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Disappeared

2018-01-14T00:02:40Z

Ironmaster: /* As yet unaccounted for */

[[File:Departed memorial anomie.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]
'''The Disappeared''' are a collection of [[Transformer]]s that—as their name implies—disappeared from the [[Great War (G1)|war]] at various points throughout its history.

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
Having become obsessed with chronicling the death of every single Cybertronian following the loss of his friend [[Tusk]], the former forensic pathologist [[Censere]] erected a Memorial to the Disappeared on the [[Necroworld]] alongside statues of the Transformers whose fates he was able to record. When the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' investigated the rumours of the "Necrobot", [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] met with Censere and discovered that he was listed amongst the Disappeared thanks to having been pulled into the [[Dead Universe]] after his death at the hands of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]. Nightbeat then took [[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] and [[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] to the Memorial to show them that [[Dominus Ambus]] was also named there. Afterwards, Nightbeat took Censere to task over his obsession and suggested that he try to look after the living instead of recording the dead. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

Censere took Nightbeat's words seriously, and upon discovering a [[time case]] left by [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] near his own statue, connected it to his teleport chamber and attempted to rescue all of the Disappeared. The [[time travel]] often left them weak and disoriented so Censere kept them in stasis, disguised as organic life to hide them from unwanted attention. Unfortunately his actions did not go unnoticed and the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] arrived, presumably looking for some of the missing 'bots from [[The List|their own list]]. They set a trap for Megatron and the crew of the ''Lost Light'' and killed Censere when he tried to interfere.

Later, under siege from the D.J.D. in Censere's fortress, [[Team Rodimus]] was greatly surprised when the [[stasis pod]]s containing the "organics" opened to reveal the likes of [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]], [[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]], [[Syphon]], and [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]. After reading Cenere's journal, Rewind explained to [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] that thanks to the D.J.D. around half of the names on the Memorial of the Disappeared would remain unaccounted for. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

==The Disappeared==
===Saved by Censere===
{{collist|3|
*[[Anode]]
*[[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]
*[[Kaput]] of [[Teledonia]]
*[[Killmaster|Murderking]]
*[[Rapidfire]]
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]
*[[Syphon]]
*[[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]
*[[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]]
}}

===Otherwise accounted for===
*[[Dominus Ambus]] of [[Ambustus Minor]]
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] of [[Yuss]]

===As yet unaccounted for===
{{collist|4|
*Analyticus of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]
*Astroblast of [[Ibex]]
*Arcanus of Teledonia
*Barrelstop of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]
*Barrik of Ibex
*Bladefoot of Tarn
*Blocksmasher of Iacon
*Bruteforce of [[Polyhex]]
*Chevron of Ibex
*Cloudblast of [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]
*Crashcart of [[Altihex]]
*Cursor of Tarn
*Cyclotron of [[Kalis]]
*Dawnlight of Ibex
*Dirtrace of Polyhex
*Dumbell of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]
*Exhaustpipe of Ibex
*Filecard of Altihex
*Firefist of Altihex
*Flux of the [[Pious Pools]]
*Freeflight of Vos
*Gantry of Polyhex
*Gimmick of Kaon
*Groundjumper of Kaon
*Hammerhead of [[Tesk]]
*Hi Score of Polyhex
*Ice-Vent of Vos
*Irridus of Teledonia
*Jamjaw of Ibex
*Jumpbarrel of Kalis
*Katastrophus of Vos
*Kickstart of Polyhex
*Lookout of Vos
*Mace of Polyhex
*Nightclaw of Iacon
*Nightfall of Teledonia
*Optik of Kalis
*Paraload of Altihex
*Pestilus of Tarn
*Pterror of Tarn
*Quickflash of Tesk
*Reload of Polyhex
*Responder of Iacon
*Reverb of Tarn
*Ripfire of Teledonia
*Rusthead
*Seadriver of Tarn
*Shank of Tarn
*Shemp of Kalis
*Shock of Polyhex
*Slagheap of Kaon
*Skyhaven of Iacon
*Smallblade of Vos
*Skidblaze of Teledonia
*Slimefoot of Kalis
*Slumm of Tarn
*Snoop of Tarn
*Static
*Steelback of Altihex
*Stomp of Teledonia
*Stunblaze of Tarn
*Subcrawler of Teledonia
*Triggerfinger of Ibex
*Truemark of Tesk
*Tunnelbore of Kalis
*Viewport of Iacon
*Wasteland of Kaon
*Wheelfire of Vos
*Wingshot of Iacon
*Wyrmm of Altihex
*Zap of Iacon
}}

==Notes==
*The [[Festival of Lost Light]] included a '''Hymn for the Disappeared'''. [[James Roberts|Foreshadowing]]!
*The first time we see the Memorial in "The Not Knowing", the name above that of Dominus Ambus ends with "...MLET", when we see it again in "Do Not Go Gentle" there's what appears to read "...N EIM..." and in "Anomie" it begins with "SCRAMBL...". Presumably there's a Scramblin' Eimlet out there somewhere?
*In "[[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|Anomie]]", one of the names on the Memorial is 'Shock of Polyhex', though the [[Shock (G1)|Shock]] we are familiar with signed his name as 'Shock of [[Bitrex]]' in "[[No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases]]" and he was killed by a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] rather than mysteriously disappearing, as his fellow [[Duobot]] [[Ore]] did in "[[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations]]". This could mean that we're either dealing with a different Shock, or that not even the Necrobot can tell Shock and Ore apart.
*Interestingly, none of the Disappeared whose names are visible in "Anomie" are [[M.T.O.]]s, as they are all named after city-states rather than military operations.

[[Category:Disappeared| ]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 subgroups]]

Disappeared

2018-01-14T00:02:00Z

Ironmaster:

[[File:Departed memorial anomie.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]
'''The Disappeared''' are a collection of [[Transformer]]s that—as their name implies—disappeared from the [[Great War (G1)|war]] at various points throughout its history.

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
Having become obsessed with chronicling the death of every single Cybertronian following the loss of his friend [[Tusk]], the former forensic pathologist [[Censere]] erected a Memorial to the Disappeared on the [[Necroworld]] alongside statues of the Transformers whose fates he was able to record. When the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' investigated the rumours of the "Necrobot", [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] met with Censere and discovered that he was listed amongst the Disappeared thanks to having been pulled into the [[Dead Universe]] after his death at the hands of [[Hardhead (G1)|Hardhead]]. Nightbeat then took [[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] and [[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] to the Memorial to show them that [[Dominus Ambus]] was also named there. Afterwards, Nightbeat took Censere to task over his obsession and suggested that he try to look after the living instead of recording the dead. {{storylink|The Not Knowing}}

Censere took Nightbeat's words seriously, and upon discovering a [[time case]] left by [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] near his own statue, connected it to his teleport chamber and attempted to rescue all of the Disappeared. The [[time travel]] often left them weak and disoriented so Censere kept them in stasis, disguised as organic life to hide them from unwanted attention. Unfortunately his actions did not go unnoticed and the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] arrived, presumably looking for some of the missing 'bots from [[The List|their own list]]. They set a trap for Megatron and the crew of the ''Lost Light'' and killed Censere when he tried to interfere.

Later, under siege from the D.J.D. in Censere's fortress, [[Team Rodimus]] was greatly surprised when the [[stasis pod]]s containing the "organics" opened to reveal the likes of [[Roller (IDW)|Roller]], [[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]], [[Syphon]], and [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]. After reading Cenere's journal, Rewind explained to [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] that thanks to the D.J.D. around half of the names on the Memorial of the Disappeared would remain unaccounted for. {{storylink|The Dying of the Light Part 6: Do Not Go Gentle|Do Not Go Gentle}}

==The Disappeared==
===Saved by Censere===
{{collist|3|
*[[Anode]]
*[[Fangry (G1)|Fangry]]
*[[Kaput]] of [[Teledonia]]
*[[Killmaster|Murderking]]
*[[Rapidfire]]
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]]
*[[Syphon]]
*[[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]
*[[Wavelength (G1)|Wavelength]]
}}

===Otherwise accounted for===
*[[Dominus Ambus]] of [[Ambustus Minor]]
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] of [[Yuss]]

===As yet unaccounted for===
{{collist|4|
*Analyticus of [[Tarn (polity)|Tarn]]
*Astroblast of [[Ibex]]
*Arcanus of Teledonia
*Barrelstop of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]]
*Barrik of Ibex
*Bladefoot of Tarn
*Blocksmasher of Iacon
*Bruteforce of [[Polyhex]]
*Chevron of Ibex
*Cloudblast of [[Vos (polity)|Vos]]
*Crashcart of [[Altihex]]
*Cursor of Tarn
*Cyclotron of [[Kalis]]
*Dawnlight of Ibex
*Dirtrace of Polyhex
*Dumbell of [[Kaon (polity)|Kaon]]
*Exhaustpipe of Ibex
*Filecard of Altihex
*Firefist of Altihex
*Flux of the [[Pious Pools]]
*Freeflight of Vos
*Gantry of Polyhex
*Gimmick of Kaon
*Groundjumper of Kaon
*Hammerhead of [[Tesk]]
*Hi Score of Polyhex
*Ice-Vent of Vos
*Irridus of Teledonia
*Jamjaw of Ibex
*Jumpbarrel of Kalis
*Katastrophus of Vos
*Kickstart of Polyhex
*Lookout of Vos
*Mace of Polyhex
*Nightclaw of Iacon
*Nightfall of Teledonia
*Optik of Kalis
*Paraload of Altihex
*Pestilus of Tarn
*Pterror of Tarn
*Quickflash of Tesk
*Reload of Polyhex
*Responder of Iacon
*Reverb of Tarn
*Ripfire of Teledonia
*Rusthead
*Seadriver of Tarn
*Shank of Tarn
*Shemp of Kalis
*Shock of Polyhex
*Slagheap of Kaon
*Skyhaven of Iacon
*Smallblade
*Skidblaze of Teledonia
*Slimefoot of Kalis
*Slumm of Tarn
*Snoop of Tarn
*Static
*Steelback of Altihex
*Stomp of Teledonia
*Stunblaze of Tarn
*Subcrawler of Teledonia
*Triggerfinger of Ibex
*Truemark of Tesk
*Tunnelbore of Kalis
*Viewport of Iacon
*Wasteland of Kaon
*Wheelfire of Vos
*Wingshot of Iacon
*Wyrmm of Altihex
*Zap of Iacon
}}

==Notes==
*The [[Festival of Lost Light]] included a '''Hymn for the Disappeared'''. [[James Roberts|Foreshadowing]]!
*The first time we see the Memorial in "The Not Knowing", the name above that of Dominus Ambus ends with "...MLET", when we see it again in "Do Not Go Gentle" there's what appears to read "...N EIM..." and in "Anomie" it begins with "SCRAMBL...". Presumably there's a Scramblin' Eimlet out there somewhere?
*In "[[Dissolution Part 2: Anomie|Anomie]]", one of the names on the Memorial is 'Shock of Polyhex', though the [[Shock (G1)|Shock]] we are familiar with signed his name as 'Shock of [[Bitrex]]' in "[[No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases]]" and he was killed by a [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] rather than mysteriously disappearing, as his fellow [[Duobot]] [[Ore]] did in "[[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|You, Me, and Other Revelations]]". This could mean that we're either dealing with a different Shock, or that not even the Necrobot can tell Shock and Ore apart.
*Interestingly, none of the Disappeared whose names are visible in "Anomie" are [[M.T.O.]]s, as they are all named after city-states rather than military operations.

[[Category:Disappeared| ]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 subgroups]]

The Sensuous Frame

2015-05-27T15:43:11Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=41
|prev=Our Steps Will Always Rhyme
|next=
|image=MTMTE41_subcvr.jpg
|title="The Sensuous Frame"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 27]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=May 2015
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] and [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]]
}}

'''The crew of the ''Lost Light'' is invited to the "pre-wake" of the soon-to-be-deceased Thunderclash, but Nightbeat and Getaway soon learn there is quite ''literally'' more than meets the eye going on aboard the ''Vis Vitalis''.'''

==Synopsis==

Decorated space-faring hero [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] arrives on the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]'' to see his ailing mentor [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]—at last, the famous Autobot's old war wound has apparently gotten the better of him, and he now lies at death's door. Escorted by the ship's first officer [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] to the side of the mute, unmoving Thunderclash—trapped in alternate mode by [[rigor morphis]]—Countdown is left alone with his former teacher... at which point, he hears a knocking coming from within Thunderclash's trailer. Peering inside, Countdown only has time to scream...

On the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Brainstorm]], [[Getaway]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] are all hanging out in [[Nautica]]'s room, but the [[Caminus|Camien]] bibliophile would rather read about the [[Froidian Classification System]] than indulge their silly antics. Mention of the psychologist's name leads Skids and Getaway to talk about [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], while Brainstorm manages to convince Nautica to try out his upside-down harness, which she ends up enjoying. Brainstorm has also completed an upgrade to Nautica's wrench at Getaway's request: the addition of a torch that counters [[attention deflector]]s, which Getaway plans to use to keep an eye out for the stealthy [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Just then, an unfamiliar ringing is heard throughout the ship...

Simultaneously, in "[[Swerve's]]", Ravage and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] observe as [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]—introverted following [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'s recent departure—finishes up his four-week viewing of every piece of human art and entertainment ever created. Just as he is describing the lessons he has learned, Swerve is interrupted by the ringing noise, which turns out to be a giant gong that [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] is ringing in order to summon the crew together. The gong signifies that the crew have "accomplished something": they have caught up to the ''Vis Vitalis'', and Rodimus can barely suppress his glee when he announces the news that his long-hated rival Thunderclash is on his deathbed, and that the crew are invited to a "pre-wake" in his honor. After giving the crew the news, Rodimus and [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] privately reveal to one another that they will not be attending the party, and their attempts to make excuses for not doing so lead to them scheduling a meeting for themselves during which they will "plan".

Later, the pre-wake party is in full swing aboard the ''Vis Vitalis'', and the ''Lost Light''ers are all enjoying themselves... except for wallflowers Rung, Nautica, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. While Nightbeat takes Nautica's wrench and goes off to snoop around the ship, Nautica is approached by Firestar, who it turns out is her old room-mate and [[Amica Endura]]e from Caminus, and who joined the ''Vis Vitalis'' crew when she and some other Camiens picked up a distress call and helped fix some damage the ship had taken. As she and Nautica swap stories, however, it soon becomes clear that Firestar is more "frenemy" than "friend", her catty remarks about Nautica's abilities and insistence on using the hated nickname "Naughty Nautica" soon mounting up, culminating in an awkward silence and an uncomfortable parting of the ways.

In Thunderclash's quarters, Camien crewmember [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] shows [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] the supposed map to [[Cyberutopia]] that Thunderclash has carved into the room's wall, drawn from his dreams. [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] completes his examination of Thunderclash, which yields surprising results: whatever is killing Thunderclash, it is ''not'' his old [[spark]] injury, which has been miraculously healed around six months prior. Velocity explains that a passing medic was responsible, but cannot remember anything about her. Unable to deduce what has left Thunderclash in his current sorry state, First Aid opens his trailer to carry out an internal examination... but finds nothing.

A little later, after the party has wound down and most of the crew have returned to the ''Lost Light'', Nautica hems and haws about staying for the funeral. A tired, out-of-sorts Skids tells her a few others are staying too, and will be picked up by Rodimus on his way back from a supply run; others such as Nightbeat, who has just found a strangely exhausted Getaway napping in the middle of a corridor. Just as Nightbeat rouses him, Ravage runs screaming down the hallway, claiming that something is "everywhere" and "won't stop looking at him". Immensely intrigued, the pair set off after the frightened feline.

In Thunderclash's quarters, First Aid gets as surprise when he hooks the dying 'bot up to a monitor desk, and Thunderclash begins voluntarily, selectively shutting his systems down in order to make his life-signs on the monitor resemble words. First Aid, Velocity and Minimus read his message: "You're all blind, you're all dead" ...and then turn when they hear the sound of knocking coming from within his trailer...

Nightbeat and Getaway follow Ravage into the ship's morgue, where they find the body of ex-racer-turned-public-speaker [[Photon (G1)|Photon]], and the ''still-warm'' corpse of Countdown. Shining the light of Nautica's torch onto Countdown exposes a horrible sight: a mass of [[technorganic]] eggs, clinging to his frame, invisible to the naked optic. Under the light, Getaway realizes they are on his body too... at which point, the pair suddenly find themselves surrounded by clawing alien creatures whose bodies are covered with the mysterious growths!

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (1)
*[[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] (2)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (3)
*[[Brainstorm]] (4)
*[[Getaway]] (5)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (6)
*[[Nautica]] (7)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (8)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (10)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (11)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (12)
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]] (13)
*[[Siren]] (14)
*[[Aquafend]] (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*?  (16)
*?  (17)
*?  (18)
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] (19)
*[[Atomizer]] (20)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (21)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (22)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (23)
*[[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (24)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (25)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (26)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (27)
*[[Xaaron]] (28)
*[[Dipstick]] (29)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Pointblank (G1)|Pointblank]] (30)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (31)
*?  (32)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (33)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (34)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (35)
*?  (36)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (37)
*[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (38)
*[[Doublecross]] (39)
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (40)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (41)
*[[Rad]] (42)
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] (43)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (44)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (45)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (46)
*?  (47)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (48)
*[[Javelin]] (49)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (50)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (52)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blade]] (53)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (54)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] (55)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (56)
*[[Photon (G1)|Photon]]'s corpse (57)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)

|c4=

*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (51)
}}

==Quotes==

"This is wonderful! And look! '''Reading!''' I can read upside down! I've always wondered if I could!" 
"You never thought to, I dunno, turn a book upside down?" 
... 
"I'm not here and you can't see me. I'm hiding behind my '''wall of shame.'''"
:—'''Nautica''' tries out Brainstorm's upside-down harness with some help from '''Skids'''

"Finished! One '''upgraded''' wrench! Where's that '''one Shanix''' you promised me?" 
"I fear I may have exploited your ignorance of monetary value."
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Getaway'''

"Having devoured 30,000 years' worth of stories and songs—and having read and watched and listened to everything from ''The Maxims of Ptahhotep'' to ''Infinite Jest''—it's only '''now''' that I've come to realize three things—'''three bold and shining truths''' that I'll carry with me '''forever.''' 
:'''One:''' Life is inherently tragic—and over far too quickly. 
:'''Two:''' All art thrives on conflict. We valorize fiction because it helps us make sense of ourselves. 
:'''Three:''' Season 4 of ''Community'' was a serious misstep."
:—'''Swerve'''

"Have you met him?" 
"Not as such. I've tried to '''kill''' him several times..."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Megatron''' on Thunderclash

"I'm gonna plan you '''into next week.'''" 
"Maybe. Or maybe after five minutes you'll get bored and start carving pictures onto your desk." 
"'''Wrong,''' actually! Utterly, demonstrably, '''villainously''' wrong. I ran out of space '''ages''' ago."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Megatron''' on their joint planning session

"What. Is. The. Matter. With. You." 
"I'm '''resting''', I'm not—why are you talking to me like I'm a '''broken vending machine?'''" 
"I'm trying to show concern. I've seen other people do it."
:—'''Nightbeat''' and '''Getaway'''

'''Velocity:''' "He's killing himself to send us a message...?" 
'''Minimus:''' "A '''grammatically correct''' message. Look at that apostrophe..." 
'''First Aid:''' "He had to reduce his lifespan by six hours to generate that apostrophe." 
'''Minimus:''' "I know that's not supposed to '''impress''' me, but..."

"Aren't you going to look? Dead bodies. They're your favorite." 
"'''Murders''' are my favourite. A dead body's just a statement. A murder is a '''question:''' whodunit?"
:—'''Getaway''' and '''Nightbeat''' in the morgue

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Copious amounts of [[innermost energon]] have been donated for Thunderclash; we were introduced to this practice back in [[Before & After|issue #12]].
*[[Rigor morphis]] debuted ''waaaay'' back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|the very first issue]].
*Brainstorm's ability to work while hanging upside was previously seen in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|issue #7]].
*Nautica notes that Rung leant her the book she is reading; it was implied in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]] that the pair had been exchanging books.
*Skids defends Rung, while indicates he's taking to heart [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]'s request from [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|last issue]] to be a friend to the psychiatrist.
*Rodimus's habit of carving pictures into his desk was introduced in "[[Signal to Noise]]", back in [[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|issue #13]].
*Nautica mentioned having an Amica Endura back in [[slaughterhouse|issue #32]].
*Firestar is the new first officer of the ''Vis Vitalias'', which the ship was in need of since the [[Paddox|last one]] turned out to be an [[Ammonite]] in [[Little Victories|issue #22]].
*Thunderclash's map includes multiple uses of a familiar symbol: a gear-like heiroglyph seen engraved on the surface of [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] and in the speech bubble of a mysterious giant spark, both from [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|issue #21]].
*The fatal injury that Thunderclash has lived with is revealed to have been received after the fall of [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore prison]], an infamous location previously mentioned in [[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|issue #39]] and "[[Bullets]]".

===Transformers references===
*Firestar was one of the original [[Female Autobots]], who first appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]". This is her first proper role in fiction since then; she's really only shown up in cameos since her original debut, partially due to [[Hasbro]]'s inability to [[trademark]] her name, requiring she be replaced in most stories with her lookalike, [[Flareup (disambiguation)|Flareup]].
*Generation 1 [[Micromaster]] Countdown is a similarly little-seen character, having received his biggest fictional role in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[Transformers: Micromasters|''Micromasters'' mini-series]]. His being a legendary, highly-decorated space hero comes directly from his original [[bio]].
*Rodimus's quarters are numbered "077"; the original Rodimus Prime toy's [[List of Japanese ID numbers|Japanese ID number]] was C-77.
*Swerve notes that Ratchet would have loved the party on the ''Vis Vitalis''; it almost never factors into his characterisation in ''any'' fiction, and certainly the current old-and-grumpy IDW incarnation of the character seems ''well'' past enjoying this sort of thing, but Ratchet's original Generation 1 bio does mention that he loves to party.

===Real-life references===
*We don't really need to point out that this issue takes its title from a line in the {{w|Alfred, Lord Tennyson}} poem ''{{w|In Memoriam A.H.H.}}'', since the poem opens this issue (or more accurately, the 50th of the poem's 133 sub-sections).
*As Swerve watches television, the narration from the opening sequence of ''{{w|Quantum Leap}}'' plays.
*Specific works Swerve mentions having experienced include {{w|The Maxims of Ptahhotep}} and ''{{w|Infinite Jest (album)|Infinite Jest}}''. For the latter, we'll assume it's the indie rock album, rather than the {{w|Infinite Jest|David Foster Wallace novel}} because, hey, James Roberts.
*As quoted above, Swerve references TV show ''[[Community]]'', but gets cut off before he can finish complaining about the firing of series creator {{w|Dan Harmon}}.
*The "next issue" box promises "murder on the dancefloor", a reference to the {{w|Murder on the Dancefloor|Sophie Ellis-Bextor song of the same name}}.

===Errors===
*While listing Camiens onboard, Firestar mentions a "Skystalker", but a few pages later, Nautica talks about a "Sky''striker''". We'd guess that the former is the error, since there are plenty of [[Skystalker (disambiguation)|Skystalkers]] in Transformers already and aside from Firestar, these Camien characters are all newly-created with non-legacy names. Whether or not the name is a deliberate reference to the [[Skystriker|''G.I. Joe'' vehicle]], we couldn't be sure.
*As Getaway and Nightbeat watch Ravage's flail around, one of Ravage's speech bubbles ("They won't stop looking at me!") is misaligned—it's supposed to be touching the edge of the panel, but has been placed a little higher, leaving visible the flat edge of the bubble without an outline.

===Other trivia===
*In addition to Javelin, Velocity, and the above-mentioned Skystriker, new Camiens named but not seen in this issue include [[Proxima]] (who appears on the cover), [[Acceleron]], [[Exocet]] and [[Skimmer (G1)|Skimmer]]. Acceleron and Proxima are both female, while Skystriker is male; Skimmer and Exocet's genders are not mentioned.
*And speaking of which, Acceleron and Proxima are a ''couple'', making them the first-ever official female same-sex couple in Transformers history!
*An additional female Camien, [[Roadmaster]], appears on the cover but is not seen or mentioned in the story.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMT7r5lABc Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just In Time]" by {{w|Duke Special}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjF6akZ2WqI Sweetest Decline]" by {{w|Beth Orton}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxvkI9MTQw4 Cannonball]" by {{w|The Breeders}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9KVfZQgCYg Call Me Ishmael]" by {{w|Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIHaNh3jRXg Flightless Bird, American Mouth]" by {{w|Iron & Wine}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Nautica reunites with Firestar and her other old Camien friends, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Thunderclash's huge pre-memorial statue, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Drift and Ratchet, by [[Kotteri]]

<gallery>
File:MTMTE41 regcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE41 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE41 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #42
*[[Combiner Wars]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[Expelled from the Garden|#6]]
*IDW ''[[Jem|Jem and the Holograms]]'' comic
*''[[Godzilla]]: Rulers of Earth'' trade paperbacks
*''Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/24609-funeral-for-a-fallen-autobot-in-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-41-exclusive-preview.html Preview]

The Sensuous Frame

2015-05-27T15:41:53Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=41
|prev=Our Steps Will Always Rhyme
|next=
|image=MTMTE41_subcvr.jpg
|title="The Sensuous Frame"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 27]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=May 2015
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] and [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]]
}}

'''The crew of the ''Lost Light'' is invited to the "pre-wake" of the soon-to-be-deceased Thunderclash, but Nightbeat and Getaway soon learn there is quite ''literally'' more than meets the eye going on aboard the ''Vis Vitalis''.'''

==Synopsis==

Decorated space-faring hero [[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] arrives on the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]'' to see his ailing mentor [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]]—at last, the famous Autobot's old war wound has apparently gotten the better of him, and he now lies at death's door. Escorted by the ship's first officer [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] to the side of the mute, unmoving Thunderclash—trapped in alternate mode by [[rigor morphis]]—Countdown is left alone with his former teacher... at which point, he hears a knocking coming from within Thunderclash's trailer. Peering inside, Countdown only has time to scream...

On the ''[[Lost Light]]'', [[Brainstorm]], [[Getaway]] and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] are all hanging out in [[Nautica]]'s room, but the [[Caminus|Camien]] bibliophile would rather read about the [[Froidian Classification System]] than indulge their silly antics. Mention of the psychologist's name leads Skids and Getaway to talk about [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], while Brainstorm manages to convince Nautica to try out his upside-down harness, which she ends up enjoying. Brainstorm has also completed an upgrade to Nautica's wrench at Getaway's request: the addition of a torch that counters [[attention deflector]]s, which Getaway plans to use to keep an eye out for the stealthy [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Just then, an unfamiliar ringing is heard throughout the ship...

Simultaneously, in "[[Swerve's]]", Ravage and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] observe as [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]—introverted following [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]'s recent departure—finishes up his four-week viewing of every piece of human art and entertainment ever created. Just as he is describing the lessons he has learned, Swerve is interrupted by the ringing noise, which turns out to be a giant gong that [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] is ringing in order to summon the crew together. The gong signifies that the crew have "accomplished something": they have caught up to the ''Vis Vitalis'', and Rodimus can barely suppress his glee when he announces the news that his long-hated rival Thunderclash is on his deathbed, and that the crew are invited to a "pre-wake" in his honor. After giving the crew the news, Rodimus and [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] privately reveal to one another that they will not be attending the party, and their attempts to make excuses for not doing so lead to them scheduling a meeting for themselves during which they will "plan".

Later, the pre-wake party is in full swing aboard the ''Vis Vitalis'', and the ''Lost Light''ers are all enjoying themselves... except for wallflowers Rung, Nautica, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. While Nightbeat takes Nautica's wrench and goes off to snoop around the ship, Nautica is approached by Firestar, who it turns out is her old room-mate and [[Amica Endura]]e from Caminus, and who joined the ''Vis Vitalis'' crew when she and some other Camiens picked up a distress call and helped fix some damage the ship had taken. As she and Nautica swap stories, however, it soon becomes clear that Firestar is more "frenemy" than "friend", her catty remarks about Nautica's abilities and insistence on using the hated nickname "Naughty Nautica" soon mounting up, culminating in an awkward silence and an uncomfortable parting of the ways.

In Thunderclash's quarters, Camien crewmember [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] shows [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] the supposed map to [[Cyberutopia]] that Thunderclash has carved into the room's wall, drawn from his dreams. [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] completes his examination of Thunderclash, which yields surprising results: whatever is killing Thunderclash, it is ''not'' his old [[spark]] injury, which has been miraculously healed around six months prior. Velocity explains that a passing medic was responsible, but cannot remember anything about her. Unable to deduce what has left Thunderclash in his current sorry state, First Aid opens his trailer to carry out an internal examination... but finds nothing.

A little later, after the party has wound down and most of the crew have returned to the ''Lost Light'', Nautica hems and haws about staying for the funeral. A tired, out-of-sorts Skids tells her a few others are staying too, and will be picked up by Rodimus on his way back from a supply run; others such as Nightbeat, who has just found a strangely exhausted Getaway napping in the middle of a corridor. Just as Nightbeat rouses him, Ravage runs screaming down the hallway, claiming that something is "everywhere" and "won't stop looking at him". Immensely intrigued, the pair set off after the frightened feline.

In Thunderclash's quarters, First Aid gets as surprise when he hooks the dying 'bot up to a monitor desk, and Thunderclash begins voluntarily, selectively shutting his systems down in order to make his life-signs on the monitor resemble words. First Aid, Velocity and Minimus read his message: "You're all blind, you're all dead" ...and then turn when they hear the sound of knocking coming from within his trailer...

Nightbeat and Getaway follow Ravage into the ship's morgue, where they find the body of ex-racer-turned-public-speaker [[Photon (G1)|Photon]], and the ''still-warm'' corpse of Countdown. Shining the light of Nautica's torch onto Countdown exposes a horrible sight: a mass of [[technorganic]] eggs, clinging to his frame, invisible to the naked optic. Under the light, Getaway realizes they are on his body too... at which point, the pair suddenly find themselves surrounded by clawing alien creatures whose bodies are covered with the mysterious growths!

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (1)
*[[Countdown (G1)|Countdown]] (2)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (3)
*[[Brainstorm]] (4)
*[[Getaway]] (5)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (6)
*[[Nautica]] (7)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (8)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (10)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (11)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (12)
*?  (13)
*[[Siren]] (14)
*[[Aquafend]] (15)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*?  (16)
*?  (17)
*?  (18)
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] (19)
*[[Atomizer]] (20)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (21)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (22)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (23)
*[[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (24)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (25)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (26)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (27)
*[[Xaaron]] (28)
*[[Dipstick]] (29)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Pointblank (G1)|Pointblank]] (30)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (31)
*?  (32)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (33)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (34)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (35)
*?  (36)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (37)
*[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (38)
*[[Doublecross]] (39)
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (40)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (41)
*[[Rad]] (42)
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] (43)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (44)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (45)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (46)
*?  (47)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (48)
*[[Javelin]] (49)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (50)
*[[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] (52)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blade]] (53)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (54)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Minimus Ambus]] (55)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (56)
*[[Photon (G1)|Photon]]'s corpse (57)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (9)

|c4=

*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (51)
}}

==Quotes==

"This is wonderful! And look! '''Reading!''' I can read upside down! I've always wondered if I could!" 
"You never thought to, I dunno, turn a book upside down?" 
... 
"I'm not here and you can't see me. I'm hiding behind my '''wall of shame.'''"
:—'''Nautica''' tries out Brainstorm's upside-down harness with some help from '''Skids'''

"Finished! One '''upgraded''' wrench! Where's that '''one Shanix''' you promised me?" 
"I fear I may have exploited your ignorance of monetary value."
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Getaway'''

"Having devoured 30,000 years' worth of stories and songs—and having read and watched and listened to everything from ''The Maxims of Ptahhotep'' to ''Infinite Jest''—it's only '''now''' that I've come to realize three things—'''three bold and shining truths''' that I'll carry with me '''forever.''' 
:'''One:''' Life is inherently tragic—and over far too quickly. 
:'''Two:''' All art thrives on conflict. We valorize fiction because it helps us make sense of ourselves. 
:'''Three:''' Season 4 of ''Community'' was a serious misstep."
:—'''Swerve'''

"Have you met him?" 
"Not as such. I've tried to '''kill''' him several times..."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Megatron''' on Thunderclash

"I'm gonna plan you '''into next week.'''" 
"Maybe. Or maybe after five minutes you'll get bored and start carving pictures onto your desk." 
"'''Wrong,''' actually! Utterly, demonstrably, '''villainously''' wrong. I ran out of space '''ages''' ago."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Megatron''' on their joint planning session

"What. Is. The. Matter. With. You." 
"I'm '''resting''', I'm not—why are you talking to me like I'm a '''broken vending machine?'''" 
"I'm trying to show concern. I've seen other people do it."
:—'''Nightbeat''' and '''Getaway'''

'''Velocity:''' "He's killing himself to send us a message...?" 
'''Minimus:''' "A '''grammatically correct''' message. Look at that apostrophe..." 
'''First Aid:''' "He had to reduce his lifespan by six hours to generate that apostrophe." 
'''Minimus:''' "I know that's not supposed to '''impress''' me, but..."

"Aren't you going to look? Dead bodies. They're your favorite." 
"'''Murders''' are my favourite. A dead body's just a statement. A murder is a '''question:''' whodunit?"
:—'''Getaway''' and '''Nightbeat''' in the morgue

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Copious amounts of [[innermost energon]] have been donated for Thunderclash; we were introduced to this practice back in [[Before & After|issue #12]].
*[[Rigor morphis]] debuted ''waaaay'' back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|the very first issue]].
*Brainstorm's ability to work while hanging upside was previously seen in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|issue #7]].
*Nautica notes that Rung leant her the book she is reading; it was implied in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]] that the pair had been exchanging books.
*Skids defends Rung, while indicates he's taking to heart [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]'s request from [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|last issue]] to be a friend to the psychiatrist.
*Rodimus's habit of carving pictures into his desk was introduced in "[[Signal to Noise]]", back in [[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|issue #13]].
*Nautica mentioned having an Amica Endura back in [[slaughterhouse|issue #32]].
*Firestar is the new first officer of the ''Vis Vitalias'', which the ship was in need of since the [[Paddox|last one]] turned out to be an [[Ammonite]] in [[Little Victories|issue #22]].
*Thunderclash's map includes multiple uses of a familiar symbol: a gear-like heiroglyph seen engraved on the surface of [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] and in the speech bubble of a mysterious giant spark, both from [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|issue #21]].
*The fatal injury that Thunderclash has lived with is revealed to have been received after the fall of [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore prison]], an infamous location previously mentioned in [[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|issue #39]] and "[[Bullets]]".

===Transformers references===
*Firestar was one of the original [[Female Autobots]], who first appeared in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]". This is her first proper role in fiction since then; she's really only shown up in cameos since her original debut, partially due to [[Hasbro]]'s inability to [[trademark]] her name, requiring she be replaced in most stories with her lookalike, [[Flareup (disambiguation)|Flareup]].
*Generation 1 [[Micromaster]] Countdown is a similarly little-seen character, having received his biggest fictional role in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[Transformers: Micromasters|''Micromasters'' mini-series]]. His being a legendary, highly-decorated space hero comes directly from his original [[bio]].
*Rodimus's quarters are numbered "077"; the original Rodimus Prime toy's [[List of Japanese ID numbers|Japanese ID number]] was C-77.
*Swerve notes that Ratchet would have loved the party on the ''Vis Vitalis''; it almost never factors into his characterisation in ''any'' fiction, and certainly the current old-and-grumpy IDW incarnation of the character seems ''well'' past enjoying this sort of thing, but Ratchet's original Generation 1 bio does mention that he loves to party.

===Real-life references===
*We don't really need to point out that this issue takes its title from a line in the {{w|Alfred, Lord Tennyson}} poem ''{{w|In Memoriam A.H.H.}}'', since the poem opens this issue (or more accurately, the 50th of the poem's 133 sub-sections).
*As Swerve watches television, the narration from the opening sequence of ''{{w|Quantum Leap}}'' plays.
*Specific works Swerve mentions having experienced include {{w|The Maxims of Ptahhotep}} and ''{{w|Infinite Jest (album)|Infinite Jest}}''. For the latter, we'll assume it's the indie rock album, rather than the {{w|Infinite Jest|David Foster Wallace novel}} because, hey, James Roberts.
*As quoted above, Swerve references TV show ''[[Community]]'', but gets cut off before he can finish complaining about the firing of series creator {{w|Dan Harmon}}.
*The "next issue" box promises "murder on the dancefloor", a reference to the {{w|Murder on the Dancefloor|Sophie Ellis-Bextor song of the same name}}.

===Errors===
*While listing Camiens onboard, Firestar mentions a "Skystalker", but a few pages later, Nautica talks about a "Sky''striker''". We'd guess that the former is the error, since there are plenty of [[Skystalker (disambiguation)|Skystalkers]] in Transformers already and aside from Firestar, these Camien characters are all newly-created with non-legacy names. Whether or not the name is a deliberate reference to the [[Skystriker|''G.I. Joe'' vehicle]], we couldn't be sure.
*As Getaway and Nightbeat watch Ravage's flail around, one of Ravage's speech bubbles ("They won't stop looking at me!") is misaligned—it's supposed to be touching the edge of the panel, but has been placed a little higher, leaving visible the flat edge of the bubble without an outline.

===Other trivia===
*In addition to Javelin, Velocity, and the above-mentioned Skystriker, new Camiens named but not seen in this issue include [[Proxima]] (who appears on the cover), [[Acceleron]], [[Exocet]] and [[Skimmer (G1)|Skimmer]]. Acceleron and Proxima are both female, while Skystriker is male; Skimmer and Exocet's genders are not mentioned.
*And speaking of which, Acceleron and Proxima are a ''couple'', making them the first-ever official female same-sex couple in Transformers history!
*An additional female Camien, [[Roadmaster]], appears on the cover but is not seen or mentioned in the story.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kMT7r5lABc Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just In Time]" by {{w|Duke Special}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjF6akZ2WqI Sweetest Decline]" by {{w|Beth Orton}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxvkI9MTQw4 Cannonball]" by {{w|The Breeders}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9KVfZQgCYg Call Me Ishmael]" by {{w|Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIHaNh3jRXg Flightless Bird, American Mouth]" by {{w|Iron & Wine}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Nautica reunites with Firestar and her other old Camien friends, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Thunderclash's huge pre-memorial statue, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Drift and Ratchet, by [[Kotteri]]

<gallery>
File:MTMTE41 regcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE41 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE41 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #42
*[[Combiner Wars]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[Expelled from the Garden|#6]]
*IDW ''[[Jem|Jem and the Holograms]]'' comic
*''[[Godzilla]]: Rulers of Earth'' trade paperbacks
*''Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland'' (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/24609-funeral-for-a-fallen-autobot-in-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-41-exclusive-preview.html Preview]

World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace

2014-04-30T21:02:34Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=28
|prev=The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10
|next=World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air
|image=MTMTE28 subcvr.jpg
|title="World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 30]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2014
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|assistant editor=[[Rebecca Huard]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2014)]]
}}

'''The ''Lost Light'' has some new faces aboard, including a brand new captain... Megatron! But how did the fearsome former Decepticon's trial lead to him joining the crew, and why have things started to disappear all around the ship?'''

==Synopsis==

Six months have passed since the defeat of [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]], his attempt to fulfill the [[Dark Cybertron]] prophecy thwarted, and the ''[[Lost Light]]'' is back out among the stars. New crewmember [[Nautica]] returns from a visit to the fuel furnace, where the [[Pyrobot]]s are angry over some missing [[nucleon]] rods, and resumes her conversation with [[Brainstorm]], though she expresses some doubt in his idea for guns that shoot color-coded lasers which can tell if their wielder is "good" or "bad". As they pass by [[Rung (G1)|Rung]]'s quarters, they observe several of the crew listening at the door, which Brainstorm explains is because their captain is receiving his first session with the psychiatrist. Their captain... [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]!

''Six months ago, back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] arrives late to a meeting called by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]], eager to get back aboard the ''Lost Light'' and off on their quest once again, only to be informed that nobody is going anywhere until the captive Megatron is put on trial in accordance with the public's wishes, during which Optimus himself will sit in judgement in the absence of a [[Chief Justice]]. Starscream and [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] show signs of uneasiness at a military trial, but Optimus points out the precedents of the [[Phoebus]] and [[Desecrus]] trials. [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]], meanwhile, is disgusted with the whole idea of a trial, seeing it as pointless and urging for an execution, but brightens when he is appointed prosecutor; [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] is less enthused at speaking for the defense, but accepts the assignment quietly.''

''After the meeting ends, Optimus finally takes some time to catch up with Rodimus, and learns the disheartening news about the destruction of Rodimus's half of the Matrix. Rodimus explains that he is planning to continue his quest without the map the Matrix had held by seeking out [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], who has professed to have had dreams that are leading him to the [[Knights of Cybertron]]. He also admits that he is worried about the great Autobot after recent attempts to reach him have failed, so Optimus takes him aside to show him a way that can hopefully expedite Megatron's trial and get him back on-mission quickly.''

Two hours into his session with Rung, Megatron is growing tired of the therapist's analysis of his [[fusion cannon]], so Rung takes a different tack, requesting that he describe some of the most significant encounters in his life. As [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] quietly listens from below the desk, Megatron describes how he met Rung himself, prompting Rung to consult what he describes as the only surviving original, unaltered copy of Megatron's own autobiography, "Towards Peace", to match up the dates. He asks a question about the work's history—namely, why Megatron removed a dedication to someone named "[[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]]" from a later edition of the book, deleting what he believed were all the dedicated copies, briefly digressing to offer up a candid opinion on the revealing nature of self-editing—but a sudden blackout that briefly plunges the room into darkness brings their session to an abrupt end. Megatron departs with the answer that Terminus was the one who taught him "not to get attached", and tells Rung that "self-editing" is not limited to just writings, but something that people do to their lives every day via denial, selective memory, and more. But sometimes, the former Decepticon notes, such editing is not enough, and one must start their lives over again—just like he is now.

''As the ''Lost Light'' gets ready to resume its mission, [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] holds auditions for new crewmembers with a little help from [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] and a disinterested [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]. His criteria for admission prove deeply unusual, as he rejects [[Groove (G1)|Groove]] for being easily distracted and [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] for looking too much like Prowl, but just as he is about to turn down a particularly enthusiastic Nautica for having a trisyllabic name, [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] bursts in and reveals that the whole thing is a prank Swerve is playing—after all, Ultra Magnus would never have permitted the interviews to be advertised as "crewditions".''

''Optimus and Rodimus visit Megatron in his cell, bringing [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], intending to have him use his mnemosurgery skills to extract memories from Megatron's mind that can be used to corroborate his testimony in court, thereby ending the trial quicker. A horrified Megatron cries out for his guards, fearful that the procedure will be used as cover for tampering with his mind—something which he refuses to permit, and will die to prevent. A resigned Prime departs with Chromedome, but Rodimus remains behind a moment to deliver a final speech to Megatron, matter-of-factly stating how happy everyone will be when he is inevitably executed. Megatron takes his words in quietly, then calmly requests that he do him a favour, and hands him a [[communicube]].''

Nightbeat and [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] try to check on Chromedome, who has slunk back into depression following the end of Megatron's trial, and now stays in his hab suite listening to [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]'s final message on repeat. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't answer the door when the pair knock, and Nightbeat decides it's best to leave him be, more intrigued by the curious absence of the "8" from the suite's door number. As they leave, neither seems to notice that some letters have also disappeared from the "fuel furnace" sign behind them in the length of time they have been standing there... and neither is present to share in Chromedome's shock when Rewind's repeating message suddenly ''changes'', ending on a tortured scream.

Returning to his quarters, Megatron discovers his door defaced with graffiti denouncing him as a murderer whose time is marked. Seconds later, be blocks an arrow sent flying towards his head with his hand, and turns to see [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] standing with a bow. Whirl is apparently about to deny his actions, before suddenly savagely attacking Megatron, tackling him through a wall and into the fuel furnace below. Whirl claims that he is tired of waiting for Megatron to make his move to settle their old score, and so he has struck first. Boasting about his "immortality" as they fight, Whirl is offered a shocking revelation by Megatron: the only reason he has lived so long is because Megatron ''ensured'' it, ordering his Decepticons never to kill Whirl so that he could have him for himself. Taunted by the knowledge of what he turned Megatron into, a furious Whirl punches through Megatron's stomach... only to have his arm disappear, lost to the Gordian Knot of [[space bridge]] portals that Shockwave's manipulations have turned Megatron's innards into. Megatron instructs Whirl to clean up the graffiti in exchange for his keeping quiet about the attack, and leaves, muttering about the absence of the workshy Pyrobots from the furnace. Whirl recovers and follows a short time later, reporting to someone over a communicator that his attempt to bait Megatron into attacking him has failed...

''Before the assembled populace of Cybertron, the shackled Megatron is escorted to his hearing, and the trial begins. Prowl reads off his litany of charges, and Megatron quietly, calmly, pleads guilty.''

Megatron returns to the bridge for an update on the ship's progress tracking Thunderclash. Magnus also informs him that an unidentified object they had detected out in space earlier is now within visual range. Study of the [[Autobrand]]ed object's size and lack of engines suggests it is a ''coffin''...

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in the flashback portion of the issue.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Brainstorm]] (1)
*[[Nautica]] (2)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (3)
*[[Hosehead (G1)|Hosehead]] (4)
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] (5)
*[[Groove (G1)|Groove]] (6)
*[[Sky High (Pretender)|Sky High]] (7)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (8)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (9)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (10)
*''[[Atomizer]]'' (11)
*''[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'' (12)
*''[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]]'' (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'' (14)
*''[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (15)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (16)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (17)
*''[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]'' (20)
*''[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]'' (21)
*''[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]]'' (22)
*''[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]]'' (23)
*''[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'' (24)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (25)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (26)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (27)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (28)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}

*''[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]]'' (31)
*''[[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]]'' (32)
*''[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'' (34)
*''[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'' (35)
*''[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]]'' (36)
*''[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]]'' (37)
*''[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'' (38)
*''[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]'' (39)
*''[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (40)
*''[[Xaaron]]'' (41)
*''[[Powerflash]]?'' (42)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (43)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (44)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]]'' (45)
*''[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]]'' (46)
*''[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]'' (47)
*''[[Siren]]'' (48)
*''[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]'' (49)
*''[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'' (50)
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]] (51)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)
|c4=
*''[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]'' (18)
*''[[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]]?'' (29)
*''[[Tankor (BM)|Tankor]]'' (30)
*''[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]'' (33)
}}

==Quotes==

"Color coded '''lasers.''' '''Red''' if you're an Autobot, '''purple''' if you're a Decepticon. And this is the best bit: '''the color changes depending on who's firing the gun.'''" 
"So the gun would—" 
"'''—know if you were good or bad!''' Yes! What do you think? Good idea? '''Amazing''' idea? Be honest." 
"Honestly? I think for an intuitive weapon to promote long-discredited notions of '''moral absolutism''' is problematic in the extreme." 
"..." 
"..." 
"It doesn't '''have''' to be red and purple..."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Brainstorm'''

"Starscream! Will you stop saying "my people"? They're not your people. They're not your '''anything'''. They're ordinary Cybertronian citizens who went '''insane''' and put you in charge. Any day now they'll wake up, realize what they've done, and kill themselves. Suicide by '''face-palm'''."
:—'''Rodimus'''

"I hate to disappoint you, Rung, but sometimes a fusion cannon is just a fusion cannon."
:—'''Megatron''' on compensation

"My life is a succession of decisions made in '''confined spaces'''."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Here's a little—whatever. A little thing. A disclosure. An insight. '''Revisionism'''—I've always been fascinated by it. By the idea of a writer going back and altering things. Make no mistake: an edit is a '''profoundly aggressive''' act. As '''Froid''' once said, we grieve for the '''murdered word'''. If you want to get the measure of an author, don't look at what they've left on the page.... look at what they've '''taken away'''."
:—'''Rung'''

"I was once reprimanded for making an '''aside.'''"
:—'''Swerve'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Everyone crowded around Rung's door in the opening sequence is a new arrival on the ''Lost Light''. With the exception of Groove, all those present were shown to have been on Cybertron at various points during the first two years of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]''.
*In a long distance shot of Metroplex, we can see Atomizer supervising the spray-painting of the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s name onto the ship; fitting, since he's a former decorator.
*Rodimus's Matrix-half was shattered back in [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|issue #21]]. That issue also feature the defeat of Tyrest that Rodimus mentions, which is why there is no Chief Justice available for Megatron's trial, forcing Optimus to take the chair. When he does, he wears a crown like Tyrest's.
*The ''Lost Light'' was previously shown to be searching for Thunderclash in [[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|"Dark Cybertron" Chapter 1]].
*Rung's "encounter" with Megatron (in addition to his meeting with Whirl) was shown in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|issue #22]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing series]]. It was Rung's first pictorial appearance.
*Rung refers to [[Froid]], his psychoanalytical rival mentioned in "[[Signal to Noise]]".
*Riptide is one of the [[Hydrobot]]s, a team that was mentioned in [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|issue #24]]. We also hear of his teammate [[Aquabat]].
*We learn that the mines Megatron originally worked in (before he was reassigned to [[Messatine]], per [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|issue #9]]) were beneath [[Nova Point]], adding substantially greater meaning to the fact that he delivered his declaration of war from the top of this peak, as we learned in [[Rules of Disengagement|issue #7]].
*Rewind's farewell message appeared back in [[The Gloaming|issue #16]].
*Broadside was last seen in [[Before the Dawn|''Robots in Disguise'' #14]], in which the building he was in was crushed by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. The same goes for Sky High, who was crushed in Devastator's grip. Nice to see they're okay!
*If you're not darkening your pants at the use of the word "coffin" in this issue's final panel, it's 'cause you're not remembering the message from the future from all the way back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]] which warned "Don't open the coffin".

===Transformers references===
*Brainstorm's color-coded guns hearken back to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], in which each faction's weapons fired uniquely-colored blasts. However, in what might be an error, Brainstorm here suggests that Autobot guns would fire ''red'' energy blasts; in the cartoon, the Autobots' weapons fired ''orange'' blasts, this being their signature color in every respect save for [[insignia]] and their blue eyes, used for bases, technology, spaceships and more, in the same way the Decepticons used purple for everything (except their ''red'' eyes!). The idea of red energy blasts for Autobots wasn't introduced until the [[Unicron Trilogy]] cartoons.
*The Dostoyevsky quote on the first page is written in [[Richard Starkings]]' "Bithead" typeface which was first used way back in [[BotCon 1997]]'s "[[Ground Zero]]" for [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] dialog.
*The wireframe "X-ray" effect Rung and Megatron are drawn with during the brief blackout pays homage to [[Unicron]]'s reformatting of the abandoned Decepticons in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*Megatron has taken up residence in hab suite 113, another of Roberts's [[113 (disambiguation)|multiple references]] to the number.
*Before Megatron and Whirl crash into the fuel furnace, a sign on the wall reads "P-38", in reference to Megatron's original Walther P38 pistol alternate mode. Below that is "C-16"; 16 was Megatron's original [[List of Japanese ID numbers|Japanese ID number]], from before they started adding "C-" or "D-" to them to denote whether the toy was a "Cybertron" (the Japanese name for the Autobots) or "Destron" (Decepticon). Megatron's an Autobot now, hence this little "C-16" in-joke.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this three-parter is derived from the [[Wikipedia: Julian Cope|Julian Cope]] [[Wikipedia:World Shut Your Mouth (song)|song of the same name]].
*Megatron's "Sometimes a fusion cannon..." line is a paraphrasing of the famous quote "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar", a phallic imagery joke misattributed to [[Wikipedia: Sigmund Freud|Sigmund Freud]].
*Bluestreak directly references the 1994 movie ''[[Wikipedia: Shallow Grave|Shallow Grave]]''.
*Nautica is a quantum mechanic, a play upon the real-life field of {{w|quantum mechanics}}. The cheat engines and Möbius ships she professes interest in are also wordplays, on {{w|Heat engine|heat engines}} and {{w|Möbius strip|Möbius strips}} respectively.
*As with real [[wikipedia:Distilled beverage|distilled alcoholic spirits]], such as [[wikipedia:vodka|vodka]], "triple distilled" [[engex]], per Chromia's description of Nautica's demand for "really good" engex, is apparently the expensive stuff.

===Errors===
*There's a free-floating asterisk after Rodimus says "the greatest Autobot of all time" that doesn't have a footnote attached to it.
*To the extreme left of the trial double-page splash, by Sandstorm's elbow, [[Metalhawk (Masterforce)|Metalhawk]] appears to be sitting in the audience, despite having died in the [[...And the Damage Done: Dark Cybertron Finale|conclusion to "Dark Cybertron"]].

===Other trivia===
*The issue opens with the dialogue "aaaaand... we're '''back!'''", which is, of course, a reference to this issue's position as ''More than Meets the Eye''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 'second season premiere' after the interlude that was "Dark Cybertron". The same metajoke is used to begin the second season of the sitcom ''{{w|Community (TV series)|Community}}'', of which James Roberts is a self-professed fan.
*Ravage's appearance on the ''Lost Light'' comes as a surprise. One of James Roberts's early ideas for ''More than Meets the Eye'' included Ravage stowing away on the ship; whether or not that's what happening here isn't quite clear yet.
*Rung reveals that his cute little round spectacle-like optics actually ''are'' a pair of spectacle lenses than he can remove, as he does so this issue.
*Bluestreak comments that this is his second attempt to sign up for the ''Lost Light'', an outside reference to the fact that Roberts tried to get the character for the book at its outset, but he wound up going to ''Robots in Disguise'' because that book's artist [[Andrew Griffith]] loves the character.
*This issue's story is followed by a letter from James Roberts welcoming readers to the book, which is missing from the Comixology download.
*Similar to the pre-launch promotion for ''More than Meets the Eye'' and ''Robots in Disguise'' two years prior, this series was trailed by a "scavenger hunt" for a series of six promo posters that were released to various sites around the internet. This round of '' More than Meets the Eye'' images featured a "tarot" theme, and included: Megatron on [https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152346827453279&set=a.10150239372238279.337626.8473603278&type=1&stream_ref=10 IDW's Facebook page], Nautica on [http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/idw-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-28-seibertron-exclusive-nautica-teaser/30039/ Seibertron.com], Nightbeat on [http://bwtf.com/node/3262 BWTF.com], Riptide on [https://twitter.com/trnsmissions/status/460908171368738818 The TransMissions podcast's Twitter], Tailgate on [https://twitter.com/theunderbase/status/460886217186226176 The Underbase podcast's Twitter] and Trailcutter on [http://tformers.com/trailcutter-the-catalyst-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-exclusive-promotional-art-cover/23186/news.html TFormers.com].

<gallery>
File:MTMTEpromo megatron.jpg|"The Apostate"
File:MTMTEpromo nautica.jpg|"The Savant"
File:MTMTEpromo nightbeat.jpg|"The Inquisitor"
</gallery><gallery>
File:MTMTEpromo riptide.jpg|"The Knave"
File:MTMTEpromo tailgate.jpg|"The Ingenue"
File:MTMTEpromo trailcutter.jpg|"The Catalyst"
</gallery>

===Crew manifest===
*The crew gets a big overhaul. The exact number of 'bots aboard is presently unknown, having last been calculated at 190 functional crewmembers and several non-functional wounded; known new additions include Nautica, Nightbeat, Mirage, Hosehead, Getaway, Groove, Sky High, Bluestreak, Ravage (whatever he may be doing there), and of course, Megatron as captain, while other books have confirmed that at least [[Fizzle]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] have left the ship behind.

===Soundtrack===
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DpDxT2q9QE The Old Man's Back Again]'' by [[Wikipedia: Scott Walker (singer)|Scott Walker]]
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45vgN4F_6bk A Question of Trust]'' by [[Wikipedia: Their Hearts Were Full of Spring|Their Hearts Were Full of Spring]]

===Covers (3)===
*'''Standard cover:''' Megatron superimposed on a starfield as the ''Lost Light'' boldly goes forward, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Megatron and the cast recreate [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]]'s Cover E, which was an homage to Kevin Maguire's 1986 ''Justice League'' #1, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Incentive cover:''' Megatron by [[Livio Ramondelli]], part of a three-piece image alongside [[A 'Bot and Her City|''Windblade'' #1]] and [[Earthfall Part 1: Hello Cruel World|''Robots in Disguise'' #28]].

<gallery>
File:MTMTE28 cvrA.jpg|
File:MTMTE28 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE28 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*[[Dawn of the Autobots]]
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #29
*''Star Mage''
*IDW: Getting Into Your Head for 15 Years (back cover)

==External links==
* [http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/idw-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-28-full-preview/30044/ Preview]

The Illusion of Control

2013-07-05T22:52:46Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|series=monstrosity|issueno=10
|prev=Unleashed
|next=
|caption=
|image=Monstrosity10.jpg
|title="The Illusion of Control"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 3]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|story by=[[Chris Metzen]] & [[Flint Dille]]
|art by=[[Livio Ramondelli]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Early in the war]]
}}

'''The Autobots fight Trypticon while Scorponok pays the price for his coup.'''

==Synopsis==
Angry with himself for his failure to keep [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] from leaving, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] voices his frustration to [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], but the sage's advice is interrupted by reports that [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] is rampaging across [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] in the direction of [[Harmonex]]. After ordering his troops to prepare their biggest guns, Prime goes to ask for help from [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], who recognizes Trypticon as a monster he helped seal away in ancient times. However, he cannot join the fight this time as the [[energon]] crisis has robbed him of the energy he needs transform into robot mode. Without the [[Metrotitan (body-type)|titan]]'s help, the [[Autobot]]s device a plan to use the buildings of Harmonex against Trypticon, though they regret that they will have to ruin the beautiful Singing City in the process. [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]]'s harassment team lures Trypticon close to the city's central structure, where [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s heavy weapons units is waiting to blast him with [[fusion-borer]]s. While the monster is distracted by the barrage, the [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] bombard the building, collapsing it and burying Trypticon in rubble.

Meanwhile, [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] is pulled away from reveling in the destruction caused by Trypticon by [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], who invites him to [[Kolkular]]'s main hall where the [[Decepticon]]s are waiting to honor their "true leader". On entering the hall, however, he finds that Starscream was in fact referring to a returning [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]], who greets him by crippling him with an energy blast. Scorponok attempts to flee, fight and finally plead for mercy with Megatron, but nothing works—Megatron unceremoniously shoots him in the head and leaves him to be torn to pieces by the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]], though not before ordering them to keep him alive so that he can continue to feel pain. Having finally taken back his position as Decepticon leader, Megatron gets back to business and demands to know what has happened to his planet in his absence.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (2)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]] (6)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (7)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (13)
* [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] (14)
* [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] (15)
* [[Slingshot (G1)|Slingshot]] (16)
* [[Air Raid (G1)|Air Raid]] (17)
* [[Barrel Roll]] (18)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (19)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (21)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (22)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (23)

|c2=
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (8)
* [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (9)
* [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]] (10)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (11)
* [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (12)
* [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gar]] (24)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (25)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (26)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (27)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (28)

|c4=
* [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (3)
}}

==Notes==
*The heart of Metroplex visited by Optimus Prime is the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]] shrine previously seen in his [[Acropolex]] disguise in [[Ruins|issue #5]] of ''[[The Transformers: Autocracy|Autocracy]]''.
*Metroplex identifies Trypticon as a "spawn of [[Mortilus]]", a death god introduced in the ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 annual]].
*Some more ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' quotes happen when Scorponok reacts to Megatron's return with "Megatron? Is that you?", to which Megatron replies "Here's a hint." and shoots him.

Heavy Is the Head

2013-05-01T12:27:11Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rid|issueno=16
|prev=Plan for Everything
|next=
|caption=
|image=RID16 cvrA.jpg
|title="Heavy Is the Head"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 17]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2013
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|pencils by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|inks by=[[Brian Shearer]]
|ink assist by=[[Rick Ketcham]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''This is the story of the end of the world...'''

==Synopsis==

[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and his team pursue [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] through the burning streets of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], but [[Metalhawk]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] both chide the [[Autobot]] leader for making the destruction of the [[Decepticon]]s his primary aim, rather than the rescue of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—an insistence upon the idea of factions that they consider to be the reason his government has consistently failed. Bumblebee is incredulous; [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] keep out of the argument and busy themselves taking down [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] appears, still smarting over Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen, but the little punk's whining is abruptly silenced when the newly-arrived [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] blindside him. While Ironhide then goes to confront [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], hoping he can get through to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], lost in the chaotic mind of the rampaging gestalt, the Dinobots stay with Bumblebee's team to provide muscle, giving the little 'bot the boost he needs to take charge and order his team forward. They soon catch up to the fleeing Decepticons, and Metalhawk cuts his way through to Starscream's side, at which point the pair are confronted by [[Turmoil]]. The Decepticon blasts one of Metalhawk's arms off, but Starscream, snapped out of his paralyzing depression by the realisation that Metalhawk has not turned against him and really is his friend, springs into action. Seizing Metalhawk's severed arm, Starscream uses its wing-blade to slice Turmoil's cannon off, then cleaves his head open.

Elsewhere, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] is in the process of gathering up wounded but still-living Autobots and bringing them to the safety of the city's prison, only to find himself staring down the barrel of [[Needlenose]]'s gun just as he carries [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] inside. But before he can fire, Needlenose is caught unawares by his old victim [[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]]—backed by a group of other [[NAIL]]s and turncoat Decepticons—who holds a gun on him for a moment before allowing him to run away. Zetca is surprised by Swindle's actions, but smiles as Swindle explains that Blurr was hurt saving him and he was repaying the favor.

Ironhide, meanwhile, is clambering around Devastator's head, causing the combiner to howl in confusion, unable to comprehend why Ironhide is persisting despite seemingly impossible odds. Ironhide tells him that he has come to a revelation: where once he thought his vision of the future was fixed, his time in the wilderness has convinced him that nothing is incapable of change. These words reach Prowl, who has long been struggling with the belief that any attempt to alter his own way of life will be fruitless, and he manages to take control of Devastator's body, using the giant's arms to tear its own head off. Devastator crumbles back into his component [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], and Prowl emerges, himself once again, at last. The fight is not over yet, however: Megatron has been waiting for the Autobots to bring Devastator down, so that he himself can combine with the Constructicons and form a truly unstoppable titan. As the combination begins, Dirge pleads with Megatron not to start the war again, but Megatron simply shoots him, mockingly asking if change is so "important" to him that he will die for it. This word reminds Bumblebee of [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s dying utterance, a call to remember "What's most important". Realisation dawns: Wheeljack was referring to his system bypass code, made up of what he used to call "three most important words in the Cybertroninan language". As one, Bumblee, Prowl and Ironhide speak the activation code "Wheeljack Wheeljack Wheeljack", and a forcefield belt that Wheeljack had secretly integrated with Megatron's [[spark]] casing flares into life. The energy sphere immobilizes Megatron, stopping his combination and ending the conflict at last.

At another spot on the battlefield, out of view of the others, Metalhawk explains to Starscream his reasons for saving him, recalling Starscream's appointment by the [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] as the "Chosen One", and his own newfound certainty that Starscream will be able to understand that this is a responsibility, not an opportunity. Starscream, on the other hand, has found a new opportunity all his own... and kills Metalhawk with Turmoil's cannon. Lifting his former friend's body, Starscream ascends to a peak overlooking the Autobots and NAILs below, already back to squabbling over what to do with the Decepticons now that the fighting is done, and cries out for their attention. He holds Metalhawk's dead body aloft, blaming his death on the war, and repeating Metalhawk's words about opportunity and responsibility as his own. Starscream tears the Decepticon [[insignia]] from his chest, and calls for all who will listen to do the same, to give up their factions as Metalhawk always wanted. And the people...

...side with Starscream.

Under Starscream's proclamation, those Autobots and Decepticons who will not renounce their factions are banished from Iacon and sent out into the wilderness, Bumblebee's team paramount among them. As they go, and Bumblebee reflects on the long string of failures that was his leadership, Starscream pulls his crown from the rubble of the city, dons it, and surveys his new world.

==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"{{!}}
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (3)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (16)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (17)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (18)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (19)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (20)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (22)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (33)
*''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'' (38)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (40)
*[[Longtooth]] (41)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (42)
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (43)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (2)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (5)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
*[[Turmoil]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (23)
*[[Needlenose]] (26)
*[[Octane|Tankor]] (28)
*[[Squawkbox]] (29)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (34)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (35)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (36)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (37)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (39)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (44)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (45)
{{!}}}
|h3=[[NAIL]]s|c3=
*[[Metalhawk]] (6)
*[[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]] (30)
*[[Tappet]] (31)
*[[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] (32)
}}

==Quotes==

"You pair of '''cowards'''. I bear the scars—the '''bite marks'''—of a warrior '''forged''' in the cauldron of '''battle''', while you—a '''pacifist'''—and an '''opportunist'''—'''run to hide in the shadows." 
"'''Opportunist.''' I like that, '''Turmoil'''. You're not the '''first''' person to call me that, but I '''like''' it. Thing with '''opportunists'''—" 
''(Starscream grabs Metalhawk's severed arm.)'' 
"—don't show them '''opportunities.'''" 
''(KER-SLASH)''
:—'''Turmoil''' and '''Starscream'''

"I... thought... you were my '''friend'''." 
''(SHABLAMMO)'' 
"I '''was'''. I just want this '''more'''."
:—'''Metalhawk''' and '''Starscream'''

"Can you handle the '''rest''' o' the 'cons, '''Arcee'''?" 
"With '''five dinobots,''' I can retake the '''planet.'''" 
"We only got '''four.'''" 
"Then I'll '''see''' what I can do." 
:—'''Ironhide''' and '''Arcee'''

==Notes==

*Devastator makes use of a drill in place of his left hand, a callback to the original Devastator toy, whose forearms doubled as missile launchers that could hold drill-shaped missiles.
*Rumble remembers Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen from [[The End of the Beginning of the World|issue #11]], tying up the last particularly obvious question surrounding Arcee and her role in the Decepticons' plan (while believed by the 'Cons to be on their side at the time, she attacked them because Starscream may have been watching).
*Ironhide cracks that he's sure he already smashed Rumble, referring to his takedown of his twin Frenzy, last issue.
*The idea of Starscream being reduced to the near-paralytic levels of inaction he has displayed the last few issues following the complete failure of one of his plays for leadership, only to snap back to vicious action when pushed too far, isn't new: we saw him suffer through the same thing in ''[[Spotlight: Megatron]]''.
*Blurr and Swindle got flattened by Astrotrain back in [[Before the Dawn|issue #14]], while Jetfire, Bluestreak and Warpath were taken down in the Decepticon raid of the prison in [[The Verge|issue #13]].
*Zetca recalls his beating at the hands of Needlenose from aaaaaaall the way back in [[The Autonomy Lesson|issue #1]].
*We first learned about Ironhide's vision of the future in [[A Better Tomorrow|issue #5]].
*Wheeljack's forcefield belts first appeared in [[Interference Patterns|issue #7]], and he used them on Megatron in [[City on Fire|issue #12]]. He attempted to remind Bumblebee of "what's most important" in issue #14, which we learn this issue was referring to the "three most important words in the Cybertronian language"—the passcode consisting of his own name repeated three times—seen previously in [[Devisive|issue #4]].
*Arcee reminds Dirge of when she told him that "we all want what we can't have", from issue #4.
*Starscream's crown is, of course, the crown he wore during his coronation in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which he was previously seen trying on for size in issue #11.
*For the first time in the series, the last names of the inker and colorist of the issue were on the front cover.

===Real-world references===

*The title of this issue is derived from a common paraphrasing of a quote from Shakespeare's ''Henry IV, Part 2'', "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."

===Errors===

*On page 12, a typo turns "what" into "whate".

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' The assembled Autobots, Decepticon and NAILs versus Devastator, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover B:''' Bumblebee and Starscream supporting the wounded Metalhawk and opening fire, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Monochrome yellow bust shot of Bumblebee by [[Marcelo Matere]], continuing the previous three months' "bust" theme for the RI covers, paralleling the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #16
<gallery>
Image:RID16 cvrA.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrB.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[The Gloaming|#16]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part 5|#90]]
*''The Colonized''
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files]]'' #1
*''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]''
*''Danger Girl: Trinity'' (back cover)

Heavy Is the Head

2013-04-17T20:42:04Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|series=rid|issueno=16
|prev=Plan for Everything
|next=
|caption=
|image=RID16 cvrA.jpg
|title="Heavy is the Head"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 17]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2013
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|pencils by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|inks by=[[Brian Shearer]]
|ink assist by=[[Rick Ketcham]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''This is the story of the end of the world...'''

==Synopsis==

[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and his team pursue [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] through the burning streets of [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]], but [[Metalhawk]] and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] both chide the [[Autobot]] leader for making the destruction of the [[Decepticon]]s his primary aim, rather than the rescue of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]—an insistence upon the idea of factions that they consider to be the reason his government has consistently failed. Bumblebee is incredulous; [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] keep out of the argument and busy themselves taking down [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] appears, still smarting over Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen, but the little punk's whining is abruptly silenced when the newly-arrived [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] and the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] blindside him. While Ironhide then goes to confront [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], hoping he can get through to [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]], lost in the chaotic mind of the rampaging gestalt, the Dinobots stay with Bumblebee's team to provide muscle, giving the little 'bot the boost he needs to take charge and order his team forward. They soon catch up to the fleeing Decepticons, and Metalhawk cuts his way through to Starscream's side, at which point the pair are confronted by [[Turmoil]]. The Decepticon blasts one of Metalhawk's arms off, but Starscream, snapped out of his paralyzing depression by the realisation that Metalhawk has not turned against him and really is his friend, springs into action. Seizing Metalhawk's severed arm, Starscream uses its wing-blade to slice Turmoil's cannon off, then cleaves his head open.

Elsewhere, [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] is in the process of gathering up wounded but still-living Autobots and bringing them to the safety of the city's prison, only to find himself staring down the barrel of [[Needlenose]]'s gun just as he carries [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] inside. But before he can fire, Needlenose is caught unawares by his old victim [[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]]—backed by a group of other [[NAIL]]s and turncoat Decepticons—who holds a gun on him for a moment before allowing him to run away. Zetca is surprised by Swindle's actions, but smiles as Swindle explains that Blurr was hurt saving him and he was repaying the favor.

Ironhide, meanwhile, is clambering around Devastator's head, causing the combiner to howl in confusion, unable to comprehend why Ironhide is persisting despite seemingly impossible odds. Ironhide tells him that he has come to a revelation: where once he thought his vision of the future was fixed, his time in the wilderness has convinced him that nothing is incapable of change. These words reach Prowl, who has long been struggling with the belief that any attempt to alter his own way of life will be fruitless, and he manages to take control of Devastator's body, using the giant's arms to tear its own head off. Devastator crumbles back into his component [[Constructicon (G1)|Construticons]], and Prowl emerges, himself once again, at last. The fight is not over yet, however: Megatron has been waiting for the Autobots to bring Devastator down, so that he himself can combine with the Constructicons and form a truly unstoppable titan. As the combination begins, Dirge pleads with Megatron not to start the war again, but Megatron simply shoots him, mockingly asking if change is so "important" to him that he will die for it. This word reminds Bumblebee of [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'s dying utterance, a call to remember "What's most important". Realisation dawns: Wheeljack was referring to his system bypass code, made up of what he used to call "three most important words in the Cybertroninan language". As one, Bumblee, Prowl and Ironhide speak the activation code "Wheeljack Wheeljack Wheeljack", and a forcefield belt that Wheeljack had secretly integrated with Megatron's [[spark]] casing flares into life. The energy sphere immobilizes Megatron, stopping his combination and ending the conflict at last.

At another spot on the battlefield, out of view of the others, Metalhawk explains to Starscream his reasons for saving him, recalling Starscream's appointment by the [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] as the "Chosen One", and his own newfound certainty that Starscream will be able to understand that this is a responsibility, not an opportunity. Starscream, on the other hand, has found a new opportunity all his own... and kills Metalhawk with Turmoil's cannon. Lifting his former friend's body, Starscream ascends to a peak overlooking the Autobots and NAILs below, already back to squabbling over what to do with the Decepticons now that the fighting is done, and cries out for their attention. He holds Metalhawk's dead body aloft, blaming his death on the war, and repeating Metalhawk's words about opportunity and responsibility as his own. Starscream tears the Decepticon [[insignia]] from his chest, and calls for all who will listen to do the same, to give up their factions as Metalhawk always wanted. And the people...

...side with Starscream.

Under Starscream's proclamation, those Autobots and Decepticons who will not renounce their factions are banished from Iacon and sent out into the wilderness, Bumblebee's team paramount among them. As they go, and Bumblebee reflects on the long string of failures that was his leadership, Starscream pulls his crown from the rubble of the city, dons it, and surveys his new world.

==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"{{!}}
*[[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (1)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (3)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (4)
*[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (16)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (17)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (18)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (19)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (20)
*[[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (22)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (24)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (25)
*[[Warpath (G1)|Warpath]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (33)
*''[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]]'' (38)
*[[Fixit (G1)|Fixit]] (40)
*[[Longtooth]] (41)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (42)
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (43)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (2)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (5)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (7)
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (8)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (9)
*[[Turmoil]] (10)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (12)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (13)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (15)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (21)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (23)
*[[Needlenose]] (26)
*[[Octane|Tankor]] (28)
*[[Squawkbox]] (29)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (34)
*[[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (35)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (36)
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (37)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (39)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (44)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (45)
{{!}}}
|h3=[[NAIL]]s|c3=
*[[Metalhawk]] (6)
*[[Zetca (G1)|Zetca]] (30)
*[[Tappet]] (31)
*[[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] (32)
}}

==Quotes==

"You pair of '''cowards'''. I bear the scars—the '''bite marks'''—of a warrior '''forged''' in the cauldron of '''battle''', while you—a '''pacifist'''—and an '''opportunist'''—'''run to hide in the shadows." 
"'''Opportunist.''' I like that, '''Turmoil'''. You're not the '''first''' person to call me that, but I '''like''' it. Thing with '''opportunists'''—" 
''(Starscream grabs Metalhawk's severed arm.)'' 
"—don't show them '''opportunies.'''" 
''(KER-SLASH)''
:—'''Turmoil''' and '''Starscream'''

"I... thought... you were my '''friend'''." 
''(SHABLAMMO)'' 
"I '''was'''. I just want this '''more'''."
:—'''Metalhawk''' and '''Starscream'''

==Notes==

*Devastator makes use of a drill in place of his left hand, a callback to the original Devastator toy, whose forearms doubled as missile launchers that could hold drill-shaped missiles.
*Rumble remembers Arcee's attack on the Decepticon pen from [[The End of the Beginning of the World|issue #11]], tying up the last particularly obvious question surrounding Arcee and her role in the Decepticons' plan (while believed by the 'Cons to be on their side at the time, she attacked them because Starscream may have been watching).
*Ironhide cracks that he's sure he already smashed Rumble, referring to his takedown of his twin Frenzy, last issue.
*The idea of Starscream being reduced to the near-paralytic levels of inaction he has displayed the last few issues following the complete failure of one of his plays for leadership, only to snap back to vicious action when pushed too far, isn't new: we saw him suffer through the same thing in ''[[Spotlight: Megatron]]''.
*Blurr and Swindle got flattened by Astrotrain back in [[Before the Dawn|issue #14]], while Jetfire, Bluestreak and Warpath were taken down in the Decepticon raid of the prison in [[The Verge|issue #13]].
*Zetca recalls his beating at the hands of Needlenose from aaaaaaall the way back in [[The Autonomy Lesson|issue #1]].
*We first learned about Ironhide's vision of the future in [[A Better Tomorrow|issue #5]].
*Wheeljack's forcefield belts first appeared in [[Interference Patterns|issue #7]], and he used them on Megatron in [[City on Fire|issue #12]]. He attempted to remind Bumblebee of "what's most important" in issue #14, which we learn this issue was referring to the "three most important words in the Cybertronian language"—the passcode consisting of his own name repeated three times—seen previously in [[Devisive|issue #4]].
*Arcee reminds Dirge of when she told him that "we all want what we can't have", from issue #4.
*Starscream's crown is, of course, the crown he wore during his coronation in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which he was previously seen trying on for size in issue #11.

===Real-world references===

*The title of this issue is derived from a common paraphrasing of a quote from Shakespeare's ''Henry IV, Part 2'', "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."

===Errors===

*On page 12, a typo turns "what" into "whate".

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' The assembled Autobots, Decepticon and NAILs versus Devastator, by [[Andrew Griffith]] and [[Priscilla Tramontano]].
* '''Cover B:''' Bumblebee and Starscream supporting the wounded Metalhawk and opening fire, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
* '''Cover RI:''' Monochrome yellow bust shot of Bumblebee by [[Marcelo Matere]], continuing the previous three months' "bust" theme for the RI covers, paralleling the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #16
<gallery>
Image:RID16 cvrA.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrB.jpg|
Image:RID16 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[The Gloaming|#16]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part 5|#90]]
*''The Colonized''
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe: The Cobra Files]]'' #1
*''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|Spotlight]]: [[The Reluctant Specialist|Trailcutter]]''
*''Danger Girl: Trinity'' (back cover)

The Reluctant Specialist

2013-04-03T22:00:19Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|The Transformers Spotlight]]: Trailcutter''
|prev=The Question
|next=
|title="The Reluctant Specialist"
|image=
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 3]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=April 2013
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Matt Frank]]
|colors by=[[Thomas Deer]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|assistant editor=[[Thomas Boeing]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=""
}}
'''Feeling underappreciated, Trailbreaker must face down a group of invading Decepticons alone after the rest of the entire ship's crew are felled by one of Brainstorm's cock-ups.'''

==Synopsis==
The Lost Light suffers a hull breach when it scrapes against debris floating in space, but [[Brainstorm]], [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] and [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] are able to fix the damage before it tears the ship apart. While working, Trailbreaker praises the others for their skills, but Chromedome responds that none of it would be possible without Trailbreaker's forcefield to seal the breach until they can finish their parts.

36 hours later, [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus ]] is holding a ceremony to honor the ship's saviors: Brainstorm, Chromedome, and Highbrow. He awards each with the [[Rodimus Star]], a medal in the likeness of his own visage. Trailbreaker, bitter at being passed over, drowns his misery in drink at [[Swerve's bar]]. He confesses the source of his unhappiness to [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], who then, against Trailbreaker's protests, asks Rodimus the reason for the omission. Rodimus explains to Trailbreaker that generating forcefields is just what he does, like [[Drift (G1)|Drift ]] carrying swords, and thus doesn't warrant special recognition.

Hearing all this, Whirl takes it upon himself to help Trailbreaker re-make his image. Among his suggestions is a name change, since "break" makes him sound like a screw-up, and Trailbreaker decides on "Trail''cutter''." Trailbreaker/Trailcutter contends his real problem is that everybody only thinks of him as "forcefield guy," not as an individual, so Whirl suggests he get a new weapon. Towards that end, they find [[Brainstorm]], currently in Shuttle Bay 3 examining the space debris, but the weapons engineer's creations are all back in his workshop. Besides, Brainstorm asks, why would Trailbreaker want some handheld weapon when he has his built-in... "magnawheels"?

A tired Trailcutter heads back to his habitation suite to recharge. His roommate [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] away on a mission, he savours the solitude... only to be interrupted by a video call from [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]. The ship's resident chatterbox has been promised a Rodimus Star if he can get through a sponsored silence, and he'd like the aid of a forcefield to cover his vocal synthesizer. Trailcutter angrily hangs up and goes to sleep, truly unhappy to be "forcefield guy."

Twelve hours later, he wakes up to find that things are amiss. Everyone else on the ship is frozen in place, in some kind of mysterious stasis. Worse, Decepticons have boarded the Lost Light! An encounter with the bloodthirsty pair of [[Chop Shop]] and [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] brings with it the discovery that his forcefield's not working, either. Instead, he escapes the duo by means of his magnawheels -- magnetic wheels that let him drive on walls -- and leads the hunters to the the Medibay, where he's able to take them out with the equipment on hand.

He then heads off to confront the remaining Decepticons, who number practically a small army and are gathered in Shuttle Bay 3. Their leader, [[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]], explains their M.O.: They're [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Titan]] hunters. They hunt space for Metrotitans, kill them, and then scavenge the mythic giants' technology for their employer, who goes unidentified. They're here because the space debris from earlier was actually part of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'s body, shed in transit.

Trailcutter bluffs that he's an incredibly powerful Autobot with amazing forcefield capabilities, so they had better retreat. To lend credence to his lie, he secretly hits a remote he grabbed from Brainstorm's lab, deactivating the artificial gravity for a few moments. With his magnawheels to keep him grounded, this gives off the illusion that he levitated the Decepticons with forcefields. He tells Lockdown that he's also generated a tiny forcefield in his spark, which he can expand to kill him. Psyched into believing he can feel the forcefield's pressure, Lockdown agrees to retreat.

Later, after everything's gone back to normal, a battered Hoist returns from his away mission. Trailcutter explains what happened: The ship-wide stasis was the result of one of Brainstorm's inventions acting up. Trailcutter had fallen asleep while angrily making forcefields, so there was one protecting him when the effect occurred. His forcefield generator shorted out in the process, but it's been fixed now. He proudly shows off the Rodimus Star he's earned for his little adventure... only for Hoist to one up him: He pulls out a giant badge, the size of a large shield, emblazoned with Rodimus's figure. Hoist explains that everyone who was frozen received one for "exceptional endurance in the face of adversity." He's about to explain why he himself received one as well, but Trailcutter stomps off. He's going to Swerve's to get drunk... but first he intends to give Rodimus a piece of his mind.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Brainstorm]] (1)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (2)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (3)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (6)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (7)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (8)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (9)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (10)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (12)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (13)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (15)
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] (16)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (17)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (19)
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Energon Landmine]] (20)
*[[Rad]] (21)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (22)
*[[Dipstick]] (23)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (24)
*[[Ambulon]] (25)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (26)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (27)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*''[[Killmaster]]'' (18)
*[[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (28)
*[[Chop Shop]] (29)
*[[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (30)
*[[Lockdown (G1)|Lockdown]] (31)
*[[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]] (32)
*Unnamed Decepticons (33-38)
|c4=
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (11)
*''Unnamed [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitans]] (39-41)''
}}

==Quotes==

==Notes==
* Issue #14 revealed that Chromedome received his name at the New [[The Institute|Institute]], where he worked alongside Brainstorm. As such, this issue's revelation that the two and Highbrow all received their current names while working together would seem to indicate that Highbrow likewise worked there.
* We get a single flashback panel of Whirl versus one truly hulking, scary-looking Decepticon. The monstrosity goes unnamed, but if we look carefully, we can see that [[Killmaster|he's holding a wand]].
* In the background, we see what looks like [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] taking stock of boxed medical equipment. Since the issue takes place between [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]] and [[Interiors|#6]], he is presumably checking on supplies from [[Delphi]], whose medical facility he visited in issue #5.
* The frozen Rodimus is in the middle of holding two golden disks while angrily confronting [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]. Rewind mentions this incident in #6. In that issue, he states that it was [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] who tattled on him, and sure enough Red's frozen self can be seen watching in the background.
*In addition to pre-existing [[Transformers Animated (franchise)|''Animated'']] immigrants Lockdown and [[Lugnut (TF 2010)|Lugnut]], the invading Decepticons include [[Blitzving|a 'Con directly based]] on [[Blitzwing (Animated)|''Animated'' Blitzwing]].
* Barrage, Chop Shop and Venom's roles in Lockdown's group can be seen as a continuation of their positions in [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s Titan-hunting party from millions of years back, seen in [[The Hunting Party (IDW)|Spotlight: Thundercracker]].
* Trailcutter name-checks several of Brainstorm's weapons... and gets each name slightly wrong.
* Hoist's away mission and injured state on return from it will presumably be greatly elaborated on in his own Spotlight issue, out one month from this issue.
* The image of Rodimus on Hoist's huge crest is based directly on the [[package art]] of the original Rodimus Prime toy.

===Errors===
* Page 8, panel 1: "Mission" is spelled "misison."

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:'''
* '''Cover B:'''
* '''Cover RI:'''

<gallery>
Image:
Image:
Image:
Image:
</gallery>

===Advertisements===

{{DEFAULTSORT: Reluctant Specialist}}
[[Category:Spotlight issues]]

The Reluctant Specialist

2013-04-03T21:40:34Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

Lost Light

2013-04-03T12:27:20Z

Ironmaster:

:''The ''Lost Light'' is a starship from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:MTMTE2 Lost Light.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"...I've still got that library book!"]]

The '''''Lost Light''''' is a starship utilized by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and over 200 other assorted [[Transformer]]s on a quest to find the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]].

Its crew at launch includes:
{{collist|3|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Aquafend]]
*[[Atomizer]]
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]]
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]]
*[[Brainstorm]]
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]]
*[[Deftwing]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Dogfight]]
*[[Doubletap]]
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] ''(third-in-command)''
*[[Fizzle]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Grapple]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]]
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine "II"]]
*[[Lockstock]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
*[[Ore]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pincher]]
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]
*[[Pointblank]]
*[[Polaris]]
*[[Powerflash]]
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
*[[Rad]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] ''(leader)''
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]]
*[[Rung]]
*[[Shock]]
*[[Siren]]
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Spoke]]
*[[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Toaster]]<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=309015#309015 The James Roberts Q&A, IDW forums]</ref>
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Turbine]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] ''(second-in-command)''
*[[Waverider]]
*[[Xaaron]]
}}

Joining the crew after their journey is underway:
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dogfight]] ''(presumably)''
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
A [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] was kept contained in the ''Lost Light'' by its original [[NAIL]] owners. It was kept docile by [[turbofox]] meals. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

Denied the help of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Rodimus bought the ''Lost Light'' to find the Knights of Cybertron, a group from Cybertron's ancient past. He intended on following a map discovered in the halves of the now empty [[Matrix of Leadership]] by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], hoping that the knowledge and power of the Knights could be used to bring Cybertron into a new golden age. Rodimus gave a rousing speech on the day prior to the launch, intending on swaying the varied Transformers currently inhabiting and feuding on Cybertron to accompany him. While [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] predicted Rodimus would fail to convince anyone to leave with him, at least 200 answered the call. After being checked and cleared by a diligent [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], the passengers boarded the ''Lost Light'', along with a "[[Whirl (G1)|weapon of mass destruction]]" brought on board by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], an unconscious and crippled [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], and mysterious cargo smuggled aboard on Prowl's orders.

The ship launched on schedule, but something went wrong. As the ''Lost Light'' lifted off, it was rocked by an explosion and [[quantum jump]]ed before it was ready. The jump placed the ''Lost Light'' over an unknown planet somewhere in space and caused one of the rear thrusters to explode, resulting in a fire and a hull tear in one of the hangars on the upper decks. Before the tear could be sealed, 40 Autobots were ejected through the breach. Rodimus ordered the ''Lost Light'' to be set down on the planet's surface so the lost Autobots could be recovered. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} Perceptor and [[Brainstorm]] found that the reason for the explosion was that [[Ore]] had been standing close to one of the quantum generators when they were activated, and was mashed into it. By the time the rescue mission was done and the ''Lost Light'' left the planet, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] joined the crew while [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]] and [[Polaris]] had been found dead. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}}

The Sparkeater that none of the Autobots knew of broke out during their journey, killing [[Shock]] and [[Animus]] before going on a hunt for the "brightest [[spark]]" on the ship: [[Rung]]. Rodimus had the rest of the crew locked in their quarters and lured the Sparkeater to the engine room, where he mashed it into a generator when the ''Lost Light'' did its next quantum jump. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

The crew then had a celebration at [[Swerve's bar|Swerve's recently opened bar]] and Rodimus ordered Rewind to give Tailgate a history lesson about the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

Ultra Magnus would later teach Tailgate the [[Autobot Code]] while Ratchet, Drift, and Pipes investigated on significant life declining in Delphi. Meanwhile, Red Alert told Rung he was hearing noises below his room in the Sparkeater chamber that was vaguely recognized as "me...kill" over and over again. Later on, Ratchet and his comrades returned with new crew members including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

Despite attempts to give him therapy, Maximus shot a bunch of crew members before taking Rung and Whirl hostage so he could demand the ship be taken back to Cybertron. Swerve and Rewind, who had been replacing rivets on the ship's hull, attempted to shoot him through the window, but accidentally injured Rung instead. Elsewhere, Red Alert used the deceased Ore's drill arm to find the source of the noise he had heard earlier. Drilling through the floor of the Sparkeater chamber, the lowest level of the ship according its schematics, he found a hidden chamber in which a captive [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] was suspended, begging to be killed. {{storylink|Interiors}}

An encounter with the [[Galactic Council]] on [[Theophany]] led to the discovery of a slumbering [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] beneath a razed and deserted Crystal City. Upon being set free by the Lost Light's crew, the Metrotitan teleported the Light away from Theophany. Theorizing that the Decepticons were behind it, Rodimus decides to take the Lost Light near the [[Argon Nebulae]], where Decepticon activity had been reported. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

When informed, Orion Pax thought even with the ''Lost Light'''s "destruction", Rodimus and his crew were still alive. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

==Notes==
*According to Roberts in an online interview, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] intended to join the crew of the ''Lost Light'' but was talked out of it at the last minute by "someone with a vested interest".<ref>http://www.craveonline.com/comics/interviews/182693-james-roberts-and-the-transformers-renaissance</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 starships]]

Lost Light

2013-04-03T12:26:26Z

Ironmaster:

:''The ''Lost Light'' is a starship from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:MTMTE2 Lost Light.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"...I've still got that library book!"]]

The '''''Lost Light''''' is a starship utilized by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and over 200 other assorted [[Transformer]]s on a quest to find the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]].

Its crew at launch includes:
{{collist|3|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Aquafend]]
*[[Atomizer]]
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]]
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]]
*[[Brainstorm]]
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]]
*[[Deftwing]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Dogfight]]
*[[Doubletap]]
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] ''(third-in-command)''
*[[Fizzle]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Grapple]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]]
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine (Energon)]]
*[[Lockstock]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
*[[Ore]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pincher]]
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]
*[[Pointblank]]
*[[Polaris]]
*[[Powerflash]]
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
*[[Rad]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] ''(leader)''
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]]
*[[Rung]]
*[[Shock]]
*[[Siren]]
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Spoke]]
*[[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Toaster]]<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=309015#309015 The James Roberts Q&A, IDW forums]</ref>
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Turbine]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] ''(second-in-command)''
*[[Waverider]]
*[[Xaaron]]
}}

Joining the crew after their journey is underway:
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dogfight]] ''(presumably)''
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
A [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] was kept contained in the ''Lost Light'' by its original [[NAIL]] owners. It was kept docile by [[turbofox]] meals. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

Denied the help of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Rodimus bought the ''Lost Light'' to find the Knights of Cybertron, a group from Cybertron's ancient past. He intended on following a map discovered in the halves of the now empty [[Matrix of Leadership]] by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], hoping that the knowledge and power of the Knights could be used to bring Cybertron into a new golden age. Rodimus gave a rousing speech on the day prior to the launch, intending on swaying the varied Transformers currently inhabiting and feuding on Cybertron to accompany him. While [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] predicted Rodimus would fail to convince anyone to leave with him, at least 200 answered the call. After being checked and cleared by a diligent [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], the passengers boarded the ''Lost Light'', along with a "[[Whirl (G1)|weapon of mass destruction]]" brought on board by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], an unconscious and crippled [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], and mysterious cargo smuggled aboard on Prowl's orders.

The ship launched on schedule, but something went wrong. As the ''Lost Light'' lifted off, it was rocked by an explosion and [[quantum jump]]ed before it was ready. The jump placed the ''Lost Light'' over an unknown planet somewhere in space and caused one of the rear thrusters to explode, resulting in a fire and a hull tear in one of the hangars on the upper decks. Before the tear could be sealed, 40 Autobots were ejected through the breach. Rodimus ordered the ''Lost Light'' to be set down on the planet's surface so the lost Autobots could be recovered. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} Perceptor and [[Brainstorm]] found that the reason for the explosion was that [[Ore]] had been standing close to one of the quantum generators when they were activated, and was mashed into it. By the time the rescue mission was done and the ''Lost Light'' left the planet, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] joined the crew while [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]] and [[Polaris]] had been found dead. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}}

The Sparkeater that none of the Autobots knew of broke out during their journey, killing [[Shock]] and [[Animus]] before going on a hunt for the "brightest [[spark]]" on the ship: [[Rung]]. Rodimus had the rest of the crew locked in their quarters and lured the Sparkeater to the engine room, where he mashed it into a generator when the ''Lost Light'' did its next quantum jump. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

The crew then had a celebration at [[Swerve's bar|Swerve's recently opened bar]] and Rodimus ordered Rewind to give Tailgate a history lesson about the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

Ultra Magnus would later teach Tailgate the [[Autobot Code]] while Ratchet, Drift, and Pipes investigated on significant life declining in Delphi. Meanwhile, Red Alert told Rung he was hearing noises below his room in the Sparkeater chamber that was vaguely recognized as "me...kill" over and over again. Later on, Ratchet and his comrades returned with new crew members including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

Despite attempts to give him therapy, Maximus shot a bunch of crew members before taking Rung and Whirl hostage so he could demand the ship be taken back to Cybertron. Swerve and Rewind, who had been replacing rivets on the ship's hull, attempted to shoot him through the window, but accidentally injured Rung instead. Elsewhere, Red Alert used the deceased Ore's drill arm to find the source of the noise he had heard earlier. Drilling through the floor of the Sparkeater chamber, the lowest level of the ship according its schematics, he found a hidden chamber in which a captive [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] was suspended, begging to be killed. {{storylink|Interiors}}

An encounter with the [[Galactic Council]] on [[Theophany]] led to the discovery of a slumbering [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] beneath a razed and deserted Crystal City. Upon being set free by the Lost Light's crew, the Metrotitan teleported the Light away from Theophany. Theorizing that the Decepticons were behind it, Rodimus decides to take the Lost Light near the [[Argon Nebulae]], where Decepticon activity had been reported. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

When informed, Orion Pax thought even with the ''Lost Light'''s "destruction", Rodimus and his crew were still alive. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

==Notes==
*According to Roberts in an online interview, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] intended to join the crew of the ''Lost Light'' but was talked out of it at the last minute by "someone with a vested interest".<ref>http://www.craveonline.com/comics/interviews/182693-james-roberts-and-the-transformers-renaissance</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 starships]]

Lost Light

2013-04-03T12:25:55Z

Ironmaster:

:''The ''Lost Light'' is a starship from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:MTMTE2 Lost Light.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"...I've still got that library book!"]]

The '''''Lost Light''''' is a starship utilized by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and over 200 other assorted [[Transformer]]s on a quest to find the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]].

Its crew at launch includes:
{{collist|3|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Aquafend]]
*[[Atomizer]]
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]]
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]]
*[[Brainstorm]]
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
*[[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]]
*[[Deftwing]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Dogfight]]
*[[Doubletap]]
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] ''(third-in-command)''
*[[Fizzle]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Grapple]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]]
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
*[[Landmine (Energon)|Landmine (Energon)
*[[Lockstock]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
*[[Ore]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pincher]]
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]
*[[Pointblank]]
*[[Polaris]]
*[[Powerflash]]
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
*[[Rad]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] ''(leader)''
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]]
*[[Rung]]
*[[Shock]]
*[[Siren]]
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Spoke]]
*[[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]]
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Toaster]]<ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=309015#309015 The James Roberts Q&A, IDW forums]</ref>
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Turbine]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] ''(second-in-command)''
*[[Waverider]]
*[[Xaaron]]
}}

Joining the crew after their journey is underway:
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dogfight]] ''(presumably)''
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{ongoing}}
A [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] was kept contained in the ''Lost Light'' by its original [[NAIL]] owners. It was kept docile by [[turbofox]] meals. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

Denied the help of [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]], Rodimus bought the ''Lost Light'' to find the Knights of Cybertron, a group from Cybertron's ancient past. He intended on following a map discovered in the halves of the now empty [[Matrix of Leadership]] by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], hoping that the knowledge and power of the Knights could be used to bring Cybertron into a new golden age. Rodimus gave a rousing speech on the day prior to the launch, intending on swaying the varied Transformers currently inhabiting and feuding on Cybertron to accompany him. While [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] predicted Rodimus would fail to convince anyone to leave with him, at least 200 answered the call. After being checked and cleared by a diligent [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], the passengers boarded the ''Lost Light'', along with a "[[Whirl (G1)|weapon of mass destruction]]" brought on board by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], an unconscious and crippled [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], and mysterious cargo smuggled aboard on Prowl's orders.

The ship launched on schedule, but something went wrong. As the ''Lost Light'' lifted off, it was rocked by an explosion and [[quantum jump]]ed before it was ready. The jump placed the ''Lost Light'' over an unknown planet somewhere in space and caused one of the rear thrusters to explode, resulting in a fire and a hull tear in one of the hangars on the upper decks. Before the tear could be sealed, 40 Autobots were ejected through the breach. Rodimus ordered the ''Lost Light'' to be set down on the planet's surface so the lost Autobots could be recovered. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} Perceptor and [[Brainstorm]] found that the reason for the explosion was that [[Ore]] had been standing close to one of the quantum generators when they were activated, and was mashed into it. By the time the rescue mission was done and the ''Lost Light'' left the planet, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] joined the crew while [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]] and [[Polaris]] had been found dead. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}}

The Sparkeater that none of the Autobots knew of broke out during their journey, killing [[Shock]] and [[Animus]] before going on a hunt for the "brightest [[spark]]" on the ship: [[Rung]]. Rodimus had the rest of the crew locked in their quarters and lured the Sparkeater to the engine room, where he mashed it into a generator when the ''Lost Light'' did its next quantum jump. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

The crew then had a celebration at [[Swerve's bar|Swerve's recently opened bar]] and Rodimus ordered Rewind to give Tailgate a history lesson about the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

Ultra Magnus would later teach Tailgate the [[Autobot Code]] while Ratchet, Drift, and Pipes investigated on significant life declining in Delphi. Meanwhile, Red Alert told Rung he was hearing noises below his room in the Sparkeater chamber that was vaguely recognized as "me...kill" over and over again. Later on, Ratchet and his comrades returned with new crew members including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

Despite attempts to give him therapy, Maximus shot a bunch of crew members before taking Rung and Whirl hostage so he could demand the ship be taken back to Cybertron. Swerve and Rewind, who had been replacing rivets on the ship's hull, attempted to shoot him through the window, but accidentally injured Rung instead. Elsewhere, Red Alert used the deceased Ore's drill arm to find the source of the noise he had heard earlier. Drilling through the floor of the Sparkeater chamber, the lowest level of the ship according its schematics, he found a hidden chamber in which a captive [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] was suspended, begging to be killed. {{storylink|Interiors}}

An encounter with the [[Galactic Council]] on [[Theophany]] led to the discovery of a slumbering [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] beneath a razed and deserted Crystal City. Upon being set free by the Lost Light's crew, the Metrotitan teleported the Light away from Theophany. Theorizing that the Decepticons were behind it, Rodimus decides to take the Lost Light near the [[Argon Nebulae]], where Decepticon activity had been reported. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

When informed, Orion Pax thought even with the ''Lost Light'''s "destruction", Rodimus and his crew were still alive. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

==Notes==
*According to Roberts in an online interview, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] intended to join the crew of the ''Lost Light'' but was talked out of it at the last minute by "someone with a vested interest".<ref>http://www.craveonline.com/comics/interviews/182693-james-roberts-and-the-transformers-renaissance</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 starships]]

Under Cold Blue Stars

2013-03-20T22:42:29Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=15
|prev=Remembrance Day
|next=
|caption=
|image=MTMTE15_cvrA.jpg
|title="Under Cold Blue Stars"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 20]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=March 2013
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]]
|inks by=Alex Milne, [[Marc Deering]], [[Brian Shearer]] and [[Phyllis Novin]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] with [[Josh Perez]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|assistant editor=[[Mariel Romero-Ocaranza]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}

'''Chromedome must face the consequences of his actions as Overlord runs wild on the ''Lost Light'', and not everyone survives...'''

==Synopsis==

''Mere seconds pass as [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] overcomes his brief paralysis and races to open the [[slow cell]] [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] left him in. But thirty minutes have passed outside the cell, and Chromedome steps out into a warzone!''

''Thirty minutes earlier...''

As the ''Lost Light'' is currently passing through an asteroid belt, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] has been charged with cutting a path for the ship through the space-rocks, but lets Whirl vent a little of his frustration by allowing him to blow up one of the asteroids with the ship's targeting system. The pair are then joined on the bridge by [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]], who is inquiring if Blaster has made contact with [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] yet; he has not, and is unlikely to, but Pipes leaves him with a message to send to [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]] on the offchance that contact is made while he is attending movie night. Puttering down the ship's corridors in vehicle mode, Pipes rounds a corridor and bumps into someone's foot, and briefly starts to apologise before looking up to see the sole of Overlord's gigantic boot coming down toward him. Stomped repeatedly by the Decepticon until his body is utterly shattered beyond repair, Pipes's [[spark]] extinguishes, but not before his is able to trigger the alarm system.

Across the ''Lost Light'', life is proceeding as normal. [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] visits [[Brainstorm]] in his lab, concerned from recent nightmares of Chromedome's that his partner and the scientist are up to something, and is accompanied by [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], who accidentally subjects himself to the effects of Brainstorm's [[metafictional bomb]], which makes him think he is a fictional character; [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] tells [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] that the map within the [[Matrix of Leadership]] cannot be copied; [[Rung]] visits [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in the brig and forgives him for his actions; and [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] works on an unseen project in [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]'s workshop, until [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] rushes in to warn him that [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] is furious, having discovered that movie night is to be held in the pair's quarters. All of these domestic scenes are loudly interrupted by the sounding of the alarm, which also prompts [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], down in the medibay, to radio up to Rodimus for information. The medibay is also chosen by Overlord as his first port of call, but Ratchet is able to detect his presence and hold him off long enough for [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] to arrive and join him in squaring off against the Decepticon titan.

Rodimus and the vast majority of the rest of the crew arrive to the sight of a legless Drift and a badly beaten Ratchet, and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] is the first to charge into action, still carrying guilt over the fates of the Wreckers he left to face Overlord on [[Garrus-9]]. After a brief beating, Overlord seizes Magnus's fist with ease and begins to laugh: he has realised that Ultra Magnus has not been holding back, while he himself has. Overdlord stabs Magnus through the spark with Drift's [[Great Sword]], and is then set upon by the rest of the crew; [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] rushes to the fallen Magnus's aid, but regretfully confirms that while he made be able to slow the rate of his spark's shrinkage, he will not be able to save him.

Chromedome arrives on the scene just as Overlord seizes Rodimus and prepares to turn his finger-drills on him, asking the Autobot leader for any last words. When Rodimus replies "[['Til all are one]]", however, the result is most unexpected: Overlord goes wide-eyed, drops him, and begins panicking. As the liberated Fortress Maximus appears on the scene to take up the fight, eager for revenge against Overlord, Chromedome explains to Drift that while in Overlord's mind, he carried out a process known as "[[Trepan's Trigger]]", altering the Decepticon's memories so that the phrase was associated with all his past defeats; thus, when Rodimus ''inevitably'' said it, it would trigger Overlord's pathological fear of defeat. Hurt and confused by what he hears of the conversion, Rewind tries to talk to his partner, but greater matters take priority: Chromedome assures him they will talk later as he has Maximus force the shell-shocked Overlord back into the slow cell, intending to jettison it from the ship. But another of Drift's stolen swords sticks in the doors and prevents them from closing all the way, so Rewind bravely squeezes through the small gap between the doors and pulls it free, even as Chromedome reaches out to stop him. The doors slam shut, severing Chromedome's arm and trapping Rewind in the cell, and the ejection countdown begins. Chromedome tries to tell Rewind something, but his words go unheard through the door's glass, while Rewind, equally unheard, apologises to his partner for things not working out. As the cell falls away fro the ship, Rewind turns to see Overlord looming over him...

Chromedome races to the ship's bridge, and locks onto the cell with the targeting system. Intent on sparing Rewind the horror of being trapped with Overlord, he fires upon the cell in an act of mercy. As it explodes Chromedome collapses in anguish.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (2)
*[[Powerflash]] (3)
*[[Aquafend]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]] (6)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (7)
*[[Blades (G1)|Blades]] (8)
*[[Dogfight]] (9)
*[[Ambulon]] (10)
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]] (11)
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (12)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (13)
*[[Rung]] (14)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (15)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (16)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (17)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (18)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (19)
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] (20)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (21)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (22)
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (23)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (24)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (25)
*[[Brainstorm]] (26)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (28)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (29)
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (35)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (36)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (38)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (39)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (40)
*[[Xaaron]] (41)
*[[Atomizer]] (42)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (43)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (44)
*[[Pointblank]] (45)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (1)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (30)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (31)
*Three other prisoners (32-34)

|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (37)

}}

==Quotes==

"Dear Hubcap... Having a wonderful time. Made lots of new friends—like Blaster. Got a bit '''sick''' and a bit '''shot''', but apart from that, yeah, having a pretty wonderful time. Um. Speak soon. Bye!" 
"And another epic installment is added to '''The Great Correspondence.''' I hope you're keeping all this stuff for future generations."
:—'''Pipes''' and '''Whirl'''

"What makes you think I've even '''seen''' Chromedome?" 
"Because you're friends with him, and because... because..." 
"Come on, '''Rewind''', 'because...'" 
"Because he's been saying your name in his sleep." 
"Whoa! Who's more embarrassed, you or me? Clue: <big>it's you."</big>
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Rewind'''

"Oi—ship's genius—what happens if I press this button?" 
"Don't press it. Did you press it? '''Swerve?''' Tell me you didn't press it." 
"Course I didn't press it... but what if I '''had''' pressed it?" 
:—'''Swerve''' and '''Brainstorm''', pre meta-bomb

"Guess what? I pressed it. Nothing happened." 
"I didn't see you press it..." 
"Yeah, it must have happened '''off-panel.'''" 
:—'''Swerve''' and '''Rewind''', post meta-bomb

==Notes==

*All the Autobots appearing in the issue's opening double-page spread are ones who have been seen among the ship's crew of 200-ish already, save one—[[Blades (G1)|Blades]], who, true to form, is looking a bit ''too'' excited about the possibility of a bloody good scrap.
*Also in the double-page spread, Ambulon is crashing a [[M.A.R.B.]] into Overlord's back. The arrows in Overlord's torso, meanwhile, indicate that bow-fancier [[Atomizer]] got a few good shots in.
*The subspace communicator's failure to work was noted in [[More than Meets the Eye issue 13|issue #13]]'s "[[Signal to Noise]]".
*Pipes refers to when he "got a bit sick"—with [[Red Rust]], back in [[Life After the Big Bang|issue #5]]—and "a bit shot"—by Fortress Maximus in [[Interiors|issue #6]]. He's had a few other bits of bad luck in the intervening time, culminating in the ultimate in misfortune that befalls him this issue, as he is the first of the crew to die by Overlord's hand. Er, foot.
*The schematic on the screen behind Brainstorm is of a spaceship-mode Fortress Maximus. [[File:IDWMtMtE15-FortMaxOverlordThwok.jpg|thumb|I prefer to CAPSMAK, myself. Others enjoy a good DETHTRPPP. But Max is just a THWOK sorta guy.]] Note that this isn't Max's alternate mode in IDW continuity; we get our first fleeting glimpse of his vehicle form on page 17 of this issue (right).
*Two very small Perceptor-like scientific instruments were among those on Brainstorm's desk last issue; between then and now, he has clearly abandoned all pretence, as a ''huge'' Perceptor-like microscope is sitting on view in his lab.
*The Decepticons in the brig have been prisoners there since their capture in [[Before & After|issue #12]]. Their identities are hard to discern as they are all cast in blue light, but the one with the squid tentacles is assuredly [[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]], not least of all because the [[Seacon (G1)|Seacons]] were among those involved in that adventure.
*Ultra Magnus left the Wreckers off at Garrus-9 in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #2]], before going off to join the proceedings in the [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]]. A bad decision on many levels.
*When Swerve starts speechifying during the battle ("Death in the ranks!" etc), he is actually quoting IDW's original catalogue solicitation for this issue, under the influence of the meta-bomb.
*Overlord has finger-drills as part of his rudimentary training in [[mnemosurgery]]; he notes that he wanted to have needles, like the other practitioners of the science we have seen, such as Chromedome and [[Trepan]], for whom "Trepan's Trigger" is named.
*"'Til all are one" appeared amongst Overlord's memories a few times last issue, and most readers noticed it, since it was added into one scene we had seen before where it was not originally spoken.
*This issue's "Meet the Cast" pages is modified to add large red X's over Ultra Magnus, Rewind and Pipes. Notably, though, Magnus is not actually seen to die on-panel.
*''All'' the letters in this issue's letters page are from females. That's pretty awesome.

===Real-life references===

*This issue is named after the indie folk album ''[[Wikipedia: Under Cold Blue Stars|Under Cold Blue Stars]]'' by [[Wikipedia:Josh Rouse|Josh Rouse]].
*We hardly need to explain the real-life concept of the [[Wikipedia:fourth wall|fourth wall]] to you, do we?

===Errors===

*Seems like the letters page included in this issue was originally intended to see print in issue #14, given the reply to Catherine's letter, which remarks on several features of that issue's story, and not this one's.

===Crew manifest===

*Pipes is killed and Ultra Magnus is fatally wounded by Overlord; Chromedome kills Rewind in an act of mercy.
*7 deaths, one fatal wounding and 5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders) since the launch.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Overlord on the rampage and the Autobots suffering the consequences, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' An abstract image of Rodimus floating in space as Overlord's sumptuous lips close in around him, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Monochrome green bust shot of Overlord by [[Marcelo Matere]], continuing the previous month's "bust" theme for the RI covers, paralleling the RI cover to ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Plan for Everything|#15]].

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE15_cvrA.jpg|
Image:MTMTE15_cvrB.jpg|
Image:MTMTE15_cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Natural Selection, Part 4|#89]]
*''[[My Little Pony|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]] Micro-Series: Rainbow Dash''
*''The New Ghostbusters'' (back cover)

Wreckage (issue)

2013-03-19T22:57:55Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{disambig3|Wreckage}}
{{Comicstory
|series=monstrosity|issueno=2
|prev=Derelicts
|next=
|caption=
|image=Monstrosity2.jpg
|title="Wreckage"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 13]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|story by=[[Chris Metzen]] & [[Flint Dille]]
|art by=[[Livio Ramondelli]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Before the war]]
}}

'''As the Dynobots continue their robberies and Scorponok's leadership of the Decepticons is met with opposition, Megatron proves to be more tenacious than his usurper thinks...'''

==Synopsis==
{{issuestub}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (1)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (2)
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (3)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (6)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (7)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (8)
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (9)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (10)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (11)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (12)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (13)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (14)
* [[Bonecrusher (G1)|Bonecrusher]] (15)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (16)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (17)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (18)
* [[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (19)
* [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] (20)
* [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gar]] (21)
* [[Blot (G1)|Blot]] (22)
* [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] (23)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (24)

|c4=
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (5)
* Sentry drone commander (25)
}}

==Notes==
*The spelling of Hun-Gar's name is consistent with ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Before & After|#12]] and not his first IDW apperance in ''[[Spotlight: Sixshot]]''.

Derelicts

2013-03-01T22:57:25Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|series=monstrosity|issueno=1
|prev=Endgame
|next=
|caption=
|image=Monstrosity1.jpg
|title="Derelicts"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 1]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|story by=[[Chris Metzen]] & [[Flint Dille]]
|art by=[[Livio Ramondelli]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Before the war]]
}}

'''Whilst Optimus Prime tries to rebuild Cybertronian society, Scorponok has plans for the deposed Megatron...'''

==Synopsis==
In an abandoned part of Kaon, [[Strongbox]] and [[Nightshift]] are ''en route'' to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with a shipment of goods when they are caught in a huge explosion. The culprits are the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], who had been tipped onto shipment by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and are looking to gather the funds needed to leave [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Blowing open the trailer, however, they find a paltry amount compared to what had been promised. With police inbound, the Dynobots are forced to take what they can and flee.

Before returning to their safe house, Grimlock's team pays a visit to their informant at [[The Raw Deal Pawn Broker]], who, under duress, admits that the quality of [[Decepticon]] intel has gone downhill since the defeat of [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]. Reasoning that he might be useful later, the Dynobot leader lets Swindle go free, before ruminating on the fact that the longer his team stays on Cybertron, the more all its inhabitants are in danger...

Meanwhile, at [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] is holding the very first meeting of the [[Grand Convocation]], a gathering of various Cybertronian guilds and faction, with the aim of rebuilding a stable society. Despite Prime's good intentions, [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] of the [[Circle of Light]] cannot see past his history as an enforcer for [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] and sees him as just another tyrant. Atlas is talked down by [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] of the [[Engineering Guild]], who believes that Optimus's defeat of Zeta and Megatron is proof enough of his worth. Unconvinced, Atlas cites the global [[energon]] shortage and increasing Decepticon attacks as problems the new Prime has failed to solve, and only agrees to remain in the meeting out of respect for his being chosen by the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

In deep space, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] is shuttling [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the gravely wounded Megatron to the remote planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], a nightmarish world subject of myths and superstition. Having seized control of the Decepticons, Scorponok seeks to make a legendary example of his predecessor by casting him into a metaphorical hell. Despite Starscream's complaints that the excursion is a waste of time, they arrive above the planet, and Scorponok throws Megatron from orbit to the planet below.

Back in Metroplex, Optimus, after reflecting with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] on the Convocation, returns to his quarters to find [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] waiting for him. The philosopher shares his approval of Prime's plan for peace, and reassures him that the question of whether he is worthy of the Matrix is something only Optimus himself can answer.

On Junkion, Megatron falls to the ground, and the planet's [[Junkion (species)|inhabitants]] begin to draw close. Rising from his crater, the former leader of the Decepticons prepares to do battle.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (3)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (4)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (5)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (6)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (7)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (9)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (12)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (8)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (18)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (19)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (20)
* [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (21)

|c4=
* [[Nightshift]] (1)
* [[Strongbox]] (2)
* [[Traachon]] (10)
* [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] (11)
* [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] (13)
* [[Slinger]] (15)
* [[Xaaron]] (16)
* [[Tomaandi]] (17)
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (23)
}}

==Notes==
*A crippled Megatron being deposed and thrown out of Astrotrain in spite of protesting that he still functions is a big ol' ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' reference. To have such a reference be then followed by Megatron winding up on Junkion in the company of Wreck-Gar has ''also'' happened before, back in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s "[[War and Peace]]" mini-series, but we'll be generous and assume that's an unfortunate coincidence, rather than a deliberate homage.
*Optimus Prime's quarters is decorated with busts of previous Primes, though Zeta's spot is empty.

===Errors===
*Grimlock's name is misspelled "Grimlok" on page 2, panel 5.

Derelicts

2013-03-01T22:57:00Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory
|series=monstrosity|issueno=1
|prev=Endgame
|next=
|caption=
|image=Monstrosity1.jpg
|title="Derelicts"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 1]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=
|story by=[[Chris Metzen]] & [[Flint Dille]]
|art by=[[Livio Ramondelli]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Before the war]]
}}

'''Whilst Optimus Prime tries to rebuild Cybertronian society, Scorponok has plans for the deposed Megatron...'''

==Synopsis==
In an abandoned part of Kaon, [[Strongbox]] and [[Nightshift]] are ''en route'' to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] with a shipment of goods when they are caught in a huge explosion. The culprits are the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], who had been tipped onto shipment by [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and are looking to gather the funds needed to leave [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Blowing open the trailer, however, they find a paltry amount compared to what had been promised. With police inbound, the Dynobots are forced to take what they can and flee.

Before returning to their safe house, Grimlock's team pays a visit to their informant at [[The Raw Deal Pawn Broker]], who, under duress, admits that the quality of [[Decepticon]] intel has gone downhill since the defeat of [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]. Reasoning that he might be useful later, the Dynobot leader lets Swindle go free, before ruminating on the fact that the longer his team stays on Cybertron, the more all its inhabitants are in danger...

Meanwhile, at [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] is holding the very first meeting of the [[Grand Convocation]], a gathering of various Cybertronian guilds and faction, with the aim of rebuilding a stable society. Despite Prime's good intentions, [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] of the [[Circle of Light]] cannot see past his history as an enforcer for [[Zeta Prime (G1)|Zeta Prime]] and sees him as just another tyrant. Atlas is talked down by [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] of the [[Engineering Guild]], who believes that Optimus's defeat of Zeta and Megatron is proof enough of his worth. Unconvinced, Atlas cites the global [[energon]] shortage and increasing Decepticon attacks as problems the new Prime has failed to solve, and only agrees to remain in the meeting out of respect for his being chosen by the [[Matrix of Leadership]].

In deep space, [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] is shuttling [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and the gravely wounded Megatron to the remote planet of [[Junkion (planet)|Junkion]], a nightmarish world subject of myths and superstition. Having seized control of the Decepticons, Scorponok seeks to make a legendary example of his predecessor by casting him into a metaphorical hell. Despite Starscream's complaints that the excursion is a waste of time, they arrive above the planet, and Scorponok throws Megatron from orbit to the planet below.

Back in Metroplex, Optimus, after reflecting with [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] on the Convocation, returns to his quarters to find [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] waiting for him. The philosopher shares his approval of Prime's plan for peace, and reassures him that the question of whether he is worthy of the Matrix is something only Optimus himself can answer.

On Junkion, Megatron falls to the ground, and the planet's [[Junkion (species)|inhabitants]] begin to draw close. Rising from his crater, the former leader of the Decepticons prepares to do battle.

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] (3)
* [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (4)
* [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (5)
* [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (6)
* [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (7)
* [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (9)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (12)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (14)
* [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (22)

|c2=
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (8)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (18)
* [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] (19)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (20)
* [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (21)

|c4=
* [[Nightshift]] (1)
* [[Strongbox]] (2)
* [[Traachon]] (10)
* [[Dai Atlas (Zone)|Dai Atlas]] (11)
* [[Bulkhead (G1)|Bulkhead]] (13)
* [[Slinger]] (15)
* [[Xaaron]] (16)
* [Tomaandi]] (17)
* [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] (23)
}}

==Notes==
*A crippled Megatron being deposed and thrown out of Astrotrain in spite of protesting that he still functions is a big ol' ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' reference. To have such a reference be then followed by Megatron winding up on Junkion in the company of Wreck-Gar has ''also'' happened before, back in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s "[[War and Peace]]" mini-series, but we'll be generous and assume that's an unfortunate coincidence, rather than a deliberate homage.
*Optimus Prime's quarters is decorated with busts of previous Primes, though Zeta's spot is empty.

===Errors===
*Grimlock's name is misspelled "Grimlok" on page 2, panel 5.

Before & After

2012-12-19T23:48:33Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{comicstub}}
{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=12
|prev=Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading
|next=
|caption=
|image=MTMTE12_cvrA.jpg
|title="Before & After"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[December 19]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=December 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]] (before) [[Brendan Cahill]] (after)
|inks by=[[Atilio Rojo]] with Alex Milne (before) [[Brian Shearer]] (after)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2012)]]
}}

'''In the wake of a battle with the Decepticons on the planet Temptoria, Rewind lies at death's door and Chromedome is pushed to the edge.'''

==Synopsis==

==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"{{!}}
*[[Powerflash]] (1)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (2)
*[[Dogfight]] (3)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (7)
*[[Atomizer]] (8)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (9)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (10)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (11)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (12)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (13)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (14)
*[[Ambulon]] (15)
*[[Xaaron]] (16)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (17)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (18)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (19)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (20)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (21)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (22)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (23)
*[[Fizzle]] (26)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (27)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (28)
*[[Dipstick]] (29)
*[[Pincher]] (33)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (40)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (44)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Blip]] (24)
*[[Nautilator]] (25)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (30)
*[[Rage]] (31)
*[[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] (32)
*[[Smokescreen (G2)|Smokescreen]] (34)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (35)
*[[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Gar]] (36)
*[[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] (37)
*[[Turbo Master]] (38)
*[[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] (39)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (41)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snap Trap]] (42)
*[[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] (43)

|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (13)
*''[[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]]'' (45)
*''[[Rosanna (KP)|Rosanna]]'' (46)
*''[[Dominus Ambus]]'' (47)

}}

==Quotes==
"Please! I surrender! Don't shoot!" 
"That is un'''canny'''! Has anyone ever-?" 
"Megatron. Yes, I know! Just '''don't shoot!'''" 
"Okay, you be Megatron, I'll be Prime. "You who are without mercy, now plead for it?" Wait wait wait. Try again: "You who are without-" Not '''deep''' enough. "You who are-" How can anyone's voice '''be''' that low? Ah, frag it."
:—'''Nautilator''' and '''Whirl''', just before Whirl shoots Nautilator in the head.

==Notes==
*Magnus was seen returning from his reconnaissance mission in [[Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|issue #10]]. Now we know where he went!
*Judging from the 'bots present, Tailgate's "happy place" would appear to specifically be the "movie night" he attended in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]].
*Trailbreaker has added guns to his legs in emulation of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], after drunkenly grumbling about them back in [[Interiors|issue #6]].
*The Decepticon base on Temptoria has [[Energon Driller]]s from ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' stationed outside.
*Blip was previously mentioned by Ultra Magnus as a Decepticon who thought he was a [[sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]]. His slobbering monster alternate mode certainly helps sell his delusion, and also explains why Nautilator confuses him with [[Blot (G1)|Blot]], who's also a filthy beast.
*While the Terrorcon leader has had his name spelled quite a few ways across various Transformers stories at this point, "Hun-Gar" is a new one. He was "Hun-Grrr" in his only named IDW appearance before now, in ''[[Spotlight: Sixshot]]''.
*Tailgate identifies the bomb as a "C-61"; this was the [[List of Japanese ID numbers|Japanese ID number]] of Tailgate's Generation 1 toy. Further, he recalls the bomb's progenitor, the "C-12S"; "12" was the ID number of [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] toy, which was [[retool]]ed to create Tailgate's.
*In attempting his Optimus Prime impression, as transcribed above, Whirl is, of course, quoting from Prime and Megatron's famous exchange from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*The nature of innermost energon is expanded upon after passing mentions in issues [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|
#3]], [[Rules of Disengagement|#7]] and [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]].
*Dominus Ambus was mentioned by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] in ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]''.
*At this point, quite a few characters have mentioned seeking the missing [[Moonbase One|Luna-1]], intimating that many searches for it have taken place. We get a little bit of a reason for that with this issue, in that the moon lies at the centre of romanticized legend. We also find out that it's the same thing as the "Seething Moon", something included in a list of things that don't exist by Trailbreaker in issue #3.
*Rewind's "snuff movies" were introduced in issue #6.

===Crew Manifest===

*21 crew members are seriously injured, but with no fatalities as of yet.
*5 deaths, 5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders) since the launch.

===Errors===

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Tailgate looks over a Decepticon bomb, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Cover B:''' Ultra Magnus and Rodimus under fire, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover RI:''' The assembled crew of the ''Lost Light'' , in homage to the cover of the [[Fab Four|Beatles]] album, ''[[Wikipedia:Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band|Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]''. Part of a theme month along with [[City on Fire|''Robots in Disguise'' #12]], which also features an incentive cover based on a famous album.

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE12_cvrA.jpg|
Image:MTMTE12_cvrB.jpg|
Image:MTMTE12_cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[City on Fire|#12]]

{{comicstub}}

Before & After

2012-12-19T23:25:55Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{comicstub}}
{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=12
|prev=Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading
|next=
|caption=
|image=MTMTE12_cvrA.jpg
|title="Before & After"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[December 19]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=December 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|pencils by=[[Alex Milne]] (before) [[Brendan Cahill]] (after)
|inks by=[[Atilio Rojo]] with Alex Milne (before) [[Brian Shearer]] (after)
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2012)]]
}}

'''In the wake of a battle with the Decepticons on the planet Temptoria, Rewind lies at death's door and Chromedome is pushed to the edge.'''

==Synopsis==

==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"{{!}}
*[[Powerflash]] (1)
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (2)
*[[Dogfight]] (3)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (4)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (5)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (6)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (7)
*[[Atomizer]] (8)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (9)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (10)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (11)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (12)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (13)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (14)
*[[Ambulon]] (15)
*[[Xaaron]] (16)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (17)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (18)
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] (19)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (20)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (21)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (22)
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (23)
*[[Fizzle]] (26)
*[[Strafe (G1)|Strafe]] (27)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (28)
*[[Dipstick]] (29)
*[[Pincher]] (33)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (40)
*[[Steeljaw (G1)|Steeljaw]] (44)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Blip]] (24)
*[[Nautilator]] (25)
*[[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]] (30)
*[[Rage]] (31)
*[[Bulletbike (G2)|Bulletbike]] (32)
*Sureshot's victim (34)
*[[Seawing (G1)|Seawing]] (35)
*[[Hun-Gurrr|Hun-Gar]] (36)
*[[Slugfest (G1)|Slugfest]] (37)
*[[Turbo Master]] (38)
*[[Tailwind (G1)|Tailwind]] (39)
*[[Tentakil (G1)|Tentakil]] (41)
*[[Snaptrap (G1)|Snap Trap]] (42)
*[[Overkill (G1)|Overkill]] (43)

|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (13)
*''[[Flip Sides (G1)|Flip Sides]]'' (45)
*''[[Rosanna (KP)|Rosanna]]'' (46)
*''[[Dominus Ambus]]'' (47)

}}

==Quotes==
"Please! I surrender! Don't shoot!" 
"That is un'''canny'''! Has anyone ever-?" 
"Megatron. Yes, I know! Just '''don't shoot!'''" 
"Okay, you be Megatron, I'll be Prime. "You who are without mercy, now plead for it?" Wait wait wait. Try again: "You who are without-" Not '''deep''' enough. "You who are-" How can anyone's voice '''be''' that low? Ah, frag it."
:—'''Nautilator''' and '''Whirl''', just before Whirl shoots Nautilator in the head.

==Notes==
*Magnus was seen returning from his reconnaissance mission in [[Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism|issue #10]]. Now we know where he went!
*Judging from the 'bots present, Tailgate's "happy place" would appear to specifically be the "movie night" he attended in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]].
*Trailbreaker has added guns to his legs in emulation of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], after drunkenly grumbling about them back in [[Interiors|issue #6]].
*The Decepticon base on Temptoria has [[Energon Driller]]s from ''[[Transformers: Prime (franchise)|Transformers: Prime]]'' stationed outside.
*Blip was previously mentioned by Ultra Magnus as a Decepticon who thought he was a [[sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]]. His slobbering monster alternate mode certainly helps sell his delusion, and also explains why Nautilator confuses him with [[Blot (G1)|Blot]], who's also a filthy beast.
*While the Terrorcon leader has had his name spelled quite a few ways across various Transformers stories at this point, "Hun-Gar" is a new one. He was "Hun-Grrr" in his only named IDW appearance before now, in ''[[Spotlight: Sixshot]]''.
*In attempting his Optimus Prime impression, as transcribed above, Whirl is, of course, quoting from Prime and Megatron's famous exchange from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
*The nature of innermost energon is expanded upon after passing mentions in issues [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|
#3]], [[Rules of Disengagement|#7]] and [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]].
*Dominus Ambus was mentioned by [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] in ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]''.
*At this point, quite a few characters have mentioned seeking the missing [[Moonbase One|Luna-1]], intimating that many searches for it have taken place. We get a little bit of a reason for that with this issue, in that the moon lies at the centre of romanticized legend. We also find out that it's the same thing as the "Seething Moon", something included in a list of things that don't exist by Trailbreaker in issue #3.
*Rewind's "snuff movies" were introduced in issue #6.

===Crew Manifest===

*21 crew members are seriously injured, but with no fatalities as of yet.
*5 deaths, 5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders) since the launch.

===Errors===

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Tailgate looks over a Decepticon bomb, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Cover B:''' Ultra Magnus and Rodimus under fire, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover RI:''' The assembled crew of the ''Lost Light'' , in homage to the cover of the [[Fab Four|Beatles]] album, ''[[Wikipedia:Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band|Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]''. Part of a theme month along with [[City on Fire|''Robots in Disguise'' #12]], which also features an incentive cover based on a famous album.

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE12_cvrA.jpg|
Image:MTMTE12_cvrB.jpg|
Image:MTMTE12_cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[City on Fire|#12]]

{{comicstub}}

Before & After

2012-12-19T19:05:52Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

Lost Light

2012-11-21T14:19:15Z

Ironmaster:

:''The ''Lost Light'' is a starship from the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:MTMTE2 Lost Light.jpg|right|thumb|300px|"...I've still got that library book!"]]

The '''''Lost Light''''' is a starship utilized by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] and over 200 other assorted [[Transformer]]s on a quest to find the mythical [[Knights of Cybertron]].

Its crew at launch includes:
{{collist|3|
*[[Animus]]
*[[Aquafend]]
*[[Atomizer]]
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]]
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]]
*[[Boss (G1)|Boss]]
*[[Brainstorm]]
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]]
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]
*[[Deftwing]]
*[[Dipstick]]
*[[Doubletap]]
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] ''(third-in-command)''
*[[Fizzle]]
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]]
*[[Grapple|Grapple]]
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]]
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]]
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]]
*[[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]]
*[[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]]
*[[Jackpot (G1)|Jackpot]]
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]]
*[[Mainframe (G1)|Mainframe]]
*[[Ore]]
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]
*[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]
*[[Pointblank]]
*[[Polaris]]
*[[Powerflash]]
*[[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]]
*[[Rad]]
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]]
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] ''(leader)''
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]]
*[[Rung]]
*[[Shock]]
*[[Siren]]
*[[Slapdash (G1)| Slapdash]]
*[[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]]
*[[Sprocket (G1)|Sprocket]]
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]
*[[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]]
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]]
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]]
*[[Turbine]]
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] ''(second-in-command)''
*[[Waverider]]
*[[Xaaron]]
}}

Joining the crew after their journey is underway:
*[[Ambulon]]
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]
*[[Dogfight]] ''(presumably)''
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]]
*[[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]]
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 comics===
{{ongoing}}
A [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] was kept contained in the ''Lost Light'' by its original [[NAIL]] owners. It was kept docile by [[turbofox]] meals. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

Denied the help of [[Omega Supreme (G1)| Omega Supreme]], Rodimus bought the ''Lost Light'' to find the Knights of Cybertron, a group from Cybertron's ancient past. He intended on following a map discovered in the halves of the now empty [[Matrix of Leadership]] by [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]], hoping that the knowledge and power of the Knights could be used to bring Cybertron into a new golden age. Rodimus gave a rousing speech on the day prior to the launch, intending on swaying the varied Transformers currently inhabiting and feuding on Cybertron to accompany him. While [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] predicted Rodimus would fail to convince anyone to leave with him, at least 200 answered the call. After being checked and cleared by a diligent [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], the passengers boarded the ''Lost Light'', along with a "[[Whirl (G1)|weapon of mass destruction]]" brought on board by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], an unconscious and crippled [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], and mysterious cargo smuggled aboard on Prowl's orders.

The ship launched on schedule, but something went wrong. As the ''Lost Light'' lifted off, it was rocked by an explosion and [[quantum jump]]ed before it was ready. The jump placed the ''Lost Light'' over an unknown planet somewhere in space and caused one of the rear thrusters to explode, resulting in a fire and a hull tear in one of the hangars on the upper decks. Before the tear could be sealed, 40 Autobots were ejected through the breach. Rodimus ordered the ''Lost Light'' to be set down on the planet's surface so the lost Autobots could be recovered. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|How to Say Goodbye and Mean It}} Perceptor and [[Brainstorm]] found that the reason for the explosion was that [[Ore]] had been standing close to one of the quantum generators when they were activated, and was mashed into it. By the time the rescue mission was done and the ''Lost Light'' left the planet, [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] joined the crew while [[Hyperion (G1)|Hyperion]] and [[Polaris]] had been found dead. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 2: Hangers On|Hangers On}}

The Sparkeater that none of the Autobots knew of broke out during their journey, killing [[Shock]] and [[Animus]] before going on a hunt for the "brightest [[spark]]" on the ship: [[Rung]]. Rodimus had the rest of the crew locked in their quarters and lured the Sparkeater to the engine room, where he mashed it into a generator when the ''Lost Light'' did its next quantum jump. {{storylink|Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|The Chaos of Warm Things}}

The crew then had a celebration at [[Swerve's bar|Swerve's recently opened bar]] and Rodimus ordered Rewind to give Tailgate a history lesson about the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. {{storylink|Life After the Big Bang}}

Ultra Magnus would later teach Tailgate the [[Autobot Code]] while Ratchet, Drift, and Pipes investigated on significant life declining in Delphi. Meanwhile, Red Alert told Rung he was hearing noises below his room in the Sparkeater chamber that was vaguely recognized as "me...kill" over and over again. Later on, Ratchet and his comrades returned with new crew members including [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]. {{storylink|How Ratchet Got His Hands Back}}

Despite attempts to give him therapy, Maximus shot a bunch of crew members before taking Rung and Whirl hostage so he could demand the ship be taken back to Cybertron. Swerve and Rewind, who had been replacing rivets on the ship's hull, attempted to shoot him through the window, but accidentally injured Rung instead. Elsewhere, Red Alert used the deceased Ore's drill arm to find the source of the noise he had heard earlier. Drilling through the floor of the Sparkeater chamber, the lowest level of the ship according its schematics, he found a hidden chamber in which a captive [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] was suspended, begging to be killed. {{storylink|Interiors}}

An encounter with the [[Galactic Council]] on [[Theophany]] led to the discovery of a slumbering [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] beneath a razed and deserted Crystal City. Upon being set free by the Lost Light's crew, the Metrotitan teleported the Light away from Theophany. Theorizing that the Decepticons were behind it, Rodimus decides to take the Lost Light near the [[Argon Nebulae]], where Decepticon activity had been reported. {{storylink|Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations}}

When informed, Orion Pax thought even with the ''Lost Light'''s "destruction", Rodimus and his crew were still alive. {{storylink|Syndromica (1)}}

==Notes==
*According to Roberts in an online interview, [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] intended to join the crew of the ''Lost Light'' but was talked out of it at the last minute by "someone with a vested interest".<ref> http://www.craveonline.com/comics/interviews/182693-james-roberts-and-the-transformers-renaissance</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Generation 1 starships]]

Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism

2012-11-21T12:52:18Z

Ironmaster: /* Featured characters */

{{Comicstory|
|series=mtmte|issueno=10
|prev=Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc
|next=
|caption=Act Like A Prick To Catch A Prick.
|image=MTMTE10_cvrB.jpg
|title="Shadowplay, Part 2: Patternism"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 31]], [[2012]]
|coverdate=October 2012
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2012)]]
}}

'''As Rewind's tale of the past continues, the senator murders lead Chromedome and Prowl to uncover the truth behind an urban legend, and Orion Pax to discover just how deep the corruption in the Senate runs.'''

==Synopsis==

''On Cybertron, before the war, [[Roller (G1)|Roller]] flips between the latest news bulletins covering the murder of Senator [[Sherma]] and the death of [[Nominus Prime]]. Tensions are high as the deadline date for "Proteus's Promise" draws near, the vow made by Senator [[Proteus]] that the [[Decepticon]]s will be recognised as a legitimate political party if 10,000 sign up with the [[Decepticon Registration Act]]. Then, an update on the missing [[Pious Maximus]] is interrupted by breaking news of a high-speed pursuit in [[Translucentica Heights]]...''

In the present day, said pursuit is now the subject [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]]'s story, with [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] describing how he followed the killer of Senator [[Momus]] in an aerial chase, which ended when the murderer collided with one of the reinforced glass walls of the region and exploded against a billboard. On his way back to the crime scene, Chromedome met the warden of Translucentica Heights, [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]], who was able to provide evidence that Momus was not killed ''by'' Decepticons—he was killed because he secretly ''was'' a Decepticon. Prowl's study of the crime scene quickly determined the involvement of a second killer, who then made himself known by opening fire. Pinned down and with Prowl never having seen combat before, the trio seemed doomed until the surprise appearance of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]], who brought the killer down, only for his [[Spark]] to collapse before he could be questioned.

Meanwhile, [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] returns to the ''[[Lost Light]]'' from a reconnaissance mission, and is filled in by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] on the mysterious attack on Red Alert, whose spark is faint but still pulsing. In a makeshift interrogation room converted from [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s lab, [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] is trying to get a confession out of [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], but when things turn violent, Rodimus and Magnus have to step in. At that point a communique from [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] clears Cyclonus, as the medic reports that he has discerned the killer's identity.

Before handing the story over to [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], Rewind explains that the ex-watchmaker was, at the time, incarcerated in [[Garrus-1]] on [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]]. When [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] points out that Whirl was in prison for assaulting [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], the event allegedly responsible for turning him "bad", Whirl furiously interrupts and quickly picks the story up, describing how he summoned Orion away from investigating the senator killings to give him a message. In hopes of revenge against the [[Senate]] for ruining his life, Whirl shared with Orion information from a cellmate about a Senate plot involving the death of [[Conspicuously-unnamed senator|Pax's senator friend]] and a bomb "hidden in plain sight". Orion left to act upon this information (leaving Whirl to be viciously beaten by his new cellmate [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] just a few minutes later), sending Ratchet and Roller to the [[Academy of Advanced Technology]], where trainee theoretician [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] watched them take Orion's senator friend into protective custody.

Narration returns to Chromedome, who prepares to recount how he and Prowl investigated the nearest [[Relinquishment Clinic]], suspecting that the killers had been using borrowed bodies. Rewind is dissatisfied at Chromedome's decision to preface this with a recollection of how he and Prowl stopped to watch a Decepticon protest and talk about what they would do if war broke out on the way, hurrying him along to the events that took place in the clinic itself. While waiting in its lobby, Chromedome remembers how the pair saw a news report based on their findings that cleared the Decepticons of the murders, which left Prowl frustrated as the results were only preliminary. They were then met by clinic tech [[Trepan]], who they easily pegged as squirrelly and promptly cuffed so they could investigate. The pair eventually found a secret facility beneath the clinic that Chromedome was horrified to realize was [[The Institute]], a supposedly-fictitious government facility that practises a forbidden science—brainwashing so heinous it is known only as "[[Shadowplay]]". Accessing its mainframe and verifying it as the source of the bodies their killers were using, the pair took the data and absconded without incident, prompting Rewind to resume the position of storyteller and sum up how the pair met back up with Orion, Ratchet, Roller and the senator in [[Rodion]]. When the senator identified the list of names from The Institute as all those currently signed with the Decepticon Registration Act, Pax was able to put all the evidence he and his friends have gathered together. Proteus arranged the murders so that the Decepticons could expressly ''not'' be found guilty, thereby demonstrating his fairness and leading to a surge in registrants. The bomb mentioned by Whirl would then be pinned on the Decepticons as supposed proof of their "true colors", giving Proteus and [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel]] the excuse needed to use The Institute to brainwash all those registered. Chromedome lamented their lack of knowledge at the bomb's location, but a news report immediately provided the answer: it was the fake [[Matrix of Leadership]] in the chest of the deceased Nominus Prime, whose body was to be lain in state the next day. The course of action for Orion's team was clear: they had to steal the Matrix!

==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"{{!}}
*''[[Roller (G1)|Roller]] (1)
*''[[Nominus Prime]]'' (3)
*''[[Slamdance (G1)|Slamdance]]'' (5)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (7)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (8)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (9)
*''[[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'' (10)
*[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (11)
*[[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (13)
*[[Rad]] (14)
*[[Rollout (G1)|Rollout]] (15)
*[[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (16)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Slapdash (G1)|Slapdash]] (17)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (18)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus]] (19)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (21)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (22)
*[[Ambulon]] (23)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (24)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (25)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (26)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (27)
*[[Rung]] (28)
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (29)
*''[[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]]'' (32)
{{!}}}
|c2=

|c4=
*''[[Proteus]]'' (2)
*''[[Pious Maximus]]'' (4)
*''"[[Fallout (G1)|Fallout]]"'' (6)
*''"[[Streaker]]"'' (12)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (20)
*''Garrus-1 warden'' (30)
*''[[Empurata]]?'' (31)
*''[[Conspicuously-unnamed senator]]'' (33)
*''[[Trepan]]'' (34)
}}

==Quotes==

"You do '''read''' my memos, don't you, '''Rodimus?'''" 
"If there's a reason '''not to,''' I've yet to find it. I read '''all''' your memos. And every one of your many, '''many''' reports. And since you're finally here, you can read one of '''mine.'''" 
"'We found '''Red Alert''' in the oil reservoir. No head. Pretty sure '''Cyclonus''' is to blame—obv. watch his space.'" 
"'Obv' stands for obviously." 
"No, I, er—I guessed that."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Rodimus'''

'''Tailgate:''' "No. Frikkin'. Way. '''Orion Pax''' landed on the guy's '''back?''' Where'd he even '''come from?'''" 
'''Chromedome:''' "I always assumed he jumped off the '''roof,''' Tailgate. He did that sort of thing quite a lot." 
'''Tailgate:''' "Pax is '''so''' cool." 
'''Swerve:''' "More of this, please. More jumping off roofs. Rooves. Roofs. More jumping off things."

"Well, I hope I never get as '''jaded''' and '''cynical''' as '''you''', Orion Pax."
:-'''Prowl'''

'''Whirl:''' "It was Pax's fault I was in prison—" 
'''Ratchet:''' "'''Rubbish!''' It was '''your''' fault you were in prison! Pax was the one who '''arrested''' you!" <to Tailgate> "Whirl attacked '''Megatron''' in his cell." 
'''Tailgate:''' "But wasn't Megatron the '''main bad guy?''' Or... have I missed something very important?" 
'''Ratchet:''' This was '''before''' he went bad. In fact, many say that the '''reason''' he went bad was—" 
'''Whirl:''' <big>'''HEY!'''</big> Can I just tell my part of the story? It's only a frikkin' '''cameo''' as it is! Yeah? Yeah? '''Right.'''"

"Five minutes. Ten if I hear him screaming."
:—'''Garrus-1's warden''', on letting Orion Pax visit Whirl

"The Senate '''mutilated''' me, got me to do their dirty work, and '''abandoned''' me. I want you to '''hurt''' them. I want you to '''crush''' them. I want—I want—I want my hands back."
:—'''Whirl'''

'''Rewind:''' "'''Impactor?!''' Impactor was your '''cellmate?!''' That's how you '''met?!''' And—and I bet he promptly added your name to the list of warriors who would one day become... '''The Wreckers!'''" 
'''Whirl:''' "No—he promptly '''beat me''' to the brink of fade-out and left me in a '''critical condition'''—and '''years''' later we met '''again.'''" 
'''Swerve''': "But that's a '''whole other story.''' Sorry—I always wanted to say that. That, and 'Impossible! Our laserfire is just making him '''stronger!'''' Ahem. Go on..."

==Notes==

*[[Kremzeek]] drinks reappear—in "juice box"-style this time.
*We've linked Roller to his [[Roller (G1)|Generation 1 self]] in this article for convenience, but whatever relationship this character may or may not have to Prime's longstanding buggy-companion, we don't know it yet.
*"Proteus's Promise" has been referenced in issues [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|#8]] and [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]]; here, we finally learn what it was.
*The robot speaking out against Nominus's policies at the [[J.A.A.T. Lectures]] on page 1 appears to be the placard-carrying [[NAIL protester]] from "[[The Transformers: The Death of Optimus Prime|The Death of Optimus Prime]]", who transformed himself to death in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]] of this series.
*The speaker mentions racism based on whether you're forged or 'constructed', something Roberts first introduced in "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]" (and is an idea he first came up with in ''Eugenesis'').
*Fallout's alternate mode is a Thunderbolt fighter from ''[[Wikipedia: Babylon 5|Babylon 5]]''.
*The classic Generation 1 "tetrajet"—Cybertronian alternate mode of the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]—can be seen on the billboard "Fallout" crashes into.
*Red Alert's body in Rewind's story is a Cybertronic adaptation of his original Generation 1 look, quite far removed from the bulky, rounded form he's wearing in the modern day.
*One of the Decepticon tracts Red Alert finds is titled "The Illusion of Progress: Revisited", evidently a sequel to Megatron's earlier work, "Nominus Prime and the Illusion of Progress", mentioned in "[[Chaos Theory Part 1|Chaos Theory]]".
*When the ultraviolet light is on in Senator Momus's suite, a small panel shows five puncture marks on the back of Red Alert's neck. As Chromedome explained in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]], [[mnemosurgery]] marks only show up under UV light, and the ideal entry point is from the back of the neck. As Trepan is later seen with the spiked finger-extrusions Chromedome has been shown to use in mnemosurgery in issues #8 and [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|#3]], it seems obvious this was the work of the Institute, presumably using Red in order to feed Chromedome and Prowl the required evidence. Seems Red Alert's paranoia about the organization as mentioned in his sessions with Rung from [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|issue #5]] was justified. All that from one inset panel, folks! Roberts, take a bow.
*Speaking of Senator Momus, whilst his name could well be a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momus the ancient Greek diety], given [http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?t=12527 James Roberts' noted predilection towards indie music] it's more likely to be a reference to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momus_(artist) the eccentric Scottish musician] who also uses the name.
*Prowl's ability to "observe 800 moving objects and compute their direction of travel" is, verbatim, an ability from his original ''[[The Transformers Universe|Transformers Universe]]'' profile.
*A small statuette, plaque or screen-projection of some kind (it's tiny, it's hard to tell!) can be seen in Perceptor's lab, sporting the likeness of [[Nijika]], the tiny female geisha droid that Perceptor's mind was transferred into in the Generation 1 cartoon episode "[[The Face of the Nijika]]".
*First Aid is seen working on a [[Diagnostic Drone]], likely the same one that watched Red Alert visit [[Rung]] in [[Interiors|issue #6]].
*Momus lived in hab suite 113, yet another of Roberts' references to [[Wanted: Galvatron — Dead or Alive!|issue 113]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK Marvel comic]].
*Whirl's cellmate is the agent of the Senate who appeared in his flashback in issue #6. Presumably, this is the robot that issue's dialogue identified as [[Empurata]].
*Scrawled on the wall of Whirl's cell is the Wreckers' catchphrase, "Wreck 'n' Rule". However, since the Wreckers don't ''exist'' yet at this point in time, the implication might be that this is where Impactor picked up the phrase for later use.
*Also written on Whirl's cell wall, and on a wall near the Decepticon protest, is "Free in 63", a similar message to one seen on Megatron's cell wall in "Chaos Theory," "Free in Cycle 63".
*Whirl's brutalization of Megatron was previously chronicled in the first part of "Chaos Theory". Left unsaid in the comic itself, the fact that Impactor immediately beats Whirl up upon meeting him is obviously because of the fact that Impactor and Megatron were once friends.
*Orion Pax's still-unnamed senator friend has had his color scheme completely overhauled in this issue, going from white, blue and gold to red, white and blue. We're not calling it an error, though, because like his namelessness, this is surely intentional for reasons we are not yet privy to...
*The helmet the nervous-looking orange robot in the background is wearing in the scene of Roller and Ratchet arriving at the academy is Doc Brown's [http://backtothefuture.wikia.com/wiki/Brain-wave_analyzer brain-wave analyzer] from ''[[Wikipedia: Back to the Future|Back to the Future]]''.
*Prowl's pacifism, and his promised attempt to leave Cybertron to escape a potential war, were alluded to back in "The Death of Optimus Prime", where it was revealed that he ''did'' try to leave, but didn't make it.
*The Institute has been referred to several times in Roberts's work, stretching back to "Chaos Theory". At last, the mystery revealed!
*Pious Maximus, noted as having disappeared 18 months ago, shows up in one of the rooms of the Institute. Guess we know what happened to him.

===Crew Manifest===
*Our bad. Red Alert's headless <strike>corpse</strike> but still functional body was recovered from the oil reservoir last issue.
*5 deaths, 5 new arrivals (plus 20 or so Faders) since the launch.

===Errors===
*On page 11, panel 1, the word "foment" is misspelled as "forment."
*As Whirl mocks Chromedome for his history with Prowl on page 12, it's Skids who gets offended by it.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Chromedome riding a sky-dart, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Cover B:''' Chromedome and Prowl, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Orion Pax and Ratchet, by [[Marcelo Matere]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]

<gallery>
Image:MTMTE10_cvrA.jpg|
Image:MTMTE10_cvrB.jpg|
Image:MTMTE10_cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

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