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Stronger, Faster

2011-10-01T20:41:19Z

Mechabreaker: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=One Shall Fall
|image=StrongerFaster-peekaboo.jpg
|caption=More alive.
|title="Stronger, Faster"
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team departs, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. The injection causes him to lose consciousness, and Raf rouses him from lying on the floor shortly afterward. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-surrounded.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I need you to hurry up now, 'cause I can't wait much longer.]]

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and he underlines the importance of Ratchet's job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up once more, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Work it make it do it makes us.]]

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediately moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner with his blowtorch. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more proactive. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later, he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. However, Megatron is made of sterner stuff, and he gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample of the resultant leaking fluids so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-KnockOutMegatronRatchet.jpg|left|thumb|300px|That that that that that don't kill me, can only make me stronger.]]

On the bright side, as the synthetic energon drains out, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out completes taking his sample and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts the Decepticon, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and he apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier.
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's all right! I'm an emergency vehicle!"
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault on the Decepticons would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (''Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.'') 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

'''Megatron:''' (''speaking to Knock Out'') That is your fearsome new adversary? (''Chuckles'') He's Optimus Prime's medic! 
'''Ratchet:''' (''speaking to Megatron'') Oh no, '''Megatron''', I am your doctor of doom! 
:—'''Ratchet''' capitalizes on his newly found badass-ness

"Yeah, she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her."
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about his crush on [[Airachnid]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the GroundBridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Other errors===
*Ratchet jumps onto and leaps off of a tree branch which seems totally capable of supporting all the weight of an SUV landing on top of it with all that force, then leaping off. Not so much as a wood chip or crack to be seen - though it does creak audibly.
*When Ratchet first injects himself, he drops the glass cylinder and it shatters on the ground. Later, when Knockout collects a sample of the synthetic energon in a nearly identical cylinder, and Ratchet kicks it out of his hands, the cylinder flies ''across the entire room'' and lands without breaking. Then Ratchet throws it against a rock wall in the same room and it breaks instantly.
*When Arcee is hurt she obviously couldn't move her leg, and when she walks throught the ground bridge she is magically healed.

===Continuity notes===
* The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
* Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "[[Darkness Rising]]" five-part pilot among others, including "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Partners]]".
* The engine Ratchet uses to test the synthetic energon is a larger version of the device Ratchet built for [[Jack Darby|Jack's]] science project in "[[Masters & Students]]".
* Knock Out confuses Ratchet for a "new" Autobot. Which makes sense, since he hasn't encountered him before. Ratchet was with the other Autobots when they charged in to rescue Bulkhead from Starscream and Breakdown in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", but it's entirely possible that Breakdown simply didn't see him, since he was focused on escaping and missing an eye at the time.

===Real-world references===
* Given that the plot centres on the idea of artificial enhancement, this episode's title is almost certainly a reference to the opening of the 1974 ''[[wikipedia:The Six Million Dollar Man|Six Million Dollar Man]]'' series, which promised a cybernetic secret agent who was "Better, stronger, faster."
** That said, there's also the possibility it could be a reference to the original [[Action Master]]s [[commercial/Generation 1#1990|commercial]], in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] described the new breed of Transformer as "Stronger, faster, more alive!"
** And we guess we wouldn't ''totally'' rule out the notion that it refers to ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' director/producer [[Wikipedia:George Lucas|George Lucas]]'s desire for his actors to be "Stronger, faster— more intense!", or Daft Punk's 2009 [[Wikipedia:Grammy|Grammy]] winning song ''Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger''.
* It's also the same plot as about a billion after-school specials on the dangers of drugs.
* Ratchet referred to himself as Megatron's "[[wikipedia:Doctor Doom|Doctor of Doom]]." This goes without saying.

===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel. It later first aired in the United States on [[September 17]], [[2011]].

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Stronger, Faster

2011-10-01T20:27:51Z

Mechabreaker: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=One Shall Fall
|image=StrongerFaster-peekaboo.jpg
|caption=More alive.
|title="Stronger, Faster"
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team departs, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. The injection causes him to lose consciousness, and Raf rouses him from lying on the floor shortly afterward. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-surrounded.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I need you to hurry up now, 'cause I can't wait much longer.]]

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and he underlines the importance of Ratchet's job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up once more, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Work it make it do it makes us.]]

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediately moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner with his blowtorch. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more proactive. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later, he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. However, Megatron is made of sterner stuff, and he gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample of the resultant leaking fluids so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-KnockOutMegatronRatchet.jpg|left|thumb|300px|That that that that that don't kill me, can only make me stronger.]]

On the bright side, as the synthetic energon drains out, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out completes taking his sample and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts the Decepticon, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and he apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier.
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's all right! I'm an emergency vehicle!"
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault on the Decepticons would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (''Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.'') 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

'''Megatron''' (''speaking to Knockout'') That is your fearsome new adversary? (''Chuckles'') He's Optimus Prime's medic! 
'''Ratchet''' (''speaking to Megatron'') Oh no, '''Megatron''', I am your doctor of doom! 
:—'''Ratchet''' capitalizes on his newly found badass-ness

"Yeah, she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her."
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about his crush on [[Airachnid]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the GroundBridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Other errors===
*Ratchet jumps onto and leaps off of a tree branch which seems totally capable of supporting all the weight of an SUV landing on top of it with all that force, then leaping off. Not so much as a wood chip or crack to be seen - though it does creak audibly.
*When Ratchet first injects himself, he drops the glass cylinder and it shatters on the ground. Later, when Knockout collects a sample of the synthetic energon in a nearly identical cylinder, and Ratchet kicks it out of his hands, the cylinder flies ''across the entire room'' and lands without breaking. Then Ratchet throws it against a rock wall in the same room and it breaks instantly.
*When Arcee is hurt she obviously couldn't move her leg, and when she walks throught the ground bridge she is magically healed.

===Continuity notes===
* The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
* Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "[[Darkness Rising]]" five-part pilot among others, including "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Partners]]".
* The engine Ratchet uses to test the synthetic energon is a larger version of the device Ratchet built for [[Jack Darby|Jack's]] science project in "[[Masters & Students]]".
* Knock Out confuses Ratchet for a "new" Autobot. Which makes sense, since he hasn't encountered him before. Ratchet was with the other Autobots when they charged in to rescue Bulkhead from Starscream and Breakdown in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", but it's entirely possible that Breakdown simply didn't see him, since he was focused on escaping and missing an eye at the time.

===Real-world references===
* Given that the plot centres on the idea of artificial enhancement, this episode's title is almost certainly a reference to the opening of the 1974 ''[[wikipedia:The Six Million Dollar Man|Six Million Dollar Man]]'' series, which promised a cybernetic secret agent who was "Better, stronger, faster."
** That said, there's also the possibility it could be a reference to the original [[Action Master]]s [[commercial/Generation 1#1990|commercial]], in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] described the new breed of Transformer as "Stronger, faster, more alive!"
** And we guess we wouldn't ''totally'' rule out the notion that it refers to ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' director/producer [[Wikipedia:George Lucas|George Lucas]]'s desire for his actors to be "Stronger, faster— more intense!", or Daft Punk's 2009 [[Wikipedia:Grammy|Grammy]] winning song ''Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger''.
* It's also the same plot as about a billion after-school specials on the dangers of drugs.
* Ratchet referred to himself as Megatron's "[[wikipedia:Doctor Doom|Doctor of Doom]]." This goes without saying.

===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel. It later first aired in the United States on [[September 17]], [[2011]].

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Stronger, Faster

2011-10-01T20:25:40Z

Mechabreaker: /* Quotes */

{{episode|
|otherseries=''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' ep 22
|prev=T.M.I.
|next=One Shall Fall
|image=StrongerFaster-peekaboo.jpg
|caption=More alive.
|title="Stronger, Faster"
|airdate=[[August 14]], [[2011]]
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|directed by=[[Shaunt Nigoghossian]]
|animation studio=[[Polygon Pictures]]
|production company=[[Hasbro Studios]]
}}

'''Ratchet 'finalizes' the synthetic energon formula and uses himself as a test subject, but it ends up having some negative side effects.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] checks out a sample of [[Synthetic Energon|synthetic energon]] he's created, watched by [[Raf Esquivel|Raf]]. Approving the stability of the energon, Ratchet tries it on a test engine, and it works fine. Raf's keen to try it on [[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]], but Ratchet says it'll require more testing first. Meanwhile, the base sensors pick up [[Energon (fuel)|energon]] movement, but before [[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] gives the order to roll out, Ratchet warns him about the depleted state of their energon reserves. Once Prime's team departs, Ratchet has the idea to try the synthetic energon on himself. The injection causes him to lose consciousness, and Raf rouses him from lying on the floor shortly afterward. The synthetic energon appears to be a success, giving him more fuel efficiency and better motor functions.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-surrounded.jpg|left|thumb|300px|I need you to hurry up now, 'cause I can't wait much longer.]]

Meanwhile Prime's team chases [[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] and [[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] through an icy canyon. The Decepticons aren't in any hurry to bridge out, as they're trying to "help" the [[Autobot]]s run out of energon. Some [[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicon]]s flying overhead blast the sheer sides of canyon, causing a rock fall that blocks off the Autobots' path. [[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] manages to drive over it in her motorcycle mode, despite Prime's warnings, and races after the two Decepticons, only to be hit by missiles from the Vehicons. She is swiftly surrounded by Decepticons, and things look grim until Ratchet comes flying through the GroundBridge and begins laying into them with gusto. Knock Out and Breakdown assume that the Ratchet's a new Autobot, but are forced to retreat as Optimus, [[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] and Bumblebee come into view, firing at them. Ratchet finishes off the last of the Vehicons, to stunned looks from his teammates.

Back at base, Ratchet reveals his secret to the other Autobots, but Optimus doesn't think it's a good idea to test the synthetic energon on Autobots, and he underlines the importance of Ratchet's job as medic. Some time later, Ratchet's retelling his fight to Bulkhead, and in demonstrating a move, manages to throw his fellow Autobot through a nearby wall. The other Autobots are startled at his new personality. Ratchet goes and injects more of the synthetic energon into himself. When the sensors light up once more, Prime prepares to roll out again, but Ratchet volunteers to go along.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-crouchbehindrock.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Work it make it do it makes us.]]

As they head through a mountainous area, Ratchet moves ninja-style at the front of the team. They soon find some Vehicons and a [[Decepticon Miner|miner]] drilling into a rock face, and Ratchet immediately moves in. When the miner makes a run for it, Ratchet gives chase and knocks him down with a well-thrown rock. The other Autobots find Ratchet forcibly interrogating the miner with his blowtorch. Optimus stops him from finishing off the prisoner and begins to lecture him on doing harm where none is necessary, but Ratchet is agitated, believing they should be more proactive. As the argument heats up, Ratchet even manages to antagonize Arcee by bringing up [[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]], and Prime decides to confine Ratchet to base. Though Ratchet appears to go calmly through the GroundBridge, moments later, he charges back out, flattening Bulkhead and racing off. Prime's team returns to base, but is unable to get a fix on Ratchet's signal.

In a Decepticon energon mine, Breakdown is chatting with a miner when Ratchet walks into the cavern. Elsewhere, [[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] shouts at Knock Out for not finding a new energon source, but they're interrupted by Ratchet dropping Breakdown on the floor. Megatron scoffs at the newcomer, until a punch from Ratchet sends him flying. However, Megatron is made of sterner stuff, and he gives Ratchet a savage injury, telling Knock Out to take a sample of the resultant leaking fluids so they can find out how Ratchet got so amped up.

[[Image:StrongerFaster-KnockOutMegatronRatchet.jpg|left|thumb|300px|That that that that that don't kill me, can only make me stronger.]]

On the bright side, as the synthetic energon drains out, Ratchet is rendered visible to the sensors in the [[Autobot Outpost Omega One|Autobot base]], and Optimus, Arcee and Bulkhead use the GroundBridge to attack the mine.

Knock Out completes taking his sample and moves in to finish Ratchet off with his circular saw. When the sound of approaching fighting distracts the Decepticon, Ratchet takes the opportunity to fight back, resulting in Knock Out's saw getting stuck in the wall. Ratchet promptly grabs the synthetic energon sample and smashes it. Knock Out is outraged, but once more has to retreat as the other Autobots arrive.

Ratchet is hooked up to a drip back at base, and he apologizes for his behavior. Optimus points out the new supply of energon they got from the mine, and Ratchet promises to do more testing on the synthetic stuff before using it on Autobots again. Optimus is just thankful they destroyed Knock Out's sample, unaware of the fact that back at the mine, Knock Out has found a single drop of synthetic energon.

==Featured characters==

{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Ratchet (Prime)|Ratchet]] (1)
*[[Optimus Prime (Prime)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
*[[Bumblebee (Prime)|Bumblebee]] (4)
*[[Arcee (Prime)|Arcee]] (5)
*[[Bulkhead (Prime)|Bulkhead]] (6)
*[[Cliffjumper (Prime)|Cliffjumper]] (8) (flashback)
|c2=
*[[Vehicon (Prime)|Vehicons]] (7)
*[[Breakdown (Prime)|Breakdown]] (9)
*[[Knock Out (Prime)|Knock Out]] (10)
*[[Decepticon Miner]] (11)
*[[Megatron (Prime)|Megatron]] (12)
|c3=
*[[Raf Esquivel]] (2)

}}

==Quotes==

"HOOAAH!"
:—'''Ratchet''' gets a new catchphrase. He needed that.

'''Ratchet:''' (''clicks as he walks by'') How's it hummin'? 
'''Arcee:''' ... Did he just? 
'''Bulkhead:''' Stronger, faster, studlier.
:—Yeah, he did.

"It's all right! I'm an emergency vehicle!"
:—'''Ratchet''', engaging the Decepticons.

'''Optimus Prime:''' "A direct assault on the Decepticons would only provoke retaliation...and lead to incalculable losses. I will not endanger innocent human lives." 
'''Ratchet:''' "Yet you seem to have no problem endangering ours! Just ask Cliffjumper! Oh, I forgot! He couldn't be here today!" 
'''Arcee:''' "That's it!" (''Runs toward Ratchet, but Bulkhead holds her back.'') 
'''Ratchet:''' "You know your problem, Optimus? For such a big, strong 'Bot...you're soft. You didn't pound Megatron into scrap when you had the chance! Many chances, in fact!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Arcee''' quickly become victims of Ratchet's new personality.

'''Megatron''', (''speaking to Knockout'') That is your fearsome new adversary? (''Chuckles'') He's Optimus Prime's medic! 
'''Ratchet''' (''speaking to Megatron'') Oh no, '''Megatron''', I am your doctor of doom! 
:—'''Ratchet''' capitalizes on his newly found badass-ness

"Yeah, she's kinda domineering and the extra arms are weird, but... I find myself intrigued by her."
:—'''Breakdown''' chats to a Vehicon about his crush on [[Airachnid]].

==Notes==
===Animation and technical errors===
*Bumblebee is shown returning with the other Autobots despite staying at base to operate the GroundBridge.
*The sample of synthetic energon Knock Out was holding was only about half full, but when Ratchet picked it up, it was completely full.
*Just before destroying the cylinder of synthetic energon, Ratchet's wound is not shown to be leaking. Mere moments after he's hit the ground, another puddle of energon has formed beneath him.
*Breakdown is knocked out by Ratchet just before he engages Megatron. When the Autobots show up at the end, however, Breakdown has vanished and he isn't shown fleeing with Knock Out.

===Other errors===
*Ratchet jumps onto and leaps off of a tree branch which seems totally capable of supporting all the weight of an SUV landing on top of it with all that force, then leaping off. Not so much as a wood chip or crack to be seen - though it does creak audibly.
*When Ratchet first injects himself, he drops the glass cylinder and it shatters on the ground. Later, when Knockout collects a sample of the synthetic energon in a nearly identical cylinder, and Ratchet kicks it out of his hands, the cylinder flies ''across the entire room'' and lands without breaking. Then Ratchet throws it against a rock wall in the same room and it breaks instantly.
*When Arcee is hurt she obviously couldn't move her leg, and when she walks throught the ground bridge she is magically healed.

===Continuity notes===
* The synthetic energon created in the episode is derived from the formula transcribed by Bulkhead in [[T.M.I.|the previous episode]].
* Ratchet's description of the Autobots having fought numerous battles recently is accompanied by flashbacks to various battles from the "[[Darkness Rising]]" five-part pilot among others, including "[[Operation: Breakdown]]" and "[[Partners]]".
* The engine Ratchet uses to test the synthetic energon is a larger version of the device Ratchet built for [[Jack Darby|Jack's]] science project in "[[Masters & Students]]".
* Knock Out confuses Ratchet for a "new" Autobot. Which makes sense, since he hasn't encountered him before. Ratchet was with the other Autobots when they charged in to rescue Bulkhead from Starscream and Breakdown in "[[Operation: Breakdown]]", but it's entirely possible that Breakdown simply didn't see him, since he was focused on escaping and missing an eye at the time.

===Real-world references===
* Given that the plot centres on the idea of artificial enhancement, this episode's title is almost certainly a reference to the opening of the 1974 ''[[wikipedia:The Six Million Dollar Man|Six Million Dollar Man]]'' series, which promised a cybernetic secret agent who was "Better, stronger, faster."
** That said, there's also the possibility it could be a reference to the original [[Action Master]]s [[commercial/Generation 1#1990|commercial]], in which [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] described the new breed of Transformer as "Stronger, faster, more alive!"
** And we guess we wouldn't ''totally'' rule out the notion that it refers to ''[[Star Wars (franchise)|Star Wars]]'' director/producer [[Wikipedia:George Lucas|George Lucas]]'s desire for his actors to be "Stronger, faster— more intense!", or Daft Punk's 2009 [[Wikipedia:Grammy|Grammy]] winning song ''Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger''.
* It's also the same plot as about a billion after-school specials on the dangers of drugs.
* Ratchet referred to himself as Megatron's "[[wikipedia:Doctor Doom|Doctor of Doom]]." This goes without saying.

===Trivia===
*The episode was first broadcast on Canada's Teletoon channel. It later first aired in the United States on [[September 17]], [[2011]].

[[Category:Prime episodes]]

Ride-Along

2010-04-30T06:10:53Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Spotlight (comics)|''The Transformers: Spotlight'']]'' #25''
|prev=Spotlight: Metroplex
|next=
|title="The Transformers Spotlight: Prowl"
|image=SpotlightProwl CoverA.jpg
|caption=You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 21]], [[2010]]
|coverdate= April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[E. J. Su]]
|colors by=[[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|assistant editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=Pre-[[...For All Mankind|Transformers #1]]
}}
'''What happened to Prowl after All Hail Megatron.'''

==Synopsis==
Three [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] Police cruisers are parked outside a liquor store that has just been robbed. Two cops are inside talking to the store clerk who apparently knows little English...minus the curse words, of which, according to Prowl, the clerk is well-versed in. The cops leave, failing to get any viable information about the robbery suspect from the store clerk.

Prowl's driver gets a call about a Gray [[Wikipedia:Toyota Celica|Celica]] that was involved in a hit-and-run accident with a man riding his bicycle. The driver flips the switch and turns on Prowl's lights and sirens and peals down the suburban road.

Two years earlier, Optimus Prime and Prowl are walking through the city, surveying the aftermath that was caused by their clash with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his Decepticons. Prime wonders how they could have let such wanton destruction to happen, to which Prowl responds that it may have happened for a lot of reasons, none of them being their fault, but that the important thing is that they won in the end. Prime doesn't believe that, and is adamant in helping the humans rebuild. Prowl advises against this, saying that [[All Hail Megatron|the humans have been attacked and subjugated by the Decepticons for over a year]]; and that they won't have a lot of trust for the Autobots because of that.

Prime agrees, and says that Prowl must do his best to watch over and protect the humans in disguise. During Prowl's eight-month period of undercover work, he observes the virtual lack of infrastructure since the occupation, and dubs it ''humanity at its lowest point''. But during this eight-month period, he learned that their war with the Decepticons made sure that the humans were left with very little, if anything at all. He also learned that the less that people have, the more afraid they are to lose it.

Prowl's driver rendezvous with a few other cops, who say that there is a [[Thrust (G1)|Decepticon]] still inside the abandoned building. They describe it as having red and black colors and looking like a jet. Prowl's driver tells the cops that the cleaning crew are sweeping grid 48 and that they are at least an hour away. One of the cops replies that they don't need the army, and orders the other two to start a structure fire in the hopes of collapsing the building on top of the Decepticon, while Prowl just sits and watches.

Back at headquarters, Prowl notices that a few new Autobots have made their way to [[Earth]]. Prime stresses that Earth is a centrally located world and that it happens to be a good place to reinforce. Prowl fails to see the logic in Prime's words. Prowl says that the repopulation of the city is in full swing and reclamation is near, meaning that the Autobots will most likely have to move again. Prime and Prowl argue back and forth about where they will be safe from the [[Skywatch|human forces]]. Prowl then says that the chain of command has been steadily falling apart ever since the war ended. Prime, on the other hand, says that a chain of command is for a military unit, and that they need to become more democratic in nature.

Prowl continues his undercover reconnaissance work by patrolling the city. Prowl's driver stops to do guard detail at another building that is being cleared of some wreckage from the occupation. The two construction workers wheel out a severed hand still clutching a large blaster. One of the workers asks his partner just how many pounds of pressure he thinks the gun will put out. His partner advises against it, but the foolish construction worker ssqueezes the trigger anyway, blowing the top off of a recently rebulit office complex, sending some rubble falling toward a little girl in the street.

Prowl, reacting out of instinct, breaks cover and pushes the girl out of the way of the falling debris, getting himself trapped underneath it instead. Prowl's cop driver is frightened, but tells the other people to stay back. Prowl asks his driver if the girl is okay, the drive says yes, which pleases Prowl. The driver is amazed that Prowl broke cover to save the girl, after spending eight months incognito. The Driver tells Prowl that the other people are ready to kill him. Prowl tells his cop driver that he just grew tired of worrying about what might happen, and that you sometimes have to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.

The cop understands, but tells Prowl that he still needs to report him to Skywatch. Prowl makes it out of the rubble in time before Skywatch arrived. Prowl spends another year in hiding, [[...For All Mankind|breaking cover once again, but this time paying the consequences for his action]]. Prowl states that breaking cover was worth it, because things changed. Prowl understood that sometimes it's necessary to act out of instinct, rather than formulate a logical strategy. Prowl states that there are 5 billion humans and only 10,000 Cybertronians, and that he would gladly risk his own life for any one of them.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (1)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (7)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (8)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (9)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (10)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (11)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
|c2=
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (''off screen'')
|c3=
* Prowl's cop driver (3)
}}

==Quotes==
* TBA

==Errors==
* The chronology established in narration and dialogue is questionable. The present-day bits are said to be "three years after a major cataclysm," but the Autobots are seen walking around the ruins of New York unmolested "two years ago," and at that point Prowl says the humans have "been attacked and subjugated by Decepticons for over a year." Given that these statements occur within two consecutive pages, it seems likely that they're purposeful and meant to fit together. This would make the events of ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' span an entire year, which is true to its real-life publication but is much, much longer than its in-fiction timespan appears to be.

==Items of note==
* This issue establishes the Transformer population of the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDWverse]] to be around 10,000.
* It also explains why Autobots that were not seen during ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' have since shown up in the ongoing on Earth.
* The "to protect and to serve" seen on Prowl's door is the motto of the real-life [[wikipedia:Los Angeles Police Department|Los Angeles Police Department]], occasionally shortened to "to protect and serve."
* A law enforcement member is seen drawing a chalk outline around a corpse, but this rarely if ever occurs in real life: It can be interpreted in court as contamination of the crime scene and render some evidence inadmissable.<ref>[http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2300/do-crime-scene-investigators-really-draw-a-chalk-line-around-the-body The Straight Dope on crime-scene chalk outlines]</ref>
* Includes some concept sketches of Prowl by [[E. J. Su]].

===Transformers references===
* TBA

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Prowl standing in the ruins of the [[Statue of Liberty]], by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Cover B:''' Noir-style cover of Prowl standing in a rainy alleyway with the [[Hollywood]] Sign in the background, art by [[Nick Roche]] and colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Text-free sketch variant of Cover A.
<gallery>
Image:SpotlightProwl CoverA.jpg| Call me "[[wikipedia:Snake Plissken|Snake]]."
Image:SpotlightProwl CoverB.jpg|''Baby you'll be famous Chase you down until you love me Papa-Paparazzi''
Image:SpotlightProwl CoverRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* TBA

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Spotlight issues|Prowl]]

Ride-Along

2010-04-30T06:10:25Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Spotlight (comics)|''The Transformers: Spotlight'']]'' #25''
|prev=Spotlight: Metroplex
|next=
|title="The Transformers Spotlight: Prowl"
|image=SpotlightProwl CoverA.jpg
|caption=You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[April 21]], [[2010]]
|coverdate= April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[E. J. Su]]
|colors by=[[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|assistant editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=Pre-[[...For All Mankind|Transformers #1]]
}}
'''What happened to Prowl after All Hail Megatron.'''

==Synopsis==
Three [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] Police cruisers are parked outside a liquor store that has just been robbed. Two cops are inside talking to the store clerk who apparently knows little English...minus the curse words, of which, according to Prowl, the clerk is well-versed in. The cops leave, failing to get any viable information about the robbery suspect from the store clerk.

Prowl's driver gets a call about a Gray [[Wikipedia:Toyota Celica|Celica]] that was involved in a hit-and-run accident with a man riding his bicycle. The driver flips the switch and turns on Prowl's lights and sirens and peals down the suburban road.

Two years earlier, Optimus Prime and Prowl are walking through the city, surveying the aftermath that was caused by their clash with [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and his Decepticons. Prime wonders how they could have let such wanton destruction to happen, to which Prowl responds that it may have happened for a lot of reasons, none of them being their fault, but that the important thing is that they won in the end. Prime doesn't believe that, and is adamant in helping the humans rebuild. Prowl advises against this, saying that [[All Hail Megatron|the humans have been attacked and subjugated by the Decepticons for over a year]]; and that they won't have a lot of trust for the Autobots because of that.

Prime agrees, and says that Prowl must do his best to watch over and protect the humans in disguise. During Prowl's eight-month period of undercover work, he observes the virtual lack of infrastructure since the occupation, and dubs it ''humanity at its lowest point''. But during this eight-month period, he learned that their war with the Decepticons made sure that the humans were left with very little, if anything at all. He also learned that the less that people have, the more afraid they are to lose it.

Prowl's driver rendezvous with a few other cops, who say that there is a [[Thrust (G1)|Decepticon]] still inside the abandoned building. They describe it as having red and black colors and looking like a jet. Prowl's driver tells the cops that the cleaning crew are sweeping grid 48 and that they are at least an hour away. One of the cops replies that they don't need the army, and orders the other two to start a structure fire in the hopes of collapsing the building on top of the Decepticon, while Prowl just sits and watches.

Back at headquarters, Prowl notices that a few new Autobots have made their way to [[Earth]]. Prime stresses that Earth is a centrally located world and that it happens to be a good place to reinforce. Prowl fails to see the logic in Prime's words. Prowl says that the repopulation of the city is in full swing and reclamation is near, meaning that the Autobots will most likely have to move again. Prime and Prowl argue back and forth about where they will be safe from the [[Skywatch|human forces]]. Prowl then says that the chain of command has been steadily falling apart ever since the war ended. Prime, on the other hand, says that a chain of command is for a military unit, and that they need to become more democratic in nature.

Prowl continues his undercover reconnaissance work by patrolling the city. Prowl's driver stops to do guard detail at another building that is being cleared of some wreckage from the occupation. The two construction workers wheel out a severed hand still clutching a large blaster. One of the workers asks his partner just how many pounds of pressure he thinks the gun will put out. His partner advises against it, but the foolish construction worker ssqueezes the trigger anyway, blowing the top off of a recently rebulit office complex, sending some rubble falling toward a little girl in the street.

Prowl, reacting out of instinct, breaks cover and pushes the girl out of the way of the falling debris, getting himself trapped underneath it instead. Prowl's cop driver is frightened, but tells the other people to stay back. Prowl asks his driver if the girl is okay, the drive says yes, which pleases Prowl. The driver is amazed that Prowl broke cover to save the girl, after spending eight months incognito. The Driver tells Prowl that the other people are ready to kill him. Prowl tells his cop driver that he just grew tired of worrying about what might happen, and that you sometimes have to do the right thing regardless of the consequences.

The cop understands, but tells Prowl that he still needs to report him to Skywatch. Prowl makes it out of the rubble in time before Skywatch arrived. Prowl spends another year in hiding, [[...For All Mankind|breaking cover once again, but this time paying the consequences for his action]]. Prowl states that breaking cover was worth it, because things changed. Prowl understood that sometimes it's necessary to act out of instinct, rather than formulate a logical strategy. Prowl states that there are 5 billion humans and only 10,000 Cybertronians, and that he would gladly risk his own life for any one of them.
{issuestub}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (1)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] (4)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (5)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (6)
* [[Seaspray (G1)|Seaspray]] (7)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (8)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (9)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (10)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (11)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]
|c2=
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (''off screen'')
|c3=
* Prowl's cop driver (3)
}}

==Quotes==
* TBA

==Errors==
* The chronology established in narration and dialogue is questionable. The present-day bits are said to be "three years after a major cataclysm," but the Autobots are seen walking around the ruins of New York unmolested "two years ago," and at that point Prowl says the humans have "been attacked and subjugated by Decepticons for over a year." Given that these statements occur within two consecutive pages, it seems likely that they're purposeful and meant to fit together. This would make the events of ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' span an entire year, which is true to its real-life publication but is much, much longer than its in-fiction timespan appears to be.

==Items of note==
* This issue establishes the Transformer population of the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDWverse]] to be around 10,000.
* It also explains why Autobots that were not seen during ''[[All Hail Megatron]]'' have since shown up in the ongoing on Earth.
* The "to protect and to serve" seen on Prowl's door is the motto of the real-life [[wikipedia:Los Angeles Police Department|Los Angeles Police Department]], occasionally shortened to "to protect and serve."
* A law enforcement member is seen drawing a chalk outline around a corpse, but this rarely if ever occurs in real life: It can be interpreted in court as contamination of the crime scene and render some evidence inadmissable.<ref>[http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2300/do-crime-scene-investigators-really-draw-a-chalk-line-around-the-body The Straight Dope on crime-scene chalk outlines]</ref>
* Includes some concept sketches of Prowl by [[E. J. Su]].

===Transformers references===
* TBA

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Prowl standing in the ruins of the [[Statue of Liberty]], by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Cover B:''' Noir-style cover of Prowl standing in a rainy alleyway with the [[Hollywood]] Sign in the background, art by [[Nick Roche]] and colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Text-free sketch variant of Cover A.
<gallery>
Image:SpotlightProwl CoverA.jpg| Call me "[[wikipedia:Snake Plissken|Snake]]."
Image:SpotlightProwl CoverB.jpg|''Baby you'll be famous Chase you down until you love me Papa-Paparazzi''
Image:SpotlightProwl CoverRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* TBA

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Spotlight issues|Prowl]]

Talk:Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:25:20Z

Mechabreaker:

In the bottom-most panel on page 17, there is a silhouette that clearly resembles Drag Strip, but it might be possible that Don Figueroa meant for it to be Mirage, since it is willingly giving itself up, which is very uncharacteristic of any Decepticon. I put it in the "items of note" section, but left it out of the featured character section since the identity of the silhouette is debatable. [[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 19:44, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
:The fact Mirage is in vehicle mode when he's next seen is shaky reasoning for assuming the guy on page 17 isn't him. He could have simply transformed to more easily fit on the Skywatch transport. - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 20:18, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
::So should I just go with it and put Drag Strip in the featured characters list?[[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 21:35, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
:::Oh, I was actually arguing that the guy on page 17 WAS Mirage, but on closer inspection, the guy does have two wheels on each arm, which matches Drag Strip and not Mirage. I also thought ALL the Decepticons escaped, but the dialogue indicates some were indeed captured. So, carry on. - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 21:50, 29 April 2010 (EDT)

Is it just me or are there some very, very, very long sentences in this article. For example, the paragraph where Thundercracker saves Bumblebee is one long sentence. I don't have this issue yet so I can't edit it myself without risking changing the intent. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 20:33, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
: Fixed the paragraph in question, along with a few others that I found. I hope it is sufficient enough to meet standard quality.[[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 21:33, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks :D But what does this mean "He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus." Who is they and what could they take? --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 22:33, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
:::How's this? ''Thundercracker then says that Swindle is not as smart as he says he is. Since Swindle didn't spend a proper amount of time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he believes the Autobots could probably take Menasor down. Thundercracker then tells Bumblebee that he needs to help Rodimus, and he runs off to do so.'' [[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 00:25, 30 April 2010 (EDT)

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:17:20Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he never liked the Constructicons. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. Thundercracker then says that Swindle is not as smart as he says he is. Since Swindle didn't spend a proper amount of time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he believes the Autobots could probably take Menasor down. Thundercracker then tells Bumblebee that he needs to help Rodimus, and he runs off to do so.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Bumblebee snaps, and he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

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[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:16:16Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. Thundercracker then says that Swindle is not as smart as he says he is. Since Swindle didn't spend a proper amount of time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he believes the Autobots could probably take Menasor down. Thundercracker then tells Bumblebee that he needs to help Rodimus, and he runs off to do so.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Bumblebee snaps, and he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Talk:Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:15:34Z

Mechabreaker:

Talk:Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:13:55Z

Mechabreaker:

In the bottom-most panel on page 17, there is a silhouette that clearly resembles Drag Strip, but it might be possible that Don Figueroa meant for it to be Mirage, since it is willingly giving itself up, which is very uncharacteristic of any Decepticon. I put it in the "items of note" section, but left it out of the featured character section since the identity of the silhouette is debatable. [[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 19:44, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
:The fact Mirage is in vehicle mode when he's next seen is shaky reasoning for assuming the guy on page 17 isn't him. He could have simply transformed to more easily fit on the Skywatch transport. - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 20:18, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
::So should I just go with it and put Drag Strip in the featured characters list?[[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 21:35, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
:::Oh, I was actually arguing that the guy on page 17 WAS Mirage, but on closer inspection, the guy does have two wheels on each arm, which matches Drag Strip and not Mirage. I also thought ALL the Decepticons escaped, but the dialogue indicates some were indeed captured. So, carry on. - [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] 21:50, 29 April 2010 (EDT)

Is it just me or are there some very, very, very long sentences in this article. For example, the paragraph where Thundercracker saves Bumblebee is one long sentence. I don't have this issue yet so I can't edit it myself without risking changing the intent. --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 20:33, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
: Fixed the paragraph in question, along with a few others that I found. I hope it is sufficient enough to meet standard quality.[[User:Mechabreaker|Mechabreaker]] 21:33, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
::Thanks :D But what does this mean "He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus." Who is they and what could they take? --[[User:FFN|FFN]] 22:33, 29 April 2010 (EDT)
:::How's this? ''Thundercracker then says that Swindle is not as smart as he says he is. Since Swindle didn't spend a proper amount of time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he believes the Autobots could probably take Menasor down. Thundercrakcer then tells Bumblebee that he needs to help Rodimus, and he runs off to do so.''

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:12:14Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. Thundercracker then says that Swindle is not as smart as he says he is. Since Swindle didn't spend a proper amount of time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he believes the Autobots could probably take Menasor down. Thundercrakcer then tells Bumblebee that he needs to help Rodimus, and he runs off to do so.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Bumblebee snaps, and he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T04:09:41Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. Thundercracker then says that Swindle is not as smart as he says he is. Since Swindle didn't spend a proper amount of time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, Thundercracker tells Bumblebee that he believes the Autobots could probably take Menasor down. Thundercrakcer then tells Bumblebee that he needs to help Rodimus, and he runs off to do so.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Bumblebee snaps, and he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:58:28Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Bumblebee snaps, and he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:57:04Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. This causes Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
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* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
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* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
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* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
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[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:55:49Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position. Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3

2010-04-30T02:49:04Z

Mechabreaker: /* Items of note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' #3
|prev=Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2
|next=Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4
|image=Last Stand of the Wreckers3 Cover A.jpg
|caption="Keep shooting! The fans have money on which of us buys it first!"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 24]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=March 2010
|writers=[[Nick Roche]] and [[James Roberts]]
|pencils=Nick Roche and [[Guido Guidi]]
|inks=Guido Guidi, [[John Wycough]] and [[Andrew Griffith]]
|colors=[[Josh Burcham]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters=[[Neil Uyetake]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''"Let's split up, gang." "Great idea, that couldn't possibly go wrong."'''
==Synopsis==
''Two years ago, in the Maximum Security Penitentiary, Overlord restores Shockwave to a fully functional state. Shockwave comments that it has been almost a year since Overlord took over'' ''[[Garrus-9|The Last Resort]],'' ''and yet he only revives Shockwave now. Overlord fakes guilt, but quickly moves onto business; he offers Shockwave his freedom in exchange for his removal of the [[Achilles Virus]] Megatron had him implant in Overlord years ago. Overlord comments on how he could see the weaknesses of anyone, except Megatron, leading Shockwave to muse that Overlord was actually surprised he was hobbled. However, he agrees to remove this "blind spot", as Overlord's goals further his own. Overlord is delighted and confirms he will hand over a shuttle and a hand-picked crew. Restored, Shockwave asks what Overlord's plans are, and Overlord reveals he has convinced the inmates they can fight their way free. Shockwave observes that while Overlord thinks he is enjoying his new life, it is in fact simply intended to draw Megatron to him. After all, "You're not the first phase-sixer to bait Megatron." Overlord simply responds that he only needs to be the last.''

Springer's team is running from a massive contingent of Decepticons. Impactor reveals that the others landed in [[The Pit (IDW)|The Pit]], right into Overlord's lap. Guzzle merely yells they can look after themselves as he takes out several Decepticons. The others open fire, as Impactor yells that this is for Fortress Maximus and the others. Springer and Twin Twist realise they are all trapped, but Twin Twist confirms that the others are alive... well, Topspin is, and really, their group is the one in trouble.

[[Image:laststandissue3_headshots.jpg|left|350px|thumb|HEADS A'SPLODE!!!]]

Overlord is disappointed that the Autobots are not a team of Decepticons sent by Megatron, and is unimpressed by the fact he's facing Wreckers. Rotorstorm counters by yelling, "Wreckers combine!" before commenting that ''he'' thinks it's funny. Overlord suddenly laughs, and a nervous Rotorstorm joins in. Overlord then calmly places a gun to Rotorstorm's head and shoots him between the optics, splashing the others in mech fluid.

Guzzle is ecstatic that Ironfist's ammo is causing the Decepticons' heads to explode. Under orders, he transforms and brings down the roof, buying the Wreckers some time. Springer realises they are in serious trouble. He orders Kup and Guzzle to find the "help" they discussed earlier, while the rest continue with the mission. Impactor reveals the prisoners are in Cell Block 6, directly beneath them. Twin Twist offers to drill through, but Springer is worried that his injuries will make transforming too painful. Twin Twist waves it off and transforms. He indeed suffers a wave of pain, and in The Pit, Topspin groans. Overlord offers the option of surrender. Perceptor merely orders Pyro to protect Verity as the rest attack.

Twin Twist drills through the floor and finds himself falling through thin air. Impactor and Springer follow. Springer transforms and catches the others. They are attacked by Treadshot, who is taken out by Impactor. Landing, Springer realises they are in an energy reactor. Not far away lies the broken, destroyed body of Kick-Off. Impactor reveals that he was a Pit champion with 11 kills. After he made kill number 12, Overlord gave him a choice. Impactor doesn't know what it was, but clearly Kick-Off made the wrong one. Twin Twist reveals they triggered a defense mechanism and have been sealed in. Before they can react, a field deactivates them all.

Overlord is calmly trouncing the Wreckers when Stalker reveals the other team is in Cell Block F. An amused Overlord speaks over the comm, announcing the Wreckers' presence and promising freedom to any Decepticon who brings him a head. The eager Decepticons then throw themselves after Perceptor's team. He buys them some time by exploding a fuel tank, and the team escapes.

Finally having some breathing space, they realise Ironfist is having a panic attack, revealing he never expected this kind of visceral experience. Topspin snaps, yelling at Ironfist that they had a vote for the others but had no say in his presence, and that people die in stupid ways. Ironfist loses his temper, but Perceptor calms them down, reminding them things can't afford to get personal.

Climbing down a ladder, Guzzle wonders if whoever they're searching for will be down this far. Kup merely confirms maximum security is in the basement. He tells Guzzle to watch his step, and that dying on a rescue attempt is pointless. Guzzle comments he had some friends who died [[Spotlight: Kup|saving another Autobot]]. Kup asks if it was worth it, and Guzzle merely responds it depends on who you ask.

As they make their way through the Southern Wing, Pyro asks Topspin about his attack in The Pit. Topspin reveals that he and Twin Twist share a branched spark, a condition found in only two in a million sparks which leads to them sometimes feeling each other's pain. It means he tries not to think about what happens if one dies. Topspin says he was happy as a cartographer, but found it difficult to work while his other half was with the Wreckers. This led him to join to keep an eye on him. Perceptor speaks up, saying that they are near an impenetrable chamber which must contain [[Aequitas]]. As the others question him about who Aequitas is, Pyro realises Verity is still locked in his chest. He frees her and seems disillusioned as to why the humans matter to Prime. Verity snaps at him, bringing up Rotorstorm, and immediately regrets it. Topspin merely says that while he may not have liked him, Rotorstorm was a Wrecker and always had been, he just hadn't realized it. Perceptor orders Ironfist to keep watch as he looks for a reason why the Decepticons haven't tried to break in. In moments, he realises they have, as he finds the torn, comatose body of Fortress Maximus. Perceptor says Overlord has turned him into a living lockpick, attempting billions of codes in an attempt to open the chamber. Ironfist runs in, warning that the Decepticons have caught up. Fortunately, Perceptor knows the access code, and the Wreckers enter the chamber, standing before Aequitas.

Elsewhere, Twin Twist is flashing to a conversation between Pyro and Topspin before he is snapped back to reality by Stalker. He is pinned to a table in the Spark Extraction Chamber and has his mouth forced open. Stalker has a scalpel, and as he leans in, Twin Twist begins to scream.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Guzzle (G1)|Guzzle]] (3)
* [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] (4)
* [[Impactor]] (5)
* [[Twin Twist]] (6)
* [[Springer (G1)|Springer]] (7)
* [[Pyro]] (8)
* [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] (9)
* [[Ironfist]] (10)
* [[Rotorstorm]] (11)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (12)
* [[Kick-Off (G1)|Kick-Off]] (17)
* [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] (18)
|c2=
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (1)
* [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] (2)
* [[Stalker (G1)|Stalker]] (14)
* [[Snare]] (15)
* [[Treadshot (G1)|Treadshot]] (16)
|c3=
* [[Verity Carlo]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
"You think you're enjoying this, but you're not. ... The open graves. The torture chambers. All just hollow theatrics. This is an exercise in ''provocation''. This is you trying to get Megatron's attention."
:—'''Shockwave''' on Overlord's "grand scheme"

"Bold words, Overlord. But you reckoned without one thing... Wreckers: '''combine'''!" (''beat'') "Well, ''I'' thought it was funny."
:—'''Rotorstorm'''. No more explanation is required.

"He shot him in the ''head'', Perceptor! In the '''head'''! This isn't what being a Wrecker's about... saving lives, yes. Dramatic rescues, yes. And having ''adventures''! '''''What's wrong with just having adventures?'''''"
:—'''Ironfist''''s fanboy illusions are crushed and mutilated.

"Nice knowing you, everyone. Even you, Verity. Kind of."
:—'''Topspin'''

==Errors==
* After dropping the character profile from issue 2, two profiles were promised for this issue to make up for it. No profiles were published in this issue. Instead, you get all those ads listed below.
* In all illustrations Rotorstorm's guns are coloured wrong placing pink at the front rather than the back.
* Topspin is missing his chest insignia throughout the whole issue.

==Items of note==
*Overlord paraphrases [[wikipedia:The Master (Doctor Who)|The Master]] of ''[[Doctor (G1)|Doctor Who]]'' fame when he requests that the Decepticons "please attend carefully", a famous line of the Master's from the original ''Who'' serial "Logopolis", notable enough to be used again in the revived series episode "The Sound of Drums". James Roberts has previously said that in his head, Overlord sounds like John Simm, the actor who most recently played the Master. <ref>[http://forum.idwpublishing.com/viewtopic.php?p=166284&highlight=#166284 James Roberts commenting on the voices in his head]</ref>
*While Nick Roche's pages continue his trend of using hand-drawn faction sigils, Guido Guidi's pages use Photoshop-applied faction sigil templates. No contest which technique ends up looking better.

===Covers (3)===
{{picsneeded|Cover RI}}
* '''Cover A:''' Pyro, Rotorstorm, Ironfist, and Verity fire their weapons, art by [[Nick Roche]] and colors by [[Josh Burcham]].
* '''Cover B:''' Twin Twist falls through the air with Springer jetting to catch him, and Shockwave's eye in the background, art and colors by [[Trevor Hutchison]].
* '''Cover RI:''' "Virgin" title-free edition of cover B.
<gallery>
Image:Last Stand of the Wreckers3 Cover A.jpg|
Image:Last Stand of the Wreckers3 Cover B.jpg|
Image:Last Stand of the Wreckers3 Cover RI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|''The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #4]]
* ''[[Nefarious]]''
* ''[[Spotlight: Prowl]]''
* ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''FX: The Lost Land''
* ''G.I. Joe: Operation HISS'' #2
* ''Alce's Adventures in Wonderland''
* ''Star Trek Movie Adaptation''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* Dan DeCarlo's ''Jetta''
* ''G.I. Joe'' comics for iPhone (back cover)

==References==
<references />

[[Category: IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:42:02Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:39:54Z

Mechabreaker: /* Items of Note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as "people" on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Ride-Along

2010-04-30T02:29:28Z

Mechabreaker: /* Items of note */

Ride-Along

2010-04-30T02:25:03Z

Mechabreaker: /* Covers (3) */

Ride-Along

2010-04-30T02:22:21Z

Mechabreaker: /* Covers (3) */

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:07:55Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as he sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T02:05:01Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says, because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:59:04Z

Mechabreaker:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh s*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:47:59Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:44:12Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad that Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:42:49Z

Mechabreaker: /* Items of Note */ removed the Mirage/Drag Strip item

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:41:14Z

Mechabreaker: /* Featured characters */ Added Drag Strip to the featured characters list

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (21)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (22)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (23)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
* [[Drag Strip]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.
* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Talk:Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:35:14Z

Mechabreaker:

Talk:Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:33:52Z

Mechabreaker:

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:12:00Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around, attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.
* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T01:07:38Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself. To which Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him. Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder. However, Swindle tells Magnus that he figured out how to use it himself; even though the thought of it would have never occurred to Ultra Magnus. Swindle then mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority. Causing Bumblebee to snap as he tells Magnus that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. He also says that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else. Hot Rod overhears this, as sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle. Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so. However, Silverstreak states that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.
* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T00:47:22Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{cleanup|April 2010|Giant sentence pretending it's a paragraph.}}

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor. To which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]]. He tells Bumblebee that because he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]], he has honor, and therefore meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore. He also says that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons, and that they could probably take it before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.
* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|''The Transformers'' #7]]
* ''[[Transformers Movie Collection Volume 2]]''
* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
* ''Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor''
* ''Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman''
* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
* Peter S. Beagle's ''The Last Unicorn''
* ''The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics''
* ''Nanovor: Game Day''
* ''The Adventures of Digger and Friends''
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-30T00:00:56Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]] and [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor, wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==
Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor, to which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which he replies that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]], while telling Bumblebee that he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and that he meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore, and that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons and that they could probably take it, before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radios Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
"No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner."
:—'''Scrapper''' envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

"Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today."
:—'''Spike Witwicky''' [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

"So you will '''listen''' to me. And you will '''obey'''. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes."
:—'''Bumblebee''' tells '''Ultra Magnus''' to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==
* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the Cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.
* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
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* "[[Spotlight: Prowl]]"
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* ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol''
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[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Things Fall Apart, Part 4: "Enemies of the System"

2010-04-29T23:52:54Z

Mechabreaker: /* Advertisements */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #5
|prev=Seasons in Flight
|next=Earthworks
|title="Enemies of the System"
|image=IDW TF 5A.jpg
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[March 31]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=March 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}
'''As Prime and Spike talk (still), things go from bad to worse when Ultra Magnus leads a team to arrest "Rodimus Prime"...'''

==Synopsis==
Spike and Optimus continue their chat; Prime admits that he felt he was an ineffective leader once the Decepticons left. He also tells Spike how he admires the human race and their wisdom. He hopes his men will transform without him.

Ultra Magnus returns to the Autobots' cave and immediately states his intentions to assemble a team to arrest "Rodimus Prime". Bumblebee questions this, as well as Magnus' choice of the recently traumatized Blurr, but Magnus will have none of it and supersedes Bumblebee's complaints.

Spike takes a ride in Breakdown to clear his head, but is soon sideswiped by Drag Strip. He, along with Wildrider had been looking for their fellow Stunticon and are disgusted that he's being driven by a human. They decide that they will wreck Breakdown in order to kill Spike, because Breakdown can be repaired later. Wildrider rams him next, but Spike retaliates with a weapon he brought along. He tries to lead the two 'Cons back to Skywatch, but Motormaster appears traveling in the opposite direction and runs Spike off the road, where he dives into a ravine. As Spike requests a pick up from Skywatch, Breakdown is recovered and brought back to Hot Rod's site.

At the site, Swindle spends a bit of time repairing Breakdown, and it attracts attention from Silverstreak, but Hot Rod dismisses his concerns. Ultra Magnus and his team arrive to arrest Rodimus, who explains that he isn't committing treason since the war is over. He tries to appeal to Bumblebee, but Magnus interrupts him. Just then, Swindle walks over and says that he'll take over now. Rodimus says that he has things under control, but Swindle drops the charade and says he plans to take the ship off the planet, and kill as many Autobots as he can before that. Magnus counters that the Autobots have him outnumbered, but Swindle gives the order for the Stunticons to merge into Menasor... his newest creation. Swindle tells Menasor to kill Magnus first...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (3)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (4)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (5)
* [[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (6)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (7)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (13)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (14)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (16)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (17)
|c2=
* [[Breakdown (G1)|Breakdown]] (9)
* [[Wildrider]] (10)
* [[Drag Strip]] (11)
* [[Motormaster]] (12)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (15)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (18)
* [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] (19)
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (20)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (8)
}}

== Quotes ==
"How fast do you think I'd have to go to squirt the human out of the window from a broadside? I say 200 mph." 
:—'''Wildrider''', posing a simple math word problem. And they say education is dull.

== Items of Note ==
* On page 16, bottom panel, Ultra Magnus' plate reads: "STACK04". This is a nod to [[Robert Stack]], who provided the voice of Ultra Magnus in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Bumblebee is in his new body. This, along with Rodimus' comment regarding Colonel Horiuchi, places this issue after ''[[The Transformers: Bumblebee]]'' concludes. Quite how Rodimus knows about the dealings with Horiuchi, well... Maybe 'Bee is an avid [[Autopedia]] updater?

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' The Stunticons; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Ultra Magnus investigating some ruins; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Concept art of Bumblebee (based off the first three issues); art by Don Figueroa.

<gallery>
Image:IDW_TF_5A.jpg
Image:IDW_TF_5B.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''[[Earthworks|The Transformers #6]]''
* ''[[Nefarious]]''
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* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Operation Hiss'' #2
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* IDW comics for Iphone (back cover)

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

Talk:Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-29T23:44:31Z

Mechabreaker: New page: In the bottom-most panel on page 17, there is a silhouette that clearly resembles Drag Strip, but it might be possible that Don Figueroa meant for it to be Mirage, since it is willingly gi...

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-29T23:34:38Z

Mechabreaker: /* Synopsis */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers (IDW) issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]], [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

{{Template: Picsneeded|Interiors}}

'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==

Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor, to which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|liar]], while telling Bumblebee that he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and that he meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore, and that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons and that they could probably take it, before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radioes Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Wikipedia: Earth|Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
* "No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing." -Baracktimus Prime

* "Who's stupid now?" -Swindle, oblivious to the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|big red truck]] directly over his head.

* "Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner." -Scrapper envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

* "Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today. -Spike Witwicky [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

* "Swindle! Where is he?" -Ultra Magnus
* "He was one of the Decepticons that slipped through the net. He and a few [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]." -Spike Witwicky apparently knows the name of at least one of the [[Combiner|gestalt]] subgroups.

* "No! No, no, [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Not again]]! Didn't anyone try to pursue him?" -Ultra Magnus is either really incompetent or Swindle is really awesome.

* "So you will listen to me. And you will obey. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes. -Bumblebee tells Ultra Magnus to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==

* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|The Transformers #7]]
* [[Transformers Movie Collection, vol. 2]]
* [[Spotlight: Prowl|Transformers Spotlight: "Prowl"]]
* Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor
* Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
* Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn
* The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics
* Nanovor: Game Day
* The Adventures of Digger and Friends
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-29T23:31:36Z

Mechabreaker: /* Items of Note */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers (IDW) issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]], [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

{{Template: Picsneeded|Interiors}}

'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==

Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor, to which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|Liar]], while telling Bumblebee that he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and that he meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore, and that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons and that they could probably take it, before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radioes Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Wikipedia: Earth|Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
* "No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing." -Baracktimus Prime

* "Who's stupid now?" -Swindle, oblivious to the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|big red truck]] directly over his head.

* "Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner." -Scrapper envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

* "Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today. -Spike Witwicky [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

* "Swindle! Where is he?" -Ultra Magnus
* "He was one of the Decepticons that slipped through the net. He and a few [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]." -Spike Witwicky apparently knows the name of at least one of the [[Combiner|gestalt]] subgroups.

* "No! No, no, [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Not again]]! Didn't anyone try to pursue him?" -Ultra Magnus is either really incompetent or Swindle is really awesome.

* "So you will listen to me. And you will obey. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes. -Bumblebee tells Ultra Magnus to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==

* It seems a little odd that Optimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|The Transformers #7]]
* [[Transformers Movie Collection, vol. 2]]
* [[Spotlight: Prowl|Transformers Spotlight: "Prowl"]]
* Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor
* Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
* Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn
* The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics
* Nanovor: Game Day
* The Adventures of Digger and Friends
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-29T23:29:22Z

Mechabreaker: /* Advertisements */

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers (IDW) issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]], [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

{{Template: Picsneeded|Interiors}}

'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==

Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor, to which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|Liar]], while telling Bumblebee that he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and that he meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore, and that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons and that they could probably take it, before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radioes Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Wikipedia: Earth|Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
* "No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing." -Baracktimus Prime

* "Who's stupid now?" -Swindle, oblivious to the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|big red truck]] directly over his head.

* "Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner." -Scrapper envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

* "Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today. -Spike Witwicky [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

* "Swindle! Where is he?" -Ultra Magnus
* "He was one of the Decepticons that slipped through the net. He and a few [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]." -Spike Witwicky apparently knows the name of at least one of the [[Combiner|gestalt]] subgroups.

* "No! No, no, [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Not again]]! Didn't anyone try to pursue him?" -Ultra Magnus is either really incompetent or Swindle is really awesome.

* "So you will listen to me. And you will obey. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes. -Bumblebee tells Ultra Magnus to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==

* It seems a little odd thatOptimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers issue 7|The Transformers #7]]
* [[Transformers Movie Collection, vol. 2]]
* [[Spotlight: Prowl|Transformers Spotlight: "Prowl"]]
* Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor
* Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
* Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn
* The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics
* Nanovor: Game Day
* The Adventures of Digger and Friends
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-29T23:26:49Z

Mechabreaker:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers (IDW) issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]], [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

{{Template: Picsneeded|Interiors}}

'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor wreaks havoc in the desert.'''

==Synopsis==

Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor, to which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|Liar]], while telling Bumblebee that he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and that he meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore, and that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons and that they could probably take it, before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radioes Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Wikipedia: Earth|Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
* "No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing." -Baracktimus Prime

* "Who's stupid now?" -Swindle, oblivious to the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|big red truck]] directly over his head.

* "Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner." -Scrapper envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

* "Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today. -Spike Witwicky [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

* "Swindle! Where is he?" -Ultra Magnus
* "He was one of the Decepticons that slipped through the net. He and a few [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]." -Spike Witwicky apparently knows the name of at least one of the [[Combiner|gestalt]] subgroups.

* "No! No, no, [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Not again]]! Didn't anyone try to pursue him?" -Ultra Magnus is either really incompetent or Swindle is really awesome.

* "So you will listen to me. And you will obey. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes. -Bumblebee tells Ultra Magnus to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==

* It seems a little odd thatOptimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers #7]]
* [[Transformers Movie Collection, vol. 2]]
* [[Spotlight: Prowl|Transformers Spotlight: "Prowl"]]
* Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor
* Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
* Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn
* The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics
* Nanovor: Game Day
* The Adventures of Digger and Friends
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

Things Fall Apart, Part 5: "Earthworks"

2010-04-29T23:26:03Z

Mechabreaker: added Synopsis, Featured Characters, Quotes, Items of Note, and Images

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #6
|prev=Enemies of the System
|next=The Transformers (IDW) issue 7
|title="Earthworks"
|image=Transformers 6-A.jpg
|caption=Ohh S*** what are we going to do now?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[April 28]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=April 2010
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]], [[Andrew Dalhouse]]
|letters by= [[Chris Mowry]]
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|associate editor=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

{{Template: Picsneeded|Interiors}}

'''Major Witwicky and Optimus Prime come to terms with each other, while the giant gestalt, Menasor wreaks havoc in the desert'''

==Synopsis==

Spike Witwicky is is sitting in a Skywatch gunship with Corporal Henderson after being pulled from a flood channel after his near-death encounter with the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. Spike voices his frustration with how long it took for them to finally come and get him, to which Joe basically says that Spike did not need any help to get out of the channel in the first place.

The pilot turns to Joe and Spike and says that a call came in regarding a situation located about 20 miles northwest of their current position, Spike orders the pilot to take them there and Joe remarks that he can see it. Corporal Henderson immediately recognizes the giant robot as one of those Gestalts and that he hasn't seen one of those since [[All Hail Megatron issue 2|the incident in New York]].

Spike asks the pilot what kind of weapons they have on board, to which the pilot replies that there is nothing on board capable of even barely scratching the paint. Campologno makes a remark about how these things are just not going to stop trying to kill each other, to which Spike tells the pilot to get them back to base immediately.

Back at Skywatch base; Spike Witwicky decides to talk to Optimus Prime one last time as he he confronts Prime by saying that Prime turned himself in because [[Ironhide (G1)|his friend was killed]]. To which Prime says that he turned himself in because he realized that there had to be a change, and that it wouldn't have happened if he had told his comrades what he was doing. Spike asks if it was the death of his friend that set him in motion, Prime affirms, to which Spike starts pouring out his heart saying how Ironhide's death was all his fault because he wasn't present on the base the [[...For All Mankind|day of the raid]]. Optimus asks Spike about his sudden release of honesty, to which Spike replies by saying that he is a good soldier and that he's still trying to figure out just what it means to be a leader.

Spike offers Prime a way to a way to redeem himself, Prime balks at first, but Spike manages to convince him that if he doesn't, innocent people will most assuredly get hurt. Spike disables the cage surrounding Prime and Prime allows him to walk outside. The other Skywatch personnel are shocked to see what their commanding officer is doing since [[Sparkplug Witwicky|the General]] will be at the base in a few hours. Spike tells his men that the only chance they have at stopping Menasor rests within Prime and that he doesn't want another incident like the one back in New York to occur again. Joe tells Spike that he can't let him do that, because Spike doesn't know how to fly.

Menasor has Ultra Magnus in his hands and ponders what to do with him, Menasor's limbs suggest different ways to kill him, but Menasor decides to ignore them, loudly declaring to smash Ultra Magnus instead. Swindle tells Magnus that he knew he was after him for stealing the gestalt technology because Magnus figured that Swindle would sell it to the highest bidder and that it never occurred to him that he would figure out how to use it himself because Magnus apparently felt that Swindle wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, to which Swindle mockingly asks Magnus who the idiot is now, Only to have Optimus Prime drop right onto his head, transforming and heroically taking on Menasor alone.

Bumblebee is being strangled by Scrapper, who is apparently jealous that everyone is giving their undivided attention to Menasor, to which he states that no one should forget about the Constructicons, as he smashes Bumblebee down into the ground. Scrapper gets shot by Thundercracker, who states that he always hated them. Bumblebee is shocked that Thundercracker saved him, to which that Swindle will keep fighting no matter what because he is both a [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] and a [[Starscream (G1)|Liar]], while telling Bumblebee that he used to be a [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] and that he meant it when he said that he didn't know why the Autobots and Decepticons were fighting anymore, and that Swindle is not as smart as he says because he didn't spend much time applying the gestalt tech to the Stunticons and that they could probably take it, before running off to help Rodimus.

Menasor is busy looking for a weapon, he decides on a sword and tears off a piece of the rocket that was built to help Swindle and the rest of the Decepticons escape, much to Swindle's chagrin. Bumblebee realizes that the Stunticons have some teamwork issues and that the best way to defeat Menasor is to break him apart. Bumblebee gives the order to target [[Dead End (G1)|Dead End]] followed by [[Motormaster]]. Optimus then radioes Spike to come in and pick up the pieces. Red Alert tells Prime (unaware that Prime was the one who called them in the first place), that Skywatch forces are inbound to their position and asks Prime what they should do. Prime tells Red Alert that he's not in charge and that he's returning himself to Skywatch's custody. Red Alert tells Prime that they need him, but Prime replies saying that he came to help, but they cannot go back to the way things were.

Red Alert then turns to Bumblebee who says that they stay, an idea that Red Alert doesn't seem to be too fond of. Bumblebee realizes that Prime was right and that living like a band of fugitives is no way for an Autobot. Spike walks over to Bumblebee and tells him that Skywatch will help treat some of the wounded Autobots. He tells Bumblebee that he's seen enough to be convinced that the Autobots are not the problem, and that he's willing to allow them to stay on [[Wikipedia: Earth|Earth]]. Spike says that they can keep chiseling away at each other, or they can work together to eliminate common threats. Bumblebee is leery at such a proposal, but Spike assures Bumblebee that he isn't like [[Gordon Horiuchi|Horiuchi]].

Ultra Magnus suddenly emerges from the Autobot cave demanding to know where Swindle is. Spike tells him that he got away, along with a few of the Constructicons. Magnus seemingly gets distraught at the fact that Swindle has eluded justice once again and asks Bumblebee if anyone tried to pursue him. Bumblebee starts to answer, but Magnus suddenly notices Rodimus and begins to tell him that he is under arrest for willful collusion with the enemy. Rodimus attempts to justify his actions, but Silverstreak is fed up with him. Bumblebee intercedes between Magnus and Rodimus, telling Magnus to back off. Magnus, not one to be ordered around attempts to supplant Bumblebee's authority, to which Bumblebee tells him that they've felt lost and scared ever since [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] stole the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and that he's in charge until the Matrix is recovered and it chooses someone else, which gets Hot Rod's attention, who sneaks off and steals Ultra Magnus' shuttle, while Silverstreak remarks about how cowardly Hot Rod is for doing so, and that he's glad Bumblebee is still around, as it seems that he's the only leader that they have left.
==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (7)
* [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] (10)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (11)
* [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod/"Rodimus Prime"]] (15)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (16)
* [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] (17)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (19)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (20)
* [[Bluestreak|Silverstreak]] (21)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (22)
|c2=
* [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] (5)
* [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] (9)
* [[Scrapper (G1)|Scrapper]] (12)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (13)
* [[Mixmaster (G1)|Mixmaster]] (14)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (18)
|c3=
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Joe Henderson]] (2)
* [[Skywatch Pilot]] (3)
* [[Campologno]] (6)
* [[Skywatch]] Personnel (8)
}}

==Quotes==
* "No. I turned myself in because there had to be a change, and my people would not have been able to enact it if I had told them what I was doing." -Baracktimus Prime

* "Who's stupid now?" -Swindle, oblivious to the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|big red truck]] directly over his head.

* "Everyone wants to focus on the big guy. Just 'cuz we have a new combiner." -Scrapper envies Menasor for not sharing the spotlight.

* "Listen. Both of us can expend resources chiseling away at each other. Or we can work together to neutralize actual threats, like the one today. -Spike Witwicky [[Gordon Horiuchi|sounding a lot like someone else]] that offered [[The Hanging Sword|a similar proposal]].

* "Swindle! Where is he?" -Ultra Magnus
* "He was one of the Decepticons that slipped through the net. He and a few [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]." -Spike Witwicky apparently knows the name of at least one of the [[Combiner|gestalt]] subgroups.

* "No! No, no, [[Spotlight: Ultra Magnus|Not again]]! Didn't anyone try to pursue him?" -Ultra Magnus is either really incompetent or Swindle is really awesome.

* "So you will listen to me. And you will obey. No Autobot is being arrested today while I'm here, regardless of their mistakes. -Bumblebee tells Ultra Magnus to shut up and deal with it now.

==Items of Note==

* It seems a little odd thatOptimus Prime refers to the Autobots as people on page 4, in the top panel of page 5 Spike refers to the cybertronians as both "man" and "people" in the same speech bubble. He does this again in the top-center panel on page 6.

* In the bottom panel on page 17 there is a silhouette of a Transformer that clearly resembles [[Drag Strip]]'s IDW design, but Don Figueroa could have possibly meant for it to be [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]], since we see Mirage in vehicle mode in the top right panel of page 19.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Close up of Menasor attacking Rodimus and Bumblebee; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Close up of Optimus Prime; art by Don Figueroa and colors by James Brown.
* '''Cover RI:''' Optimus Prime standing in the middle of a forest; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].

<gallery>
Image: Transformers 6-A.jpg|<strike>Hulk</strike> Menasor SMASH!
Image: Transformers 6-B.jpg|This cover was so epic that it cost Optimus Prime and arm and a leg... Literally.
Image: Transformers 6-RI.jpg|[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] came down with a serious case of [[Cosmic Rust (disease)|Cosmic Rust]] during the filming of the G1 Season 3 theme song.
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers #7]]
* [[Transformers Movie Collection, vol. 2]]
* [[Spotlight: Prowl|Transformers Spotlight: "Prowl"]]
* Star Trek: Leonard McCoy, Frontier Doctor
* Star Trek Captain's Log: Harriman
* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
* Peter S. Beagle's The Last Unicorn
* The Golden Collection of Klassic Krazy Kool Kids Komics
* Nanovor: Game Day
* The Adventures of Digger and Friends
* [[Free Comic Book Day]]
* IDW Comics for iPhone and iPod touch (Back Cover)

File:TFvol1 6cvrRI.jpg

2010-04-29T19:18:24Z

Mechabreaker:

Retailer Incentive cover to [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' issue 6 "[[Earthworks]]".
{{art|art=[[Andrew Wildman]]
}}

© [[2010]] [[Hasbro]], [[IDW Publishing]]

{{comiccover|source="[[Earthworks]]"|owner=[[IDW Publishing]]}}

[[Category: Images by Andrew Wildman]]

File:TFvol1 6cvrB.jpg

2010-04-29T19:15:55Z

Mechabreaker:

Cover B to [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' issue 6 "[[Earthworks]]".
{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]
}}

© [[2010]] [[Hasbro]], [[IDW Publishing]]

{{comiccover|source="[[Earthworks]]"|owner=[[IDW Publishing]]}}

[[Category: Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:TFvol1 6cvrA.jpg

2010-04-29T19:13:40Z

Mechabreaker:

Cover A to [[IDW Publishing]]'s ''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' issue 6 "[[Earthworks]]".
{{art|art=[[Don Figueroa]]
}}

© [[2010]] [[Hasbro]], [[IDW Publishing]]

{{comiccover|source="[[Earthworks]]"|owner=[[IDW Publishing]]}}

[[Category: Images by Don Figueroa]]

File:TFvol1 6cvrRI.jpg

2010-04-29T19:10:33Z

Mechabreaker: {{comiccover|source="Earthworks"|owner=IDW Publishing}}

File:TFvol1 6cvrB.jpg

2010-04-29T19:10:32Z

Mechabreaker: {{comiccover|source="Earthworks"|owner=IDW Publishing}}

File:TFvol1 6cvrA.jpg

2010-04-29T19:10:31Z

Mechabreaker: {{comiccover|source="Earthworks"|owner=IDW Publishing}}

Things Fall Apart, Part 3: "Seasons in Flight"

2010-02-25T08:11:27Z

Mechabreaker:

{{Comicstory|
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers (IDW)|The Transformers]]'' #4
|prev=A Rude Awakening
|next=The Transformers issue 5
|seriesissue2=
|prev2=
|next2=
|title="Seasons in Flight"
|image=The_Transformers_4A.jpg
|caption=I believe I can fly...
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date= [[February 24]], [[2010]]
|coverdate=January 2009
|written by=[[Mike Costa]]
|art by=[[Don Figueroa]]
|colors by=[[James Brown]]
|letters by=
|editor=[[Andy Schmidt]]
|assistant editor=
|associate editor=
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2010)]]
}}

'''What happened to Thundercracker after the events of "All Hail Megatron"?'''

==Synopsis==

==Featured characters==

== Quotes ==
TBD

== Errors ==
* TBD

== Items of note ==
*[[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] is now back to an F-22, after being an F-15 in ''[[All Hail Megatron]]''. [[Shane McCarthy]] must not be pleased.... Schadenfreude!

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A:''' Thundercracker soars above a city; art by [[Don Figueroa]] and colors by [[James Brown|James Brown]].
* '''Cover B:''' Thundercracker soars above the clouds; art by [[Andrew Wildman]].
* '''Cover RI:''' Concept art of Ironhide; art by Don Figueroa.

<gallery>
Image:The Transformers 4A.jpg|
Image:The Transformers 4B.jpg|
Image:The Transformers 4RI.jpg|"Bring out yer mechs!"
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* TBD

[[Category:IDW Generation 1 issues]]

File:TFvol1 4cvrB.jpg

2010-02-25T08:04:50Z

Mechabreaker:

{{comiccover|source="[[Seasons in Flight]]"|Owner=[[IDW Publishing]]}}

File:TFvol1 4cvrA.jpg

2010-02-25T08:03:32Z

Mechabreaker:

{{comiccover|source="[[Seasons in Flight]]"|owner=[[IDW Publishing]]}}