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All That Remains

2015-06-10T22:08:13Z

KaminoNeko: While the thought of a series based on the Italian pre-Transformers is amusing, that's not what this is.

{{Comicstory
|series=windblade2|issueno=3
|prev=Mistakes and Mayhem
|next=Windblade vol 2 issue 4
|seriesissue2=[[Combiner Wars]]<br>Part 5
|prev2=You, Me, and the Universe
|next2=Combiner Wars Epilogue
|image=Windbladev2-3-regcvr.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 10]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=May 2015
|story by=[[Mairghread Scott]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|pencils by=[[Marcelo Ferreira]] (pg 1-2, 8-19) and [[Corin Howell]] (pg 3-7, 20-22)
|inks by=[[Corin Howell]], [[Brian Shearer]] and [[John Wycough]]
|colors by=[[Yamaishi]] (pg 1-2, 8-19) and [[Thomas Deer]] (pg 3-7, 20-22)
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]]
}}

'''Now merged as a combiner, Optimus Prime and Prowl must finally come to terms with one another if they are to stop Devastator from ravaging all of Cybertron's colony worlds.'''

==Synopsis==

Instantly recognizing the presence of [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] within the [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|new Optimus combiner]], [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] is furious at being "rejected" by the [[Autobot]] who was once part of him, and attacks. Even before the first punch lands, the Optimus combiner collapses due to the five minds which make it up being unable to synchronize, so [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] come to his aid. Superion tries to remind Devastator that [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] had tasked him with stopping [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], but Devastator refuses to be controlled by anyone's whim, and the battle between the four combiners resumes.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] are trying to defend the [[space bridge]] against [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] and the [[Decepticon]]s when help arrives in the form of Starscream and his [[Badgeless]] troops. Starscream himself blasts Swindle through the chest, and while everyone is fighting, Wheeljack and Windblade recalibrate the bridge for [[Caminus]], allowing [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and the other Decepticons on the colony world to return and lend their aid. With the help of Chromia's forceful personality, the melee is brought to an end... but not without a casualty. Swindle succumbs to his injuries and dies, but before he passes, he whispers to [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] that there is proof that Starscream was responsible for Menasor's attack on Caminus.

While the other combiners battle around them, within the Optimus combiner, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] struggles to maintain his sense of self in the face of Prowl's experience in controlling a combiner mind. Prowl restates his belief that destroying the space bridge and sacrificing the future of Cybertron and the colony worlds is the only way to stop Starscream, but one by one, Optimus, [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]], [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] rally, refusing to look at the world only as numbers and statistics the way Prowl does. Instead, they all believe in the power of ''people'' to change that: people who may fail, but who will be there to help pick one another up if they do. Synchronized by this shared belief, the four 'bots' minds slowly come together, and while Prowl refuses to accept their way of thinking, in that refusal, he finally ''understands'' them... and in that ''understanding'', five become one, and [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] is born! Surging back to life, the newborn Autobot combiner takes his place beside Superion and Defensor as they prepare to force Devastator and Menasor back through the space bridge.

On Cybertron, Wheeljack discovers that the fluctuating space bridge is trying to lock on to multiple locations at the same time, as [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] attempts to reach all of the colony worlds at once. No sooner has this discovery been made than the five combiners suddenly come tumbling through the portal; Menasor has been knocked out, but the other four continue to fight. The titanic brawl carries across the universe, as the combatants repeatedly fall in and out of the portal, jumping to a different location each time: first to a desert-like planet, near a giant mobile city; then to the bow of a huge starship, somewhere in the depths of space. While Windblade, Chromia and Starscream keep Menasor down, Optimus Maximus, Superion and Defensor finally manage to surround Devastator, and with an almighty pull, tear him into his component [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]] with their bare hands. As the Constructicons are arrested, [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] apologizes to Starscream for being unable to control them. Knowing that they cannot consider themselves above the law, Optimus Maximus willingly separates and surrenders Prowl to Starscream's custody. Superion is saddened to think that Optimus Maximus will never form again, but some bonds are not easily broken, as proven when Optimus Prime later visits Prowl in his cell.

Sometime later, on Caminus, Windblade reports to the [[Mistress of Flame]]: the [[Council of Worlds]] has successfully been formed, with Rattrap acting as Cybertron's representative, but Windblade cannot rest easy, since, with Menasor and Devastator imprisoned, all functional combiners still remain under Starscream's control.

Across the galaxy, on the colony worlds, the aftermath of the combiner wars is surveyed by the far-off planets' inhabitants. On [[Velocitron]], [[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] and [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] prepare to tell [[Override (BW)|Override]] of the devastation, while on [[Eukaris]], [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] is not so keen to share what she and [[Tigatron]] have found. And within the huge starship, [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] reads off a report on the appearance of the space bridge, and the readings detected from it that point the way to Cybertron... readings of great interest to the listener, who sits on a throne made of the remains of other Transformers... Obsidian's captain, [[Elita One]]!

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]] (1)
*[[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] (2)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (5)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (7)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (13)
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (18)
*[[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (19)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (20)

|c2=
*[[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (3)
*[[Octane (G1)|Tall Tankor]] (12)
*[[Sparkstalker]] (14)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] (15)
*[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] (21)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (4)
*[[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (8)
*[[Badgeless]] officers (9)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (11)
*[[Scavenger (G1)|Scavenger]] (22)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (23)
*[[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (!!!, 24, see Errors)
*[[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] (25)
*[[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (26)
*[[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Long Haul (G1)|Long Haul]] (28)
*[[Mistress of Flame]] (29)
*"[[Yellow Leader]]" (30)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (31)
*[[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] (32)
*[[Tigatron]] (33)
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (34)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (35)
*[[Elita One]] (36)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==

"This is how you see the world, Prowl? Numbers? Percentages?"<br>
"This '''is''' how the world is, Optimus. Everything else is people trying to convince themselves otherwise."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Prowl'''

"You are so concerned with who leads our nation, Prowl, that you do not see who '''makes up''' our nation... and '''that''' is where change comes from. Can you not see these people as we do? '''As''' people? Can you not see the valiance in their actions? The determination of their struggle? We are not speaking of merely numbers, Prowl... but '''people.'''"<br>
"People will always fail you, Optimus. '''Always'''."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Prowl'''

"When we fail together, we pick each other up. When we fail alone, there is '''no one''' there to help."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"I have seen the heart of Devastator. And the duplicitousness of humans. I offered you enlightenment. '''And still you refuse to see it?!'''"<br>
"We do. We must."<br>
"I understand. <small>I finally understand.</small>"
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Optimus Maximus'''

"We are not Optimus Prime. We are '''OPTIMUS MAXIMUS!''' The '''defender''' of all '''sentient beings!'''"
:—'''Optimus Maximus'''

==Notes==

===Transformers references===
*Windblade swears "Sweet [[Solus Prime (G1)|Solus Prime]]!", taking the name of one of the [[Thirteen]] in vain with an oath that has been used a few times in the [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015 cartoon)|2015 ''Robots in Disguise'' cartoon]].
*Velocitron was one of Cybertron's colony worlds central to the plot of the [[Transformers: Cybertron (franchise)|''Transformers: Cybertron'' series]]. In IDW continuity, we briefly glimpsed it back in [[Windblade issue 4|issue #4]] of the first ''Windblade'' mini-series, a scene also gave us a look at a vehicle-mode Knock Out. He appears in robot mode here and is officially named, confirming him as being based on the [[Knock Out (Prime)|''Prime'' character]]. His companion goes without a name this issue, but as a turquoise and grey female Autobot, we feel pretty confident in identifying her as [[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (she's got those thingies with the yellow bits on the side of her helmet).
*Knock Out mentions reporting their discovery to [[Override (BW)|Override]]; obviously, this is a version of [[Override (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Override]], who was the ruler of Velocitron in that series. This isn't the first time Override's appeared in Generation 1 continuity family fiction: an incarnation of her was recently introduced in the ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' prose story "[[Broken Windshields]]", but the one who inevitably appears in this series is liable to be a lot more traditional than that one.
*The planet Eukaris is new, but the two inhabitants we see here are [[Tigatron]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] of [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Wars'']] fame, suggesting this new world may play home to a series of battles similar to the [[Beast Wars (event)|titular conflict]].
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] leaps right out of ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (franchise)|Beast Machines]]'', still fulfilling his role as a dedicated number two beneath his master. Of course, the identity of his master is very different here...
*...it is [[Elita One]], Cybertronian rebel cell leader and Optimus Prime's paramour from the original [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[The Search for Alpha Trion]]". Save for the [[Games of Deception|Botcon 2007 comic]], this marks the beginning of Elita's first major role in Generation 1 fiction since that episode's broadcast, with only a scattering of cameos and aborted stoylines to her name otherwise.

===Errors===
*Last chapter, Optimus Maximus was colored like [[Ultra Prime]], and this issues ''tries'' to fix that by making his blue parts white. He's still not supposed to have a red chest, however.
*Not ''strictly'' an error, but all the recognisable Decepticons who were with Swindle last issues have disappeared, and a horde of [[generic]]s has taken their place.
*Fat Tankor is looking pretty off-model, with long, proper legs instead of squat treads, and hands with opposable thumbs instead of pincer-claws.
*All of the Constructicons have incorrect body designs, appearing with their classic Generation 1 designs rather than the redesigned Earth modes they've been sporting since [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|''Robots in Disguise'' #29]]. Perhaps this is a deliberate effort to bring them closer in appearance to their new ''Combiner Wars'' toys—Devastator has similarly lost the tread-forearms he had last chapter—that could be written off on the reconfiguring effects of the Enigma, but '''Scrapper'''—friggin' '''''SCRAPPER!!!'''''—is standing with them!
*Page 20 is cropped a ''teeeeny'' bit too high—at the very bottom, Optimus Prime and the silhouetted figures in the distance disappear where the lineart stops, which ought to have been cropped off the page.

===Other trivia===
*This issue was originally solicited for release in May 2015, with [[Sarah Stone]] on art, but unspecified production delays caused it to slip into June, with a six-person art team taking Stone's place.
*This story is probably supposed to have a title, since all parts of "Combiner Wars" have had one, but it likely got left off in the rushed production. Watch this space!
*Starscream projects laser-swords from his forearms; while it's entirely possible that this is a power he has in his new body, given that said body is expressly based on a new toy that ''doesn't'' have swords as a feature, this feels like it might be a script goof, since Starscream's ''previous'' body did feature deployable forearm-blades.

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Prowl holds the Enigma of Combination, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' One half of Optimus Maximus, with Defensor and Superion behind him, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]; connects to the subscription cover of [[You, Me, and the Universe|''The Transformers'' #41]] to form a complete image
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' ''Combiner Wars'' Optimus Maximus [[package art]] by [[Marcelo Matere]], "courtesy of [[Hasbro]]"
<gallery>
File:Windbladev2-3-regcvr.jpg|
File:Windbladev2-3-subcvr.jpg|
File:Windbladev2-3-cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Windblade'' #4
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]] #42
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'' [[The Sensuous Frame|#41]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[Headmasters (issue)|#7]]
*IDW Transformers graphic novel library
*''Monster Motors'' trade paperback (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-windblade-3-idw-2015 Preview]

[[Category:Windblade issues]]

Combiner Wars (franchise)

2015-05-31T06:26:08Z

KaminoNeko:

[[File:Combiner Wars logo.png|600px|center]]

'''''Combiner Wars''''' is a [[2015]] multimedia branding used by [[Hasbro]], encompassing ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' toys, comics, and other merchandise. As the name suggests, it focuses on [[combiner]]s, specifically the [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiner teams from [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]].

==Toys==
[[File:Generations 2015 Toyline logo.png|right|100px]]
{{Main|Transformers: Generations#Combiner Wars}}
Following the conclusion of the [[Transformers: Generations|''Generations'' toyline]]'s ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' [[subline imprint]], it was refreshed with ''Combiner Wars'' branding. This new subline ushered in a new, unified [[play pattern]] whereby a Voyager Class toy and any four Deluxe Class figures can form a combiner robot. Furthermore, some Legends Class toys can form accessories for the combined figures, such as armor and weapons. They are ''not'' compatible with ''Fall of Cybertron'' [[Bruticus (WFC)|Bruticus]] and his [[Ruination (FOC)|retool]], as the ''Combiner Wars'' figures feature a larger peg system.
<br clear="all" />

==Comics==
[[File:IDW Combiner Wars promo.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
[[IDW Publishing]]'s contribution to ''Combiner Wars'' comes in the form of a six-issue "event" storyline, spanning both flagship ongoing title ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' and the second ''[[The Transformers: Windblade|Windblade]]'' miniseries.

The series sees tensions surrounding the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW universe]]'s combiners come to a head when [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]]-led [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] re-establishes contact with the long-lost colony [[Caminus]], turning what had been a simmering arms race into an all-out war. Combatants include the newly-rebuilt [[Superion (G1)|Superion]], [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'s [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]], and new players [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and [[Ultra Prime]].

{{chapters
|title="Combiner Wars" chapters:
|content=
<div class="list-header">Superion/Devastator origin</div>
*[[Dinobot Hunt|#8]]
*[[Night and the City|#9]]
*[[The End of the Beginning of the World|#11]]
*[[City on Fire|#12]]
*[[The Verge|#13]]
*[[Before the Dawn|#14]]
*[[Plan for Everything|#15]]
*[[Heavy Is the Head|#16]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"First Strike"</div>
*[[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
*[[The Crucible|#34]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|#35]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|#36]]
*[[Onyx Interface Part Three: ONoffON|#37]]
*[[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"Combiner Wars"</div>
*[[First Contact (IDW)|Opening Salvo]]
*[[The Sum and Its Parts|Part 1]]
*[[The Possible Light|Part 2]]
*[[Mistakes and Mayhem|Part 3]]
*[[You, Me, and the Universe|Part 4]]
*[[The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 issue 3|Part 5]]
<br/><div class="list-header">"Epilogue"</div>
*[[The Transformers vol. 2 issue 42|#42]]
*[[The Transformers: Windblade vol. 2 issue 4|#4]]
*[[Combiner Hunters]]
}}

===Prequels and Sequels===
Combiners and the technology behind them were an important part of ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' since its early stages, underpinning much of the book's initial 16-issue story arc. Eight issues covering the creation of [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] and the new incarnation of [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] were later reprinted with the first two waves of ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe Class toys and rebranded as ''Combiner Wars'' #1-8.

Explicit buildup for the event began in ''Robots in Disguise'' [[The World of Tomorrow|#33]], which introduced the notion of a combiner arms race, as well as setting the stage for Superion's new team members. The next five issues would go on to tell a story about the [[Enigma of Combination]], an ancient Cybertronian artifact holding the key to successful combiners. Whilst not billed as such in their initial release, the trade paperback collecting these issues was labeled ''Combiner Wars—First Strike''.

After the event, the June 2015 issues of ''The Transformers'' vol. 2 and ''Windblade'' vol. 2 will be branded "Combiner Wars Epilogue". In July 2015, a one-shot comic called "[[Combiner Hunters]]" will be released, focusing on [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]], and [[Victorion]] in the aftermath of the Combiner Wars; it will be written by [[Mairghread Scott]] with art by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]].

===Creative team===
''The Transformers'' issues are written and drawn by [[John Barber]] and [[Livio Ramondelli]], respectively, whilst ''Windblade'' sees the return of the first miniseries's writer and artist team of [[Mairghread Scott]] and [[Sarah Stone]]. [[Casey Coller]] draws the regular covers, and Ramondelli provides subscription covers which form larger images in pairs. Retailer incentive covers feature art from ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' artist [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]].

[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Generation 1 comic series]]
[[Category:Generation 1 franchises]]
[[Category:IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) issues]]
[[Category:IDW titles]]
[[Category:Windblade issues]]
[[Category:Toylines]]

...For All Mankind

2010-07-10T23:02:43Z

KaminoNeko:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #1
|prev=All Hail Megatron issue 16
|next=New Arrivals, Old Encounters
|seriesissue2=
|prev2=
|next2=
|title="...For All Mankind"
|image=IDW TF 1B.jpg
|caption=Autobots, Transform and... ah, you know the drill!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[November 18]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=November 2008
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|assistant editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

'''The Autobots are on the run and are forced to deal with the loss of one of their own.'''

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Ongoing Issue 1-Optimus Surrenders.jpg|left|200px|thumb|Just throw your hands in the air and wave 'em like you just don't care!]]

Optimus Prime reflects on the responsibilities of all advanced races to spread freedom and peace, and laments that all the [[Transformer|Cybertronians]] have spread is war. The Autobots have been in hiding amongst the humans for the last two years as Earth's cities were rebuilt following Megatron's planet-wide assault. Ratchet and Prowl are in their altmodes, watching for signs of any trouble: trouble that comes as Breakdown destroys a power station in search of [[energon (fuel)|energon]].

The attack is monitored by [[Skywatch]] control, and Spike Witwicky orders his forces to capture the invader. Breakdown is set upon by Spike and several other personnel in armored '[[crash suit]]s', built using stolen Cybertronian technology. Prowl and Streetwise are amongst the human police on the scene, and watch as Breakdown is immobilized and forced into his altmode by Skywatch forces. When they bring out their lethal particle cannons, apparently to destroy the Decepticon, Prowl can watch no longer and transforms, only to be brought down in turn: Spike had intended to draw him out all along. As he and Breakdown are driven away, Streetwise contacts the other Autobots...

At Autobot base, Wheeljack has engineered a counter to the inhibitors, and Prime orders him to fit them to their remaining forces. Hot Rod questions Prime's leadership, particularly their presence on Earth and the corresponding loss as more of their number are captured. Prime reiterates the need to protect Earth in case of possible Decepticon attack, but allows Hot Rod to stage a rescue mission to retrieve Prowl; he assigns Ironhide to go with him.

The rescue attempt goes poorly when it is revealed that Prowl was bait in a Skywatch trap; although Hot Rod's team rescues him, Ironhide dies leaping into a blast meant for Hot Rod. Prime grieves for his friend, and in a speech to his fellow Autobots removes himself as active commander.

Alone and ruminating on the end of the war and the new era in which they find themselves, Prime drives into the desert and into a Skywatch facility. As soldiers surround him, he raises his hands in surrender...
{{-}}
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (2)
* [[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (6)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (7)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (8)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (9)
* [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (10)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (11)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (12)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (13)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (14)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (15)

|c2=
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (3)
|c3=
* Various [[Skywatch]] personnel (4)
* Major [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (5)
}}

== Errors ==
* On page 2, [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] has a Decepticon insignia on his shoulder.
* The prose for the battle scene against Skywatch indicated that it was occurring at night, but James Brown's colouring makes it look like the battle was on during the very early evening.
* Prowl mentions three Crash Suits in the fray, but four drop from the jets on the previous page.

== Items of note ==
* The title of the issue is on the final page. It refers to the [[Wikipedia:Lunar plaque|plaque]] left on [[Moon (moon)|Earth's moon]] by Apollo 11, which reads in full: "HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND"
* Not only did Don Figueroa overhaul every Transformer in the comic to have new bodies with a movie-inspired feel, but he also designed reinterpretations of the characters' previous IDW bodies in that same experimental style; these call-back designs can be seen on the covers and in the battle scene spread on pages 2 and 3.
:*Optimus Prime's new body seems to be based on his ''[[Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' form.
:* Breakdown's design uses the ''[[Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' Sunstreaker/Sideswipe mold, but movie-fied. He also has his name on his license plate.
* The fight scene on pages 2 and 3 seems to be a non-literal image of the conflict on Earth, since it features combatants that could never have met during ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' (such as [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]], the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]], [[Runabout]] and [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]], etc.) Interestingly, it seems to have several callbacks to the G1 cartoon, such as [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] bending a cannon or Ratchet kicking Thundercracker in the groin.
* Prowl's rash, self-sacrificial decision to break cover and help a Decepticon was poorly received by many fans, especially since it came on the heels of [[All Hail Megatron issue 15|a story]] that showed Prowl taking extreme measures to counteract his fellow Autobots' tendency toward maverick heroism. According to IDW story-editor [[Andy Schmidt]], the change in character was intentional, and IDW was planning on filling in Prowl's backstory later in the ongoing series, but the negative fan-response motivated them to tell the story earlier in the form of ''[[Spotlight: Prowl]]''.<ref>[http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1002/19/schmidt.htm Comics Continuum video interview with Andy Schmidt]</ref>
* 12 pages of this issue were released to the public as preview images by the time the issue was released. First there was a 3-page preview that highlighted Ironhide's death. Then there was an eight-page preview that came mostly from the beginning of the issue. And finally, the day the issue came out, the final page of the issue accompanied a ''USA Today'' news article.<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2009-11-18-transformers-optimus-st_N.htm ''USA Today'' article, "Optimus Prime quits!"]</ref>
* A marquee sign in the fourth page's second panel, as Optimus Prime and Megatron battle and destroy the city, seems to read "DARNIT." On the final panel of the same page, a banner reads "[[Headmaster (Animated)|NOOB]]". In the first panel on the next page, a sign reads "SMITHIE." Billboards featuring a smiling woman in sunglasses holding a container of an unspecified product named "Zip," (possibly a sunscreen, or a beverage), are apparently popular advertisements in post-restoration Earth.
* Editor [[Andy Schmidt]] introduces the creative team in the [[Decepticomments]] section.
* This ain't the first time [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Optimus Prime quit the Autobots because his favorite mini-van died!]]

===Covers (6)===
* '''Cover A:''' Wraparound cover featuring the Autobots running toward the reader in an homage to the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original cartoon]] opening credits; art by Don Figueroa with colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover B:''' Prime, Hot Rod and Ironhide; art by Don Figueroa, colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime [[Barack Obama]] homage; art by [[Tim Doyle]].
* '''Cover RE (Graham Crackers Exclusive):''' Classic in characters battle, a [[Hasbro]] marketing stock image last seen on a [[Kinnerton]] 2008 Christmas advent calendar; pencils by Don Figueroa, colours by ???
* '''Cover RE (New Dimension Comics Exclusive):''' Uncolored version of cover B.
* '''Reprint cover:''' Optimus Prime blasting through a wall; art by Don Figueroa, colors by James Brown.

<gallery>
Image:IDW TF 1A.jpg|Featuring designs not actually seen in the story.
Image:IDW TF 1B.jpg|''Continuum'' is behind us? Then we go '''this''' way!
Image:IDW TF 1RI.jpg|Change we can believe in.
Image:IDW TF 1GC.jpg|Graham Crackers Cover
Image:IDW TF 1RE.jpg.jpg|New Dimension Comics Cover
Image:IDW TF 1reprint.jpg|Reprint Cover
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[New Arrivals, Old Encounters|''The Transformers'' #2]]
* ''[[Transformers: Bumblebee]]''
* ''[[The Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' DVDs
* ''[[The Transformers Continuum: The Definitive Chronology]]''
* ''Ghostbusters: Displaced Aggression''
* ''G.I. Joe: [[Snake-Eyes]]'' comic
* ''Ghostbusters: Past, Present, and Future'' (back cover)

==References==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:For All Mankind}}
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]