautica tries to comfort Anode following her recent discovery that her partner [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] was just a time-sickness-inducing hallucination, and returns the bloom of [[living metal|sentio metallico]] to her. As the group nears its destination, Kaput reveals Lug's fate; she did indeed die on Luna 2 the day the Necrobot took Anode to safety. As was his practice, the Necrobot preserved a small, flickering portion of her spark energy in one of his flowers—a flower Kaput now plucks from the ground and holds out to Anode, offering her a way to say goodbye. Anode looks back and forth between the flower and the sentio metallico bloom... and suddenly bolts off back toward the fortress with both in hand.

[[File:This Machine Kills Fascists-Rodimus Shocked.jpg|left|thumb|''Bright astonishment!'']]

Rodimus and his team haul themselves out of the wreckage of The Cog just as Megatron and the rest of his unit come running up. [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] contacts the group via their communicator to warn them they only have twenty minutes to use Luna 2's teleporter to return to Necroworld before [[Killmaster]]'s teleportational wand runs out of power... but before Rodimus can form a response, he is struck dumb by an awesome sight: over [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]'s protestations, Rung has tampered with the [[size changing|mass displacement]] generator the [[Functionist Council]] forcibly equipped him with, and has enlarged his robot mode to colossal proportions so he can directly attack Luna 2 with his city-sized fists! [[Clicker]] is most taken aback by this development—fearing that Rung's actions are proof that everyone ''does'' have a grand role to play—but Megatron assures him it is just the opposite, that ''choosing'' your function is the ultimate disproof of the Council's doctrine. Brainstorm tries to get everyone to focus on the problem at hand: they need to destroy Luna 2 to stop the Council, but if they do, they lose the teleporter that will take them home. [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] has a casual brainwave, proposing that they turn Luna 2's teleporter outward, teleporting the whole moon away with them as they leave, back to Necroworld. Rodimus worries about the potential destruction that might cause, but Brainstorm reminds him Necroworld is hollow, and can easily contain the moon! With a plan in place, everyone heads off toward the nearest matter transporter that will take them up to the moon... everyone except Terminus, who tells Megatron he is staying in the Functionist Universe to help continue the fight against the Council. Megatron asks Rodimus for a moment to speak to his friend, but Rodimus is immediately suspicious that he is going to stay behind too in order to evade justice. Megatron gives Rodimus his word that he is not, and Rodimus begrudgingly grants his request.

Back on Necroworld, in the Necrobot's fortress, Anode reveals her plan: to release the trace of Lug's spark energy from the spark-flower into the sentio metallico, which will incubate the spark and which she can then sculpt into a [[protoform]], restoring Lug to life. Anode is unsure if her skills are equal to the task, but she boldly commences the process... and things are going well, until the protoform's temperature starts dropping rapidly...

As Megatron is saying his goodbyes to Terminus, Rodimus's team reaches the matter transporter. Unfortunately, it turns out to be non-functional, so they have to make a run to the next-nearest one, and Roller radios Terminus to update him on the situation. What is said between them is unheard, but afterwards—just as the dead body of the defeated Rung falls out of the sky in front of them—Terminus grabs Megatron's arm and leads him to where he needs to go. Time passes... and Megatron does not arrive at the transporter. Rodimus is incandescent with rage and refuses to leave without him... right up until [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] speaks up, agreeing that Megatron should not be allowed to "get away." Reminded of the [[Getaway|true source of his anger]], Rodimus grits his teeth and orders the transporter activated, teleporting the group to Luna 2.

[[File:This Machine Kills Fascists-Functionist Glitch.jpg|right|thumb|170px|Here's hoping things go better this time...]]

Meanwhile, at the site of the original, broken transporter, a confused Megatron cannot understand why the group is not there. As he runs back out to question Terminus, Luna 2 disappears from the sky overhead, teleported back to Necroworld. Megatron cannot believe the others have left him behind, but Terminus tells him they have given him a second chance.

Brainstorm successfully uses Killmaster's wand to return Necroworld to the Autobots' home universe, and Rodimus's team returns from Luna 2 to the planet's surface, reuniting with their friends. Ratchet embraces a confused Rung... Roller admires Anode's new "backpack," the successfully-sculpted protoform Lug... and Brainstorm wonders where Megatron is, leading Rodimus to grind his teeth in fury once again.

Some time later, beneath the surface of Functionist Cybertron, Megatron visits an [[Anti-Vocationist League]] unit hidden in the mines of [[Nova Point]], the latest stop on a "speaking tour" as he rallies the organization's scattered cells together. This war, Megatron will fight with words, not violence; under his tutelage, the League will spread truth, and reach out to help those blinded to the evils of Functionism see it for what it is. One day, together, they will all achieve peace—peace through ''empathy''. His speech done, Megatron goes outside, and stares into the night sky with a heavy heart. His reverie is interrupted by the chime of his communicator... and the surprised Megatron cannot stop himself from smiling as, through the speaker, in response to Roller's previous attempts to reach him... crackles the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity#The Functionist Universe|Orion Pax]].

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (1)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (6)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (8)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (10)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (11)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Kaput]] (13)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] (17)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (19)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (20)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (21)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (24)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (25)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (26)
{{!}}}

|h3=[[Functionist Council|Functionists]]
|c3=
*[[Nine-of-Twelve]] (18)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*Functionist Universe [[Rung (G1)#The_Functionist_Universe|Rung]] (5)
* [[Clicker]] (7)
*[[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] (9)
*[[Anode]] (12)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (14)
*''[[Censere]]'' (15)
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (16)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (22)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Ten]] (23)
*A [[Lunabot]] (27)
*Various [[Anti-Vocationist League|AVL]] members (28)
*[[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]] (29)
*[[Dominus Ambus]]? (30)
*Functionist Universe [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (voice, 31)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"It's '''Brainstorm.''' He says—and I quote: You've got '''twenty minutes''' to get your backsides back to Necroworld before Killmaster's '''miracle stick''' runs out of '''super-juice''' and you're stuck in that nonsense-verse '''forever.'''" 
"What?" 
"Please don't make me say that sentence again."
:—'''Minimus Ambus''' and '''Rodimus'''

"I'm telling you, Brainstorm, he's the size of fifty [[Titan (IDW)|Titans]]. He— bloody hell, he just '''punched the moon!'''"
:—'''Rodimus''' is awestruck by Kaiju Rung.

"We can't leave until Luna 2's been destroyed! And once it's destroyed, we can't leave! '''Quid pro quo!'''" 
"Actually, Rodimus, I don't know if that's the '''correct use''' of the—" 
"Ah-ah-ah! '''Finger of silence''' and it's pointing at '''you.'''"
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Minimus Ambus'''

"I liked him better when he was '''useless'''. We believed in him because there was nothing to believe in. He was a nobody. A glorious nobody. But if even '''he''' has a '''greater purpose'''—if even '''he''' is part of some '''primal plan'''... surely we're '''all''' part of the plan? And if that's the case, the Functionists were right all along." 
"No. The opposite of Functionism isn't '''lack of function.''' The opposite of Functionism is '''choice.''' It's about doing what you '''want'''— regardless of what you were '''born''' to do, or what you're '''told''' to do, or what society '''expects''' you to do. No one can decide how you live your life except '''you.'''"
:—'''Clicker''' and '''Megatron'''

"If I stayed behind—if I went back on my word—I wouldn't be the person you think I am. And the person you think I am... that's the person I want to be."
:—'''Megatron''', to Terminus

"They've gone. They left without me." 
"They've given you a second chance." 
"They'd already done that."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Terminus'''

"What did we miss?" 
"Oh, you know, the usual. Life and death. Mainly life." 
"New backpack?" 
"Kind of."
:—'''Roller''' and '''Anode'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Velocity offers Anode "something to cope" with the grief of realizing Lug is dead; she's talking about the [[mood suppressant]]s that [[Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|issue #3]] revealed the rest of the Autobots have been taking to cope with the recent death of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. Skids is, of course, the "someone" Nautica refers to having lost, his passing having taken place in [[The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|''More than Meets the Eye'' #54]].
*Anode and Lug are revealed to have been outside the [[Raskol Arena]] when they were attacked by the [[Cybernought]] in [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|issue #1]]. The arena was previously seen in ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|#28]]-[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|30]], in which it played host to Megatron's trial.
*Lug was killed by forcefield feedback, the exact thing Anode cheerfully said would kill them in a ''comedy'' scene [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|in #1]]. Ouch.
*Anode is outraged to hear the Necrobot performed a religious ceremony for Lug as she died, since she wasn't religious; as proof, Anode recalls when Lug wore a "[[Micro-Matrix]]" on her cheek for one day, and "threw it away because it itched." These symbols of religiosity have previously been seen several times in IDW continuity, first worn by [[Springarm]] back in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|"Chaos Theory," Part 2]], and most notably by Skids in various issues of ''More than Meets the Eye''.
*At the forefront of the crowd of AVL'ers listening to Megatron at the story's end is [[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]], the once and future [[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] of the "main" universe. His powers mean he has still been a victim of [[empurata]] in the Functionist Universe, and Megatron's words obviously still speak as strongly to him here as they did in our home reality.
*Also part of the crowd is a "flathead"—one of the unfortunate Cybertronians who have received a punishment worse than empurata, having had their head replaced with a flatscreen. We previously saw this practice in [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|''More than Meets the Eye'' #35]], in which [[Dominus Ambus]] was subjected to it. Dominus was identified as a rebel in that issue, so it's logical that he'd be among the AVL, but it's not 100% clear if this is supposed to be him; the colors and shape of this 'bot's body don't match with Dominus's in #35... but at the same time, this guy has two long, flat protrusions coming up over his shoulders and is a dullish grey-green in color, which were attributes of Dominus's ''true'' form, as seen in [[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|''More than Meets the Eye'' #53]].
*This speech scene takes place in the mines beneath [[Nova Point]], the significance of which should not be lost: this, ''More than Meets the Eye'' #28 told us, is where Megatron originally worked—where his story first began, and now, begins again.
*Though the voice coming out of the communicator is not identified on-panel, we know it's Orion Pax because Roller explained last issue how he had been attempting to contact him.

===Transformers references===
*We scarcely need to tell you that "peace through empathy" is an inversion of Megatron's classic motto, "peace through tyranny."

===Real life references===
*This issue takes its title from the {{w|This machine kills fascists|message}} musician {{w|Woody Guthrie}} painted on his guitar.
*As quoted above, Rodimus incorrectly describes the Autobots' situation with the Latin phrase, "{{w|quid pro quo}}," which means to trade one favor for another. Rodimus really wants to be using a term like "{{w|Catch-22 (logic)|catch-22}}" or "{{w|double bind}}," which refer to unwinnable scenarios in which one requirement for victory contradicts the other.

===Errors===
*Kaput is missing the lens on his forehead when he hands the flower to Anode and when he reports the protoform's drop in temperature.
*Raskol Arena is mis-spelled as Raskol Areana.
*On page 7, Anode is pictured running in with the group on Functionist Cybertron while she's actually on the Necroworld.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in May, this issue continues IDW's ongoing series of delays and arrives in the first week of June.
*Lug's full name is given as "Lug of [[Celestica Tetracornacapria]]." As this is not a location that's ever been mentioned before, it remains unclear whether she is from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself or one of its colonies.
*As presented in the comic, it's ambiguous whether Terminus chose not to share Roller's information accurately with Megatron, or Roller's having not given Terminus the correct info in the first place. James Roberts would later [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/873683917362126848 state], however, that Roller ''did'' give the correct coordinates, meaning Terminus told a fib...

===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=Y1t6m0WruMQ Cloudy Shoes]" by {{w|Damien Jurado}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__I8QDP8lM Everything You Paid For]" by {{w|Scotland Yard Gospel Choir}}
*"[https://play.spotify.com/album/2ftNPsFN59VTmmiAjVW1a8 Favourite Colour Blue]" by {{w|Tom Brosseau}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqcAw_I7XgI Wont Share You]" by {{w|Sixpence None the Richer}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Megatron charges into action, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Subscription cover A:''' Our heroes soar through space, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Subscription cover B:''' Megatron fights the wheels of Functionism, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Rung by [[Marcelo Matere]]
<gallery>
File:LL6 regcvr.jpg|
File:LL6 subcvrA.jpg|
File:LL6 subcvrB.jpg|
File:LL6 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #7
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting May's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 6|''G.I. Joe'' #6]], [[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook'' #1]], [[The Next Day, and the Next|''Optimus Prime'' #7]], ''Revolutionaries'' #6, and [[The Price of You|''Till All Are One'' #10]].
*''[[Hasbro Heroes Handbook]]''
*''The Powerpuff Girls'' mini-series
*''[[Star Trek]]: The Next Generation—Mirror Broken''
*''Saucer State''
*Funko
*IDW ''Funko Universe'' one-shots

==External links==
*[https://www.newsarama.com/34742-death-of-a-planet-in-transformers-lost-light-6-preview.html Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists

2017-07-02T20:27:13Z

DarkStranger: Adding a misplaced Anode to the Errors section.

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #6
|prev=Dissolution Part 5: Modes of Production
|next=After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)
|image=LL6_regcvr.jpg
|title="Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 7]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=May 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]]
}}
'''The Autobots' sojourn on Functionist Cybertron comes to an end, but not everyone makes it out alive... while on Necroworld, Anode risks it all to conquer death.'''

==Synopsis==
In response to [[Rung (G1)#The Functionist Universe|Rung]]'s challenge, the angry [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] simply slugs him across the jaw, and Rung crumples like a wet napkin. A scolding from [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] snaps some sense into Rodimus, and he takes up Rung's mission, ordering everyone else to evacuate while ''he'' steers [[Cog (base)|The Cog]] into [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]]. Unfortunately, outside, down below, [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] chooses that moment to open fire on Luna 2 to to save [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] from its tractor beam, and one of his shots blows The Cog out of the sky!

On [[Necroworld]], [[Kaput]] leads [[Anode]], [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]], and [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] through the [[Censere|Necrobot]]'s flower fields. Nautica tries to comfort Anode following her recent discovery that her partner [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] was just a time-sickness-inducing hallucination, and returns the bloom of [[living metal|sentio metallico]] to her. As the group nears its destination, Kaput reveals Lug's fate; she did indeed die on Luna 2 the day the Necrobot took Anode to safety. As was his practice, the Necrobot preserved a small, flickering portion of her spark energy in one of his flowers—a flower Kaput now plucks from the ground and holds out to Anode, offering her a way to say goodbye. Anode looks back and forth between the flower and the sentio metallico bloom... and suddenly bolts off back toward the fortress with both in hand.

[[File:This Machine Kills Fascists-Rodimus Shocked.jpg|left|thumb|''Bright astonishment!'']]

Rodimus and his team haul themselves out of the wreckage of The Cog just as Megatron and the rest of his unit come running up. [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] contacts the group via their communicator to warn them they only have twenty minutes to use Luna 2's teleporter to return to Necroworld before [[Killmaster]]'s teleportational wand runs out of power... but before Rodimus can form a response, he is struck dumb by an awesome sight: over [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]'s protestations, Rung has tampered with the [[size changing|mass displacement]] generator the [[Functionist Council]] forcibly equipped him with, and has enlarged his robot mode to colossal proportions so he can directly attack Luna 2 with his city-sized fists! [[Clicker]] is most taken aback by this development—fearing that Rung's actions are proof that everyone ''does'' have a grand role to play—but Megatron assures him it is just the opposite, that ''choosing'' your function is the ultimate disproof of the Council's doctrine. Brainstorm tries to get everyone to focus on the problem at hand: they need to destroy Luna 2 to stop the Council, but if they do, they lose the teleporter that will take them home. [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] has a casual brainwave, proposing that they turn Luna 2's teleporter outward, teleporting the whole moon away with them as they leave, back to Necroworld. Rodimus worries about the potential destruction that might cause, but Brainstorm reminds him Necroworld is hollow, and can easily contain the moon! With a plan in place, everyone heads off toward the nearest matter transporter that will take them up to the moon... everyone except Terminus, who tells Megatron he is staying in the Functionist Universe to help continue the fight against the Council. Megatron asks Rodimus for a moment to speak to his friend, but Rodimus is immediately suspicious that he is going to stay behind too in order to evade justice. Megatron gives Rodimus his word that he is not, and Rodimus begrudgingly grants his request.

Back on Necroworld, in the Necrobot's fortress, Anode reveals her plan: to release the trace of Lug's spark energy from the spark-flower into the sentio metallico, which will incubate the spark and which she can then sculpt into a [[protoform]], restoring Lug to life. Anode is unsure if her skills are equal to the task, but she boldly commences the process... and things are going well, until the protoform's temperature starts dropping rapidly...

As Megatron is saying his goodbyes to Terminus, Rodimus's team reaches the matter transporter. Unfortunately, it turns out to be non-functional, so they have to make a run to the next-nearest one, and Roller radios Terminus to update him on the situation. What is said between them is unheard, but afterwards—just as the dead body of the defeated Rung falls out of the sky in front of them—Terminus grabs Megatron's arm and leads him to where he needs to go. Time passes... and Megatron does not arrive at the transporter. Rodimus is incandescent with rage and refuses to leave without him... right up until [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] speaks up, agreeing that Megatron should not be allowed to "get away." Reminded of the [[Getaway|true source of his anger]], Rodimus grits his teeth and orders the transporter activated, teleporting the group to Luna 2.

Meanwhile, at the site of the original, broken transporter, a confused Megatron cannot understand why the group is not there. As he runs back out to question Terminus, Luna 2 disappears from the sky overhead, teleported back to Necroworld. Megatron cannot believe the others have left him behind, but Terminus tells him they have given him a second chance.

Brainstorm successfully uses Killmaster's wand to return Necroworld to the Autobots' home universe, and Rodimus's team returns from Luna 2 to the planet's surface, reuniting with their friends. Ratchet embraces a confused Rung... Roller admires Anode's new "backpack," the successfully-sculpted protoform Lug... and Brainstorm wonders where Megatron is, leading Rodimus to grind his teeth in fury once again.

Some time later, beneath the surface of Functionist Cybertron, Megatron visits an [[Anti-Vocationist League]] unit hidden in the mines of [[Nova Point]], the latest stop on a "speaking tour" as he rallies the organization's scattered cells together. This war, Megatron will fight with words, not violence; under his tutelage, the League will spread truth, and reach out to help those blinded to the evils of Functionism see it for what it is. One day, together, they will all achieve peace—peace through ''empathy''. His speech done, Megatron goes outside, and stares into the night sky with a heavy heart. His reverie is interrupted by the chime of his communicator... and the surprised Megatron cannot stop himself from smiling as, through the speaker, in response to Roller's previous attempts to reach him... crackles the voice of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity#The Functionist Universe|Orion Pax]].

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (1)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (2)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (3)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (6)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (8)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (10)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (11)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Kaput]] (13)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] (17)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (19)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (20)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (21)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (24)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (25)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (26)
{{!}}}

|h3=[[Functionist Council|Functionists]]
|c3=
*[[Nine-of-Twelve]] (18)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*Functionist Universe [[Rung (G1)#The_Functionist_Universe|Rung]] (5)
* [[Clicker]] (7)
*[[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]] (9)
*[[Anode]] (12)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (14)
*''[[Censere]]'' (15)
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (16)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (22)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Ten]] (23)
*A [[Lunabot]] (27)
*Various [[Anti-Vocationist League|AVL]] members (28)
*[[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]] (29)
*[[Dominus Ambus]]? (30)
*Functionist Universe [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (voice, 31)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"It's '''Brainstorm.''' He says—and I quote: You've got '''twenty minutes''' to get your backsides back to Necroworld before Killmaster's '''miracle stick''' runs out of '''super-juice''' and you're stuck in that nonsense-verse '''forever.'''" 
"What?" 
"Please don't make me say that sentence again."
:—'''Minimus Ambus''' and '''Rodimus'''

"I'm telling you, Brainstorm, he's the size of fifty [[Titan (IDW)|Titans]]. He— bloody hell, he just '''punched the moon!'''"
:—'''Rodimus''' is awestruck by Kaiju Rung.

"We can't leave until Luna 2's been destroyed! And once it's destroyed, we can't leave! '''Quid pro quo!'''" 
"Actually, Rodimus, I don't know if that's the '''correct use''' of the—" 
"Ah-ah-ah! '''Finger of silence''' and it's pointing at '''you.'''"
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Minimus Ambus'''

"I liked him better when he was '''useless'''. We believed in him because there was nothing to believe in. He was a nobody. A glorious nobody. But if even '''he''' has a '''greater purpose'''—if even '''he''' is part of some '''primal plan'''... surely we're '''all''' part of the plan? And if that's the case, the Functionists were right all along." 
"No. The opposite of Functionism isn't '''lack of function.''' The opposite of Functionism is '''choice.''' It's about doing what you '''want'''— regardless of what you were '''born''' to do, or what you're '''told''' to do, or what society '''expects''' you to do. No one can decide how you live your life except '''you.'''"
:—'''Clicker''' and '''Megatron'''

"If I stayed behind—if I went back on my word—I wouldn't be the person you think I am. And the person you think I am... that's the person I want to be."
:—'''Megatron''', to Terminus

"They've gone. They left without me." 
"They've given you a second chance." 
"They'd already done that."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Terminus'''

"What did we miss?" 
"Oh, you know, the usual. Life and death. Mainly life." 
"New backpack?" 
"Kind of."
:—'''Roller''' and '''Anode'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Velocity offers Anode "something to cope" with the grief of realizing Lug is dead; she's talking about the [[mood suppressant]]s that [[Dissolution Part 3: A World Misplaced|issue #3]] revealed the rest of the Autobots have been taking to cope with the recent death of [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]. Skids is, of course, the "someone" Nautica refers to having lost, his passing having taken place in [[The Dying of the Light Part 5: Rage, Rage|''More than Meets the Eye'' #54]].
*Anode and Lug are revealed to have been outside the [[Raskol Arena]] when they were attacked by the [[Cybernought]] in [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|issue #1]]. The arena was previously seen in ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|#28]]-[[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|30]], in which it played host to Megatron's trial.
*Lug was killed by forcefield feedback, the exact thing Anode cheerfully said would kill them in a ''comedy'' scene [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|in #1]]. Ouch.
*Anode is outraged to hear the Necrobot performed a religious ceremony for Lug as she died, since she wasn't religious; as proof, Anode recalls when Lug wore a "[[Micro-Matrix]]" on her cheek for one day, and "threw it away because it itched." These symbols of religiosity have previously been seen several times in IDW continuity, first worn by [[Springarm]] back in [[Chaos Theory Part 2|"Chaos Theory," Part 2]], and most notably by Skids in various issues of ''More than Meets the Eye''.
*At the forefront of the crowd of AVL'ers listening to Megatron at the story's end is [[Tarn (DJD)|Glitch]], the once and future [[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] of the "main" universe. His powers mean he has still been a victim of [[empurata]] in the Functionist Universe, and Megatron's words obviously still speak as strongly to him here as they did in our home reality.
*Also part of the crowd is a "flathead"—one of the unfortunate Cybertronians who have received a punishment worse than empurata, having had their head replaced with a flatscreen. We previously saw this practice in [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|''More than Meets the Eye'' #35]], in which [[Dominus Ambus]] was subjected to it. Dominus was identified as a rebel in that issue, so it's logical that he'd be among the AVL, but it's not 100% clear if this is supposed to be him; the colors and shape of this 'bot's body don't match with Dominus's in #35... but at the same time, this guy has two long, flat protrusions coming up over his shoulders and is a dullish grey-green in color, which were attributes of Dominus's ''true'' form, as seen in [[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|''More than Meets the Eye'' #53]].
*This speech scene takes place in the mines beneath [[Nova Point]], the significance of which should not be lost: this, ''More than Meets the Eye'' #28 told us, is where Megatron originally worked—where his story first began, and now, begins again.
*Though the voice coming out of the communicator is not identified on-panel, we know it's Orion Pax because Roller explained last issue how he had been attempting to contact him.

===Transformers references===
*We scarcely need to tell you that "peace through empathy" is an inversion of Megatron's classic motto, "peace through tyranny."

===Real life references===
*This issue takes its title from the {{w|This machine kills fascists|message}} musician {{w|Woody Guthrie}} painted on his guitar.
*As quoted above, Rodimus incorrectly describes the Autobots' situation with the Latin phrase, "{{w|quid pro quo}}," which means to trade one favor for another. Rodimus really wants to be using a term like "{{w|Catch-22 (logic)|catch-22}}" or "{{w|double bind}}," which refer to unwinnable scenarios in which one requirement for victory contradicts the other.

===Errors===
*Kaput is missing the lens on his forehead when he hands the flower to Anode and when he reports the protoform's drop in temperature.
*Raskol Arena is mis-spelled as Raskol Areana.
*On page 7, Anode is pictured running in with the group.

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in May, this issue continues IDW's ongoing series of delays and arrives in the first week of June.
*Lug's full name is given as "Lug of [[Celestica Tetracornacapria]]." As this is not a location that's ever been mentioned before, it remains unclear whether she is from [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself or one of its colonies.
*As presented in the comic, it's ambiguous whether Terminus chose not to share Roller's information accurately with Megatron, or Roller's having not given Terminus the correct info in the first place. James Roberts would later [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/873683917362126848 state], however, that Roller ''did'' give the correct coordinates, meaning Terminus told a fib...

===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=Y1t6m0WruMQ Cloudy Shoes]" by {{w|Damien Jurado}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V__I8QDP8lM Everything You Paid For]" by {{w|Scotland Yard Gospel Choir}}
*"[https://play.spotify.com/album/2ftNPsFN59VTmmiAjVW1a8 Favourite Colour Blue]" by {{w|Tom Brosseau}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqcAw_I7XgI Wont Share You]" by {{w|Sixpence None the Richer}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Megatron charges into action, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Subscription cover A:''' Our heroes soar through space, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Subscription cover B:''' Megatron fights the wheels of Functionism, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Rung by [[Marcelo Matere]]
<gallery>
File:LL6 regcvr.jpg|
File:LL6 subcvrA.jpg|
File:LL6 subcvrB.jpg|
File:LL6 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #7
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting May's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 6|''G.I. Joe'' #6]], [[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 1|''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook'' #1]], [[The Next Day, and the Next|''Optimus Prime'' #7]], ''Revolutionaries'' #6, and [[The Price of You|''Till All Are One'' #10]].
*''[[Hasbro Heroes Handbook]]''
*''The Powerpuff Girls'' mini-series
*''[[Star Trek]]: The Next Generation—Mirror Broken''
*''Saucer State''
*Funko
*IDW ''Funko Universe'' one-shots

==External links==
*[https://www.newsarama.com/34742-death-of-a-planet-in-transformers-lost-light-6-preview.html Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

Under Fire!

2016-02-20T20:43:11Z

DarkStranger: /* Artwork and technical errors */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[The Transformers (Marvel comic)#Marvel UK|''The Transformers'' (UK)]] #99
|prev=...The Harder They Die!
|next=Distant Thunder!
|title="Under Fire!"
|image=MarvelUK-099.jpg
|caption=Were you one of the unfortunate few [[Misconceptions and urban legends about Transformers|NOT]] to get a sword with Ultra Magnus?
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|coverdate=[[February 7|7th February]] [[1987]]
|script=[[Simon Furman]]
|art=[[Jeff Anderson]]
|colour=[[Steve White]]
|letters=[[Annie Halfacree]]
|editor=[[Ian Rimmer]]
|chronology=[[Marvel Comics timeline|1986]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]] ([[Earth-120185|Marvel UK]])
}}

'''Prime and Outback make a desperate bid for freedom.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Outback (G1)|Outback]] is fretting that he's going to die, but that this doesn't stop him as he feels a kinship with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. He races to the scene where [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and the [[Wrecker]]s are about to execute Prime because of [[Decepticon]] disinformation stating that Prime is in actuality a disguised Decepticon agent. Interrupting proceedings, Outback argues that the Autobots are acting in haste on disinformation and that Ultra Magnus is reckless because he feels guilty about the death of [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]. This comment riles Magnus who threatens to execute Outback as well.

Outback discreetly neutralises Optimus Prime's energy restraints before throwing a gas particle bomb. In the confusion, Outback and Prime transform and escape, observed from the shadows by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]. Ultra Magnus declares that he has once again caused defeat through his own errors and demands twenty [[Units of time|breems]] to bring back the prisoners with the aid of three [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]] units.

In [[Polyhex]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] is furious that Optimus Prime has escaped, and orders that Decepticon search parties be dispatched to kill Prime, with disinformation leaked to the Autobots that this is only to punish their agent for his failure. Neither Ratbat nor [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] are impressed with Megatron's anger and instability, and Straxus announces that he is having equipment assembled, and when complete he will strike at Megatron and "truly live again!"

Ultra Magnus is still searching, his thoughts wondering if Outback is right that he is trying to use the whole affair to make amends for his failure to return to Cybertron in time to save Impactor. He also regrets splitting up his search party because Guardian units can interpret orders too literally. Suddenly he sees an explosion as two of the Guardian units catch up with Prime and Outback.

The two fugitive Autobots fight and destroy the Guardians, but, in the process, Outback is severely wounded. Optimus Prime sits with his wounded comrade and contemplates the situation out loud, declaring that he must do everything he can to save Outback's life. In his thoughts, Outback wishes he had the strength to speak so he could tell Prime this is a waste of time. In the shadows, Ultra Magnus listens but does not approach.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (1)
*[[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (2)
*[[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (3)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] (4)
*[[Twin Twist (G1)|Twin Twist]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian units]] (11-13)
|c2=
*[[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (7)
*[[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (8)
*[[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] (9)
*[[Octane (G1)|Octane]] (10)
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
===Artwork and technical errors===
*The cover scene shows six separate guns pointed at Prime (with Ultra Magnus in the foreground) but in the strip itself only three of the Wreckers are present at the execution.
*Cover artist Lee Sullivan went toy-accurate with the six guns portrayed - from left to right, the firing squad consists of Twin Twist, Sandstorm, Roadbuster, Broadside, Springer and Topspin.

===Continuity errors===

===Continuity notes===
*This is Ratbat's first appearance in the UK comic, taking place before his first appearance in the US comic in "[[King of the Hill!]]".
*Optimus Prime appeared to leave [[Combat Deck (G1)|his trailer]] behind on Earth in [[Prey!|issue #97]]. This issue confirms it when he transforms and does not have his trailer with him.

===Real-life references===

===Other trivia===

===Back-up Material===
*'''Backup strips:''' ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|Action Force]] - "Improvisation on a Theme" Part 1'' and ''[[Robo-Capers]]''

===Covers (3)===
<gallery>
File:MarvelUK-099.jpg|'''Issue #99 cover'''
File:Tfcolcom13.jpg|'''Collected Comics cover'''
File:Tf commag 08.JPG|'''Transformers Comic-Magazin issue #8''' - It all makes sense now.
File:TitanPrey.jpg|'''Prey TPB cover'''
File:Classicuk3.jpg|'''''The Transformers Classics UK Volume 3'''''
</gallery>
*'''Issue #99 cover:''' Optimus Prime trapped by the Wreckers, by [[Lee Sullivan]]
*'''Collected Comics #13 cover:''' Big Transformers brawl, by [[Alan Davis]]
*'''[[Transformers Comic-Magazin]] [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|issue #8]] cover:''' Optimus Prime, a miscolored Ultra Magnus and Guardian, and a random small child.
*'''Prey TPB cover:''' Optimus Prime staves off [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] while Ultra Magnus broods, by Lee Sullivan
*'''''The Transformers Classics UK Volume 3:''''' [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]], [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] vs [[Guardian (Marvel)|Guardian]], [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]]'s head, [[Xaaron]], [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] riding [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] by [[Andrew Wildman]].

===Reprints===
*[[1989]] — ''[[Transformers Collected Comics]]'' 13
*[[1990]] — [[Transformers Comic-Magazin issue 8|''Transformers Comic-Magazin'' #8]]
*[[2004]] — ''[[Transformers: Prey]]''
*[[2009]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Prey]]'' #2
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: Best of UK: Prey]]''
*[[2012]] — ''[[The Transformers Classics UK Volume 3]]''

[[Category:Marvel UK issues]]

Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11

2014-03-19T22:16:54Z

DarkStranger: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rid|issueno=27
|prev=Finis Temporis: Dark Cybertron Chapter 9
|next=Robots in Disguise issue 28
|seriesissue2=[[Dark Cybertron]] Chapter 11
|prev2=The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10
|next2=Dark Cybertron Chapter 12
|caption=
|image=RID 27 cvrA.jpg
|title="Black Planet" Dark Cybertron Chapter 11
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 19]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=February 2014
|written by=[[John Barber]] and [[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2014)]]
}}

'''The Autobots and Decepticon rally against the invading Ammonite hordes as Bumblebee and Megatron take the fight to Shockwave.'''

==Synopsis==

''Several months ago, shortly before the launch of the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Brainstorm]]—eager to further his research of the [[Dead Universe]]—carries out some tests on [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]. A scanning device shows two lifesigns in the room: one for Brainstorm, one for Hardhead, proving that Hardhead is indeed alive once more after this experiences in the Dead Universe. Hardhead is incredulous, but just as Brainstorm is explaining the wily ways of the Dead Universe, a bolt of energy leaps from the corpse of [[Nova Prime]]—kept in Brainstorm's lab as another object of study—and strikes the scientist. He appears to be fine, but the dropped scanner, forgotten by the pair, now detects only ''one'' lifesign...''

In the present day, [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'s [[Ammonite]] army descends upon [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. The [[Autobot]]s and [[Decepticon]]s begin fighting back immediately, but [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], seeing the futility of a counter-attack, begins issuing orders to have the planet evacuated. [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] stops him with a grave realization: he has observed cosmological blueshift, which indicates that space and time are collapsing.

In [[Crystal City]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] reports [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]'s apparent expiration to a disinterested Shockwave. [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] presents Shockwave with the chronal drive, now containing the drained life-energy of the entire Dead Universe, and as Shockwave integrates it into his body, he momentarily becomes psychologically unstuck in time and is overwhelmed with visions of his past life. As he struggles to process the experience, Jhiaxus explains the plans with scientific relish to [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] as he dons a suit of armor, then orders [[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] to join the battle in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]. [[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]], meanwhile, observes that Galvatron has some life in him yet...

Back in Iacon, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] radios [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] in the hopes she can get [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] to join the fight, but the Titan proves to need no persuasion, and rises to the task. As Metroplex engages the Ammonite horde, aboard the ''Lost Light'', Bumblebee and [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] assemble a team to head into Crystal City and take on Shockwave. They disembark the ship and meet with [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], who is a little surprised to see that Megatron's alliance with the Autobots is a legitimate one. A moment later, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] arrives with his own team, and explains that [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] can teleport them all into Crystal City; there is a little almost-good-natured back-and-forth trash-talk between everyone, including [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]]'s attempt to apologize for his actions post-resurrection, but all agree to leave proper arguments and discussions until all is said and done. With the appearance of Monstructor, a hesitant [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] is forced to once again combine with the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] into [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], providing cover for Bumblebee and Megatron's team to get away. Alas, Skywarp proves unable to teleport such a large group, so [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] decides to stay behind, as does [[Getaway]]. Starscream dismisses the altruism, but Soundwave agrees, and he and his cassettes also decide to remain behind. A blast clips Scoop just as the group teleports out...

...and reappears in the Crystal City cavern, where [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] immediately begins celebrating the fact he survived the jump... juuuuust before Bludgeon runs him through with his sword. Magnus, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] and Brainstorm keep the Master of [[Metallikato]] busy while Megatron and Bumblebee search for Shockwave, and Metalhawk leads [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] and Starscream—still stunned over Scoop's actions—to Jhiaxus's ship. The trio are confronted by the master scientist himself, fully clad in what he calls his [[reactive armor]]. He mocks Metalhawk and how easy it was to control him after his resurrection, then turns his scorn on Starscream, who angrily opens fire on the scientist. Though the blast from Starscream's cannons is impressive, Jhiaxus's reactive armor absorbs it and shifts into a form that matches its power, mimicking Starscream's own.

Megatron and Bumblebee arrive in Shockwave's command chamber, where a hesitant Dreadwing tries to tough-talk them, only to be blasted by Megatron. They come upon the limp form of Galvatron, who admits what his actions have wrought and submits himself to Megatron's wrath, but Bumblebee tries to talk the Decepticon leader out of slaying him, reminding him of his past to convince him that killing is not the way forward. Megatron lowers his cannon... and Bumblebee's chest explodes as Shockwave shoots him through the back. Megatron races to his fallen ally's side, but it is too late: Bumblebee is dead. With a howl of rage, Megatron lunges at Shockwave, but his old subordinate is surging with the power of the chronal drive and his ores, and seems unbeatable...

As Magnus and Skids continue their battle with Bludgeon, the samurai warrior proves unimpressed with Skids's adaptive powers and demonstrates the superiority of his natural skill over the theoretician's mimicry. Magnus, too, falls, distracted by a cry from Brainstorm, who has collapsed in pain... as a swirling portal opens within his chest and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and his team emerge through it!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]'' (1)
*[[Brainstorm]] (2)
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (4)
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (7)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (8)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (9)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (10)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (12)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (13)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (14)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (15)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (16)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (17)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (18)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (19)
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] (20)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (21)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (22)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (23)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (24)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (25)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (26)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (27)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (35)
*[[Nautica]] (36)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (37)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (38)
*[[Windmill (G1)|Windmill]] (39)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Gripper (G1)|Gripper]] (40)
*[[Grotusque]] (41)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (43)
*[[Hurricane|Hurricane]] (44)
*[[Rumbler (G1)|Rumbler]] (45)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (46)
*[[Getaway]] (47)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (48)
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (64)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (68)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (69)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (70)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (71)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (6)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (11)
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (29)
*[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] (30)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (32)
*[[Dreadwing (G2)|Dreadwing]] (34)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (42)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (49)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (50)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (51)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (52)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (53)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (57)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (59)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (60)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (61)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (63)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (65)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (66)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (67)
{{!}}}
|c4=
*''[[Nova Prime]]'s corpse'' (3)
*[[Ammonite]]s (5)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] (28)
*[[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus]] (31)
*[[Monstructor (G1)|Monstructor]] (33)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (54)
*[[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] (55)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (56)
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (58)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]] (62)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (72)
}}

==Quotes==

"'''Windblade?''' It's '''Magnus'''. There's no easy way to say this, but—the universe is ending." 
"Uh-huh." 
"You took that very well." 
"Yes, well, it takes more than—wait, did you say the universe is ending? The '''universe''' is '''ending?''' What kind of a person starts a conversation like '''that?'''"
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Windblade'''

"On that note... everybody ready to—what's the phrase? <nowiki>'</nowiki>'''Roll on out'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>?"
:—'''Starscream'''

"Cybertron is in your hands, Megatron. '''Ravage'''—my friends—" 
"Yeah, yeah, I '''get''' it. We're '''with''' you... just tell 'em '''some cassettes''' sent you, okay?"
:—'''Soundwave''' and '''Ravage'''

"He's given up, Megatron. '''Leave it.'''" 
"He ripped me in half." 
"And in return you're going to '''kill''' him? Is that how your world works? Each blow invites a bullet? Each death answered by '''ten'''? Because look where it's got you. Look where it's got '''all''' of us. All those years ago, when you dreamed of a life outside of the energon mines—is '''this''' what you wanted to become? The type of person who would rather '''kill''' than '''not kill'''?" 
"He's '''your''' enemy as much as mine." 
"Good, bad, friends, enemies... if there's one thing I've learned since '''Metalhawk''' and the others came home, it's that the world's a lot more '''complicated''' than that—and so are '''you.''' So let him live—let him '''join us'''." 
''(Megatron relents and offers Galvatron his hand.)'' 
"See? We're stronger together than apart."
:—'''Bumblebee'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s last words to '''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The first page of this issue is set concurrently with the early stages of [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|''More than Meets the Eye'' #1]], prior to the launch of the ''Lost Light''. The news report playing in the background is Rodimus's speech from the first page of that issue.
*Hardhead is playing about with Brainstorm's security pass, also seen in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #1. He's evidently just heat-activated the [[rubsign]] on it.
*The launch site of the ''Lost Light'' (and the [[Ark (G1)|Ark-1]] before it) is revealed to be [[Rivets Field]], the hot spot named as the birthplace of [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] in ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|#21]].
*The [[cyberwraith]] that played a key role back in [[Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|Chapter 2]] can be spotted on Brainstorm's workbench.
*Nova Prime's body appears here following his apparent death in ''[[Spotlight: Sideswipe]]'', still in his "Nemesis Prime" color scheme. It's never been explained until now how Nova went from this death to his reappearance in ''[[The Transformers: Heart of Darkness|Heart of Darkness]]''; his essence returned to the Dead Universe following the expiry of his physical shell.
*Brainstorm is revealed to have been "killed" by the Dead Universe, and has been in an undead state for the entirety of his involvement in ''More than Meets the Eye''. This is why the life-consuming [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] ignored him when he was confronted by it waaaay back in ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|#3]]; slyly alluding to Brainstorm's living-dead state two years ahead of this revelation, the scene even had Skids remark that he was "already dead".
*Even slier, back in [[No Exit: Dark Cybertron Chapter 6|Chapter 6]], when a life signature reading was taken of the [[Rodpod]] and Metroplex, eight signs were detected, which the issue intimated consisted of one for each of the seven 'bots in the pod (including Brainstorm), and a stowaway Ammonite that the crew mistakenly thought was Metroplex. But Metroplex turned out to be alive, so that left a signature missing... ol' dead Brainstorm.
*Bumblebee has removed the protective faceplate from his new body, which we first learned he could do back in [[Finest Hour: Dark Cybertron Chapter 5|Chapter 5]].
*As Shockwave integrates the chronal drive into his body, he is assailed with a series of visions from throughout his life, showing us scenes of his friendship with Orion Pax, his undergoing [[Shadowplay]] and [[Empurata]], and his first meeting with Megatron; all newly-drawn by Griffith, but previously seen in, and with dialogue lifted from, "[[Chaos Theory Part 2|Chaos Theory]]", the [[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|"Shadowplay" trilogy]], and [[Shockpoint|''Robots in Disguise'' #22]].
*We learned last chapter that all those turned by the Dead Universe have portals that link the worlds within them; at the time that seemed like it was merely intended to serve as an explanation for why Kup had a portal within him earlier in the story, but is now revealed to have been foreshadowing for the appearance of the portal within Brainstorm through which Prime's team emerge. That also makes it implicit that the "singing" the team heard while in the Dead Universe last chapter was the singing going on in [[Swerve's]], echoing through the portal in Brainstorm.

===Transformers references===
*Jetfire appears with the design of his upcoming new ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Leader-class figure.
*Stabbed by Bludgeon, Waspinator crumples and plaintively wonders why the universe hates him, repeating the famous character-defining quote he originally coined in the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' episode "[[Deep Metal]]".
*When attacked by Starscream, Jhiaxus's reactive armor adopts the shape of Starscream's new body in an orange-and-white color scheme—this, of course, being what Jhiaxus's new ''Generations'' figure looks like. Or rather, ''sort of'' looks like—the color layout is different, and he appears without any of the mold changes the toy has that distinguish it from Starscream.

===Errors===
*Continuing the artistic error of the previous chapter, Bumblebee's new "Goldfire" body appears with design cues from the original comic design that were not part of the toy, when all previous appearances of the body have adhered to the toy design.
*Hook is with the Decepticons on page 13, despite having combined into Devastator on the previous page.
*On page 19, Galvatron calls Dreadwing "Dreadwin''d''".

===Trivia===
*Artist breakdown: All Andrew Griffith, all the time, baby!
*The idea of "Dark Cybertron" Jiminez/Fajardo covers corresponding to the toy they come with as gone right out the window over the last three issues, and this one's no different with [[Legends Class]] Cosmos taking the spotlight.
*Bumblebee's death was accidentally blown by the preview of Chapter 12 released through iTunes the week prior to this issue's release; although it had been cut down to only one page instead of the normal three to avoid any in-story spoilers, unfortunately, the ''recap'' page and its detailing of 'Bee's departure was ''not'' removed.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' A burning Autobot symbol forewarns of the "Death of a Hero", by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Sub cover:''' Cosmos by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Bludgeon by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
<gallery>
File:RID 27 cvrA.jpg|
File:RID 27 subcvr.jpg|
File:RID 27 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*"[[Dark Cybertron]]" checklist, highlighting [[Dark Cybertron Chapter 12|the final chapter]]
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*IDW: Getting Into Your Head for 15 Years (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/20591-transformers-previews-dark-cybertron-penultimate-issue-regeneration-one-finale.html Preview]
[[Category:Dark Cybertron issues]]