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Applicable Skills

2016-07-13T16:11:23Z

Lord Igor: /* Other trivia */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' #2
|prev=07:00:00
|next=
|image=TAAO2 regcvr.jpg
|caption=
|title="Applicable Skills"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 6]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=July 2016
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|art by=[[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
|colors by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''It's chaos in the streets as the Combaticons lead a public uprising against Starscream's police state, and Ironhide is put in charge of keeping order. But all is not as it appears...'''

==Synopsis==
Civil unrest ripples through [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] following [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]]'s broadcast of the footage of the [[Badgeless]] officers murdering [[Drunkatron|a Decepticon]]. [[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] ditches the Badgeless armor he was given, and, trying to convince himself that events ''had'' to unfold this way, returns to the [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]]' home. [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] and [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] are eager to go out and join the rioting, but [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] is reluctant to allow it, his strategic mind thinking several steps ahead and concluding that any displays of civil disobedience by the Decepticons will run the risk of erasing any sympathy the colonists have for their current plight. Blast Off tries to convince him, suggesting they use the chaos to take out [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]], but Onslaught suspects the whole thing is a plot by Starscream to draw them out. When Blast Off, a little ''too'' quickly and insistently, claims that it is not, Onslaught drags him into his room and demands he explain how he could know that...

A little later, in the skies over the city, [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] and [[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] are discussing the complex, factionalized politics of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] when their attention is suddenly drawn to a mob being led through the streets below by Onslaught, marching on the council building. Inside the building, Starscream is fairly nonplussed by the sight; it takes the arrival of [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] in his office, blaming him for the police state that has given rise to the mob, to raise his hackles. Meeting with the rest of the council, Starscream coldly announces his intent to meet force with force, giving the rioters the war they seemingly want, but [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] speaks out against the idea, and the other council members agree. [[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] suggests calling on [[Victorion]]—presently on [[Earth]]—for aid, but Starscream shoots the plan down, refusing to open the [[space bridge]] with Onslaught still on the loose. In response to questions from council members, Starscream explains that, some time before he took power, he made a deal with Onslaught to have the Combaticons on his side during his political rise. When Starscream actually succeeded and became ruler of Iacon, however, he reneged on the deal and cut ties with Onslaught; he now suspects Onslaught is acting out of a desire for revenge. Ironhide speaks up again, and volunteers the only bloodless solution he can think of—a solution he ''knows'' Starscream will hate.

As the rioters pelt the council building with garbage, Ironhide appears on its front steps to address them. Determined to keep the peace they have all fought and suffered for, Ironhide announces that he has been appointed head of the Badgeless. He vows to investigate the murder to the fullest, and invites 'bots of any faction, and any planetary origin, to sign up to the police force to help him. At first, it seems nobody is going to take him up on the offer; the silence of the crowd is broken only by an insult and a chunk of rock that harmlessly strikes Ironhide's helmet. But, just as all hope seems lost, [[Octane|Tall Tankor]] and [[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] burst out of the crowd to pledge their support, followed quickly by [[Sparkstalker]]. Onslaught is disgusted, and attacks Ironhide, demanding that he reveal where [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]]'s body is being kept—until Blast Off jumps into action, wrestling his leader to the ground as he tells him he is tired of being held back. As the crowd begins to peacefully disperse, Blast Off asks Ironhide if he too can join his team, leading a furious Onslaught to warn Blast Off to watch his back. Blast Off simply retorts that he has gone above and beyond to help Onslaught, but has concluded that he cannot save him from himself.

The council watch the crowd break up from the window of Starscream's chambers, after which Starscream ushers them out so he can collect his thoughts and prepare a statement. Windblade, of course, refuses to leave, and demands to know if Starscream really does have Swindle's body; driven to honesty through sheer exasperation (and the needling words of the hallucinatory [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]]), Starscream admits that he does not, but urges Windblade to be wary of Onslaught and his razor-sharp mind. A smirk creeps over Starscream's face as he declares that Windblade will now be personally responsible for dealing with the Combaticons' threat; he is tired of her undermining him, and if she does not accept this task, then he will spill all of Windblade's dirty secrets—including her co-conspiratorial cover-up of [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]]'s killings—and destroy the council and the alliance of worlds for everyone.

Out in the streets, Fat Tankor catches up to Blast Off, and invites him to crash in his and Tall Tankor's living space if he needs to. Blast Off accepts the offer, but leaves to clear his head first... slinking off into a dark alley, where Onslaught warmly greets him and congratulates him on a job well done...

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (hallucination, 11)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (12)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (13)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (14)

|c2=
*"[[Drunkatron]]" (1)
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (3)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (5)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (6)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (7)
*[[Octane|Tall Tankor]] (22)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] (23)
*[[Sparkstalker]] (24)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (2)
*Assorted [[Badgeless]] (4)
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (8)
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (9)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (10)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (15)
*[[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] (16)
*[[Tigatron]] (17)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]] (18)
*[[Rattrap (BW)|Rattrap]] (19)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (20)
*[[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] (21)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
'''Vortex:''' "'''Yay!''' You're not dead! '''Brawl''', pay up!" 
'''Brawl:''' "Ah, scrap. That was my last bottle of '''Engex'''." 
'''Blast Off:''' "Thanks for the concern."
:—The Combaticons react to Blast Off's return

'''Tigatron:''' "Who is Onslaught?" 
'''Starscream:''' "A former associate." 
'''Ironhide:''' "A '''psychopath''' and a '''murderer.'''" 
'''Starscream:''' "I said he was an '''associate''', not my '''Conjunx Endura'''!"

"Unfortunately, circumstances... changed. I couldn't be seen with 'bots like Onslaught anymore. He didn't take it well and I would '''not''' be surprised if this '''entire''' fiasco traced back to some pathetic attempt at '''revenge'''. It's how '''his''' kind always thinks." 
"Decepticons?" 
"'''Little people.'''"
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Ironhide'''

"There '''is''' a line, Starscream." 
"Is there? Well, I'm sure you'll '''scream''' when I cross it."
:—'''Windblade''' and '''Starscream'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Starscream's flashback to his past alliance with Onslaught appears to take place circa the earliest issues of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Robots in Disguise'']], before Starscream actually attained power. Starscream notes it happened after "Onslaught and his team had returned to the Decepticons"; this allusion to a time when the Combaticons were ''not'' with the Decepticons refers to when they were in the employ of [[North Korea]] while stranded on [[Earth]] during the [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing series]].
*Sparkstalker refers to fighting alongside Ironhide before, which happened on [[Caminus]] during ''[[Combiner Wars (comic)|Combiner Wars]]''.

===Other trivia===
*This issue also contains the first "[[Road to Revolution, Part 1|Road to Revolution]]" strip, a four page back-up story laying the groundwork for September's "[[Revolution]]" crossover which appears in several of IDW's July titles. The digital edition was initially missing it, with a five-page preview of the first issue of ''[[Rom the Space Knight|Rom]]'' included in its place. This was corrected within the day for some users, but not for all.

===Errors===

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Windblade and Metroplex, by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Windblade and Chromia help [[Rom the Space Knight]] try out some Camien facepaint, by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]] and [[Thomas Deer]]; part of a series of Rom-themed covers featured on numerous IDW titles in July, in celebration of the launch of the character's new ongoing series.
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Windblade by [[Carlos Valenzuela]]

<gallery>
File:TAAO2 regcvr.jpg|
File:TAAO2 subcvr.jpg|
File:TAAO2 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Till All Are One'' #3
*''[[Revolution]]''

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/29968-cybertronian-mob-descends-on-starscream-in-transformers-till-all-are-one-2-preview.html Preview]

[[Category: Till All Are One issues]]

All Hail Megatron issue 8

2016-03-11T13:00:46Z

Lord Igor: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]'' #8
|prev=All Hail Megatron issue 7
|next=All Hail Megatron issue 9
|image=AHM 8a.jpg
|caption=O brother, can you spare an arm?
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 11]], [[2009]]
|coverdate=February 2009
|written by=[[Shane McCarthy]]
|art by=[[Guido Guidi]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Neil Uyetake]] & [[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|All Hail Megatron]]
}}

'''The identity of the traitor is finally revealed!'''

==Synopsis==
{{note|All passages in italics are flashbacks.}}

''[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] broods on a bench in a hallway. [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] appears, asking him how he feels. Sunstreaker says nothing, so Ratchet goes on, saying that the operation is a success and that [[Hunter O'Nion]] survived. The kid will never be fully [[human]] again, but he is fully conscious and asking for Sunstreaker. But Sunstreaker continues to sit in silence.''

In the [[Autobot]] base on present-day [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] berates [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] for his attack on [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]]. Kup doesn't believe that Mirage was the traitor, and he certainly doesn't like that they now have one less soldier active in the fight against the Swarm. He says that he understands what it's like to have things messing with one's mind, much like Cybertron is making everyone suffer. Ironhide refuses to blame the planet for his own actions, and Kup agrees, declaring that Ironhide is suffering under his own guilt for not having anticipated the ambush. Kup reflects on how he, himself, had taken a command path in the military, while Ironhide had preferred to remain in the trenches, where he believed he could see things coming. Ironhide replies that he feels like he's been shut out, and indeed he should've seen it coming. They suddenly hear gunfire outside and rush to investigate. The other Autobots are firing at the incoming [[Insecticon swarm]], and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] reports to Kup rather belatedly that the swarm has arrived. Kup asks where [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] is, and Blurr says he has no idea. Kup orders the troops to form a perimeter as they prepare to move out.

In [[New York City]], [[Spectro]] and [[Spyglass]] corner a group of humans in an alley. The [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]]-bots tell the humans not to be afraid, that they're only going to play a game. Some distance away, [[Viewfinder]] sits inertly on some rubble and passively parrots his fellows' conversation about how the humans come apart so easily. [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] glances at him as he walks past, then steps through a large hole in the side of a building where the three [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticons]] are gathered. [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] rudely asks him what he wants, and Starscream reminds him that he's addressing a superior officer. Starscream suggests that perhaps he has mistaken him for someone else, and [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] quickly takes the opening to offer an apology. Starscream turns the offer around, saying that he has come to apologize to ''them'' for the mistreatment he had heard they endured. Starscream says that the Insecticons are too valuable to suffer such indignities, and the future of the Decepticon empire depends on transcending that kind of "mindless thuggishness", as surely someone of Bombshell's intellectual caliber would appreciate. Bombshell agrees and asks if Starscream often considers the future of the empire, to which Starscream replies that it's time they had a talk.

On Cybertron, most of the Autobots race down a street in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]], carrying Kup, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]]. The three are firing at the pursuing swarm, but Kup has a surprise prepared: At his order, Perceptor silently stands up and shoots at two explosives planted on either side of the road. An absolutely ''massive'' fireball results, and [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] asks if Drift was still back there. [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] asks if that matters, and Kup shuts him up. Perceptor is suddenly struck in the neck by a dart fired by the swarm, falling back onto [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]]. Kup, tending to Perceptor, orders the Autobots to continue their way across the bridge, where more explosives are planted. He says that it's the only way in or out of their bunker, and blowing it will delay the Swarm long enough to prepare. As the group reaches the other side and transforms, a debate begins about how to detonate the bridge. Kup's plan had been for Perceptor to snipe the bomb, but he's down for the count. Cliffjumper suggests that [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] take the shot from the air, but Springer says that he hasn't been able to fly since they crashed on the planet. [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] volunteers to run in and back, but Kup doubts that even ''his'' speed would be enough. Then Ironhide asks where Sunstreaker is...

On Earth, Starscream looks out from the balcony of a very Cybertronian-looking building. Someone inside asks if things went according to plan, and if [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] suspects. Starscream says that the plan is indeed proceeding and that Megatron "always suspects." Starscream goes on to say that there was once a time that he had idolized Megatron, but Megatron has lost his way. He tells his unseen visitor to "prepare the others" and await his signal.

On Cybertron, Sunstreaker stands alone on the bridge. Ironhide goes over to him and asks him if he's trying to get himself killed. Sunstreaker says he is, since ''he'' is the traitor they've been looking for.

''Starscream asks Sunstreaker if they have a deal. Sunstreaker expresses his doubts as he faces Starscream alone in some secluded woods. Starscream tells him that he knows what had been done to him and how much it is hurting him to remain on Earth. Starscream asks for his help in taking Megatron down, with the proviso that the Autobots then leave Earth so Starscream and the Decepticons can rule the planet unmolested. Sunstreaker agrees "on one condition": That Starscream use his dominion to kill every last human being.''

Sunstreaker attempts to explain himself to Ironhide, telling him that Starscream claimed only to want the Earth. Their plan, had it succeeded, would've left the Autobots' greatest enemy defeated at the cost of just one planet—the planet he hated so badly. Knowing that [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] would never go for it, the two plotters arranged the disinformation ruse that led the Autobots into their fateful ambush, where Megatron was intended to perish.

[[File:Hanging Hunter.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Guh?]]

Just as Sunstreaker is beginning to apologize to Ironhide, they're pelted with the swarm's darts. Sunstreaker tries to get Ironhide to leave without him, but the Swarm overwhelms them both. Suddenly, Drift appears from out of nowhere and takes Ironhide to safety. Sunstreaker then aims his gun at one of the explosives and blows up the bridge, destroying both himself and the Swarm. Ironhide angrily checks himself into Ratchet's repair room, and Jazz orders Drift to stay outside and keep watch.

As Ironhide lies on a med-table in silence, Drift decides to talk with him. Drift says that their calamities aren't all Sunstreaker's fault, since he couldn't have provided the Decepticons with the access codes and the means to infiltrate their systems the way they had. Drift doesn't believe that there's another traitor, but he does think that "there's more to this than we know".

On Earth, Bombshell looks up at Hunter O'Nion, whose body has been disassembled horrifically. Numerous cables stream in and out of his torso; even his right eye socket now has a tube coming out of it. His expression is of slack-jawed horror, and he looks very much like Sunstreaker did under the Machination's experiments.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (1)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (2)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (3)
* [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] (6)
* [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (7)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (8)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (9)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Hot Rod/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]] (11)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (17)
* [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (19)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (20)
|c2=
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (13)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (14)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (15)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (16)
* [[Insecticon swarm]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Hunter O'Nion]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==
"So I just sit here then? Watching you chew on that thing? Considering they haven't made those for hundreds of years, that's got to be pretty—"
:—'''Ironhide''', making Kup's [[Cy-gar|sparkplug-cigar-thing]] even ''more'' inscrutable.

"They're on us!" 
"Some early-warning system you are."
:—'''Blurr''', alerting '''Kup''' to the obvious.

"Oh, dear... they come apart quite easily, don't they?" 
"Such a mess." 
"Shall we put them back together again?" 
"Yes, let's!"
:—'''Viewfinder''', idly parroting his fellow Reflector-bots' conversation about "playing" with humans some distance away.

"What about Drift? Isn't he back there?" 
"Does it matter?"
:—'''Ratchet''' and '''Bumblebee''', playing audience-surrogate.

"You tryin' to get yourself killed?!" 
"Yes."
:—'''Ironhide''' thought he was asking '''Sunstreaker''' a rhetorical question.

"This war, it's changing all of us." 
"Well, you're the expert, right?"
:—'''Drift''' and '''Ironhide''', hinting that Drift has a mysteeeeeeeeeeeerious past.

==Notes==
* Originally, ''Kup'' was going to be the Autobot traitor, directly due to "[[Spotlight: Kup]]". This idea was thrown out before Shane began writing #1, because he thought Sunstreaker would be a more interesting and less obvious traitor. (It certainly is less obvious when the guy isn't around until #7...) McCarthy believed this level of trauma would've been serious enough to turn him into hate,<ref>[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=11723]</ref> though this strains credibility in light of Sunstreaker and Hunter's demeanor and behavior in ''[[The Transformers: Devastation|Devastation]]'' and ''[[The Transformers: Maximum Dinobots|Maximum Dinobots]]''. In an effort to further explain the origins of Sunstreaker's abrupt betrayal and hatred of humanity, the later [[All Hail Megatron issue 14|''All Hail Megatron'' issue 14]] rewrites a crucial scene in ''Devastation'' to slant it to McCarthy's point of view.

===Errors===
* The Reflector-bots' behavior reflects their [[The Transformers (cartoon)|original ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] portrayal, where lines were often spoken simultaneously by all three units. This contradicts their previous appearance in "[[Spotlight: Wheelie]]", where their lines never overlapped, and in fact Spectro and Spyglass carried on whole conversations between each other. Notably, this was after Viewfinder's apparent death, which may have interrupted their mental bond. However, no such explanation is presented in either comic.
* Ratchet's windshield is supposed to be broken, but it's whole for his appearance in the initial scene.
* The implication in the last page is that Hunter is the missing link referred to by Drift: Hunter unwillingly gave Bombshell the codes and Sunstreaker was only responsible for the Earth trap, not the whole surge as he couldn't provide the codes necessary. It does seem strange that Hunter somehow has access to those codes but Sunstreaker did not. How could Hunter have greater knowledge or access than that of the Transformer he was bonded to? Did Bombshell hack the Autobot network using Hunter to access Sunstreaker's own link to the network?

===Covers===
*'''Cover A:''' Sideswipe stands over a fallen Sunstreaker; art by [[Casey Coller]] and [[Joana Lafuente]].
*'''Cover B:''' Human fists raised in front of the Autobot symbol; art by [[Trevor Hutchison]].
*'''Cover RI:''' Starscream sketch by Guido Guidi.

<gallery>
File:AHM 8a.jpg|Major freakin' spoiler!
File:All Hail Megatron 08 B.jpg|Judo punch!
File:All Hail Megatron 08 RI.jpg|Who disrupts my coloration!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles'' TV series (interior)
* ''Dollhouse'' TV series (interior)
* [[All Hail Megatron issue 9|''All Hail Megatron'' #9]]
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]'' comics
* ''[[Transformers: Defiance]]''
* ''G.I. Joe: Origins''
* ''[[Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' Volume 2 TPB
* ''Spike: After the Fall'' TPB
* ''All Hail Megatron'' TPB
* ''Star Trek: Countdown'' miniseries
* ''Doctor Who: The Whispering Gallery'' comic (back cover)

===Reprints===
*[[2009]] — ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|The Transformers: All Hail Megatron Volume 2]]''
*[[2010]] — ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron]]''
*[[2011]] — ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|The Transformers: The Complete All Hail Megatron]]''
*[[2011]] — ''[[The Transformers: The IDW Collection Volume Five]]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:All Hail Megatron 08}}
[[Category:All Hail Megatron issues]]

All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth

2016-02-29T15:36:15Z

Lord Igor: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|series=exrid|issueno=50
|prev=Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion
|next=New Worlds Order
|caption=
|image=TF50 regcvr.jpg
|title="All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[The Transformers issue 50|''The Transformers'' #50]]
|date=[[February 24]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=February 2016
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] (pg. 1-15), [[John-Paul Bove]] (pg. 16-20), and [[Josh Perez]] (pg. 21-30)
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] and [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''In order to protect Earth from the Decepticons, Optimus Prime annexes the planet into the Cybertronian Council of Worlds. But few agree with his drastic decision...'''

==Synopsis==

''All across [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] appears on every communications device, his words broadcast in every language. The Autobot leader has come to bring the Earth freedom—freedom from the harm at both the hands of the [[Decepticon]]s and its own native evils—by introducing it to the larger cosmic community.''

In the centre of [[Shanghai]], [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] ignores Optimus's demand to stand down, and orders his Decepticons into battle. Simultaneously, at the [[Earth Defense Command|E.D.C.]] Headquarters on [[Bikini Atoll]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] insists that [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] allow him to join the fight; she refuses, finally admitting that she just doesn't want to see him hurt, and orders the activation of the Transformer-crippling "[[mindbomb]]" instead. Though abandoned by a furious [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Galvatron still has a mindbomb countmeasure - he forces the captive [[G.B. Blackrock (G1)|Garrison Blackrock]] to give the [[Onyx]] source code to one of his troops, the telepathic [[Outlier]] [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], who then combines it with his mental powers to interfere with the mindbomb's activation, protecting Galvatron and a handful of other Decepticons from its effects. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] uses a device of his own to shield ''all'' the [[Autobot]]s from the mind-weapon, and, vastly outnumbered, Galvatron has [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleport the operational Decepticons, and the captive Blackrock, away.

For a brief moment, it appears the Autobots have won... at which point, they come under attack from China's own [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]], a military unit led by pilot [[Zilong Qian]], equipped with transforming jet fighters created with Cybertronian technology sold to them by Blackrock! [[Aileron]] is shocked as the crippled Decepticons are slain one after the other by the mechas, but her friend [[Sterling]] can't muster any sympathy for the villains. But things soon go from bad to worse as Chinese satellites begin to rain down heat rays upon the battlefield, slaying Sterling and others. At Optimus Prime's instruction, Aileron takes flight and heads into space to shoot the satellites down; as she zooms off, she crosses paths with the ''[[Peace Without Tyranny]]'', which contains [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and has arrived to collect any Decepticons who wish to relocate to [[Sanctuary Station]]. Several take Soundwave up on his offer, including [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] and [[Swift]], but when Soundwave refuses to bring any of Optimus' followers aboard, Cosmos stays loyal to his friends and elects not to return to Sanctuary.

With the satellites successfully destroyed, Aileron returns to the battle just as the Autobots reactivate the [[space bridge]] and begin transporting all the wounded back to Cybertron. But time is short, as the bridge is running low on power, and while [[Victorion]] defends the evacuation, Optimus, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and Cosmos rescue [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] from the wreckage of the ''[[Ark-7]]''. Meanwhile, Aileron believes she has hit upon a solution, and runs through the faltering bridge, though the situation is no better on the other side: the evacuated Decepticons are still trying to fight back, and [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] has called in [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to keep the peace, which is going about as well as could be expected. Evading the combiner, Aileron makes her way to her objective: Optimus Prime's personal ship, the ''[[Skyroller]]'', which she pilots back through the bridge to Earth. All the remaining Autobots pile aboard, Prime sets the ''Ark-7'' to self-destruct, and the ''Skyroller'' streaks off into the sky with the space bridge safely attached to its hull.

The ''Skyroller'' sets course for E.D.C. Headquarters, where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] encourages Marissa to finish the Autobots off now that they are weakened. Realizing that Optimus Prime just saved the Earth and knowing that he is only coming to collect his comrades, Marissa shuts Spike down and has him thrown in a cell, then everyone heads up to the surface to greet Prime's ship. Things are tense to begin with, but Thundercracker is able to corroborate Marissa's explanation that it was the traitorous Blackrock, not them, who was responsible for abducting [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Wishing to leave the E.D.C. and its subterfuge behind, Thundercracker asks Optimus to put the past aside, and the Autobot leader welcomes the former Decepticon into his ranks. Prime's unit departs with a warning to Marissa to get her house in order... and Marissa cannot help but wonder: what if Spike was right about the Autobots?

Thundercracker takes the Autobots back to his old homestead, where they can use what little Cybertronian tech he has to recharge and repair the space bridge. While recharging, Prime is plagued by visions... visions of a crashed Decepticon [[Worldsweeper]] and a burning [[White House]]... of Arcee and Galvatron fighting side by side... Victorion triumphing over [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in battle... a [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]]'s fist emerging from beneath an Earth desert... Sanctuary Station burning... [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] bowing before him... Aileron as the new [[Mistress of Flame]]... and of himself, surrounded by flame, with Galvatron's head on a pike. Hearing his cries, Aileron wakes him from his slumber, but rather than tell anyone what he has seen, Optimus has an idea. With Jetfire and Wheeljack's help, he uses the Skyroller's systems and the space bridge to transmit his message of freedom all across the Earth and Cybertron...

...and all across the Earth and Cybertron, others watch. Marissa realizes she was wrong; Arcee fears what will come next; Qian vows vengeance; Spike is outraged; Soundwave is unsurprised; Galvatron is delighted; Starscream and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] are concerned... and [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] prepares to take action.

==Featured characters==

{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (2)
*[[Victorion]] (3)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (4)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (5)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (9)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (29)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (30)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (31)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (34)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (38)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (46)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (52)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (54)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (55)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (56)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (57)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (58)
*[[Stormclash]] (59)
*[[Dustup]] (60)
*[[Jumpstream]] (61)
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] (62)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]] (10)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (11)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (13)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (14)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] (15)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (17)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (18)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (20)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (21)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (22)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (23)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (36)
*[[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] (37)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (39)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (40)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (41)
*[[Acid Storm]] (42)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (43)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (44)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (45)
*[[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]] (47)
*[[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]] (48)
*[[Red Wing (MW)|Red Wing]] (50)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[G.B. Blackrock (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Garrison Blackrock]] (16)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (28)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (32)
*[[Ayana Jones]] (33)
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney]] (35)
*[[Zilong Qian]] (49)

|c4=
*[[Aileron]] (7)
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] (8)
*[[Swift]] (12)
*[[Sterling]] (24)
*[[D.0.C.]] (26)
*[[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] (27)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (51)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (53)
}}

==Quotes==

"Why don't you want me to '''do''' something?" 
"'''I don't want you to die, okay?''' I '''like''' hearing your stupid stories." 
"Aw." 
"And if your '''flying's''' anything like your '''writing''', you wouldn't last '''two minutes,''' anyway."
:—'''Thundercracker''' and '''Marissa'''

"I'm glad '''somebody else''' 'round here looks like a '''spaceship'''."
:—'''Cosmos''', on Aileron

"We've only got '''seconds''' left, guys. Our best bet is to get that tall lady- 
"'''VICTORION!'''" 
"-yeah, '''you''', to carry the bridge, an' try an' '''march''' out of the city real '''fast-like'''."
:—Wheeljack comes up with a plan, if only he could remember what's-her-name.

"The prisoners have been injured. Shall I '''kill''' the '''humans'''?
:—'''Pyra Magna''' on seeing her captive fellow Autobots

"You need to get your '''house''' in order... and if '''you''' don't, I will."
:—'''Optimus''' warns Marissa and Ayana Jones to clean up their act

"They'll find us anyway, my dear." 
"Prime or not, Trion- don't ever, '''ever''' call me that again."
:—'''Pyra Magna''' isn't above getting testy with a Prime

"I'm too tired to even make something up so I sound better'n I '''am.'''
:—'''Wheeljack'''

"People of Earth. I... am '''Optimus Prime.''' I speak to you in all languages, across all frequencies, with a message of '''hope.''' I understand the '''terror''' and '''hatred''' you feel toward those like myself. I ask you only to '''listen''', and consider my words. Your world is now under '''my''' protection. Yesterday's violence in the '''People's Republic of China''' was unfortunate. I, and my forces, acted to prevent an '''invasion''' by those called '''Decepticons.''' Five years ago, it was Decepticons who '''conquered''' your world, and my forces who '''liberated''' it. We left this planet, an action I believed would '''protect''' the people of Earth. I was wrong. Instead, your own '''governments''' gave resources, aid, and a home to this '''ultimate evil'''... while '''humans''' die from starvation and preventable '''diseases'''... while authority '''subjugates''' those it should '''serve.''' I vow to '''eliminate''' the threat '''my people''' brought to your world—but that is not the end '''goal'''. It is time for '''humankind''' to enter the '''cosmic community.''' I am not here to '''rule''' you, but to '''help''' you on this path. I bring the people of Earth that which is the right of '''all''' sentient beings... I bring you '''freedom.'''" 
"Like '''hell''' you do."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s speech, and '''Prowl'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reaction

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The final panel on page 1, last in a sequence of Optimus Prime's face being displayed on communciations devices around the world, looks quite different from the others, with gritty, textured coloring. The final page reveals that this is the monitor Prowl is watching the speech on, which means this coloring choice was likely a deliberate one by [[Josh Burcham]] to evoke the palette of [[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|''Sins of the Wreckers'']], in which Prowl is currently appearing.
*Squawktalk and Beastbox appear as individuals for the first time in IDW continuity; previously, only [[Squawkbox]] (their toys' traditional combined form) has put in several appearances as one of the regulars at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's]] during the book's first story arc. He was among those who initially abandoned his faction to remain in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after Starscream took power, but it looks like that didn't work out too good for him.
* Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are explicitly stated to be brothers for the first time in IDW continuity. ''[[Spotlight: Sideswipe]]'', the only up-close look at the pair's relationship, had refrained from mentioning any kind of familial connection between the two, a noticeable omission that seemed to implicitly suggest they ''weren't'' brothers in this continuity.
*Starscream laments that Devastator's overly violent approach to putting down the Decepticons allows "a bunch of fugitives" to escape; the escapees are not identified, but this is probably a wee bit of butt-covering to make sure [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], who have been part of the Decepticon mob in the last few issues, are still on the loose for their upcoming role in ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'', as foreshadowed by the [[The Will of the Few|final issue of ''Windblade'']].
*Prime used the ''Skyroller'' while he was off on his self-imposed exile as "Orion Pax" during the first two years of the series. He brought it with him aboard the ''Ark-7'', then used it to take himself back to Cybertron in [[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|issue #35]], where it has remained until now.
*The words heard during Optimus Prime's prophetic vision are the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" prophecy recited by [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] are various times during the titular storyline.
*A [[Worldsweeper]] is seen in Optimus's vision, crashed in the middle of [[Washington, D.C.]] These giant symbol-ships have shown up over in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' a few times, but this is their first appearance in this book.
*Although Prowl is currently appearing in ''Sins of the Wreckers'' at the time of this issue's publication, this storyline takes place chronologically after that mini's conclusion. Prowl's still missing the eye Optimus punched out in [[Now and On Earth|issue #42]].

===Transformers references===
*One of the generic Decepticons aboard Sanctuary Station has the coloration of [[Tomahawk (TF 2010)|Tomahawk]], a movieverse Autobot from the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], but with a [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]/[[empurata]]-style head.
*This story arc's title is, of course, a reference to IDW's own [[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|''All Hail Megatron'' comic book]]. Like, duh.
*Mindwipe, you say? Gosh, [[Transformers: Generations#Titans Return|why '''''ever''''']] would he turn up so suddenly?
*There's a lot of generics biting it in this issue, but one who shows up and manages to ''not'' explode is [[Red Wing (MW)|Red Wing]], a red [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] introduced in [[Fun Publications]]' [[Termination|''Transformers: Timelines'' #8]]. See Errors, though.

===Real-life references===
*This issue's title is a riff on the movie ''{{w|Once Upon a Time in the West}}'', likely a partial reference to the fact that actor Henry Fonda was cast against type as a villain in the movie, paralleling the traditionally heroic Optimus Prime's questionable position in this story.
*As the ''Skyroller'' readies for takeoff, Aileron reports "Atomic turbines to power—and we're ready to leave!"—a mashup of the activation procedure for the Batmobile in the 1960s ''[[Batman]]'' TV series, "Atomic batteries to power! Turbines to speed! Ready to move out!"

===Errors===
*Optimus attests that it has been five years since the events of ''All Hail Megatron'', but in [[Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|issue #30]], ''eight'' years were said to have passed since then. Deliberately or not, this timescale ''does'' fit with [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|issue #29]]'s claim that 2011's Occupy Wall Street movement was happening when ''All Hail'' occurred, but it's hard to reconcile it with everything else that's happened in IDW continuity since then (the two-year gap between ''All Hail'' and the [[The Transformers (IDW)|Costa ongoing]], the entirely of said ongoing, and four real-time years of this series).
*Tantrum's looking a little off-color as Victorion lifts him with her gravity powers on page 4, with a greenish-yellow body instead of orange, and grey feet instead of red.
*Continuing with miscolored Predacons, on page 9, the doubled-over Headstrong is all red and grey.
*For his one-panel appearance, Red Wing's left hand is red, while his right hand is black. As he otherwise very closely matches the deco layout of the artwork released of him by Fun Pub, we know both his hands ought to be black.
*Sideswipe appears to be in very good shape for someone who has been shot at point blank range after having been blown up by grenades. Last issue he was sporting significant damage to his arms and appeared to have been shot in the head, but both his arms and head seem fine.

===Other trivia===
*Victorion and Pyra Magna are both shown with Autobot symbols on their chest, indicating that the previously factionless Torchbearers have formally joined the Autobots. Notably, the symbols are hand-drawn by Andrew Griffith, not the computer-applied ones that normally appear in the book (which can be seen on Optimus Prime and other characters throughout the issue); this might just be an error that resulted from someone forgetting to apply the symbols (Superion also has a hand-drawn one on page 13) or it might mean that, in-universe, the symbols have only been drawn onto the Torchbearers hastily.
*Speaking of Victorion, she's spends this issue with a mouthplate she's never had before. It's missing on one panel on page 16, which indicates it's retractable, rather than an error.
*Bob also shows a moveable faceplate when he growls at Buster.
*Poor old [[Rust Dust]] can't catch a break; though she ''does'' appear as Victorion's chestplate (which she hasn't always managed to in the past), she's the only Torchbearer who doesn't appear on-panel after the combiner separates.

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/28049-optimus-prime-conquers-earth-in-transformers-50-preview.html Preview]

All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth

2016-02-29T15:35:47Z

Lord Igor: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|series=exrid|issueno=50
|prev=Conquerors Part 4: Perihelion
|next=New Worlds Order
|caption=
|image=TF50 regcvr.jpg
|title="All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[The Transformers issue 50|''The Transformers'' #50]]
|date=[[February 24]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=February 2016
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Andrew Griffith]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]] (pg. 1-15), [[John-Paul Bove]] (pg. 16-20), and [[Josh Perez]] (pg. 21-30)
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]] and [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''In order to protect Earth from the Decepticons, Optimus Prime annexes the planet into the Cybertronian Council of Worlds. But few agree with his drastic decision...'''

==Synopsis==

''All across [[Earth]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] appears on every communications device, his words broadcast in every language. The Autobot leader has come to bring the Earth freedom—freedom from the harm at both the hands of the [[Decepticon]]s and its own native evils—by introducing it to the larger cosmic community.''

In the centre of [[Shanghai]], [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] ignores Optimus's demand to stand down, and orders his Decepticons into battle. Simultaneously, at the [[Earth Defense Command|E.D.C.]] Headquarters on [[Bikini Atoll]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] insists that [[Marissa Faireborn|Marissa]] allow him to join the fight; she refuses, finally admitting that she just doesn't want to see him hurt, and orders the activation of the Transformer-crippling "[[mindbomb]]" instead. Though abandoned by a furious [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], Galvatron still has a mindbomb countmeasure - he forces the captive [[G.B. Blackrock (G1)|Garrison Blackrock]] to give the [[Onyx]] source code to one of his troops, the telepathic [[Outlier]] [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], who then combines it with his mental powers to interfere with the mindbomb's activation, protecting Galvatron and a handful of other Decepticons from its effects. Unfortunately for the Decepticons, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] uses a device of his own to shield ''all'' the [[Autobot]]s from the mind-weapon, and, vastly outnumbered, Galvatron has [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] teleport the operational Decepticons, and the captive Blackrock, away.

For a brief moment, it appears the Autobots have won... at which point, they come under attack from China's own [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]], a military unit led by pilot [[Zilong Qian]], equipped with transforming jet fighters created with Cybertronian technology sold to them by Blackrock! [[Aileron]] is shocked as the crippled Decepticons are slain one after the other by the mechas, but her friend [[Sterling]] can't muster any sympathy for the villains. But things soon go from bad to worse as Chinese satellites begin to rain down heat rays upon the battlefield, slaying Sterling and others. At Optimus Prime's instruction, Aileron takes flight and heads into space to shoot the satellites down; as she zooms off, she crosses paths with the ''[[Peace Without Tyranny]]'', which contains [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] and has arrived to collect any Decepticons who wish to relocate to [[Sanctuary Station]]. Several take Soundwave up on his offer, including [[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] and [[Swift]], but when Soundwave refuses to bring any of Optimus' followers aboard, Cosmos stays loyal to his friends and elects not to return to Sanctuary.

With the satellites successfully destroyed, Aileron returns to the battle just as the Autobots reactivate the [[space bridge]] and begin transporting all the wounded back to Cybertron. But time is short, as the bridge is running low on power, and while [[Victorion]] defends the evacuation, Optimus, [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], and Cosmos rescue [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]], [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]], and [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] from the wreckage of the ''[[Ark-7]]''. Meanwhile, Aileron believes she has hit upon a solution, and runs through the faltering bridge, though the situation is no better on the other side: the evacuated Decepticons are still trying to fight back, and [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] has called in [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] to keep the peace, which is going about as well as could be expected. Evading the combiner, Aileron makes her way to her objective: Optimus Prime's personal ship, the ''[[Skyroller]]'', which she pilots back through the bridge to Earth. All the remaining Autobots pile aboard, Prime sets the ''Ark-7'' to self-destruct, and the ''Skyroller'' streaks off into the sky with the space bridge safely attached to its hull.

The ''Skyroller'' sets course for E.D.C. Headquarters, where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] encourages Marissa to finish the Autobots off now that they are weakened. Realizing that Optimus Prime just saved the Earth and knowing that he is only coming to collect his comrades, Marissa shuts Spike down and has him thrown in a cell, then everyone heads up to the surface to greet Prime's ship. Things are tense to begin with, but Thundercracker is able to corroborate Marissa's explanation that it was the traitorous Blackrock, not them, who was responsible for abducting [[Kup (G1)|Kup]], [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]], [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], and [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]]. Wishing to leave the E.D.C. and its subterfuge behind, Thundercracker asks Optimus to put the past aside, and the Autobot leader welcomes the former Decepticon into his ranks. Prime's unit departs with a warning to Marissa to get her house in order... and Marissa cannot help but wonder: what if Spike was right about the Autobots?

Thundercracker takes the Autobots back to his old homestead, where they can use what little Cybertronian tech he has to recharge and repair the space bridge. While recharging, Prime is plagued by visions... visions of a crashed Decepticon [[Worldsweeper]] and a burning [[White House]]... of Arcee and Galvatron fighting side by side... Victorion triumphing over [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] in battle... a [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]]'s fist emerging from beneath an Earth desert... Sanctuary Station burning... [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] bowing before him... Aileron as the new [[Mistress of Flame]]... and of himself, surrounded by flame, with Galvatron's head on a pike. Hearing his cries, Aileron wakes him from his slumber, but rather than tell anyone what he has seen, Optimus has an idea. With Jetfire and Wheeljack's help, he uses the Skyroller's systems and the space bridge to transmit his message of freedom all across the Earth and Cybertron...

...and all across the Earth and Cybertron, others watch. Marissa realizes she was wrong; Arcee fears what will come next; Qian vows vengeance; Spike is outraged; Soundwave is unsurprised; Galvatron is delighted; Starscream and [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] are concerned... and [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] prepares to take action.

==Featured characters==

{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (1)
*[[Superion (G1)|Superion]] (2)
*[[Victorion]] (3)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (4)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (5)
*[[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (6)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (9)
*[[Thundercracker (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Thundercracker]] (25)
*[[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (29)
*[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (30)
*[[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (31)
*[[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] (34)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (38)
*[[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (46)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (52)
*[[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]] (54)
*[[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (55)
*[[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (56)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (57)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (58)
*[[Stormclash]] (59)
*[[Dustup]] (60)
*[[Jumpstream]] (61)
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] (62)
{{!}}}
|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Squawktalk (G1)|Squawktalk]] (10)
*[[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (11)
*[[Needlenose (G1)|Needlenose]] (13)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (14)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]] (15)
*[[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (17)
*[[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] (18)
*[[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (19)
*[[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (20)
*[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (21)
*[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]] (22)
*[[Tantrum (G1)|Tantrum]] (23)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (36)
*[[Sky-Byte (G2)|Sky-Byte]] (37)
*[[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (39)
*[[Buzzsaw (G1)|Buzzsaw]] (40)
*[[Slugslinger (G1)|Slugslinger]] (41)
*[[Acid Storm]] (42)
*[[Headstrong (G1)|Headstrong]] (43)
*[[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (44)
*[[Cutthroat (G1)|Cutthroat]] (45)
*[[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]] (47)
*[[Beastbox (G1)|Beastbox]] (48)
*[[Red Wing (MW)|Red Wing]] (50)
{{!}}}
|c3=
*[[G.B. Blackrock (G1)#IDW Generation 1 continuity|Garrison Blackrock]] (16)
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (28)
*[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (32)
*[[Ayana Jones]] (33)
*[[Sanjay Bharwaney]] (35)
*[[Zilong Qian]] (49)

|c4=
*[[Aileron]] (7)
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] (8)
*[[Swift]] (12)
*[[Sterling]] (24)
*[[D.0.C.]] (26)
*[[Buster (IDW)|Buster]] (27)
*[[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (51)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (53)
}}

==Quotes==

"Why don't you want me to '''do''' something?" 
"'''I don't want you to die, okay?''' I '''like''' hearing your stupid stories." 
"Aw." 
"And if your '''flying's''' anything like your '''writing''', you wouldn't last '''two minutes,''' anyway."
:—'''Thundercracker''' and '''Marissa'''

"I'm glad '''somebody else''' 'round here looks like a '''spaceship'''."
:—'''Cosmos''', on Aileron

"We've only got '''seconds''' left, guys. Our best bet is to get that tall lady- 
"'''VICTORION!'''" 
"-yeah, '''you''', to carry the bridge, an' try an' '''march''' out of the city real '''fast-like'''."
:—Wheeljack comes up with a plan, if only he could remember what's-her-name.

"The prisoners have been injured. Shall I '''kill''' the '''humans'''?
:—'''Pyra Magna''' on seeing her captive fellow Autobots

"You need to get your '''house''' in order... and if '''you''' don't, I will."
:—'''Optimus''' warns Marissa and Ayana Jones to clean up their act

"They'll find us anyway, my dear." 
"Prime or not, Trion- don't ever, '''ever''' call me that again."
:—'''Pyra Magna''' isn't above getting testy with a Prime

"I'm too tired to even make something up so I sound better'n I '''am.'''
:—'''Wheeljack'''

"People of Earth. I... am '''Optimus Prime.''' I speak to you in all languages, across all frequencies, with a message of '''hope.''' I understand the '''terror''' and '''hatred''' you feel toward those like myself. I ask you only to '''listen''', and consider my words. Your world is now under '''my''' protection. Yesterday's violence in the '''People's Republic of China''' was unfortunate. I, and my forces, acted to prevent an '''invasion''' by those called '''Decepticons.''' Five years ago, it was Decepticons who '''conquered''' your world, and my forces who '''liberated''' it. We left this planet, an action I believed would '''protect''' the people of Earth. I was wrong. Instead, your own '''governments''' gave resources, aid, and a home to this '''ultimate evil'''... while '''humans''' die from starvation and preventable '''diseases'''... while authority '''subjugates''' those it should '''serve.''' I vow to '''eliminate''' the threat '''my people''' brought to your world—but that is not the end '''goal'''. It is time for '''humankind''' to enter the '''cosmic community.''' I am not here to '''rule''' you, but to '''help''' you on this path. I bring the people of Earth that which is the right of '''all''' sentient beings... I bring you '''freedom.'''" 
"Like '''hell''' you do."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s speech, and '''Prowl'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reaction

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The final panel on page 1, last in a sequence of Optimus Prime's face being displayed on communciations devices around the world, looks quite different from the others, with gritty, textured coloring. The final page reveals that this is the monitor Prowl is watching the speech on, which means this coloring choice was likely a deliberate one by [[Josh Burcham]] to evoke the palette of [[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|''Sins of the Wreckers'']], in which Prowl is currently appearing.
*Squawktalk and Beastbox appear as individuals for the first time in IDW continuity; previously, only [[Squawkbox]] (their toys' traditional combined form) has put in several appearances as one of the regulars at [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam's]] during the book's first story arc. He was among those who initially abandoned his faction to remain in [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] after Starscream took power, but it looks like that didn't work out too good for him.
* Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are explicitly stated to be brothers for the first time in IDW continuity. ''[[Spotlight: Sideswipe]]'', the only up-close look at the pair's relationship, had refrained from mentioning any kind of familial connection between the two, a noticeable omission that seemed to implicitly suggest they ''weren't'' brothers in this continuity.
*Starscream laments that Devastator's overly violent approach to putting down the Decepticons allows "a bunch of fugitives" to escape; the escapees are not identified, but this is probably a wee bit of butt-covering to make sure [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] and [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], who have been part of the Decepticon mob in the last few issues, are still on the loose for their upcoming role in ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]'', as foreshadowed by the [[The Will of the Few|final issue of ''Windblade'']].
*Prime used the ''Skyroller'' while he was off on his self-imposed exile as "Orion Pax" during the first two years of the series. He brought it with him aboard the ''Ark-7'', then used it to take himself back to Cybertron in [[Onyx Interface Part One: Signals, Calls, and Marches|issue #35]], where it has remained until now.
*The words heard during Optimus Prime's prophetic vision are the "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" prophecy recited by [[Scoop (G1)|Scoop]] are various times during the titular storyline.
*A [[Worldsweeper]] is seen in Optimus's vision, crashed in the middle of [[Washington, D.C.]] These giant symbol-ships have shown up over in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' a few times, but this is their first appearance in this book.
*Although Prowl is currently appearing in ''Sins of the Wreckers'' at the time of this issue's publication, this storyline takes place chronologically after that mini's conclusion. Prowl's still missing the eye Optimus punched out in [[Now and On Earth|issue #42]].

===Transformers references===
*One of the generic Decepticons aboard Sanctuary Station has the coloration of [[Tomahawk (TF 2010)|Tomahawk]], a movieverse Autobot from the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], but with a [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]]/[[empurata]]-style head.
*This story arc's title is, of course, a reference to IDW's own [[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|''All Hail Megatron'' comic book]]. Like, duh.
*Mindwipe, you say? Gosh, [[Transformers: Generations#Titans Return|why '''''ever''''']] would he turn up so suddenly?
*There's a lot of generics biting it in this issue, but one who shows up and manages to ''not'' explode is [[Red Wing (MW)|Red Wing]], a red [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] introduced in [[Fun Publications]]' [[Termination|''Transformers: Timelines'' #8]]. See Errors, though.

===Real-life references===
*This issue's title is a riff on the movie ''{{w|Once Upon a Time in the West}}'', likely a partial reference to the fact that actor Henry Fonda was cast against type as a villain in the movie, paralleling the traditionally heroic Optimus Prime's questionable position in this story.
*As the ''Skyroller'' readies for takeoff, Aileron reports "Atomic turbines to power—and we're ready to leave!"—a mashup of the activation procedure for the Batmobile in the 1960s ''[[Batman]]'' TV series, "Atomic batteries to power! Turbines to speed! Ready to move out!"

===Errors===
*Optimus attests that it has been five years since the events of ''All Hail Megatron'', but in [[Earthfall Chapter 3: The Mind Bomb|issue #30]], ''eight'' years were said to have passed since then. Deliberately or not, this timescale ''does'' fit with [[Earthfall Part 2: Detonation Boulevard|issue #29]]'s claim that 2011's Occupy Wall Street movement was happening when ''All Hail'' occurred, but it's hard to reconcile it with everything else that's happened in IDW continuity since then (the two-year gap between ''All Hail'' and the [[The Transformers (IDW)|Costa ongoing]], the entirely of said ongoing, and four real-time years of this series).
*Tantrum's looking a little off-color as Victorion lifts him with her gravity powers on page 4, with a greenish-yellow body instead of orange, and grey feet instead of red.
*Continuing with miscolored Predacons, on page 9, the doubled-over Headstrong is all red and grey.
*For his one-panel appearance, Red Wing's left hand is red, while his right hand is black. As he otherwise very closely matches the deco layout of the artwork released of him by Fun Pub, we know both his hands ought to be black.
*Sideswipe appears to be in very good shape for someone who has been shot at point blank range after having been blown up by grenades. Last issue he was sporting significant damage to at his arms and appeared to have been shot in the head, but both his arms and head seem fine.

===Other trivia===
*Victorion and Pyra Magna are both shown with Autobot symbols on their chest, indicating that the previously factionless Torchbearers have formally joined the Autobots. Notably, the symbols are hand-drawn by Andrew Griffith, not the computer-applied ones that normally appear in the book (which can be seen on Optimus Prime and other characters throughout the issue); this might just be an error that resulted from someone forgetting to apply the symbols (Superion also has a hand-drawn one on page 13) or it might mean that, in-universe, the symbols have only been drawn onto the Torchbearers hastily.
*Speaking of Victorion, she's spends this issue with a mouthplate she's never had before. It's missing on one panel on page 16, which indicates it's retractable, rather than an error.
*Bob also shows a moveable faceplate when he growls at Buster.
*Poor old [[Rust Dust]] can't catch a break; though she ''does'' appear as Victorion's chestplate (which she hasn't always managed to in the past), she's the only Torchbearer who doesn't appear on-panel after the combiner separates.

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/28049-optimus-prime-conquers-earth-in-transformers-50-preview.html Preview]