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Secrets & Lies issue 1

2020-07-15T14:43:48Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Real-life references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies]]'' #1
|prev=Transformers '84 issue 0
|next=Secrets & Lies issue 2
|caption=
|image=TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 15]], 2020
|coverdate=July 2020
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Guido Guidi]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The launch of the''' '''''Nemesis''''' '''hides a secret power struggle in the Decepticon ranks—one with far-reaching consequences for Grimlock and the Dynobots.'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] continues his story...''

On a war-stricken [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Decepticon]] advance threatens to overrun the [[Autobot]] line. But the Decepticons aren't as unified as the Autobots think: [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s growing vendetta against the upstart [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] has resulted in him diverting resources and manpower away from [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s "[[Project Dreadnought]]", which aims to rebuild Cybertron itself into a planet-sized warship, and towards the ongoing war effort. Counterpunch enters Shockwave's project hub as [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] grimly contemplates Megatron's increasingly erratic behavior, and wonders if it'd be possible to refocus his mind on his original goal of galactic conquest. His friend [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] sardonically dismisses this possibility, but Counterpunch cuts the debate short by telling an irritated Shockwave that Megatron needs him immediately at the Decepticon [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]].

At the Presidium, Megatron has gathered his top confidants as he plans his next attack on [[Stanix]], a move he hopes will push Prime's forces towards [[Kalis]]. But although [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] points out that their forces are over-committed and stretched thin, Megatron ignores his advice to redevelop their [[energon]] manufacturing capabilities instead—if they don't have the energon they need, then they need to take more, by force. Shockwave impassively watches from the sidelines, unaware that Counterpunch is observing him...

When a massive explosion shakes Cybertron some time later, the effect it has proves disastrous: already shaken loose from its orbit by the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, the latest detonation diverts its trajectory and sends it hurtling towards the dangerous [[Stellae Cimeterium]]. At an emergency Presidium meeting, Skyfire informs Megatron that the explosion was likely the result of a stray missile hitting a fuel storage tank. Shockwave points out that a fully operational [[Planetary engine|planetary turbine]] array ''could'' correct their course, but Megatron declines: better first gauge Prime's response, then decide upon an appropriate course of action. Shockwave returns to his project hub, where he finds an accusing Ratbat with some suspicions of his own. The flier points out that the mystery explosion ''conveniently'' took place near one of the half-completed turbines, suggesting that Shockwave deliberately test-fired a turbine to force Megatron's hand. Shockwave refuses to play Ratbat's game, and the cassette-bot takes his leave—but warns Shockwave that although he has no real evidence of the double-cross, he's sure to find some.

[[The Transformers (issue)|Learning of Optimus Prime's plan to clear a path through an oncoming asteroid belt]], Megatron commissions the starship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', to ambush the Autobot's own ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. But while Megatron and his high-ranking Decepticons board the ship, Shockwave orders Skyfire, the vessel's architect, to stay behind as part of a contingency plan, to finish what they started. Though Ratbat can't only move against Shockwave, and can't prove his suspicions to Megatron, the sneaky fuel auditor devises a scheme to expose Shockwave's treachery—by giving the necessary information to Counterpunch, their deep-cover agent within the Autobots, he ensures that the intel finds its way to [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]. With the ''Ark'' launch pending and Prime preoccupied, Prowl informs Punch that they'll take care of this one quietly, and dispatches [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to investigate. But with the turbines located deep in Decepticon territory, he'll need an escort, comprised of the heaviest-hitting Autobots around: the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]]s!

Behind enemy lines, the six Autobots trek through the ruins to find the turbines, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] has little patience for Perceptor's technical know-how. Indeed, he questions just how important they could be if they haven't encountered any resistance... unaware that he's tripped a silent proximity alarm that immediately alerts Shockwave, who promptly dispatches Skyfire to deal with the intruders. As Shockwave transforms and blasts off, Megatron, overseeing the boarding of the ''Nemesis'', fumes at the scientist's absence, and dispatches [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to find him.

At the smoldering rim of the turbine, the five Dynobots observe the landscape while Perceptor collects some samples for analysis. Grimlock can't shake his unease, however, and wonders where the Decepticons might be... but gets the answer to his question when Skyfire strafes their position! While [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] takes to the skies, [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]], and [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] launch a surface-to-air barrage that Skyfire easily outmaneuvers. Skyfire assume he's got the upper hand as he makes another run on their position... but didn't wager on Grimlock, who charges forward, contemptuously cleaves the Decepticon's wing off, and sends him hurtling to the ground in a fiery wreck. The battle seems won... but as Perceptor peeks out of his hiding place while the Dynobots exchange congratulations, Shockwave arrives and easily annihilates Grimlock and the othe Dynobots in a single devastating blast!

Perceptor watches as Shockwave kneels by Skyfire's remains, seemingly in mourning.. only to extract the flier's [[brain module]] and promise that, someday, his subordinate will live again. His movements draw Shockwave's attention, but beore the Decepticon can blow his hiding place the three Seekers arrive and inform Shockwave that Megatron has ordered him to board the ''Nemesis''. His machinations in shambles, Shockwave grudgingly obliges and takes off with the fliers... but the experience has taught the cold, logical Decepticon that the ''real'' threat to the dream of a [[Decepticon Empire]] is ''not'' the Autobots—it is ''Megatron''. Shockwave keeps his cards close to his chest as he boards the ship and humbly accepts Megatron's furious admonishments, already hatching a new plan to ensure that only ''one'' of them will return to Cybertron.

Meanwhile, at the former battle site, a team of Autobots recover the badly injured Dynobots, as the ''Ark'' prepares for its own fateful launch...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (23)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (24)
* [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb/Swoop]] (25)
* [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (26)
* [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (27)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (28)
* [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (29)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (33)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Clifjumper]] (34)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (35)
* [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (36)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (37)

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] (2)
* [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (3)
* [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (4)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (5)
* [[Octane]] (6)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (7)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (8)
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (9)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (11)
* [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (15)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (16)
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (17)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (18)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (19)
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (20)
* [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (21)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (22)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (30)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (31)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (32)
{{!}}}
|c3=
}}

==Quotes==
"Accident... or '''design?''' I wonder." 
"Ratbat. Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think, otherwise... you'd '''know''' I abhor spontaneity. Next time... schedule an appointment."
:—'''Ratbat''' and '''Shockwave'''

"Let me get this straight. The 'Cons '''want''' us to know this... but it's intel you'd intended to bring us anyway?" 
"It's complicated." 
"Tell me about it."
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Punch'''

"Big." 
"Deep." 
"Am I relieved I brought you boys along for a second opinion."
:—'''The Dinobots''' do not help '''Perceptor'''

"Alas, poor Skyfire. Your '''mind'''... is a terrible thing to waste. Soon, old friend, you shall rise again. I will '''see''' to it."
:—'''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This issue weaves in and around the Cybertron flashbacks from [[Transformers '84 issue 0|last year's issue #0]], and, by extension, the first few pages of [[The Transformers (issue)|the first issue of the Marvel US comic]]. Notably, Megatron is shown here planning the attack on [[Stanix]] which he spearheaded in issue #0, and the comic reveals that Shockwave ''deliberately'' sent Cybertron towards [[Stellae Cimeterium]] as part of a larger ploy to force Megatron's hand. While Punch narrated the last issue, Counterpunch narrates this one, likely due to the comic's Decepticon-centric plot.
* [[The Transformers (issue)|The very first installment]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original comic]] had Megatron pontificate about turning Cybertron into a mighty "cosmic dreadnought" to conquer the universe—a plot thread that never actually resurfaced the US run, although the UK-exclusive story "[[Meltdown!]]" revealed that Megatron had commissioned a set of [[planetary engine]]s in [[Kalis]] at some point before the launch of the ''Nemesis'', which we we return to here. This issue takes a stab at addressing the discrepancy by explaining that Megatron ''began'' the war with the intention of galactic subjugation, until his mounting obsession with Optimus Prime led him down an emotional, less rational path.
* This issue features Shockwave and Ratbat at loggerheads over Shockwave's subterfuge, suggesting an origin point for Ratbat's distaste for Shockwave and his wasteful fuel consumption that will mark Ratbat's tenure as a Decepticon leader on Earth.
* The [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]] previously appeared as a government building in Furman's ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' series. Notably, this slightly deviates from Marvel US #1, where Megatron and his forces operated out of "[[Castle Decepticon]]". Perhaps one is an alternate name for the other?
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] appears as a Decepticon scientist on Cybertron; when Grimlock defeats him in battle, Shockwave plucks his [[brain module]] from his lifeless body and promises that he'll one day "rise again". The implication seems to be that, after Shockwave gets his hands on the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in ''The Transformers'' [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], he will use this brain module to recreate Skyfire on Earth as "Jetfire", explaining why Jetfire occasionally referenced details of Cybertronian life. In the author's commentary, Furman compares this to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] using the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[mind bank]] to resurrect five Autobots from preexisting engrams in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|Marvel US #14]], and suggests that Shockwave might have had access to similar technology.
* Speaking of, [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (featuring a yellow paint job based on either his European Generation 1 toy or his American [[Hook (G1)#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' toy]]) makes an appearance as one of the scientists on Project Dreadnought. He and the other five [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s were also brought to life by Shockwave in Marvel US #10, so perhaps a similar fate will befall him and his teammates?
* Megatron notes that the ''Nemesis'' will launch in one "[[Units of time|orn]]," a unit of time based on Cybertron's lunar day that previously appeared in [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Marvel #US #60]].
* A few characters mistakenly call [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] "Divebomb", and at one point Grimlock sarcastically addresses him by "whatever you're calling yourself these days". Evidently, this story must not take long after the events of "[[What's in a Name?]]" where Swoop, then Divebomb, lost an aerial battle to a [[Divebomb (G1)|Decepticon]] who stole his original name.
* The three Decepticon "[[Conehead]]s"—[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]—are shown boarding the ''Nemesis'', when, as per [[The Smelting Pool!|Marvel US #17]], they explicitly ''didn't'' travel to Earth with Megatron, and served under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] during his reign over Cybertron. Furman advises us to "watch this space"...
* Counterpunch compares Project Dreadnought to a [[warworld]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s preferred mode of transit during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics; although while that was just one spaceship, Counterpunch describes them in the plural, evoking the ''many'' warworlds used by the [[Decepticon fleet]] over in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* As originally presented in [[The Last Stand|Marvel US #4]], the Dinobots were just five random 'bots who happened to receive dinosaur alternate modes, but a later [[retcon]] in [[A Savage Circle|Marvel US #78]] established that they were already a tight-knit team back on Cybertron. Here, the five "Dynobots" (see "Transformers references" for more on that) are badly injured in the fight; presumably, their offline bodies will be loaded into the ''Ark'' before it launches from Cybertron, and reactivated to fight Shockwave in the [[Savage Land]] as per Marvel US #4. This take on events also explains why Grimlock and company didn't take an active role in the asteroid-clearing mission or the battle between the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' that precipitated their arrival on Earth.

===Transformers references===
* This issue takes some inspiration from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow animated series]] in its decision to depict Skyfire and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] as scientists and coworkers, a backstory established for the pair in the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Fire in the Sky]]."
*[[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]], a lesser-known Decepticon scientist, cameos as one of the scientists working on Project Dreadnought.
* Grimlock and the other members of his pre-Earth team go by the "Dynobots", a neologism that originally appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]'' miniseries and reappeared in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* Grimlock's battlecry, "Dynobots-traumatize!" evokes the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[activation code]]s—"maximize" and "terrorize", respectively—in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].

===Real-life references===
* In the author's commentary, Furman notes that his instructions to artist [[Guido Guidi]] were to model Slag's Cybertronian [[alternate mode]] on a {{W|Nimr}} armored jeep, Sludge's on a {{w|IDF Caterpillar D9|D9R military bulldozer}}, and Snarl's on a {{w|BMD-1|BMD-1}} amphibious vehicle—although the final art buries any direct inspiration beneath a layer of sci-fi Cybertronian detail and various dinosaurian embellishments.
* "Alas, poor Skyfire," muses Shockwave as he eulogizes his fallen friend, evoking the famous monologue from ''{{w|Hamlet}}''.
* While extracting Skyfire's mind from his corpse, Shockwave additionally specifies, "your mind is a terrible thing to waste." As it happens, the motto "a mind is a terrible thing to waste" happens to be the motto of UNCF, an American-based philanthropy organization dedicated to enriching post-secondary education for African-Americans. As there are no notes recognizing this on the author's page, this is likely coincidental.

===Errors===
* On page 20, "Warworld" is erroneously spelled with a hyphen.

===Other trivia===
* Backmatter for this issue includes a writer's commentary, where miniseries author [[Simon Furman]] explains some of the more obscure references or writing choices while also teasing upcoming issues.
* Originally solicited for release on April 29th, the miniseries was deliberately pushed back to July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

===Covers (8)===
* '''Cover A:''' Starscream and Skyfire, by [[Guido Guidi]]
* '''Cover B:''' The Decepticons, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover B:''' Dinobots on the rampage, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Stuart Sayger]]
* '''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover B:''' Soundwave, by Stuart Sayger
* '''East Side Comics exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Josh Giang]]
* '''East Side Comics exclusive cover B:''' Megatron, by Josh Giang

<gallery>
File:TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrB.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI A.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI B.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE1.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE2.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE3.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE4.jpg

</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' annual 2020
* IDW digital comics
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''

==External links==
*[https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/07/comic-book-preview-transformers-84-secrets-and-lies-1/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers '84 issues]]

Secrets & Lies issue 1

2020-07-15T14:43:03Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Real-life references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies]]'' #1
|prev=Transformers '84 issue 0
|next=Secrets & Lies issue 2
|caption=
|image=TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 15]], 2020
|coverdate=July 2020
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Guido Guidi]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The launch of the''' '''''Nemesis''''' '''hides a secret power struggle in the Decepticon ranks—one with far-reaching consequences for Grimlock and the Dynobots.'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] continues his story...''

On a war-stricken [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Decepticon]] advance threatens to overrun the [[Autobot]] line. But the Decepticons aren't as unified as the Autobots think: [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s growing vendetta against the upstart [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] has resulted in him diverting resources and manpower away from [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s "[[Project Dreadnought]]", which aims to rebuild Cybertron itself into a planet-sized warship, and towards the ongoing war effort. Counterpunch enters Shockwave's project hub as [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] grimly contemplates Megatron's increasingly erratic behavior, and wonders if it'd be possible to refocus his mind on his original goal of galactic conquest. His friend [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] sardonically dismisses this possibility, but Counterpunch cuts the debate short by telling an irritated Shockwave that Megatron needs him immediately at the Decepticon [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]].

At the Presidium, Megatron has gathered his top confidants as he plans his next attack on [[Stanix]], a move he hopes will push Prime's forces towards [[Kalis]]. But although [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] points out that their forces are over-committed and stretched thin, Megatron ignores his advice to redevelop their [[energon]] manufacturing capabilities instead—if they don't have the energon they need, then they need to take more, by force. Shockwave impassively watches from the sidelines, unaware that Counterpunch is observing him...

When a massive explosion shakes Cybertron some time later, the effect it has proves disastrous: already shaken loose from its orbit by the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, the latest detonation diverts its trajectory and sends it hurtling towards the dangerous [[Stellae Cimeterium]]. At an emergency Presidium meeting, Skyfire informs Megatron that the explosion was likely the result of a stray missile hitting a fuel storage tank. Shockwave points out that a fully operational [[Planetary engine|planetary turbine]] array ''could'' correct their course, but Megatron declines: better first gauge Prime's response, then decide upon an appropriate course of action. Shockwave returns to his project hub, where he finds an accusing Ratbat with some suspicions of his own. The flier points out that the mystery explosion ''conveniently'' took place near one of the half-completed turbines, suggesting that Shockwave deliberately test-fired a turbine to force Megatron's hand. Shockwave refuses to play Ratbat's game, and the cassette-bot takes his leave—but warns Shockwave that although he has no real evidence of the double-cross, he's sure to find some.

[[The Transformers (issue)|Learning of Optimus Prime's plan to clear a path through an oncoming asteroid belt]], Megatron commissions the starship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', to ambush the Autobot's own ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. But while Megatron and his high-ranking Decepticons board the ship, Shockwave orders Skyfire, the vessel's architect, to stay behind as part of a contingency plan, to finish what they started. Though Ratbat can't only move against Shockwave, and can't prove his suspicions to Megatron, the sneaky fuel auditor devises a scheme to expose Shockwave's treachery—by giving the necessary information to Counterpunch, their deep-cover agent within the Autobots, he ensures that the intel finds its way to [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]. With the ''Ark'' launch pending and Prime preoccupied, Prowl informs Punch that they'll take care of this one quietly, and dispatches [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to investigate. But with the turbines located deep in Decepticon territory, he'll need an escort, comprised of the heaviest-hitting Autobots around: the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]]s!

Behind enemy lines, the six Autobots trek through the ruins to find the turbines, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] has little patience for Perceptor's technical know-how. Indeed, he questions just how important they could be if they haven't encountered any resistance... unaware that he's tripped a silent proximity alarm that immediately alerts Shockwave, who promptly dispatches Skyfire to deal with the intruders. As Shockwave transforms and blasts off, Megatron, overseeing the boarding of the ''Nemesis'', fumes at the scientist's absence, and dispatches [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to find him.

At the smoldering rim of the turbine, the five Dynobots observe the landscape while Perceptor collects some samples for analysis. Grimlock can't shake his unease, however, and wonders where the Decepticons might be... but gets the answer to his question when Skyfire strafes their position! While [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] takes to the skies, [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]], and [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] launch a surface-to-air barrage that Skyfire easily outmaneuvers. Skyfire assume he's got the upper hand as he makes another run on their position... but didn't wager on Grimlock, who charges forward, contemptuously cleaves the Decepticon's wing off, and sends him hurtling to the ground in a fiery wreck. The battle seems won... but as Perceptor peeks out of his hiding place while the Dynobots exchange congratulations, Shockwave arrives and easily annihilates Grimlock and the othe Dynobots in a single devastating blast!

Perceptor watches as Shockwave kneels by Skyfire's remains, seemingly in mourning.. only to extract the flier's [[brain module]] and promise that, someday, his subordinate will live again. His movements draw Shockwave's attention, but beore the Decepticon can blow his hiding place the three Seekers arrive and inform Shockwave that Megatron has ordered him to board the ''Nemesis''. His machinations in shambles, Shockwave grudgingly obliges and takes off with the fliers... but the experience has taught the cold, logical Decepticon that the ''real'' threat to the dream of a [[Decepticon Empire]] is ''not'' the Autobots—it is ''Megatron''. Shockwave keeps his cards close to his chest as he boards the ship and humbly accepts Megatron's furious admonishments, already hatching a new plan to ensure that only ''one'' of them will return to Cybertron.

Meanwhile, at the former battle site, a team of Autobots recover the badly injured Dynobots, as the ''Ark'' prepares for its own fateful launch...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (23)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (24)
* [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb/Swoop]] (25)
* [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (26)
* [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (27)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (28)
* [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (29)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (33)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Clifjumper]] (34)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (35)
* [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (36)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (37)

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] (2)
* [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (3)
* [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (4)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (5)
* [[Octane]] (6)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (7)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (8)
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (9)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (11)
* [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (15)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (16)
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (17)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (18)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (19)
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (20)
* [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (21)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (22)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (30)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (31)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (32)
{{!}}}
|c3=
}}

==Quotes==
"Accident... or '''design?''' I wonder." 
"Ratbat. Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think, otherwise... you'd '''know''' I abhor spontaneity. Next time... schedule an appointment."
:—'''Ratbat''' and '''Shockwave'''

"Let me get this straight. The 'Cons '''want''' us to know this... but it's intel you'd intended to bring us anyway?" 
"It's complicated." 
"Tell me about it."
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Punch'''

"Big." 
"Deep." 
"Am I relieved I brought you boys along for a second opinion."
:—'''The Dinobots''' do not help '''Perceptor'''

"Alas, poor Skyfire. Your '''mind'''... is a terrible thing to waste. Soon, old friend, you shall rise again. I will '''see''' to it."
:—'''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This issue weaves in and around the Cybertron flashbacks from [[Transformers '84 issue 0|last year's issue #0]], and, by extension, the first few pages of [[The Transformers (issue)|the first issue of the Marvel US comic]]. Notably, Megatron is shown here planning the attack on [[Stanix]] which he spearheaded in issue #0, and the comic reveals that Shockwave ''deliberately'' sent Cybertron towards [[Stellae Cimeterium]] as part of a larger ploy to force Megatron's hand. While Punch narrated the last issue, Counterpunch narrates this one, likely due to the comic's Decepticon-centric plot.
* [[The Transformers (issue)|The very first installment]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original comic]] had Megatron pontificate about turning Cybertron into a mighty "cosmic dreadnought" to conquer the universe—a plot thread that never actually resurfaced the US run, although the UK-exclusive story "[[Meltdown!]]" revealed that Megatron had commissioned a set of [[planetary engine]]s in [[Kalis]] at some point before the launch of the ''Nemesis'', which we we return to here. This issue takes a stab at addressing the discrepancy by explaining that Megatron ''began'' the war with the intention of galactic subjugation, until his mounting obsession with Optimus Prime led him down an emotional, less rational path.
* This issue features Shockwave and Ratbat at loggerheads over Shockwave's subterfuge, suggesting an origin point for Ratbat's distaste for Shockwave and his wasteful fuel consumption that will mark Ratbat's tenure as a Decepticon leader on Earth.
* The [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]] previously appeared as a government building in Furman's ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' series. Notably, this slightly deviates from Marvel US #1, where Megatron and his forces operated out of "[[Castle Decepticon]]". Perhaps one is an alternate name for the other?
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] appears as a Decepticon scientist on Cybertron; when Grimlock defeats him in battle, Shockwave plucks his [[brain module]] from his lifeless body and promises that he'll one day "rise again". The implication seems to be that, after Shockwave gets his hands on the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in ''The Transformers'' [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], he will use this brain module to recreate Skyfire on Earth as "Jetfire", explaining why Jetfire occasionally referenced details of Cybertronian life. In the author's commentary, Furman compares this to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] using the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[mind bank]] to resurrect five Autobots from preexisting engrams in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|Marvel US #14]], and suggests that Shockwave might have had access to similar technology.
* Speaking of, [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (featuring a yellow paint job based on either his European Generation 1 toy or his American [[Hook (G1)#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' toy]]) makes an appearance as one of the scientists on Project Dreadnought. He and the other five [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s were also brought to life by Shockwave in Marvel US #10, so perhaps a similar fate will befall him and his teammates?
* Megatron notes that the ''Nemesis'' will launch in one "[[Units of time|orn]]," a unit of time based on Cybertron's lunar day that previously appeared in [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Marvel #US #60]].
* A few characters mistakenly call [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] "Divebomb", and at one point Grimlock sarcastically addresses him by "whatever you're calling yourself these days". Evidently, this story must not take long after the events of "[[What's in a Name?]]" where Swoop, then Divebomb, lost an aerial battle to a [[Divebomb (G1)|Decepticon]] who stole his original name.
* The three Decepticon "[[Conehead]]s"—[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]—are shown boarding the ''Nemesis'', when, as per [[The Smelting Pool!|Marvel US #17]], they explicitly ''didn't'' travel to Earth with Megatron, and served under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] during his reign over Cybertron. Furman advises us to "watch this space"...
* Counterpunch compares Project Dreadnought to a [[warworld]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s preferred mode of transit during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics; although while that was just one spaceship, Counterpunch describes them in the plural, evoking the ''many'' warworlds used by the [[Decepticon fleet]] over in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* As originally presented in [[The Last Stand|Marvel US #4]], the Dinobots were just five random 'bots who happened to receive dinosaur alternate modes, but a later [[retcon]] in [[A Savage Circle|Marvel US #78]] established that they were already a tight-knit team back on Cybertron. Here, the five "Dynobots" (see "Transformers references" for more on that) are badly injured in the fight; presumably, their offline bodies will be loaded into the ''Ark'' before it launches from Cybertron, and reactivated to fight Shockwave in the [[Savage Land]] as per Marvel US #4. This take on events also explains why Grimlock and company didn't take an active role in the asteroid-clearing mission or the battle between the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' that precipitated their arrival on Earth.

===Transformers references===
* This issue takes some inspiration from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow animated series]] in its decision to depict Skyfire and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] as scientists and coworkers, a backstory established for the pair in the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Fire in the Sky]]."
*[[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]], a lesser-known Decepticon scientist, cameos as one of the scientists working on Project Dreadnought.
* Grimlock and the other members of his pre-Earth team go by the "Dynobots", a neologism that originally appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]'' miniseries and reappeared in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* Grimlock's battlecry, "Dynobots-traumatize!" evokes the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[activation code]]s—"maximize" and "terrorize", respectively—in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].

===Real-life references===
* In the author's commentary, Furman notes that his instructions to artist [[Guido Guidi]] were to model Slag's Cybertronian [[alternate mode]] on a {{W|Nimr}} armored jeep, Sludge's on a {{w|IDF Caterpillar D9|D9R military bulldozer}}, and Snarl's on a {{w|BDM-1|BDM-1}} amphibious vehicle—although the final art buries any direct inspiration beneath a layer of sci-fi Cybertronian detail and various dinosaurian embellishments.
* "Alas, poor Skyfire," muses Shockwave as he eulogizes his fallen friend, evoking the famous monologue from ''{{w|Hamlet}}''.
* While extracting Skyfire's mind from his corpse, Shockwave additionally specifies, "your mind is a terrible thing to waste." As it happens, the motto "a mind is a terrible thing to waste" happens to be the motto of UNCF, an American-based philanthropy organization dedicated to enriching post-secondary education for African-Americans. As there are no notes specified to this on the author's page, this is likely coincidental.

===Errors===
* On page 20, "Warworld" is erroneously spelled with a hyphen.

===Other trivia===
* Backmatter for this issue includes a writer's commentary, where miniseries author [[Simon Furman]] explains some of the more obscure references or writing choices while also teasing upcoming issues.
* Originally solicited for release on April 29th, the miniseries was deliberately pushed back to July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

===Covers (8)===
* '''Cover A:''' Starscream and Skyfire, by [[Guido Guidi]]
* '''Cover B:''' The Decepticons, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover B:''' Dinobots on the rampage, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Stuart Sayger]]
* '''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover B:''' Soundwave, by Stuart Sayger
* '''East Side Comics exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Josh Giang]]
* '''East Side Comics exclusive cover B:''' Megatron, by Josh Giang

<gallery>
File:TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrB.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI A.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI B.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE1.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE2.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE3.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE4.jpg

</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' annual 2020
* IDW digital comics
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''

==External links==
*[https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/07/comic-book-preview-transformers-84-secrets-and-lies-1/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers '84 issues]]

Secrets & Lies issue 1

2020-07-15T14:42:19Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Real-life references */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers '84: Secrets & Lies]]'' #1
|prev=Transformers '84 issue 0
|next=Secrets & Lies issue 2
|caption=
|image=TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
|title=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 15]], 2020
|coverdate=July 2020
|written by=[[Simon Furman]]
|art by=[[Guido Guidi]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
|continuity=[[Marvel Comics continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The launch of the''' '''''Nemesis''''' '''hides a secret power struggle in the Decepticon ranks—one with far-reaching consequences for Grimlock and the Dynobots.'''

==Synopsis==
''[[Punch (G1)|Counterpunch]] continues his story...''

On a war-stricken [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], the [[Decepticon]] advance threatens to overrun the [[Autobot]] line. But the Decepticons aren't as unified as the Autobots think: [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]]'s growing vendetta against the upstart [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] has resulted in him diverting resources and manpower away from [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]]'s "[[Project Dreadnought]]", which aims to rebuild Cybertron itself into a planet-sized warship, and towards the ongoing war effort. Counterpunch enters Shockwave's project hub as [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] grimly contemplates Megatron's increasingly erratic behavior, and wonders if it'd be possible to refocus his mind on his original goal of galactic conquest. His friend [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] sardonically dismisses this possibility, but Counterpunch cuts the debate short by telling an irritated Shockwave that Megatron needs him immediately at the Decepticon [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]].

At the Presidium, Megatron has gathered his top confidants as he plans his next attack on [[Stanix]], a move he hopes will push Prime's forces towards [[Kalis]]. But although [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] points out that their forces are over-committed and stretched thin, Megatron ignores his advice to redevelop their [[energon]] manufacturing capabilities instead—if they don't have the energon they need, then they need to take more, by force. Shockwave impassively watches from the sidelines, unaware that Counterpunch is observing him...

When a massive explosion shakes Cybertron some time later, the effect it has proves disastrous: already shaken loose from its orbit by the Autobot-Decepticon conflict, the latest detonation diverts its trajectory and sends it hurtling towards the dangerous [[Stellae Cimeterium]]. At an emergency Presidium meeting, Skyfire informs Megatron that the explosion was likely the result of a stray missile hitting a fuel storage tank. Shockwave points out that a fully operational [[Planetary engine|planetary turbine]] array ''could'' correct their course, but Megatron declines: better first gauge Prime's response, then decide upon an appropriate course of action. Shockwave returns to his project hub, where he finds an accusing Ratbat with some suspicions of his own. The flier points out that the mystery explosion ''conveniently'' took place near one of the half-completed turbines, suggesting that Shockwave deliberately test-fired a turbine to force Megatron's hand. Shockwave refuses to play Ratbat's game, and the cassette-bot takes his leave—but warns Shockwave that although he has no real evidence of the double-cross, he's sure to find some.

[[The Transformers (issue)|Learning of Optimus Prime's plan to clear a path through an oncoming asteroid belt]], Megatron commissions the starship ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]'', to ambush the Autobot's own ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. But while Megatron and his high-ranking Decepticons board the ship, Shockwave orders Skyfire, the vessel's architect, to stay behind as part of a contingency plan, to finish what they started. Though Ratbat can't only move against Shockwave, and can't prove his suspicions to Megatron, the sneaky fuel auditor devises a scheme to expose Shockwave's treachery—by giving the necessary information to Counterpunch, their deep-cover agent within the Autobots, he ensures that the intel finds its way to [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]]. With the ''Ark'' launch pending and Prime preoccupied, Prowl informs Punch that they'll take care of this one quietly, and dispatches [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] to investigate. But with the turbines located deep in Decepticon territory, he'll need an escort, comprised of the heaviest-hitting Autobots around: the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobot]]s!

Behind enemy lines, the six Autobots trek through the ruins to find the turbines, but [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] has little patience for Perceptor's technical know-how. Indeed, he questions just how important they could be if they haven't encountered any resistance... unaware that he's tripped a silent proximity alarm that immediately alerts Shockwave, who promptly dispatches Skyfire to deal with the intruders. As Shockwave transforms and blasts off, Megatron, overseeing the boarding of the ''Nemesis'', fumes at the scientist's absence, and dispatches [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] to find him.

At the smoldering rim of the turbine, the five Dynobots observe the landscape while Perceptor collects some samples for analysis. Grimlock can't shake his unease, however, and wonders where the Decepticons might be... but gets the answer to his question when Skyfire strafes their position! While [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] takes to the skies, [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]], [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]], and [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] launch a surface-to-air barrage that Skyfire easily outmaneuvers. Skyfire assume he's got the upper hand as he makes another run on their position... but didn't wager on Grimlock, who charges forward, contemptuously cleaves the Decepticon's wing off, and sends him hurtling to the ground in a fiery wreck. The battle seems won... but as Perceptor peeks out of his hiding place while the Dynobots exchange congratulations, Shockwave arrives and easily annihilates Grimlock and the othe Dynobots in a single devastating blast!

Perceptor watches as Shockwave kneels by Skyfire's remains, seemingly in mourning.. only to extract the flier's [[brain module]] and promise that, someday, his subordinate will live again. His movements draw Shockwave's attention, but beore the Decepticon can blow his hiding place the three Seekers arrive and inform Shockwave that Megatron has ordered him to board the ''Nemesis''. His machinations in shambles, Shockwave grudgingly obliges and takes off with the fliers... but the experience has taught the cold, logical Decepticon that the ''real'' threat to the dream of a [[Decepticon Empire]] is ''not'' the Autobots—it is ''Megatron''. Shockwave keeps his cards close to his chest as he boards the ship and humbly accepts Megatron's furious admonishments, already hatching a new plan to ensure that only ''one'' of them will return to Cybertron.

Meanwhile, at the former battle site, a team of Autobots recover the badly injured Dynobots, as the ''Ark'' prepares for its own fateful launch...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Punch (G1)|Punch/Counterpunch]] (1)
* [[Prowl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Prowl]] (23)
* [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (24)
* [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Divebomb/Swoop]] (25)
* [[Sludge (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Sludge]] (26)
* [[Slag (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Slag]] (27)
* [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (28)
* [[Snarl (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Snarl]] (29)
* [[Ratchet (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Ratchet]] (33)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Clifjumper]] (34)
* [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] (35)
* [[Outback (G1)|Outback]] (36)
* [[Inferno (G1)|Inferno]] (37)

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Chop Shop (G1)|Chop Shop]] (2)
* [[Barrage (Insecticon)|Barrage]] (3)
* [[Ransack (G1)|Ransack]] (4)
* [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] (5)
* [[Octane]] (6)
* [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]] (7)
* [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] (8)
* [[Venom (G1)|Venom]] (9)
* [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (10)
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] (11)
* [[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Shockwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Shockwave]] (14)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Thundercracker]] (15)
* [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (16)
* [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] (17)
* [[Soundwave (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Soundwave]] (18)
* [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] (19)
* [[Snaptrap (G1)|Snaptrap]] (20)
* [[Skywarp (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Skywarp]] (21)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (22)
* [[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]] (30)
* [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]] (31)
* [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]] (32)
{{!}}}
|c3=
}}

==Quotes==
"Accident... or '''design?''' I wonder." 
"Ratbat. Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think, otherwise... you'd '''know''' I abhor spontaneity. Next time... schedule an appointment."
:—'''Ratbat''' and '''Shockwave'''

"Let me get this straight. The 'Cons '''want''' us to know this... but it's intel you'd intended to bring us anyway?" 
"It's complicated." 
"Tell me about it."
:—'''Prowl''' and '''Punch'''

"Big." 
"Deep." 
"Am I relieved I brought you boys along for a second opinion."
:—'''The Dinobots''' do not help '''Perceptor'''

"Alas, poor Skyfire. Your '''mind'''... is a terrible thing to waste. Soon, old friend, you shall rise again. I will '''see''' to it."
:—'''Shockwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* This issue weaves in and around the Cybertron flashbacks from [[Transformers '84 issue 0|last year's issue #0]], and, by extension, the first few pages of [[The Transformers (issue)|the first issue of the Marvel US comic]]. Notably, Megatron is shown here planning the attack on [[Stanix]] which he spearheaded in issue #0, and the comic reveals that Shockwave ''deliberately'' sent Cybertron towards [[Stellae Cimeterium]] as part of a larger ploy to force Megatron's hand. While Punch narrated the last issue, Counterpunch narrates this one, likely due to the comic's Decepticon-centric plot.
* [[The Transformers (issue)|The very first installment]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the original comic]] had Megatron pontificate about turning Cybertron into a mighty "cosmic dreadnought" to conquer the universe—a plot thread that never actually resurfaced the US run, although the UK-exclusive story "[[Meltdown!]]" revealed that Megatron had commissioned a set of [[planetary engine]]s in [[Kalis]] at some point before the launch of the ''Nemesis'', which we we return to here. This issue takes a stab at addressing the discrepancy by explaining that Megatron ''began'' the war with the intention of galactic subjugation, until his mounting obsession with Optimus Prime led him down an emotional, less rational path.
* This issue features Shockwave and Ratbat at loggerheads over Shockwave's subterfuge, suggesting an origin point for Ratbat's distaste for Shockwave and his wasteful fuel consumption that will mark Ratbat's tenure as a Decepticon leader on Earth.
* The [[Presidium (facility)|Presidium]] previously appeared as a government building in Furman's ''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' series. Notably, this slightly deviates from Marvel US #1, where Megatron and his forces operated out of "[[Castle Decepticon]]". Perhaps one is an alternate name for the other?
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Skyfire]] appears as a Decepticon scientist on Cybertron; when Grimlock defeats him in battle, Shockwave plucks his [[brain module]] from his lifeless body and promises that he'll one day "rise again". The implication seems to be that, after Shockwave gets his hands on the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]] in ''The Transformers'' [[The Next Best Thing to Being There!|#10]], he will use this brain module to recreate Skyfire on Earth as "Jetfire", explaining why Jetfire occasionally referenced details of Cybertronian life. In the author's commentary, Furman compares this to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]] using the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[mind bank]] to resurrect five Autobots from preexisting engrams in [[Rock and Roll-Out!|Marvel US #14]], and suggests that Shockwave might have had access to similar technology.
* Speaking of, [[Hook (G1)|Hook]] (featuring a yellow paint job based on either his European Generation 1 toy or his American [[Hook (G1)#Generation 2|''Generation 2'' toy]]) makes an appearance as one of the scientists on Project Dreadnought. He and the other five [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s were also brought to life by Shockwave in Marvel US #10, so perhaps a similar fate will befall him and his teammates?
* Megatron notes that the ''Nemesis'' will launch in one "[[Units of time|orn]]," a unit of time based on Cybertron's lunar day that previously appeared in [[Yesterday's Heroes!|Marvel #US #60]].
* A few characters mistakenly call [[Swoop (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Swoop]] "Divebomb", and at one point Grimlock sarcastically addresses him by "whatever you're calling yourself these days". Evidently, this story must not take long after the events of "[[What's in a Name?]]" where Swoop, then Divebomb, lost an aerial battle to a [[Divebomb (G1)|Decepticon]] who stole his original name.
* The three Decepticon "[[Conehead]]s"—[[Dirge (G1)|Dirge]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]]—are shown boarding the ''Nemesis'', when, as per [[The Smelting Pool!|Marvel US #17]], they explicitly ''didn't'' travel to Earth with Megatron, and served under [[Straxus (G1)|Straxus]] during his reign over Cybertron. Furman advises us to "watch this space"...
* Counterpunch compares Project Dreadnought to a [[warworld]], [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s preferred mode of transit during the ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|Generation 2]]'' comics; although while that was just one spaceship, Counterpunch describes them in the plural, evoking the ''many'' warworlds used by the [[Decepticon fleet]] over in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* As originally presented in [[The Last Stand|Marvel US #4]], the Dinobots were just five random 'bots who happened to receive dinosaur alternate modes, but a later [[retcon]] in [[A Savage Circle|Marvel US #78]] established that they were already a tight-knit team back on Cybertron. Here, the five "Dynobots" (see "Transformers references" for more on that) are badly injured in the fight; presumably, their offline bodies will be loaded into the ''Ark'' before it launches from Cybertron, and reactivated to fight Shockwave in the [[Savage Land]] as per Marvel US #4. This take on events also explains why Grimlock and company didn't take an active role in the asteroid-clearing mission or the battle between the ''Ark'' and ''Nemesis'' that precipitated their arrival on Earth.

===Transformers references===
* This issue takes some inspiration from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow animated series]] in its decision to depict Skyfire and [[Starscream (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Starscream]] as scientists and coworkers, a backstory established for the pair in the ''The Transformers'' episode "[[Fire in the Sky]]."
*[[Deluge (G2)|Deluge]], a lesser-known Decepticon scientist, cameos as one of the scientists working on Project Dreadnought.
* Grimlock and the other members of his pre-Earth team go by the "Dynobots", a neologism that originally appeared in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|Dark Ages]]'' miniseries and reappeared in the [[2005 IDW continuity]].
* Grimlock's battlecry, "Dynobots-traumatize!" evokes the [[Maximal]] and [[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]] [[activation code]]s—"maximize" and "terrorize", respectively—in the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'' cartoon]].

===Real-life references===
* In the author's commentary, Furman notes that his instructions to artist [[Guido Guidi]] were to model Slag's Cybertronian [[alternate mode]] on a {{W|Nimr}} armored jeep, Sludge's on a {{w|IDF Caterpillar D9|D9R military bulldozer}}, and Snarl's on a {{w|BDM-1|BDM-1}} amphibious vehicle—although the final art buries any direct inspiration beneath a layer of sci-fi Cybertronian detail and various dinosaurian embellishments.
* "Alas, poor Skyfire," muses Shockwave as he eulogizes his fallen friend, evoking the famous monologue from ''{{w|Hamlet}}''.
* While extracting Skyfire's mind from his corpse, Shockwave additionally specifies, "your mind is a terrible thing to waste." As it happens, the motto "a mind is a terrible thing to waste" happens to be the motto of UNCF, and American-based philanthropy organization dedicated to enriching post-secondary education for African-Americans.

===Errors===
* On page 20, "Warworld" is erroneously spelled with a hyphen.

===Other trivia===
* Backmatter for this issue includes a writer's commentary, where miniseries author [[Simon Furman]] explains some of the more obscure references or writing choices while also teasing upcoming issues.
* Originally solicited for release on April 29th, the miniseries was deliberately pushed back to July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

===Covers (8)===
* '''Cover A:''' Starscream and Skyfire, by [[Guido Guidi]]
* '''Cover B:''' The Decepticons, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Optimus Prime and Megatron, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover B:''' Dinobots on the rampage, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Stuart Sayger]]
* '''Gem City Comic Con exclusive cover B:''' Soundwave, by Stuart Sayger
* '''East Side Comics exclusive cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Josh Giang]]
* '''East Side Comics exclusive cover B:''' Megatron, by Josh Giang

<gallery>
File:TF84 1 cvrA.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrB.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI A.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRI B.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE1.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE2.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE3.jpg
File:TF84 1 cvrRE4.jpg

</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' annual 2020
* IDW digital comics
* ''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]''

==External links==
*[https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2020/07/comic-book-preview-transformers-84-secrets-and-lies-1/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers '84 issues]]

Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide

2015-03-07T19:12:55Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Continuity notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=38
|prev=Elegant Chaos Part 2: Stet
|next=
|image=MTMTE38 regcvr.jpg
|title="Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 4]], [[2015]]
|coverdate=February 2015
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2015)]]
}}

'''Faced with the choice of allowing Megatron to be created, or damning Cybertron in order to create a better universe, the time-travelling ''Lost Light''ers learn that there truly is no future but that which they make for themselves.'''

==Synopsis==

Realizing his life is in danger, [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] lashes out at [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]], demanding that he be sent back in time to save himself. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] restrains the former [[Decepticon]], and he and Perceptor insist that [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] has the matter well in hand. Megatron is unconvinced, given Rodimus's track record, but the decision is out of his hands: Perceptor sends Rodimus's team back in time, draining the last of the power from the ship's [[quantum generator]]s.

In the distant past, in [[Con Facility 113]], [[Brainstorm]] aims his gun at the [[reproduction|constructed cold]] Megatron's half-built form, but is suddenly taken out by a whirlwind-generating "[[grenado]]" hurled by Rodimus as he and his team materialize on the scene. Consulting the facility computers, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] observes that Brainstorm has tried to delete information on Megatron from them, and calls upon [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] to help him fill in the blanks, but Rewind finds that his database has now been completely overwritten with the history of [[Functionist Universe|the alternate timeline]]. Brainstorm has not yet been stopped! The scientist recover and draws his gun once more, but Rung—having seen in the computer records that Brainstorm had been hesitating for ten long minutes before they arrived—is able to talk him into standing down. Brainstorm explains that he never wanted to kill anyone: he had intended to track Megatron through time using a [[spark]]print taken from him during his therapy session with Rung, planning simply to steer him away from "life-changing events", only to have his hand forced when he realized part-way into his journey that he was following a print accidentally taken from ''Rung'' instead. At that point, Brainstorm's injuries take their toll and he keels over... but just as he hits the floor, ''Rewind'' uses his gun to kill Megatron instead!

The shaken archivist shares what his overwritten database has told him: that if Megatron dies, although Cybertron will be consigned to a dystopian [[Functionism|Functionist]]-governed future, the ''rest of the universe'' will be spared the devastation of the Transformers' war. No one can really argue against his logic... except for [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], who refuses to let the Functionists "win". Grabbing Megatron's body when nobody is looking and snatching the [[Point One Percenter]] spark taken from [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] from Brainstorm's chest compartment, he locks himself in a nearby room and implants the spark into Megatron's body. With this action, Whirl ensures the safety of the existing timeline: Magnus contacts Rodimus let him know that time has begun moving again, but that, with the quantum engines out of power, they are now stranded in the past. To spare them this fate, Tailgate suggests they use the [[time phone]] to try and prevent the ''[[Lost Light]]'' from taking off in the first place, altering their destinies. Together, the group sends a message to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] on the ship's launch day, warning their future selves of all the dangers that they will face on their journey—though as [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] points out, if it was successful, all the ''good'' they have done on their trip will also not happen. Rodimus cuts off Cyclonus's rant and hands him Whirl's gun: though they cannot travel through time, Perceptor ''can'' teleport them one last time to a location on Cybertron that may hold the key to their salvation.

After Rodimus and Cyclonus have left, the weakened Brainstorm explains his motivations to Rewind: originally, he had created the time machine in order to save [[Quark]], the unrequited love of his life, from dying in [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore prison]]. Following the original Rewind's death and Chromedome's emotional breakdown, however, Brainstorm decided to expand the scope of his mission, and decided to save as many lives as possible by preventing the war. Afterward, [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] asks Rewind to explain exactly where Rodimus and Cyclonus have gone; Rewind tells him they have gone to [[Unitrex]], the city in which the first interstellar starships were created. Pulling up an image of the region from his database, Rewind is struck by the sight of some very familiar fuel quills poking up from below the city...

Rodimus and Cyclonus arrive in a secret facility underneath Unitrex, where they are accosted by a security guard and his pack of [[turbofox]]es. Cyclonus deals with the guard, blasting him with Whirl's gun and locking his spasming form in a nearby room with his pets, while Rodimus speeds on ahead, locating the experimental generator that Perceptor has sent them to find. At Perceptor's direction, using information gained from the ''Lost Light''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s own engines, Rodimus makes a few modifications to the generator to turn it into a functional quantum engine, then plugs the case into it in order to charge it for a jump back to the future. As Cyclonus rejoins him, Rodimus ensures that he has brought Whirl's gun with him—they cannot leave an experimental weapon from Brainstorm's future arsenal lying about in the past, though Cyclonus can't read the scientist's terrible handwriting on the handle, and does not realize he shot the guard with a "[[Sparkeater Gun]]". Adding to the weirdness of the day, the entire complex suddenly disappears around them, shunted into the future by the newly-fashioned quantum engine—little do the pair realize that they have just been responsible for ''creating'' the ''Lost Light'' they will come to call home!

The next day, after everyone has returned to their proper place and time, things get back to normal aboard the ''Lost Light''. Brainstorm is in the brig; Chromedome and Rewind now sleep in the same room once more; everyone enjoys a movie screening and a singalong in ''[[Swerve's]]''; and Megatron retires to his quarters with [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] to silently regard his [[Rodimus Star]]. Rung pays a visit to Perceptor's lab to talk over recent events—Perceptor explains that the crew were ''always'' supposed to travel through time, their actions having always been part of history, and that the alternate "functionist timeline" only came into being accidentally, as a result of his tampering with the time machine's paradox locks. Further, he speculates that that alternate timeline may now actually exists as its own parallel universe...

...which is shown to be the case, as, across time and space, [[Functionist Council]] member [[One-of-Twelve]] is summoned by [[Quark]] with news of a world-shaking discovery made by janitorial 'bot [[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]]. Dubbing Sweep "alt mode exalted" for his contributions, One-of-Twelve bring the news before the 'bot to whom it pertains: the captive Rung, "The Useless One", held prisoner due to the mystery of his [[alternate mode]]. But that mystery has now been solved, and the threat that the truth of Rung's form poses to the Functionists' regime demands his execution. But as One-of-Twelve holds a gun on him, Rung merely encourages him to pull the trigger, as doing so will only herald the beginning of the end...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (1)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (3)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (5)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (6)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (7)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (8)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (10)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (11)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (12)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (15)
*[[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] (16)
*[[Bluestreak (G1)|Bluestreak]] (17)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (18)

|c2=
*[[Brainstorm]] (4)
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (19)

|c4=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (9)
*[[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]]-to-be (13)
*[[Quark]] (14)
*[[One-of-Twelve]] (20)
*[[Sweep (IDW)|Sweep]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==

"'''Rodimus?''' You want me to put my '''life''' in the hands of an Autobot who '''somersaults''' onto the bridge? An Autobot who pretends to be '''dead''' if you ask him a difficult question? An Autobot who, in response to a crisis in morale perpetuated by his own '''woeful''' captaincy, introduced a '''reward system''' based on his own '''face?'''" 
"You were happy to leave this to Rodimus when you thought it was '''Prime's''' life on the line..." 
"What? Don't be clever, it makes you sound stupid. God, now I'm starting to '''sound''' like him."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Ultra Magnus''' on Rodimus, and [[Rodimus Star]]s

"Neatest handwriting. You?" 
"''Sigh.'' For abandoning my evil ways."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Megatron''' on the attributes that earned them their Rodimus Stars

"The old '''time-traveling''' grenade trick!" 
"'''Is''' it old?" 
"It is now."
:—'''Rodimus''' and '''Tailgate'''

"Holy '''heck''', that was intense! And it was '''exactly''' like the climax to [[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]]'s '''play'''—except Brainstorm isn't a giant turbofox and the gun isn't a shovel and we're not trapped inside a carnival mirror and none of us are speaking in rhyme!"
:—'''Tailgate''', after Rung gets Brainstorm to stand down

"I never '''set out''' to kill anyone. All I wanted to was stop the war by steering Megatron away from '''life-changing events'''. 
"No one cares." 
"You say that, Whirl, but maybe—" 
"<big>'''♪'''</big> No one cares what you have to say...! <big>'''♫'''</big>"
:—'''Brainstorm''' and '''Whirl'''

"Cyclonus thought you'd traced the wrong energy signature. I said, 'Percy, make a mistake? The last time '''that''' happened it turned out '''physics''' had screwed up.' Ha!"
:—'''Rodimus''', to Perceptor

"I am '''so''' lost. '''Loved''' the pink flying sled—but that bit when he watches himself playing guitar? I mean, '''what?'''" 
"It's from the first one!" 
"There's a first one?"
:—'''Tailgate''' and '''Riptide''' on ''Back to the Future Part II''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Whirl mentions that this issue takes place in the middle of the "[[Silver Harvest]]", the name given in [[Twenty Plus One|issue #31]] to the discovery of Tyrest's stockpile of Matrix-born sparks, which was itself originally alluded to in [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|issue #19]].
*The data on Megatron erased by Brainstorm includes his batch code. It was originally established that Megatron had no batch code ''waaaay'' back in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|issue #22]] of the [[The Transformers (IDW)|2009-2011 ongoing series]].
*While not explicitly stated, this issue does provide a possible explanation why Megatron is so adamant about keeping his mode of creation secret. As he's a Point One Percenter spark in a cold constructed body, chances are he wasn't so sure of the answer himself.
*Brainstorm's sparkprint of Rung was taken back in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|issue #28]], during the short blackout that showed the audience an x-ray view of Rung and Megatron. We assumed at the time that the blackout itself was the first of what would be many subsequent power outages that accompanied the slow quantum erasure of the ship and its crew, but perhaps it was, as Megatron suggested at the time, simply a power surge caused by the activation of Brainstorm's scanner.
*It was in the same issue that Megatron talked about the Maccadam's brawl during his therapy session, which Brainstorm was able to learn about because he was standing outside the room at the time.
*Brainstorm collected the Point One Percenter spark from Luna 1 in [[Remain in Light 1 of 5: The Fecund Moon|issue #17]].
*At long last, Tailgate is revealed to be the sender of the warning message we heard all the way back in [[Liars, A to D Part 1: How to Say Goodbye and Mean It|issue #1]], in an attempt to warn the crew of all the terrible things that await them on their journey: Tailgate himself warns "Don't open the coffin" containing the alternate Rodimus's corpse, in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|issue #29]]; Rodimus cautions "Don't let [[Legislator|them]] take [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]" to Luna 1, as seen in issue #19; Rung urges "Don't go to [[Delphi]]", where the twin terrors of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]] and [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] lurk, from issues [[Life After the Big Bang|#4]] and [[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back|#5]]; Chromedome guards the mistake he made in [[Remembrance Day|issue #14]], "Do not look in the basement", where [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]] is imprisoned; and Riptide completes the message by warning them not to trust Brainstorm, but as we saw in issue #1, this part of the transmission was lost.
*Brainstorm makes reference to when he was "sort of dead once", as seen in the closing chapters of "[[Dark Cybertron]]".
*Brainstorm revelation that he was in love with Quark clarifies the comment he made back in [[The Gloaming|issue #16]], when he implied to Chromeome that he had lost a Conjux Endura of his own.
*Brainstorm's love for Quark probably explains, to some extent, his fanboyish infatuation with Perceptor beyond his being a rival scientist—he's also a microscope, like Quark, and Quark was always designed to resemble [[Perceptor (Animated)|''Animated'' Perceptor]].
*Quark was captured during the fall of [[K'th Kinsere]], a location brought out several times during Roberts's works; the Decepticons' attack on it was specifically described in issue #31. He was incarcerated in [[Grindcore (prison)|Grindcore]] prison, previously mentioned in "[[Bullets]]".
*Brainstorm's motivations cast new light on certain previous scenes: for example, when he hugs his briefcase to him during the group funeral in issue #16, or when he tells Rewind that he is "not yet" happy, but will be "soon", with his briefcase prominently displayed, in [[Little Victories|issue #22]].
*As is made obvious by the story though apparently not actually realized by any of the characters, Rodimus and Cyclonus do not simply visit a "secret base", but are actually teleported inside the younger version of the ''Lost Light'' itself, ''inside'' said base. The launch pad they find themselves on when the ship disappears is labelled "U1", the previous name of the ship, as revealed in issue #31. Essentially "perfected" by its own future crew, the ship is sent into the future, where it will be found by the NAILs who then sold it to Drift in issue #31. How the NAILs ''knew'' its original name remains a question, though...
*And of course, the unfortunate guard, mutated by the Sparkeater Gun, becomes the [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] that menaced the ship in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]], and has been locked in the chamber it was freed from since the very beginning. The remains of three turbofoxes were found in the cell in issue #3, but presumably these weren't the ''original'' three turbofoxes we see in this issue; in #3, Rodimus speculated that the [[NAIL]]s who would eventually come to own the ''Lost Light'' were feeding the sparkeater the creatures to keep it docile, and issue #31 seemed to back that assertion up by revealing that said NAILs had stolen a brace of turbofoxes from the ''[[Alchemy-Seven]]''. Perhaps they were inspired to use turbofoxes after they saw what the Sparkeater did to the ones it was first locked up with.
*All this would also mean that the poor fellow Whirl shot with the gun last issue also turned into a sparkeater. Could that guy and whatever he got up to after being mutated have been the ''origin'' of the sparkeater myth, in turn inspiring Brainstorm to create the gun in the first place?? Oh, no, I've gone cross-eyed, Basil.
*Ravage is revealed to still be on the Lost Light, despite a certain amount of uncertainty being shed on whether he would chose to remain with Megatron or return to the Decepticons back in [[Slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken|issue #33]].
*"The Useless One" was originally mentioned in our first glimpse of the "Functionist timeline" in [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|issue #35]], and is here confirmed to be that timeline's version of Rung, thought it was fairly easy to deduce at the time. To no-one's great surprise, we here receive our first implication that his alternate mode is part of something much greater...

===Transformers references===
*The pistol Brainstorm trains on Megatron (which is also brandished by One-of-Twelve on the final page) is based on Megatron's original Generation 1 Walther P38 [[alternate mode]], sans the [[fusion cannon]]/scope and stock attachments, but retaining its barrel-extending silencer.
*Megatron was constructed cold in "[[Con Facility 113]]," yet another of Roberts's many references to [[113 (disambiguation)|the number]].
*The title of this issue, "Predestination: An Expert's Guide", parallels the title of issue #30, "Predestination: A Beginner's Guide."
* The harness in which alternate-universe Rung is suspended is a callback to the similar apparatus that contained Overlord beneath the ''Lost Light'' - they are even presented to us in the same quarter-view looking-up angle.

===Real-life references===
*You don't need us to tell you that the 'bots are watching ''{{w|Back to the Future Part II}}''—which is, of course, about characters travelling back in time to put history to rights and avert a terrible alternate timeline from happening, just like this story has been. Tailgate missed out on seeing the {{w|Back to the Future|first one}}, but Cyclonus evidently didn't, since he is able to lead everyone in a singalong of "{{w|The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News song)|The Power of Love}}" by {{w|Huey Lewis and the News}}, which doesn't appear (properly) in the sequel. "The Power of love," the song intones, "might just save your life"—a fitting summation of the emotions revealed this issue to have secretly driven the storyline.
*Whirl likes the film well enough, but he'd rather have ''{{w|Alphaville (film)|Alphaville}}''—it's directed by Jean-Luc Godard, whose work he expressed a fondness for in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 3: Predestination: A Beginner's Guide|issue #30]].

===Errors===
*When spotting the familiar fuel quills of the ''Lost Light'', Rewind says "They looks awfully familiar", rather than "That looks" or "They look".
*Cyclonus urges the others at the bar to swing along with a hearty "Altogether!" rather than a correct "All together!"

===Other trivia===
*Originally intended for release in February 2015, continuing delays afflicting multiple IDW titles as a result of port closures on the west coast of America saw this issue pushed to the first week of March.
*On the day of this issue's release, "#mtmte" was a trending topic on Tumblr, meaning that the comic was one of the most talked-about topics on the entire platform (itself one of the top 25 internet destinations as ranked by traffic) in the whole world.
*Perceptor notes that the Functionist timeline may function as a starting point for additional alternate timelines. Although the concept of alternate timelines and parallel universes was discounted as impossible back in issue #35 (in spite of contrary evidence within IDW continuity itself such as the [[Dead Universe]] and ''[[Spotlight: Mirage]]''), they are a long-standing concept in Transformers - so it's possible that the Transformers multiverse was created through Brainstorm's briefcase.
*Perceptor mentions that his actions tampering with Brainstorm's time machine accidentally created the conditions for the existence of parallel universes. But if their timeline hadn't started to collapse and the Functionist timeline hadn't started to intrude, Rewind's database wouldn't have been overwritten. If Rewind's database hadn't been overwritten, he wouldn't have had the motivation to destroy Megatron's original spark. Furthermore, the revelation of the Functionist dystopia was also what prompted Whirl to save Megatron's life by transplanting the new spark, preserving the timeline. So that means Perceptor accidentally creating parallel universes must also have been preordained to occur. So the multiverse and all its infinite timelines were always destined to exist. My head hurts.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMRBCCDTl7s It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)]" by {{w|R.E.M.}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXS8FmruAQg Good Goodnight]" by {{w|Aqualung (musician)|Aqualung}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSo1yr9aHpM If the World Ends]" by {{w|Guillemots (band)|Guillemots}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4LjnuhA2sg Where Are They Now?]" by {{w|Gene (band)|Gene}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Regular cover:''' Brainstorm, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Rodimus tries to separate Whirl and Rewind, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Megatron in a {{w|Coast Salish art}} style, by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]

<gallery>
File:MTMTE38 regcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE38 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE38 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #39
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[The Onyx Interface Conclusion: The Obliterati|#38]]
*''[[The Transformers: Drift - Empire of Stone|Drift - Empire of Stone]]'' [[Drift - Empire of Stone issue 4|#4]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' #6
*IDW ''Edward Scissorhands'' comic
*IDW ''Skylanders Champions'' comic (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.comicbookresources.com/comic-previews/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-38-idw-2015 Preview]

Fire Road

2015-02-10T20:51:37Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits:

{{factions|autobot}}
:''Fire Road is an [[Autobot]] from the [[Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (franchise)|Operation Combination]] portion of the [[Generation 1 continuity family]].''

[[Image:FireRoad01.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]

'''Fire Road''' (ファイヤーロード ''Faiyā Rōdo'') battles with the power of fire. Convenient!

He can change his body's surface temperature to 2,000 degrees (whether that's Fahrenheit or Celsius doesn't matter, that's hot!), pursuing his rival [[Shadow Jet]] while billowing flame.

Despite his similar name, he should not be confused with [[Roadfire]].

==Fiction==
===''Operation Combination'' story pages===
Fire Road and the [[Road Corps]] were the first Autobots deployed to stop the approach of [[Battle Gaia]] and the [[Jet Corps]]. Unfortunately for Fire Road, the Decepticons defeated him and the Road Corps, then moved on to Earth's orbit and the last line of Autobots. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers: Operation Combination (story page)|The Road Army vs. the Jet Army! New Decepticons Appear!}}

==Toys==
===Operation Combination===
[[Image:G1-toy Scorch FireRoad.jpg|right|300px|thumb]]
*'''Fire Road vs. Shadow Jet''' (Versus pack, 1992)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''TF-07'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/missile launcher, 3 missiles

: Fire Road’s toy is identical to the [[Turbomaster]] [[Scorch (G1)|Scorch]], transforming into a truck of indeterminate model equipped with a huge rocket-booster engine. His engine in vehicle mode is a spring-loaded missile-launching cannon usable in both vehicle and robot modes. He was sold in Japan only as part of a two-pack with Shadow Jet.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1992/Autobot/Scorch/scorch.htm More information on Fire Road (well, Scorch) at TFU.info]''

[[Category:Operation Combination Autobots]]

Slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken

2014-09-17T15:29:19Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Transformers references */

{{lowercase}}
{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=33
|prev=slaughterhouse
|next=
|image=MTMTE33 regcvr.jpg
|title="slaughterhouse Part 2: The Road Not Taken" 
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 17]], [[2014]]
|coverdate=September 2014
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|inks by=[[Brian Shearer]] and [[John Wycough]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2014)]]
}}

'''The mystery of the ''Lost Light's'' disappearance is solved, beginning a race against time to shut down the quantum engines and put things right.'''

==Synopsis==

As [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] lifts the unconscious [[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] out of the [[Magnus Armor]] and lays him down, the little 'bot slowly awakens. [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] tries to make sure he's okay and talks him through the surprising sights that greet him—an [[Autobot]] Megatron, a living [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], and [[Nautica]] being ''female''—but Nightbeat butts in, desperate to find out what happened on the ship. The detective is fascinated by their recent discoveries, and a closer examination of the poster for "Information Creep" has revealed its release date to have been only a weeks after the ship's original launch, all standing in contradiction to the history they know—but Rewind dissolves into whimpering, able to give no verbal answer, instead offering up a [[data slug]] to the detective.

Meanwhile, across the room, Nautica observes the [[quantum engines]]' [[quantum drum]]s floating in the web of [[quantum foam]], prompting [[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] to make fun of her by suggesting her profession just involves putting "quantum" in front of other words. She responds with a (failed) joke about the way all quantum objects exist in two superpositioned states—which gives her a sudden realization that explains everything. She presents her theory to the crew: that upon launch, the malfunction of the ''Lost Light's'' quantum engines caused the ship to undergo a quantum duplication, yielding an exact copy, just as valid as the original, which materialized in the region of the space the ship was ''supposed'' to appear in, rather than jumping to the random planet that "their" ''Lost Light'' did. Nightbeat confirms her theory is correct with the data provided by Rewind, which reveals that the [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] they found in the coffin perished during the [[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]] fiasco when his head was phased inside the engines instead of just his arms. [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] subsequently took command, while Rodimus was interred by [[Drift (G1)|Drift]]; the coffin proceeded to fall from the ship when it broke up following the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]'s attack—brought on, Rewind claims, by the fact that someone onboard ''deliberately deactivated'' [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]'s cell, allowing the DJD to detect his signal. Rewind explains that he was forced to film the villains' murder spree because they promised to let [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] live if he did so, but for added psychological torture, they then tried to force the [[mnemosurgery|mnemosurgeon]] to wipe his own memories of Rewind, killing him with his own finger-needles when he refused.

Riptide brings Rewind's grim tale to an end by pointing out that the quantum foam floating outside is beginning to spread; Nautica realizes that it could potentially destroy [[Ofsted XVII]] down below by causing a chain reaction in the thinned-out space-time of the region and proposes shutting down the quantum engines entirely, which should also theoretically erase the "duplicate" ''Lost Light'' and reinstate their own. Megatron has no interest in risking his own life for a planet of non-Cybertronians, but Skids makes it clear it's not a choice: he is an Autobot now, and for that to ''mean something'', Megatron must put his life on the line for others. Unfortunately, the quantum foam is meshed around the drums so tight that a 'bot of Megatron's size cannot make it through; Rewind volunteers, but as both drums must be deactivated simultaneously, a second small 'bot is needed. Skids recalls [[Brainstorm]]'s [[mass-displacement gun]], capable of shrinking someone for the job, so the group heads for his lab to see if the "duplicate" Brainstorm invented the weapon. While searching the wrecked lab, Nightbeat and Nautica discuss the minutiae of the quantum duplication process, realizing that the Rewind "data ghost" and his altered message to Chromedome were the result of quantum "cross-contamination", and concluding that the erasure of their ''Lost Light'' was triggered when it came into proximity with Rodimus's coffin, making the paradox too blatant for the universe to continue "ignoring". Their conversation is brought to a shuddering halt when they lift a piece of rubble and reveal Brainstorm's body underneath... a discovery made all the more horrifying when Nightbeat picks up Brainstorm's disconnected faceplate, lying on the floor beside him, and uncovers a Decepticon insignia painted inside it. The ghastly realization that Brainstorm—and by extension, ''their'' Brainstorm—was the Decepticon mole who deactivated Overlord's cell has to be tabled by the crew in the face of greater concerns, and when it becomes apparent that the mass-displacement gun is not there, Megatron finally offers up a solution: he can use his own [[size changing|mass displacement]] powers, added to his [[spark]] to enable his old handgun mode, to shrink himself down and join Rewind in shutting the engines down.

A short time later, Rewind and the shrunken Megatron carefully make their way through the foam web, successfully reaching the quantum drums. As Nautica begins to walk them through the shutdown procedure, Rewind pauses, seeking belated confirmation of the fact that deactivating the drums will mean he and "his" ''Lost Light'' will cease to be. Nautica verifies this, and Rewind calmly resigns himself to this fact, given that his Chromedome is dead, leaving him with nothing to live for. He asks Megatron if the "other" Rewind and Chromedome are still strong, and after a moment of silence, Megatron tells him they are inseparable. Satisfied, Rewind throws the shutdown switch, and a wave of white light consumes everything.

Time passes. The deactivation of the quantum engines proves successful: the alternate ''Lost Light'' vanishes, and crew members slowly start appearing aboard the [[Rodpod]] in reverse order. When Chromedome is returned, however, Skids thrusts a pair of [[Magno-clamp|magna-clamps]] into his hands and tells him to go onto the pod roof... because somehow, the alternate Rewind has survived, and is waiting for him. The two 'bots look at each other in silent shock; Chromedome sits down beside his "resurrected" lover, and after a wordless moment of staring out at the stars together, the two embrace. Back inside, meanwhile, [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] reports that the ''Lost Light'' has also reappeared, and as a course is locked in, Megatron requests that he open a secure channel so that he can inform Rodimus about Brainstorm. [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] points out that he is not likely to be welcomed by the crew, and offers to depart for Earth, but Megatron invites him to stay, asking if the horrors he has seen the DJD perpetrate are enough to make him question his dedication to the Decepticon cause. Nightbeat and Nautica wonder how Rewind could have survived; Nightbeat jokingly blames "the power of love"... though that doesn't explain how he has managed to keep ahold of the dead Brainstorm's [[briefcase]]...

Back on the returned ''Lost Light'', Brainstorm squeezes his way through the crowd of revellers at [[Swerve's]], sitting down to next to [[Atomizer]]. Over Atomizer's protests, Brainstorm breaks the rules of the bar by undoing the clasps on his briefcase and opening it... and everyone in the bar except him collapses...

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Getaway]] (1)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (3)
*[[Rewind (G1)|Rewind]] (4)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (5)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (6)
*[[Nautica]] (7)
*[[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]] (8)
*[[Crosscut (Autobot)|Crosscut]] (poster, 9)
*''[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]]'' (11)
*''[[Drift (G1)|Drift]]'' (12)
*''[[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]'' (13)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (14)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (15)
*''[[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]]'' (17)
*''[[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]]'' (22)
*[[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] (24)
*[[Brainstorm]] (25)
*[[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] (26)
*[[Ammo]] (27)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (28)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (29)
*[[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (30)
{{!}}style="background:transparent; border-right: 0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Doublecross]] (31)
*[[Aquafend]] (32)
*[[Brawn (G1)|Brawn]] (33)
*[[Joyride (G1)|Joyride]] (34)
*[[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]] (35)
*[[Atomizer]] (36)
*Guy on bar (37)
*[[Streetwise (G1)|Streetwise]] (38)
*Yellow guy (39)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (2)
*''[[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]]'' (16)
*''[[Vos (DJD)|Vos]]'' (18)
*''[[Helex (DJD)|Helex]]'' (20)
*''[[Tesarus (DJD)|Tesarus]]'' (21)
*''[[Kaon (DJD)|Kaon]]'' (23)
|c4=
*''[[Sparkeater (creature)|Sparkeater]]'' (10)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (19)

}}

==Quotes==

"Such a '''fuss'''. Is he important?" 
"Come now, Ravage. '''Everyone's''' important these days."
:—'''Ravage''' and '''Megatron'''

"I've never seen the quantum drums outside of the quantum engines... even hidden behind all the '''quantum foam''', they're impressive..." 
"Nautica, to be a '''quantum mechanic''', all you have to do is put the word 'quantum' in front of other words. True or false?" 
"Both." 
"Eh?" 
"It's '''both''', simultaneously. True and false. It depends on the quantized energy state of each proposition." 
"Eh?" 
"It's a joke." 
"Oh. Are jokes not funny where you come from?"
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Riptide'''

"If that planet were teeming with '''Cybertronians''', then yes, there'd be an argument for going back into the breach. But I doubt that's the case." 
"Ah, your '''true colors'''. I'd forgotten how '''purple''' they were." 
"You've forgotten something else: I am your prisoner. I've been granted '''conditional bail''' while we look for the Knights of Cybertron. Where in my bail terms does it say—where '''precisely''' does it say—that I have to risk my life to save a handful of strangers? Where does it say '''that'''?" 
''(Skids taps Megatron's Autobot badge.)'' 
"Right. There. What does that badge even '''mean''' to you? How has wearing it forced you to '''modify''' your behaviour? I'm serious! How has being an Autobot '''in any way''' prevented you from doing '''exactly''' what you want? Because if the answer is "'''it hasn't'''"—then nothing you've said or done in the last six months counts for '''anything.'''"
:—'''Megatron''' is read the riot act by '''Skids'''

"Before you volunteer, Ravage, I'm sorry, but you lack the manual dexterity to perform the task." 
"Touch me again and I'll kill you."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Ravage'''

"I don't know '''all''' our undercover agents. To be honest, he's not our usual type." 
"There's a type?" 
"Hm. Have you never been approached?"
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Nightbeat'''

"Here's a '''survival tip:''' When everyone's lining up to make sacrifices... always get to the back of the queue."
:—'''Megatron'''

"You should go first. You're still slightly larger than me, so there's a greater chance of you touching the foam and exploding... and if that happens there's no point in me putting my own life at risk." 
"And everyone says you were the kindhearted one." 
"Were?"
:—'''Rewind''' and '''Megatron'''

"What's left for me here? Chromedome's dead—which is just another way of saying '''I''' am. In fact I wanted to ask you earlier, but... on your '''Lost Light''', me and Domey... are we still going strong?" 
''(beat)'' 
"Megatron?" 
"You're inseparable."
:—'''Rewind''' and '''Megatron'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Getaway seems overly interested in the well-being of Rewind given that he's never met him before. He seems to have a bit of a thing for "little guys", given up how he's been cozying up to Tailgate in recent issues.
*The Sparkeater affair took place in [[Liars, A to D Part 3: The Chaos of Warm Things|issue #3]]; [[Animus]] died in that issue, but on this alternate ''Lost Light'', he survived long enough to lure the Sparkeater to the engine room, taking the place of [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], who is noted to have been "lost" in the initial explosion on the "alternate" ship. This seems to be further implicit confirmation that Animus was a [[Point One Percenter]], if his spark (shown to be green in that issue) was strong enough to serve as a lure for the creature over all others on the ship.
*The DJD suddenly detected Overlord's signature in [[Scavengers (Part 2): Who's Afraid of the DJD?|issue #8]]; at last, we learn that they were able to do this because the slow cell on the alternate ''Lost Light'' was shut down.
*With this issue, all the Autobots on the [[Necrobot]]'s list are shown to have died on the second ''Lost Light''; [[Dipstick]]'s corpse was never shown, but ''everyone'' died, soooo...
*Brainstorm's [[mass-displacement gun]] previously appeared in the [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 Annual]].
*Megatron recalls his old handgun transformation, which is an alternate form he hasn't had in IDW since ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''.
*"No Briefcases" was established as one of the rules of Swerve's in [[Remain in Light 2 of 5: House of Ambus|issue #18]].

===Transformers references===
*The alternate Ultra Magnus was rid of his Nanocon infection using domesticated [[scraplet]]s, a form of mechanical parasite that originated in [[Crater Critters|issue #29]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel US series]]. There have been a few sparse references to them in Roberts-written IDW stories before now, including a one-panel appearance by one taken from Rewind's database in [[The Gloaming|issue #16]].

Brainstorm is revealed to have a mouth under his face plate. Of interesting note, Brainstorm was depicted with a mouth in the Japanese Headmasters series. Whether Brainstorm's mouth in this issue is a nod to this is currently unknown.

===Real-life references===
*This story's subtitle comes from the Robert Frost poem, ''{{w|The Road Not Taken}}''.
===Errors===
*An alternate scenario involving the Nanocons inside Ultra Magnus is described as having played out on the duplicate ''Lost Light''... buuuut the only reason the dormant Nanocons inside Magnus even became ''active'' was because of the influence of the [[Crystal City Metrotitan]], which the alternate ''Lost Light'' was never anywhere near.

===Crew manifest===
* All the vanished members of the ship return
* The Rewind of the "alternate" ''Lost Light'' survives the quantum reset and joins the crew

===Soundtrack===
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hg8MvFNPC64 Teenage Spaceship]'' by {{w|Bill Callahan (musician)|Smog}}
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIPyAuuQwJM Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space]'' by {{w|Spiritualized}}

===Other trivia===
*It's never actually explained what happened to all the ''other'' 'bots who weren't part of the original crew when their shuttles disappeared, but they all appear to be fine now that everything's over.

===Covers (4)===
*'''Regular cover:''' A shadowed Rewind, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' In the manner of {{w|Lady Justice}}, Tarn holds aloft a set of scales on which the rest of the DJD members stand, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''30th Anniversary cover:''' Tarn looms over [[Fulcrum (G1)|Fulcrum]], dripping [[energon]], by [[Sarah Stone]]; the second in September's series of 30th Anniversary covers commemorating moments from IDW history, this one representing the [[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]]' meeting with the DJD in issue #8.
*'''Heroes and Fantasies Alamo City Comic Con exclusive cover:''' [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] (in his ''[[Grimlock (WFC)|War for Cybertron]]'' design) roars in front of the Alamo, by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]; a banner reading "When Dinobots Ruled the Earth" falls in front of him, paying homage to the climactic scene of ''Jurassic Park''.
<gallery>
File:MTMTE33 regcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE33 subcvr.jpg|
File:MTMTE33 cvrRI.jpg|
File:MTMTE33 cvrRE.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''More than Meets the Eye'' #34
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[The World of Tomorrow|#33]]
*''[[The Transformers: Primacy|Primacy]]'' [[Primacy issue 2|#2]]
*''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' [[Targetmasters (issue)|#2]]
*IDW ''Transformers'' graphic novel library
*''[[My Little Pony]]'' Annual 2014 (back cover)

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/22128-megatron-s-autobots-uncover-secrets-in-transformers-more-than-meets-the-eye-33-preview.html Preview]

Grotusque

2014-05-20T02:42:18Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* IDW Generation 1 continuity */

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
:''Grotusque is an [[Autobot]] [[Monsterbot]] (and sometimes a former [[Predacon (War Within)|Decepticon]]) from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Grotusque-charactermodel.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|<s>If only Wildman had gotten to draw these guys in action... sigh.</s> [[Nick Roche]] is drawing me WOOOOO!]]
'''Grotusque''' laughs at life and everything in it. Why shouldn't he when nothing out there could ever be as frightening as his own reflection in the mirror? Still, Grotusque gamely laughs off even his own hideous appearance and alternate mode with a joke about [[Primus]] having had a little '''too''' much high-grade [[energon]] that day.

He's jovial, upbeat, and irreverent by nature despite his frightening exterior. To the frequent amusement (and sometimes annoyance) of his comrades, Grotusque can be counted on to fill the air with laughter and lighthearted jokes in even the darkest or least appropriate of situations. To their dismay he's simply incapable of taking ''anything'' totally seriously. Yet they have little other reason to complain, even if there are rumors he was once on the other side of the war; Grotusque's courage is legendary and he's a top-notch fighter. He's also quite brilliant at his function as strategist, with a sharp and analytical mind that's perfect for planning masterful campaigns (and witty quips). Fighting is fun, in Grotusque's opinion, or he simply wouldn't do it, and, in the end, death is as much a joke as life, so smile and laugh a little, and enjoy yourself while you're here.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
[[File:Ringofhate-grotusque2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Not nearly as strange as making planetfall with a guy hanging from your tail.]]
Grotusque and the Monsterbots joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], hoping to find a new life for themselves on the planet of [[Nebulos]]. Grotusque's flight abilities proved handy as the Autobots awkwardly made their way down to the surface from their orbiting ship; he arrived with a fellow Autobot hitching a ride by hanging on to his tail, noting as he did that the organic planet before them looked quite strange. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:Brothersinarmor-monsterbots2.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb]]
Conflicts with the locals made the Autobots' lives on Nebulos difficult, and those conflicts were only exacerbated by the Decepticons' arrival and subsequent [[binary bonding]] with a deceitful group of local Nebulans, including the pairing of Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with high-ranking official Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Zarak turned the Nebulan people against the Autobots, portraying the Decepticons as public heroes even as they raided Nebulos's resources to serve the lust for power of both Zarak and Scorponok. When the Decepticons attempted to take control of the [[Mercury Gardens of Melanossus]], the Monsterbots and several comrades attempted to stop them. They failed—not only did the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] kill every Autobot but the escaping Monsterbots, they also successfully proclaimed their heroism to the media for driving off the Autobot "attackers". {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Totaled-goldbugsurrenders.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|"Stop talking over me, Goldbug!"]]
The Autobots eventually quit Nebulos and traveled to [[Earth]], where Grotusque continued to serve as one of Fortress Maximus's top advisors. He was part of a select greeting party involved in the first meeting with the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s crew. {{storylink|Totaled!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Grotusque was offlined during the Underbase fiasco and stored aboard the Ark. Reanimated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] as part of his [[zombie]] army of "Ex-Bots", he was used to devastate the Earth until the Decepticon tyrant was defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. With the signal reanimating his body gone, Grotusque's remains were gathered up by [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], thrown into a huge pit with the rest of the zombies, and then vaporized from orbit. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese)
[[File:RebellionBeest Grotusque.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Grotusque and his Monsterbot comrades were called in by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] to help liberate the enslaved natives on planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. Their mission was a success, and the Monsterbots subsequently stayed on Beast in order to protect it from future Decepticon attacks. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} There was apparently a change of plans some time later, as the Monsterbots were ordered to help the Autobots with a battle against the Decepticons on the planet [[Paradise]]. During the fight, Grotusque used his flaming breath to help topple [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and destroy the Decepticons' [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
The three Monsterbots and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] comprised [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s team during the search for [[Metascan Alpha]]. The group ended up on a desolate moon, confronted by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s. Ultra Magnus insisted they ignore the Decepticons and continue with their mission. They flew down to the planet below, only to find it under attack by the [[Destructon]]s. Grotusque commented that the foe was "really ugly", shortly before being struck by [[Bruton]]'s Confusion Club. The Autobots beat a hasty retreat back to the moon, where the Destructons began beating on the Decepticons, and Magnus was able to engineer an Autobot/Decepticon truce. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{note|In one of the extras in [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]] trade paperback, Grotusque is listed as a member of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s evil [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction. This seems at odds with what we know of his personality, plus he never actually appeared in the comic at Starscream's side. It's possible this is a mistake, and it was meant to be his more unstable Monsterbot colleague, [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]].}}

===3H comics===
[[File:WreckersFinalePt1Monsterbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Less than 3 [[Units of time|deca-cycles]] after the [[reformatting]] of Cybertron into a [[technorganic]] wonderland, Grotusque and his fellow Monsterbots (apparently all having undergone the [[Great Upgrade]] downsizing) were seen exiting a bar on the [[Spaceport CSSB-16|CSSB-16 Spaceport]] soused out of their minds on some high quality [[energon]]. {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:DoublecrossGrotusqueMaximumDinos.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Holy &#$%!]]
Grotusque is part of the mercenary Monsterbots team, who do violent work not for fun but for money (and also fun). The Monsterbots were called in to assist [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who was having [[Machination]] problems. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} Grotusque helped by ''eating [[Sunstreaker clone|Headmasters]], god damn''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

After the initial bout of Headmaster slaughter, the Monsterbots agreed to drop the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] off at Machination headquarters for a final reckoning. Aboard their ship, Grotusque and Doublecross observed quietly (and slightly menacingly) as Repugnus negotiated a fee with Grimlock. The Monsterbots dropped the Dynobots off at their destination, while taking some anti-air fire. Luckily, the Monsterbots' ship was well-armed and they were able to easily destroy all ground defenses with a blanket dispersal of firepower. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

Their agreement with the Dynobots called for evac as well, and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] eventually showed up to be pulled out. Repugnus even offered up membership in the Monsterbots to the trio. But the three Dynobots eventually decided that they would stay behind to fight after all. The Monsterbots presumably left the planet shortly thereafter. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

A few years later, Grotusque had apparently rejoined the Autobot cause. Together with [[Cloudburst]], he was performing a routine security inspection of [[Kimia Facility]] when [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] blasted straight through said security with a huge number of [[Sweep]]s in tow. Grotusque and Cloudburst rushed to Kimia's armories only to find them already infested with Sweeps, and was apparently killed in the battle for the facility. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}}

Despite this, Grotusque managed to survive, and later participated in a battle on Cybertron against the invading 70-billion-strong Ammonite army. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} He would then join the crew of the ''Lost Light'' under the command of the reformed Megatron. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}}

==Commercial appearances==
Grotusque and the Monsterbots were created accidentally during an attempt to create new Autobots. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] raced to warn [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] of the accident, as the wild Monsterbots trashed the lab where they were born. Thankfully the [[Decepticon]]s attacked just then and the Monsterbots burst out of the building through the wall to fight them. In the ensuing battle, Grotusque traded fire with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Rodimus expressed relief that, though they were monsters, at least they were Autobot monsters.
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Merluzzi]] (English)}}
====''Autobot'' story====
{{Note|Grotusque was a bonus character available for use in the Autobot campaign during the second runthrough.}}

====''Decepticon'' story====
As [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces infiltrated the [[Ranpas geothermal plant]], Grotusque confronted them in the underground caverns. After a brief discussion about which one was uglier, Grotusque fought the Decepticons. He was defeated and retreated to undergo repairs. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1-toy Grotusque.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Real monsters wear pink.]]
*'''Grotusque''' (Monsterbot, 1987)
:*''Japanese ID number'': '''C-99'''
:*''Accessories'': "[[Neutron laser demagnetizer cannon|Vaporator]]" double-barreled blaster, left and right wings

:Grotusque transforms into a robotic winged [[saber-toothed cat]]-like monster ''(and see Notes)''. Pressing a button on the back of his beast-mode neck makes "cold" sparks shoot from his mouth, which opens and closes. His "Vaporator" weapon can also mount on his beast-mode back.

:Note that if the toy is transformed into beast mode properly—as depicted in the instructions, and the picture on this page—the curvature of its back is so acute that the monster must either be standing on the tips of its claws with its head pointed down at the ground, or facing forwards while rearing up on its hindlegs in a manner that makes it look less like a terrifying monster and more like a pudgy gerbil trying to drink from a cage water bottle. Leaving the beast hindquarters partially unconnected to the forequarters (as was done in his original catalog photo) allows Grotusque a more "normal" posture.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Grotusque/grotusque.htm More information on Grotusque at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Grotusque's name is obviously a play on "grotesque", which works on the most obvious level as a description of how ugly and awful this Monsterbot is; similar wordplay was used with fellow Monsterbot Repugnus. However, Grotusque's twisted, many-different-animals-mashed-together alternate mode actually matches another definition of "grotesque"—that of the [[wikipedia:Grotesque#In architecture|same sort of fanciful monstrosities that were carved into gothic structures]] for centuries. See, parents, this stuff is ''educational'' too!
*The patent application for Grotusque describes him as a "reconfigurable toy tiger", which is certainly one interpretation of his alt-mode. [http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0305255&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-adv.htm%2526r%3D368%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPTXT%2526s1%3DTakara.ASNM.%2526p%3D8%2526OS%3DAN%2FTakara%2526RS%3DAN%2FTakara&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page Grotusque's patent application]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grotus''' (グロテス ''Gurotesu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Tigerbot'''

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Grotusque Grotusque's Universe profile at NTFA.net.]

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Grotusque

2014-05-20T02:41:02Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* IDW Generation 1 continuity */

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
:''Grotusque is an [[Autobot]] [[Monsterbot]] (and sometimes a former [[Predacon (War Within)|Decepticon]]) from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Grotusque-charactermodel.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|<s>If only Wildman had gotten to draw these guys in action... sigh.</s> [[Nick Roche]] is drawing me WOOOOO!]]
'''Grotusque''' laughs at life and everything in it. Why shouldn't he when nothing out there could ever be as frightening as his own reflection in the mirror? Still, Grotusque gamely laughs off even his own hideous appearance and alternate mode with a joke about [[Primus]] having had a little '''too''' much high-grade [[energon]] that day.

He's jovial, upbeat, and irreverent by nature despite his frightening exterior. To the frequent amusement (and sometimes annoyance) of his comrades, Grotusque can be counted on to fill the air with laughter and lighthearted jokes in even the darkest or least appropriate of situations. To their dismay he's simply incapable of taking ''anything'' totally seriously. Yet they have little other reason to complain, even if there are rumors he was once on the other side of the war; Grotusque's courage is legendary and he's a top-notch fighter. He's also quite brilliant at his function as strategist, with a sharp and analytical mind that's perfect for planning masterful campaigns (and witty quips). Fighting is fun, in Grotusque's opinion, or he simply wouldn't do it, and, in the end, death is as much a joke as life, so smile and laugh a little, and enjoy yourself while you're here.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
[[File:Ringofhate-grotusque2.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|Not nearly as strange as making planetfall with a guy hanging from your tail.]]
Grotusque and the Monsterbots joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], hoping to find a new life for themselves on the planet of [[Nebulos]]. Grotusque's flight abilities proved handy as the Autobots awkwardly made their way down to the surface from their orbiting ship; he arrived with a fellow Autobot hitching a ride by hanging on to his tail, noting as he did that the organic planet before them looked quite strange. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:Brothersinarmor-monsterbots2.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb]]
Conflicts with the locals made the Autobots' lives on Nebulos difficult, and those conflicts were only exacerbated by the Decepticons' arrival and subsequent [[binary bonding]] with a deceitful group of local Nebulans, including the pairing of Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with high-ranking official Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Zarak turned the Nebulan people against the Autobots, portraying the Decepticons as public heroes even as they raided Nebulos's resources to serve the lust for power of both Zarak and Scorponok. When the Decepticons attempted to take control of the [[Mercury Gardens of Melanossus]], the Monsterbots and several comrades attempted to stop them. They failed—not only did the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] kill every Autobot but the escaping Monsterbots, they also successfully proclaimed their heroism to the media for driving off the Autobot "attackers". {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Totaled-goldbugsurrenders.jpg|upright=0.85|thumb|"Stop talking over me, Goldbug!"]]
The Autobots eventually quit Nebulos and traveled to [[Earth]], where Grotusque continued to serve as one of Fortress Maximus's top advisors. He was part of a select greeting party involved in the first meeting with the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s crew. {{storylink|Totaled!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Grotusque was offlined during the Underbase fiasco and stored aboard the Ark. Reanimated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] as part of his [[zombie]] army of "Ex-Bots", he was used to devastate the Earth until the Decepticon tyrant was defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. With the signal reanimating his body gone, Grotusque's remains were gathered up by [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], thrown into a huge pit with the rest of the zombies, and then vaporized from orbit. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese)
[[File:RebellionBeest Grotusque.jpg|left|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Grotusque and his Monsterbot comrades were called in by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] to help liberate the enslaved natives on planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. Their mission was a success, and the Monsterbots subsequently stayed on Beast in order to protect it from future Decepticon attacks. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} There was apparently a change of plans some time later, as the Monsterbots were ordered to help the Autobots with a battle against the Decepticons on the planet [[Paradise]]. During the fight, Grotusque used his flaming breath to help topple [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and destroy the Decepticons' [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
The three Monsterbots and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] comprised [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s team during the search for [[Metascan Alpha]]. The group ended up on a desolate moon, confronted by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s. Ultra Magnus insisted they ignore the Decepticons and continue with their mission. They flew down to the planet below, only to find it under attack by the [[Destructon]]s. Grotusque commented that the foe was "really ugly", shortly before being struck by [[Bruton]]'s Confusion Club. The Autobots beat a hasty retreat back to the moon, where the Destructons began beating on the Decepticons, and Magnus was able to engineer an Autobot/Decepticon truce. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' continuity===
{{note|In one of the extras in [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]] trade paperback, Grotusque is listed as a member of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s evil [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction. This seems at odds with what we know of his personality, plus he never actually appeared in the comic at Starscream's side. It's possible this is a mistake, and it was meant to be his more unstable Monsterbot colleague, [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]].}}

===3H comics===
[[File:WreckersFinalePt1Monsterbots.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb]]
Less than 3 [[Units of time|deca-cycles]] after the [[reformatting]] of Cybertron into a [[technorganic]] wonderland, Grotusque and his fellow Monsterbots (apparently all having undergone the [[Great Upgrade]] downsizing) were seen exiting a bar on the [[Spaceport CSSB-16|CSSB-16 Spaceport]] soused out of their minds on some high quality [[energon]]. {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:DoublecrossGrotusqueMaximumDinos.jpg|left|upright=0.85|thumb|Holy &#$%!]]
Grotusque is part of the mercenary Monsterbots team, who do violent work not for fun but for money (and also fun). The Monsterbots were called in to assist [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who was having [[Machination]] problems. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} Grotusque helped by ''eating [[Sunstreaker clone|Headmasters]], god damn''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

After the initial bout of Headmaster slaughter, the Monsterbots agreed to drop the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] off at Machination headquarters for a final reckoning. Aboard their ship, Grotusque and Doublecross observed quietly (and slightly menacingly) as Repugnus negotiated a fee with Grimlock. The Monsterbots dropped the Dynobots off at their destination, while taking some anti-air fire. Luckily, the Monsterbots' ship was well-armed and they were able to easily destroy all ground defenses with a blanket dispersal of firepower. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

Their agreement with the Dynobots called for evac as well, and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] eventually showed up to be pulled out. Repugnus even offered up membership in the Monsterbots to the trio. But the three Dynobots eventually decided that they would stay behind to fight after all. The Monsterbots presumably left the planet shortly thereafter. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

A few years later, Grotusque had apparently rejoined the Autobot cause. Together with [[Cloudburst]], he was performing a routine security inspection of [[Kimia Facility]] when [[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] blasted straight through said security with a huge number of [[Sweep]]s in tow. Grotusque and Cloudburst rushed to Kimia's armories only to find them already infested with Sweeps, and was apparently killed in the battle for the facility. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}}

Despite this, Grotusque managed to survive, and later participated in a battle on Cybertron against the invading 70-billion-strong Ammonite army. {{storylink|Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11|Black Planet}} Grotusque would then join the crew of the ''Lost Light'' under the command of the reformed Megatron. {{storylink|World, Shut Your Mouth Part 2: Words Hang in the Air|Words Hang in the Air}}

==Commercial appearances==
Grotusque and the Monsterbots were created accidentally during an attempt to create new Autobots. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] raced to warn [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] of the accident, as the wild Monsterbots trashed the lab where they were born. Thankfully the [[Decepticon]]s attacked just then and the Monsterbots burst out of the building through the wall to fight them. In the ensuing battle, Grotusque traded fire with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Rodimus expressed relief that, though they were monsters, at least they were Autobot monsters.
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Merluzzi]] (English)}}
====''Autobot'' story====
{{Note|Grotusque was a bonus character available for use in the Autobot campaign during the second runthrough.}}

====''Decepticon'' story====
As [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces infiltrated the [[Ranpas geothermal plant]], Grotusque confronted them in the underground caverns. After a brief discussion about which one was uglier, Grotusque fought the Decepticons. He was defeated and retreated to undergo repairs. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1-toy Grotusque.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Real monsters wear pink.]]
*'''Grotusque''' (Monsterbot, 1987)
:*''Japanese ID number'': '''C-99'''
:*''Accessories'': "[[Neutron laser demagnetizer cannon|Vaporator]]" double-barreled blaster, left and right wings

:Grotusque transforms into a robotic winged [[saber-toothed cat]]-like monster ''(and see Notes)''. Pressing a button on the back of his beast-mode neck makes "cold" sparks shoot from his mouth, which opens and closes. His "Vaporator" weapon can also mount on his beast-mode back.

:Note that if the toy is transformed into beast mode properly—as depicted in the instructions, and the picture on this page—the curvature of its back is so acute that the monster must either be standing on the tips of its claws with its head pointed down at the ground, or facing forwards while rearing up on its hindlegs in a manner that makes it look less like a terrifying monster and more like a pudgy gerbil trying to drink from a cage water bottle. Leaving the beast hindquarters partially unconnected to the forequarters (as was done in his original catalog photo) allows Grotusque a more "normal" posture.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Grotusque/grotusque.htm More information on Grotusque at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Grotusque's name is obviously a play on "grotesque", which works on the most obvious level as a description of how ugly and awful this Monsterbot is; similar wordplay was used with fellow Monsterbot Repugnus. However, Grotusque's twisted, many-different-animals-mashed-together alternate mode actually matches another definition of "grotesque"—that of the [[wikipedia:Grotesque#In architecture|same sort of fanciful monstrosities that were carved into gothic structures]] for centuries. See, parents, this stuff is ''educational'' too!
*The patent application for Grotusque describes him as a "reconfigurable toy tiger", which is certainly one interpretation of his alt-mode. [http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0305255&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-adv.htm%2526r%3D368%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPTXT%2526s1%3DTakara.ASNM.%2526p%3D8%2526OS%3DAN%2FTakara%2526RS%3DAN%2FTakara&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page Grotusque's patent application]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grotus''' (グロテス ''Gurotesu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Tigerbot'''

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Grotusque Grotusque's Universe profile at NTFA.net.]

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Caminus (planet)

2014-04-17T18:45:43Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Notes */

:''Caminus is a [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] from the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
{{mainpic}}
'''Caminus''' was one of [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Titans]] created by the [[Knights of Cybertron]] millions of years ago to act as a living ship. He is also the source of all [[Arcee (G1)|but one]] of the known [[Female Transformer]]s in the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].

He supposedly has a face similar to Japanese [[Wikipedia:Kabuki|Kabuki]] theatre makeup.

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{spoiler|A 'Bot and Her City|May 16,2014}}
{{ongoing}}
Millions of years ago, Caminus set off from [[Cybertron]] to colonize new worlds- like all other Titans, Caminus contained a [[Hot Spot]] filled with unborn [[Spark|Sparks]]. Some time later Caminus landed on a world and used the hot spot to create a new civilization of [[Transformer|Cybertronians]]. Over time, this colony lost touch with Cybertron and the local population adapted into new, more feminine forms. It was during this time that [[Cityspeaker|cityspeakers]] started to learn how to read the brains of Titans such as Caminus and painted their faces in honor of him. Some time in the recent past, [[Thunder Clash (G1)|Thunderclash]] visited Caminus in the hope of finding someone capable of healing [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. The Camiens sent [[Windblade]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and [[Nautica]] on this sacred task. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}}

==Notes==
*Even though we have never seen Caminus' robot mode, it can be assumed that his face is similar to Windblade's, as Cityspeakers paint their faces in honor of him.
*Caminus' name is Latin for forge-an appropriate name, as he is the source of most female Transformers in the IDW continuity.

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Metrotitans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Transformers]]

Caminus (planet)

2014-04-17T18:43:37Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* IDW Generation 1 continuity */

:''Caminus is a [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Metrotitan]] from the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
{{mainpic}}
'''Caminus''' was one of [[Metrotitan (body-type)|Titans]] created by the [[Knights of Cybertron]] millions of years ago to act as a living ship. He is also the source of all [[Arcee (G1)|but one]] of the known [[Female Transformer]]s in the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity]].

He supposedly has a face similar to Japanese [[Wikipedia:Kabuki|Kabuki]] theatre makeup.

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
{{spoiler|A 'Bot and Her City|May 16,2014}}
{{ongoing}}
Millions of years ago, Caminus set off from [[Cybertron]] to colonize new worlds- like all other Titans, Caminus contained a [[Hot Spot]] filled with unborn [[Spark|Sparks]]. Some time later Caminus landed on a world and used the hot spot to create a new civilization of [[Transformer|Cybertronians]]. Over time, this colony lost touch with Cybertron and the local population adapted into new, more feminine forms. It was during this time that [[Cityspeaker|cityspeakers]] started to learn how to read the brains of Titans such as Caminus and painted their faces in honor of him. Some time in the recent past, [[Thunder Clash (G1)|Thunderclash]] visited Caminus in the hope of finding someone capable of healing [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. The Camiens sent [[Windblade]], [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] and [[Nautica]] on this sacred task. {{storylink|A 'Bot and Her City}}

==Notes==
*Even though we have never seen Caminus' robot mode it can be assumed that his face is similar to Windblade's face as it is stated that the cityspeakers paint their faces in honor of him
*Caminus' name is Latin for forge- appropriate as he is the source of Fembots in the IDW continuity

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:Metrotitans]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Transformers]]

Windmill (G1)

2014-03-27T03:51:06Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* 3H comics */

{{disambig2|the Autobot Action Master|the G.I. Joe pilot|Windmill (G.I. Joe)}}
{{factions|autobot}}
:''Windmill is an [[Autobot]] [[Action Master Elite]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:ActionMasterEliteWindmillBacker1.png|right|250px|thumb|Hi, I don't look like anybody.]]
'''Windmill''' personally designed and implemented the radar systems in Autobot HQ. An air defense technology specialist, and apparently a bit of a tech-geek, he enjoys the challenge of turning scrap metal into new laser weapons in his spare time. He's equipped with "kinetic intelligence" that combined with his "cyber-optic perception modem implant" somehow lets him track enemy forces anywhere in the galaxy. He still holds a grudge against the [[Decepticon|Decepticons]] for destroying his laboratory back on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Windmill is extremely emphatic about the quality of his radar systems.

{{TOCclear}}
==Fiction==
===3H comics===
[[Image:Crosscutbetrayal.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
Windmill was the captain of the ''[[Sojourner's Passage]]'', an ill-fated exploration vessel that crashed onto [[Akalo|Archa Nine]]. He presumably did not survive the crash. {{storylink|Betrayal}}

{{--}}

===IDW Comics===
Windmill was briefly seen in the fight amongst the Ammonite army. {{storylink|Black Planet}}

==Toys==
[[Image:G1 Windmill toy.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Saddest helicopter ever.]]
===Generation 1===
*'''Windmill''' (Action Master Elite, 1991)
**''Accessories:'' Rotorblades

: Windmill is an [[Action Master Elite]], the only variety of [[Action Master]]s that had their own alternate modes, and was available only in [[Generation 1 (European toyline)|European markets]]. He transforms into a high-impact, counterstrike helicopter. Pushing in the thingy on his copter-mode spins the rotor-blades via gear-wheel [[Gimmick|gimmickry]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Autobot/Windmill/windmill.htm More information on Windmill at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
==Notes==
* The other three Action Master Elites all strongly resemble previous Transformers in robot mode. Windmill is the exception to this, which seems in line with the Action Masters' overall trend for releasing original characters alongside classic characters, even when said classic characters aren't correctly [[Omega Supreme (G1)|named as such]].

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:European-original Transformers]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]

Grotusque

2014-03-19T18:05:46Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* IDW Generation 1 continuity */

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
:''Grotusque is an [[Autobot]] [[Monsterbot]] (and sometimes a former [[Predacon (War Within)|Decepticon]]) from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Grotusque-charactermodel.jpg|400px|thumb|<strike>If only Wildman had gotten to draw these guys in action... sigh.</strike> [[Nick Roche]] is drawing me WOOOOO!]]
'''Grotusque''' laughs at life and everything in it. Why shouldn't he when nothing out there could ever be as frightening as his own reflection in the mirror? Still, Grotusque gamely laughs off even his own hideous appearance and alternate mode with a joke about [[Primus]] having had a little '''too''' much high-grade [[energon]] that day.

He's jovial, upbeat, and irreverent by nature despite his frightening exterior. To the frequent amusement (and sometimes annoyance) of his comrades, Grotusque can be counted on to fill the air with laughter and lighthearted jokes in even the darkest or least appropriate of situations. To their dismay he's simply incapable of taking ''anything'' totally seriously. Yet they have little other reason to complain, even if there are rumors he was once on the other side of the war; Grotusque's courage is legendary and he's a top-notch fighter. He's also quite brilliant at his function as strategist, with a sharp and analytical mind that's perfect for planning masterful campaigns (and witty quips). Fighting is fun, in Grotusque's opinion, or he simply wouldn't do it, and, in the end, death is as much a joke as life, so smile and laugh a little, and enjoy yourself while you're here.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
[[File:Ringofhate-grotusque2.jpg|150px|thumb|Not nearly as strange as making planetfall with a guy hanging from your tail.]]
Grotusque and the Monsterbots joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], hoping to find a new life for themselves on the planet of [[Nebulos]]. Grotusque's flight abilities proved handy as the Autobots awkwardly made their way down to the surface from their orbiting ship; he arrived with a fellow Autobot hitching a ride by hanging on to his tail, noting as he did that the organic planet before them looked quite strange. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:Brothersinarmor-monsterbots2.jpg|left|150px|thumb|]]
Conflicts with the locals made the Autobots' lives on Nebulos difficult, and those conflicts were only exacerbated by the Decepticons' arrival and subsequent [[binary bonding]] with a deceitful group of local Nebulans, including the pairing of Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with high-ranking official Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Zarak turned the Nebulan people against the Autobots, portraying the Decepticons as public heroes even as they raided Nebulos's resources to serve the lust for power of both Zarak and Scorponok. When the Decepticons attempted to take control of the [[Mercury Gardens of Melanossus]], the Monsterbots and several comrades attempted to stop them. They failed—not only did the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] kill every Autobot but the escaping Monsterbots, they also successfully proclaimed their heroism to the media for driving off the Autobot "attackers". {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Totaled-goldbugsurrenders.jpg|150px|thumb|"Stop talking over me, Goldbug!"]]
The Autobots eventually quit Nebulos and traveled to [[Earth]], where Grotusque continued to serve as one of Fortress Maximus's top advisors. He was part of a select greeting party involved in the first meeting with the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s crew. {{storylink|Totaled!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Grotusque was offlined during the Underbase fiasco and stored aboard the Ark. Reanimated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] as part of his [[zombie]] army of "Ex-Bots", he was used to devastate the Earth until the Decepticon tyrant was defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. With the signal reanimating his body gone, Grotusque's remains were gathered up by [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], thrown into a huge pit with the rest of the zombies, and then vaporized from orbit. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese)
[[File:RebellionBeest Grotusque.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
Grotusque and his Monsterbot comrades were called in by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] to help liberate the enslaved natives on planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. Their mission was a success, and the Monsterbots subsequently stayed on Beast in order to protect it from future Decepticon attacks. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} There was apparently a change of plans some time later, as the Monsterbots were ordered to help the Autobots with a battle against the Decepticons on the planet [[Paradise]]. During the fight, Grotusque used his flaming breath to help topple [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and destroy the Decepticons' [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
The three Monsterbots and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] comprised [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s team during the search for [[Metascan Alpha]]. The group ended up on a desolate moon, confronted by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s. Ultra Magnus insisted they ignore the Decepticons and continue with their mission. They flew down to the planet below, only to find it under attack by the [[Destructon]]s. Grotusque commented that the foe was "really ugly", shortly before being struck by [[Bruton]]'s Confusion Club. The Autobots beat a hasty retreat back to the moon, where the Destructons began beating on the Decepticons, and Magnus was able to engineer an Autobot/Decepticon truce. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' comics===
{{note|In one of the extras in [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]] trade paperback, Grotusque is listed as a member of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s evil [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction. This seems at odds with what we know of his personality, plus he never actually appeared in the comic at Starscream's side. It's possible this is a mistake, and it was meant to be his more unstable Monsterbot colleague, [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]].}}

===3H comics===
[[File:WreckersFinalePt1Monsterbots.jpg|200px|thumb|]]
Less than 3 [[Units of time|deca-cycles]] after the [[reformatting]] of Cybertron into a [[technorganic]] wonderland, Grotusque and his fellow Monsterbots (apparently all having undergone the [[Great Upgrade]] downsizing) were seen exiting a bar on the [[Spaceport CSSB-16|CSSB-16 Spaceport]] soused out of their minds on some high quality [[energon]]. {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:DoublecrossGrotusqueMaximumDinos.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Holy &#$%!]]
Grotusque is part of the mercenary Monsterbots team, who do violent work not for fun but for money (and also fun). The Monsterbots were called in to assist [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who was having [[Machination]] problems. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} Grotusque helped by ''eating [[Sunstreaker clone|Headmasters]], god damn''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

After the initial bout of Headmaster slaughter, the Monsterbots agreed to drop the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] off at Machination headquarters for a final reckoning. Aboard their ship, Grotusque and Doublecross observed quietly (and slightly menacingly) as Repugnus negotiated a fee with Grimlock. The Monsterbots dropped the Dynobots off at their destination, while taking some anti-air fire. Luckily, the Monsterbots' ship was well-armed and they were able to easily destroy all ground defenses with a blanket dispersal of firepower. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

Their agreement with the Dynobots called for evac as well, and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] eventually showed up to be pulled out. Repugnus even offered up membership in the Monsterbots to the trio. But the three Dynobots eventually decided that they would stay behind to fight after all. The Monsterbots presumably left the planet shortly thereafter. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

A few years later, Grotusque had apparently rejoined the Autobot cause. Together with [[Cloudburst]], he was performing a routine security inspection of [[Kimia Facility]] when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] blasted straight through said security with a huge number of [[Sweep]]s in tow. Grotusque and Cloudburst rushed to Kimia's armories only to find them already infested with Sweeps, and was apparently killed in the battle for the facility. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}}

Despite this, Grotusque managed to survive, and later participated in a battle on Cybertron against the invading 70-billion-strong Ammonite army. {{storylink|Black Planet|Black Planet}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Grotusque and the Monsterbots were created accidentally during an attempt to create new Autobots. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] raced to warn [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] of the accident, as the wild Monsterbots trashed the lab where they were born. Thankfully the [[Decepticon]]s attacked just then and the Monsterbots burst out of the building through the wall to fight them. In the ensuing battle, Grotusque traded fire with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Rodimus expressed relief that, though they were monsters, at least they were Autobot monsters.
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Merluzzi]] (English)}}
====''Autobot'' story====
{{Note|Grotusque was a bonus character available for use in the Autobot campaign during the second runthrough.}}

====''Decepticon'' story====
As [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces infiltrated the [[Ranpas geothermal plant]], Grotusque confronted them in the underground caverns. After a brief discussion about which one was uglier, Grotusque fought the Decepticons. He was defeated and retreated to undergo repairs. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1-toy Grotusque.jpg|thumb|300px|Real monsters wear pink.]]
*'''Grotusque''' (Monsterbot, 1987)
:*''Japanese ID number'': '''C-99'''
:*''Accessories'': "[[Neutron laser demagnetizer cannon|Vaporator]]" double-barreled blaster, left and right wings

:Grotusque transforms into a robotic winged [[saber-toothed cat]]-like monster ''(and see Notes)''. Pressing a button on the back of his beast-mode neck makes "cold" sparks shoot from his mouth, which opens and closes. His "Vaporator" weapon can also mount on his beast-mode back.

:Note that if the toy is transformed into beast mode properly—as depicted in the instructions, and the picture on this page—the curvature of its back is so acute that the monster must either be standing on the tips of its claws with its head pointed down at the ground, or facing forwards while rearing up on its hindlegs in a manner that makes it look less like a terrifying monster and more like a pudgy gerbil trying to drink from a cage water bottle. Leaving the beast hindquarters partially unconnected to the forequarters (as was done in his original catalog photo) allows Grotusque a more "normal" posture.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Grotusque/grotusque.htm More information on Grotusque at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Grotusque's name is obviously a play on "grotesque", which works on the most obvious level as a description of how ugly and awful this Monsterbot is; similar wordplay was used with fellow Monsterbot Repugnus. However, Grotusque's twisted, many-different-animals-mashed-together alternate mode actually matches another definition of "grotesque"—that of the [[wikipedia:Grotesque#In_architecture|same sort of fanciful monstrosities that were carved into gothic structures]] for centuries. See, parents, this stuff is ''educational'' too!
*The patent application for Grotusque describes him as a "reconfigurable toy tiger", which is certainly one interpretation of his alt-mode. [http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0305255&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-adv.htm%2526r%3D368%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPTXT%2526s1%3DTakara.ASNM.%2526p%3D8%2526OS%3DAN%2FTakara%2526RS%3DAN%2FTakara&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page Grotusque's patent application]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grotus''' (グロテス ''Gurotesu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Tigerbot'''

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Grotusque Grotusque's Universe profile at NTFA.net.]

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Grotusque

2014-03-19T18:05:25Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* IDW Generation 1 continuity */

{{factions|autobot|decepticon}}
:''Grotusque is an [[Autobot]] [[Monsterbot]] (and sometimes a former [[Predacon (War Within)|Decepticon]]) from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Grotusque-charactermodel.jpg|400px|thumb|<strike>If only Wildman had gotten to draw these guys in action... sigh.</strike> [[Nick Roche]] is drawing me WOOOOO!]]
'''Grotusque''' laughs at life and everything in it. Why shouldn't he when nothing out there could ever be as frightening as his own reflection in the mirror? Still, Grotusque gamely laughs off even his own hideous appearance and alternate mode with a joke about [[Primus]] having had a little '''too''' much high-grade [[energon]] that day.

He's jovial, upbeat, and irreverent by nature despite his frightening exterior. To the frequent amusement (and sometimes annoyance) of his comrades, Grotusque can be counted on to fill the air with laughter and lighthearted jokes in even the darkest or least appropriate of situations. To their dismay he's simply incapable of taking ''anything'' totally seriously. Yet they have little other reason to complain, even if there are rumors he was once on the other side of the war; Grotusque's courage is legendary and he's a top-notch fighter. He's also quite brilliant at his function as strategist, with a sharp and analytical mind that's perfect for planning masterful campaigns (and witty quips). Fighting is fun, in Grotusque's opinion, or he simply wouldn't do it, and, in the end, death is as much a joke as life, so smile and laugh a little, and enjoy yourself while you're here.

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
[[File:Ringofhate-grotusque2.jpg|150px|thumb|Not nearly as strange as making planetfall with a guy hanging from your tail.]]
Grotusque and the Monsterbots joined [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]] in abandoning [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], hoping to find a new life for themselves on the planet of [[Nebulos]]. Grotusque's flight abilities proved handy as the Autobots awkwardly made their way down to the surface from their orbiting ship; he arrived with a fellow Autobot hitching a ride by hanging on to his tail, noting as he did that the organic planet before them looked quite strange. {{storylink|Ring of Hate!}}

[[File:Brothersinarmor-monsterbots2.jpg|left|150px|thumb|]]
Conflicts with the locals made the Autobots' lives on Nebulos difficult, and those conflicts were only exacerbated by the Decepticons' arrival and subsequent [[binary bonding]] with a deceitful group of local Nebulans, including the pairing of Decepticon leader [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] with high-ranking official Lord [[Zarak (G1)|Zarak]]. Zarak turned the Nebulan people against the Autobots, portraying the Decepticons as public heroes even as they raided Nebulos's resources to serve the lust for power of both Zarak and Scorponok. When the Decepticons attempted to take control of the [[Mercury Gardens of Melanossus]], the Monsterbots and several comrades attempted to stop them. They failed—not only did the Decepticon [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] kill every Autobot but the escaping Monsterbots, they also successfully proclaimed their heroism to the media for driving off the Autobot "attackers". {{storylink|Brothers in Armor!!}}

[[File:Totaled-goldbugsurrenders.jpg|150px|thumb|"Stop talking over me, Goldbug!"]]
The Autobots eventually quit Nebulos and traveled to [[Earth]], where Grotusque continued to serve as one of Fortress Maximus's top advisors. He was part of a select greeting party involved in the first meeting with the [[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'s crew. {{storylink|Totaled!}}
{{-}}

====''Regeneration One''====
Grotusque was offlined during the Underbase fiasco and stored aboard the Ark. Reanimated by [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] as part of his [[zombie]] army of "Ex-Bots", he was used to devastate the Earth until the Decepticon tyrant was defeated by [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]]. With the signal reanimating his body gone, Grotusque's remains were gathered up by [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]] and [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]], thrown into a huge pit with the rest of the zombies, and then vaporized from orbit. {{storylink|Natural Selection, Part One}}

===''The Headmasters'' cartoon===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Masaharu Satō]] (Japanese)
[[File:RebellionBeest Grotusque.jpg|left|200px|thumb|]]
Grotusque and his Monsterbot comrades were called in by [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] to help liberate the enslaved natives on planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]]. Their mission was a success, and the Monsterbots subsequently stayed on Beast in order to protect it from future Decepticon attacks. {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} There was apparently a change of plans some time later, as the Monsterbots were ordered to help the Autobots with a battle against the Decepticons on the planet [[Paradise]]. During the fight, Grotusque used his flaming breath to help topple [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and destroy the Decepticons' [[energon cube]]s. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}
{{-}}

===''Transformers in 3-D''===
The three Monsterbots and [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] comprised [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]'s team during the search for [[Metascan Alpha]]. The group ended up on a desolate moon, confronted by [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] and the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcon]]s. Ultra Magnus insisted they ignore the Decepticons and continue with their mission. They flew down to the planet below, only to find it under attack by the [[Destructon]]s. Grotusque commented that the foe was "really ugly", shortly before being struck by [[Bruton]]'s Confusion Club. The Autobots beat a hasty retreat back to the moon, where the Destructons began beating on the Decepticons, and Magnus was able to engineer an Autobot/Decepticon truce. {{storylink|The War Against the Destructons, Chapter 1 of 3}}

===Dreamwave ''Generation One'' comics===
{{note|In one of the extras in [[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]] trade paperback, Grotusque is listed as a member of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]'s evil [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]] faction. This seems at odds with what we know of his personality, plus he never actually appeared in the comic at Starscream's side. It's possible this is a mistake, and it was meant to be his more unstable Monsterbot colleague, [[Repugnus (G1)|Repugnus]].}}

===3H comics===
[[File:WreckersFinalePt1Monsterbots.jpg|200px|thumb|]]
Less than 3 [[Units of time|deca-cycles]] after the [[reformatting]] of Cybertron into a [[technorganic]] wonderland, Grotusque and his fellow Monsterbots (apparently all having undergone the [[Great Upgrade]] downsizing) were seen exiting a bar on the [[Spaceport CSSB-16|CSSB-16 Spaceport]] soused out of their minds on some high quality [[energon]]. {{storylink|The Wreckers: Finale Part 1}}
{{-}}

===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
[[File:DoublecrossGrotusqueMaximumDinos.jpg|left|150px|thumb|Holy &#$%!]]
Grotusque is part of the mercenary Monsterbots team, who do violent work not for fun but for money (and also fun). The Monsterbots were called in to assist [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]], who was having [[Machination]] problems. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 2|Maximum Dinobots #2}} Grotusque helped by ''eating [[Sunstreaker clone|Headmasters]], god damn''. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 3|Maximum Dinobots #3}}

After the initial bout of Headmaster slaughter, the Monsterbots agreed to drop the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dynobots]] off at Machination headquarters for a final reckoning. Aboard their ship, Grotusque and Doublecross observed quietly (and slightly menacingly) as Repugnus negotiated a fee with Grimlock. The Monsterbots dropped the Dynobots off at their destination, while taking some anti-air fire. Luckily, the Monsterbots' ship was well-armed and they were able to easily destroy all ground defenses with a blanket dispersal of firepower. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 4|Maximum Dinobots #4}}

Their agreement with the Dynobots called for evac as well, and [[Slag (G1)|Slag]], [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]], and [[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] eventually showed up to be pulled out. Repugnus even offered up membership in the Monsterbots to the trio. But the three Dynobots eventually decided that they would stay behind to fight after all. The Monsterbots presumably left the planet shortly thereafter. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

A few years later, Grotusque had apparently rejoined the Autobot cause. Together with [[Cloudburst]], he was performing a routine security inspection of [[Kimia Facility]] when [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] blasted straight through said security with a huge number of [[Sweep]]s in tow. Grotusque and Cloudburst rushed to Kimia's armories only to find them already infested with Sweeps, and was apparently killed in the battle for the facility. {{storylink|Chaos Part One: Lamentations|Lamentations}}

Despite this, Grotusque managed to survive, and later participated in a battle of Cybertron against the invading 70-billion-strong Ammonite army. {{storylink|Black Planet|Black Planet}}
{{-}}

==Commercial appearances==
Grotusque and the Monsterbots were created accidentally during an attempt to create new Autobots. [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] raced to warn [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] and [[Blurr (G1)|Blurr]] of the accident, as the wild Monsterbots trashed the lab where they were born. Thankfully the [[Decepticon]]s attacked just then and the Monsterbots burst out of the building through the wall to fight them. In the ensuing battle, Grotusque traded fire with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]]. Rodimus expressed relief that, though they were monsters, at least they were Autobot monsters.
{{-}}

==Games==
===''The Transformers'' (PS2)===
{{voiceactor|[[Jack Merluzzi]] (English)}}
====''Autobot'' story====
{{Note|Grotusque was a bonus character available for use in the Autobot campaign during the second runthrough.}}

====''Decepticon'' story====
As [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s forces infiltrated the [[Ranpas geothermal plant]], Grotusque confronted them in the underground caverns. After a brief discussion about which one was uglier, Grotusque fought the Decepticons. He was defeated and retreated to undergo repairs. {{storylink|The Transformers (PS2)|The Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[File:G1-toy Grotusque.jpg|thumb|300px|Real monsters wear pink.]]
*'''Grotusque''' (Monsterbot, 1987)
:*''Japanese ID number'': '''C-99'''
:*''Accessories'': "[[Neutron laser demagnetizer cannon|Vaporator]]" double-barreled blaster, left and right wings

:Grotusque transforms into a robotic winged [[saber-toothed cat]]-like monster ''(and see Notes)''. Pressing a button on the back of his beast-mode neck makes "cold" sparks shoot from his mouth, which opens and closes. His "Vaporator" weapon can also mount on his beast-mode back.

:Note that if the toy is transformed into beast mode properly—as depicted in the instructions, and the picture on this page—the curvature of its back is so acute that the monster must either be standing on the tips of its claws with its head pointed down at the ground, or facing forwards while rearing up on its hindlegs in a manner that makes it look less like a terrifying monster and more like a pudgy gerbil trying to drink from a cage water bottle. Leaving the beast hindquarters partially unconnected to the forequarters (as was done in his original catalog photo) allows Grotusque a more "normal" posture.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1987/Autobot/Grotusque/grotusque.htm More information on Grotusque at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Notes==
*Grotusque's name is obviously a play on "grotesque", which works on the most obvious level as a description of how ugly and awful this Monsterbot is; similar wordplay was used with fellow Monsterbot Repugnus. However, Grotusque's twisted, many-different-animals-mashed-together alternate mode actually matches another definition of "grotesque"—that of the [[wikipedia:Grotesque#In_architecture|same sort of fanciful monstrosities that were carved into gothic structures]] for centuries. See, parents, this stuff is ''educational'' too!
*The patent application for Grotusque describes him as a "reconfigurable toy tiger", which is certainly one interpretation of his alt-mode. [http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=D0305255&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-adv.htm%2526r%3D368%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPTXT%2526s1%3DTakara.ASNM.%2526p%3D8%2526OS%3DAN%2FTakara%2526RS%3DAN%2FTakara&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page Grotusque's patent application]

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Grotus''' (グロテス ''Gurotesu'')
*''Italian:'' '''Tigerbot'''

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Grotusque Grotusque's Universe profile at NTFA.net.]

[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Decepticons]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Predacons]]
[[Category:Strategists]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11

2014-03-19T17:54:22Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Continuity notes */

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

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

==Synopsis==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Quotes==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===Advertisements===

*"[[Dark Cybertron]]" checklist, highlighting [[Dark Cybertron Chapter 12|the final chapter]]
*''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[The War to End All Wars, Part 5|#100]]
*IDW: Getting Into Your Head for 15 Years (back cover)

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

Black Planet: Dark Cybertron Chapter 11

2014-03-19T17:49:51Z

Mister Rotten Biscuits: /* Continuity notes */

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

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

==Synopsis==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Quotes==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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*IDW: Getting Into Your Head for 15 Years (back cover)

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