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Vector Prime: In the Beginning

2026-02-05T06:55:23Z

Queso: /* Errors */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act|Balancing Act]]''
|next=Balancing Act
|seriesissue2=''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers: Cybertron]]''
|title="Vector Prime: In the Beginning"
|publisher=[[Fun Publications]]
|published in=[[Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issue 1|Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club #1]]
|plot=[[Forest Lee]] & [[Dan Khanna]]
|script=[[Forest Lee]]
|pencils=[[Dan Khanna]]
|editor=[[Marc Patten]]
|continuity=[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|''Cybertron'' cartoon]]
}}

'''Vector Prime remembers his life...and prepares for a new threat, bigger than ever before.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]: birthplace of the [[Thirteen|thirteen original Transformers]], and the body of Primus, the creator of all Transformers. The Thirteen are assigned individual duties, ensuring the [[multiverse]]'s ongoing survival. Millennia after their creation, many of the Thirteen have left Cybertron, some forgetting their names and histories. [[Vector Prime]], however, remains. Guardian of all space and time, he ensures the balance stays in check and records everything he observes, from Cybertronians, to ancient humans, to one of the greatest threats of casualty, and his creator's brother: [[Unicron]].

Unicron creates ripples in the ocean of time, destroying worlds in his endless hunger, an eternal darkness to balance against Primus' light. For a long time, the brothers remain dormant, and Vector leaves his home, watching, waiting, until he would be needed again. He witnesses great triumphs in the multiverse, such as when [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] unleashes the [[Matrix of Leadership]]'s power against the [[Hate Plague]]. He witnesses their darkest hours, watching as [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] taunts Optimus Prime's disembodied head. At times, he even intervenes, notably when [[Megatron (BW)|Megatron]]'s attempted assassination of Optimus threatens the timestream. But when a battle in the core of Cybertron accidentally reawakens Primus and Unicron, Vector rushes back to the fold in an attempt to save galaxies from Unicron's quantum energies, and mourns when he fails. Eventually, his descendants, the modern day Cybertronians, unite to fight back against Unicron, as Vector repairs the damage from behind the scenes. However, exhausted by his duties, he doesn't realize Unicron's destruction will have dire consequences in one universe until it is too late. Alerted by [[Vector Sigma]], he realizes the balance has been upset, and returns to his home for the first time in centuries, near which Unicron has collapsed into an ominous [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]]....

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
*[[Vector Prime]] (1)
*[[Big Red (G1)|Big Red]] (4)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Bumblebee]] (13)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] (14)
*[[Jazz (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Jazz]] (15)

|c2=
*[[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (6)
*[[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] (7)
*[[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] (8)
*[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (9)
*[[Megatron (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (11)
*[[Octopunch (G1)|Octopunch]] (12)

|h3=[[Mini-Con]]s|c3=
*[[Safeguard (Cybertron)|Safeguard]] (17)

|c4=
*[[The Fallen]] (2)
*[[Unicron]] (3)
*[[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] (10)
*[[Primus]] (16)

}}

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The concept of the Thirteen was originally introduced in ''[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]'', and [[Hasbro]]'s intent to have Vector Prime as one of its members is established here.
*This comic makes explicit for the first time that there is one Unicron, one Primus, and one version of the Thirteen across the multiverse, after certain stories (such as [[Transformers: Universe (comic)|''Universe'']] and the "[[Worlds Collide]]" arc of the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] [[Transformers: Armada (Dreamwave)|''Armada'' comic]]) showed Unicron's trans-dimensional nature. While [[Out of the One, Many|later retcons]] would slightly modify and eventually [[Shroud|get rid]] of this concept, the idea would remain in place for 10 years.
*One of the silhouettes of the first 13 Transformers that stands behind Vector Prime in his first panel appears to be that of [[The Fallen]], the evil member of the Thirteen introduced in Dreamwave's ''[[Transformers: War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages]]'' mini-series.
*Vector remembers events from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Sunbow ''The Transformers'' cartoon]] episode "[[The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 2]]", issue [[Prime Time!|#10]] and issue [[The Primal Scream|#61]] of the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel ''The Transformers'' comic]], and the [[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Wars'']] episode "[[The Agenda (Part III)]]".

===Transformers references===
* In the scenes of early Cybertron, one of the generic Transformers seen is an unnamed Autobot seen in the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of the Marvel series, given the nickname "[[Big Red (G1)|Big Red]]" by fans due to his large stature. He appears to be normal-sized here.
* Unicron is initially drawn with his original design as seen in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''. On the final page, meanwhile, he is drawn with his "Unicron Trilogy" design seen in ''Armada'' and ''Energon''.

===Errors===
* Vector's face is miscolored as gold with blue eyes this issue, as opposed to the correct blue with red eyes. Safeguard, too, is miscolored, with a maroon red replacing his blue wing engines and faceplate.
* Part of the crossguard for Vector Prime's sword hilt is miscolored as if it is a part of his arm on page one.
* Jazz is depicted with his toy-based door wings, which his Marvel character model didn't have.

===Other notes===
* The retelling of ''The Transformers'' issue #61 depicts Primus as a ball of energy with his face in it, rather than his face physically built into the wall.
* Despite the comic being in-continuity with the ''Cybertron'' cartoon, the scene of Vector Prime returning to normal space is different from his arrival in "[[Fallen (episode)|Fallen]]". In this issue, Vector enters normal space in robot mode with Cybertron in the background, but in the cartoon, Vector is in vehicle mode when he enters normal space just above ground level on Cybertron.

===Reprints===
*2007 — ''[[Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act]]''

[[Category:Cybertron issues]]
[[Category:Hasbro Transformers Collectors' Club issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 3

2026-01-21T18:49:22Z

Queso: Might be a coincidence, but that police car looks like it was directly using the 2007 deluxe toy as a reference

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #3
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 2
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 4
|image=Transformers03A Cover.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[December 6]], [[2023]]
|coverdate=December 2023
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=Daniel Warren Johnson
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]] & [[Jonathan Manning]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''It's Optimus Prime versus Skywarp in a vicious battle, with humankind caught in the crossfire.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TF2023 – Sparky threatens Cliffjumper.jpg|left|thumb|"Better dead than red!"]]
Learning [[Davey|her father]] has been killed, [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] asks [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] how it happened, and Sparky tells her he was crushed by a giant robot. Carly realizes it must have been [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] and begins to tell Sparky about her and Spike's discovery of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]''. Sparky desperately asks where [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] is when they are attacked by [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]]. Sparky fires at the robot bird, only to get tossed around the room for his efforts. Laserbeak then corners Carly, but she is rescued by the timely arrival of [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]], who delivers a swift kick to Laserbeak's face. As Cliff approaches Carly, however, Sparky yells at him to get away before firing a shotgun at the [[Autobot]]'s face. Carly tries to get him to stop, but Sparky pulls her into the police car he commandeered and they drive off.

In the ''Ark'', an irritated Starscream berates [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] for not fixing [[Teletraan I|Teletraan 1]]. Soundwave tells him that while they have enough [[energon]], the raw materials they gathered aren’t advanced enough to repair the computer. When Soundwave begins to mention what [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] would do, Starscream slaps him, repeating his order to not say his name. Soundwave receives an alert from Laserbeak and Starscream orders [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to deal with it.

Sparky takes Carly to the veterans' bar. Carly asks why they’re there and Sparky tells her that the [[Decepticon]]s are jamming all phone, radio, and internet signals, so they need reinforcements from somewhere. Inside, [[Danny]] and a group of other veterans have heard the explosions and already formed a small militia to defend themselves. Carly tries to tell Sparky that they aren't all bad, but Sparky says that he's been in war: when the shooting starts, people die. At that moment, Cliffjumper appears in the doorway and Sparky unloads a machine gun on him. Skywarp then arrives, which the humans mistake for Cliffjumper having called in reinforcements, and they begin firing on both. On the outskirts of town, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus]] and Spike see smoke coming from the battle and Optimus quickly heads in to intervene. With Skywarp shaking off the humans' bullets like they're nothing, Danny decides they need something bigger: he and Sparky pull out a bazooka before the bar caves in on itself. Skywarp approaches Cliffjumper for the kill, but Carly tries to step in and defend him, much to Skywarp's amusement. The pair are saved by the timely intervention of Optimus, who rams into Skywarp in his truck mode. Optimus transforms and tells Spike to take cover while he deals with the Decepticon.

The two fight, Skywarp using his teleportation and Optimus using his [[energon-axe]]. Optimus pins Skywarp down and asks him to surrender, but their fight is interrupted by Sparky and Danny firing the bazooka at Optimus, severely damaging his right arm. This allows Skywarp to regain his footing and blast Optimus back. Sparky tells the militia to pour their fire on both of the Cybertronians as Spike runs towards the wounded Optimus… getting caught in the crossfire. Skywarp taunts Optimus as he moves to crush Spike, but Optimus tackles him to the ground. In a moment of desperation, Prime tears off his injured arm, using it as a club to beat Skywarp down. He then picks up Spike, now bleeding profusely from his injury. Sparky runs towards Prime, tears streaking his face and a handgun pointed at the Autobot leader, screaming at him to get away from his son. Optimus transforms and tells Sparky to come with him; he’s going to save his boy.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (4)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (12)

|c2=
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (5)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (6)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (7)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (8)

|c3=
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky|"Sparky" Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (2)
* [[Danny]] (9)
* [[Jerry (G1)|Jerry]] (10)
* Militia (11)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (13)
}}

==Quotes==
"I've been in '''war''', Carly. It doesn't matter whose team they're on or what glorious cause they fight for. When the shooting starts, people die."
:—'''Sparky'''

"Damn, Starscream was right! This is a blast!"
:—'''Skywarp'''

"Your kind have played with this planet '''enough'''. '''''I WILL HAVE NO MORE OF IT!'''''"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' right before ripping his own arm off.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* One of the citizens' militia, [[Jerry (G1)|Jerry]], was the same man raving about seeing [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] in the [[Transformers (2023) issue 1|first issue]].
* Sparky notes the internet is down, throwing the implied setting of the 1980s into question.
* While talking to Starscream, Soundwave can be seen cradling [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] in his arms. Shot by Optimus in the first issue, it's still unclear if Ravage is in [[Stasis lock|stasis]] or dead.
* When Optimus sees Spike on the ground, he is reminded of the [[deer]] he accidentally stepped on in the [[Transformers (2023) issue 2|previous issue]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus's iconic [[energon-axe]] first debuted in the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]] episode "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]".
* Skywarp swears "by the soul of [[the Fallen]]".
*The [[Media:Transformers 2023 3 6th Ptg Cover.jpg|sixth printing cover]] to this issue depicts a police car which appears to be based directly on [[Barricade (Movie)/toys#Deluxe Class toys|the 2007 deluxe class Barricade toy]] (you can even see Frenzy's feet behind the ram bar).

===Real-world references===
* Daniel Warren Johnson hides little references on the license plates of the vehicles and characters' alt-modes:
** The license plate of the police car Sparky commandeered has changed, now reading "[https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/murder-falcon Murder Falcon]", the title of one of Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer’s previous Skybound comics.
** As Optimus drives into town, his front license plate reads "DAP", which stands for ''[https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/do-a-powerbomb Do A Powerbomb]'', another Johnson/Spicer Image title.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Oh- what's this? ''Do a Powerbomb!'' DAP!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=937s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
** When Optimus transforms at the end, his license plate also serves as Johnson's signature, with a small "DWJ '23".
* The wrestling influence on the action in this comic continues with Optimus Prime performing {{w|Kenta Kobashi}}'s iconic {{w|Professional wrestling throws#Inverted Death Valley driver|Burning Hammer}} on Skywarp, hoisting the Decepticon over his shoulders before slamming him into the ground head-first.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So this probably is my favorite page in the book, in issue #3. This is of course Optimus hitting a Burning Hammer! All you have to do is Google Kenta Kobashi, Burning Hammer, that's all I'm going to say about that. If you know, you know. There's this like [...] BREEEEE! I can feel like the pistons locking in, and like pushing, as he raises Skywarp above his head.|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* There are two references to the ''{{w|Gundam}}'' franchise:
** When Spike charges into the battle between Optimus Prime and Skywarp, the panel is framed to resemble the famous shot at the climax of ''{{w|Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket}}'' where Alfred Izuhara tries to intervene in the battle between Christina McKenzie's Gundam ALEX and Bernard Wiseman's Zaku II.
** Similarly, the scene where Optimus rips off his arm and uses it as a flail against Skywarp brings to mind Shiro Amada's Gundam Ez8 doing the same against Norris Packard's Gouf Custom in ''{{w|Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team}}''. Daniel Warren Johnson also shared a gif of the original scene on his Twitter<ref>{{citesocial|link= https://twitter.com/danielwarrenart/status/1732514531631374599|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=Twitter|year=2023|month=12|day=7}}</ref> and called the scene a homage to "one of [his] favorite anime shows of all time" in the letter column of the following issue.

===Storytelling notes===
* DWJ apparently struggled with the opening of this issue,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=This whole first part of this issue was brutal for me to get through. Maybe it doesn't show, but I was having a really hard time. And I'll show you when I made a breakthrough, but it's not for a bit.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=346s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref> only feeling that he had hit his stride with the page where the militia first appear.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Okay, so here! Here's where I started getting my mojo back. It took a while!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=613s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* Skywarp sips Energon from a canister using a straw, as DWJ wanted to come up with a different way for Transformers to drink Energon, rather than drinking from cubes as they did in the original cartoon.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=We do get a standout moment here, which which is Skywarp of course, sipping Energon. I wanted to figure out a better way to have them consume Energon, that wasn't them like drinking out of those cubes from the TV show. So yeah, he's drinking from the scream canister—sorry, accidentally copying Pixar a little bit—but yeah sipping, sipping canister, in true skywarp fashion.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=566s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* Initially, DWJ drew himself into the militia, but ultimately he chickened out and revised the drawing!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I was scared of drawing this panel here, with all the soldiers, but it just worked out really well. I changed the design, I drew myself in here! I almost put myself in the militia, but I don't even own a gun, so I felt a little bit too much like a poser. And yeah, this is... I really really love this. I just, I... And this panel's great, her like pulling on the shirt, and... it's just... I got my, I got my groove back in this page. And it was, I was off to the races after this page, [...] page seven?|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=705s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* DWJ had originally wanted a mid-transformation panel as Skywarp touches down amidst the militia; this was removed for space reasons, particularly as it was visually similar to a panel from the previous issue.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I forgot to get rid of this page. This was going to be a mid-transforming page of Skywarp coming down. So instead of him being here, already kind of landed, he was going to be ''landing''. But I felt it was a little too similar to the panel that you saw in issue #2 of Skywarp crushing everybody at the electrical plant. And this has a more, a little bit of like a calm kind of like flowing-down, whereas I just kind of wanted him to be established. There were going to be too many storytelling beats between [the panel where Skywarp is landing] and [the panel where he's being shot], it just... You know, it's not a huge deal, it wouldn't have really mattered, but... And this is like a little bit more of an intense angle. I pulled out a little bit here, I also really wanted to have room for Cliffjumper. It's just the storytelling worked a little better, with all- I needed to include all of these, like, militia guys, at the same time, while also having Skywarp land, and be a threat. So I have all these things that I'm juggling at once, and I don't like having to make compromises, 'cause honestly if I had another page or another few- if I had just a little more room, this would have been the panel. But maybe I'll ink it up someday, that'll be cool.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=828s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* Easy to miss in the panel where Skywarp slaps a van aside, there's the ''lower half'' of one of the militia members!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Notice that this guy's getting cut in half here, by this van! Not Carly's van, it's not there, but I just wanted to draw a van again.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=953s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
** The sound effect from this panel was added at a late stage in the artwork, to unambiguously guide the reader's eye through the action of the panel.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I love this panel. This is awesome. I added the BREEEEEEEOOOOOO after a bit, it's not here on the thumbnail. But I really like, you know, this is the first person that's talking, the bartender going to Sparky... then you're kind of following it around. It kind of goes like this: left to right, but then you know you follow the letters, and it zooms around to him flying here, and circle is completed. So this is an intentional thing on my part, sometimes my compositions are unintentional, this one was definitely intentional, trying to ca- you through the entire reading experience in a way that is fun and dynamic.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=963s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* When depicting characters laughing—such as when Skywarp laughs at Carly—DWJ tries to draw the laughter as SFX into the panel, rather than deferring it to the letterer.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I don't like when in letters you have like little HAHAHAs in balloons. I like having really loud onomatopoeia HAHAs, so whenever someone's laughing, I try and include it in the background as an SFX. And then I will remove it from the letters. I'm sure Russ is very capable of drawing very great HAHAs, I just- it's a personal preference.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1052s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* DWJ was influenced by ''{{w|Pacific Rim (film)|Pacific Rim}}'' for the beat where Skywarp is rammed through buildings and cars by Prime.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Getting a lot done here, transforming and tossing Spike to the side, get to safety, this car and the- [Skywarp] was just kind of falling in a parking lot before, and I really wanted Skywarp to be having some serious damage, really getting pounded and slammed into something. And that's a bit of a nod to ''Pacific Ram'' where they just get knocked into ''all'' of the buildings. And I don't have the time to draw them [...] crashing into every building, and it is a small town, but you know, you could be smushing some cars, and you know, rocking some bricks, so.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1147s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* DWJ was keen on including Skywarp's teleportation ability. As Optimus fights Skywarp, DWJ wanted to build similar tension to that of a wrestler trying to tag in their partner—he keeps trying to ready his Energon axe, but never quite manages.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Teleport! Done on the page! Of course wanted to add that in, because I do love Skywarp and that is one of his most fun abilities. And through this entire sequence I was trying to do this kind of like hot tag thing, like you see in wrestling, where [...] somebody on a tag team's getting worked over by the other team, put in a submission, or... you know, they can't make this tag, to try and get that rescue partner. And in my mind it was like, in this scene, Optimus has got this energy ax, that everybody knows- everybody knows he's got an Energon axe! Even the people that aren't super fans of ''Transformers'', and... they're like, when is this guy... get... you know, BZOW, BZOW. Because I hint at it, I show, okay, this is a thing, he's activating it, ''nope'' just kidding. Okay, not going to happen...|link=https://youtu.be/MxfnknSUY4w?si=O4RC_XE6NmoidDFz&t=1263|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref> When it's finally fully activated, Prime's arm is destroyed before it can be used!<ref>{{citesocial|quote=And then, again, we got- we're hinting, we're saying, "this is when the Energon ax is going to come out." And we get this glorious, just like, KRSHHHHH. I can just, I can see it in my head, you know? The scene was clear as day. Everybody's getting excited about this moment. He's finally got the Energon ax. We are going to wreck face. Let's do it. JUST. KIDDING. Ohhh man.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1407s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* The panel where Spike runs to intervene between Skywarp and Optimus is deliberately composed so Spike appears the same size as the Transformers, to highlight his heroism.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So then we have Spike being a silly human, and running... Added a little step panel there, not sure why, just felt right! You know, I don't know if this works, but one of my goals was to have Spike be about the same size—compositionally—as Skywarp and Optimus, so that his actions are like, so heroic that he's like kind of now elevated to their stature, physicality wise.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1509s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* As Sparky runs in to check on Spike, the reactions of his comrades on the left side of the panel were intended to amplify the motion across the page.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I really wanted Sparky to have like forward motion, so left to right. We see the reaction of his fellow bar goers—militia, whatever—he's moving through them, and you see the reactions before you necessarily see Sparky, who's like at the forefront, who's most forward, and he's dropping his gun here... Did I tell you that I'm a pacifist?|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1588s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* DWJ liked the idea of a Transformer killing a human by flicking them, as Skywarp threatens to do to Spike here.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=You know I'm a big fan of flicking- robots flicking humans, and so I like this a lot. This makes me very happy. I don't know, the like... almost impact of, you know, getting his innards flung out by a middle finger.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1621s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* The two-page spread of Prime ripping his own arm off was originally meant to be a single page, but DWJ felt it needed to span a whole spread.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So here's here's the infamous- of course, going back to one of my favorite anime series of all time, ''Gundam: The 08th MS Team''. This is a total little shout out to that, of a robot ripping off its own arm and using it as a weapon. Not really sure what I was- So originally, this double page spread was not a double page spread, it was just going to be one page, until I made the call myself—without asking anybody over at Skybound for permission—to make this a double page spread. 'Cause I was like, you know what, we need this. So we're going to have a few less ads in the back of the ''Transformers'' comic, and he's going to be able to rip off his arm in full glory. The only problem is, the arm rip was indeed an addition, because it was a double page spread, and I did not have a lot of time. So I had to do this in an afternoon— or a few different afternoons, like tacking it on to other pages after those were done. [...] I like how he's got like kind of subtle Angry Eyes, I just kind of added that, just as a... artistic license.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1704s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>
* Sparky's hatred of Prime, even as the Autobot tries to save his son, was inspired by a similar emotion in a scene from ''{{w|All Star Superman}}''.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=This makes me think of [...] ''All-Star Superman'', Frank Quietly and Grant Morrison, when the two Kryptonians are- they get sick and Superman rescues them. They start by being kind of bad guys, kind of mean, and then they need help. And Superman rescues this Kryptonian's wife, and he's running towards Superman, being like, "Don't you touch her!" Like, "How dare you even lay hands on her?" Even though he's trying to help her. So that was kind of the vibe I was going for here—that's one of my favorite scenes in all of comics, is Superman rescuing that Kryptonian couple. Just a little subtle thing I was thinking about. Thank you Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly, wouldn't be here without you guys. Standing on the shoulders of giants as always.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w&t=1867s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 3 Director's Commentary|year=2024|month=01|day=10}}</ref>

===Errors===
* On pages 4 and 5, Cliffjumper's feet are occasionally colored grey like the rest of his legs when they should be red.

===Other trivia===
* This issue contains a four page preview for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]].
* While it is likely not intentional, the scene of Optimus ripping off his damaged arm and using it as a weapon is similar to a moment where [[Apeface]] does the same in [[Cold War!|issue #49]] of [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|the Marvel series]].

===Covers (15)===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus Prime vs. Soundwave and his cassettes, by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' People cower beneath Optimus Prime as Skywarp rains fire upon him, by [[Taurin Clarke]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover by [[Orlando Arocena]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus and Skywarp square off, by [[Matías Bergara]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' A defeated Optimus sits in the shadow of Starscream, by [[Nick Dragotta]] & [[Patricio Delpeche]].
* '''Second Printing Cover A:''' Ratchet, by [[Jason Howard]].
* '''Second Printing Cover B:''' Skywarp, by Jason Howard.
* '''Third Printing Cover:''' by [[Gerald Parel]] & [[Frédéric Pham Chuong]].
* '''Fourth Printing Cover:''' by [[Andrea Milana]].
* '''Fifth Printing Cover:''' Optimus beats the crap out of Skywarp, by [[Steve Skroce]].
* '''Sixth Printing Cover:''' by [[Carmine Di Giandomenico]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers03A Cover.jpg
File:Transformers03B Cover.jpg
File:Transformers03C Cover.jpg
File:Transformers03D Cover.jpg
File:Transformers03E Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 3 2nd Ptg Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 3 2nd Ptg Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 3 3rd Ptg Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 3 4th Ptg Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 3 5th Ptg Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 3 6th Ptg Cover.jpg
File:Battlesea5thprint.jpg
File:5thprint3.jpg
File:Foil3.jpg
File:Betterseacolorless.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* The [[Cobra]] threat begins in ''Cobra Commander'' #1!

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' ([[May 8]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398171 / ISBN 978-1534398177
** Collects ''Transformers'' issues #1–6.
** Trade paperback format.
** Variant covers:
*** '''Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse Exclusive:''' by [[Matthew Allison]]. Limited to 300 copies. ISBN 978-1534327818
*** '''Comics Etc. Exclusive:''' by [[Stewart McKenny]] & [[John Law]]. Limited to 300 copies.
*** '''Direct Market Exclusive:''' by [[Jonboy Meyers]]. Exclusively sold through the comic book direct market. ISBN 978-1534327726
*** '''Gotham City Limit Exclusive:''' by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. Limited to 300 copies. ISBN 978-1534327771
*** '''Jonathan Comics Exclusive:''' by [[Jason Howard]]. Limited to 300 copies.
*** '''Things From Another World Exclusive:''' by [[Frédéric Pham Chuong]]. Limited to 400 copies. ISBN 978-1534327887
*** '''TopShelfComic Fan Expo Dallas Exclusive:''' by [[Pasquale Ferrara]]. Limited to 300 copies.

* '''''Transformers Deluxe Edition Book 1''''' ([[April 30]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534328238 / ISBN 978-1534328235
** Collects ''Transformers'' issues #1–12.
** Hardcover format.
** Variant covers:
*** '''Bookdelivery Exclusive:''' by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. Limited to 200 copies. ISBN 978-1534328679
*** '''Direct Market Exclusive:''' by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. Exclusively sold through the comic book direct market. ISBN 978-1534329607
*** '''[[Hasbro Pulse]] Exclusive:''' by [[Tom Whalen]]. ISBN 978-1534398414
*** '''TopShelfComic Exclusive:''' by [[Marcelo Matere]]. Limited to 200 copies.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
File:Transformers 2023 V1 Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Matthew Allison]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 Comics Etc. Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Comics Etc. Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Stewart McKenny]] & [[John Law]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 DM Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Jonboy Meyers]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 Gotham City Limit Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Gotham City Limit Exclusive''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
File:Transformers 2023 V1 Jonathan Comics Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Jonathan Comics Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Jason Howard]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 Things From Another World Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Things From Another World Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Frédéric Pham Chuong]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 Pasquale Ferrara Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' TopShelfComic Fan Expo Dallas Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Pasquale Ferrara]]
File:Transformers 2023 B1.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
File:Transformers 2023 B1 Bookdelivery Cover.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'' Bookdelivery Exclusive''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
File:Transformers 2023 B1 DM Cover.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer
File:Transformers 2023 B1 Hasbro Pulse Cover.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'' [[Hasbro Pulse]] Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Tom Whalen]]
File:Transformers 2023 B1 TopShelfComic Cover.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'' TopShelfComic Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Marcelo Matere]]
</gallery>

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfnknSUY4w Director's commentary by Daniel Warren Johnson]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

Transformers (2023) issue 24

2026-01-16T02:13:12Z

Queso: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #24
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 23
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 25
|image=Transformers 2023 24 Cover A.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[September 10]], [[2025]]
|coverdate=September 2025
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=[[Jorge Corona]]
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Ben Abernathy]]
|publication design=[[Andres Juarez]]
|production=[[Ashby Florence]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''One shall stand. One shall fall.'''

==Synopsis==
[[File:TF2023 no. 24 - Optimus Defeats Megatron.jpg|thumb|150px|left]]
[[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] clash in a furious exchange of unrelenting blows. Optimus affirms that even though he cares for the innocent, that won't stop him from giving Megatron the beating he deserves. However, Megatron quickly turns that around on him and begins targeting the civilians in the area, taunting Prime that he's never been able to make the hard choices that were necessary to save [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He whales on Prime all the while, rendering him nearly unconscious. [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] congratulates the [[Decepticon]] leader on his victory, but Megatron is not yet finished. Megatron transforms into gun mode and orders Starscream to drop Optimus onto a set of antennae atop a skyscraper, impaling Prime and keeping him stationary as Megatron prepares his final lesson. Starscream then collects [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]], [[Carly (G1)|Carly]], and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] and brings them before Optimus. Megatron presents his mortal enemy with an ultimatum: choose which he will execute, his human friends or the pure-hearted [[Autobot]]. Optimus refuses to play this sick game, but Megatron says that if he doesn't choose, he will simply kill them both! Beachcomber begs Optimus to choose him, but still Prime rejects the idea. Under the influence of Megatron, Starscream aims at Spike and Carly, ready to pull Megatron's trigger...

But he hesitates, as [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] glides silently overhead. Optimus and Starscream both look up in awe at the ancient Transformer, who looks down and waves at Starscream — [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|just as he did millennia ago]]. Starscream, speechless, waves back. As Omega flies off, Megatron orders Starscream to obey his will. However, seeing Omega has reminded the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] of his true name: Ulchtar.

Turning Megatron's gun mode on himself, Ulchtar blasts himself in the head as Megatron cries out in fury and returns to robot mode. As Ulchtar's body falls to the ground below, Megatron turns his fusion cannon on Carly and Spike, who are saved by the timely intervention of [[Shredhead]], who tells Carly — noticeably surprised to see her van is now a [[Transformer]] — that [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] says hello, before slicing through the antenna that pins Optimus in place. Megatron begs Optimus to stop, but the Autobot leader has lost any patience with his enemy, pulling the remaining antenna from his torso and using it to knock Megatron off the skyscraper. His body is caught by [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], and he orders the Decepticons to retreat.

Still reeling from the battle, Optimus holds Spike in his hands, relieved to see that the boy is okay. As Optimus, Spike, Carly, and Beachcomber collect themselves in the aftermath, Carly notices that the light in the [[Matrix of Leadership]] has returned, with Prime realizing that he has been cured of Megatron's infection. Carly remarks on how small the light is... but as Optimus looks over the dark and destroyed remnants of [[Chicago]], he tells her that it is small, but still mighty.

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (8)
* [[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailbreaker]] (9)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (10)
* [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] (11)
* [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] (12)
* [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] (16)
* [[Shredhead]] (18)

|c2=
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (1)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (3)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (4)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (5)
* [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] (6)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (7)

|c3=
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (13)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (14)
* ''[[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky Witwicky]]'' (19)
* ''Nurse'' (20)

|h4=Others|c4=
* [[Omega Supreme (G1)|Omega Supreme]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"You think I am weak. But just because I care for the innocent... doesn't mean I can't beat you into submission!"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' to Megatron

"If I beat you, [[Human|their]] whole planet will be worse off won't it?!! But no! You can't make the hard choices! You can't lead this way! '''YOU CAN'T SAVE CYBERTRON THIS WAY!!!!'''"
:—'''Megatron''' chastises Optimus Prime's concern for humans

"Who are you?" 
"A new friend. Sent by [[Cliffjumper (G1)|an old friend]]."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' meets '''Shredhead'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Bruticus is missing his left leg throughout this issue, apparently having been blown off. [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] reappears in the [[Transformers (2023) issue 25|next issue]].
* Omega Supreme was first seen in the flashback story in [[Transformers (2023) issue 13|issue #13]], the same story that revealed Starscream's origins as Ulchtar. How is he here on [[Earth]]? We'll just have to wait and find out. But it might have something to do with the signal being sent out from the shard of Cybertron on earth, mentioned by Megatron in [[Transformers (2023) issue 20|issue #20]].
* Shredhead was sent to Earth by Cliffjumper in [[Transformers (2023) issue 22|issue #22]] to protect Carly.
* The flashback of Sparky holding little baby Spike for the first time has been glimpsed before in the visions Optimus had after Sparky entered the Matrix.
* The final line of the issue calls back to what Prime said to Sparky in [[Transformers (2023) issue 4|issue #4]].

===Transformers references===
* Optimus drops a [[Furmanism]] after he is impaled by Megatron ("I cannot, I will not!").
* Optimus pulls a Sears Tower spire out of his left side, evoking a similar action from his climatic battle with Megatron in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* Following up on the previous issue ending with a ''The Transformers: The Movie'' quote, Optimus delivers a “I thought you were made of sterner stuff” to a pleading Megatron.

===Errors===
* On page 8, where Optimus is impaled, the three small rectangles on his thigh are colored yellow instead of white.
* On page 14, where Starscream states his name, the triangle shape on his shoulder thing is painted like the background as opposed to red.
* Ultra Magnus’s antennas are once again colored blue in this issue.

===Other notes===
* Prime’s trailer appears out of thin air when he transforms.
* Energon Experience: Presented by Skybound Brand VP [[Arune Singh]].
** '''Character Spotlight:''' Beachcomber.
** '''You've Got [[The Touch]]:''' Spotlight on the F cover homaging ''The Transformers: The Movie'' (see below).
** '''Creator Q&A:''' Arune asks [[Sean Mackiewicz]] what his favorite memory from Daniel Warren Johnson's run was. Sean shares that he visited Johnson's home before [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2023 and was blown away seeing the physical copies of the pages Johnson drew for the first issue of the series.

===Covers (17)===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus stands over a defeated Megatron, by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Megatron stands over a beaten Optimus Prime, by Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting variant by [[David Nakayama]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus Prime versus Megatron, by [[Jeff Spokes]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus in truck mode drives over a chalk drawing of his own face, by [[Simon Parr]].
* '''Cover F:''' Wraparound variant of Optimus transforming and leaping into the air to fire his [[ion blaster]] at Megatron in an homage to his famous intro in ''The Transformers: The Movie'', by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer.
* '''Second Printing Cover A:''' by [[Jason Howard]].
* '''Second Printing Cover B:''' by Jason Howard.
* '''TopShelfComic New York Comic Con 2025 Cover:''' by [[Vlad Legostaev]]. Limited to 200 copies.
* '''East Coast Comics Cover:''' by [[Sukesha Ray]]. Limited to 750 copies.
* '''ATComicShop Cover A:''' by [[Alan Quah]].
* '''ATComicShop Cover B:''' Foil virgin variant.
* '''The 616 Comics Cover A:''' by [[Björn Barends]]. Limited to 750 copies.
* '''The 616 Comics Cover B:''' Foil virgin variant. Limited to 750 copies.
* '''Comic Grail Vault Singapore Comic Con 2025 Cover:''' by [[Warrick Wong]]. Limited to 500 copies.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 24 Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Cover C.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Cover D.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Cover E.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Cover F.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 2nd Ptg Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 2nd Ptg Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Vlad Legostaev Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 East Coast Comics Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 ATComicShop Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 ATComicShop Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 The 616 Comics Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 The 616 Comics Cover B.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Warrick Wong Cover.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Marcelo Matere Cover A.jpg
File:Transformers 2023 24 Marcelo Matere Cover B.jpg
</gallery>

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' ([[November 25]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534332588 / ISBN 978-1534332584 
** Collects ''Transformers'' issues #19–24 and the [[Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story|''Transformers'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: Conquer and Control''''' – cover art by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer
</gallery>

==External links==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

File:Transformers 2023 23 ThatGuyWill Cover B.jpg

2026-01-16T01:51:34Z

Queso: copy-paste error, I'm guessing

{{SkyboundEU
|description=
{{art|art=[[Ito]]}}
|series=transformers
|cover=ThatGuyWill Cover B
|excerpt=
|issueno=23
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|year=25}}

[[Category:Images by Ito]]

File:Transformers 2023 23 ThatGuyWill Cover A.jpg

2026-01-16T01:50:35Z

Queso: copy-paste error, I'm guessing

{{SkyboundEU
|description=
{{art|art=[[Ito]]}}
|series=transformers
|cover=ThatGuyWill Cover A
|excerpt=
|issueno=23
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|year=25}}

[[Category:Images by Ito]]

Void Rivals Energon Universe 2025 Special story

2026-01-15T05:20:15Z

Queso: the 2025 special is after issue 20 in the vol 4 TPB

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''
|prev=Transformers Energon Universe 2025 Special story
|next=
|seriesissue2=''[[Void Rivals]]''
|prev2=Void Rivals issue 18
|next2=Void Rivals issue 19
|image=Energon Universe 2025 Special Cover C.jpg
|caption=Looks like the Void Rivals will have to fight for survival.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[May 3]], [[2025]]
|written by=[[Robert Kirkman]]
|art by=[[Conor Hughes]]
|colors by=[[Patricio Delpeche]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''On Quintessa, plans are made; some for war, some for escape.'''

==Synopsis==
In the depths of [[Quintessa (planet)|Quintessa]], a group of robotic prisoners question why their [[Quintesson]] jailers have suddenly halted their executions. One of their number, [[Wheelie (G1)|a small robot speaking in rhyme]], plans their escape.

In their chambers, a quartet of [[Quintesson Judge (G1)|Quintesson Judge]]s discuss their recent discovery of the [[Sacred Ring]], where [[Beta (G1)|Zerta Trion]] trapped their weapon [[Goliant]] millennia ago, which they will need if they ever face the return of an evil even more unspeakable than Zerta. A [[Quintesson Bailiff|Bailiff]] then enters to alert the Judges to a problem: Wheelie is leading their captives in a prison break! However, such matters are of little concern to the Judges, who order the [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]]s released. Any prisoners that manage to escape the horde will be recaptured eventually.

As the Judges reach a consensus on their next step, their faces all shift to the face of Wrath: the Quintesson War begins now!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in photographs. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (3)

|h2=[[Quintesson]]s|c2=
* [[Sharkticon (species)|Sharkticon]] (1)
* [[Quintesson Judge (G1)|Quintesson Judge]]s (4)
* [[Quintesson Scientist]] (5)
* [[Quintesson Bailiff]] (6)

|h3=Others|c3=
* Prisoners (2)
}}

==Quotes==
"Flee your cage and run away! This is no place you’ll want to stay! Wheelie has freed you, one and all!"
:—'''Wheelie'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* The Quintessons' discovered the Sacred Ring back in [[Void Rivals issue 15|issue #15]].
* The Quintessons' fear of saying the name “Zerta Trion” first appeared back in [[Void Rivals issue 9|Void Rivals #9]].
* Goliant's nature as a Quintesson weapon was revealed in [[Void Rivals issue 17|issue #17]].

===Transformers references===
* Stranded on Quintessa is little Wheelie? Obviously an homage to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''! Though this situation is worse for the little bot, he's still got his trusty slingshot.
* Apparently Goliant, a giant robot the size of a planet, is the Quintessons' only defense against some unknown threat. [[Unicron|What could they possibly need such a weapon for?]]

===Reprints===
* '''''Void Rivals Volume 4: First Chosen''''' ([[December 10]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534329536 / ISBN 978-1534329539
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #19–24 and the ''Void Rivals'' story from ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Void Rivals V4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: First Chosen''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
</gallery>

[[Category:Void Rivals issues]]

Void Rivals

2026-01-15T05:15:59Z

Queso: the 2025 special is after issue 20 in the vol 4 TPB

{{Disambig2|the comic series|the mobile game event|Void Rivals (Earth Wars)}}

[[File:VoidRivals01A Cover.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|You ever read ''Enemy Mine''?]]

'''''Void Rivals''''' is an ongoing comic series published by [[Skybound Entertainment]] starting in [[June]] [[2023]]. The series serves as the launch of Skybound's [[Energon Universe]], a shared universe featuring both ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' and ''[[G.I. Joe (2024 comic)|G.I. Joe]]'' coexisting alongside new creations.

{{chapters|align=center|title=''Void Rivals'' issues:|content=
* [[Void Rivals issue 1|#1]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 2|#2]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 3|#3]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 4|#4]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 5|#5]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 6|#6]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 7|#7]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 8|#8]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 9|#9]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 10|#10]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 11|#11]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 12|#12]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 13|#13]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 14|#14]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 15|#15]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 16|#16]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 17|#17]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 18|#18]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 19|#19]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 20|#20]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 21|#21]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 22|#22]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 23|#23]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 24|#24]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 25|#25]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 26|#26]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 27|#27]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 28|#28]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 29|#29]]
* [[Void Rivals issue 30|#30]]
}}

==Overview==
War rages around the [[Sacred Ring]], where the last remnants of the planets [[Agorria]] and [[Zertonia]] have collapsed around a [[Black hole (phenomenon)|black hole]] in a never-ending battle. However, when [[Agorrian]] pilot [[Darak]] and his [[Zertonian]] rival [[Solila]] crash on a desolate planet, these two enemies must find a way to escape together. But are they alone on this strange planet? What secrets have their world leaders been concealing from their populations? And what dark forces await that threaten the entire universe?

==Creative team==
Skybound founder [[Robert Kirkman]] writes the series, and his ''Oblivion Song'' collaborator [[Lorenzo De Felici]] drew the first 18 issues. Starting with #19, [[Conor Hughes]] took over as the new regular artist, with De Felici continuing to draw the main covers; [[Andrei Bressan]] fills in as artist for the "Quintesson War" arc in #25-30. [[Patricio Delpeche]] is the regular colorist, following a first arc colored primarily by [[Matheus Lopes]], and [[Rus Wooton]] letters the series.

==Collections==
* '''''Void Rivals Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye''''' ([[February 21]], [[2024]]) ISBN 153439818X / ISBN 978-1534398184
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #1–6.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''Void Rivals Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland''''' ([[September 4]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534328378 / ISBN 978-1534328372
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #7–12 and the [[Void Rivals Energon Universe 2024 Special story|''Void Rivals'' story]] from ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.
** Variant covers:
*** '''Direct Market Exclusive:''' Springer, by Lorenzo De Felici. ISBN 978-1534367746

* '''''Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book 1''''' ([[May 21]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534328246 / ISBN 978-1534328242
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #1–12 and the ''Void Rivals'' story from ''Energon Universe 2024 Special''.
** Hardcover format.
** Variant covers:
*** '''Direct Market Exclusive:''' by Lorenzo De Felici. ISBN 978-1534332508

* '''''Void Rivals Volume 3: The Key to Vector Theta''''' ([[May 28]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534328173 / ISBN 978-1534328174
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #13–18.
** Trade paperback format.
** Variant covers:
*** '''Direct Market Exclusive:''' Pythona and her Cobra-La soldiers, by Lorenzo De Felici. ISBN 978-1534333154

* '''''Void Rivals Volume 4: First Chosen''''' ([[December 10]], [[2025]]) ISBN 1534329536 / ISBN 978-1534329539
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #19–24 and the ''Void Rivals'' story from ''[[Energon Universe 2025 Special]]''.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''Void Rivals Volume 5: The Quintesson War''''' ([[July 21]], [[2026]]) ISBN 1534332510 / ISBN 978-1534332515
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #25–30
** Trade paperback format.

<gallery>
File:Void Rivals V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: More than Meets the Eye''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals V2.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals V2 DM Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 2: Hunted Across the Wasteland'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals B1.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals B1 DM Cover.jpg|'''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals V3.jpg|'''''Volume 3: The Key to Vector Theta''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals V3 DM Cover.jpg|'''''Volume 3: The Key to Vector Theta'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals V4.jpg|'''''Volume 4: First Chosen''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
File:Void Rivals V5.jpg|'''''Volume 5: The Quintesson War''''' – cover art by Lorenzo De Felici
</gallery>

===International Printings===
====Hungary====
* '''''Energon Universe: A teljes gyűjtemény 1.''''' ([[August 27]], [[2025]]) ISBN TBA
** Collects ''Void Rivals'' issues #1–6, ''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' issues #1–6, and ''[[Duke (comic)|Duke]]'' issues #1–5.
** Hardcover format.

* '''''Energon Universe: A teljes gyűjtemény 2.''''' (TBA, 2025) ISBN TBA
** Collects ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' issues #1–5, ''Transformers'' issues #7–12, ''Void Rivals'' issues #7–12, and ''[[Energon Universe 2024 Special]]''.
** Hardcover format.

<gallery>
File:Energon Universe C1 Hungarian.jpg
File:Energon Universe C2 Hungarian.jpg
</gallery>

==Notes==
* ''Void Rivals''{{'}} status as the launch for the Energon Universe was kept secret for almost the entirety of the comic's promotion, with Kirkman only revealing its existence to retailers just before the first issue's FOC date. Bleeding Cool would ultimately leak it a few days before release.
* While it initially seemed that ''Void Rivals''{{'}} status as an original creation meant Skybound would own it, the copyright notice for the series, placed at the back of issue 1, reads, "VOID RIVALS and all related characters are trademarks of [[Hasbro]] and are used with permission. © 2023 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro." and includes the Hasbro logo. One has to wonder if that's how Kirkman got Hasbro to even sign off on the idea in the first place. Kirkman and De Felici receive additional credit, acknowledging them as the creators of ''Void Rivals'', starting with issue #2.

[[Category:Energon Universe media]]
[[Category:Skybound titles]]
[[Category:Void Rivals]]

User:Queso

2026-01-10T19:33:47Z

Queso:

Greetings, fellow humans! I don't edit much anymore, but still greatly value this wiki above any other fan wiki (not just because Transformers is my top fandom). I'm known as '''T.F. Allen''' or '''Theatre Josh''' most everywhere else (TFW2005, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), but I made this account many years before I adopted that name. Worth noting is that any edits or comments made by me in the early 2010s were made by a high school boy or recent high school graduate. Please forgive any comments that are now quite embarrassing in hindsight.

I do frequent TFCon, and hear a lot of stuff in the panel room, but I generally try to avoid using "I totally heard so-and-so say this, trust me," as a source unless I can point to a video clip.

{{quote|[[Talk:Transformers: Dark of the Moon (film)#Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon Quotes?|Queso's got the right idea.]]|[[User:Detour|Detour]]|making me feel all smart}}

User talk:MCRG

2026-01-10T19:14:24Z

Queso:

For these Generations notes, do you think you could add where you found them in footnotes? --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] 17:36, 6 September 2006 (UTC)
::Oh, hey, didn't realize the footnotes were there since most pages lack them. Can do. --[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 17:49, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Yup, I was the Mut-Org with the fairy wings who was sweet on Rofang. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 05:01, 31 January 2007 (UTC)
:To be killed by the Power Rangers is a strange honor indeed.--[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] 05:20, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

::Since only... 8 fans have ever been reffed by the series, it is pretty rare.
:: I think it's 8... Ray, Me, Rov, Takach, Jesse, Funaro, George Rodd, Tristianity... yeah, 8. -[[User:Derik|Derik]] 06:06, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

==Cosmos/Adams==

My source is basically...Nevermore. Or, he's the one that brought it to my attention, anyhow. If you look up some info on George Adamski ([http://www.ufopsi.com/articles/georgeadamski.html here's a good page]) you'll see that the flying saucer he designed is IDENTICAL to Cosmos' alt mode. Still, I have no source from any Takara officials about the name, so perhaps I should change the trivia to read "it is presumed that etc etc" ? --[[User:DrSpengler|DrSpengler]] 17:53, 31 January 2007 (UTC)

==Female Transformers? Dumbest news?==
What's this dumb news of which you speak? --Autobus Prime

==Wording==
Please don't use words like "recent". This dates the prose and means we have to go back and edit them then they stop being reasonably "recent". [[User:Interrobang|Interrobang]] 04:31, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

==Knockoffs==
Can you Answer my questions on the Knockoff talk page about Trendmasters you get a chance? [http://transformers.wikia.com/wiki/Talk:Knockoff Knockoff talk page] Thanks! --[[User:Might Gaine|Might Gaine]] 16:00, 18 March 2008 (UTC)

== Just a small request ==

Please try to avoid unnecessary vagueness in the future. See how I improved [http://tfwiki.net/w2/index.php?title=Design_change&diff=501838&oldid=501597 this] entry. Don't use phrases like "a later redeco" or "a store-exclusive multi-pack" when you can add all the details. (Also, "two-pack" looks better than "2-pack", and with the Ice Cream Truck twins already being two characters, it basically isn't even a two-pack anymore.)--[[User:Nevermore|Nevermore]] 07:37, 24 September 2010 (EDT)

== Wreck-Gar's Extra Sockets ==

Thanks for figuring that out! [[User:JW|JW]] 15:24, 28 February 2011 (EST)

== Triggerhappy in Japanese ==

I think you have misunderstood the obscure fine details on Triggerhappy.

Firstly, ''Legends'' packaging gives subtitled English names independent of the main name in Japanese text. For example, LG01 "Konboi" has the English subtitle "Optimus Primal", not "Convoy". LG57 "Okutōn" is listed alongside "Octane", not "Octone".

Secondly, those of us familiar with Japanese phonetics have a different view on parsing the name. The classic name in the Takara market is "Torigāhāpī", with a long vowel and single consonant corresponding to the English rendition "harpy". By contrast, the separate Japanese localization of "The Rebirth" uses "Torigāhappī", with a short vowel and doubled consonant corresponding to the English rendition "happy". Hence, both classic Takara name and classic Hasbro name are listed side-by-side for the ''Legends'' entry.

This may sound confusing, but the point is that the Japanese name in ''Legends'' is subtly different like "Hot Rod" versus "Hot Rodimus". [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 16:00, 7 January 2020 (EST)

==Email==
Are you still at your old address? I'd like to get in touch again. My email's still the same as it was. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] ([[User talk:Monzo|talk]]) 05:18, 2 February 2023 (EST)
:I did indeed get forced into switching to a different email a ways back right before the pandemic; I'll shoot you an email from my new address. --[[User:MCRG|MCRG]] ([[User talk:MCRG|talk]]) 13:54, 2 February 2023 (EST)

==Binder of Revelation illustration credits==
Hello, I saw your comment in the discussion page for the Binder of Revelation, and was wondering: Would you be able to share with me your list of credits for the illustrations in the Binder? I'd like to be able to refer to it for my own personal use as I read through my copy of the Binder itself (that I will of course not be linking to anywhere in this wiki, per the policies noted on that same discussion page). - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 14:14, 10 January 2026 (EST)

Talk:Legacy of Hope

2026-01-10T18:53:56Z

Queso: Is Prima's name actually mispronounced?

I hate to say it, but is the pronunciation of Prima's name as "Pree-ma" (noted as an error on this page) in this episode actually an error? I know I've always read it as "Pry-ma," but Rik Alvarez and Aaron Archer both consistently seem to pronounce it as "Pree-ma," (source: various TFCon panels, most recently the Biner of Revelation panel at TFCon Chicago 2025) and it is my understanding that they are essentially the creators of the character, at least in terms of how we know him today as a member of the Thirteen. - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 13:53, 10 January 2026 (EST)

File:VoidRivals04D Cover.jpg

2024-06-18T21:37:19Z

Queso: {{SkyboundEU |description=Shockwave (G1)| looms spoilerifically. {{art|art=Karen S. Darboe}} |series=voidrivals |cover=Cover D (1:25 Incentive) |excerpt= |issueno=4 |storylink= |storytitle= |year=23}} Category: Images by Karen S. Darboe

{{SkyboundEU
|description=[[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] looms spoilerifically.
{{art|art=[[Karen S. Darboe]]}}
|series=voidrivals
|cover=Cover D (1:25 Incentive)
|excerpt=
|issueno=4
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|year=23}}

[[Category: Images by Karen S. Darboe]]

Transformers (2023) issue 4

2024-06-11T22:06:45Z

Queso: added the spoiler cover sourced from artist's Twitter

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #4
|prev=Transformers (2023) issue 3
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 5
|image=Transformers04A Cover.jpg
|caption=
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[January 10]], [[2024]]
|coverdate=January 2024
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=Daniel Warren Johnson
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editors=[[Sean Mackiewicz]] & [[Jonathan Manning]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The Autobots put everything on the line to fend off a Decepticon onslaught and save Spike.'''

==Synopsis==
With the smoke from the battle in [[Farmingham]] still fresh, [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] arrives to confront the severely-damaged [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] about the whereabouts of the [[Autobot]]s. Skywarp directs Starscream east, after which the [[Decepticon]] leader departs, promising to return for Skywarp.

[[File:TF2023 no. 4 – Prime Runs Over Starscream.jpg|left|thumb]]
At the quarry, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] is working on [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] when he receives a call for aid from [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], who is driving [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparky]] and the mortally-wounded [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike]] through the woods with Starscream hot on his tail. A blast from Starscream damages Optimus and cuts off the transmission, and Ratchet bemoans that his buddy's gonna have to wait... the Autobots need firepower. Back with the chase, Starscream lands in front of Optimus, only for [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] and [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] to emerge from hiding and knock the Decepticon off his feet, allowing Optimus to run over Starscream and escape with Cliff. Enraged, Starscream calls [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] for backup.

Our heroes soon arrive at the Farmingham Hospital, only for [[Laserbeak (G1)| Laserbeak]] to swoop in and barrage the group. Optimus and Cliff cover Sparky, Carly, and the medical staff as they rush Spike inside, but the Autobots are quickly caught off-guard by [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] and Soundwave. The latter prepares to execute Optimus, only for the arriving Starscream to tell him to wait — he's just realized, to his amusement, that this place is where the "squishy ones" go to get fixed, and has decided to make Optimus' death even more painful by blasting his precious humans' only hope of survival to smithereens. Inside, the doctors barely get Spike intubated before Starscream's assault begins, knocking the power offline. As Starscream relishes in the destruction he's causing, Soundwave alerts him to the impending approach of Ratchet and the "firepower" he's managed to bring back online — [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]]! The Decepticons focus their firepower on the new arrival as he drifts into action, but Jazz proves too slippery for them, and he quickly takes them down. Now outnumbered, Starscream orders Soundwave and the cassettes to retreat. Carly returns as the battle concludes, and Optimus asks her about Spike…

[[File:TF2023 4 – Prime Uses the Matrix.jpg|right|thumb]]
The Autobots look on through a hole in the hospital as the doctors inform Sparky that although Spike has been stabilized, the hospital's backup generator was evidently a casualty of the battle, and without power, Spike — along with the hospital's other life support patients — are all but guaranteed to die. Just as Sparky begins to mourn the loss of another son, however, a bright blue glow begins emanating from Optimus' opened chest compartment. Ratchet attempts to dissuade Optimus, but he won't have any of it — he's determined to prevent more deaths at any cost, removing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] from his chest and opening it up, the energy within re-powering the hospital. Relieved and in awe, the doctors hurry to get Spike to the I.C.U..

Meanwhile, the Decepticons, including Skywarp, return to the ''Ark''. Soundwave berates Starscream for another failure, criticizing his shortsightedness and lust for destruction, and Starscream swiftly snaps back, upset that Soundwave hasn't been able to repair [[Teletraan I|Teletraan One]] so they can finally bring their brothers back online and facilitate repairs. Soundwave reiterates that they don't have the materials they need to do so, as they only exist in Cybertronian technology. As he says this, the two turn to Skywarp... and then, despite his protests, begin tearing him apart.

Back at the hospital, Sparky talks to the comatose Spike about his desire to restart the family's lives and protect Spike from a world that he's lost the ability to see the good in. His attention soon turns outside to Optimus, who's obliging a young patient's interest in his ability to transform. Sparky then talks with Optimus about the Matrix: it was a gift Optimus had received many years ago, and he had used every last bit of its energy to re-power the hospital, leaving Spike's fate in the hands of the Great Spark. Sparky is confused at the idea of Optimus having a "god", since Optimus seems to fit the bill himself, a notion that amuses Optimus — Sparky is underestimating his own might.

[[File:TF2023 no. 4 – Ratchet and Prime go over their options.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]]
In the generator room, Optimus reunites with Jazz and Ratchet, who's finished fixing the hospital's generators. Ratchet berates his leader for his dangerous use of the Matrix, suggesting that he should've instead used it to fix himself — an idea Optimus finds abhorrent, given that the alternative would be letting the innocent humans die. Ratchet fires back that the humans aren't innocent; they're prone to anger and destruction... which, as Optimus muses, makes them just like Cybertronians. Just then, Jazz collapses — Ratchet had used up all the [[energon]] from the rest of their Autobot comrades' bodies to bring Jazz back online, but it was only ''just'' enough. Ratchet tells Optimus that they need to start thinking about themselves, as without a way to get more energon, the Autobots may as well be on death's door. However, Ratchet has something stashed in Optimus' trailer that might help the Autobots regain the initiative... which Optimus finds too disgusting to consider using. As Ratchet claims that they don't have much of a choice, Sparky interrupts them: he might have an idea regarding their energy problem...

Meanwhile, in a wrecked hospital room, Cliffjumper attempts to comfort the grief-stricken Carly, as he can relate to how she's feeling: long before the Autobots and Decepticons arrived on Earth, Starscream killed his entire clan (i.e. "family"), and he joined the war the very next day. Optimus then approaches, now equipped with a new arm that has a [[fusion cannon|large cannon]] mounted on the side, and asks Cliff if he's interested in going on the offensive. At the ''Ark'', Starscream's work of salvaging the still-living Skywarp for materials continues, as he triumphantly proclaims that he will forever be Decepticon leader... while in an Arctic region, an offline [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], badly damaged and conspicuously missing his right arm, remains partially embedded in ice.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (2)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (2)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (3)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (4)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (9)

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (2)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (2)
* [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] (6)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (7)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (7)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (22)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (23)

|c3=
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky|"Sparky" Witwicky]] (3)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
* [[Carly (G1)|Carly]] (4)
* Hospital staff (6)
* Bed-ridden patient (7)
* Kid patient (16)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''Optimus: inferior.'''"
:-'''Soundwave''' insults the Autobot leader as he kicks him in the face.

"This... this is where they... '''fix''' the squishy ones. Is that right? You're so pathetic I can't even '''believe it!''' You bring these ants to a place to get '''repaired?'''"
:-'''Starscream''' has a sudden realization.

"What happens now... Is up to the Great Spark." 
"You mean... gods? Don't '''you''' fall into that category?" 
"Ha! Because of my size? I could say the same of you, human." 
"What, me? I'm nothing like--come on, look at me, compared to you!" 
"True. Small. But still mighty."
:-'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Sparky''' discuss the notion of humans vs Transformers.

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Both Wheeljack and Jazz were revealed to be among the Autobots brought to Earth back in issue 1. Likewise, Reflector was nearly brought back online before Optimus destroyed Teletraan One in the same issue... and it seems that Starscream and Soundwave were able to finish what Teletraan started, if the end of this issue is any indication.
* Though we got a ''very'' brief look at him in cassette form in issue 2, we finally get to see Rumble's full robot mode in action this issue, equipped with cartoon-style piledrivers.
* DWJ continues to place importance on Prime's trailer: it was left behind at the quarry when Optimus left to combat the Decepticons in issue 2, so Ratchet has to tow it to the hospital in this issue.
* After a couple teases in issues 1 and 2, Optimus uses the Matrix of Leadership for the first time this issue. Ratchet's berating of Optimus later on reiterates what we already know: that the Matrix is directly connected to Optimus' lifeforce, and that using it could risk him killing himself. It's currently unclear whether the Matrix being "empty" means it can never be used again, or if further use requires an amount of Optimus' energy that makes it too risky.
* Optimus mentions some sort of God-like entity referred to as the "Great Spark". It's ''possible'' he's talking about [[Primus]], with "Great Spark" essentially being a title, but it's unclear at this point if Primus as either a concept or an actual, physical entity exists in the Energon Universe continuity or not.
* The theme of families pops up again this issue, as Cliffjumper equates his now-deceased "clan" to humans' concept of "family".
* Megatron's current status is finally revealed: he's offline somewhere in an Arctic-esque region, partially trapped in ice and missing his fusion cannon arm... because the Autobots have it and have grafted it to Optimus, replacing the one he tore off last issue. This implies that Megatron and his arm were separated sometime before Megatron departed the Ark. While we don't know ''how'' he got there, it's worth noting that the preview pages for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' seem to indicate it takes place in an area with lots of snow. ''Hmm...''
*It's not clear whether Skywarp is properly dead, or merely deactivated until his salvaged parts can be replaced. Either way, it's not made clear why they used him instead of one of the stasis-locked Decepticons aboard the Ark.

===Transformers references===
* Rumble's iconic piledrivers first debuted in the premiere episode of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]], "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]".
* Soundwave insults Optimus with the line "'''Optimus: inferior.'''" He may not have said "Soundwave: superior," but we all know what [[The Transformers: The Movie|he's quoting]].
* Optimus previously wielded Megatron’s fusion cannon in [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers issue 6|issue #6]] of the [[Devil's Due Press]] ''[[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers]]'' series.
* Megatron being stuck offline and trapped in ice recalls the [[Megatron (Movie)|live-action movie version]], who was similarly frozen in ice before the events of the [[Transformers (film)|first live-action movie]].

===Real-world references===
* During Jazz's attack on the Decepticons, he shouts "Two! Five! One!", which is a reference to the {{w|ii–V–I progression|2-5-1 chord progression}}, appropriately common in jazz music.
* As the Decepticons retreat from battle, Cliffjumper is drawn giving them "{{w|The finger|the finger}}."

===Storytelling notes===

===Errors===
* On page 18, Ratchet's right hand unlocking the trailer is miscolored blue as Optimus' hand instead of red. If it was Optimus opening it, then it would have been a left hand since he's missing an arm.

===Other trivia===
* This issue contains the same four-page preview for ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' [[Cobra Commander issue 1|#1]] that was printed last issue.
* At the end of the letters section, Daniel Warren Johnson officially plugs the "director's commentary" livestreams he's been doing on his YouTube channel.

===Covers===
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus, Cliffjumper, and Wheeljack stand ready for battle, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' Optimus leaps out of the frying pan and into the fire, by [[Jonboy Meyers]].
* '''Cover C (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover by [[Orlando Arocena]].
* '''Cover D (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Soundwave fires on a group of airborne Autobots, by [[Sanford Greene]].
* '''Cover E (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Megatron's damaged, deactivated body partially trapped in ice, by [[Andrea Milana]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].

<gallery>
File:Transformers04A Cover.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 4 Cover B.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 4 Cover C.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 4 Cover D.jpg|
File:Transformers 2023 4 Cover E.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* The [[Cobra]] threat begins in ''Cobra Commander'' #1!

===Reprints===
* '''''Transformers Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' ([[May 8]], [[2024]]) ISBN 1534398171 / ISBN 978-1534398177 
** Collects issues #1–6.
** Trade paperback format.

* '''''Transformers Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Direct Market Exclusive''' ([[May 8]], [[2024]]) 
** Variant cover version of the above trade paperback, exclusively sold through the comic book direct market.

<gallery>
File:Transformers 2023 V1.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise''''' – cover art by [[Daniel Warren Johnson]] and [[Mike Spicer]]
File:Transformers 2023 V1 DM Variant.jpg|'''''Volume 1: Robots in Disguise'' Direct Market Exclusive''' – cover art by [[Jonboy Meyers]]
</gallery>

==External links==
*

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

File:Transformers 2023 4 Cover E.jpg

2024-06-11T22:05:38Z

Queso: {{SkyboundEU |description=Megatron's damaged, deactivated body, partially trapped in ice. {{art|line-art=Andrea Milana|colors=Annalisa Leoni}} |series=transformers |cover=Cover E |excerpt= |issueno=4 |storylink= |storytitle= |year=24}}

{{SkyboundEU
|description=Megatron's damaged, deactivated body, partially trapped in ice.
{{art|line-art=[[Andrea Milana]]|colors=[[Annalisa Leoni]]}}
|series=transformers
|cover=Cover E
|excerpt=
|issueno=4
|storylink=
|storytitle=
|year=24}}

Transformers (2023) issue 1

2023-11-16T18:00:03Z

Queso: Added a scan of the Whatnot exclusive cover A

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2023 comic)|Transformers]]'' #1
|prev=Void Rivals issue 1
|next=Transformers (2023) issue 2
|prev2=
|image=Transformers 2023 1 cvr.jpg
|caption=Alright, let’s do this one more time.
|title=
|publisher=[[Image Comics]] [[Skybound Entertainment]]
|date=[[October 4]], [[2023]]
|coverdate=October 2023
|written by=[[Daniel Warren Johnson]]
|art by=Daniel Warren Johnson
|colors by=[[Mike Spicer]]
|letters by=[[Rus Wooton]]
|editor=[[Sean Mackiewicz]]
|continuity=[[Energon Universe]]
|chronology=
}}

'''After centuries of slumber, the Autobots and Decepticons awaken on a strange new world.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] finds his father, [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]], asleep in a bar. Spike asks his father how long he’s been there, to which [[Danny]] the bartender answers since noon. Sparkplug notices that Spike has his brother [[Jimmy Witwicky|Jimmy]]'s telescope with him. Spike tells him that he and [[Carly]] were planning to go up to [[Hanger's Rock]] to look at the full moon. He says it helps him remember Jimmy, to which Sparkplug grouses that it's better to just forget. Spike fires back at his father, telling him he won't end up like Jimmy. Meanwhile, [[Jerry (G1)|another patron]] is drunkenly ranting about how he saw a giant boxy jet fly down from space. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Sparkplug's co-worker, [[Davey]], here to pick him up for their shifts. Sparkplug tells Spike that he has to grow up eventually, to which Spike angrily asks if he means being like him. As the adults drive off, Carly arrives to pick Spike up in her van. Carly consoles a dejected Spike by suggesting they go "pretend they're on another planet."

At Hanger's Rock, the pair climb the mountain in search of a better view and discuss their future ambitions. Spike has recently been accepted to the [[University of California, Berkeley]], where he wishes to follow in Jimmy's footsteps and become an astronaut, though he's reluctant to actually tell his father about it since Jimmy's death. Carly, meanwhile, has been looking at art schools, but she and her father are struggling to make it work financially. Carly takes Spike's hand in hers, telling him how sorry she is about what’s going on with his family. As the two teenagers lean in closer, an earthquake shakes the ground, causing the mountain to split open and sending the two plummeting into the depths below. Recovering, they find themselves inside a giant circular structure — the booster of [[Ark (G1)|a giant spacecraft]]. Spike ventures further inside the spacecraft and finds the main control room, littered with the mangled bodies of what appears to be some sort of giant robots.

[[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] flies into the ''Ark'' and transforms, grateful to have found his fallen friends. He activates [[Teletraan I|Teletraan One]] to repair and reconstruct his fellow Cybertronians, granting them new forms he found on [[Earth]]. The first to be reactivated is [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. Jetfire warmly greets his old friend, having not seen him in centuries. Starscream thanks Jetfire for waking him and says that he's glad he "picked the right side" before immediately turning to the nearby [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and blasting his head off. The stunned Jetfire, unaware that their people have been at war for the past hundred years, tries to stop him, but Starscream turns his weapons on his old friend for showing weakness. Starscream aims his weapon at [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] next, but he is stopped by a reconstructed [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]!

As the [[Autobot]] leader and [[Decepticon]] warrior fight, Prime notices the humans and instinctively dives to protect them from Starscream’s fire. Starscream's attack is halted by the intervention of [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], right as Teletraan One reconstructs [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]]. Realizing the computer is reconstructing them randomly, Starscream tells Skywarp to bring their fellow Decepticons closer. Optimus realizes that the Decepticons will outnumber them and orders a retreat, telling Ratchet to load their fellow Autobots into his new form's trailer while he fends off their opponents. He reaches for his [[ion blaster]] but is intercepted by cannon fire from a revived [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]. As he recovers, he sees Bumblebee's remains, cradling him in despair before being beset by Starscream and [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]]. Seeing this, Spike and Carly run out and push Prime's blaster to him, allowing him to fight back.

[[File:TF2023 – Prime & Ratchet vehicle modes.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
Left with no choice, Optimus fires at Teletraan One, destroying the computer and preventing the remaining Decepticons from being reconstructed. As Teletraan explodes, Optimus grabs Carly and Spike. He and Ratchet transform and drive out of the ''Ark'' into the mountains below, Starscream and Skywarp in hot pursuit despite their low [[energon]] levels. Jetfire regains consciousness and follows after them, firing on Starscream much to his regret. Starscream volleys back, critically wounding Jetfire. Fortunately for the Autobots, Skywarp begins to run out of energy and the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] are forced to retreat.

Needing to recuperate, Spike leads the Autobots to an abandoned quarry. As he succumbs to his injuries, Jetfire apologizes to Optimus; so much has changed since he left Cybertron in hopes of saving it. Optimus tries to use the [[Matrix of Leadership]] to heal Jetfire, but Ratchet tells him that his injuries are too great. Optimus grips his old friend's hand as he passes, still lamenting his failure.

Back in the ''Ark'', Soundwave reports to Starscream that he is unable to fix Teletraan One, as they lack both the energon and the raw materials necessary. Until it is repaired, they are the only Decepticons left. Soundwave has already sent [[Laserbeak (G1)|Laserbeak]] to scout for possible energon sources, but the job of harvesting it falls to Starscream since he has the most energon reserved. Begrudgingly, Starscream accepts. After all, he is leader of the Decepticons now.

As Davey and Sparkplug end their shift at the nearby power plant, Davey tries to talk to Sparkplug about his recent troubles, but they are interrupted by the arrival of Starscream, irritated he has to be the one doing all the work. The pair try to escape, but Starscream notices them. Sparkplug hides inside the plant, while Davey is snatched up by the giant alien. Starscream smiles to himself as he crushes Davey in his hand, amused at how fragile, squishy, and pathetic the humans are.

{{--}}

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (2)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (11)
* [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] (12)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (13)
* [[Cliffjumper (G1)|Cliffjumper]] (14)
* [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] (15)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (16)
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (18)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]’s arm (19)

|c2=
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (8)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (9)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (10)
* [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] (20)
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (21)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (22)

|c3=
* [[Sparkplug Witwicky]] (1)
* [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] (3)
* [[Danny]] (4)
* [[Jerry (G1)|Jerry]] (5)
* [[Davey]] (6)
* [[Carly]] (7)

|c4=
* [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] (17)
}}

==Quotes==
"Where are you going? Isn't that... Jimmy's?" 
"Yeah. Carly and I were going to check out the full moon tonight, remember? On top of Hanger's Rock?" 
"Looking at '''stars''' again, huh?" 
"Doing this kind of thing... it reminds me of him." 
"Why would you want to remember? It's best to '''forget''' all that." 
"Is that how you're gonna '''live''' now? Just pretending he didn't '''exist?'''" 
:—'''Sparkplug''' and '''Spike''' touch on their trauma

"You must forgive me. I have been away for centuries. I did not know about the war. I did not know you were the new Prime..." 
"I remember the day you left our home to find a way to save it." 
"And you... were so young then." 
"Much has changed since you left our planet. All for the worse." 
:—'''Jetfire''' and '''Optimus Prime''' rekindle their friendship

"Why are you all looking at '''me?'''" 
"You have the most energon reserved. Thus the harvesting is up to '''you.''' It's what Meg---" 
"'''Do not''' say his name. '''I''' am the leader of the Decepticons now."
:—'''Starscream''' and '''Soundwave'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Jetfire's arrival on Earth follows from his awakening in [[Void Rivals issue 1|the first issue]] of ''[[Void Rivals]]''. How long he was asleep exactly is a little unclear. In ''Void Rivals'', he mentions being stranded for millions of years, but here he says he was away for merely centuries. Due to the syntax used, it could be that Jetfire was ''searching'' for centuries but ''asleep'' for millions of years. The following issue confirms the centuries time frame, making ''Void Rivals'' use of millions of years the outlier.
* Cybertron's energon shortage was hinted at by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] in ''Void Rivals'' [[Void Rivals issue 4|#4]].
* After being attacked by Starscream, Jetfire is seen leaking yellow fluid. This would appear to confirm that the yellow fuel used by [[Darak]] and [[Solila]] to reactivate him was indeed energon.
* Soundwave and Starscream allude to the absence of the usual Decepticon leader, [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]. Hmm... [[Cobra Commander (comic)|where could he be]]?
* Yes, Bumblebee's really dead, having been destroyed by Starscream. The other Transformers, including those like Thundercracker whose reassembly is interrupted, are just offline.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Thundercracker's not killed, he just was not fully built. [...] S'not like I shot him in the heart or something. Just FYI.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=3774s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>

===Transformers references===
* Like with ''Void Rivals'', this new series draws heavy influence from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 cartoon]]:
** The character designs all pull directly from Generation 1.
** The ''Ark'' crashing into a mountain and the Autobots and Decepticons being repaired by Teletraan One is lifted from the premiere episode, "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]", right down to one of the Decepticons being reactivated first. The "error" of the Transformers having their Earth-inspired designs before they receive their Earth alternate modes is also carried over.
** Spike, Sparkplug, and Carly all originate from the Generation 1 cartoon, though they have been heavily reimagined, especially Carly.
** Starscream and Jetfire/Skyfire being old friends, as well as Jetfire dying after dogfighting Starscream, brings to mind "[[Fire in the Sky]]."
* Optimus Prime gains the upper hand over Starscream with a fist and a resounding "never", similar to ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''.
* This [[Darkness Rising, Part 1|isn't the]] [[Infiltration issue 1|first time]] a new ''Transformers'' series launched with Starscream in command in lieu of Megatron.

===Real-world references===
* Sparkplug's flashbacks on the first page of the issue features imagery of Sparkplug in a conflict much like the [[Vietnam War]] and the explosion of a space shuttle reminiscent of the {{w|Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster}}; based on the context, it seems likely that Jimmy was one of the victims in the latter. Whether these are meant to literally be those events (which would suggest the comic is actually supposed to be set in the 1980s) or merely stylistic renderings of purely fictional events remains to be seen.
* Appropriately, Sparkplug is drinking at a {{w|Veterans of Foreign Wars|VFW}} bar.
* Carly's van art features several staples of van murals, such as a wizard inspired by {{w|Gandalf}} from ''{{w|The Lord of the Rings}}'', a barbarian resembling {{w|Conan the Barbarian|Conan}}, and a fantasy castle and dragon.
* Spike's outfit, with a red vest and blue jeans, seems to be pretty heavily based on [[Marty McFly]]'s classic outfit from ''[[Back to the Future]]''.
* Optimus Prime enters the scene by ''clotheslining'' Starscream—this being the signature move of "Rainmaker" Kazuchika Okada, one of DWJ's favorite wrestlers.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=And of course, next we have a rainmaker clothesline, as one does. This is a wrestling move, this is one of my favorite wrestlers, Kazuchika Okada from New Japan Pro Wrestling. Of course, you know, the rainmaker, the lariat, is not new in professional wrestling, and by the end of this series it will not be new to Transformers.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=2508s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref><ref>[https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x34jfv6 Kazuchika Okada's Finisher- Rainmaker on Dailymotion]</ref>

===Storytelling notes===
As both writer and artist on this ''Transformers'' series, Daniel Warren Johnson has a rare level of creative freedom while composing the issue and using the art to tell the story. Some of these creative choices were covered in a "director's commentary" livestream on his YouTube channel; key insights are reproduced here alongside our own analysis of the issue.
* DWJ keeps a copy of [[IP infringement|Magic Square]]'s "Light of Peace" figure close at hand, which influences his take on Optimus Prime.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=This is the Optimus Prime figure that Magic Square put out this past year in 2023. It's an update, so it has a new head sculpt, it looks just like the movie, the '86 movie which of course has been my bible. He looks so good that you can actually like, kind of pose him, and he looks pretty dynamic. And I knew that, man, if the toy looks this cool in real life, then I can make him look really cool... like look at this, it looks great, he looks kind of alive.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=798s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> He notes that he specifically avoids having Prime's "boots" flare out at all; he tries to draw them perfectly straight.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Another thing that I'll notice, that I'll give you a little preview of things to come artwise: you'll see Optimus's legs, you know, traditionally, you know, he's got kind of the 1970s design aesthetic here, which I think the Marvel Comics did, where, you know, the leg kind of comes out... like so it makes kind of like a boot cut kind of style for his like lower half of his leg. And I hate drawing that. I hate drawing that. Look how straight these legs are. As this series goes on you're going to see these legs get straighter and straighter. It's a stylistic thing something that I've been kind of like- it's been bugging me about drawing Optimus Prime, and it's just, I cannot stand drawing those legs widening out at the bottom. It's like, something about it, it just like, makes my eyes hurt. I've never liked it in the comics, it always read weird to me that they got wider. Some characters- like I remember when practicing, I was drawing Jazz. Jazz gets really wide, and if it's like, if it's really confident, like big and chunky, or Cliffjumper, big, chunky, no big deal. This? Like, Optimus's legs going wider? It just like, is it going wider is it not going w- anyway these are the ramblings of a crazy lunatic comic book artist.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=2699s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* His primary ''Transformers'' comics influence comes from [[Marvel Comics]] and [[Dreamwave Productions]].<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I wanted to just highlight this poster that I had in my bedroom when I was like 16, when Pat Lee made this imagery. You know, I was a huge ''Transformers'' fan of course when I was growing up, and I read mostly the Marvel Comics, 'cause that was the only thing that was available at the time, and here we have the Pat Lee comics of course that Dreamwave put out. I was so excited, I thought it looked awesome. I still do appreciate its blockiness now. So this is another reason why I wanted to do the project, 'cause like I just remember these feelings, and these like super bright colors that like were so awesome... and just being excited with like every cover, and I just felt like a kid. [...] And of course this image, like this is very satisfying, I knew I didn't want to get this bulbous with the designs, but you know I can't say I wasn't influenced by the absolutely outlandishness of these kind of like larger-than-life characters, so.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=997s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> In the case of the latter, we'll note that [[Prime Directive|their opening miniseries]] prominently featured the ''[[Ark II]]'' disaster which drew heavily from the real-world Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster.
* The first page of the story consists of five vertically-stacked cinematic landscape panels, with Sparkplug's flashbacks interspersed by a panel of the Ark crashing and of Prime's deactivated body. This gives us an idea of what's been going through Sparkplug's mind at the bar. In particular, the panel of Optimus Prime is bookended by Spike's offscreen dialogue getting his dad's attention; Prime is often positioned as something of a father figure in wider pop culture.
** At Hasbro's request, DWJ avoided being too specific as to the conflict being shown.<ref name=HasbroMandates>{{citesocial|quote=So here we've got the first page, and you can kind of see here, Hasbro wanted me to be be very like... don't show what kind of war it is... which is fine, and I did have to change these engines from three engines, which I just thought was a little cleaner, to five engines, like the Ark is, so I didn't think they'd care that much about being on model when it came to the Ark but they did!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0?t=1316s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
** DWJ wanted to streamline the Ark's design to have just three rear thrusters, but Hasbro insisted on it having five,<ref name=HasbroMandates /> necessitating the digital addition of two more to the later splash page of the ship's engines.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So again, I had to make a bit of an edit. The original art has just three engines, so I had to add these digitally—which I did not want to do, but Hasbro wanted it, so, okay, you know? It's okay, it's okay, it's all right, it is what it is...|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=1845s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* The second page aims to bring the story into reality,<ref name=Page2>{{citesocial|quote=I really wanted to go all in on the first half of this page, and like really sell to you how lived in this world is. Even though it's a ''Transformers'' book it was very important to me that we got a vibe and a sense of where the human characters come from. And there's nothing more fun, than drawing the heck out of, than like a crappy VW hall. [...] It was a hard thing to draw, but it was also fun. I had to kind of photobash a bunch of different VFW bars—obviously didn't want to take from any one specifically, or any one bar specifically, just kind of taking the best of everything and kind of combining it into one. And this bartender, Danny the bartender, I'm a big fan of, he just kind of stands there. And of course the old guy that maybe has seen something crazy... total shout out to—even his like haircut is the same as, and the hat, as—''{{w|The Iron Giant}}'', so a little shout out there. [...] It doesn't really [take place in a specific time period like the '80s or '90s] in my opinion, there might be other people in the Energon Universe that have a different time, we don't really have a time period in place. I find time periods in comics like ''Transformers'' to be completely unnecessary. If I'm trying to make historical fiction then of course it is important, but when it comes to making things like the Transformers I have just never cared. JFK is not getting assassinated in the background on television here, so it's just not part of the story. But you will notice there's no cell phones, so. But that's cuz I hate writing stories with cell phones in them.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=1406s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> with much more detailed panels of varying shapes and sizes, and a muted earthen color palette.
** DWJ took reference from several different {{w|Veterans of Foreign Wars|VFW}} bars to arrive at the location seen in the comic.<ref name=Page2 />
** As Spike and Sparkplug exit, the cluttered interior gives way to the orange evening sky, with the generous negative space often physically separating Spike from his distant father.
** DWJ notes that the final panel of this spread is technically wrong; based on the perspective of the scene, Spike should be sinking into the ground. This was necessary so as not to obscure Carly's van,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I have a bit of a goof, a bit of a mistake [...] if you actually like do the perspective here, the way it should be done, it makes no sense. He would be sinking into the ground, he's like in quicksand right now, but I could not figure out a better dynamic shot choice that would show Carly and her artistic ability with this van. Like I tried to do it like this way, and it didn't really work, because it covered up too much of the van, and I realized just how big he would have to be, like his whole face would have to be like over here and it just didn't work. I wanted him to be in the middle, but then it also didn't make sense. So I was just like beating my head against the wall like, I hope this is okay, I hope people don't notice.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0?si=QxISYwvu5QpUEbhw&t=1516s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> which is the same model of vehicle that appears in DWJ's previous original comic series ''[https://www.skybound.com/murder-falcon Murder Falcon]''.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Of course the dragon wagon, the van used in ''Murder Falcon''.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=1578s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> Mike Spicer has coloured the van using blue-pink tones, strongly contrasting with the orange otherwise dominating the spread. As we turn the page, these nighttime hues take over the story, marking the beginning of a transition towards the unreal.
* The mountain landscape was drawn to resemble that of an alien planet, to highlight the feeling of "otherworldliness".<ref>{{citesocial|quote=This also is one of my favorite panels in the book. I wanted to start getting a little crazy, a little more intense with the shot choices, to kind of start getting us into the vibe of otherworldliness. This looks a little bit like they're exploring Mars, that was the goal, completely clear sky, really pushing the envelope when it comes to dynamic composition.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=1635s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* As the earthquake begins, we get the first instance of hand-lettered sound effects, drawn into the lineart by DWJ. These appear more prominently and frequently as we transition towards comic-book action.
[[File:TF2023 1 Splash pages composition.jpg|thumb|right|upright=2|Diagram illustrating DWJ's intended flow for the back-to-back splash pages.]]
* The reveal of the Ark is paired across the two-page spread with another splash page of the deactivated Autobots. DWJ hoped to create a seamless transition, with the reader's gaze travelling down towards the inset panels at the bottom left, then following Spike and Carly across to the right, before travelling up into the scene.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=This was a goal, this was the goal: to have these pages be bleeding into each other. [...] You know I don't like to do this very often, you have like two splash pages back-to-back, because they kind of like... it gets a little messy here. But you know I usually like- if I have a big splash here [on the left], I'll usually have something a little more reserved over here [on the right], and I won't have it bleed over to the left side of the page. But with here, you'll actually notice that I was trying to get people to read from... obviously you're reading here, then you go down, left to right, into this bottom part of the page, and have your eye trail up instead of going over here [diagonally across the center fold] to the top. So I was using these kind of inset panels to kind of get you to read that way.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=1985s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> Mike Spicer's coloring (exaggerated in the diagram on the right) again reinforces this intent, with the blue shade of the rocks at the bottom of the right-hand page carrying over from the left-hand page.
** Meanwhile, all of the lines of perspective inside the room point outside, where a tiny Jetfire can be seen approaching.
* Jetfire is one of Robert Kirkman's favorite Transformers, and his role in this series came entirely from Robert Kirkman's broad-strokes outline.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=So, full disclosure: Robert Kirkman came up with the Jetfire idea. Jetfire is one of Robert's favorite Transformers, and that's why he was chosen. He's also like part of the lore and it was kind of like in this big outline that Jetfire was the one that comes in and finds the Autobots on Earth in the Ark- Autobots and Decepticons. But he doesn't have knowledge about the war. So you know I can't give away too much, but that was a Robert Kirkman call, and I was happy to do it. I was a little afraid about drawing Jetfire at first, but I'm actually- of course I write the script first where he dies, because it's just what the story needed, but then as I got to drawing him I was like, "I really like drawing this guy, I'm so sad I have to kill him!"|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=3301s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* The shock death of Bumblebee was a deliberate choice, as DWJ felt like audiences would be getting a little tired of seeing Bumblebee everywhere. Surprisingly, Hasbro felt the same way, and themselves asked if there was a way to write Bumblebee out of the series! DWJ also apparently doesn't enjoy drawing Bumblebee, which informed the decision,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Let me be totally honest about the Bumblebee page, let me address this. I do really- I do like Bumblebee. I don't like drawing Bumblebee, I don't like those rivets in his arms. That's not the only reason why he had to go, I just honestly wanted to change things up. I just wanted to change things up, and I had seen a lot of Bumblebee, I think we all have, in a lot of ''Transformers'' media, and I just thought it would be a fun little swerve. And this is actually funny, our contact over at Hasbro was also a little tired of seeing Bumblebee everywhere, and he actually asked, before he saw my script, he's like, "is there any way we can not use Bumblebee in the main line?" And I told him, I was like, "I got good news for you!" He had to go, he had to go. Sorry Bumblebee fans, sorry to let you down like that, I am so sorry. They are Transformers, maybe they'll come back... but not for a long time. It's Cliff's time baby! You said it!|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=2545s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> which perhaps doesn't bode too well for Cliffjumper!
* When Starscream turns on Jetfire, DWJ struggled to get the composition exactly right, as he was limited by the need to make it explicitly clear that Jetfire was gravely wounded.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=I wanted to make sure that everybody knew that Jetfire was gravely injured by this blast, which means I couldn't really white it out, had to be clear.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=2498s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* Prime uses several wrestling moves on Starscream; DWJ had previously created the original comic series ''[https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/do-a-powerbomb Do A Powerbomb!]'', which had a central theme of loss—a motif which recurs throughout this first ''Transformers'' issue.
* As Starscream, Skywarp and Thundercracker look identical in black-and-white, DWJ labels them in his lineart so colorist Mike Spicer can easily distinguish.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Also notice the color notes I had to leave for Mike, because Skywarp and Starcream look exactly alike in black and white.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=2839s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* Prime instinctively knowing about his trailer, and its sudden appearance in the story, is a riff on classic media where Prime's trailer would often appear and disappear out of nowhere per the needs of the story.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=This is a little shoutout to like, the not-making-any-sense of ''Transformers'', where you know, very conveniently, this trailer just shows up out of nowhere. So you know, Prime's like, "What are we going to do?" and he's like, "We could use my trailer!" Look sometimes you just have to have fun and not think too much about the story.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=3131s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* As Prime's face is uniquely inexpressive, DWJ had to get creative to show his emotions to the reader, relying a lot on the character's eyes. Additionally, he tries to channel Prime's feelings through Spike.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Optimus is a character that does not emote—less so than even the rest of the cast, because of the face shield, because so much of his face is taken up, and he's really only got those eyes to work with. And I found that I was needing a way to channel Optimus through something, and I'm kind of trying to channel that through Spike, if you can't tell. I have a tendency to not be subtle, so... in life and in comics.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=3516s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> When Spike sees Prime kneeling over Bumblebee's body, it seems that he recognises the grief this alien robot is experiencing.
* Amongst the many creative sound effects in this sequence, we have highlights like "GRAPPLE" and "ROLL" accompanying the action. Clicks and buzzes fill the air together with the floating components as the Transformers are reassembled.
* DWJ contrived the situation where Spike and Carly need to push Prime's gun into his reach as a way of giving the human characters agency during the action sequence.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Sliding the gun! Super fun! I rewrote this scene a few times because the humans were just sitting, screaming, you know? Spike and Carly like, "Oh my god, what's happening!?" behind some rocks, and I was like, "They need to have some agency, they need to get involved somehow." And so that is why I had them push the gun, and it forces action, it just forces movement in a story, it gives Spike personality and like bravery, and I'm very happy with this moment. It's very hard to not just write fight scenes where it's just like fight fight fight fight fight, and finding new ways to tie everybody together, and I wish I had more time to do this but of course we work in genre fiction where there are deadlines, and sometimes that can't happen, but I was glad that I was able to figure this one out.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=3543s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> The "SKRKK" sound effect of the gun scraping along the floor is drawn to follow the lines of action.
* When Prime gives the order to "Transform and roll out!", the ''entire comic'' shifts to a landscape orientation, requiring you to physically turn the comic in your hands. This is awesome.
* Ratchet's updated alternate mode came simply from a dissatisfaction with his classic Nissan look.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Any reason you went with a more modern style van, a Ford Transit rather than the traditional Nissan Vanette for Ratchet? You know what, I just didn't like the way the Nissan looked, so I just, I really wanted something different. I just wanted something different, so.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=2966s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* DWJ was keen to develop the Decepticons beyond their classic cartoonishly-evil characterisation, with a key example in this issue being Soundwave's clear concern for the injured Ravage.<ref>{{citesocial|quote=It's all about this, baby. It's all about trying to give some... you know... something other than... "The Decepticons are all evil, raah!" Like, Soundwave is a bad dude—but man, he loves his tapes, and one of these tapes is hurting bad and he's feeling real bad about it.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=4410s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref>
* For Davey's gruesome death at the hand of Starscream, Hasbro requested it occur off-panel. The beat was intended to clearly set the stakes of the comic without being egregiously gory,<ref>{{citesocial|quote=Hasbro asked for Davey to be killed offscreen, which I was totally fine with. Did want to get kind of messy with it, though, because I did want to kind of make a little bit of a statement. You know, it's a book that your kids can read, but you know, not everybody's going to make it, so.|link=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0&t=4593s|name=Daniel Warren Johnson|site=YouTube|title=TRANSFORMERS Issue 1 DIRECTOR'S COMMENTARY|year=2023|month=10|day=06}}</ref> and seems to mark a major turning point for Sparkplug.

===Errors===
* Bumblebee's body is seen near Optimus Prime’s trailer, despite him being across the ship near Teletraan One when Starscream blew his head open.
* When Starscream is forced to break off his pursuit of the Autobots, his speech balloon is pointing to Skywarp.

===Other trivia===
* Prior to its official release, an ashcan copy of this issue was available exclusively at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2023. The ashcan had certain pages taken out to prevent spoilers, as well as featuring concept art and designs for various characters.
* In early solicitations for this issue, the cover had an original logo with blue text broken over two lines;<ref>[https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/AUG230407 ''Transformers'' #1 CVR A JOHNSON on PREVIEWSworld]</ref> the final cover uses the standard modern logo, leaving some unsightly negative space above Prime's head. This was changed at the request of Hasbro.
* This issue sold out at the distributor level before it was even officially released, prompting Skybound to announce a second printing the day before it hit retailer shelves.

===Covers===
With over 50 to choose from, ''Transformers'' #1 features more variant covers than any other single ''Transformers'' comic issue ''by a long shot''.
{{comicstub|48/55 covers documented}}
* '''Cover A:''' Optimus Prime emerges from an explosion, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover B:''' The Autobots, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover C:''' The Decepticons, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''Cover D:''' Optimus Prime destroys Starscream, by [[Ryan Ottley]] and [[Annalisa Leoni]].
* '''Cover E (1:10 Copy Incentive):''' Connecting cover, by [[Orlando Arocena]].
* '''Cover F (1:25 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus leaps on Starscream to save Carly's van as Laserbeak and Ravage attack, by [[Cliff Chiang]].
* '''Cover G (1:50 Copy Incentive):''' Optimus Prime, by [[Francis Manapul]].
* '''Cover H (1:100 Copy Incentive Foil):''' Starscream holds Bumblebee’s head, by [[Ian Bertram]] and [[Gus Storms]].
* '''Cover I:''' Blank sketch cover.
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover A:''' Optimus Prime, by [[Jason Howard]].
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover B:''' Starscream, by Jason Howard.
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover C:''' The 'Bots, by [[Lewis LaRosa]] and [[Rico Renzi]].
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover D:''' The 'Cons, by Lewis LaRosa and Rico Renzi.
* '''Second Printing Variant Cover E:''' Bumblebee's fate, by [[Greg Tocchini]].
* '''Third Printing Variant Cover:''' by [[Gerald Parel]].
* '''Alan Quah exclusive:''' by [[Alan Quah]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Big Clutch/[[eBay]] exclusive:''' Foil variant of main cover A. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Big Time Collectibles exclusive A:''' by [[John Giang]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Big Time Collectibles exclusive B:''' Foil variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Carnivore Comics exclusive A:''' by [[Rafael Grassetti]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Carnivore Comics exclusive B:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Carnivore Comics exclusive C:''' Foil variant. Limited to 1,000 copies, exclusively at New York Comic Con 2023.
* '''Comic Grail Vault exclusive A:''' by [[Von Randal]] and [[Alex Guimarães]]. Limited to 800 copies.
* '''Comic Grail Vault exclusive B:''' Foil variant.
* '''Condemned Comics exclusive:''' by [[Christopher Mitten]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''DarlsDraws exclusive:''' by [[Alina Rojas]]. Limited to 300 copies.
* '''Felix Comic Art exclusive A:''' Wraparound variant of Optimus Prime playing basketball against the Decepticons, by Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Felix Comic Art exclusive B:''' Black-and-white virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Forbidden Planet exclusive A:''' by [[Flaviano Armentaro]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Forbidden Planet exclusive B:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Francesco Tomaselli New York Comic Con exclusive:''' by [[Francesco Tomaselli]]. Limited to 900 copies.
* '''Hector Trunnec New York Comic Con exclusive:''' by [[Hector Trunnec]]. Limited to 400 copies.
* '''Juni Ba exclusive A:''' by [[Juni Ba]]. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Juni Ba exclusive B:''' Foil variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Maria The Wolf exclusive A:''' by [[Maria Lopez]] & Mike Spicer. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Maria The Wolf exclusive B:''' Virgin variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Maria The Wolf exclusive C:''' Foil variant. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Matthew Roberts exclusive:''' by [[Matthew Roberts]].
* '''Memory Lane Comics exclusive:''' by [[Hayden Sherman]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''MFKiG exclusive:''' by [[Ainsworth Lin]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Mike Bowden New York Comic Con exclusive:''' by [[Mike Bowden]] and [[Pez Fred]]. Limited to 500 copies.
* '''Rod Reis New York Comic Con exclusive:''' by [[Rod Reis]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Ryan Barry exclusive A:''' by [[Ryan Barry]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Ryan Barry exclusive B:''' Foil variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''San Diego Comic-Con Ashcan cover A:''' Spike atop Optimus Prime, by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer.
* '''San Diego Comic-Con Ashcan cover B:''' Black-and-white version, only available at Skybound's Energon Universe convention panel.
* '''Seibertron.com exclusive:''' by [[Marco Ferrari]].
* '''Skottie Young exclusive:''' by [[Skottie Young]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Skottie Young exclusive second printing:''' Virgin foil variant. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Stadium Comics exclusive:''' by [[Santa Fung]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''The 616 Comics exclusive:''' by [[Vincenzo Federici]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''Things From Another World exclusive:''' by [[Frédéric Pham Chuong]]. Limited to 1,000 copies.
* '''TransMissions Podcast exclusive:''' by [[E. J. Su]].
* '''Whatnot exclusive A:''' by [[Siya Oum]].
* '''Whatnot exclusive B:''' Foil variant.

<gallery>
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</gallery>

===Advertisements===
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* The rise of [[Cobra]] starts in ''[[Cobra Commander (comic)|Cobra Commander]]'' #1
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==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUZgObXmU0 Director's commentary by Daniel Warren Johnson]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Transformers (2023) issues]]

War's End Part Two

2022-04-06T01:33:54Z

Queso: also occurs on the previous page

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers: War's End|Transformers: War's End]]'' #2
|prev=War's End Part One
|next=War's End Part Three
|caption=
|image=TFWarsEnd 2 cvrA.jpg
|title="War's End Part Two"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[March 30]], 2022
|coverdate=March 2022
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Jack Lawrence]]
|colors by=[[John-Paul Bove]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Riley Farmer]], [[David Mariotte]], and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=[[2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''Autobots and Decepticons combine their forces to foil Exarchon's ultimate plan—but can their united efforts prevent a dark future from coming to pass, or is the Threefold Spark destined to win?

==Synopsis==
In the halls of [[Decepticon Headquarters (G1 Cybertron)|Decepticon Headquarters]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] proposes a truce with his former rival [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]], only for [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] to suddenly materialize in front of them. Having recently escaped the [[Sonic Canyons]], the ever-mercurial [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] asks if they're interested in some information about [[Exarchon]]. The three 'bots arrive in the building's primary antechamber, interrupting [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s terse negotiations with [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] with news of Skywarp's return, and a dire prediction of the future: not only has Exarchon returned, Starscream tells his leader, but he intends to finish what he started during the [[War of the Threefold Spark]]. While Megatron snarls that [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] is his and his alone, Starscream suggests that the only way to ride out whatever's coming is to call a truce and focus on the real problems. If nothing else, he points out, stalling for time will give Megatron the chance he needs to regroup and prepare for whatever comes next. To Megatron's surprise, Soundwave actually ''agrees'' with Starscream's analysis; as a result, the Decepticon leader grudgingly calls the truce and orders [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] and [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] to gather their troops, head to the Sonic Canyons, and exterminate any potential threat to Megatron's rule.

In the Sonic Canyons, Exarchon's cornered [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] and the other members of his [[Autobot]] survey team in a narrow chasm, but his [[Deathsaurus (G1)|enormous new body]] leaves him unable to actually pursue them into the crack. As he futilely torches the canyon walls with his flame-breath, unexpected salvation comes from [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]], who successfully drills an escape tunnel for the team that leads deeper into the bedrock.

Elsewhere, [[Pyra Magna]] and the other members of the [[Companion]]s take in the grisly sight of a [[rust worm]] swarm chewing their way through the planet's strata as their [[carrier]] floats toward the Sonic Canyons. A perturbed [[Jumpstream]] wonders what this all means—when she glimpsed Cybertron's future, the planet still existed, untouched by the rust worms. Pyra wonders if perhaps she didn't see the entire story leading up to that future... or, perhaps, it's a sign that history is not as fixed as she thinks. Since receiving the distress call in the Rust Sea, Pyra's taken an increasingly fatalistic turn: while she might've pledged loyalty to Optimus Prime and the Autobots, she's a relic from an older time, an older war... and now, those megacycles of history have finally caught up with her. Jumpstream, however, can't go with her: if she ''knows'' that her future self died in the Sonic Canyons, then they must actively work to avert this dire future from ever coming to pass. Jumpstream obediently teleports away, and reminds Pyra to call her if she needs help... but as she disappears, Pyra grimly muses that whatever happens, she'll deal with it herself.

Zetar's escape tunnel leads them straight into a long-abandoned facility, buried deep beneath the canyons: Exarchon's old base of operations, again a hive of activity as legions of freshly-activated [[Skywarp drone|Skywarp clone]]s prepare what appears to be a [[Titan (group)|Titan]]-killing [[imploder]] weapon and an enormous drill-tank. Outside the bunker, Exarchon snarls that his prey has vanished, moments before [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s reinforcements arrive—a group of ex-[[The Rise|Risers]] that includes [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]], [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]], [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]], and the remaining [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]]s. As more clone soldiers rise from the depths of Exarchon's fortress, the conqueror gives them orders: find the intruders and prevent any further incursions while Exarchon completes his mission.

In the wilderness, Jumpstream reflects on recent events, periodically teleporting to higher ground as the rust-worms steadily devour the landscape around her. She ''saw'' how it all ended when she jumped through [[unspace]] into the future; even now, she's still subtly attuned to the ebb and flow of space-time, to the point where she wonders if she could deliberately jump forward in time ''again''... but a sudden light in the sky distracts her. Jumpstream first mistakes the shooting star for a Titan, but when she remembers that there ''are'' no Titans left anymore, she decides to investigate.
In the badlands, Slipstream informs [[Team Stream|her team]] of what's going on: when she contacted Shockwave to tell him that they were moving on Exarchon, they received an unexpected response to stand down and stay out of the fight. [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]]'s happy to avoid helping Sixshot, but [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] and [[Tracer (Micromaster)|Tracer]] bristle at this order and break rank to join Sixshot's assault team while [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] contemplate their new orders. If stopping Exarchon once was so important, she wonders, why not now?

Inside Exarchon's base, Soundblaster watches as Exarchon prepares his final, ultimate weapon, a weapon he would've deployed had he not fallen in the final battle of the [[War of the Threefold Spark]]. His benefactors gave him the tools and weapons required to effectively wage war, but his ultimate mission is one of subjugation. His ability to steal [[spark]]s was but a stepping stone to his ''true'' destiny. All of the sparks he has seized and snuffed out are but fragments of the ''one'' spark on Cybertron, the [[AllSpark]], at the center of the planet... and Exarchon intends to make it ''his''.
On the surface of the planet, Sixshot and his troops launch a ferocious counterattack—as the clone swarm takes to the skies, [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] tackles [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]], Sixshot faces off against [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] and [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]]. The noise disturbs Exarchon himself, who rises from the hatchway... and finds himself confronted by Pyra Magna and the Companions!
In Iacon, Megatron confronts the three 'bots he's put in charge of the [[Forge Pyramid]], who've still not delivered the Titan he desired. [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]], and [[Sparkstalker]] have concerns of their own: the technology required to extract and "cage" sparks didn't exist when Exarchon first invaded. If Exarchon really ''has'' returned, perhaps there's merit in using this technology against him... but that will require Megatron to make a choice between getting a Titan and stopping Exarchon.

Having teleported herself into low orbit, Jumpstream watches the mysterious shooting star arc its way toward Cybertron. Although she realizes that it's just a mere asteroid, she teleports onto the surface to discover that it's brought someone back to Cybertron: [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]! Without thinking, Jumpstream instinctively teleports toward the Sonic Canyons to warn Pyra...

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (5)
* [[Sureshot (G1)|Sureshot]] (8)
* [[Geomotus]] (9)
* [[Landmine (G1)|Landmine]] (10)
* [[Pointblank]] (11)
* [[Zetar (G1)|Zetar]] (13)
* [[Jumpstream]] (14)
* [[Pyra Magna]] (15)
* [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (16)
* [[Rust Dust]] (17)
* [[Groundbreaker]] (18)
* [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (19)

|c2=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (1)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (2)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (3)
* [[Slipstream (G1)|Slipstream]] (4)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (6)
* [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] (7)
* [[Soundblaster (G1)|Soundblaster]] (21)
* [[Frenzy (G1)|Frenzy]] (22)
* [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (23)
* [[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (24)
* [[Rumble (G1)|Rumble]] (25)
* [[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (26)
* [[Flamewar (G1)|Flamewar]] (27)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
* [[Blackjack (G1)|Blackjack]] (28)
* [[Hyperdrive (Micromaster)|Hyperdrive]] (29)
* [[Shadow Striker (G1)|Shadow Striker]] (30)
* [[Tracer (Micromaster)|Tracer]] (31)
* [[Swift (G1)|Swift]] (33)
* [[Roughstuff]] (34)
* [[Cindersaur (G1)|Cindersaur]] (35)
* [[Flamefeather (G1)|Flamefeather]] (36)
* [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]] (37)
* [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]] (38)
* [[Sparkstalker]] (39)
* [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]]? (41)
{{!}}}

|h3=Threefold Spark|c3=
* [[Exarchon]] (12)
* [[Skywarp drone]]s (20)

|c4=
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (32)
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] (40)

}}

==Quotes==
"''Oof''. ''Ow''. Not going quite as gloriously as I hoped, my return. But at least it's interest-ah. Hello again. Can I interest you in some '''Exarchon'''-related information?"
:—'''Skywarp'''

"Zetar! We thought you were '''dead'''." 
"Appreciate the confidence. Anyone want to join me in an '''escape tunnel'''?"
:—'''Landmine''' and '''Zetar'''

"Perhaps Exarchon's triumph, Cybertron's death, perhaps it's all a '''singularity''', bending everything--time, events, us--toward it. But even if it is, we fight. We don't make it easy. We '''try''' to step off the path."
:—'''Pyra Magna'''

"'''Blackjack!''' Aw, but we're a '''team'''." 
"And I thought '''I''' was supposed to be the impulsive one."
:—'''Flamewar''' and '''Hyperdrive'''

"I do not remember all that happened to me after I crossed into the quintessence so long ago. But I was given the gift of taking sparks. Becoming sparks. Usurping sparks. And the deep truth, at the core of Cybertron, and of '''us'''... is that there is only '''one''' spark, if I can just '''reach''' it. The '''AllSpark'''."
:—'''Exarchon'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* Starscream attempts to patch over his rocky relationship with Soundwave; they've had a bad relationship ever since [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] appointed him as the director of Cybertron's intelligence division and ousted Soundwave from the position. Starscream points out that Megatron won't allow Soundwave to kill him—in [[War World: Awakenings|''Transformers'' #26]], he lost his temper and pummeled Starscream with a sonic barrage after his theatrics got on his nerves.
* This issue takes place concurrently with ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[The Landscape of Fear|issue #41]]. That comic showed Optimus Prime opening a dialogue with Megatron in order to negotiate a ceasefire between their two sides, and this issue shows the same exchange from Megatron's point of view.
* With the newly-freed [[rust worm]]s eating their way across the planet, Pyra and the other Companions take a floating [[carrier]] to the Sonic Canyons, a mode of conveyance that's been used occasionally since [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|''Transformers'' #2]].
* Jumpstream compares the current situation to her brief [[time travel]] adventure that ran from [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight I|''Transformers'' #31]] to [[Lord of Misrule: Test Flight II|#32]]. In a conversation with a future [[Swift (G1)|Swift]], Jumpstream learned that both she and Cyclonus died during a battle in the Sonic Canyons—apparently confirming that we're witnessing ''this'' specific battle, both Swift and Cyclonus take part in the attack on Exarchon's base, and, in an attempt to change history, Pyra's preemptively benched Jumpstream so that this future can't come to pass.
* Upon seeing a shooting star, Jumpstream initially mistakes it for a [[Titan (group)|Titan]]; her inner dialogue, "oh, I think I saw a Titan", specifically evokes [[Rubble]]'s idle stargazing back in in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|''Transformers'' #3]]. Moments later, however, she reminds herself that the Titans are all dead after the events of [[War World: Titans|''Transformers'' #29]], where the Decepticons forcibly de-orbited Cybertron's remaining Titans and crashed them into the planet.
* Exarchon's got himself an [[imploder]], an extremely destructive weapon primarily used to kill [[Titan (group)|Titan]]s—most recently, [[Lodestar (Titan)|Lodestar]] used it to execute [[Vigilem]] when they crossed paths in the [[Light/Star|2021 annual]].
* As he battles Onslaught, the Combaticon commander sneers that he's not fighting amateurs this time—Cyclonus has had a habit of beating up whichever rookie Decepticon's been posted to stand guard outside of Decepticon Headquarters, including [[Crasher (G1)|Crasher]] in [[War World: Hunt|''Transformers'' #28]], and [[Roughstuff]] and [[Gutcruncher (G1)|Gutcruncher]] in the previous issue.
* In [[Darkness, Once Gazed Upon: Part Two|''Transformers'' #38]], Megatron announced his intention to forge a new Titan to eliminate the Autobots once and for all, and ordered [[Mindwipe (G1)|Mindwipe]], [[Sparkstalker]], and [[Bitstream (G1)|Bitstream]] to repair the [[Forge Pyramid]] after its destruction in ''Transformers'' #29. However, Mindwipe and Sparkstalker point out that the technology to extract and preserve a spark was not in use at the time of the War of the Threefold Spark, having been implemented by [[Nominus Prime]] and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] during the era of post-war reconstruction that followed.
* [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] finally returns! After laying waste to the planet [[Mayalx]] in ''[[Transformers: Galaxies|Galaxies]]'' [[Constructicons Rising, Part 4|#4]], the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicon]]s went rogue and vanished. Shockwave, the 'bot ultimately responsible for using them to further [[The Rise]]'s agenda, evidently kept in contact with the team, since then, however; [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|''Transformers'' #36]] showed them surfing through space on an asteroid while Shockwave mused about summoning them back to Cybertron.

===Transformers references===
* Exarchon again mentions the "quintessence" as somehow responsible for his transformation; the same flashback panel shows him forcibly restrained by tentacles... and, well, if that ''doesn't'' scream [[Quintesson]]s to you, then we can't help you!
* The [[AllSpark|Allspark]] has come up a few times since the beginning of the [[2019 IDW continuity]] which established it as the source of all Cybertronian life in ''Transformers'' #28, with a further connection to the [[Well of All Sparks]] as the primary delivery mechanism for all sparks established as far back as [[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|''Transformers'' #3]]. The idea that the Allspark is, itself, an enormous spark rather than some kind of physical artifact that merely creates them is closer to the original interpretation of the term established in ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines]]'', where the Allspark was visualized as a collective of sparks that individual sparks emerged from and returned to.

===Errors===
* On pages eleven and twelve, Shadow Striker's three extra "eyes" are miscoloured to blend in with her helmet.

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Pyra Magna joins the battle, by [[Chris Panda]]
* '''Cover B''': [[Sunstorm (G1)|Sunstorm]], by [[Red Powell]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': Soundwave and his minions, by [[Fico Ossio]]

<gallery>
File:TFWarsEnd 2 cvrA.jpg
File:TFWarsEnd 2 cvrB.jpg
File:TFWarsEnd 2 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* ''Locke & Key: The Golden Age''
* ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Reborn''
* ''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]]: Saturday Morning Adventures''
* ''[[Transformers: Beast Wars]]'' TPB
* ''[[Godzilla]] vs. the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers''

==External links==
* [https://graphicpolicy.com/2022/03/29/preview-transformers-wars-end-2-of-4/ Preview]

[[Category:War's End issues]]

Susan Margevich

2022-02-17T02:49:50Z

Queso: fixed broken link (Hi, Susan)

[[File:Susan Margevich.jpg|upright=1.0|thumb|]]

'''Susan "Suna" Margevich''' is an American freelance illustrator based out of Baltimore, Maryland. In [[2021]], Margevich began providing comic covers for the [[2019 IDW continuity]].

==Cover art==
===IDW Publishing===
*''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' [[Lord of Misrule: Sea of Rust I|#34]]
*''[[Wreckers: Tread & Circuits]]'' [[Tread & Circuits Part 2|#2]]

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:TF2019 34 cvrB.jpg
</gallery></center>

==External links==
*[https://sunaspeaks.artstation.com/ ArtStation page]
*[https://twitter.com/sunaspeaks_ Twitter page]
*[https://www.instagram.com/sunaspeaks_/ Instagram page]
*[https://morethanmeetstheass.tumblr.com/ Tumblr page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Margevich, Susan}}
[[Category:Illustrators]]

Tubi

2021-05-06T04:36:44Z

Queso: Missing Armada and Energon episodes have been fixed! Someone at Tubi must have seen this page.

{{factions|usa|canada}}
'''Tubi''' is a free, ad-supported video streaming service available in the United States and Canada. In addition to operating the [[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studios]] Roku apps, Tubi also offers official streams of [[Hasbro]] programming on its website and apps.

==Transformers TV series - Available 2021==
[[File:Tubinames.jpg|upright=1.95|thumb]]
*''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Machines: Transformers]]''
*''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]''
*''[[Transformers Animated (cartoon)|''Transformers - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Transformers: Cybertron (cartoon)|Transformers Cybertron]]''
*''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Transformers Energon]]''
*''[[Transformers: Armada (cartoon)|Transformers: Armada]]''
*''[[The Transformers (cartoon)|Transformers: Generation 1]]'' (except ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'')
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' (Seasons 2 and 3)

==Discontinued Transformers TV series==
*''[[Transformers: Prime (cartoon)|Transformers: Prime]]'' (Season 1) - Removed in 2020
*''[[Transformers: Rescue Bots (cartoon)|Transformers: Rescue Bots]]'' (Season 1) - Removed in 2020

Notably, both of the removed seasons continue to be available on [[Netflix]], suggesting their absence is the result of an exclusivity deal with the latter.

==External links==
*[http://www.tubitv.com Tubi website]
*{{w|Tubi|Tubi on Wikipedia}}

[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Streaming platforms]]

Hidden (Cybertron)

2021-04-30T00:28:57Z

Queso: /* Animation and/or technical glitches */

{{disambig2|the ''Cybertron'' episode|the IDW comic story|All Hail Megatron issue 16}}

{{episode
|series=Cybertron
|ep=3
|series2=Galaxy Force
|ep2=4
|title="Hidden"
|japanese=地球での暮らし方、教えます
|romaji=Chikyū de no Kurashikata, Oshiemasu
|translation=A Lesson in Living on Earth
|image=Cyb_ep3_you_go_less.jpg
|caption=
|production code=
|production company=[[TV Aichi]], [[We've]], [[Tōkyū Agency]]
|writer=[[Manabu Ishikawa]]
|director=[[Jun'ichi Watanabe]]
|animation studio=[[GONZO]]
|airdate=[[January 29]], [[2005]] (Japanese) [[July 2]], 2005 (English)
|continuity=
}}
'''The Autobots learn that being robots in disguise is more complicated than they thought.'''

==Synopsis==

At sea, [[Bud Hansen|Bud]] is riding aboard one of two Autobots who have taken on colorful submarine [[alternate mode]]s. He declares this to be totally awesome, until a ship from the real Navy shows up, and the crew demands that the two Autobots identify themselves. When they don't respond, the Navy prepares to fire on them, and the Autobots dive beneath the waves to escape the danger (much more energetically than a real sub could). The captain of the ship decides to pretend the whole thing never happened.

[[File:Cyb ep3 coby cars.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.67|I'm lonely...]]

In a suburban parking lot, [[Coby Hansen|Coby]] is attempting to teach an assortment of sports car Autobots how to behave like real Earth cars, including parallel parking. Unfortunately, the hot-rodding Autobots' tendency to show off draws a crowd of spectators who begin admiring the cars, and Coby begins extemporizing about how he designed them. A police officer then points out that the cars aren't street legal, so Coby quickly declares that they're not real cars, but actually ''voice-activated remote-controlled'' cars. A quick demonstration of the cars' remarkable abilities (e.g., ''dancing'') befuddles the officer, and Coby escapes in one of the cars.

Deep in the desert, an old man driving a truck stops at a red traffic light. He comments to himself that there's no conceivable need for a light here, and a disembodied voice tells him to not even think about running the light. It then turns green, and the same voice tells him he can go. Well and truly freaked, he speeds away. [[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] comes out from behind a rock, and advises the traffic light—actually an [[Signal Lancer|Autobot]] in disguise—that traffic lights don't usually talk.

[[File:Cyb ep3 collapsing the black hole.jpg|thumb|225px| Suddenly, just as the movie started to get good, the screen conked out for the fifth time that evening.]]

Later, back at the Autobots' base, [[Jetfire (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Jetfire]] admonishes the kids that they need to pick the Autobots' altmodes a little more carefully, since they don't want to call attention to themselves. The kids begin to squabble among themselves over who screwed up worst, while the exasperated Jetfire leaves to join the other Autobots in the command center, where they are teleconferencing with [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]]. From his position on a remote station, Red Alert is about to initiate an attempt to collapse the universe-devouring [[Unicron Singularity|black hole]] in on itself with a [[gravitron grid]], thus ending the threat to [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. Jetfire gripes about how unhelpful the kids have been, but [[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] tells him to give them a chance, and they all turn their attention to Red Alert's efforts. Alas, the power of the black hole is too much for the graviton grid, and Vector Prime again states that the only real solution is to find the Cyber Planet Keys. The Autobots are skeptical, but Red Alert speaks up on Vector Prime's behalf, and the team decides to make the search for the Keys their top priority.

[[File:Cyb ep3 jetfire vs thundercracker.jpg|left|thumb|225px|This is no Blue Angels performance.]]

Jetfire meets with the kids again, and discovers that they're now buckling down and discussing the practical aspects of hiding the Autobots on Earth. His new feeling of reassurance is quickly shunted aside by [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], who informs him that he has just picked up some Air Force transmissions regarding an unidentified bogey. Scattorshot identifies it as [[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]], and Jetfire quickly speeds into action with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] and Vector Prime to save the two military planes that have tried to engage the Decepticon. Jetfire swoops in to protect the planes, shielding them from 'Cracker's missiles with his body. For a moment, he appears to be destroyed, but then he emerges from the explosion, and instinctively summons his [[Cyber Key]] for the first time. His powered-up attack easily disposes of Thundercracker's next salvo, and Vector Prime opens a [[dimension gate]] to teleport the Air Force planes to the [[Bermuda Triangle]], well beyond Thundercracker's reach. Thundercracker flees, and Jetfire pursues him, clashing in an aerial, vehicle mode duel that Jetfire is winning, until Scattorshot shoots Thundercracker down.

[[File:Cyb ep3 optimus cyber key.jpg|thumb|225px]]

Optimus Prime, meanwhile, is confronted by [[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] and [[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]], and laid out by a swipe of the Decepticon leader's arm. As Optimus and Vector Prime demand the return of the [[Planet Map]], Megatron just stands there looking smug and refuses. Optimus hurls Starscream aside and switches to Super Mode, but as he charges towards Megatron, Starscream slashes him across the back. His [[Burning justice|heart burning]], Optimus summons his own Cyber Key for the first time and knocks Starscream down with a double cannon blast. Megatron still refuses to surrender the map and trades a few punches with Optimus, but when Autobot reinforcements arrive, Megatron declares it's time to leave. He brags about having already located the first Cyber Planet Key, then warps away with Starscream.

One of the Air Force pilots reports in to his [[Mike Franklin|superior officer]] about their strange encounter with giant robots. The officer doesn't seem particularly surprised, and seems to know about Transformers. He tells the pilot that everything about his encounter is classified.

Back at the Autobot base, Coby is setting the refugees up with sensible, inconspicuous altmodes, Bud is providing them with templates for holographic drivers, and Lori is teaching them the traffic laws. Jetfire comments that this may work out after all.

And, deep in space, Megatron stares down at [[Velocitron]], the Speed Planet, location of the first Cyber Planet Key...

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*Two unnamed submarine Autobots (1,2)
*Assorted generic sports car Autobots (6)
*[[Signal Lancer]] (9)
*[[Reverb (Cybertron)|Reverb]] (11)
*[[Jolt (Cybertron)|Jolt]] (12)
*[[Jetfire (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Jetfire]] (13)
*[[Optimus Prime (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] (14)
*[[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]] (15)
*[[Hot Shot (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Hot Shot]] (16)
*[[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]] (17)
*[[Vector Prime]] (18)
*[[Overhaul (Cybertron)|Overhaul]] (23)
*[[Six-Speed (Cybertron)|Six-Speed]] (24)
*Assorted refugees (25)

|c2=
*[[Thundercracker (Armada)|Thundercracker]] (20)
*[[Megatron (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Megatron]] (21)
*[[Starscream (Armada)/Cartoon continuity|Starscream]] (22)

|c3=
*[[Bud Hansen]] (3)
*Navy personnel (4)
*[[Coby Hansen]] (5)
*Parking lot spectators (7)
*Police officer (8)
*[[Lori Jiménez|Lori]] (10)
*Air Force personnel (19)
*[[Mike Franklin]] (26)
}}

==Quotes==
"But... I never got a chance to ask him where I could ''get'' one of those."
:—The friendly neighborhood '''police officer''', after Coby makes his getaway in one of those supercool cars.

"I'm supposed to do this all day long?" 
"Either that, or go home and get sucked into a black hole." 
"That's a good point."
:—'''Signal Lancer''' and '''Lori''' discuss the upside of being a traffic light.

"That's way better than a square dance for cars in a parking lot!" 
"Ha! Shows what you know! They were ''break''-dancing!"
:—'''Lori''' and '''Coby'''

"Unidentified flying object? Is it an Autobot or a Decepticon? Can you tell who it is?" 
"Just a second... good guy, bad guy, good guy, bad guy... bad guy! It's Thundercracker!"
:—'''Jetfire''' and '''Scattorshot'''

"You're a stone-cold fool, Jetfire." 
"Coming from you, that's a compliment." 
"Tell you what. Here's another little something coming from me!" 
[''Launches missiles.'']
:—'''Thundercracker''' and '''Jetfire'''

"You're nothing better than a common thief." 
"Soon enough I'll be ruler of the Universe! I care not what vermin like you think of me."
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Megatron'''

"It's classified. Top secret. If you tell anyone, the only flying you'll do... is at an amusement park. Got it?" 
"Yes sir. But, what was that thing, anyway?" 
"It's classified. Top secret." 
"Yes sir. I know. But, what was that thing, anyway?" 
"It was nothing at all, pilot, understand?" 
"Yes sir! I do."
:—The '''[[Mike Franklin|mysterious government agent]]''' gives an '''Air Force pilot''' his orders...and us painful ''[[Transformers: Energon (cartoon)|Energon]]'' flashbacks.

"I'm going to teach you guys all the traffic laws. We're going to start with traffic lights, okay? So, what do you do when you see this color?" 
[''Green light.''] 
"You go!" 
"And this color?" 
[''Red light.''] 
"You go less!" 
"Very funny. Come on..."
:—'''Lori''' and assorted '''unnamed Autobots'''

==Notes==

===Differences with ''Galaxy Force''===

*In ''Cybertron'', the cop who inspects the Autobot cars tells Coby that the drafting fins on the cars make them illegal to drive on the road. In ''Galaxy Force'', on the other hand, he suspects them of being stolen. As Coby denies it, ''Galaxy Force'' also sees him backpedal on his previous claim of designing them, as he states they're new on the market.
*While the Autobots remain unsure of whether to follow Vector Prime's plan in both versions of the show, ''Galaxy Force'' puts a little more emphasis on the fact that the Autobots are not entirely convinced that the Cyber Planet Keys even ''exist''. During Optimus and Megatron's battle towards the end of the episode, Megatron even questions why Prime wants the map back if he doesn't believe in the Keys.
*In a small change, ''Galaxy Force'' has the pilots that engage Thundercracker note that he has not responded to their hails. ''Cybertron'' makes it appear they're shooting at him without attempting contact!

===Pain count===
*"Cyber Key Power!": 2
*"Super mode!": 1

===Animation and/or technical glitches===
*How are those Blurr-like cars moving around upright when their wheels aren't touching the ground? Shouldn't their back ends be throwing up sparks and scraping asphalt?
*At 7:14, Jetfire's yellow cheek-vent is visibly clipping into his dark green collar.
*At 14:14, when Megatron and Starscream appear, Megatron and Vector Prime are both missing their feet. Maybe they left them on the ground.
*At 17:11 and 17:18, Optimus's ear-fins clip into his backpack. Those dramatic poses are nothing but trouble.

===Continuity errors===
*One of the Air Force pilots asks how Thundercracker got behind them, when he's clearly still in front of them.
*Vector Prime says that Jetfire's Cyber Key came without him needing to call it forth, before the key actually arrives.

===Transformers references===

*The Autobot cars under Coby's watch all use the bodyform of [[Blurr (Cybertron)|''Cybertron'' Blurr]], and one of them has his color scheme. Whether or not this ''is'' Blurr is a loaded question; check out the character's article for an in-depth examination.

===Trivia===
*With the first two episodes of the series having been skipped over when ''Cybertron'' debuted on American television, this episode was the first aired, dropping viewers right into the middle of things with no explanation in what must surely be one of the most fumble-fingered launches of a television program ''ever''.
*Let's face it. The scene in the parking lot is terribly silly on many levels.
*While it's quixotic to expect the physics of the universe-devouring black hole to make much sense, it may be worth pointing out that making a black hole "collapse in on itself" is redundant, and could actually make the problem ''worse''.
*The two Air Force jets are very similar in model to Thundercracker himself, but in a basic gray color scheme. However, the model of fighter jet is of ''[[Russia]]n'' make, while the pilots are American.
*When Optimus charges Megatron, then spins and falls down, it's really unclear why he fell.
[[File:Cyb ep3 blue traffic light.jpg|thumb|"THERE ARE ''GREEN'' LIGHTS!"]]
*Did Megatron come to Earth just to brag about possessing the Map and finding the first Key? Why?
*A blocking issue: At 18:20, part of Optimus's face is hidden by the fire engine light bar on his shoulder. It looks very odd, and a slightly different angle would have solved the problem.
*When Signal Lancer (as he will later be named) switches his light colors, and when Lori teaches the Autobots the rules of the road, the green traffic light is ''blue''. As you will be aware if you watch much anime, however, this is ''not'' actually a mistake. This color conundrum is an odd Japanese cultural tic based on the fact that for a large portion of the language's history, they used the same word, "ao" (青), for both blue and green. Although a separate word meaning green has since been established in the language (''midori'' 緑), "ao" is still widely used to describe both shades of blue and green: the blue sky can be "ao", but so is a green traffic light. As a befuddling consequence of this quirk of language, illustrations of traffic lights, be they in driving manuals or animated cartoons about robots from space, are ''actually colored blue'', despite the fact that the real, tangible physical traffic lights on streets in Japan ''are actually green''. You get all that? Okay, now forget it and go play outside, or something. Life's too short, man.
*This episode was packaged in-disc with toys from the line such as [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]] and [[Longrack (Cybertron)|Longrack]].

==Home video releases==
{{homevidnote}}
;VHS
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning ([[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (Paramount)
;DVD
[[File:Flag of Japan.png|20px|Japan]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Galaxy Force'' — Vol. 01 ([[Victor Entertainment]]) — Japanese audio only. 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2005 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of UK.png|20px|United Kingdom]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of Australia.png|20px|Australia]] 2006 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — A New Beginning (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2008 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Ultimate Collection (Paramount) 
[[File:Flag of USA.png|20px|United States of America]] 2014 — ''Transformers: Cybertron'' — The Complete Series ([[Shout! Factory]])

[[Category:Cybertron episodes]]

File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREE.jpg

2020-03-26T22:40:11Z

Queso: {{TFTerminator |description= {{art|art=Alan Quah and Komikaki Studio}} |issueno=1 |cover=Cover RE E}}

{{TFTerminator
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2020-03-26T22:38:34Z

Queso: {{TFTerminator |description= {{art|art=Kael Ngu}} |issueno=1 |cover=Cover RE C}}

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2020-03-26T22:35:09Z

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2020-03-26T22:34:32Z

Queso: spelling (changed 0 to o)

{{TFTerminator
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[[Category:Images by Nick Roche]]

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2020-03-26T22:32:43Z

Queso: {{TFTerminator |description= {{art|art=Freddie E. Williams and Jeremy Colwell}} |issueno=1 |cover=Cover RI A}}

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2020-03-26T22:28:46Z

Queso: Queso uploaded "File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREI.jpg"

{{TFTerminator
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2020-03-26T22:28:02Z

Queso: I may have done something wrong here; if so, I apologize

{{TFTerminator
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2020-03-26T22:25:42Z

Queso:

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2020-03-26T22:23:49Z

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2020-03-26T22:23:00Z

Queso: Queso moved page File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREI.jpg to File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREJ.jpg: The file names were off because one cover was missed (there are fourteen covers to this issue; it'd be a minor miracle if no one miscounted)

#REDIRECT [[File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREJ.jpg]]

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2020-03-26T22:23:00Z

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Enemy of My Enemy Part One

2020-03-26T22:20:21Z

Queso: /* Covers (14) */

{{disambig3|Enemy of My Enemy}}

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers vs. The Terminator]]'' #1
|prev=
|next=Enemy of My Enemy Part Two
|image=TFTerminator 1 cvrB.jpg
|title="Enemy of My Enemy Part One"
|caption=
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]] and [[Dark Horse Comics]]
|date=[[March 25]], [[2020]]
|coverdate=March 2020
|story by= [[David Mariotte]], [[Tom Waltz]] and [[John Barber]]
|written by=[[David Mariotte]] and [[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[David García Cruz]]
|letters by=[[Jake M. Wood]]
|editor=[[Tom Waltz]] and [[Riley Farmer]]
}}

'''To save the future, a Terminator unit must travel to the past to carry out a critical mission: end the Cybertronian war on Earth before it ever begins!'''

==Synopsis==
The year [[2029]]: in the war-torn ruins of [[Los Angeles]], a lone resistance fighter makes his way through a mass graveyard of mangled Cybertronian corpses, slips past the machines that patrol the burned-out city, and makes his way to his rendezvous, only to be met by a skeletal [[Terminator]] android! But all is not as it seems; this resistance fighter is ''himself'' a Terminator, an advanced [[T-800]] unit clad in human flesh, sourced by [[Skynet]] for a desperate, last-ditch mission. In [[Skynet]]'s subterranean [[Omega Base]], legions of Terminators prepare this cyborg infiltrator for a trip through time via Skynet's experimental [[time displacement device]], but their window of opportunity is closing fast. Sure enough, an aboveground explosion shakes the bunker, a sure sign that an enemy patrol's found their position—a patrol that consists of [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], his [[Seeker]]s, and the [[Insecticon (G1)|Insecticon]]s...for in ''this'' upside-down future, ''Skynet'' is the resistance, whose mechanical soldiers wage a losing war against the forces of the [[Decepticon]]s!

War machines from two different worlds clash as Skynet tries to stall out the Decepticons for as long as possible: hordes of T-800 Terminators attempt to overwhelm their foes but are quickly blown to bits, and even Skynet's gigantic, Cybertronian-derived [[T-8000]]s only impede the Transformers for a moment before [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] and [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] get the upper hand. With the destruction of Skynet's last holdout, the Decepticons have seemingly completed their conquest of [[Earth]], until Starscream glimpses the activation of the time machine. Although he's unaware of the true nature of Skynet's final gambit, Starscream nevertheless tries to snatch the T-800 out of the glowing energy sphere that envelops the cyborg, but he's not fast enough to stop his foe from disappearing in a blinding flash of light...

The year [[1984]]: in a Los Angeles alleyway, a crackling time sphere deposits the naked form of the T-800 just outside of the [[Big Jeff's]] restaurant that will, in his future, eventually become the site of Omega Base. Inside that restaurant, a news broadcast reports on the impending eruption of [[Mount St. Hilary]] in [[Oregon]], but waitress [[Sarah Connor]] has other concerns on her mind as she serves coffee to a particularly surly trucker, whose enthusiasm about his new shotgun causes her to accidentally spill coffee on his shirt. At the behest of her manager, Sarah goes after the man when he storms out without paying his bill, and although Sarah tries to get him to see sense, the trucker grows more and more irate. Right when it seems that the situation is about to get violent, however, he finds himself grabbed by the still-nude Terminator, who demands that the man hand over his clothes. Naturally, the trucker refuses and immediately goes for his gun, but although his shot goes right through his assailant's hand, it doesn't even slow him down—and the Terminator promptly kills the man with a single punch. Understandably terrified by this encounter, Sarah tries to get out of the situation as fast as she can, but freezes when her rescuer, now dressed in the other man's clothing, points a gun at ''her'' and demands to know her name. When Sarah introduces herself, the Terminator asks if she knows anything about Mount St. Hilary and how he can get there. Sarah stammers that he could take the freeway up to Oregon... but the Terminator intimidates her into joining him as he climbs into the truck.

The unlikely duo make their way north along the interstate to Oregon as Sarah tries to press this mysterious man for more information, but the Terminator remains cagey and simply tells her that they need to reach the volcano before it erupts, the only way to prevent the end of the world. Although she's understandably confused, Sarah takes the opportunity to point out that this plan has already gone awry: the volcano has ''already'' begun its fateful eruption. Sarah's compatriot informs her that, although they can't stop the volcano from erupting, he can switch to his secondary directive... seconds before he stomps on the gas pedal and smashes through a state trooper roadblock! Terrified, Sarah tries to shout that she's being kidnapped as she wrestles for control of the wheel, but the Terminator misunderstands the gesture and takes it as a cue to veer their truck right off the road and into the foothills. Sarah initially thinks that they're driving their truck straight into the lava until the Terminator corrects her... they're headed towards the looming shape of a [[Ark (G1)|gigantic starship]] lodged in the mountainside.

As the truck approaches the vessel, a tiny machine emerges from the wreck; this [[Sky Spy|strange probe]] promptly envelops their truck in a beam of blue light... at which point the Terminator uses the trucker's shotgun to blow the machine out of the sky. The critically damaged probe loses altitude and slams into the driver's side of the vehicle, crumpling the Terminator beneath a mass of metal—and although it takes much more than that to put down a Terminator, a horrified Sarah realizes that her captor isn't human at all when the impact sloughs off half of the robot's organic face. Ignoring her questions, the Terminator grinds the ruined truck to a halt deep inside the cavernous starship and explains that ''this'' is where it all began: this is the ship that brought Skynet's enemies to Earth, and the probe is a sign that the alien invaders have already awoken. Sarah asks what'll happen to ''her'', but the Terminator doesn't care: she played no role in the development of Skynet, and her survival in the coming machine war is irrelevant. Although Skynet did not send him back far enough to achieve his ''primary'' directive—to prevent the awakening of the Cybertronians entirely—his ''secondary'' directive is to terminate Skynet's enemies; a fact that he boldly announces to the Decepticons as a reactivated [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] looms over a still-dormant [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Jazz (G1)|Jazz]] (2)
* [[Powerglide (G1)|Powerglide]] (3)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (6)
* [[Cosmos (G1)|Cosmos]] (7)
* [[Glyph (Universe)|Glyph]] (9)
* [[Gears (G1)|Gears]] (10)
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] (21)

|c2=
* [[Reflector (G1)|Reflector]] (4)
* Unknown [[Seeker (body-type)|Seeker]] (5)
* Another Seeker (8)
* [[Thundercracker (G1)|Thundercracker]] (12)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (13)
* [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] (14)
* [[Kickback (G1)|Kickback]] (15)
* [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]] (16)
* [[Shrapnel (G1)|Shrapnel]] (17)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (22)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (23)

|c3=
* [[Sarah Connor]] (18)
* Trucker (19)
* Sarah’s manager (20)

|h4=[[Skynet]]|c4=
* [[T-800]] (1)
* [[T-8000]]s (11)
}}

==Quotes==
"You were right, 'Screamer. They were nesting underground! Like those...watchamacallem... mole people!"
:—'''Thundercracker'''

"Don't you dare do...'''whatever''' you're doing!"
:—'''Starscream''' witnesses the activation of the time machine

"Hello? Earth to... guy? '''What's''' at Mount St. Hilary?" 
"A chance to prevent the end of the world and protect Earth's population. It is '''imperative''' we reach Mount St. Hilary before it erupts." 
"Okay, maybe we don't talk anymore."
:—'''Sarah''' and the '''T-800''' don't get on well

"So, ah—you're '''not''' a machine?" 
"I am a machine from Earth. Not an invader." 
"Of course. Obviously."
:—'''Sarah''' and the '''T-800'''

"'''Cybertronians'''—'''I will see you in hell.'''"
:—The Terminator gets ready to do what it does best

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
* As is to be expected for a franchise involving copious amounts of [[time travel]], ''Terminator''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s continuity is...''tangled'', to say the least. While the {{w|The Terminator (film)|first}} and {{w|Terminator 2: Judgement Day|second}} films logically flow into one another and form the loose foundation for what could be considered the "''Terminator'' universe," things get fraught from there: ''{{w|Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles|The Sarah Connor Chronicles}}'', ''{{w|Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines|Rise of the Machines}}'', ''{{w|Terminator Salvation|Salvation}}'', and ''{{w|Terminator Genysis|Genysis}}'' are all basically irreconcilable with one another, presenting conflicting accounts of both past and future events; indeed, 2019's ''{{w|Terminator: Dark Fate|Dark Fate}}'', in its push to market itself as the "true" sequel to ''Judgement Day'', would eventually dismiss all of these other works as irreconcilable alternate timelines. So—all this to say, ''Transformers vs. The Terminator'' (perhaps unsurprisingly) presents an entirely new chronology that doesn't gel with any of these aforementioned films: in ''this'' comic's future, Skynet is at war with the Decepticons, Sarah's son [[fandom:terminator:John Connor|John]] and his [[fandom:terminator:Resistance|anti-Skynet militia]] don't seem to exist, and the Terminator unit sent back to 1984 has no knowledge of nor any interest in Sarah Connor—a stark contrast to the original film, where the T-800's primary mission was to kill Sarah before she could conceive John.
* The past segments of this comic are set in 1984, the release years for both the ''Transformers'' and ''Terminator'' franchises.

===Transformers references===
* The 2029 version of Starscream takes heavy inspiration from his [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[Starscream (Armada)|counterpart]], more specifically, his 2005 [[Starscream (Armada)/toys#Cybertron|''Cybertron'' toy]] (and, by extension, so do the two other Seekers).
* The [[Sky Spy]] probe that scans Sarah and the Terminator's stolen truck—the truck that will obviously go on to provide the basis for Optimus Prime's alternate mode—briefly envelops it in a glowing cube of energy, recalling the [[scanning]] sequence from "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 1]]."

===Terminator references===
* The comic's opening narration tweaks the original preface for the first ''Terminator'' film and turns it on its head: where the opening narration to ''that'' film ended with the line "...the final battle would not be fought in the future. It would be fought here, in our present," the line is amended here to read "the final battle will '''not''' be fought in the present."
* The 2029 versions of Starscream and the Seekers all transform into [[fandom:terminator:HK-Aerial|hunter-killer aerials]], airborne drones that have appeared in every ''Terminator'' film in some capacity. Likewise, the treaded vehicle that the T-800 hitches a ride on are ground-based [[fandom:terminator:HK-Tank|hunter-killer tanks]], although given the nature of the scene it's not clear if these belong to Skynet or the Decepticons.
* Skynet's Omega Base is built underneath the ruins of a [[fandom:terminator:Big Jeff's|Big Jeff's restaurant]]; the fictional franchise that appeared in the first ''Terminator'' film (and indeed, we see Sarah working as a restaurant waitress there in this very comic, her day job before the events of ''The Terminator'').
* The Terminator attempts to smile several times throughout the comic, although the effect is more unsettling than anything else; a deleted scene in ''Judgement Day'' (included with the film's Director's Cut) had that film's Terminator attempt to smile, with a similarly rictus-like effect.
* The comic occasionally features panels from the Terminator's perspective, which use a red-tinted overlay and a scrolling stream of data in homage to similar POV shots from the various ''Terminator'' films.
* Starscream announces that Skynet's "judgement" is at hand, which might be a reference to both ''Terminator 2: Judgement Day'' and the [[fandom:terminator:Judgment Day|in-universe nuclear holocaust]] from whence that film derived its name.
* One of the established rules of ''Terminator'' time travel is that only organic material (and inorganic material surrounded by organic flesh, such as a Terminator) can travel in time; as a result, every time traveler arrives in the past naked, and must find era-appropriate clothes after arriving. Like in the first ''Terminator'' movie, the T-800 winds up having to kill a human to steal his clothes, which, in keeping with tradition, just happen to include a pair of sunglasses and a slick leather jacket.
* The Terminator implores Sarah to join him by telling her to "come with [him] if you want to live," a phrase that's been (more or less) uttered in all six films.

===Real-life references===
* Thundercracker compares the forces in the Skynet bunker to "{{w|mole people}}."
* Big Jeff's may be a fictional franchise, but artist [[Alex Milne]] has reinterpreted the restaurant's chubby blond mascot to more closely resemble {{w|Bob's Big Boy}}, the face of the real-world {{w|Big Boy Restaurants}} franchise.

===Errors===
* On page 9, Mount St. Hilary’s name is misspelled as "Mount St. Hillary," with an extra L.

===Other notes===
* Backmatter for this issue includes [[Alex Milne]]'s concept art for the Seekers and Skynet's [[T-8000]] robots.

===Covers (14)===
* '''Cover A''': The Terminator wears Optimus Prime's face, by [[Gavin Fullerton]]
* '''Cover B''': The forces of Skynet stand triumphant over the Cybertronians, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[David García Cruz]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover A''': Megatron and the machines, by [[Freddie E. Williams]] and [[Jeremy Colwell]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover B''': Optimus Prime and a T-800, by [[Francesco Francavilla]]
* '''Diamond Retailer summit exclusive''': [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] lunges for a Terminator, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
* '''Frankie's Comics exclusive''': The Terminator and the Decepticon sigil, by [[Ultraraw28]]
* '''Dallas Fan Expo exclusive''': Optimus Prime teams up with a T-800, by [[Kael Ngu]]
* '''Slabbed Heroes exclusive''': Megatron adorned in fallen robots, by [[John Giang]]
* '''Unknown Comics exclusive''': A collage of preexisting artwork depicting a battle between Autobots, Decepticons, and Skynet, by [[Alan Quah]] and [[Komikaki Studio]]
* '''Jolzar Comics exclusive''': The T-800 poses next to Optimus Prime and Bumblebee's remains, by [[Diego Galindo]]
* '''Bell County Comic Con exclusive A''': Optimus Prime is swarmed by Terminators, by [[Phil Salazar]]
* '''Bell County Comic Con exclusive B''': Optimus, Bumblebee, Terminators, and Megatron, by [[Edward Kraatz]] and Phil Salazar
* '''Scorpion Comics exclusive''': The Terminator fires his gun, by Monte Moore
* '''IDW Convention exclusive''': Soundwave and Skynet, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]

<gallery>
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrRIA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrRIB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREA.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREB.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREC.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrRED.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREE.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREF.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREG.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREH.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREI.jpg
File:TFTerminator 1 cvrREJ.jpg
</gallery>

==External links==
[https://www.adventuresinpoortaste.com/2020/03/20/idw-preview-transformers-vs-terminator-1/ Preview]

[[Category:Transformers vs. The Terminator issues]]

The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four

2019-09-30T16:50:40Z

Queso: Elita says the line, not Bee

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' #10
|prev=The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three
|next=The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Five
|caption=
|image=TF2019 10 cvrB.jpg
|title="The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Four"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 7]], 2019
|coverdate=July 2019
|written by=[[Brian Ruckley]]
|art by=[[Angel Hernandez]] (pg. 1-3, 6-13), [[Anna Malkova]] (pages 4-5, 19-20), [[Beth McGuire-Smith]] (pages 14-18)
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]] and [[Tom Waltz]]
|continuity=[[Transformers (2019 comic)|2019 IDW continuity]]
|chronology=
}}

'''The divides in Cybertronian society grow ever larger as tensions boil over in the Cybertronian Senate.'''

==Synopsis==
Outside [[Decepticon|Ascenticon]] headquarters, [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] and [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] join [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] for their latest assignment: as members of the [[Ascenticon Guard]], they'll be providing security as they escort their leader to the [[Senate]]. Their route takes them over a bridge, however, and, below, the streets swarm with Cybertronians of all shapes and sizes as they march on the Senate. Elita explains the situation to their leader: this is a silent protest, a march to honor the memories of [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Rubble]]. A downcast Bumblebee says nothing in the face of Megatron's token condolences except for a brief "thank you;" as the trio arrive at the doors of the Senate, Megatron orders his two bodyguards to remain outside. Elita watches the march, and explains to Bumblebee that this is but one of ''many'' marches, all across [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], and while Bumblebee worries that some of the marchers will be blaming the Ascenticons for the recent unrest, Elita remains steadfast in her convictions: the Ascenticons are, at their core, a peaceful movement, and violent extremists like [[The Rise]] cannot be allowed to hijack their message. If the leaders of Cybertron listened to the Ascenticons, she continues, then groups like The Rise would have no reason to exist, and vanish. Of course, Elita admits, that's what she ''hopes'' will happen... but, it seems, nothing in this world is quite so simple—a statement that Bumblebee can only grimly agree with.

Elsewhere in Iacon, [[Froid]] bustles down the hallway of a medical facility, passing [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]]'s unconscious body and [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]] tending to the decidedly more lively [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] before he reaches his patient of interest: the sullen [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]], still recovering from his injuries sustained in the [[Memorial Crater]]. The old warrior isn't happy to be there, and even ''less'' happy to see Froid again, despite the psychiatrist's best attempts to mend fences with his former patient. When Froid asks why Cyclonus regularly "talks" with his dead friends, but refuses to do the same with [[Paragon]], the 'bot who was far ''more'' than his friend, Cyclonus snaps at Froid that Paragon did not merely die, he was ''killed'' by [[Pyra Magna]]—and with that, he stalks out of the room.

In the Senate building, the latest meeting of the Senate begins poorly; while both [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] and [[Reversionist]] leader [[Heretech]] call for peace and harmony, Megatron brushes them off, snarling that "harmony" is just a word: even under the restrictive terms of the [[Nominus Edict]], you cannot ''force'' people with different views to agree... and, he points out, the Ascenticons have ''also'' been the victims of politically-motivated violence in recent days. Orion fires back; Rubble and Brainstorm are both dead, Windblade was badly wounded in a recent investigation, and Megatron continues to hurl fiery rhetoric, his words providing the fuel for further and further violence across a divided Cybertron.

Senator [[Crisscross (G1)|Crisscross]] agrees: if Megatron cares at all about the future of the planet he purports to love, then Megatron needs to help create a united front, the only way to possibly calm the increasingly volatile political situation on Cybertron and quell the looming threat of The Rise. Megatron growls that his love of Cybertron should not be questioned—Orion agrees with this, but reminds his opponent that the Autobots hold the majority in the Senate, and that, until the next election, First Senator [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]]'s will holds, and the [[Nominus Edict]] will not be overturned. All Megatron needs to do is suspend his rallies and disband the Ascenticon Guard—and then, when Sentinel Prime returns, every member of The Senate will denounce The Rise and give its followers a new name, a more accurate moniker that properly brands them as the deceitful liars and killers they are... but before Orion can finish his sentence, Megatron rises from his seat, having heard enough. Tired of Orion's rhetoric, Megatron stalks from the Senate, warning his fellow Senators that bad ideas can be just as dangerous as an improperly handled weapon—neither know friend from foe.

Outside, Megatron rejoins his two subordinates, but finds that the situation has turned ugly. The protest march has grown into a restless crowd, milling in front of the main Senate building... and, on spying Megatron, that crowd turns into a mob, breaking pieces from a nearby statue and hurling the masonry at the Ascenticon leader. Megatron bellows a warning to the crowd, while Bumblebee's ineffective protests fall on deaf ears. Elita-1 performs crowd control while Bumblebee escorts Megatron to safety... but there are too many for one 'bot to handle, and Bumblebee is forced to join the melee alongside Elita-1. Though they have numbers on their side, the crowd isn't prepared for a full-on fight, and the mob quickly disperses—and when Bumblebee asks Elita if ''this'' level of violence feels right to her, Elita admits that she doesn't know...

As night falls, Megatron races through the badlands of Cybertron until he reaches a remote location, protected by a [[shimmer field]].... a shimmer field that dissolves to reveal [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], leader of The Rise! A furious Megatron lays into his ambitious subordinate. Megatron ''deliberately'' put him in charge of The Rise in order to bring some much-needed organization to the rabble-rousers; under Shockwave's command, the group would inflame preexisting societal tensions and spread disorder—but outright murder was ''not'' part of the deal, as Megatron reminds Shockwave of his place. ''Megatron'' was the one who smuggled Shockwave back to the planet after his exile at the hands of [[Nominus Prime]], and if things get out of control, then it'd be all too easy for Megatron to simply hand Shockwave back over to the authorities. The Ascenticon leader gives Shockwave his marching orders: take The Rise underground for a while, keep the most violent 'bots out of sight, and ''only'' cause the kind of trouble Megatron wants him to cause—but, as Megatron transforms and heads out, Shockwave murmurs that he has other ideas...

Back in Iacon proper, [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] and a team of rookie [[Security Operations]] bots find themselves at an impasse outside of Ascenticon headquarters, their way barred by [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] and his followers. Prowl requests to see [[Barricade (G1)|Barricade]] for questioning... and is furious when Soundwave calmly refuses.

That's not the only conflict brewing, however. At a nearby spaceport, a [[Titan (group)|Titan]] touches down and disgorges her occupants... and while [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] welcomes them back to Cybertron, there's no time for pleasantries: Sentinel Prime has arrived, and he is ''not'' happy!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
* [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Orion Pax]] (9)
* [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] (24)

|h2=[[Decepticon|Ascenticon]]s|c2=
* [[Elita One (G1)|Elita-1]] (1)
* [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] (2)
* [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] (3)
* [[Flywheels|Skytread]] (17)
* [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]] (18)
* [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]] (19)
'''[[The Rise]]'''
* [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] (14)

|c4=
* [[Froid]] (4)
* [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (5)
* [[Sideswipe (G1)|Sideswipe]] (6)
* [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]] (7)
* [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]] (8)
* [[Heretech]] (10)
* [[Crisscross (G1)|Crisscross]] (11)
*Unnamed senator (12)
*Shadowed senator (13)
* A [[Titan (group)|Titan]] (15)
* [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] (20)
* [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] (21)
* [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] (22)
* [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] (23)
* [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] (25)
* [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]] (26)
* [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (27)
}}

==Quotes==
"And then she called me '''Slowswipe'''! Can you '''believe''' that?" "The attempt to kill you seems a touch '''more''' injurious."
:—'''Sideswipe''' and '''Flatline'''

"Since Nominus exiled everyone who might cause trouble, you insist on pretending there is some eternal, unquestionable consensus. Silence is not consensus when it is '''enforced''', and when you are not '''listening'''."
:—'''Megatron''' says so much for the tolerant left

"Every distortion, every exaggeration you propagate, The Rise adopt. They turn your grievance into fuel."
:—'''Orion Pax''' retorts

"Ideas are like shrapnel. They do not know '''friend''' from '''foe'''."
:—'''Megatron'''

"Welcome back, Sentinel Prime. Starscream, Naut-" "Never mind all '''that''', Ironhide. We are going to the Senate. There are some heads I want to smash together. '''Now'''."
:—'''Ironhide''' discovers that '''Sentinel Prime''' is in a mood

==Notes==
*'''First appearances:''' [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]], [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]], [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]], [[Heretech]], [[Crisscross (G1)|Crisscross]], [[Acid Storm (G1)|Acid Storm]], [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], [[Hound (G1)|Hound]], [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]], [[Road Rage (G1)|Road Rage]], [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]]

===Continuity notes===
* The protest march is held in honor of both [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Rubble]]; the former was killed shortly before the events of [[The World In Your Eyes Part One|issue #1]], while the latter died in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]].
* Cyclonus is recovering from the injuries that he sustained in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two|issue #8]]; in that same issue, Froid alluded to Paragon, though it wasn't clear at the time that Paragon had been dead for a while.
* During the Senate meeting, Megatron refers to the attack on his rally, which occurred in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|issue #2]]... though the reveal in this issue definitely suggests that it may have been staged.
* Megatron claims that the Nominus Edict was responsible for the exile of various 'bots, a view that he had previously espoused in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]], though Orion and the other members of the Senate deny this. Then again, Megatron ''does'' also claim later in the issue that Shockwave had been banished from Cybertron by Nominus Prime.... so who's telling the truth here?!?
* Among the many rioters in the crowd outside the senate is a 'bot who sports the distinctive green-and-red livery of the [[Torchbearer]]s. They're not the ''first'' Cybertronian to have this color scheme, however: another 'bot with a similar colour scheme appeared in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|issue #2]]; [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Two|issue #8]] , meanwhile, revealed that Pyra Magna was a political prisoner of sorts, while this issue reveals that she was responsible for killing at least ''one'' Transformer... so we're wondering if there's some kind of connection here...
* Organic creatures that Megatron passes by while travelling the wasteland include a [[skitter]], an invasive species that first appeared in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Two|issue #2]], and one of the unnamed pterosaur-like aliens that Prowl had as a pet in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Five|issue #5]], which were established to eat skitters in the same issue.
* As first revealed in [[The World In Your Eyes Part Three|issue #3]], Sentinel Prime was revealed to be on a tour of Cybertron's colonies; [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]] were said to have been among his retinue in [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part One|issue #7]].

===Transformers references===
* Cybertronian cities Elita name-drops as sites for concurrently-occurring protests include [[Uraya]], from the [[Dreamwave Generation One continuity]], and [[Crystal City]] from [[The Transformers (cartoon)|the original cartoon]].
* Oddball characters for this issue include the surprise return of [[Heretech]], a minor Decepticon from the [[2005 IDW continuity|original IDW continuity]] by way of ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye]]'', reimagined here as the leader of Cybertron's [[Reversionist]] faction, and [[Flatline (G1)|Flatline]], who originally appeared in IDW's ''Revenge of the Fallen'' comics before he was transplanted into IDW's first ongoing universe via ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]''.
* And, of course, we get our first hint of where things are going to go from here: Orion suggests that the Senate officially rebrand the members of the Rise as something else, though all we get out of him before Megatron cuts him off is "Dece-"

===Errors===
* On page 10, a comma is missing from Elita-1's dialogue "Time to move along I think."
* On the second-to-last page, Soundwave's dialogue is written in the normal white word balloons, rather than the distinctive blue "electronic" speech bubbles that he's previously used.

===Other trivia===
* Both this issue and [[The Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part Three|the previous]] must have been shuffled around ''very'' late in production; the solicits for both issues describe the events of the other, and the covers more or less fit better the other way around.
* The gender of Sentinel's Titan was not specified in the script, but rather was chosen by artist Anna Malkova, who deliberately gave her a design which was as overwrought as possible.<ref>Anna Malkova at TFNation 2019</ref>

===Covers (3)===
* '''Cover A''': Sixshot looms over Chromia, by [[Beth McGuire-Smith]]
* '''Cover B''': Starscream does some graffiti art, by [[Thomas Deer]]
* '''Retailer incentive cover''': A retro-styled tourism poster advertising the [[Memorial Crater]], by [[Jeffrey Veregge]]

<gallery>
File:TF2019 10 cvrA.jpg
File:TF2019 10 cvrB.jpg
File:TF2019 10 cvrRI.jpg
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
* [[Transformers '84 issue 0|''Transformers '84'' #0]] one-shot
* ''[[Transformers/Ghostbusters]]'' miniseries
* ''Star Pig'' comic
* ''[[Transformers (2019 comic)|Transformers]]'' (back cover)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/5621572/the-transformers-10 Preview]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cracks Beneath Your Feet Part 4}}
[[Category:Transformers (2019) issues]]

Talk:Firstborn

2018-10-31T18:40:03Z

Queso: Created page with "James says her name is Connie. [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1057194454317236224?s=19] ~~~~"

James says her name is Connie. [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/1057194454317236224?s=19] - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 14:40, 31 October 2018 (EDT)

Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King

2018-09-27T01:01:35Z

Queso: Whirl error comparison pic, caption lifted with permission from @DevinKelly20

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #22
|prev=Crucible (Part 3): Farsickness
|next=Crucible (Part 5): The Unremembering
|image=LL22_cvrA.jpg
|title="Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King"
|caption="Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 8]], 2018
|coverdate=Late July, 2018
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Brendan Cahill]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[David Mariotte]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''As the wrath of the Functionist Council is unleashed upon the universe, our heroes reunite with Megatron and learn that among both their friends and their foes, not everyone is who they appear to be.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] believes [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] has returned to his evil ways and is staging an invasion, but Megatron is quick to explain that the fleet behind his ship, the ''[[Last Light (ship)|Last Light]]'', is ''not'' his! Everyone watches in horrified awe as the true enemy to whom this fleet belongs, the threat the [[Grand Architect]] has been preparing for, at last emerges from the portal the Architect has opened: the [[Functionist Universe]]'s [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] itself, transformed by the [[Functionist Council]] into a colossal robot mode cast in the image of [[Primus]]! Rodimus begrudgingly gives Megatron their location, and he prepares to come to their rescue.

[[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]], [[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]], and [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] watch as the faux-Primus seizes [[Mederi]] and tears it to shreds. Enormous as this threat is, Tyrest finds his attention divided between it and Pharma himself; this is Tyrest's first in-person meeting with the so-called "Grand Architect"... whose voice is different to that of the Pharma Tyrest used to know. The Architect, it turns out, is ''not'' Pharma—but someone else, who has had their body rebuilt to ''look'' like Pharma! Reminded by Flame that they have more pressing matters to deal with than the Architect's true identity, the trio turn their attention to launching an attack, deploying the [[Worldsweeper]]s, the [[Infinite]]s, and the [[Black Block Consortia]] to engage the Functionist fleet and keep "Primus" busy while the [[God Gun]] recharges to blast open a new portal they can force it back through. Unfortunately, before this can be accomplished, "Primus" turns on the Architect's duplicate Cybertrons and begins destroying them one after another. The loss of the God Gun panicks Tyrest... but the Architect remains strangely calm, his attention drawn to the video feed of his prisoners. Spotting [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] among them, he demands to see them immediately.

Deep within the Functionist Cybertron, the seven remaining members of the Functionist Council control the movements of "Primus" from [[Vector Sigma]]'s chamber, determined to eradicate the "graven images" that are the Architect's replicas of Cybertron. [[Three-of-Twelve]] observes that the portal has closed behind them, but [[Twelve-of-Twelve]] is unfazed by this; this new universe, he reasons, is a gift the true Primus has given unto the Council to purify. Before they move on from the replica Cybertrons to the rest of the universe, however, the Council is determined to finally exterminate Megatron...

Just as the Architect, Tyrest, Flame, and their guards enter the hangar deck where the ''[[Lost Light]]'' crew are being held, Megatron's ''Last Light'' begins firing on the ship, intending to provide an escape route by blowing out the wall. The Architect's troops open fire on the prisoners to stop their escape, badly wounding [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] just before the wall ruptures, and the crew start to be sucked out into space. Megatron pulls them to safety aboard his ship, but the Architect activates the hangar's vacuum shields and seals the breach before the entire crew is rescued. Rodimus, Ratchet, [[Rung (G1)|Rung]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], and [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] remain in the Architect's clutches—and they are more than a little shocked to see that he appears to be Pharma, who they believed to be dead. The Architect begins his explanations by detailing how the [[space bridge]] Tyrest built on [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]] all those years ago did not lead to [[Cyberutopia]], as the Chief Justice thought—rather, it led into the ''Architect's mind.'' When [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] stepped through, only to quickly turn and leave, the Architect reached out after him and found Pharma's remains, dragging them back through the portal. Pharma's spark was still warm, which proved enough for his consciousness to persist within the Architect's mind, and though the Architect has kept him long submerged, Pharma is now fighting to emerge due to the sight of Ratchet. As the Architect wrestles to keep Pharma's mind down, Ratchet invites him to tell them who he ''really'' is. The Architect agrees: he is [[Adaptus]]!

Aboard the ''Last Light'', Megatron welcomes the rest of the crew, but [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] is still wounded by Megatron's apparent betrayal. [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] try to tend to Drift's wounds, but it becomes apparent he has developed a [[zero point]]; Megatron kneels beside them, revealing that the "[[fusion cannon]]" on his arm is, in fact, a huge medical kit, which he uses to repair Drift. The group relocates to the bridge of the ''Last Light'', where Megatron fills them in on what happened following their departure from the Functionist Universe. With the loss of [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]], the Functionist Council chose to use Cybertron itself to carry out their plan of exterminating all non-Cybertronian life in the universe, reformatting the planet with a robot mode to increase its maneuverability. Megatron harbors great guilt over all the worlds and peoples he and the [[Anti-Vocationist League]] have failed to save, but [[Clicker]] and [[Nine-of-Twelve]] try to remind him that for all the times they have failed, they have still managed to save ''billions'' of lives. Magnus and others are confused, given that this seems like a lot to have happened in the few short weeks that have passed since their trip to the Functionist Universe, but Megatron explains that both the Council and the League have made extensive use of the [[Warren]] to travel through space and time on their crusade, and that due to this, from his perspective, ''centuries'' have passed. With everyone caught up, discussion to turns to what to do about "Primus," with [[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] advocating that they just blow him up. The [[Magnificence]] suddenly pipes up to agree, once again highlighting the importance of Rodimus, Rung, Ratchet, and [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]], but Megatron refuses; they cannot blow "Primus" up, because "Primus" is still populated by the helpless citizenry of Cybertron!

Tyrest and Flame are just as incredulous as Rodimus and the others over the Architect's claim that he is a literal god, but Adaptus believes Rodimus and others are faking their lack of knowledge, given Nautica's previously-displayed ability to speak his language. Rodimus explains that the ''Lost Light''ers were just explorers looking for the [[Knights of Cybertron]]... a mission they failed. Adaptus disagrees; they might have failed to find the Knights, but they ''did'' find someone else much more important: the [[Guiding Hand]]. Unlike Adaptus, however, the other members of the Hand no longer have any memory of their true identities. Like [[Mortilus]], the god of death... or as the crew knew him, Censere, the Necrobot. Or [[Solomus]], god of wisdom—standing in the room with them under his new identity as Tyrest. Or [[Epistemus]], the god of knowledge—his body reduced to the Magnificence hanging around [[Nickel]]'s neck. Whirl gestures to the Functionist Cybertron outside, assuming it to be the fifth and final member of the Hand, Primus. Adaptus laughs; ''that'' is not Primus.

''Rung'' is.

==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:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (1)
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (2)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (6)
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (8)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (10)
*[[Riptide (G1)|Riptide]] (12)
*[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]] (15)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (21)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (35)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]]/[[Primus]] (36)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (37)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (38)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (39)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (40)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (41)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (42)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (43)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (47)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Krok (G1)|Krok]] (11)
*[[Scorponok (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Scorponok]]'s corpse (19)
*[[Nickel]] (22)
*[[Fulcrum]] (33)
*[[Spinister (G1)|Spinister]] (44)
*[[Crankcase (G1)|Crankcase]] (48)
*[[Misfire (G1)|Misfire]] (49)

|h3=[[Anti-Vocationist League]]|c3=
*Functionist Universe [[Flame (Motorvator)|Flame]] (3)
*[[Lightspeed (Motorvator)|Lightspeed]] (4)
*[[Clicker]] (5)
*[[Nine-of-Twelve]] (7)
*[[Decibel]] (14)

|h4=[[Functionist Council]]|c4=
*[[Twelve-of-Twelve]] (24)
*[[Three-of-Twelve]] (25)
*[[One-of-Twelve]] (26)
*[[Two-of-Twelve]] (27)
*[[Eleven-of-Twelve]] (28)
*[[Six-of-Twelve]] (29)
*[[Five-of-Twelve]] (30)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Froid]] (9)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (13)
*[[Tyrest (G1)|Tyrest]]/[[Solomus]] (16)
*[[Adaptus]]/[[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]] (17)
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (18)
*Multiple [[Infinite]]s (20)
*[[Epistemus]]/[[Magnificence]] (23)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (31)
*[[Anode]] (32)
*[[Wipe-Out]] (34)
*[[Roller (IDW)|Roller]] (45)
*[[Sunder (G1)|Sunder]] (46)
*''[[Mortilus|Censere/Mortilus]]'' (50)
}}

==Quotes==
"'''Megatron?'''" 
"I never thought I'd say this, but... he's not that bad when you get to know him."
:—'''Grimlock''' and '''Rodimus'''

'''Megatron:''' "Krok! Spinister! Fulcrum! Crankcase! Misfire!" 
'''Fulcrum:''' "He knows our names...!" 
'''Spinister:''' "He knows our '''nicknames'''...!"

"Hello, Drift. I'm conscious that you and I haven't really spoken since I changed sides. In our defense, we've both been busy. When we first met—do you remember? All those years ago? When we first met, I said you'd make a good Decepticon. And you did... but you made a much better Autobot." 
"Thank you." 
"Thank '''you.''' For leading the way."
:—'''Megatron''' and '''Drift'''

"You've saved billions of lives, Megatron." 
"I could have saved more."
:—'''Nine-of-Twelve''' and '''Megatron'''

"Look, I'm glad everyone's on the '''same page'''... but it's the last page in a book called '''''We're All Going To Die.'''''" 
"What? That's not even clever. I love it."
:—'''Misfire''' and '''Swerve'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Twelve-of-Twelve's role in the Council is ''castigator'', so it's fitting that he's the one in charge of controlling galactic deathbringer-Primus over even Matrix-bearer Six.
*The Functionist Council list off Megatron's allies, who they have all killed: [[Terminus (G1)|Terminus]], [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] (with whom Megatron established radio contact at the end of [[Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists|issue #6]]), Rung, and [[Impactor (G1)|Impactor]] (with whom Megatron was friends in "our" universe before the war, as seen in [[Chaos Theory Part 1|''The Transformers'' vol. 1 #22]]).
*Unless [[Size changing|mass displacement]] was involved in the transformation, "Primus" is much, much larger than any of the five ancient Cybertrons. We learned in [[Dissolution Part 4: Bad Moon Rising|issue #4]] that the Functionists had been planning to ''"enlarge and enhance Cybertron in honor of Primus"'' using [[Moonbase Two|Luna 2]] to harvest the necessary materials – losing it must not have set them back very far!
*In a bit of misdirection, last issue implied that Tyrest's space bridge from [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|''More than Meets the Eye'' #21]] led into the future, and that Skids and Pharma had caught a glimpse of the events of this story. In reality, the bridge led into the Architect's mind, which means that what Skids saw was only the ''idea'' of the five Cybertrons, before the Architect had made them real, and that the orb of energy Skids encountered was the Architect's consciousness.
*The "[[zero point]]" condition was first introduced in the [[Zero Point|prose story that bore its name]].
*In his centuries away, Megatron has fulfilled his original ambition in life—to become a medic, as he revealed in [[The Becoming: Dark Cybertron Chapter 10|''More than Meets the Eye'' #27]].
*It's logical that the Functionist Universe would have its own version of the ''Lost Light'', since the ship was constructed five million years ago, before the two universe's timelines diverged. Megatron notes that the ship's quantum engines aren't on the same level as "our" universe's ''Lost Light''—which is because that version of the ship's was never upgraded by its time-travelling crew from the future like ours was, as seen in [[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|''More than Meets the Eye'' #38]]. Consequently, the ship never left Cybertron, and retained its original name, ''Unitrex-1,'' until Megatron renamed it.
*The Scavengers are ecstatic at Megatron knowing not only their names but their nicknames. As established in [[Kill All 'Cons|issue #15]], Misfire's real name is "Flyhigh", and, as described in ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|#45]], Krok was the butt of [[Skullcruncher (G1)|Skullcruncher]]'s jokes for renaming himself after his dead pet.
*Chromedome notes that, in-universe, only a month at maximum has passed between ''Lost Light'' #6 and this issue. This means that ''Lost Light'' is actually ''massively'' behind the rest of the IDW universe; released the same week as this issue, [[Unstopped and Unstoppable|''Optimus Prime'' #22]] notes that its events take place "a few ''years''" after events roughly concurrent with the crew's [[The Dying of the Light|adventure on Necroworld]] and trip to Functionist Universe did. However, see "Errors", below.
*With the revelation that the Grand Architect is really Adaptus, "god of transformation," the infamous gear-like symbol that he has been using as his insignia takes on new meaning: it's shaped like a ''[[transformation cog]]!'' Its use by the Knights of Cybertron is explained as them "marching under Adaptus's banner."
*The other four symbols we saw back in [[An Axe to Break the Ice|issue #8]] are explained to each represent one of the other four members of the Guiding Hand; naturally, the symbol that [[Agonizer]] observed on the surface of the Magnificence in [[The Ties That Bind|issue #14]] turns out to be the symbol of Epistemus.

===Transformers references===
*Obscure characters among the ranks of the AVL include [[Flame (Motorvator)|Flame]] and [[Lightspeed (Motorvator)|Lightspeed]], two members of the European-exclusive [[Motorvator]] sub-group from 1991, and [[Decibel]], combined form of the 1987 Japanese-exclusive [[Autobot Mini-Cassette]]s [[Graphy]] and [[Noise]].
*Functionist Primus combines the IDW look for Primus with design elements from his old ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Primus#Cybertron|toy]].
*Among the list of Megatron's fallen allies that the Functionist Council list off is a name not heard in the IDW universe before: [[Nightstalker (G1)|Nightstalker]], a Transformer from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|UK Marvel comic]] who briefly worked with Megatron to defend [[Overlord (rank)|Autobot Overlord]] in the seminal story "[[State Games]]."
* The concept of Cybertron as a cosmos-conquering dreadnought goes way back to the Marvel comics; Megatron mentions it as his ultimate plan in [[The Transformers (issue)|the very first issue]]—and now here he is fighting against it! The concept saw a bit more elaboration in the UK story "[[Legion of the Lost!]]".
* The Functionist Council make note of how they've pushed the AVL to "the edge of extinction"—the title of [[On the Edge of Extinction!|issue #75]] of the Marvel comic, another story where the Transformers have to fight off a giant planet-killing robot.

===Real world references===
*This story takes its title from the {{w|The Return of the King|book of the same name}}, the third and final chapter of the ''{{w|The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings}}'' trilogy.

[[File:Lost_Light_22_p13_Whirl_error.JPG|right|thumb|300px|Whirl was mucking around and broke something again, except this time "something" was "''causality''."]]
===Errors===
*You won't see this error if you've got a physical copy of the issue! On page 13, panel 1, Whirl is drawn among the group rescued by Megatron, when he's supposed to be back on the Architect's Worldsweeper with Rodimus and the others, part of the smaller group who didn't manage to escape. This goof was caught before the issue went to print, but still made it into the initial digital release.<ref>[https://twitter.com/IDW_David_M/status/1027283055394746368 James Roberts (@jroberts332) and David Mariotte (@IDW_David_M) on Twitter, 2018/08/08]</ref>
*There's one major stumbling block in the path of idea that it's only been a month since "[[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|Dissolution]]". [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]] established through a cameo from [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] and [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]] that the events of "[[The Dying of the Light]]" took place either parallel to or shortly before the "[[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|All Hail Optimus]]" arc of [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''The Transformers'']], and [[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|''Lost Light'' #7]] claimed that "The Dying of the Light" and "Dissolution" took place across 7 days. That would mean three weeks maximum have passed in universe since then. So far, so good... except that this issue has to take place after ''[[Revolution]]'' and its [[Nothing Will Ever Be the Same Again!|Scavenger-starring ''More than Meets the Eye'' tie-in]], which, as established by [[Concorde Hymn|''Revolution'' #1]] and ''{{i|Field Test|ROM: Revolution}}'', took place ''six months'' after "[[All Hail Optimus]]". (You could ''maybe'' no-prize it that, with all the universe-hopping and Warren travel, it's just been a week from the perspective of the Rod Squad and has been longer in real time, but that'd definitely be an after-the-fact justification.)
*In the latest example of a recurring error, the Necrobot's name, "Censere", is misspelled with an extra "r" as "Censerre". It's happened so often now we'd think that was the intended spelling, except they keep fixing the error for the trade paperbacks!

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for release in late July 2018, as the second of two issues of ''Lost Light'' that were supposed to be released that month, this issue arrived late, in the second week of August. However, it was released a week early on IDW's website by mistake, allowing a small number of purchases to be made before the error was spotted and the issue was taken down.
*The Guiding Hand has always occupied a deliberately ambiguous "maybe fact, maybe fiction" space in the IDW ''Transformers'' cosmology, to the point where apparent hard evidence for Mortilus's existence in [[The Illusion of Control|''Monstrosity'' #10]] (where [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] is described as his "spawn") was subtly retconned in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|''More than Meets the Eye'' #28]] (where the term "spawn of Mortilus" is shown to be a common, colloquial idiom). [[The Crucible|''Robots in Disguise'' #34]] blames [[information creep]] for why no living Cybertronian, as old as they can be, remembers whether the Guiding Hand truly existed. Even the "Guiding Hand" encountered in [[The Everlasting Voices (2): The God War|''Lost Light'' #17]] ultimately proved to be nothing more than another facet of Mederi's simulated [[Transformer afterlife|Afterspark]]. This issue's reveal that they really did exist – especially the fact that they're ''still around'' – is pretty big news, needless to say.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWjqxj5IonU Cassandra]" by {{w|Emmy the Great}}

===Covers (3)===
*'''Cover A:''' Chromedome wielding Rung in alternate mode, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Rodimus versus Megatron, by [[Geoff Senior]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Roche's black and white lineart from Cover A
<gallery>
File:LL22 cvrA.jpg|Wyld Stallyons!!!!!!!
File:LL22 cvrB.jpg|"Rodimus, quit acting like a prat!"
File:LL22 cvrRI.jpg|Groovy!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #23
*''[[Transformers: Unicron]]''
*[[Our Finest|''Unicron'' #3]]
*''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]'' TPB
*''[[G.I. Joe (franchise)|G.I. Joe]] vs. The Six Million Dollar Man'' TPB
*''The Spider King'' TPB
*''The Comic Book History of Comics: Comics For All'' TPB
*''Full Bleed'' magazine
*[[Unicron issue 1|''Transformers: Unicron'' #1]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-transformers-lost-light-22 Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

File:Lost Light 22 p13 Whirl error.JPG

2018-09-27T00:54:42Z

Queso: {{IDWG1interior |description=Comparison of an art error featuring a Whirl (G1)| where there shouldn't be a Whirl. {{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=Brendan Cahill|colors=Joana Lafuente|script=James Roberts|letters=Tom B. Long}} |series=l...

{{IDWG1interior
|description=Comparison of an art error featuring a [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] where there shouldn't be a Whirl.
{{art|pencils=|inks=|lineart=[[Brendan Cahill]]|colors=[[Joana Lafuente]]|script=[[James Roberts]]|letters=[[Tom B. Long]]}}
|series=ll
|spotlight=
|revelation=
|issueno=22
|storytitle=Crucible (Part 4): The Return of the King
|pageno=13
|panelno=1
|panelnos=
|year=18}}

The Dead Come Home, Part 2 (of 2)

2017-12-21T02:56:46Z

Queso: It was actually FS #3, page 3

{{Comicstory
|series=op|issueno=14
|prev=The Dead Come Home, Part 1 (of 2)
|next=The Falling, Part 1
|caption=
|image=OP14 cvrB.jpg
|title="The Dead Come Home" Part 2 (of 2)
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[December 20]], 2017
|coverdate=December 2017
|written by=[[John Barber]]
|art by=[[Livio Ramondelli]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}

'''Trypticon enters the fray, but Optimus Prime sees him as the key to keeping the next generation of Cybertronians safe from harm.'''

==Synopsis==
On the planet [[Regalis V]], aka "Botanica," [[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] uses his [[vamparc ribbon]] cannon to clear a path through the attacking beasts so that [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] and [[Garnak]] can exfiltrate the wounded [[Throttlebot]]s. [[Stardrive]], meanwhile, takes on their flying opponents with a grotesque new trick she has picked up since we last saw her: she has become partially infected with [[Dire Wraith]] biomatter, and shapeshifts into a monstrous, biomechanical form to rip the airborne beasts to shreds. Stardrive takes no pleasure in the deed, having only ever wanted to be left alone; she is resentful of Prowl for pulling her into the conflict, but he reminds her that every opponent she puts an end to is a life saved. Prowl de-cloaks their ship, the ''[[Peaceful Revolution]]'', and everyone gets aboard, where [[Goldbug (IDW)|Goldbug]] marvels at the collection of weaponry and artifacts Prowl has amassed.

On [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], chaos reigns in the outback as the rampaging [[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (secretly under the control of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]]'s [[Void Scepter]]) attacks his fellow [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]], while [[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] attacks [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]], blaming him for Slug's actions. The Dinobots recognize that Slug is not himself, but that doesn't do anything to minimize the danger he poses; under orders from [[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] to "protect the newcomers," [[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] breaks off from the battle, and an intrigued [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] follows him as he disappears into a nearby cave. Once inside the cave, Arcee is suddenly tackled from behind by a small robot, who knocks her through a hole in the floor leading into an underground cavern. Arcee is shocked to discover that her attacker is one of the missing [[protoform]]s—the rest of whom are all holed up in the cavern under the protection of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], who warns Arcee against harming his protoform "children!"

Back on the surface, [[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]] has forcibly separated Prime and Sandstorm. As a transmission from Arcee comes in informing Prime of what she has discovered, the [[Autobot]] leader quickly puts a cunning plan together. Prime directs [[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock]] to return to [[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] and fetch [[Marissa Faireborn]], while he turns his attention to Slug, singeing the Dinobot with a warning shot to get his attention, and then attempting to convince him to stand down, urging the Dinobot to move past old grievances. Watching through Slug's eyes from his lab back in the city, Bludgeon scoffs at Prime's pleas and is about to order Slug to kill him when [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] suddenly bursts into the room. Having been informed of Bludgeon's duplicity by the "ghost" of [[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]], Starscream snatches the Void Scepter from his hands and destroys it, freeing Slug from its control. Starscream does not want Prime ''killed''; he just wanted him to find the protoforms, which he would have to hand over to the government, but thanks to Bludgeon's impromptu attempt on his life, things have all gone wrong...

With Arcee still riding atop his head, Trypticon bursts up through the ground, demanding an end to the fighting. Prime greets the giant dinosaur in peace, whereupon Blackrock returns with Faireborn. With all parties present, Optimus announces his plan: just as [[Metrotitan (Zone)|Metrotitan]] serves as the Cybertronian embassy on [[Earth]], they will have Trypticon serve as the Earth embassy on Cybertron. As this means that the protoforms dwelling within Trypticon (including the one who attacked Arcee, who she affectionately dubs "[[Protoform Sideswipe|Sideswipe]]") are technically on "Earth soil," and hence under Prime's care, they will not have to be handed over to Starscream. Sandstorm balks at Prime's use of Cybertron's new generation as a political move, but Centurion silences him; it's a low move, but one undertaken in the name of peace. The Dinobots reconcile and welcome Slug back into the fold, but Prime is certain that they have all been the victims of outside manipulation...

...and through Slug's eyes, Bludgeon continues to watch the whole scene, disappointed at how things have played out... but confident nonetheless that this failure will do nothing to impede the plans of his coming "master."

Back on [[Earth]], in [[Autobot City (G1)|Autobot City]], [[Aileron]], [[Dust Up]] and [[Jumpstream]] greet [[Pyra Magna]], [[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]], and [[Stormclash]] as they return from Cybertron via [[space bridge]]. The returnees update them on recent events, but Aileron is a little perturbed that Optimus has not returned with them. When she asks Pyra Magna about him, Magna curtly responds that she has not seen him in days, and leaves to attend to business of her own. That "business," it turns out, is to report to Prowl, with whom she has secretly been in contact. Over a comm-link, she informs him that Optimus has achieved his goals: Cybertron is now intrinsically linked to Earth, relying upon it for survival in the wake of the [[energon]] shortage. Prowl is unsurprised, but considers this development a secondary concern; the beast-formers currently pose a greater danger, and intel provided by Pyra on [[Eukaris]] and its inhabitants has ruled out the planet as their point of origin. Whoever they are and whatever their goal... Earth and Cybertron will both need to be ready for them...

==Featured characters==
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]] (5)
*[[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] (8)
*[[Rollbar (G1)|Rollbar]] (9)
*[[Goldbug (IDW)|Goldbug]] (10)
*[[Chase (G1)|Chase]] (11)
*[[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] (15)
*[[Slag (G1)|Slug]] (16)
*[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]] (17)
*[[G.B. Blackrock|Garrison Blackrock/Sovereign]] (18)
*[[Sludge (G1)|Sludge]] (19)
*[[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] (21)
*[[Swoop (G1)|Swoop]] (23)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]]'s "ghost" (30)
*[[Dust Up]] (31)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Aileron]] (32)
*[[Jumpstream]] (33)
*[[Skyburst (G1)|Skyburst]] (34)
*[[Pyra Magna]] (35)
*[[Stormclash]] (36)
{{!}}}
|c2=
*[[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] (28)

|c3=
*[[Marissa Faireborn]] (30)

|h4=Other [[Transformer|Cybertronians]]|c4=
*[[Stardrive]] (1)
*[[Hydra (BWN)|Hydra]] (2)
*[[Insecticon (BW)|Insecticon]] (3)
*? (6)
*[[Transquito]] (7)
*? (12)
*[[Drancron]] (13)
*[[Sharp Edge]] (14)
*[[Strafe (IDW)|Strafe]] (20)
*[[Sandstorm (G1)|Sandstorm]] (22)
*"[[Protoform Sideswipe]]" (25)
*[[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] (26)
*Other [[protoform]]s (27)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (29)

|h5=Others|c5=
*[[Garnak]] (4)
*[[Centurion (IDW)|Centurion]] (24)
}}

==Quotes==
"Every one you '''put down''' equals another '''innocent life''' saved. Do the '''math''', Stardrive. It makes everything easier."
:—'''Prowl'''

"Sorry to '''hit''' you, man." 
"You don't know '''how'''—" 
"'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>How sorry,<nowiki>'</nowiki>''' yeah, yeah—macho posturing on '''Cybertron'''—same as '''Earth.'''"
:—'''Centurion''' and '''Sandstorm'''

"Slug, '''please'''... we are '''not''' who we once were were, yet... we '''are''' who we were. We are the '''sum''' of our '''experiences,''' good and bad. But I believe in '''change.''' We can be '''better''' than we were at our '''worst.'''" 
"Some things are too '''bad''' to come back from, Prime." 
"I don't know. Perhaps we don't '''deserve''' a second chance. But the alternative is a universe based on '''vengeance.''' Maybe '''you''' and I deserve it. But do we take '''everyone''' with us?"
:—'''Optimus Prime''' and '''Slug'''

'''Trypticon: ''"Cease fighting! You endanger my children!"''''' 
'''Arcee:''' "I know what you're all thinking, but Sludge here explained the protoforms aren't '''literally''' Trypticon's kids." 
'''Sludge:''' "Are you making '''fun''' of me? '''You''' don't know how the reproductive system of a giant '''space-dinosaur''' works anymore than '''I''' do—an' I '''am''' one."

"We can '''die''' in the past, Slug... or make the effort to '''live''' in the future."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

"'''Blasting''' each other's just how Dinobots say '''<nowiki>'</nowiki>hi.<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''"
:—'''Swoop''' forgives Slug

"Nothing is ever 'just' politics."
:—'''Optimus Prime'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The final page of [[Shining Armor issue 5|''Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'' #5]] implied Stardrive had somehow become the victim of a Wraith infection, presumably after [[Vekktral]] tried and failed to drag her into an explosion, leaving a severed tendril on her wing as he died. This issue confirms that to be the case, but indicates that she is at least in control of it.
*Among the artifacts aboard the ''Peaceful Revolution'' is a giant stone head with horns and a mustache, which can surely be a sculpture of none other than [[Unicron]]. It had been previously glimpsed in the [[Endgame|final installment of ''Autocracy'']] among the weapons in [[Zeta Prime]]'s armory. The chaos-bringer awoke in [[First Strike issue 6|''First Strike'' #6]] and is set to be at the center of a storyline in 2018, and though Bludgeon's references to an approaching master immediately make one think of the long-foreshadowed and far more imminent threat of [[Onyx Prime]] (arriving next issue!) there's a good chance he could be referring to Unicron instead...
*Bumblebee's "ghost" was seen watching Bludgeon's actions in the previous issue. His informing Starscream, who definitely ''could not'' have known, casts further doubt that Bumblebee is a figment of his imagination.
*Trypticon's use of the word "children" to describe the protoforms is, as the story jokes, euphemistic, but not ''quite'' as euphemistic as you might think. He's not simply protecting them or acting as a "figurative" parent—they actually spawned from his body in the [[The Transformers: Salvation|''Salvation'' one-shot]] after he took their sparks into himself and allowed them to draw upon his metal in order to form their own bodies.
*When recalling worlds destroyed by the Transformers' war, Optimus Prime remembers [[Gorlam Prime]] (destroyed in [[Homecoming (IDW)|''Robots in Disguise'' #19]]), [[Xetaxxis]] (scoured of life in ''Shining Armor'' #5), and [[Varas Centralus]] (location of one of the most horrific battles in the war's history, as recounted in ''[[The Transformers: Punishment|Punishment]]'').
*Blackrock carries Marissa on his back, and compares it to when [[Ayana Jones|Mayday]] "used him like a surfboard on the [[moon (moon)|Moon]]," as seen in [[Enter The Shadow|''Revolutionaries'' #2]].
*Stormclash is briefly heard catching Dust Up and Jumpstream up on the events of ''First Strike''. Specifically, she is describing their attack on [[Castle Destro]] from [[First Strike issue 3|''First Strike'' #3]], and quotes verbatim [[Lady Jaye]]'s directions during the battle. However, see "Errors," below.

===Transformers references===
*Additional [[Beast Wars: Transformers (franchise)|''Beast Wars'']] characters seen in this issue who did not appear among the beast army's ranks last issue include [[Insecticon (BW)|Insecticon]] and [[Transquito]]. Alongside them on the first page of the story is a bat of some kind; it can't be [[Sonar (BW)|Sonar]], who is as key Eukarian tribe leader (seen before in [[Windblade vol. 2 issue 6|''Windblade'' vol. 2 #6]], and it doesn't seems likely that it could be [[Onyx Primal]], who appeared as part of a virtual reality program in [[The Life of Sideswipe|issue #9]]. Also, there's some kind of purple-blue reptile on page 2, who gets their jaw blasted off by Prowl.
*The planet "Botanica" is revealed to actually be named "[[Regalis V]]." That was the name (given by ''[[Wreckers: Finale Part II]]'') of the planet from which [[Botanica (BM)|Botanica]] obtained her plant alternate mode in the [[Beast Machines: Transformers (cartoon)|''Beast Machines'' cartoon]].
*The protoform whom Arcee dubs "Sideswipe" is coloured in the black-and-red [[Transformers: Generation 2 (franchise)|''Generation 2'']] color scheme of his namesake.

===Errors===
*Stormclash recalls an exchange she had with Lady Jaye during ''First Strike'' #3... except that in that issue, it was ''Skyburst'' who talked with Jaye, not Stormclash. Hard to tell if the script or art has made the error here!

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Bludgeon by [[Kei Zama]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Optimus Prime, Starscream, Bumblebee, Blackrock, Faireborn, and Trypticon by [[Casey Coller]] and [[John-Paul Bove]]
*'''Cover C:''' The Dinobots versus Trypticon, by [[Andrew Griffith]]; part of IDW's "Artist Edition" cover theme for December
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Trypticon by [[James Raiz]] and [[David Garcia Cruz]]
<gallery>
File:OP14 cvrA.jpg|
File:OP14 cvrB.jpg|
File:OP14 cvrC.jpg|
File:OP14 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Optimus Prime'' #15
*[[The Chosen One|''Till All Are One'' Annual 2017]]
*''[[Transformers vs. Visionaries]]''
*''[[Rom]] & the [[Micronaut]]s''
*''[[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook]]'' TPB
*''[[Micronauts: Wrath of Karza]]'' TPB
*''Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency''

==External links==
*[https://www.comiccrusaders.com/exclusive-preview-optimus-prime-14/ Preview]

[[Category:Optimus Prime issues]]

Silent Light

2017-10-09T03:37:48Z

Queso: sourced from Roberts' annotated script

{{comicstory
|seriesissue=''The Transformers Holiday Special''
|prev=Choose Me
|next=The Thirteenth Day of Christmas
|seriesissue2=[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More Than Meets The Eye]]
|prev2=Speak, Memory! (Part 2)
|next2=More than Meets the Eye issue 50
|image=SilentLight.jpg
|caption="Deck the halls with camouflage, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!"
|title="Silent Light"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|published in=[[The Transformers Holiday Special]]
|date=[[December 23]], 2015
|coverdate=December, 2015
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Kotteri]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|edited by=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''As the ''Lost Light'' prepares to go dark to pass through a dangerous region of space, Swerve, Nautica, and Whirl try to hide a baby from Ultra Magnus.'''

==Synopsis==
Returning to the ''[[Lost Light]]'' on [[December 24]]th after a three-day absence to attend [[Meteorfest]], [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] finds the halls of the ship decked with signal boosters and [[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] putting the finishing touches to a large, green, conical device. The two explain that the ship is about to enter a region of space controlled by the [[Mauler (G1)|Maulers]], a violent robophobic offshoot of the [[Galactic Council]], and that the device and its boosters are a cloaking machine that will let the ship pass safely through the area while the crew place themselves in [[Biometric Envelopment Device]] hibernation pods. As Magnus places a crown-like "brain shield" on Rodimus's head, he notes that [[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] is supposed to be helping them, but is busy working on more "abstract weaponry"... entirely unaware that the "[[Contrivance Engine]]" the scientist recently built has made the ''Lost Light'' look ''very'' much like it's decorated in the style of a certain Earth holiday...

In [[Swerve's]], [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]], [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]], and [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] enjoy a lock-in, indulging in some high-quality [[engex]] [[transwarp|subspace]]d in from [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]]. A knock on the door sends them into a panic as they think Ultra Magnus has found them out, but when Whirl answers it, he is shocked to find a newborn [[protoform]] in one of the engex crates on the doorstep. Concluding that she has been sent from Luna 1 with the booze and knowing they cannot leave her unattended, but unable to take her with them into a B.E.D. because they will only conceal one [[spark]] each, the trio break into Magnus's office in order to use the subspace hatch to send the protoform back to the moon. Just as the protoform starts to imprint on Whirl, forming a face that emulates his own, Magnus (sans his armor) comes sauntering down the haul, crooning a Christmas song from an album Swerve gave him. The trio bluff that they've been doing a final security check before going to their B.E.D.s and he lets them go on their way, but unfortunately, Nautica has hidden the protoform in Magnus's office... and she has crawled inside his [[Magnus Armor]] and animated it! Magnus screams, thinking the armor possessed. Nautica panics and knocks him out, shocking everybody, but in the confusion, the protoform and Magnus's armor get away.

The armored protoform makes her way to the control room and shambles up to Megatron. The ex-Decepticon thinks Magnus is trying to give him a hug and recoils in alarm and confusion; fortunately, Swerve and co. rush in and escort "Magnus" away, claiming he's just had a drink to steady his nerves. Out of time, Swerve and Nautica leave the protoform with Whirl, though not before Nautica wonders aloud who knocked on the door if the protoform came in a crate. Whirl dismisses the question and, being Whirl, decides that he has no choice but to blow the protoform out an airlock... but before he can bring himself to do it, he looks down at the little 'bot and sees she has imprinted on him further, mimicking his clawed hands. Whirl sighs and takes the protoform to B.E.D. with him...

Whirl awakes with a start the next morning to find himself in the medibay, and the protoform gone. [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] reveals that, in actuality, it wasn't a protoform at all — it was a cluster of [[Scraplet]]s. Gesturing to a canister in which the deadly creatures are now quarantined, Velocity explains that they had used their ability to combine to first knock on the door, then to assume a non-threatening form. In turn, Whirl explains that his B.E.D. was able to conceal them both because he shut down his systems to deprive his spark of energy. Nautica assumes he must be upset that he nearly died trying to protect a swarm of tiny, deceitful, emotionally-manipulative killing machines... but Whirl being Whirl, he's actually ''proud'' of the little buggers.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (1)
*[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]] (2)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (3)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (4)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (5)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (6)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (unheard, on comm, 8)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (9)
|c4=
*[[Protoform]]/[[Scraplet]]s (7)
}}

==Quotes==
"Put this on. We're about to test the machine." 
"You know I hate hats." 
"It's a '''brain shield.''' Exposure to invisibility fields has been linked to irritability, erratic conduct, chronic moping and extreme sarcasm." 
"God, imagine if anyone on board started exhibiting '''those''' behaviors..."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' and '''Rodimus'''

"I love it so much it's making me sad."
:—'''Whirl''' on subspace-filtered engex

"She was in one of the crates." 
"Which means she was '''sent''' here. But '''why?''' What are '''we''' supposed to do with her?" 
"It's a message from Primus. He's telling us to put her back in the crate until someone more responsible comes along."
:—'''Whirl''' and '''Nautica'''

"What's going on here? You're being all stiff, awkward and humorless. I approve."
:—'''Ultra Magnus''' on Swerve's poker face

''(Nautica clobbers Magnus with her wrench, knocking him out.)'' 
'''Swerve: "WHAT THE HELL?!"''' 
'''Whirl:''' "Are we sure '''I''' didn't just do that? Because that's the type of thing I would do." 
'''Nautica:''' "He was panicking! He made '''me''' panic!" 
'''Whirl:''' "You've knocked off his tiny mustache!"

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Rodimus has been away "surfing on meteors", a reference to when he was introduced into IDW continuity doing exactly that in ''[[Spotlight: Hot Rod]]''.
*When he is handed the brain shield, Rodimus grumbles that he hates hats, something he first displayed back in the [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 ''More than Meets the Eye'' annual]].
*The fact that the ''Lost Light'' now has a [[transwarp|subspace]] hatch that enables supplies to be teleported to the ship was established in [[Speak, Memory: Part 1|''More than Meets the Eye'' #48]], released on the same day as the Holiday Special. That story locates the hatch in the medibay, but this one, [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/697567411059359744 set after issue #49], notes it has been moved to Magnus's office.
*Whirl mutters that he's responsible for "pretty much everything that's happened in the last four million years" and gives a note to himself about "not beating up prisoners", referring to the fact that he effectively caused the Great Cybertronian War four million years ago by whacking the daylights out of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]], who was imprisoned for instigating a bar fight at the time.
*Swerve refers to [[Cerebros (G1)|Cerebros]] from [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], first mentioned in [[Animals|''More than Meets the Eye'' #46]]. Now, [[Transformers: Generations#Titans Return|why]] [[Fortress Maximus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|''ever'']] would we want to be reminded he exists...?
*Ultra Magnus's love of music was first revealed in [[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|''More than Meets the Eye'' #13]]. Swerve has been able to supply him with Christmas tunes because he downloaded the entirety of all Earth entertainment ever circa [[The Sensuous Frame|issue #41]].
*Nautica claims Magnus has had a "weak energon spritzer"; his drink of choice, as joked about in [[Interiors|''More than Meets the Eye'' #6]], then confirmed in [[Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|''Robots in Disguise'' #23]].
*Ultra Magnus will refer to his armour being fumigated for scraplets in "[[No Guns, No Swords, No Briefcases]]", placing this story shortly before it.

===Transformers references===
*The ability of Scraplets to combine themselves into a larger form was originally seen in the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel comic]] [[The Cure!|story that introduced them]].

===Real-life references===
*We don't need to point out that the title is a riff on "{{w|Silent Night}}", but we're doin' it anyway.
*There's no Christmas on Cybertron, so it's only thanks to Brainstorm's "[[Contrivance Engine]]" that ''eeeverything'' in the ''Lost Light'' just happens to resemble traditional Christmas trappings in this story. The cloaking machine and its signal boosters being a Christmas tree and fairy lights should be obvious to all readers, but British author James Roberts has also included some elements that are more traditional to the United Kingdom: the energon tab packet that Rodimus tries to tug from Megatron's hand stands in for a {{w|Christmas cracker}}, while the brain shields resemble the rubbish crepe-paper crowns one finds in such crackers.
*Having to stay in your B.E.D. to avoid detection on the night of December 24? Whoever heard of such a thing?
*Finding a baby on your doorstep? At ''Christmas?'' Such a ''contrivance!''
*Magnus sings "{{w|It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year}}". See Errors, though.
*The scene where Whirl picks up Minimus' fallen moustache is inspired by the ''{{w|Fawlty Towers}}'' episode "{{w|Communication Problems}}," where Basil picks up a hearing aid from the floor and asks of a guest, "Is this a piece of your brain?"
*You'd be forgiven for thinking that Whirl's moment with the protoform in front of the airlock is a reference to the short story ''{{w|The Cold Equations}}'' by {{w|Tom Godwin}}, but Roberts had never heard of the story until after reading this Wiki article.

===Errors===
*Swerve calls the album Magnus's choice of song comes from ''Andy Williams Sings Christmas'', but actually, it's ''{{w|The Andy Williams Christmas Album}}''.

===Other Notes===
*In a surprise turn, we are given one of the key missing steps in how Cybertronians are born and mature. Previously we learned that forged sparks are harvested alongside the surrounding surface of the hot spot. Here we find out, whether aided or unaided, these develop into a semi-featureless protoform which will naturally mature and grow an alt-mode.
===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFtb3EtjEic It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year]" by {{w|Andy Williams}} (of course!)

[[Category:IDW More than Meets the Eye issues]]

Little Victories

2017-10-03T04:22:11Z

Queso: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory
|series=mtmte|issueno=22
|prev=More than Meets the Eye issue 21
|next=Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2
|seriesissue2=''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron Prelude]]''
|prev2=Soundwaves (issue)
|next2=Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1
|image=MTMTE22 cvrA.jpg
|title="Little Victories" A film by Rewind of Lower Petrohex
|caption=What a guy!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[October 9]], [[2013]] (iBooks) [[October 16]], [[2013]] (print)
|coverdate=October 2013
|story by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[James Raiz]]
|colors by=[[Josh Burcham]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era (2013)]]
}}
'''Rewind's recordings become a movie that charts the crew's adventures, including an intrusion into another robotic civil war, the mystery of Rung's alternate mode, and a visit from one of the greatest Autobots around!'''

==Synopsis==
In a series of brief talking-head segments, the crew of the ''[[Lost Light]]'' introduce themselves to the audience as a set of title cards appear between soundbytes: "Little Victories: A film by [[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] of [[Lower Petrohex]]". After everyone has given their names, Rewind turns his camera around to introduce his film, created at [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]]'s request, through a combination of his perpetual recordings of the goings-on on the ship and footage from the many security cameras installed on the vessel by [[Red Alert (G1)|Red Alert]]. To begin the movie proper, we see Rodimus requesting its filming, followed by a candid clip of [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] expressing some concern at potentially looking ridiculous as a result of questionable editing decisions. Rodimus gives him permission to censor the finished product if necessary, and blacked-out sections of the film prove he wasn't shy about it.

While lounging around in the ship's [[oil]] reservoir, Rewind, [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], and [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] talk about the cool [[alternate mode]]s of their teammates, and the conversation turns to the mystery of what [[Rung (G1)|Rung]] turns into. Swerve wagers a hundred [[Shanix]] to the first person to figure it out, and starts trying by "accidentally" clonking him on the head in hopes of automatically triggering a transformation. Talking-head clips of Tailgate and Swerve reflecting on their wager turn to talk of hobbies, a topic that Rewind gets [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] to weigh in on; the theoretician lists "meeting new people", and recalls an encounter on [[Hedonia]]...

[[File:Littlevictories-happynow.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.6|One day, [[army-building]] went too far.]]
The film shifts to Hedonia, some time beforehand, and shows Skids and [[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] meeting the [[Ammonite]]s, a race of mechanical beings engaged in a civil war with their enemies the [[Terradore]]s. Whirl disparages their conflict in comparison with the Transformers' own, but it soon becomes apparent that the Ammonites trump the Cybertronians at every turn: their war has lasted ''sixteen'' million years rather than four, they have ten-changing "Decabots" instead of just [[Six Changer]]s, and while the Transformers are still trying to master [[Combiner]] technology, the Ammonites are ''all'' interchangeable combiners, and prove it by separating into their diminutive component 'bots. The two 'bots are enjoying a drink with their new rivals when a patron alerts the barman to the arrival of a huge Terradorian cruiser. As the Ammonites panic, Whirl strides outside and, with Skids looking on, quickly and easily murders the Terradore leader [[Imperius Drax]], smugly informing his new "friends" that ''that'' is how it's done.

[[File:LittleVictories-Thunderclash.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|"I'm sorry Mellie, I don't fraternize with the staff."]]
Another talking-head segment follows, as Rewind asks each crew-member if they are "happy", to a variety of positive, confused, suspicious and veiled answers. A short scene of Tailgate trying and failing to trick Rung into transforming with an "alt-mode party" comes next, after which the movie shows Rodimus arriving in the ''Lost Light'' communication suite wearing a makeshift "[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]" helmet made from a bucket for a theme night as [[Swerve's]]. [[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] informs him that they have received a message from [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]], captain of the ''[[Vis Vitalis]]'', who is quickly proven by another series of soundbytes from the crew to be one of the most popular, awesome, super-cool and handsome Autobots in the whole entire universe. Rodimus, however, is not a fan, and an extremely passive-aggressive exchange of pleasantries follows as Thunderclash comes aboard with his first officer [[Paddox]]. Rodimus tries to show off his crew, but Thunderclash knows them all well: he actually gets a ''hug'' from Ultra Magnus when he compliments his writings on "the relationship between typograpy and military justice", he impresses [[Drift (G1)|Drift]] by respecting [[Spectralism|his religion]] with an appropriate greeting, and he turns out to be old friends from medical school with [[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]]. Rodimus ''just about'' holds himself together through all of this, but explodes when Thunderclash reveals that ''he'' is on a quest for the [[Knights of Cybertron]] too! He angrily demands to know what Thunderclash wants, and the film cuts away to segments from Ratchet and [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] that explain that the ''Vis Vitalis'' is actually a huge, wireless life support machine that keeps the gravely-wounded Thunderclash alive, and that he has come to the ''Lost Light'' hoping for a ship-to-ship jumpstart to replenish his vessel's failing power supply.

[[File:Paddox little victories.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5|Stealing Cyclonus' lines? How fiendish!]]
A little later, Thunderclash walks [[Perceptor (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Perceptor]] through how to use the [[quantum generator|quantum engines]] to accomplish the power-transfer, but just before the process is activated, Paddox suddenly pulls a gun on Thunderclash, revealing himself to be an Ammonite deep-cover agent! The Ammonites, it turns out, are actually the ''bad guys'' in their war, and following Whirl's assassination of the Terradores' leader, all Ammonites have been recalled for a big push back against the extreme tactics of his successor—tactics that potentially include allying with the mysterious "[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Dark Cyclops]]". "Paddox" intends to take the Autobots' quantum engines for the Ammonite war effort, but is abruptly taken out in the most unusual way possible: Swerve sneaks up and clobbers him over the head with... Rung in alternate mode. The film cuts away briefly for Rung to explain that even ''he'' doesn't know what his odd, cylindrical alternate mode is—he was classified as an "ornament" by the [[Functionist Council]]—then cuts back to Thunderclash thanking Rodimus for his efforts, and Rodimus quietly whispering to Rewind that he has begun to regret the candid nature of the movie...

[[File:MTMTE22 Rung's alternate mode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|In Search Of: What I Am.]]
''On [[Moonbase One|Luna 1]], the [[Circle of Light]] boo the movie, which Skids is playing as part of a recruitment drive, hoping to get some of the Circle to join the ''Lost Light''. The Circle mock the movie and the entire ship's crew, accusing them all of being crazies and shirkers who never make any progress in their quest, and all leave, with some thinking of signing up with Thunderclash. Behind Skids, on the screen, the movie continues to roll on...''

A final talking-head segment sees Rewind ask each of the crewmembers what they hope is next for them. Some see the end in sight and some think the journey itself and the friends they've made are what it's all about, but Tailgate sums it up best when he says: "Who knows?" For the final scene of the movie, Rewind calls all his friends together for a group shot in Swerve's, not caring who stands where as along as everyone is together.
{{--}}

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Hot Rod/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rodimus]] (1)
*[[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] (2)
*[[Skids (G1)|Skids]] (3)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (4)
*[[Chromedome (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Chromedome]] (6)
*[[Rung (G1)|Rung]] (7)
*[[Whirl (G1)|Whirl]] (9)
*[[Brainstorm (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Brainstorm]] (10)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Perceptor (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Perceptor]] (11)
*[[Drift (G1)|Drift]] (12)
*[[Ratchet (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ratchet]] (13)
*[[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] (14)
*[[Rewind (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Rewind]] (15)
*[[Trailbreaker (G1)|Trailcutter]] (19)
*[[Blaster (G1)|Blaster]] (20)
*[[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] (21)
{{!}}}
|c4=
*[[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] (5)
*[[Cyclonus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Cyclonus]] (8)
*Assorted [[Ammonite]]s (16)
*[[16444/9]] (17)
*[[Mondo]] (18)
*[[Paddox]] (22)
*Multiple [[Circle of Light]] members (23)
}}

==Quotes==
"It's '''Whirl''', spelled: ''ker-klick! '''Choom!'''" 
:—'''Whirl''', on his own name

"So you think you're better at war than us? How long were you fighting?" 
"Four million years. You?" 
"Sixteen." 
"Sixteen years." 
"Sixteen million." 
<big>"'''Sixteen million years?!'''</big> Six-'''teen'''? That's ridiculous. That's a ridiculous number."
:—'''16444/9''' and '''Skids'''

"I once went toe-to-toe with a '''six-changer'''. Jet! Beast! Tank! Gun! '''And something else I can't remember!'''"
:—'''Whirl'''

''(Rodimus enters the communications room with a bucket on his head.)'' 
"I thought you didn't like hats." 
"'''Theme Night''' at Swerve's: 'People You'd Like to Punch.' I was a lone '''Megatron''' in a sea of '''Whirls'''."
:—'''Blaster''' and '''Rodimus'''

"What's the '''problem?''' Everyone on board the ''Lost Light'' is '''cracked in the head!'''" 
"Yeah, '''dysfunctional''' isn't the word! There isn't a '''normal''' 'bot among you!" 
"And that wouldn't be so bad if you actually '''made progress'''—but as far as I can make out, all you do is '''argue''', crack jokes, and get '''sidetracked''' doing pointless, silly things that only you find amusing!"
:—Various members of the '''Circle of Light''' get a bit meta on the comic. Er, the movie.

"In the future, I'd like to see a world without guns. Ha! No. Joking."
:—'''Brainstorm'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*The fact that Rewind was making a documentary about life on the ''Lost Light'' was revealed in [[Under Cold Blue Stars|issue #15]], in which [[Pipes (G1)|Pipes]] noted he was about to attend a screening of the rough cut. Obviously, this comic ''is'' that rough cut, since Rewind wasn't around to make any changes after that story was over.
*The scenes in the documentary take place over a wide span of time. The earliest takes place during issue #1, while the latest—consisting predominantly of Thunderclash's visit to the ship and a substantial number of the talking-head interview scenes—must occur in-between issues [[Cybertronian Homesick Blues|#13]] (in which the crew visited Hedonia) and [[Remembrance Day|#14]]. The one present day scene, taking place outside the documentary, occurs between scenes in the [[Remain in Light 5 of 5: This Calamitous Life|previous issue]], after Tyrest's defeat but before the ''Lost Light'' departs Luna-1.
*Ultra Magnus notes that he has received the [[Novic Medal for Outstanding Valor|Novic Medal]], presumably named in reference to the legendary Nova Prime (Tailgate, still lying about his history, claims to have earned ''seven''). It was previously mentioned in [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]]'s bio in ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''.
*Rewind asks Magnus if he's received the [[Rodimus Star]], an accolade that hasn't appeared in the main ''More than Meets the Eye'' series itself, but which was introduced in ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]''.
*A number of moments from this issue were hinted at or even seen in previous issues, which took place later chronologically.
**Two of the panels in Rewind's farewell montage in issue [[The Gloaming|#16]] have their source in the events depicted this issue: Perceptor running out of his smoking lab (page 2, panel 5), from which dialogue was lifted directly, and Rung counting his model collection (page 5, panel 7). Back in #16, the scene of the former had camera read-out text when none of the others did. Now we know why.
**In issue [[Remain in Light 3 of 5: The Divided Self|#19]], Tyrest brings up Ultra Magnus hugging someone.
**In issue #21, Magnus talks about Rodimus's immature reaction to a "Thunder--."
*Swerve claims to have been playing hand-grenade tag with [[Waverider]], a pastime for which the latter was put in the brig just prior to issue #13.
*The Raging Prism was mentioned back in #13, where some of the characters talked about visiting its "Temple" on Hedonia. It makes sense, then, that a Hedonian resident would make reference to it.
*One of the Ammonites exclaims, "By the Great Shattering." According to the [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Annual]], something called the Shattering caused the formation of the Galactic Council. And since we learn this issue that the Council formed in response to the Ammonite-Terradore war... Ta-da, it all adds up!
*When asked if he's happy, Brainstorm rather ominously replies "''Soon. Not yet. Soon.''" This would be expanded on in [[Elegant Chaos Part 3: Predestination: An Expert's Guide|issue #38]].
*For the first time, we have in-story acknowledgment that Tailgate and Rung are from the same era, confirming that the former's reference to Rungian analysis in issue #1 was no error.
*Tailgate's altmode appears for the first time, indicating that his t-cog had not yet succumbed to [[cybercrosis]]. Interestingly, it is a Cybertronic version of his original toy (including T-tops!), rather than his upcoming ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' release.
*Upon seeing Rodimus's "Megatron" costume (a bucket on his head), Blaster remarks on his captain's dislike for hats, which was introduced in the [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 annual]].
*Tailgate's statement that he wants to hate Thunderclash is a reference to his tendency to resent 'bots of greatness, previously seen in his attitudes toward Dominus Ambus and pre-insanity Tyrest.
*Back in issue #16, Chromedome pointed out a constellation he and Rewind had dubbed the "Vis Vitalis". Given that this term refers to something decided non-physical (see real-life references, below), we can probably assume that the stars made a picture of Thunderclash's ship.
*Continuing the running joke of people getting his name wrong, Rung's old ID card spells his name R-O-N-G.
*Chromedome finally learns to make the sound "pfft", having struggled to do so for ''four million years'' across issues [[Shadowplay, Part 1: Post Hoc|#9]] and [[Shadowplay (Conclusion): An Intimate Beheading|#11]].

===Transformers references===
*The Rung toy Swerve is trying to figure out on this issue's B cover comes with a set of [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]]-style [[instructions]]. It has articulated eyebrows and a "listening mode"!
*Swerve tries to make Rung reflexively transform by striking his [[neural cluster]], a weak spot on Transformers mentioned in the Marvel UK story "[[Fire on High!]]".
*The Ammonites and Terradores are designated "Evil" and "Heroic", just like the "Heroic Autobots" and "Evil Decepticons" in classic Transformers marketing.
*Rodimus wearing a bucket as Megatron, is a reference to Megatron's nickname, Buckethead.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this issue appears in white Windsor typeface on a plain black background, in homage to the [http://fontsinuse.com/uses/2147/woody-allen-film-titles-1977-2012 title cards] of many {{w|Woody Allen}} films. It also uses Allen's trademark quotation marks.
*The panels "censored" by Ultra Magnus, meanwhile, use a font for their captions based on that used in the TV series ''{{w|Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development}}'', of which James Roberts is an avowed fan.
*The "Vis Vitalis" is a classical alchemical principle that proposes the existence of "life force" possessed by living creatures.
*On page 8, an insectoid alien calls the bartender "Mondo," a reference to {{w|mondo film}}s. Roberts thought we wouldn't get it, but we did!
*Probably hardly worth mentioning by this point, but one of the cameras is numbered [[113 (disambiguation)|113]].

===Trivia===
*Because this issue was written to be packed in with the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class [[Skids (G1)#Generations|Autobot Skids]] toy, it had to be written ''well'' in advance, before even #16 was penned, hence its standalone, not-too-continuity-heavy nature.
*The digital version of this issue was inadvertently released a week early through iBooks. It wasn't taken down, but nobody really noticed until a few days before its print release.
*This issue is labelled as a "[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Cybertron]]" prelude, and has a redesigned inside front cover to go along with this branding.
*This issue's visiting guest Autobot has his named parsed as "Thunder Clash" on the cover, as it was on his original toy, but as "Thunderclash" in the story itself, as pretty much every [[Thunderclash (disambiguation)|other use of the name]] is.
*According to Roberts' annotated script, an earlier concept for this issue would have visited the ''Vis Vitalis'', where it would have been revealed that the entire crew was perfect and every ''Lost Light'' crew member would have had a direct and idealized counterpart.
*No "Meet the Crew" feature is included this issue, but then, the first two pages of the story cover that all pretty well themselves!
*A [http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sjk4t3 deleted scene] from this issue featured Ratchet pulling a prank on Drift by claiming that [[Pharma (G1)|Pharma]]'s hands were haunted, punching people of their own accord. The scene was later [http://dcjosh.tumblr.com/post/107665292031/its-done-the-mtmte-22-deleted-scene-in-all-its illustrated] by [[Josh Burcham]].

===Edits===
*The version of this comic available with the ''Generations'' Deluxe Class Autobot Skids toy is identified as "The Transformers: Skids" on the inside cover, rather than "''The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye'' #22".
*In addition, there are several differences between the original release of this issue (which remained unchanged for the trade paperback reprint except for one change noted under "errors") and the version packaged with Deluxe Skids:
:*On page 1, several minor alterations to the dialogue, such as the removal of quotation marks around Skids's name, changing Rewind's line in panel 7 from "What is it, '''nerves'''?" (emphasis on "nerves") to "What is it? Nerves?" and merging Chromedome's lines "--calls me Chromedome." and "Even you." into a single speech bubble.
:*On page 3, the first panel has the location and date "Cybertron, 18 months ago" added.
:*On page 6, [[16444/9]]'s "accursed [[Terradore]]s" gets changed to "hated Terradores", and inexplicably, "take your pick" gets changed to "... what he said." Furthermore, Whirl's list of "vehicles, machinery, and weapons" loses the second comma.
:*On page 18, Swerve's line "Wait. Look over there..." isn't immediately followed by Rung saying "We have to do something." Rather, Rung explicitly completes Swerve's ellipsis with "... is that Thunderclash with a gun to his head?"
:*Brainstorm's dialogue on page 21 is completely altered, from "In the future, I'd like to see a world without guns. Ha! No. Joking." to "The future? No. No. No. You're looking in the wrong direction." [[The Custom-Made Now - An Elegant Chaos Prologue|Issue 35]] provides an explanation for this initally rather odd-seeming line.
:*Also on page 21, Rewind's dialogue is changed from "Group shot, everyone! Group shot! Everyone over here! Come on, chop chop! You too, Cyclonus... I don't care where everyone stands..." to "Group shot, group shot! Come on, come on! Everyone over here! And you, Cyclonus... I don't care where people stand..."

===Errors===
*What little can be seen of Trailcutter's vehicle mode is noticeably off-model on page 11, resembling his traditional Earth pickup truck mode far more than it ought to.
*On page 17, panel 5, "actually" is misspelled "actaually", this remained uncorrected in the TPB and the version packaged with the ''Generations'' Deluxe Class Autobot Skids figure.
*Back in issue 13, as the Autobots were departing Hedonia, Whirl remarked that they hadn't killed anybody, which this issue proves to be incorrect. The error was caught well in advance of the publication of this issue (since it was written so far ahead of time), and the offending line was removed from the trade paperback reprinting of issue #13.
*Tailgate's alt mode has an Autobrand, despite his never having undergone a true initiation.
*In one of the little "censored" panels, Ultra Magnus is referred to as the Duly ''Elected'' Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, instead of the usual Duly ''Appointed''.

===Crew manifest===
*No updates!

===Soundtrack===
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3eM2R1aCKQ "I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous"] by {{w|Frank Turner}}
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YMYC0pS4Ws "Goodnight Kiss"] by {{w|Black Box Recorder}}
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB2TEElBU64 "End Credits"] by {{w|Jesse Hartman|Laptop}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Rung holds a datapad bearing Thunder Clash's image, signed by the 'bot himself, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover B:''' Swerve tries to puzzle out the transformation of a Rung toy, by [[Nick Roche]] and Josh Burcham.
*'''Cover RI:''' Skids, by [[Phil Jimenez]] and [[Romulo Fajardo Jr.]]
* '''Hasbro exclusive cover:''' Cropped-in version of cover RI, exclusively available with ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class [[Skids (G1)#Generations|Autobot Skids]].
<gallery>
File:MTMTE22 cvrA.jpg|The totally modest Thunderclash.
File:MTMTE22 cvrB.jpg|Swerve feels [[fandom|our]] pain.
File:MTMTE22 cvrRI.jpg|Guess which cover comes with the Skids toy?
File:MTMTE22 cvrHAS.jpg|And the winner is...
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*[[Dark Dawn: Dark Cybertron Chapter 1|''The Transformers: Dark Cybertron'' #1]]
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Black Metal: Dark Cybertron Chapter 2|#23]]
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Winners & Losers: Dark Cybertron Chapter 3|#23]]
*''Robots in Disguise'' [[Soundwaves (issue)|#24]]
*''[[The Transformers: Regeneration One|Regeneration One]]'' [[Destiny, Part Five|#95]]
*IDW ''Samurai Jack'' comic
*''[[My Little Pony]]'' Annual 2013
*''[[Star Trek]]: Khan'' (back cover)

==External links==
* [http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/comics-16/transformers-more-than-meets-the-eyes-22-full-preview-178599/ Preview]
* [http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15275&p=353870#p353870 James Roberts reflects on the creative process of this issue on the IDW forums]
[[Category:Dark Cybertron issues]]

Quicklightning

2017-09-20T02:04:09Z

Queso: he's an artist!

{{factions|velocitron}}
:''Quicklightning is a [[Velocitron]]ian [[Transformer]] from the [[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:TAAO1 Quicklightning.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|]]

As with most of his people, '''Quicklightning''' is attentive to speed and punctuality.

==Fiction==
===IDW Generation 1 continuity===
As [[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] was speaking to a pair of female [[Devisiun|Devisen]]s about [[I.H. Cybertronian Securities|his security firm]]'s services, Quicklightning called Ironhide to attention about being 0.38 seconds late from his scheduled leave time for a meeting with the [[Council of Worlds]]. {{storylink|07:00:00}}

==Notes==
*According to [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]], Quicklightning designed the logo for the [[Cybertronian Security Force]]. <ref>[https://twitter.com/SaraLePew/status/910288857178009600 Sara Pitre-Durocher on Twitter]</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Comic-only Transformers]]
[[Category:IDW Generation 1 Transformers]]
[[Category:Velocitron]]

Chasing the Infinite

2017-09-15T17:00:56Z

Queso: Black "Box" Consortia typo

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #9
|prev=An Axe to Break the Ice
|next=
|image=LL9_cvrA.jpg
|title="Chasing the Infinite"
|caption={{w|Jenny_(Studio_Killers_song)|Jenny take my hand, 'cause we are more than friends.}}
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[September 13]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=September 2017
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|story consultant=[[Rachel Stevens]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''Nautica and Velocity's friendship is put to the test, while Lug and Anode are met with an unsettling mystery that may cost them their lives.'''

==Synopsis==
Unable to pay the exorbitant price the [[Catharsian]] merchant [[Mengel]] asks to use the [[Magnificence|Resus Cradle]] to revive [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] from the dead, [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] begins bargaining, offering [[innermost energon]] and body parts in her desperation. Mengel proposes that she sell her "grief"—have it physically extracted from her mind, for Mengel to sell on to races that venerate the emotion. [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] finds the whole enterprise circumspect, not least of all Mengel's supposed ability to resurrect Skids from just his [[brain module]], without a [[spark]], and tries to talk Nautica out of it, citing her medical expertise—but Nautica is determined, even angrily throwing Velocity's repeated failure to pass her medical exams back in her face. Mengel examines Skids's brain, but discovers that it has "cooled" to a point where resurrection will be difficult enough that the price has doubled... and suggests that Nautica also sell her "friendship" with Velocity.

Across town, in the bar, despite being surrounded and held at gunpoint by the Transformers who have just arrived from the [[Worldsweeper]] hovering overhead, [[Anode]] happily greets their leader, [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]], mistaking him for the [[Grand Architect]], who she has never actually met in person before. Corrected by [[Wipe-Out]] as to Flame's identity, Anode takes umbrage at the deliberately-enigmatic euphemistic language Flame insists on using to describe the reason for the presence of the Architect's men, when everyone knows full well they're there to kill them. Exasperated, Flame cuts to the chase and orders them executed; Anode stalls by pretending she has something to trade for their lives, but just uses the time she buys to deck Flame. As Flame's men pile onto them, Anode transforms to aircraft mode, and, with Lug and Wipe-Out clinging on for dear life, escapes by flying upward and smashing through the windowed ceiling. Fortunately for our three heroes, Flame and his men do not pursue, as they receive news of a more important quarry: the mysterious coffin-bot Anode and Lug saw the [[Black Block Consortia]] shoot dead, which earlier escaped their clutches while they were transporting it, and which Flame calls "the [[Infinite]]"...

Back at Mengel's workshop, the Catharsian explains how her "state-of-the-art brainware" works; Nautica will retain her memories of Velocity, but her emotional connection to them will be removed. Velocity continues trying to dissuade her friend, telling her stories she has heard of sadists buying friendship, but Nautica remains resolute... so Velocity sighs and says what she is really thinking: that Nautica is punishing her for Skids's death, since she was the one who came up with the idea for the spark spasm that killed him. Nautica cannot wholly deny this, but she hopes this process will be like a "reboot" for their friendship, as she gets to know her all over again. As Mengel straps Nautica into her siphon, Velocity holds her friend's hand and tells her that, while she does not agree with her choice, she respects her right to choose. Mengel activates the siphon, but a moment after the process begins she is called away to another area of her workshop, its walls lined with pods containing more robots that look like the coffin-bot... where she is greeted by Flame. Mengel believes he is here to congratulate her, as she is the first of the Grand Architect's associates to successfully bring an "Infinite" to term—but Flame has actually come to obtain the Resus Cradle, believing that Mengel could have used it to fake her success. Mengel claims she no longer has the cradle, but Flame can tell she is lying, and orders his men to destroy everything in the lab to find it.

Anode, Lug, and Wipe-Out return to the spot where they saw the coffin-bot gunned down, and find a piece of its metal. Believing that the Grand Architect has been using all the [[living metal|sentio metallico]] the [[blacksmith]]s have been providing for him over the years to engineer a new form of Cybertronian, Anode has Wipe-Out do a "close reading" of the metal fragment; Wipe-Out discovers that the metal contains the genetic blueprints for ''millions'' of [[alternate mode]]s—it can literally turn into ''anything''. The moment of this shocking revelation is undercut by a distress call from Velocity, who is trying to defend Nautica against the Architect's troops. Even as Anode and co. race to help, however, Velocity's salvation comes in the form of Nautica herself, who breaks free of the siphon and blasts the villains. Nautica transforms to vehicle mode and barrels out of the lab with Velocity aboard, rocketing past Anode, Lug, and Wipe-Out, who spin on their heels and flee along with them.

A little later, as everyone calms down, Nautica explains that she didn't break free of the machine because she knew Velocity was being attacked; rather, Velocity's mention of "choice" made Nautica realize that Skids had ''chosen'' what had happened to him, and the uncertainty over whether Mengel's resurrection process would even have worked added to that was not enough for her to risk losing Velocity's friendship over. Wipe-Out declines the group's offer to go with them as they rejoin the rest of their crew, but before they part ways, he ''is'' able to offer an explanation for why Nautica seems oddly unconcerned about recovering Skids's brain from Mengel's lab: to remove grief, Wipe-Out explains, the siphon removed all the feelings Nautica ever had for him.

Above the planet, Flame and his men return to the Grand Architect's Worldsweeper, having recovered the Infinite from the Black Block Consortia. The experiment is a complete success: not merely an infinite multi-changer, the robot has actually managed to ''heal itself from death''. Flame also presents the Architect with the Resus Cradle... but the Architect knows it by another name. The Resus Cradle, which told Mengel the secret to resurrecting the dead, is the [[Magnificence]]... and the "Grand Architect" is [[Scorponok (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Scorponok]]!

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (1)
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (2)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Mengel]] (3)
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (4)
*Grand Architect's troops (5)
*[[Anode]] (6)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (7)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Wipe-Out]] (8)
*[[Black Block Consortia]] troops (9)
*[[Infinite]] (10)
*[[Scorponok (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Scorponok]] (11)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"The Grand Architect sent me here to tie up some loose ends." 
"Translation: '...to kill blacksmiths.' Why do people like you always speak euphemistically? What's wrong with being '''direct?''' It's like... you're threatening to kill us. I'm more offended by '''that''' than by how you say it." 
"The point is you're redundant. We don't need anymore sentio metallico. Now that the '''breakthrough's''' been made, we can '''sterilize the pathway''' and enter the '''final phase.'''" 
"Oh, now you're just doing that to '''wind me up.'''"
:—'''Flame''' and '''Anode'''

"I feel this is a conversation we can have '''after''' we've escaped? We '''are''' going to escape, aren't we?" 
"When have we not? Apart from that '''one time''', when have we not?"
:—'''Lug''' and '''Anode'''

"This is where you stand aside." 
"This is where you make me."
:—The '''Grand Architect's troops''' threaten '''Velocity''', but she's having none of it

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Nautica refers to Lug's resurrection from just a spark, and to the indistinct relationship between the brain and spark, seen in [[After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)|issue #7]].
*Catharsians are revealed to be "warm-wired", an alternative to spark-based robotic life first mentioned in [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|''More than Meets the Eye'' #24]].
*Flame's "many and varied" crimes, and his trial, were seen in his sole previous IDW appearance, in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]].
*The ultimate purpose of the Grand Architect and his gear-symbol-wearing followers is revealed at last: the creation of the "ultimate" Transformer, able to transform into anything, and regenerate their body back from death. The "birthing pods" these beings are grown in have been seen before; Flame refers to the decommissioning of the "wards" on [[Tebris VII]] (tended by [[Demus]], seen in [[Animals|''More than Meets the Eye'' #46]]) and a previously-unmentioned planet named [[Corritan]], which logically must have been where the shipful of "aborted protoforms" found by the [[Scavenger (group)|Scavengers]] in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More than Meets the Eye'' #7]] was coming from. He also notes the group's contact on [[Fortuna]] was compromised; we don't have the full story on that one, but the ''[[Lost Light]]'' visited Fortuna in [[Our Steps Will Always Rhyme|''More than Meets the Eye'' #40]], and it was noted that the group had a facility on the planet in issue #46. The Architect's troops all remain unnamed, and specific attention is called to how neither Anode, Lug, nor Wipe-Out recognize them as Cybertronians, and wonder if they might be colonists.
*Scorponok was last seen over ''eight years ago'', being arrested by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ultra Magnus]] in 2009's [[Maximum Dinobots issue 5|''Maximum Dinobots'' #5]]. Though it wasn't expressly stated at the time, we all generally presumed he'd been taken to [[Garrus-9]]; early plot concepts for ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' placed him there, but he didn't appear in the finished series, and the sacking of the prison left his status a mystery until now. It's still not explicitly stated, but the fact that we know ''[[Grimlock (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Grimlock]]'' was taken to Garrus-9 after being arrested alongside him, only to subsequently disappear from the prison under unknown circumstances, and then be found by the Scavengers in that aforementioned Grand Architect ship from ''More than Meets the Eye'' #7... all combines to suggest Scorponok was the one who took Grimlock with him when he left.
*The Magnificence was a MacGuffin from the early days of IDW's comics, during [[Simon Furman]]'s tenure. Introduced in 2006's ''[[Spotlight: Hot Rod]]'', it is an incredibly powerful, mysterious object that can answer literally any question posed to it. Like Scorponok, its fate has been a mystery for many years, after [[Hot Rod (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Hot Rod]] used it in its second and until-now final appearance in 2008's ''[[Spotlight: Doubledealer]]''.

===Real-life references===
*To "chase the infinite," as in the story's title, is the romanticized notion of pursuing an impossible goal, typically in the name of the journey, rather than the unreachable destination. That might be applied to Nautica's impossible dream in this issue, or indeed, to the quest at the heart of ''More than Meets the Eye/Lost Light'' itself... but more literally, of course, it also refers to Scorponok's ''actual'' pursuit of a robot called "the Infinite."
*Mengel is named after {{w|Joseph Mengele}}, real-life Nazi physician, responsible for human experimentation during the war, and primary progenitor of the "Nazi mad scientist" trope.

===Errors===
*Anode punches Flame with her left hand on page five, but on page six, she's shown cradling her ''right'' hand.
*On page 14, Anode refers to the Black ''Box'' Consortia, instead of the correct Black ''Block'' Consortia. Roberts confirmed this to be a typo. <ref>[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/908100162358300672 James Roberts on Twitter]</ref>

===Other trivia===
*Originally solicited for released in August, this issue arrives a few weeks late, in mid-September. The digital version was, in fact, accidentally released in the final week of August through iBooks, but was quickly taken down before many readers had the chance to get it.
*Nautica reveals herself to be capable of [[size changing|mass-shifting]] in alternate mode so that another Transformer can fit inside her cockpit.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=8CbznktWCG8 Sleepy California]" by {{w|Her Space Holiday}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=-VqbtSNQne4 Who Do You Love]" by {{w|Mojave 3}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOY4MzCwTB4 Goethe's Letter to Vic Chesnutt]" by {{w|Hefner (band)|Hefner}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=ywhNGBmPeTE The Weakest Shade of Blue]" by the {{w|Pernice Brothers}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Velocity pulls away from Nautica, who cradles Skids's body, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' Velocity defends a wounded Nautica, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover C:''' The Grand Architect's troops stand over Nautica, with Anode and Velocity strung up in the background, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] by [[Zerob]]; one of several variant covers done by Zerob for July and August's ''Transformers'' titles, originally intended for ''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|Till All Are One]]''
<gallery>
File:LL9 cvrA.jpg|
File:LL 9 cvrB.jpg|
File:LL 9 cvrC.jpg|
File:LL9 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #10
*Four-page preview of [[First Strike issue 1|''First Strike'' #1]]
*''[[Jem]]: The Misfits'' TPB
*''The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'' #47 Hall of Fame Edition
*"Portrait of a Hero and his Family": National Prostate Cancer Awareness month
*''[[First Strike]]''

==External links==
*[http://www.multiversitycomics.com/previews/transformers-lost-light-9/ Preview]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

An Axe to Break the Ice

2017-09-01T14:45:55Z

Queso: Even the character list doesn't identify Firestar as an Autobot

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #8
|prev=After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)
|next=
|image=LL8 cvrA.jpg
|title="An Axe to Break the Ice"
|caption=Not included: {{w|Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)|a message from the}} [[Action Man]].
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 26]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=July 2017
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|story consultant=[[Rachel Stevens]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''Amid the markets of Troja Major, Nautica pursues a secret objective, while the past comes back to haunt Anode and Lug.'''

==Synopsis==
''Years ago, on the planet [[Caminus]], [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] chews out [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] for her disinterest in the performing arts, slowly growing angrier and angrier as Nautica ignores her criticisms, until another 'bot soaks her with a jet of water from a nearby fountain and sends her stomping off in a huff. The 'bot introduces herself to Nautica as [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], and with that, a fast friendship is born. Velocity gets Nautica interested in quantum mechanics, while Nautica helps her study for the latest in a series of medical exam resits. Velocity eventually has to leave to study off-planet at the [[Mederi Center]], but she and Nautica are reunited years later aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', and become [[Amica Endura]]e.''

In the present day, Nautica (still wearing her protective eyepatch), Velocity, [[Anode]], and [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] trawl the markets of [[Troja Major]]. They have been dropped off by the rest of the crew at Nautica's suggestion, to investigate the possibility of acquiring a map to [[Cyberutopia]] from Nautica's old contact, the ex-Decepticon antiquarian [[Agonizer]]—but the two Camiens are growing impatient with Anode and Lug holding them up as they browse the stalls. Having no money of her own, Anode tries to wheedle some out of Nautica, but when she refuses, Anode simply steals the [[mood pipe]]s she wants, which brings the [[Rust Giant]] stall owner she pilfers them from chasing after the group. After they manage to shake him, Anode laughs the whole experience off, while Lug remarks on how much the markets have changed since their old days on the planet, running jobs there for their client "Techy." Velocity explains that the settlement was discovered to rest on a spiritual ley line, turning it into a popular funeral plot, so its commerce was reshaped to focus around grief and bereavement. Punctuating this, a sinister cloaked figure suddenly appears, who attempts to ''buy'' Lug's grief, but Nautica forcefully shoos him away. Anode hasn't noticed any of this, though: she is distracted by a strange smell in the air, and when she decides she can't ignore it any longer, Nautica and Velocity are only too happy to let her and Lug go off in search of its source, so they can actually get to their meeting.

The smell—"like [[living metal|sentio metallico]], but wrong"—leads Anode and Lug to a compound full of coffins, and once they have snipped their way through the wire fence surrounding it, Anode quickly opens one, over Lug's protestations. She is puzzled to find it empty, having expected that the smell was coming from a body... only for the coffin to suddenly ''transform'' into the robot who is the source of the odor! It briefly lashes out, but when it collapses from exhaustion, the pair realize it is terrified, and barely a week old. Before they can puzzle out the situation, a laser blast wings Lug's shoulder, as armed troops of the [[Black Block Consortia]] appear to demand the robot be turned over to them. Anode refuses their order to get out of the way, and Lug is only just able to tackle her to safety as the Consortia troops open fire, killing the robot where it stands. Anode and Lug are horrified by the sight, but their attention is caught by a shout from nearby; the pair turn to see a familiar face, that of fellow [[blacksmith]] [[Wipe-Out]], who beckons for them to follow him to safety.

Nautica and Velocity meet Agonizer (aka "The Curator") at his [[Museum of Curios and Rumored Objects]], where Velocity quickly realizes that Nautica has not been entirely honest about her motives in coming to the planet. Nautica already ''knows'' Agonizer does not have a map to Cyberutopia; she is seeking something ''else'' associated with the knights. As she searches Agonizer's archives, Velocity takes in a symbology display, which includes the mysterious gear-like hieroglyph that has repeatedly reoccurred throughout the ''Lost Light'' crew's adventures. Agonizer has deduced that it, and the other symbols in the display, each represent one of five clans that the Knights divided up into on their journey across the galaxy. Finally, Nautica asks Agonizer outright about the "[[Resus Cradle]]," which she had heard he had obtained. Agonizer corrects her; it is not ''he'' who holds the cradle, but a [[Catharsian merchant]] on the other side of town. Nautica drags Velocity off in that direction, ignoring Agonizer's warnings...

Anode and Lug disappear into the market crowds with Wipe-Out, who tells them that he was summoned to Troja Major by Techy—or as he is properly known, the "[[Grand Architect]]." Upon arrival, Wipe-Out found two other blacksmiths, [[Rocket]] and [[Scammer]], dead, and has concluded that someone is killing practitioners of their shared art. The trio takes refuge in a bar, where Wipe-Out gets corrected on Anode and Lug's pronouns; he knew them as male in the past, but the pair explain that they've "reclassified" as female after encountering other races and gaining a broader understanding of gender that did not exist on the insulated Cybertron in their time, dubbing it a "better fit" for them. With that out of the way, and drinks downed to calm their nerves, the group unpacks the grisly sight they have just witnessed, and realizes that, despite first appearances, it can't be the Black Block Consortia who is killing blacksmiths, since the 'bot they killed ''wasn't'' one, and they had offered Anode the chance to step aside before they fired. Wipe-Out realizes that only one 'bot knew they were all even ''on'' the planet—the Grand Architect himself—and though Anode initially dismisses the allegation, the appearance in the sky over the bar of a [[Worldsweeper]] (an outdated mode of travel the Architect is famously known for still using), seems to put the lie into her words. A moment later, a squad of the Architect's men beam down into the bar, right in front of the trio—a squad led by [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]], who all wear the mysterious gear-symbol on their chests...

Nautica and Velocity find the Catharsian merchant's shop, where Velocity slowly becomes horrifyingly aware of what Nautica is planning. The Resus Cradle in the Catharsian's possession is said to be able to revive a dead Cybertronian, even without a [[spark]], so long as there are some remains to work with. Nautica lifts her eyepatch to reveal that there is no "injury" beneath it... and instead, inside her optic cavity, she has been hiding [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s salvaged [[brain module]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (1)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (3)
*''[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'' (4)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'' (2)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (5)
*[[Anode]] (6)
*[[Rust Giant]] (7)
*[[Catharsian]] pedlar (8)
*Coffin-robot (9)
*[[Black Block Consortia]] troops (10)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Agonizer|Agonizer/"The Curator"]] (11)
*[[Wipe-Out]] (12)
*[[Rocket]] (13)
*[[Scammer]] (14)
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (15)
*Grand Architect's troops (16)
*[[Catharsian merchant]] (17)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" 
"Effervescent hedges bestow cosmic secretions upon my granular milk wives." 
"'''What?'''" 
"Random words in a random order. Why make an effort to '''make sense''' when nothing I say is going to change your opinion of me one iota?"
:—'''Firestar''' and '''Nautica'''

"Tell me your name. I want to worship you like a god." 
"I'm '''Velocity'''. And I'll settle for the occasional sacrifice."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Velocity'''

"'''Ten thousand shanix?!''' Who do you think I am, '''Cyclonus'''?"
:—'''Nautica''' is taken aback by Anode's request for money

'''Anode:''' "Well, '''that''' was exhilarating!" 
'''Nautica:''' "When did 'exhilarating' become a byword for ''''<nowiki>'</nowiki>unexpected and traumatic?<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''" 
'''Lug:''' "Welcome to life with Anode. I defy anyone to spend an afternoon with her and not end up '''dead'''. Believe me, I speak from experience." 
'''Nautica:'''"I got nicked! He nicked me!" 
'''Anode:''' "Treasure it. Every wound tells a story." 
'''Nautica:'''"Not every story's worth telling."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Anode'''

"I've decided I'm going to warn you against doing things less often, in the hope that when I '''do''' protest, it has more of an impact."
:—'''Lug''', to Anode

"Lug's a she now. Me too. It's just a better fit. The further you get from Cybertron—the more people you meet—the more you realize that as a race we've been '''limiting''' ourselves unnecessarily. You know before the war, when the '''Primal Vanguard''' used to come home between campaigns? There'd always be a few who had '''reclassified themselves'''—a few 'she's' amongst the 'he's'. They tended to stick together. He to she. I didn't understand the significance. What difference did it make? But after we left Cybertron and started to meet so many other races... yeah. '''Then''' it made sense. It made '''perfect''' sense."
:—'''Anode'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Nautica's troubled friendship with Firestar, and her lack of acumen in the performing arts, were previously established in [[The Sensuous Frame|''More than Meets the Eye'' #41]]-[[The Frail Gaze|42]]. Among the montage that begins this issue is the scene of Nautica and Velocity's reunion from the former issue.
*Also part of the montage is Nautica conducting the [[Amica Endura]] ceremony from [[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|''More than Meets the Eye'' #53]].
*Troja Major and its "[[Howling Town]]" were first referenced in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|''More than Meets the Eye'' #28]], in which Nautica's acquisition of the copy of ''[[Towards Peace]]'' she mentions here was detailed. Agonizer and his museum were later mentioned in [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|issue #45]], and (as we surmised at the time) are here revealed to have indeed been where Nautica obtained it from. The "Howling Town" nomenclature is explained to be derived from the fact that "public outpourings of grief" are a specialty of the local commerce.
*When Anode asks her for money, Nautica retorts (as quoted above) that the exorbitant sum is the kind of cash only Cyclonus would have. The idea that Cyclonus is filthy rich (thanks to "[[Tetrahex]]ian real estate") was originally introduced in [[Signal to Noise|''More than Meets the Eye'' #13]], but it ''was'' [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] who said it, and he was in the middle of his "lying to everyone" phase, so Cyclonus might not be as moneyed as everyone else thinks he is.
*The merchant Anode steals from is a Rust Giant, previously seen in [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]]. The physical similarities between him and creatures seen in the issue are loose enough that you might not be convinced, but the nickname Anode gives him—"Rusty"—clinches the deal.
*Several references are made this issue to something called the "[[Old Order]]," a long-gone kind of clan or organization with spiritual overtones. This was first mentioned in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50, in which Nautica noted (and here restates) that it is Agonizer's specialized field of study.
*Members of the Black Block Consortia, first mentioned in [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|''More than Meets the Eye'' #24]], finally appear on panel for the first time. They are revealed to be an offshoot of the [[Galactic Council]], who are engaged in a turf war with them; the conflict between the Consortia and the Council was previously evidenced in [[The Permanent Revolution|''More than Meets the Eye'' #39]].
*Agonizer offers Nautica a map to the birthplace of the [[Omega Guardian]]s, mysterious creatures originally seen allll the way back in ''[[Spotlight: Hot Rod]]'', and the uncensored draft of the [[Autobot Code]], first described as "censored" in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #4]].
*We don't need to run down the history of the mysterious gear-like hieroglyph again; suffice to say, it keeps cropping up on our heroes' adventure. It was acknowledged and deduced to be a crest associated with one of the Knights' clans in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50, a conclusion reached partially based on information Nautica acquired from Agonizer. In that same issue, [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] observed that he had seen other, similar symbols in his visions of Cyberutopia; here we learn that there are five symbols in all, representing five clans.
*Anode and Lug are revealed to be the first explicitly self-defined transgender Cybertronians in mainstream Transformers fiction; Anode is noted to have changed her appearance in concert with her self-realization ("new shape, new me"), while it is implied that Lug has not felt the need to make any physical changes. This resolves the question of their planet of origin, which their gender initially meant was in question. Anode also notes that there were a handful of other male-assigned Cybertronians whose off-world encounters with other races while serving in the [[Primal Vanguard]] led them to do them same before her; a sweeping remark that cleverly tidies up the few incongruous crowd-scene appearances of female-presenting Transformers on the planet that have occured throughout IDW history, and which have stood out as continuity errors until now, like those seen in ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' or most recently, [[Ghost Stories|the 2017 ''Transformers'' annual]].
*Anode and Lug's contact, "Techy," was first mentioned in [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|issue #1]]. The name is here revealed to be a nickname, short for "the Grand Architect," and this is where everything starts coming together. The "Grand Architect" was previously referenced by a pair of mysterious robots seen in [[Animals|''More than Meets the Eye'' #46]], who wore the gear-hieroglyph and traveled via Worldsweeper—and both those robots reappear at the end of this issue, part of the squad of the Grand Architect's troops. This sinister group's fingerprints have been all over the ''More than Meets the Eye/Lost Light'' mytharc from very early on; there can be no doubt at this point that the Worldsweeper found in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More than Meets the Eye'' #7]] is connected to them (not least of all because it contained Grimlock, and Grimlock was then shown drawing the gear-symbol in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #46). The Worldsweeper in #7 contained aborted [[protoform]]s, and #46 made clear the group are doing ''some'' kind of experiments on living beings, which begins to explain why they have an interest in life-shaping blacksmiths, and further, why Techy would have sent Anode and Lug to obtain sentio metallico (the stuff protoforms are made of) for him in the first place, as seen in ''Lost Light'' #1.
*Leading the Grand Architect's troops is the ex-Autobot scientist [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]. Originally a character from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic book]], he previously appeared in IDW continuity (with this specific body design) in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]]. He's a guy with a history of tampering with life and death, but it's not clear from this issue if he actually ''is'' the Grand Architect or not...
*Nautica donned her eyepatch last issue, which seemed suspicious from the off; the injury she sustained to her eye in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50 had been repaired prior to the start of ''Lost Light''.

===Transformers references===
*Nautica quizzes Velocity on the disease [[Corrodia Gravis]], an ailment from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]], with which [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was stricken. It's received a few namechecks in Roberts-penned IDW stories; in particular, [[Ammo]] was noted to suffer from "early onset" Corrodia Gravis in [[Twenty Plus One|''More than Meets the Eye'' #31]], which Nautica here specifically notes is a controllable condition.
*Agonizer is based on the body-design of [[Sixshot|Generation 1 Sixshot]], with a green and blue color scheme.
*Wipe-Out is an original character from the Marvel comic. There, he functioned as [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s gofer, a sort of stand-in for the big guy's traditional partner [[Full-Tilt]], and looked like Tailgate as a result of some kind of art-and-or-toy mix-up. In this issue, Wipe-Out is modeled mainly on his [[Wipe-Out#Generations|''Titans Return'' "Necro" toy]], which recently saw retail release.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this issue is taken from the lyrics to {{w|David Bowie}}'s "{{w|Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)|Ashes to Ashes}}," making this the [[The Life of Sideswipe|second ''Transformers'' title]] to reference the dearly departed Bowie this month.
*The "Mederi" medical center derives its name from Latin; "mederi" is the present infinitive of "medeor," meaning "I heal." No need to explain the relevance, obviously!
*The Catharsians, meanwhile, take their name from the word "catharsis," meaning a release of (and consequent relief from) strong or repressed emotions. No need to explain that one either!
*And the "Resus" in "Resus Cradle" is from "resuscitation," obvious-like.
*A goggle-wearing [http://rickandmorty.wikia.com/wiki/Gromflomites Gromflomite] from ''{{w|Rick and Morty}}'' can be spotted in the background of page 5.
*"Milk wives" was a fandom injoke involving Roberts from the unofficial TFNation convention.
*Among Agonizer's collection is the head of a [http://godzilla.wikia.com/wiki/Cryogs Cryog] from IDW's ''Godzilla: Rulers of Earth'' comic series.

===Errors===
*Firestar is drawn with an Autobot insignia during a flashback that takes place on Caminus, long before she met up with [[Thunder Clash|Thuderclash]]'s crew and joined the Autobots.
*As in the original release of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #53, flashback Nautica uses the singular "amica endur'''a'''" instead of the correct plural "amica endur'''ae'''."

===Other trivia===
*Though most readers had probably sped ahead to the conclusion already, this issue's "previously in" recap page explicitly states that Anode and Lug are [[Conjunx Endura]]e.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPtr7VAQa2c Mahal Kita]" by {{w|Emmy the Great}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LswvtH_IQAY Get Up]" by {{w|The Blow}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t5gGm3NWU4 I Know a Place]" by {{w|Muna (band)|MUNA}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDFIN2vE91w Sad Stories]" by {{w|Would-Be-Goods}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Our heroes amid the crowds of Troja Major, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' Nautica looks pensive among the markets, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover C:''' Megatron by [[Tom Whalen]]; one of several "art deco" covers produced by Whalen for various IDW July titles
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Nautica tearfully recalls the memory of Skids, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
<gallery>
File:LL8 cvrA.jpg|
File:LL8 cvrB.jpg|
File:LL8 cvrC.jpg|
File:LL8 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #9
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting July's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 8|''G.I. Joe'' #8]], [[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 3|''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook'' #3]], ''Revolutionaries'' #8, [[Shining Armor issue 1|''Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'' #1]], [[The Life of Sideswipe|''Optimus Prime'' #9]], and [[Your First Mistake|''Till All Are One'' #12]].
*Hero Initiative exclusive [[Rob Liefeld]] variant cover for ''The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'' #47
*4-page preview of [[First Strike issue 1|''First Strike'' #1]] (previously seen in [[First Strike issue 0|''First Strike'' #0]])
*National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo'' one-shot

==External links==
*[http://www.comicosity.com/preview-transformers-lost-light-8/ Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

File talk:Heavy-TheThirteen.jpg

2017-08-27T14:13:26Z

Queso: Created page with "Perhaps we could replace this with [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAeR_UCXkAAt9mF.jpg the clean version] Sara posted on her Twitter? ~~~~"

Perhaps we could replace this with [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DAeR_UCXkAAt9mF.jpg the clean version] Sara posted on her Twitter? - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 10:13, 27 August 2017 (EDT)

Optimus Prime (G1)/toys

2017-07-28T00:36:14Z

Queso: MP-10 2017 reissue has silver paint on inside of trailer

{{suite}}
[[File:G1 OptimusPrime boxart.jpg|thumb|upright=1.95|Awwwwww yeah......]]
Since 1984, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 '''Optimus Prime''']] has received the largest number of toys for any single ''[[Transformers brand|Transformers]]'' character, a testament to the character's enduring popularity and status as a hero to many fans.

==Generation 1==
{{anchor|G1v1}}
[[File:G1 OptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|From the ''Diaclone'' Battle Convoy came Optimus Prime and all his subsequent incarnations.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (1984, 1985, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), [[Trailer]]/[[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], [[Roller (G1)|Roller]], 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

: The original Optimus Prime toy started life as the ''[[Diaclone]]'' toy, "Battle Convoy", created by a team of [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] designers who came on board when the original designer fell behind. This team included [[Hiroyuki Obara]] (listed as the sole creator on the toy's patent) and famed mecha designer [[Shōji Kawamori]]. The toy transforms into two major components; the first component being a red and blue White Freightliner WFT-8664T cabover semi-trailer truck partially composed of [[die-cast]] metal, and the second component being a large silver trailer of currently-undetermined model.

:The cab transforms into the [[robot mode]] of Optimus Prime himself, with the addition of a pair of removable blue fists that plug into his headlights. The fists themselves do not store anywhere in vehicle mode, but can fit easily in Prime's opening chest compartment (originally designed to accommodate two ''Diaclone'' driver figures). Prime is armed with a black laser rifle that, due to design, he cannot hold straight.

:Prime's trailer opens up into his [[Combat Deck (G1)|Combat Deck]], containing the scout drone, [[Roller (G1)|Roller]]. The interior of the Combat Deck features three pegs that can accommodate Prime's laser rifle, fuel pump and nozzle accessories, and seating for two ''Diaclone'' drivers. As its central feature, the Combat Deck features a missile-armed repair drone pod mounted upon a boom lift arm (featuring another cockpit for a ''Diaclone'' driver), which can also be extended through holes in the trailer's roof and front-end when it is closed. Situated in the base of the boom arm is a spring-loaded launcher that can launch Roller out of the Combat Deck and into action. Roller himself has seating for four ''Diaclone'' passengers, and features a port that can accommodate either Prime's rifle or the fuel pump. The interior space of the trailer allows storage room for one standard Autobot car, which can also be shot forward by the launcher.

[[File:G1toy optimus prime variants and running changes.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Most people would be happy with just ''one'' Optimus Prime, but noooooo...]]

:Optimus Prime was subject to several molding and color variations in his early days. The earliest release of the figure featured larger fists, a gun with a thick, round barrel, a slightly-differently shaped gas pump, grey rockets, a grey Roller, a grey launcher in his Combat Deck, and metal plates in the floor of the Combat Deck (a holdover from the ''Diaclone'' version of the toy, to which the magnetic feet of the pilots could cling). In short order, his fists were slimmed down, the gun's barrel was pared down to a more slender form, the gas pump's shape was altered, the rockets and launcher were recast in black plastic, the metal plates were removed from the Combat Deck, and Roller's color was changed to a light blue. Along with Roller's color change, however, the Combat Deck's drone pod also became light blue, and a third running change soon followed that saw it restored to its original darker blue, and Roller changed along with it. These modified components would become the default accessories used by subsequent reissues of the Prime toy would take, though Roller stills fluctuates back and forth between grey and dark blue, depending on how [[show-accuracy|show-accurate]] each reissue wants to be.

:The Japanese release of the figure also underwent the changes in weapon shapes, but never featured a silver Roller; instead, their original release of Prime featured a ''Diaclone''-style Roller without the two rear pegs, and the differently-shaped launcher that accommodated him, before a running change switched over to the Hasbro version of the mold. Finally, in some European countries, Prime sported red feet, as opposed to his traditional blue; this version of the figure is also known in some cases to feature a differently-painted forehead crest which leaves the three central indentations unpainted blue.

:Having been removed from toy store shelves after 1985, Optimus Prime was made available as a mail-away toy in the "[[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction (G1)|Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]]" offer in the US in 1986 to coincide with the [[The Transformers: The Movie|Transformers movie]] premiering that year. He cost $21.50 and 5 [[Robot Point]]s. He was also offered in 'The Autobots Have A Special Mission For...' mail-away pamphlet and came with a special "Movie Edition Certificate" and a round sticker that read " Movie . Edition . Transformer" with the Autobot symbol in the middle. (This item is considered ''rare''.)

:Over twenty-plus years, there have been a ''bajillion'' releases of this mold, some identical to the original toy, and some featuring significant variants with notably different paint jobs, color schemes, accessories and other pack-ins. We have striven to list all these variants on this page under their respective series; for a quick-reference list of all variants and releases [[#Notes|check here]]. The cab robot has also been used sparingly to represent different characters; outfitted with different trailers, it has become Generation 1 [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]] and [[Pepsi Convoy]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Generation 1 Optimus Prime at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|PepsiPrime}}
[[File:G1-toy OptimusPepsi.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Pepsibots, roll out!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Limited edition promotional variant, 1985)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (dark blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:A limited edition of the Optimus Prime toy sold as a mail-away exclusive by [[Pepsi|PepsiCo]] was made available in North America in 1985. This version of the figure came with a small fold-out leaflet glued to the top-right of the packaging, which contained two Pepsi logo stickers for the buyer to attach to Prime, mid-way through the traditional silver-and-blue stripe on his trailer. [[Canada]] also got a version of this promotional figure, but with much larger stickers that were the full length and height of the trailer. This promotion would go on to serve as the inspiration for the Japanese character of [[Pepsi Convoy]], who would in turn be released by Hasbro as a new "[[#Classics|Pepsi Optimus Prime]]" in 2007.

{{-}}{{anchor|VSX}}
[[File:Convoy megatron vsx.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Megatron, what are we doing in the same box???!!!!]]
*'''Convoy vs. Megatron''' (Versus set, 1985)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VSX'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

: This Japanese-[[exclusive]] release of Optimus Prime came with the Japanese release of [[Megatron (G1)/toys|Megatron]]. There are no differences between this release of Convoy and the individually released toy.

{{-}}{{anchor|goodbye}}
[[File:Goodbye convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He's not leaving! He's right behind you!]]
*'''Good Bye Convoy''' (Multipack, 1986)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (dark blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump
: Commemorating the death of Optimus Prime in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', this set contains a special version of the original Optimus Prime figure with show-inspired translucent blue windows. It was packaged with [[Mirage (G1)|Ligier]] and [[Red Alert (G1)|Alert]], in an apparent homage to the similar ''Diaclone'' "Powered Convoy DX" giftset that packaged the "Powered Convoy" version of the Optimus mold with figures using the molds of Ligier and Alert.

{{-}}{{anchor|G1UltraMagnus}}
[[File:Ultramagnusg1toy.jpg|right|upright=1.67|thumb|Honkimus Prime.]]
*'''Ultra Magnus''' (1986)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-69'''
**''Accessories:'' Large robot head, rifle, chest plate, 2 trailer connectors/waist plates, 2 small robot fists (left & right), 2 large robot fists (left & right), 2 missile launchers, 4 missiles
{{note|Ultra Magnus' inner white Optimus Prime redeco was [[repurposing|repurposed]] as Optimus Prime in the ''[[Transformers vs. G.I. Joe]]'' issue "[[The War Never Ends]]".}}

: Ultra Magnus is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Diaclone]]'' "Powered Convoy" figure, itself a redeco and slight retool of "Battle Convoy", the toy that became the original Optimus Prime figure, sporting a new trailer. One of the last few ''Diaclone'' toys to be released in the ''Transformers'' toyline, Magnus was recolored from the original toy's dark blue, red and black color scheme into a more patriotic red, white and blue, though his chestplate, which was rendered white in his package art followed a more the blue color scheme of his shoulders. He transforms into a Freightliner COE, towing a car-carrier trailer capable of transporting up to four normal-sized Autobot cars. As with Optimus Prime, his cab transforms into a small robot, which can then combine with the trailer to form a "super robot", although all original Generation 1 fiction prior to the 21st century ignored this and simply rendered the super robot as Magnus's default robot form. To facilitate this combination, Magnus sports a slightly longer front axle than Prime, thereby creating tabs on either side of the cab that slide into grooves in the trailer to help lock the small robot into place. He is armed with a rifle sporting two handles that allow either of his [[robot mode]]s to hold it, and two shoulder-mounted missile launchers, whose spring-loaded firing mechanism was removed for the Hasbro release of the figure.

:The ''Diaclone'' Powered Convoy figure had several additional features and modes which were mostly excised or left unmentioned for the ''Transformers'' release of Ultra Magnus. Principally, Powered Convoy came packaged with "Powered Buggy", who was left out of Magnus's release (see [[#Notes|notes below]] for further details). Omitted from Magnus's instructions is the ability of his chestplate and super robot head to combine to form a small vehicle; the Powered Convoy version of the figure included small rolling wheels on the underside of the chestplate which were removed for Ultra Magnus. Additionally, three additional modes were included in the ''Diaclone'' instructions that Hasbro left out: a "preparation base" mode and an "Autobot base" mode were excluded entirely, while the third, a "catapult launcher" mode originally intended and proportioned to accommodate the ''Diaclone'' Jet Robo figure that became [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], was shown only on the front of his packaging, interacting with [[Silverbolt (G1)|Silverbolt]]. The Japanese release of Ultra Magnus—released as part of the ''[[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]'' sub-line—''did'' include instructions for the preparation base and catapult launcher modes, but replaced the original Autobot base mode with a new configuration.

:The original Ultra Magnus figure has been reissued and redecoed several times down the years, and this article strives to list each edition of the figure under its own heading. The first alteration to Magnus, however, was a [[variant|running change]] made while he was still on shelves: Originally, his tires were made of [[rubber tires|rubber]] and he sported paint on both his small and large robot heads, but this version was soon replaced with one featuring plastic tires and no paint on either head. In addition, the clear yellow plastic that formed his windows was removed from the cab, leaving just holes instead; and his thighs and fuel tanks were left white, as opposed to the vacuum metalized chrome ones of the original release.

:The small robot component, as well as being part of Optimus Prime, was also released with a different trailer as [[Pepsi Convoy]].
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/UltraMagnus/ultramagnus.htm More information on Ultra Magnus at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|PMOP}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Powermaster, 1988)
**''Accessories:'' Hi-Q Powermaster unit, 2 Laser Rifles, 2 Twin Particle Beam Cannons, Super Robot head
[[File:PowermasterOptimusPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|My Japanese release has a lot more bling. And shorter stacks.]]
:Powermaster Optimus Prime was the first new toy of the Autobot leader since the original toy's release in 1984. He is an all-new design, utilizing the [[Powermaster]] gimmick of requiring the partner figure, who transforms into an engine module, to be inserted into a special area on the main toy before it is able to transform.

:Like the original figure, Powermaster Prime is composed of two major components: his truck cab, which transforms into Prime himself, and his trailer, which is essentially a heavily-armed version of the original. The trailer has a fold-down ramp to allow the storage of a smaller Transformer, or perhaps spare accessories. The trailer transforms into a battle station armed with two long black rifles and two grey double-barreled cannons (featuring seating for Powermaster engine figures), all of which Optimus Prime can also wield in his fists.

:Aside from the Powermaster feature itself, the main [[gimmick]] of the toy is the ability of the truck cab to combine with the trailer to form the larger "Super Optimus Prime" figure. This is essentially accomplished by standing the trailer up, folding the cab in half and inserting it into the empty cavity in the trailer's torso, forming an imposing—if almost entirely unposeable—robot form armed with all four weapons. The head of this super robot form is a separate piece which can be stored in the rear of Prime's trailer when not in use. While Hi-Q was always shown plugged into Prime's chest in artwork of this mode (as seen in the picture here), this was actually entirely unnecessary as transforming into Super Optimus Prime didn't require the standard Prime toy's legs to be unlocked.

:The Japanese release of Powermaster Optimus Prime actually represented a new character named [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]], and featured several retools: the cab featured die-cast metal, shortened smokestacks, vacuum-metalized plastic and clear blue windows, while the trailer was given retractable super robot fists. This Japanese version was eventually issued by Hasbro in 2003 as part of the [[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] collection ([[#Commemorative Series|see below]]).

:This toy was later redecoed into the Japanese-exclusive Nucleon Quest Super Convoy.

:There were several different prototypes made for this toy. [[#Powermaster Optimus Prime design history|See a list here]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1988/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optmiusprime.htm More information on Powermaster Optimus Prime on TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|AM}}
[[File:ActionMasterPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Eastbound and Down.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Action Master, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' 2 Laser Guns, Galactic Pulverizer Gun Barrels, 4 Blaster Cannons, 2 Energon Exhaust Stack, Photon Bazooka

: The largest [[Action Master]] set, this incarnation of Optimus Prime is a non-transforming action figure which comes with the "[[Armored Convoy]]", a large, heavily armed tractor trailer. The cab of the truck transforms into a small jet that can seat one Action Master figure, while the trailer itself converts into a larger battle station with turrets that several Action Masters can man. The sculpt of the Prime figure itself is closely based on his [[character model]], albeit with a coloration that seems to have been based at least partially on the small robot form of his Powermaster body.

:The Action Master Optimus Prime figure was later redecoed with a more [[Show-accuracy|show-accurate]] color scheme and included in the Japanese-exclusive "New Year" reissue of the original Optimus Prime toy in 2002.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1990/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Action Master Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|EuroClassics}}
[[File:Euro classics optimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Original Optimus Prime''' (Original Autobot Leader, 1990)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (dark blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:This straight reissue of the original Optimus Prime figure was released in Hasbro's European markets in the early 1990s, at the same time as many other Generation 1 figures were being re-released as "[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]". Oddly, although he shares their golden packaging, Prime is not actually ''identified'' as a "Classics" figure anywhere on his box, but is generally considered to be part of the sub-line for simplicity's sake.

{{-}}{{anchor|2000rerelease}}
*'''Convoy''' (reissue, 2000)[[File:2000 japanese prime reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (grey), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:The first in what would be a deluge of reissues of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure in the 21st century, this Japanese release sported a golden sticker on his packaging announcing the celebration of the Transformers' 15th anniversary in the country. It featured slightly modified fists to help hold the gun better.

:Simultaneously, this figure was available as a black convention-exclusive redeco, and a golden-chromed "[[Lucky Draw figure]]" (see below).

{{-}}{{anchor|JAFCON}}
[[File:Jafcon convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Not the first [[Black Lio Convoy|black Convoy]], but the first that wasn't a clone.]]
*'''Convoy Black Version''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (black), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:Released concurrently with the 2000 reissue of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, this [[black repaint|black redeco]] of the original Prime was available exclusively at the Japanese convention JAFCON. ''Everything'' about it is black, including all of the Combat Deck and Roller.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2000/Cybertron/JAFConvoy/jafconvoy.htm More information on JAFCON Black Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|LuckyDrawPrime}}
[[File:G1toy convoy gold version.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime's a gold digger/way over Cybertron.]]
*'''Convoy Gold Version''' (2000)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (gold), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:Released concurrently with the 2000 reissue of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, this "[[Lucky Draw figure|Lucky Draw]]" redeco of the original Prime replaced all of the figure's silver chromed parts and stickers with golden ones, and even included a blinged-out Roller. The figure is extremely rare; apparently only 25 are known to exist.

{{-}}{{anchor|NucleonQuest}}
[[File:Nucleon quest convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Epic Black repaints are the right of all toy collecting beings.]]
*'''Nucleon Quest Super Convoy''' (2001)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-307X'''
**''Accessories:'' Hi-Q Powermaster unit, 2 Laser Rifles, 2 Twin Particle Beam Cannons, Super Robot head

:This redeco of the Ginrai tooling of the Powermaster Optimus Prime figure (released concurrently with the 2001 reissue of the Ginrai figure) was a Toys ''R'' Us Japan [[exclusive]] black repaint, made to represent the original Optimus Prime equipped for a special mission. All of his red and blue plastics were changed to black, his clear blue windows were now tinted red, making his overall colour scheme very reminiscent of the now-familiar '[[Black Convoy (disambiguation)|Black Convoy]]' color schemes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Autobot/NucleonQuestConvoy/nqconvoy.htm More information on Nucleon Quest Super Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|NewYearConvoy}}
*'''New Year Special Convoy''' (2002)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''[[File:New year convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
**''Accessories:'' 2 Laser Blasters, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (dark blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump, Action Master Optimus Prime figure, [[Matrix of Leadership/toys|Matrix of Leadership]], chain, Autobot sticker sheet, mouse pad

:This Japanese-exclusive reissue of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure featured tinted blue windows, like those sported by the "Goodbye Convoy" edition of the toy, as well as show-accurate blue eyes. Prime came with all his original accessories, including ''both'' versions of his rifle, as well as a new die-cast metal Matrix of Leadership accessory, which could be looped around his neck on a removable chain. Additionally, the set included a show-accurate redeco of the Action Master Optimus Prime figure, a sheet of Autobot [[insignia]] stickers of varying sizes, and a mouse pad decorated with the Autobot symbol.

:The Matrix accessory was later recolored in gold chrome for inclusion with the 2005 [[Galvatron (G1)/toys|Galvatron reissue toy]], and in green chrome as the [[Matrix of Leadership/toys|Creation Matrix]] for the [[e-HOBBY]]-exclusive [[Galvatron II#Toys|Galvatron II]] toy. It returned to its original silver coloration when it was included, sans chain, in the 2010 ''[[Transformers (2010 toyline)|Transformers: Reveal the Shield]]'' "Battle in Space" 2-pack.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Cybertron/NewYearsConvoy/nyconvoy.htm More information on New Year Special Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Sons of Cybertron}}
[[File:G1toy sons of cybertron optimus prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Sons of Cybertron''' (2010)
**''Accessories:'' Machine gun turret/rifle

:Released as part of [[TakaraTomy]]'s "Welcome to Transformers 2010" campaign, the "Sons of Cybertron" set includes a redeco of the 2006 ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' "Ultimate Battle" pack Deluxe class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Optimus Prime]], cast mostly in translucent plastic (his shoulders remain opaque [[Unpaintable plastic|Polyoxymethylene (POM)]]). He comes packaged with a similarly translucent redeco of ''Classics'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Rodimus]].

:The set is a counterpart to TakaraTomy's simultaneously-available ''[[Transformers Animated (franchise)|Transformers Animated]]'' Sons of Cybertron set, which also features translucent versions of that line's Deluxe [[Optimus Prime (Animated)/toys|Optimus Prime]] and [[Rodimus Prime (Animated)|Rodimus]] figures. It was intended as an exclusive for the Japanese Chara Hobby 2010 festival, but was also initially offered as a raffle prize at the 2010 "Autobot Alliance" event in the Philippines.,<ref>[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/sons-of-cybertron-crystal-classics-optimus-prime-and-rodimus-set-images-169977/ TFW2005.com reports on the Philippines Autobot Alliance/Cybertron Con event. June 18, 2010]</ref> and was later available for purchase at [[Cybertron Con 2010]] in [[Shanghai]].

{{-}}{{anchor|bape}}
[[File:G1toy BAPE convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Trukk not munky|TRUKK...''AND'' MUNKY?]]]]
*'''Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver.''' (A Bathing Ape exclusive, 2011)
**''ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:Available exclusively from Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape]] in July 2011, concurrently with a range of exclusive Transformers t-shirts, "Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver." (コンボイ復刻版 BAPE® Ver.) is a redeco of the original Optimus Prime toy sporting a unique new green color scheme, along with a tan trailer decorated with a camouflage pattern. Both trailer and Prime himself feature the A Bathing Ape logo in place of an Autobot symbol, while the floor of the trailer's Combat Deck mode features new Bathing Ape-themed labels. The figure comes in a recolored version of the original Japanese Optimus Prime packaging.
::*''[http://bape.com/transformer Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. on BAPE.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|bapeblack}}
[[File:G1toy BAPE ConvoyBlack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime at his audition for ''The Artist''.]]
*'''Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. BLACK'''<ref>Or "Ver. Black Camo," in ''[[Transformers Generations 2012]]''.</ref> (A Bathing Ape exclusive, 2012)
**''ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:Available exclusively from Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape]] in April 2012, "Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. BLACK" (コンボイ復刻版 BAPE® Ver. BLACK) is a redeco of the original Optimus Prime toy sporting a unique new grey color scheme, along with a grey trailer decorated with a camouflage pattern. Both trailer and Prime himself feature the A Bathing Ape logo in place of an Autobot symbol, while the floor of the trailer's Combat Deck mode features new Bathing Ape-themed labels. The figure comes in a recolored version of the original Japanese packaging.

{{-}}{{anchor|bapered}}
[[File:G1toy BAPE ConvoyRed.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Three times faster than the original BAPE version.]]
*'''Convoy Reissue BAPE VERSION RED CAMO'''<ref>Japanese listing on the BAPE website. The accompanying English text reads "01 CONVOY BAPE VERSION RED CAMO".</ref> (A Bathing Ape exclusive, 2013)
**''ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:Available exclusively from Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape]] in March 2013, "Convoy Reissue BAPE VERSION RED CAMO" (コンボイ復刻版 BAPE® VERSION RED CAMO) is a redeco of the original Optimus Prime toy sporting a unique new red color scheme, along with a red trailer decorated with a camouflage pattern. Both trailer and Prime himself feature the A Bathing Ape logo in place of an Autobot symbol, while the floor of the trailer's Combat Deck mode features new Bathing Ape-themed labels. The figure comes in a recolored version of the original Japanese packaging.

::*''[http://www.bape.com/transformers_3 Convoy Reissue BAPE VERSION RED CAMO on BAPE.com]''
{{-}}

==Transform Jr==
{{anchor|1985Jnr}}
[[File:Convoy Junior toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Prime's kid brother.]]
*'''Convoy''' (1985)
**''ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' 2 fists (left and right), head, Laser Blaster, cardboard trailer

: As one of the first ''[[Transform Jr]]'' toys, this version of Optimus Prime was released under the early name for the series, ''Transform Gōkin''. As a smaller, simplified version of the original Generation 1 Prime figure intended as a low-cost alternative for younger children, Prime features a similar transformation, with a removable head in addition to fists, but lacks rubber tires and translucent windows. As with most other ''Transform Jr'' figures, he lacked any of his major accessories, coming only with his rifle and a cardboard replacement for his trailer that had to be assembled by the buyer.

{{-}}{{anchor|HeroSet}}
[[File:Transformjr hero set.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The true Heroes of Cybertron]]
*'''Cybertron Hero Set''' (multipack, 1987)
**''Accessories:'' 2 fists (left and right), head, Laser Blaster, cardboard trailer

:The ''Transform Jr'' version of Prime was re-released a few years later in a "Hero" set alongside the ''Jr'' versions of [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]], and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]].

*'''5 Years of Leaders Set''' (multipack, 1989)
**''Accessories:'' 2 fists (left and right), head, Laser Blaster, cardboard trailer

:Prime was again re-released several years later in a lucky Draw "5 Years of Leaders" set alongside the ''Jr'' versions of Rodimus Convoy, [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]], God Ginrai, and Star Saber.

{{-}}

==Return of Convoy==
{{anchor|StarConvoy}}

[[File:StarConvoy toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"... and that's why you're my Micromaster now, [[Hot Rod (G1)|bitch.]]"]]
*'''Star Convoy''' (Powered Master, 1991)
**''ID number:'' '''C-372'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle, [[Micro Trailer]], Microcarrier, small cannon, cannon turret stand, radar, connector, 2 ramps

: As the final new-design Optimus Prime toy from the original Generation 1 era, the Japanese-exclusive Star Convoy was a significant departure from previous versions. This incarnation of Prime transforms into an extended-hood cab truck of made-up model pulling an implausibly large trailer, incorporating the motorized "Microcarrier". Powered by four AA batteries, the Microcarrier drives Star Convoy either forward or backward, spinning a radar dish mounted on the rear of his trailer as he rolls along. Prime's teammate in the [[Battlestars]], [[Grandus (ROC)|Grandus]], can link up to the rear of Star Convoy's vehicle mode and be pulled along behind him; [[Sky Garry (ROC)|Sky Garry]] can then land atop Grandus, forming a giant vehicle.

:Unlike previous Prime toys, the cab section does not separate from the trailer for transformation, instead forming the arms of his imposing 12-inch tall robot mode. He lacks any sort of leg articulation in this mode, but the Microcarrier comes into play again, allowing Prime to roll either forward or backward into action.

:Additionally, Star Convoy transforms into a large battle station that interacts with the [[Micromaster]]s that made up the vast majority of the ''Transformer'' toyline at the time. His chest contains a peg that allows Micromaster figures to stand inside it in either robot or base modes, and he comes with a unique Micromaster version of [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Return of Convoy|Hot Rod]] not available on its own. He features storage space in his legs for two spring-loaded figure-launching [[Micro Trailer]]s, and comes with one of his own, decorated in a unique black and orange color scheme. In this mode, two ramps are connected to the Microcarrier; when the carrier's treads are set rolling, they do not move the base, but instead act as conveyor belts that carry Micromaster figures down the ramps. The Microcarrier also spins a gun turret mounted between the conveyors, on which Micromaster figures can stand. Finally, a special connector packaged with Star Convoy allows the Microcarrier to be connected up to Grandus's base mode, powering his moving elevator.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1991/Cybertron/StarConvoy/starconvoy.htm More information on Star Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
{{anchor|StarConvoyReissue}}
[[File:StarConvoy reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Star Convoy''' (reissue, 2005)
**''ID number:'' '''C-372'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle, [[Micro Trailer]], Microcarrier, small cannon, cannon turret stand, radar, connector, 2 ramps

:Star Convoy was reissued by Takara in 2005, with some notable alterations to his deco: his white plastic was replaced with metallic silver, and the yellow star on his chest was chromed golden. Star Convoy himself retained some of his original decals but most notably his "simulated head lights" and "wind shield panels" were stamp graphed on him, similarly, Hot Rod's were replaced with the same stamp graphing applications. Additionally, where the original toy had been packaged in robot mode in a tall box decorated with the standard Japanese package art of the time, the reissue was packaged in vehicle mode, in a long, wide box more reminiscent of the original Generation 1 toys.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/StarConvoy/starconvoy.htm More information on reissue Star Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Generation 2==
[[File:G2Prime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I AM OPTIMUS PRIME.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (1993, 1994)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (light blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump, 2 missile launchers, 2 missiles, sound and lights module

:The first ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime toy was largely identical in sculpt to the original Generation 1 figure release. While his cab robot retained his original red and blue color scheme, his trailer was recast in black, with the original blue and silver striped sticker replaced with a red and silver one displaying Optimus's name. On the first release of the trailer, the internal components and Roller matched the blue of the cab robot. Later, the internal components were changed to a lighter blue, as was Roller. Another running change followed, making the dark blue of the cab robot match this lighter shade. A bright yellow "Autobot" [[tampograph]] was also added to the back of his right leg.

:''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime comes with all his original accessories, as well as two major new play features. To increase his arsenal, he is armed with a pair of black missile launchers that fit in his fists and fire red spring-loaded missiles; these launchers were retooled from the ''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'' figure [http://www.yojoe.com/action/92/barricade.shtml Barricade]. Secondly, he comes with an electronic "sound and lights module" that can either plug into the front of the trailer (where it resembles the air conditioners used on refrigerated trailers), or hook onto Optimus's back in [[robot mode]] (via a new slot sculpted into the cab robot). The soundbox features a large, [[vacuum metallizing|vacuum metalized]] Autobot symbol on its front, and three grey buttons which trigger two flashing red LEDs on either side of the module, and [[:File:G2OptimusNoises.ogg|a trio of sound effects]]: a truck engine noise, a laser gun sound effect and a garbled voice that said "I am Optimus Prime!". The module also features ports on either side into which the missile launchers can peg.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1993/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Generation 2 Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|HeroOptimusPrime}}
[[File:CombatheroPrime toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|BE A HEEEERO]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Hero, 1994)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Gun, 2 rockets

:[[Hero (G2)|Hero]] Optimus Prime was the first new-mold Optimus Prime toy created for the ''Generation 2'' line. He transforms into a Kenworth truck of unknown model which defies Optimus convention by being one continuous unit, rather than the traditional cab-and-trailer combo. In addition to a small gun, he is armed with a large missile launcher, which can fire a rubber-tipped rocket by means of a bellows which you slam your fist down on to produce a puff of air. The launcher is accessible in both modes, ending up mounted on his right forearm in robot mode; the bellows is attached via a rubber hose and cannot be disconnected, but stores on the figures's back when not in use, as do the rockets. A similar air-launching system with identical missiles was used by the simultaneously-released [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Hero Megatron]], and by Laser Optimus Prime the following year (see below).

: This mold was also used to create [[Sureshot (G2)|Sureshot]] and the [[KB Toys]]-exclusive [[Destructicon (RID)|Destructicon]] [[Scourge (RID)#Destructicon|Scourge]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Hero Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|LaserOptimusPrime}}
*'''Laser Optimus Prime''' (1995)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-13'''
**''Accessories:'' "Laser cannon", "saber weapon", missile launcher, 10 missiles, 5 discs, 2 rockets
[[File:G2toy laser optimus prime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|What was that about shoulder-speakers, Jazz?]]

: Laser Optimus Prime transforms into a mid-1990s Western Star 4964EX, pulling a grey and black fuel tank trailer. The sides of the trailer are decorated with an unintentionally humourous sticker depicting Prime using a flamethrower to burn down a forest, with the words "Optimus Prime Octane" over the image. Not an especially Primey thing to do! The truck is armed with a disc launcher on the roof of its trailer, which launches five blue discs bearing the ''Generation 2'' Autobot insignia as a knob is turned. Like the other "[[Laser Rod|Laser]]" toys released this year, Prime features electronics powered by two button-cell batteries; in truck mode, pressing the button on the cab's roof causes his headlight to light up with yellow LEDs.

:In the grand Optimus tradition, the cab of Laser Optimus Prime disconnects to become the highly poseable robot mode of Prime himself. Like Powermaster Prime and Hero Prime, the toy features the iconic windshield pecs and grill abs, despite not actually being formed from the actual truck components they emulate. In robot mode, pressing the button on Prime's cab (now on his back) activates a red LED in his right fist which illuminates his clear-plastic sword (which stores beneath his legs in truck mode).

:Prime's trailer unfolds via a spring-loaded transformation mechanism in a battle station that is positively ''bristling'' with varied weaponry. In addition to the disc launcher, it is armed with a "ripple-fire" missile launcher that fires five missiles, an air-powered rocket launcher like the one previously seen on Hero Optimus Prime, and a small laser cannon that mounts on the base's main tower. Both the missile launcher and laser cannon can disconnect and be held by Prime; his LED-fist will illuminate the laser cannon like it does his sword. Additional missiles and a second rocket are stored in grooves inside the sides of the trailer.

:This mold was redecoed by Takara in 2000 as ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Car Robots]]'' [[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]]. The following year, it was released by Hasbro as Black Convoy's [[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 franchise)|2001 ''Robots in Disguise'' franchise]] counterpart, Scourge, with retooled discs that lacked the Autobot insignia. Following this, the next use of the mold was planned to be ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Toxitron (Universe)|Toxitron]], which ended up being canceled. The modified tooling was also used when Laser Prime was reissued by Takara in 2006 with a modified deco ([[#G2reissue|see below]]), and for the e-Hobby exclusive [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#G-2|Laser Ultra Magnus]] that accompanied the reissue's release. In 2015, ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition Year of the Goat]]'' Optimus Prime, another repaint version, comes with partially transparent plastic torso.

:In addition to being the most popular Generation 2 figure, Laser Optimus Prime was, prior to 2003, a regular contender for most popular Transformers toy ''ever'', back in the days of the annual Transformers fan awards, "The Trannies." The toy won twice, and actually lost once to his redeco, Scourge.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Laser Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{G2LaserOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|GobotOptimusPrime}}
[[File:G2toy gobot prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Sweet ride, Prime]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Go-Bot, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Gun

: [[Go-Bot (G2)|Go-Bot]] Optimus Prime transforms into a red Hot Wheels-sized Lamborghini Diablo. Like most Go-Bots, he features high speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly. He is armed with a small red laser rifle.

:The Japanese release of this toy swapped out the orange plastic for neon yellow, and had a large tampograph on the car's hood that was shaped like a stylized letter 'T', with the Transformers logo in it. Going against the grain, this toy was released in Japan with the name "Optimus Prime" instead of "Convoy".

:This sculpt was redecoed from the ''Generation 2'' Gobot [[Firecracker]]. The plastic colors are a "solid" version of Firecracker's color layout, substituting opaque red for transparent red plastic. It was redecoed again for the third wave of Go-Bots to become [[Sideswipe (G1)/toys#Go-Bot|Sideswipe]] (who Prime ''really'' looks a lot like), and would later be used to created ''Robots in Disguise'' [[R.E.V.]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/OptimusPrimeGobot/optimusprime.htm More information on Go-Bot Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|CombatHeroOptimusPrime}}
[[File:CombatHeroPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Combat Hero, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Gun, 2 rockets
{{anchor|g2combatheroprime}}
: Combat Hero Optimus Prime was to be a redeco of Hero Optimus Prime in dark blue and red. Packaged samples of this toy were produced, but it was ultimately never released.

:The packaged samples feature a "traditional" color scheme for the head, with a silver [[mouthplate]]; the prototype depicted in the official catalog image seen on the right sports an unusual ''red'' mouthplate, which inspired several later toys.

:A finished sample of Combat Hero Optimus Prime was among the rare toys auctioned off for charity at [[BotCon 1996]], along with several other unreleased ''Generation 2'' items.

::*''[http://www.toyarchive.com/Transformers/Prototypes/Generation2/HeroOptimusPrimeProtoMOSC.html "Combat Hero" Optimus Prime in packaging at Super Toy Archive]''
::*''[http://www.transformertoys.co.uk/resources/review/generation+2/blue+optimus+prime/3654 "Combat Hero" Optimus Prime in packaging at Transformers @ The Moon]''
::*''[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers-toys/gallery/g2/combat-hero-optimus-prime/3429/1/ "Combat Hero" Optimus Prime in and out of packaging at Seibertron]
{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G2General}}
*'''General Optimus Prime''' (Auto Roller, 1995)
**''Accessories:'' Four missiles
[[File:Un autorollers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

: "General" Optimus Prime would have been a redeco of the Decepticon [[Auto Roller]] [[Dirtbag]] in green, ironically bearing a closer resemblance to [[Hound (G1)|Hound]]'s color scheme than the also-unreleased [[Hound (G1)/toys#Generation 2|"Sgt. Hound"]] Auto Roller. General Optimus Prime would have transformed into a dump truck, and would've had an [[autotransformation]] gimmick.

: This mold was also used to make [[Autostinger]].

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}{{anchor|G2reissue}}
[[File:LaserPrime reissue.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Battle Convoy''' (reissue, 2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TRF-13'''
**''Accessories:'' "Laser cannon", "saber weapon", missile launcher, 10 missiles, 5 discs, 2 rockets

:This reissue of the original ''Generation 2'' Laser Optimus Prime figure was made using the modified version of the mold created for ''Robots in Disguise'' Scourge, lacking the sculpted ''Generation 2'' Autobot insignias on the disks featured on the original. It sported a modified deco, with the flat grey plastic on both the trailer and Prime's chest now replaced with silver chrome; additionally, new Autobot symbol tampographs were added to the doors of Prime's cab mode and the front end of his trailer, and a pair of new chest-window stickers featuring an illustration of the Matrix of Leadership replaced the original decals.

:This version of the mold was used to create the e-Hobby exclusive Laser Ultra Magnus, and somewhat more perplexingly, was briefly [[repurposing|repurposed]] by the [[Master of the Game|second]] ''[[Beast Wars Reborn]]'' text story as a temporary body for [[Optimus Primal (BW)/Beast Wars cartoon continuity#Beast Wars Reborn|Optimus Primal]]!
{{G2LaserOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{-}}

==Beast Wars==
{{Note|Very early in the life of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' toyline (before the debut of the ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (cartoon)|Beast Wars]]'' cartoon), Hasbro treated the series as an extension of the Autobot/Decepticon war, and so Optimus Primal was presented as being the same character as Optimus Prime.}}

*'''Optimus Primal vs Megatron!''' (Basic versus two-pack, 1996)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-6'''[[File:BWtoy-Primalbat.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I'm Batman, and I can breathe in space.]]
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
:The first ''[[Beast Wars: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Wars]]'' [[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Primal]] is a Basic size class blue bat which could autotransform into a robot by pulling the tail. Two swords were removable from under its wings for use as weaponry in [[robot mode]]. It was packaged along with an alligator version of Megatron and a ''Beast Wars'' mini-comic.

:This figure was released during the short-lived period when Hasbro was treating the Beast Wars as an extension of the Autobot/Decepticon war, and Optimus Primal was presented as being the same character as Optimus Prime. This was soon relegated to the realms of [[micro-continuity]] when the ''Beast Wars'' animated series began and clearly established that the two Optimuses were different characters, but the toy remains one that was officially branded as Prime, and is consequently listed here.

:This mold was also used to make the [[Optimus Primal/toys|Optimus Prime-recolored Convobat]] (who may or may not be a separate character to either Prime or Primal), and [[Onyx Primal]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimalBat/optimusprimal.htm More information on Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

[[File:Optimusprimaltoyultraape.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Well, that's just Prime.]]
*'''Optimus Primal''' (Ultra, 1996/1997/1998)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords, four missiles, flail
: The second Optimus Primal toy was an ape in the Ultra size class. Though the transformation from primate to humanoid was a relatively simplistic one, the toy compensated with more than a fair share of weaponry and action features. A compartment on his right forearm opened to reveal a skull-shaped mace he could hold in his fist. His left forearm could open into a double-barreled missile launcher. On his back were two spring-loaded missile launchers which auto-flipped over each shoulder. By pulling a lever in the center of his back, both arms would either spin at the bicep or bend in and out at the elbow, depending on the placement of notch-buttons located on either bicep. This gimmick was shown to be an effort to simulate a gorilla beating its chest while Optimus was in [[beast mode]], but could also be used in robot mode, making him swing his weapons wildly before himself. And finally, like many first-year ''Beast Wars'' toys, a battle mask/"[[mutant head]]" could be deployed over his robot head.

:Takara released the toy as part of their ''Beast Wars'' line in July of 1997, nearly identical to the Hasbro version. The missiles for the Takara version are thinner and simpler than the original Hasbro version, and would be used in all subsequent releases of the mold.

:Just like Optimus Primal's basic bat toy, this figure was released during the short-lived period when the Beast Wars was still considered to be an extension of the Autobot/Decepticon war, and Optimus Primal was the same character as Optimus Prime. This was soon relegated to the realms of [[micro-continuity]] when the ''Beast Wars'' animated series began and clearly established that the two Optimuses were different characters, but the toy remains one that was officially branded as Prime, and is consequently listed here.

:This mold was [[redeco]]ed into ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Optimus Primal and [[Transformers: Beast Wars Telemocha Series|Beast Wars Telemocha Series]] DX Convoy, and [[retool]]ed into ''Beast Wars Reborn''/''Beast Wars Tenth Anniversary'' versus pack Optimus Primal. Takara also created multiple special variants, including all-gold (from ''Tele-V Magazine'', only ten awarded), red and gray (''Tele-V'' again, but only ''one'' awarded), and blue-fur (a ''Comics Bom Bom'' design-contest prize, only five awarded).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1996/Maximal/OptimusPrimal/optimusprimal.htm More information on ape Optimus Primal at TFU.info]''

{{anchor|AmazonConvobat}}
[[File:BW-toy OptimusPrimalCDROM.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Freedom is the right of all superstitious, cowardly lots. Wait, no, that's not right...]]
*'''Amazon Showdown''' (multipack)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''VS-S1'''
**''Accessories:'' Two swords
: Available only in a special CD-ROM two-pack with a [[Megatron (BW)/toys|purple redeco of "Megaligator"]], this version of Optimus Primal (maybe) retains its previous gimmickry. his back features a silver Maximal [[Insignia|faction symbol]] plus "C-ROM", as in "Cybertron", get it? Huh? And Megatron has the "D-ROM"? See what they did there?

: Just what character this toy represents is up for debate. The toy's [[bio]] claims he used to turn into a tractor-trailer (indicating Optimus Prime), but considering the timeframe of when they were written and the whole lack of a stance on who Primal "was" before the show and blah blah blah... it's just easier to file this under the same iffiness as the original toy bios set on modern [[Earth]] and leave it at that.

: This mold was also used to make [[Onyx Primal]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Cybertron/ConvoyBat/convoybat.htm More information on CD-ROM Convobat at TFU.info]''

==Machine Wars==
[[File:MachineWarsPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Most Autobots [[Primus apotheosis|aspire]] to be Optimus Prime, Optimus Prime aspires to be [[Thunder Clash]].]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Ultra, 1997)
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle, 2 missiles

: Available only at [[KB Toys]], ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' Optimus Prime is a redeco and slight retool of the European Generation 1 exclusive [[Turbomaster]] leader [[Thunder Clash]], transforming into a Cybertronic truck cab. It's easy to see why Thunder Clash was chosen to become the new Optimus Prime, given his adherence to Prime tradition: the cab disconnects to become the robot, while the trailer unfolds to become an assault tower with twin missile launchers. On the original Thunder Clash version of the mold, the launchers operated on a gravity-feed system that saw a new missile drop into the launcher from above each time one was fired, allowing for twelve to be fired in rapid succession, but for ''Machine Wars'' Prime, this feature had to be dialed back [[for safety reasons]]. The missiles had to be lengthened to prevent choking hazards, and so the toy's launchers were modified to accommodate them, becoming straightforward spring-loaded single-firing weapons.

: This version of the mold was planned to be [[redeco]]ed into [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] for the ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, but the release was canceled.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1997/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Machine Wars'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==Choro-Q Robo==
[[File:ChoroQOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]

*'''Convoy TV Version''' (2001)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''Q/01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle

:''[[Choro-Q|Choro-Q Robo]]'' Convoy is a small, cutesified transforming figure of Optimus Prime that changes from trailer-pulling truck directly to [[robot mode]]. The toy features a working pull-back motor, and is decorated in a color scheme based on Prime's appearance in the original Generation 1 cartoon, with blue eyes and windows and a grey stripe on the trailer.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2001/Cybertron/ChoroQConvoyTV/convoy.htm Move information on Convoy TV Version at TFU.info]''

*'''Convoy Metallic Version''' (2001)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''Q/02'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle

:This version of ''Choro-Q Robo'' Convoy is a redeco of the first, featuring glittering metallic plastic, and a deco based upon the original toy, with yellow eyes, black windows, and a silver-and-blue stripe on the trailer.
{{-}}

==Commemorative Series==
[[File:Commemorative series optimus prime modifications.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The snip that launched a thousand snits.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2002/2012)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (grey), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:The first reissue of the original Optimus Prime toy in North America since the Generation 1 toyline reached its end, this "[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]]" edition of the figure was a Toys R Us exclusive. It was ''mostly'' identical to the original figure, save for some necessary modifications made [[for safety reasons]]: In the first instance of what would become a recognizable alteration to the mold, the toy's smokestacks were shortened, while the Combat Deck's firing missiles were elongated to prevent potential choking, as was the case with all other Commemorative Series figures' firing missiles. This release also had the trailer's launching feature removed.

:In 2012, a reissue of the Commemorative Series toy was released. Though the "Commemorative Series" label was not printed anywhere on the packaging, the included instructions retained the name.

:The toy itself is a mix of different versions. The cab has the safety modifications, including the shortened smokestacks and longer missiles (and thicker rifle), but also has the modified hitch of the 2011 Chronicle DOTM two pack. Meanwhile, the trailer is the lighter grey version from the 2008 Universe release. This version also seems to suffer from [[Mold#Deterioration|mold deterioration]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Commemorative Series Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|ApexArmorPrime}}
[[File:GodGinrai toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The real one has a longer missile]]
*'''Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor''' (2003)
**''Accessories:'' Hi-Q Powermaster unit, 2 Laser Rifles, 2 Twin Particle Beam Cannons, Super Robot head, missile launcher, 2 missiles, [[Apex Bomber]] chest/trailer top, 2 legs (left & right), 2 arms (left and right), Armor chest/trailer front, 2 wings (left & right)

:Marketed as a reissue of Powermaster Optimus Prime, this Toys R Us-exclusive Commemorative Series figure is in truth based on the Ginrai tooling on the toy that had previously been exclusive to Japan. It features a die-cast metal cab with translucent blue windows, and shortened, chrome smokestacks, and comes packaged with the drone [[Apex Bomber]] (formerly Ginrai's partner [[Godbomber]]), who splits into several components and combines with Prime to form "Apex Armor". As with all other Commemorative Series figures, Prime's new spring-loaded missile launcher featured an elongated missile.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Autobot/ApexPrime/apexprime.htm More information on Powermaster Prime with Apex Armor at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==The Transformers Collection==
[[File:Tf collection 0 convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''0'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (dark blue), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump, [[energon-axe]]

:As yet another in an increasingly large number of reissues of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy, this entry in the Japanese-exclusive ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' line of reissues added a few extra goodies to spice things up. Chiefly, the figure was armed with a new [[energon-axe]], based on the weapon used by Prime in the Generation 1 cartoon episode, "[[More than Meets the Eye, Part 2]]", which plugs into either of the headlight-holes that normally accommodate Prime's fists. Additionally, Prime came packaged with a ring binder folder designed to hold the pull-out character file sheets that were included with all the other ''Transformers Collection'' reissues. Notably, this figure reinstated the original, thick version of Prime's rifle as the standard for all future Japanese reissues.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Transformers Collection Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[File:Tfcollection prime fist.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Starscream''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''9'''

:This redeco of the original Generation 1 [[Starscream (G1)/toys|Starscream]] [[Starscream (G1)/toys|toy]] came packaged with a remolded right fist for Optimus Prime. This fist featured additional pegs that allowed it to hold [[Megatron (G1)/toys#TFCStarscream|the pistol mode Megatron accessory]] which was also included with Starscream.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Destron/AnimeStarscream/starscream.htm More information on Transformers Collection Starscream at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Smallest Transforming Transformers==
[[File:WSTF Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|You didn't find my trailer, did you? Haw haw.]]
*'''Convoy''' (2003)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''GTF 01A'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster

:Standing only two-and-a-quarter inches tall, ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' Optimus Prime is the smallest fully transforming G1 Optimus toy. He features an accurate transformation sequence based on the original full-sized toy, and he even comes with a tiny version of his laser rifle, but understandably has no detachable hands, and has little articulation. His trailer and Roller were also available as a separate set in the same wave, as a rare [[shortpacking|shortpacked]] figure with the ID number "GTF-01B".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Cybertron/SmallestPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Smallest Transforming Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{-}}[[File:Wstf anime convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy (Anime Version)''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''GTF 06'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster

:''Smallest Transforming'' Prime was redecoed the following year for the second wave of the line, into a color scheme based on his Generation 1 cartoon appearance featuring brighter reds and blues, white thighs, yellow details on his bumper, and blue eyes and windows. This version of the figure was made available for a second time in the next wave ("Wave 2.5"), with a new anime-decorated version of the Combat Deck now available as a rare "chase" figure.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/SmallestAnimePrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Convoy (Anime Version) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}[[File:Wstf white convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy (White)''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''GTF X-4'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster

:Another version of Prime was also available in the second wave of the ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' series as a chase figure. This almost entirely white version of the figure is clearly based on the version of the original Prime cab robot used in the Generation 1 Ultra Magnus figure, but was nonetheless sold as Optimus Prime for the ''Smallest'' line.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/SmallestConvoyWhiteMode/convoy.htm More information on Convoy (White) at TFU.info]''
{{-}}[[File:Wstf vsx.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy vs Megatron''' (multipack, 2004)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''VSX'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster

:Available exclusively through [[Dengeki Hobby]] magazine, this ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'' two-pack contains both Optimus Prime and Megatron, in homage to the original 1984 "VSX" giftset containing the original versions of the two leaders.
{{-}}
==Mini Toy Shop Collection==
[[File:G1toy mini toy shop convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''01'''
:At about 2/3 the size of the ''Smallest Transforming Transformers'', this diminutive version of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy is the smallest figure of the Autobot leader made to date. It was sold as part of Takara's blindpacked ''[[Mini Toy Shop Collection]]'' line, a series of miniaturized figures from numerous classic Takara toylines, including ''Transformers'', ''[[Microman]]'', ''[[Licca Kayama|Licca-chan]]'', ''[[Choro-Q]]'' and others. Both of Prime's modes are represented by non-transforming individual figures, which come together in a two-pack. In-box, his truck form is even packed in a miniature recreation of his original Japanese packaging, which also includes a shrunken version of his sticker sheet. A tiny version of the original Takara Transformers catalog completes the set.
::*''[http://tformers.com/article.php?sid=3541&mode=flat More information on Mini Collection Convoy at tformers.com]'' {{-}}
{{-}}

==20th Anniversary/Masterpiece==
{{MPOptimusMold}}
[[File:20thAnniversary OptimusPrimesm.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|And the fandom rejoiced.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2003/2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, gun mode Megatron, Megatron's scope, stock and silencer, energon-axe, cardboard trailer (Japanese release only)

: As the name suggests, this impressive incarnation of Optimus Prime was produced in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the ''Transformers'' brand. So successful was the figure that ''ToyFare'' magazine ultimately ranked it #1 in their quest for "Best Toy Ever".<ref>[http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/toyfare/000054376.cfm ToyFare Magazine Best Toys Ever]</ref>

:Created with the specific purpose of producing an Optimus Prime as accurate to the original animated series as possible, the toy is exceptionally poseable, partially constructed from die-cast metal, features rubber tires and vacuum-metalized plastic and is heavily detailed, with sliding pistons in its joints and working spring-loaded suspension in vehicle mode. The figure also contains multiple non-intrusive gimmicks, such as a moving [[mouthplate]] to emulate Prime's traditional method of speech, flip-up communications panels on the forearms depicting images of [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], and an opening, light-up Matrix chamber in the chest, which contains a removable vacuum-metalized Matrix of Leadership that can also be pulled open.

:Optimus Prime comes with many accessories in addition to the aforementioned Matrix, including the character's traditional laser rifle, now termed (and henceforth known as) an [[ion blaster]]. The initial release of the figure cast the ion blaster in grey plastic, but later assortments recast it in its more familiar black coloration. Other accessories include a transparent orange energon-axe that plugs into either wrist when Prime's fist is retracted, and even a non-transforming gun mode Megatron weapon, with removable stock, silencer and scope accessories, in homage to [[Countdown to Extinction (episode)|several]] [[The Insecticon Syndrome|instances]] in the Generation 1 cartoon when Prime was forced to wield his enemy. Pack-in bonuses that came with the figure included an inner cardboard tray illustrated to resemble the interior of Prime's Combat Deck, and in later releases, a small poster drawn by [[Pat Lee]].

:Takara's version of the figure was released in their markets slightly earlier, as the first of what would come to be several installments in their ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' line. In addition to coming with a cardboard trailer that the buyer could assemble to "complete" Prime's truck mode, Takara's release differed from Hasbro's by featuring longer smokestacks (kept short on the Hasbro version [[for safety reasons]], but incorrectly shown to be long in the stock photography shown at right), and lacking the black scorch-marked "battle damage" paint applications Hasbro included on the figure's shoulders, wrists and abdomen.

:This sculpt was redecoed by Takara into a golden Lucky Draw figure and later released in its original coloration with a trailer as a "Perfect Edition" (see below for both), while Hasbro would later redeco it into their ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]''-branded "[[#Classics|DVD Edition]]". The mold was also used to make ''Masterpiece'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys|Ultra Magnus]] and "[[Eldedroid|Convoy Black Version]]", representing one of many drones built in Prime's image, rather than Prime himself.

:In ''[[Transformers History Collection]]'', a [[Blindpacking|blind-packed]] Transformers trading figure line, Takara released an add-on hand for ''Masterpiece'' Convoy as a [[Chase figure]]. The hand holds a [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]] figure and clips on to the end of Optimus Prime's arm, making the arm slightly longer than normal.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/20thPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|goldmp}}
[[File:Gold masterpiece prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|We salute the brave soul who transformed this thing in order to photograph it.]]
*'''Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, 2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-1'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, gun mode Megatron, Megatron's scope, stock and silencer, energon-axe, cardboard trailer

:Offered as part of a Lucky Draw campaign in August 2004, this extremely rare version of ''Masterpiece'' Convoy is almost entirely vacuum-metalized gold, lacking any other painted detail or stickers. The parts which are not viable are molded in a flat golden plastic; the only exceptions are its rubber tires, the core of the Matrix and the energon-axe, which remain black, blue and orange, respectively. Whether or not the figure was intended to evoke Optimus Prime's [[:File:Goldenlagoon prime perceptor.jpg|entirely-golden appearance]] in the cartoon episode "[[The Golden Lagoon (episode)|The Golden Lagoon]]", when he was coated with [[electrum]], is unknown; given that entirely chroming a figure gold is a fairly standard deco for Lucky Draw figures, it may just be happy coincidence more than anything else.

:The figure comes packaged in the standard ''Masterpiece'' Convoy box, with the only telltale sign of its fabled contents being the replacement of the traditionally silver foil lettering on the box with gold. It's not clear how many were made, but it is thought to be no more than 10 or 20.

::*''[http://www.goldoptimusprime.com/ More information on gold ''Masterpiece'' Convoy at GoldOptimusPrime.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|mp4}}
[[File:MP04Convoy2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|You just paid $170 for a big box on wheels.]]
*'''Convoy Perfect Edition''' (2006, 2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-4'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Combat Deck, ion Blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, gun mode Megatron, Megatron's scope, stock and silencer, energon-axe, cardboard trailer

: For this re-release of ''Masterpiece'' Convoy, Takara submitted to the biggest desire fans had for the figure and produced a full-size, fully transforming plastic and die-cast metal trailer. The trailer opens up into Convoy's Combat Deck, with storage for its accessories and a functional repair drone, though Roller is conspicuous by its absence. Like the original Combat Deck, the drone can extend through holes in the roof and front of the closed trailer, and the interior has enough room to accommodate one ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' figure in [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]]. Some reports suggest that the paint on this figure's chest chips more easily than past editions.

: This version of Convoy, and Hasbro's 20th Anniversary DVD version of the toy depicts [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] and [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] on its communicators rather than Bumblebee and Starscream.

: Continuating the trend begun by their previous release of ''Masterpiece'' Ultra Magnus in 2005, Hasbro [[Australia]] released Convoy Perfect Edition as a Target Australia [[exclusive]] in 2008. Takara themselves then made the figure available for a second time in October 2009.

{{-}}{{anchor|sleepmode}}
[[File:MP4Sconvoysleepmode.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Remember that scene from the movie that made you cry and traumatised you as a kid? Well now you can display me doing just that!]]
*'''Convoy Sleep Mode''' (2010)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-4S'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Combat Deck, ion Blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, gun mode Megatron, Megatron's scope, stock and silencer, energon-axe

: Released by TakaraTomy as part of a 2010 promotion honoring the "future era" of the original cartoon (which was set in 2010 in Japanese continuity, you see!), this exceptionally morbid re-release of the ''Masterpiece'' Convoy figure recolors the Autobot leader in blacks and greys, representing ''his dead body'' from ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]''—but don't worry, kids, it's actually a "sleep mode", according to the figure's name! Limited to 2010 pieces in Japan (see what they did there?), it comes with all its customary accessories, including the Perfect Edition trailer, redecoed where appropriate: the trailer itself has become translucent, its energon-axe is now transparent grey, and Megatron, in another movie homage, is rendered in translucent purple, evoking the scene depicting his transformation into [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. The figure was also released in other parts of Asia as a limited edition of 2010 as well, combined with the Japanese edition for 4020 total. The Japanese version denotes "Serial Number in Japan: ####/2010" on its bio card with the number out of 2010, while the Asian version denotes "C1 - ####/2010" with the number out of 2010 on its bio card.

: This version of Convoy depicts [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] on its communicators.

{{-}}{{anchor|lastshot}}
[[File:MPtoy last shot convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Well, it had to end ''some'' day...]]
*'''Convoy Last Production''' (2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-1L'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, gun mode Megatron, Megatron's scope, stock and silencer, energon-axe, sound stage

:"Convoy Last Production" was the final re-use of the ''Masterpiece'' toy mold before it was at last retired after numerous re-releases and redecos. The figure is essentially identical to the original Japanese MP-1 release, aside from a slightly brighter red, and the addition of the words "LAST SHOT" in Transformers typeface molded into the small of Convoy's back, hidden beneath its headlight-flaps in [[robot mode]]. Lacking the trailer of MP-4, the figure instead comes with a redecoed version of the electronic base included with Hasbro's "[[#20thDVD|DVD Edition]]" of the figure from five years prior, which now features a collection of sixteen soundbytes of Convoy delivering famous lines from the Japanese version of the Generation 1 cartoon, recited by the character's original Japanese voice actor [[Tesshō Genda]]. The base was promoted as containing a hint as to the identity of the next ''Masterpiece'' toy; as it would turn out, this was a new version of Convoy himself (see below), foreshadowed by a sound clip on the base which played only intermittently, and which had Convoy announce that he would "soon be reborn".

:For its release in Korea, Hasbro Asia provided a collector coin featuring truck-mode Optimus Prime on one side and "MP-01L" on the other. The coin came mounted on a card featuring lineart of the Autobot leader's head, the stark black design of which could be mistaken for promoting the earlier "Sleep Mode" release. The limited release (and general lack of enthusiasm for the collector coins in Korea) makes this one of the more difficult Masterpiece coins to find.

{{-}}{{anchor|mp10}}
[[File:MP-10 toy photo.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Here we go again...]]
*'''Convoy''' (2011)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Ion blaster#mp10|Ion blaster]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#mp10|Matrix of Leadership]], [[Energon-axe#mp10|energon-axe]], [[Combat Deck (G1)#mp10|trailer/Combat Deck]], [[Roller (G1)#Masterpiece|Roller]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Masterpiece|Spike Witwicky figurine]]
:MP-10 Convoy is an entirely new tooling of Generation 1 Optimus Prime. Convoy is now smaller, making him more in-scale with other recent ''Masterpiece'' toys, such as [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Masterpiece|Rodimus]], and comes with a trailer and various accessories. While the front of the vehicle mode's cab is an accurate depiction of a mid-to-late-1980s Freightliner FLT cabover, the back half, (which is, as usual, made out of Convoy's legs) is much larger and robot-leggier in proportion. (So much that they sculpt a ladder on each side.)

:Many of the small features and electronics of the original ''Masterpiece'' mold are left out. Instead, this Convoy features better overall cartoon accuracy (chest interior, head, etc.), an extensive red paint job that covers much of his red plastic, corrected robot mode proportions, improved articulation, and its gun can now collapse and store inside a compartment on its back in either mode. In addition to Convoy's trailer, which can transform into Combat Deck, it also comes with Roller, a small Spike Witwicky figurine, a die-cast metal Matrix of Leadership (with a clear blue plastic center), and an energy axe that slips over Convoy's right hand. Spike can fit inside the cab in vehicle mode, ride in Roller's seat, or fit into any of the seating compartments inside Convoy's trailer. Roller has options to plug in Convoy's gun or pull Convoy's trailer, and the trailer itself can store Convoy's weapons in any mode.

:Although not easily breakable, care must be taken for posing the index fingers; extending the finger even far would cause it to pop off.

:This mold was also used to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Masterpiece|MP-10B Black Convoy]].

:''See also: [[#mp10hasbro]] and [[#Masterpiece]].''

{{-}}{{anchor|mpbape}}
[[File:Bape-mp-optimus.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|In the jungle / the mighty jungle / the Convoy sleeps tonight]]
*'''MP Convoy (BAPE ver.)''' ([[2014]]-[[August 19|07-19]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10A'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Ion blaster#mpbape|Ion Blaster]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#mpbape|Matrix of Leadership]], [[Energon-axe#mpbape|Energon axe]]

:Available exclusively from Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape]] in 2014, MP Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. is a trailer-less redeco of the MP-10 mold sporting a green color scheme matching the [[#bape|Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. of the original G1 toy]], with "BAPE's famous camouflage pattern" and an ape head print on the shoulder replacing the usual faction symbol.

{{-}}{{anchor|eva}}
[[File:Eva-optimus.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Unlike Shinji, this guy won't go strangling his girlfriend or dating his mother's clone, if he even has a mother...]]
*'''Convoy Mode "Eva"''' (2014-[[November 28|11-28]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Ion blaster#eva|Ion Blaster]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#eva|Matrix of Leadership]], [[Energon-axe#eva|Energon axe]], [[Combat Deck (G1)#eva|trailer/Battle Station]], [[Roller (G1)#eva|Roller]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#eva|Spike Witwicky figurine]]

:Limited to 1,000 pieces, this figure was released as part of the ''[[Transformers × Evangelion]]'' crossover. It uses the MP-10 mold with all the same accessories, decoed in the green and purple color scheme of [[Eva-01]]. The trailer, Roller, and Spike figure are done up in [[NERV]]-themed colors.

:This is currently the only special edition of an existing Masterpiece figure that uses the original ID number without a unique postfix letter.

{{-}}{{anchor|mpbape2}}
[[File:Bape2-mp-optimus.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|Because one overpriced clothing store exclusive MP10 repaint wasn't enough. Anyone like to give the odds for a BAPE Ver. BLACK in 2017 then?]]
*'''Convoy (BAPE REDCAMO ver.)''' (2015-11)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10R'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion Blaster, Matrix of Leadership, Energon axe

:Available exclusively from Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape]] in 2015, MP Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. is a trailer-less redeco of the MP-10 mold sporting a unique deep red color scheme matching the [[#bapered|Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. RED of the original G1 toy]], with "BAPE's famous camouflage pattern" and an ape head print on the shoulder replacing the usual faction symbol.

{{-}}{{anchor|MP33}}
* '''Optimus Prime''' Mini Die-Cast figure (2016-[[November 26|11-26]])
**''ID number:'' '''1'''
**Included with '''[[Inferno_(G1)/toys#Masterpiece|MP-33 Inferno]]'''

:Replacing the collector coins in previous releases, the Asia release of ''Masterpiece'' Inferno comes with a mini Optimus Prime figure, the first in a range of non transformable collectables made from <s>lost art</s> Die-Cast metal and based on the corresponding Masterpiece figure (MP10).

{{-}}{{anchor|mpbape3}}
[[File:Bapeblack-mp-optimus.jpg|upright=2.2|thumb|As predicted. What's the chances of a new BAPE color scheme? Teal Blue or Burnt Gold would be nice if you're reading this BAPE.]]

*'''Convoy (BAPE BLACKCAMO ver.)''' (2017)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''MP-10K'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion Blaster, Matrix of Leadership, Energon axe

:Available exclusively from Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape]] in 2017, MP Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. is a trailer-less redeco of the MP-10 mold sporting a unique black color scheme matching the [[#bapeblack|Convoy Reissue BAPE Ver. BLACK of the original G1 toy]], with "BAPE's famous camouflage pattern" and an ape head print on the shoulder replacing the usual faction symbol.

{{-}}
:''See also: [[#HasbroMP10]]''

==Robotmasters==
[[File:RMConvoy toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|My vehicle mode is dangerous and unroadworthy!]]
*'''G1 Convoy''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' "Convoy Gun", missile launcher, missile, energon-axe, 4 fists (2 left, 2 right)

: ''[[Robotmasters (franchise)|Robotmasters]]'' "G1 Convoy" (as he is amusingly referred to even in fiction) visibly takes its cue from ''20th Anniversary'' Optimus Prime, featuring a similar sculpt, but sharing few to none of the larger toy's other attributes, least of all anything that could be described as a successful transformation.

:G1 Convoy comes with two sets of fists, each pair featuring differently-shaped fist holes: one pair with square holes to hold the figure's "Convoy Gun" (as his ion blaster is called), and the other with round holes to hold the spring-loaded translucent blue missile launcher (a generic accessory also available with ''Robotmasters'' [[Megatron (BW)/toys|Beast Megatron]] and [[Optimus Primal/toys|Beast Convoy]]). The fists are swapped out by simply popping them out of the wrist-hinge that holds them in place; the figure also includes an energon-axe that can be inserted into the wrist instead of a fist.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/Convoy/convoy.htm More information on G1 Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RobotmastersDVD}}
[[File:RM DVDConvoy toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I'm shiny!]]
*'''G1 Convoy + DVD''' (2004)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-10'''
**''Accessories:'' "Convoy Gun", missile launcher, missile, energon-axe, 4 fists (2 left, 2 right)

: This special edition release of G1 Convoy is decked out in metallic paint, with an extra Autobot insignia tampographed onto his right shoulder, and a black Convoy Gun. The figure comes packed with a DVD containing the first episode of the ''Robotmasters'' cartoon, "[[Fight! The Group of the Strongest Commanders!]]".

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Cybertron/DVDConvoy/convoy.htm More information on G1 Convoy + DVD at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RobotmastersBlack}}
[[File:Rmblackconvoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I'm blacky!]]
*'''G1 Convoy Limited Black Version''' (2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' "Convoy Gun", missile launcher, missile, energon-axe, 4 fists (2 left, 2 right), Calamity Defenser

: Available only via mail-order through ''Dengeki Hobby'' magazine, the "Limited Black Version" of G1 Convoy is just that: a straight [[black repaint]] of the G1 Convoy toy. He comes with all his original accessories, appropriately redecoed (including a silver version of his axe), as well as a gold-chromed version of the "Calamity Defenser" [[Solitarium]] weapon that came with [[Psycho-Orb]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/HHG1Convoy/convoy.htm More information on G1 Convoy Limited Black Version at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|RobotmastersLuckyDraw}}
[[File:Crayola convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The third one is totally ''Shattered Glass'' Prime!]]
*'''G1 Convoy''' (Lucky Draw figure, 2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''RM-01'''
**''Accessories:'' "Convoy Gun", missile launcher, missile, energon-axe, 4 fists (2 left, 2 right)

:When ''Robotmasters'' G1 Convoy was turned into a Lucky Draw figure, the color scheme into which he was redecoed was chosen through a children's coloring contest held in the pages of the December 2004 issue of ''[[TV Magazine]]''. The winning entry was a... ''startling'' mixture of blue, orange and two shades of green, earning the toy the [[fandom|fan]]-appointed nickname of "Crayola Convoy". As with all Lucky Draws, it is extremely rare, with only ten units produced.

::*''[http://www.luckydrawtransformers.com/toy/gallery/review/transformers+robot+masters+-+lucky+draw+custom+colour+g1+convoy/1594/transformers+robot+masters+-+lucky+draw+custom+colour+g1+convoy.html More information on "Crayola Convoy" at LuckyDrawTransformers.com]''
{{-}}

==Universe (2003)==
[[File:SpychangerG1Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Why won't they repaint my full-size toy in these colours?!?]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Spy Changer, 2004)

: ''Universe'' Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Scourge (RID)#Spychanger|Scourge]] [[Spy Changer]] toy. He replaces most of the black plastic with predominantly red and blue, with silver for detailing, with an overall deco making him resemble the original Optimus Prime. Like most Spychangers, he features high speed axles and can roll very well across smooth surfaces, but lacks the weight to propel him quickly.

: Originally a KB Toys exclusive, the first release of this toy (and the others in the assortment) did not have any sub-line designation at all, but later releases for other chains, most notably "budget" chains like Family Dollar, marked them as ''Universe'' product.

:This mold would later be redecoed into [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Optimus Prime Figure|a Spy Changer version of]] the live-action movie [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/SpyPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Universe Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Collector's Edition==
{{anchor|OrionPax}}
[[File:OrionPaxDion toys.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|"Welcome to The Past!"]]
*'''Orion Pax''' (2005)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''67'''
**''accessories:'' Barrelroller partner, laser rifle

: This ''[[Collector's Edition]]'' Japanese [[e-HOBBY]] exclusive was a [[redeco]] of [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]] [[Kup (G1)/toys#Targetmaster|Kup]], released in conjunction with the 2006 reissue of Kup and designed to represent the character [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]] from the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|Generation 1 television series]] episode "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". Orion transforms into a Cybertronic pickup truck and came with both a gun and [[Roller (G1)#Collector's Edition|Barrelroller]], a redeco of [[Recoil (G1)#Generation 1|Recoil]]. He has full shoulder rotation, though the way his elbows are set up means he cannot make full use of their joints. His legs feature no articulation whatsoever.

: Just as the reissued Kup came with a reissue of [[Wheelie (G1)#The Transformers Collection|Wheelie]], this set also included a redeco of Wheelie as Orion's best friend, [[Dion#Collector's Edition|Dion]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2005/Cybertron/OrionPax/orionpax.htm More information on Orion Pax at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Hybrid Style==
*'''Convoy''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''T.H.S.-02'''[[File:THS02Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Expensive and tiny.]]
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, ion blaster, gas pump, energon-axe, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, [[jet pack|rocket pack]], 8 fists (4 left, 4 right), Autobot insignia stand

: ''Hybrid Style'' Optimus Prime is an ''insanely'' detailed and complex transforming toy, created under the supervision of famed mecha designer [[Shōji Kawamori]]. Standing only three and three-quarter inches tall in robot mode, the figure is partially constructed from die-cast metal and features one of the most complex transformation sequences ever seen on a ''Transformers'' figure of its size. Alas, the small size of the figure also works against it, as it required several design concessions that resulted in (if we're being nice about it) an unimpressive cab mode.

:Prime is loaded with a ridiculous number of features and accessories. The robot itself is highly poseable, and both the smokestacks on Prime's shoulders and the fuel tanks on his legs can be rotated forward to act as guns, even featuring sculpted detail to this effect. As ever, he comes with a trailer that opens up into his crazy-detailed Combat Deck, featuring more action features than ever before. In trailer mode alone, it features a flip-down support stand so it can stand alone, a spring-loaded pop-out ramp instead of a fold-down one, and when the trailer is split for transformation, the traditional support legs underneath automatically swing out into place. The trailer houses most of Prime's accessories, including his ion blaster (with a moveable ammo clip to allow for multiple poses) and energon-axe, as well as his classic gas pump accessory, now with a poseable wire instead of a rubber hose. Two fold-out compartments provide storage space for six of Prime's interchangeable fists, while the other two remain attached the robot: two clenched, two open, a pointing right fist, a tilted left fist (for holding the ion blaster's ammo clip), and two fists with slots to grip the miniscule Matrix of Leadership that fits in a tiny chamber in Prime's chest. The Combat Deck's artillery robot features two flip-out handles that Prime can grip as if aiming the drone's guns, and Roller is also included, with three different 3mm ports to hold Prime's gun and gas pump. Lastly, Prime comes with a rocket pack like those used by the Autobots in such Generation 1 cartoon episodes as "[[Dinobot Island, Part 1|Dinobot Island]]", and a stand shaped like the Autobot insignia that allows him to be displayed in mid-air, as if in flight. The rocket pack also has 3mm ports for Prime's weapons, and stores on the front of the trailer in vehicle mode.

:Purchase of a ''Hybrid Style'' Optimus Prime at a Japanese [[Toys"R"Us]] store allowed the buyer the option of also purchasing the exclusive ''[[Smallest Transforming Transformers]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys#Smallest Transforming Transformers|Hot Rod]] toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Cybertron/HybridConvoy/convoy.htm More information on Hybrid Style Convoy on TFU.info]''
{{-}}{{anchor|THS02B}}
[[File:THS-02B G2Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Yanigerlicious!]]
*'''Convoy Black Version''' (2006)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''T.H.S.-02B'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, ion blaster, gas pump, energon-axe, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, rocket pack, 8 fists (4 left, 4 right), Autobot insignia stand, 2 missile launchers, 2 heads

:Available exclusively through e-Hobby, this black and teal repaint of ''Hybrid Style'' Convoy features the traditional "[[Nemesis Prime (disambiguation)|Nemesis Prime]]" color scheme, but represents a version of Optimus Prime himself. In addition to all the original accessories, the toys also includes several more deliciously metatextual goodies, themed around the ''Generation 2'' toy and comics: two new large guns patterned after the new weapons wielded by the ''Generation 2'' Optimus Prime toy, and two additional (blue) Prime heads that can be swapped with the figure's regular noggin, sculpted explicitly in the style of [[Transformers: Generation 2 (Marvel)|''Generation 2'' comic]] artist [[Derek Yaniger]]. One head is pristine, the other decorated to match the battle damage seen on the cover of the [[War Without End!|first ''Generation 2'' issue]].

:As the more franchise-savvy TransFans may realise, these extra parts, plus the black trailer of Convoy Black Version, can all be used to modify the original, red ''Hybrid Style'' Optimus Prime into a comic-accurate ''Generation 2'' version, complete with a black trailer, trailer-mounted guns and your choice of Yaniger-style heads.

:This figure came in a unique box, packaged with a [[Hybrid Style Convoy Black Version|mini-comic]], both illustrated by [[Hidetsugu Yoshioka]].
{{-}}{{anchor|THSBlackGold}}
[[File:TF-Hybrid-Style-THS-02-Convoy-Black-Gold-Ver.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Convoy Black Gold Version''' (2013-11-25)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''T.H.S.-02'''
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, ion blaster, gas pump, energon-axe, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, rocket pack, 8 fists (4 left, 4 right), Autobot insignia stand, 2 missile launchers

:Available ''only'' in China markets, Convoy Black Gold Version is yet another black repaint of the first ''Hybrid Style'' Convoy figure, with some gold detailing. Convoy Black Gold Version does not include any extra accessories unlike the Black Version release above.

{{-}}

==Alternators/Binaltech==
[[File:Alternators OptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|I don't come with a creepy girl...]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2006)
**''Alternator ID number:'' '''21'''
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun
: ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Alternators]]'' Optimus Prime transforms into an accurate 1:24 scale Dodge Ram SRT-10. The vehicle mode features rubber tires, functional steering, opening hood, tail gate and doors with a detailed cabin interior. Several of the details of his [[robot mode]] body are based on the sculpt of the 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime figure, but the head itself shares more similarities with the Powermaster mold. He is armed with a small pistol which transforms into his vehicle mode engine.

[[File:Convoy BT.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|...and neither do I...]]
:This figure was originally conceived by Hasbro to be another character (exactly who is unknown), rather than Optimus Prime, but Takara insisted that the toy be made into Optimus to help it sell well in their markets, as the vehicle mode was no particular draw, given its scarcity in Japan. Reportedly, the figure cost twice as much as other Alternators to construct, so Hasbro had to bow to this demand so Takara would help fund it. Ironically, Takara eventually wound up soliciting the figure ''not'' as Prime, but as his ''[[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (franchise)|Super-God Masterforce]]'' lookalike, [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]] (perhaps connected to the Powermasteresque headsculpt), before its Japanese release was cancelled and moved over into the ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' toyline (see below).

: It took two further years, but this figure was eventually released as part of the Japanese counterpart to the ''Alternators'' line (''Binaltech'') in 2008. ''Binaltech'' Convoy features some additional paint details, like his silver pelvis, additional patterns on his shoulders, and red paint on his engine-gun, and like all ''Binaltech'' figures, he also includes die-cast metal pieces. Unlike previous Binaltech releases, a bio-card was not included.

:This sculpt was also used to create ''Alternators'' [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/AltOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Alternators/Binaltech Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{AlternatorsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{-}}

==Kiss Players==
[[File:Kiss Convoy toy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|...And yet, I do!]]
*'''Convoy X Melissa''' (2006)
**''Accessories:'' Engine/gun, "[[Surfblade]]" surfboard/sword weapon, [[Marissa Faireborn]] figurine with stand and 2 pairs of arms and legs

: ''[[Transformers: Kiss Players (toyline)|Kiss Players]]'' Convoy is a redeco of ''Alternators'' Optimus Prime. While the figures may appear similar at first glance, given that ''Kiss Players'' Prime is still red, blue and black, there are many subtle differences, not least of all the replacement of the ''Alternators'' figure's bare, flat red plastic with a deep metallic red paint. Several of his body parts are cast in different colors of plastic (for example, his shins, formerly black, are now blue, while his formerly-blue hands are now black), and he features more intricate paint applications on his shoulders, and especially his pelvis, which is decorated to look like Prime's traditional bumper.

:In addition to the small engine-pistol of his ''Alternators'' figure, Prime comes with the "Surfblade", a pink surfboard that can be reconfigured into either two small knives or a large double-bladed sword. As with all the ''Kiss Players'' figures, Prime also comes with a [[plastic|PVC]] figurine of a cute girl: in this case, Marissa Faireborn, who can perch upon his shoulder or sit in his driver's seat, and comes with two pairs of interchangeable arms and legs. Additionally, the set includes a CD featuring the first five episodes of the [[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)|''Kiss Players'' radio drama]], as well as the exclusive bonus audio adventure, "[[Transformers: Kiss Players (radio drama)#CD collections and special episodes|Someday, Under the Sun]]."

:This set was originally intended to be released under the ''[[Transformers: Alternators|Binaltech Asterisk]]'' line, as "Black Convoy meets Marissa", but this release was cancelled before it was officially even announced.
{{AlternatorsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{-}}

==Titanium Series==
[[File:TitaniumHeroes WWPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Well he ''is'' a car... in a car ''crash''.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, display stand

: Based on Optimus Prime's [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertronian]] form as seen in the [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic book "[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]", this version of Prime transforms into Cybertronian truck. The figure was personally designed by comic artist [[Don Figueroa]], who created the original comic design in the first place, and his signature is left on the figure in the most literal way: the word "DON" can be seen sculpted into the barrel of his silver ion blaster.

:As a ''Titanium'' figure, Prime is made in large part from die-cast metal, but like so many of the other toys in the ''Titanium'' line, his plastic joints have trouble supporting his heavy metal weight. He comes with the generic display stand shared by all of the 6" "Cybertron Heroes", with a unique removable nameplate.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/TitTWW6OptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Titanium Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}[[File:Titanium war within 2pack.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Now we just need a [[Sherman Dam|dam]]....]]
*'''War Within Optimus Prime vs. War Within Megatron''' (two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster

:This [[Toys"R"Us]] [[exclusive]] ''Titanium'' two-pack includes the previously-released ''War Within'' Optimus Prime figure along with the ''War Within'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Titanium Series|Megatron]] Megatron figure and an exclusive [[variant]] cover of ''[[Transformers: The War Within|The War Within]]'' [[The War Within issue 5|#5]].

:As the mass retail release of the last waves of the ''Titanium'' "Cybertron Heroes" figures was delayed for several months, the two-pack version of Megatron was at least initially more widely available than the individually packaged one.

:Despite being mentioned in the joint [[instructions]] leaflet for the set, neither figure includes their display base.

:There appears to be a variant of this two-pack: One version has the Optimus Prime figure more or less identical to its individual release, whereas the other one drops the additional black paint weathering, making him much cleaner-looking.

{{-}}

==Classics==
[[File:ClassicsPrime Voyager.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Rub my symbol, Marissa. Oops, wrong toyline.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/laser cannon, wind vane/ion blaster

: ''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' Optimus Prime is an all-new modern Optimus Prime design based upon the original Optimus Prime, as is the intention for the ''Classics'' toyline. He transforms into a modern cab-over style truck of made up model, dominated by a large wind vane on his roof. As with most ''Classics'' toys, he features a heat-sensitive [[rubsign]].

:In [[robot mode]], his wind vane transforms into a large ion blaster, and his smokestacks transform into a smaller laser cannon. Additionally, both weapons can combine together to form a double-barrelled over-shoulder weapon. Undocumented in the instructions, Optimus can also use the wind vane as a shield, If one of his fists is folded down.

:The toy has a trailer hitch, but does not come with a trailer. Fortunately, [[Third party|third-party]] manufacturers have created trailers compatible with the ''Classics'' Prime mold.

:Unfortunately, the yellow paint on his forearms tends to flake off.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Classics Voyager Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|UltimateBattle}}
[[File:ClassicsPrime Vs.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|They did me right, [[#20th_Anniversary.2FMasterpiece|once]].]]
*'''The Ultimate Battle''' (Multi-pack, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle

: This ''Classics'' Optimus Prime is a smaller, Deluxe Class figure with a noticeable physical resemblance to Takara's ''[[#Robotmasters|Robotmasters]]'' Prime figure, and a transformation that is about as successful. The figure is armed with a tommy gun-shaped laser rifle that transforms into a turret-like configuration and mounts on the rear of his truck mode, and features a spinning "power punch" action that sees the whole upper half of his torso spin when a button on his back is pressed. Pressing the button "unlocks" the spinning mechanism; pull ''hard'' on the button, and you can lock the torso back into place.

:In the United States, Prime was only available in a special two-pack with a similarly unique ''Classics'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Megatron toy]], and the specially-produced "[[Optimus Prime vs Megatron: The Ultimate Battle|The Ultimate Battle]]" DVD (which is, inappropriately enough, entirely about the [[Unicron Trilogy]]). The two-pack (including the DVD) was also available as a [[Walmart]] [[exclusive]] "Bonus Value" version with two randomly selected members of the ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Giant Planet Mini-Con Team]], in the combinations [[Overcast (Cybertron)|Overcast]]/[[Longarm (Cybertron)|Longarm]], Overcast/[[Deepdive]] and Deepdive/Longarm. International markets, including European countries, saw the two-pack in a considerably smaller, differently-shaped box that was lacking the DVD case (the DVD was instead made available separately). In addition, Mexico, Singapore and some European countries such as the Netherlands and Hungary also received the two figures on individual cardbacks. For the United States market, the two-pack was [[rebranding|rebranded]] and re-released in [[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|2003 ''Universe'']]-branded packaging later in 2007, available from Dollar General, Big Lots and [[KB Toys]], and ''again'' in [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']]-branded packaging in 2011, this time available from Dollar General and Big Bad Toy Store.

:This figure was later ''also'' made available without redeco as part of the "Leader for the Ages" two-pack released under the [[#Transformers (2007)|live-action movie line]] (see below) and saw several redecos for [[#Universe (2008)|''Universe'']] ("Special Edition", below), ''Welcome to Transformers 2010'' ("Sons of Cybertron", above) and [[#United|United]] (below).

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/ClassicsDVDOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Classics Deluxe Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|20thDVD}}
[[File:DVD 20thPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Discounted at a Walmart near you.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (20th Anniversary DVD Edition, 2006)
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, Autobot Matrix of Leader, gun mode Megatron, Megatron's scope, stock and silencer, energon-axe, display stand

: Produced to coincide with the 20th anniversary of ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'' and its release on DVD by [[Sony]], this edition of Prime is a redeco of his [[#20th Anniversary|20th Anniversary]] figure. It replaces the original's metallic paint with flatter colors and does away with any and all vacuum-metalized plastic, as well as altering several other small details across the body, like the color of the lights on his feet and chest.

:Prime comes with all the accessories of his previous release, although his ever-changing ion blaster is now somewhat confusingly cast in blue plastic. He features one major additional accessory: an electronic display base sculpted with the image of the Matrix and the Autobot insignia. Pressing the insignia's crest triggers a series of electronic soundbytes, mostly quotes from the movie recited not by original actor [[Peter Cullen]], but by Hasbro's in-house actor, [[Ron Hayden]]: "Autobots, transform and roll out!", "I want you to make a special run to Autobot City," "Megatron must be stopped!", "All we need is a little energon, and a lot of luck," and two samples of the classic [[Transformation#The noise|transformation sound effect]], one ascending, one descending.

:The display stand itself was later redecoed as a mail-in prize for TakaraTomy's ''Transformers 2010'' promotion, intended to be used with ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece]]'' [[Hot Rod (G1)/toys|Rodimus Convoy]], and again when it was packaged with the "Last Production" run of the Masterpiece Optimus Prime toy.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2006/Autobot/20thDVDOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on DVD Edition Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|PepsiPrime2007}}
[[File:PepsiOptimusPrime.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66|Subservience to Corporate America is the duty of all servile beings.]]
*'''Pepsi Optimus Prime''' (Autobot, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Left & right fists, ion blaster, trailer

:Inspired by the [[#Generation 1|1985 promotional version]] of Optimus Prime that featured Pepsi stickers on his trailer, this outlandish incarnation of Prime is a slightly altered version of Takara's 2005 [[Pepsi Convoy]] figure (which represented a different character to Prime). The figure was only sold by [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] at various conventions, and given away as a promotional prize by Pepsi, via their [[Mountain Dew]] brand.

:A redeco of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime cab robot sporting an egregious number of Pepsi-themed paint masks and details, Pepsi Prime's differences from Pepsi Convoy are minimal: he features the shortened smokestacks previously seen on the [[#Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] release of the mold, the blue pattern on his decals are different (matching the American Pepsi can/bottle look at the time rather than the one used in Japan), and also has a different layout for the Pepsi logo on his right shoulder. Like Pepsi Convoy, he comes with an entirely new trailer unit, specially designed to carry either a single 500ml (16.9 oz) size [[soft drink]] bottle, three 350ml cans, or 12 bottle caps (bottle cap figurines being a common and popular collectible item in Japan). In a first for the Prime mold, the figure's fists store in holes on the underside of the trailer while he is in vehicle mode. His ion blaster (which also stores under the trailer) is the first Hasbro reissue to feature the original, thick-barrel sculpt, which was reinstated to the mold by the ''[[#Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' release of Prime a few years prior.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Autobot/PepsiPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Pepsi Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Sports Label==
{{anchor|#sportlabel}}[[File:NikemusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Comfortable ''yet stylish'' jogging is the right of all fashionable beings.]]
*'''Convoy featuring Nike Free 7.0''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster

:Surely one of the strangest examples of licensed ''Transformers'' products, ''[[Transformers Sports Label|Sports Label]]'' Convoy transforms into a ''shoe''. Something of a [[shellformer]], this baffling incarnation of Prime is colored primarily white and red in his alt mode of a realistic-looking (if notably undersized) Nike Free 7.0 sneaker, complete with gratuitously long real fabric shoelaces. In [[robot mode]], he is made instantly recognizable by his incorporation of some additional blue and silver in predictable areas, and a traditionally Prime-styled head. Less traditionally, and somewhat perversely, Prime's feet are sculpted in the likeness of his own sneaker mode, making it seem like he's wearing himself!

:His gun splits into two halves and stores inside his [[kibble]] in shoe mode; in an undocumented feature, it has two handle pegs on opposite sides, so that it can be held either at its far end or halfway along its length. The gun halves can also be plugged together in two different ways.

:This figure was, in fact, the ''only'' mold in the ''Sports Label'' line. It was redecoed into the "Marine Free" version of Prime himself (see below), and given a new head to create ''Sports Label'' [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Sports Label|Megatron]]''

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Cybertron/SLConvoy/convoy.htm More information on Sport Label Convoy at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|marine}}
[[File:Sportslabel convoy marine version.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy featuring Nike Free 7.0 Marine Version'''
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster
:A redeco of the first ''Sports Label'' Convoy, this figure transforms into a white, navy, and grey sneaker. Promotional images for the figure depicted its robot mode as white and aqua-blue, but the finished product was visibly darker, produced in shades of off-white and dark teal. In either coloration, it sure as heck ''looks'' like it should be [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]], but for whatever reason... it ain't.
{{-}}

==Encore==
[[File:Encore convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (2007)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller (grey), 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump

:A new series of reissues means a new release of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure, and Takara's ''[[Transformers Encore|Encore]]'' series proved no different. This edition of the figure featured no extra accessories, but it did include the original, thick-barrelled version of Prime's rifle, as reinstated to the mold by the ''[[#Transformers Collection|Transformers Collection]]'' version of the toy a few years prior. Both his blue and red plastics are lighter than normal, though not to the extent of Hasbro's 25th Anniverary releases. Notably, this edition addresses the small but persistent issue of Prime's shoulder-sticker: the figure's shoulders are textured with small bumps, which had, since 1984, made evenly applying the Autobot symbol sticker to his left arm a challenge. ''Encore'' Prime finally replaces the sticker with a tampograph, and also adds one to his right shoulder for symmetry.
{{-}}

==Music Label==

*'''Convoy —playing iPod speaker—''' (2007)
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/iPod dock, 2 fists (left and right), ion blaster
[[File:MusicLabel-toy iPodConvoy.JPG|thumb|upright=1.66|You just paid 140 bucks for a new headsculpt, didn't you? I bet you don't even ''own'' an iPod...]]
: Hot on the heels of their licensing deals with Pepsi and Nike, TakaraTomy got themselves a slice of Apple™ pie and released Convoy —playing [[iPod]] speaker— as part of their small, musically-themed ''[[Transformers Music Label|Music Label]]'' line. This version of Prime is an all-white redeco of the original Generation 1 cab robot, which (much like the "Marine Version" of Prime from the ''[[#Sports Label|Sports Label]]'' line) makes it seem like he ought to be Ultra Magnus. The figure is actually even derived from the retool of the mold created for the original Ultra Magnus figure, as distinguished by the elongated hubcap pegs on the front wheels. Like Pepsi Prime before it, the figure's fists now store in peg holes on the under side of its trailer. The toy lacks any of the original Prime's stickers (even the silver stripe on his chest is now a [[paint operation]]) and includes the original thick-barrelled version of Prime's blaster. The toy features a brand new headsculpt based on the [[#20th Anniversary|20th Anniversary]] Prime figure, given additional poseability not previously seen on the figure by being mounted on a [[ball joint]].

:This, of course, is all secondary to the main draw of the figure: it pulls an all-white trailer, which transforms into a working iPod speaker dock by rotating a substantial wedge of its full length 90 degrees . The dock features three working buttons; power, volume up and volume down, as well as an Autobot sigil indicator light. Included is a wall-plugging (Japanese) A/C adaptor with a long lead that plugs into the reverse of the trailer. Although American importers shouldn't have too much trouble, those living in parts of the world using higher strength A/C current outlets should be warned NOT to simply plug the A/C adaptor in with only a socket adapter, as this will overload the device and fry it completely. Buying the appropriate kind of universal A/C adaptor with advice from an electronics specialty shop is recommended.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2007/Cybertron/MLConvoy/convoy.htm More information on Music Label Convoy at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[File:Musiclabelprimewithdock.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZit0FXr95c I'm gonna call you Peanut].]]
*'''Optimus Prime —speakers for iPod—''' (2008)
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/iPod dock, 2 fists (left and right), ion blaster
:Designated "Optimus Prime" rather than the traditional Japanese "Convoy", this figure is a redeco of the previous ''Music Label'' Convoy figure into the character's traditional red, blue and silver color scheme. Unlike previous re-issues of the mold, iPod Optimus Prime's sports a paint application similar to KissPlayers Convoy, having its ABS/PVC parts painted over with a thin layer of his iconic red, white (silver if you will) and blue motif paint applications (with the exception of his iPod docking trailer). This includes his trailer, though the effect is somewhat marred by the large, visible gap on one side. When reconfigured into dock mode, the interior surfaces surrounding the speakers are decorated with black-on-silver techno-patterns as well as three "Optimus Prime" logos. The recessed space also features a stylised, almost [[Frank Miller]]esque, high-contrast portrait of Prime's face, although this is largely covered when an iPod is inserted. The figure comes in identical packaging to the original ''Music Label'' Convoy, save for the addition of a sticker illustrating the different color of its contents.
{{-}}[[File:ExileTransformersSpeakers.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|The right of all sentient beings is... um... what am I promoting now? Wait, a [[wikipedia:Exile (Japanese band)|Japanese pop band]]? Are you kidding me? I need a new agent.]]
*'''{{anchor|EXILE}}EXILE x TRANSFORMERS —speakers for iPod—''' (2008)
**''Accessories:'' Trailer/iPod dock, 2 fists (left and right), ion blaster

:Exclusive to [http://www.ldhshop.jp/ LDH Shop], this redeco of the ''Music Label'' Convoy toy is utterly ridiculous and was created as a promotion for the Japanese pop band [[wikipedia:Exile (Japanese band)|EXILE]]. While Convoy himself has EXILE written on his right forearm, his trailer sports the "Love Dream Happiness" tagline of LDH Inc.[http://www.ldh.co.jp/shopping/index.html], as well as the "EXILE Perfect Year 2008" logo of the "EXILE Perfect Year 2008 Ultimate Best Box" boxset, which was released some months after he was.

:Categorically, it was at this point we learned that neither Takara nor Optimus Prime possess shame.
{{-}}

==Transformers (2007)==
[[File:Movie LeaderfortheAges 2pack.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The more things change, the more they, uh, get bigger guns.]]
*'''Leader for the Ages''' (Wal*Mart exclusive two-pack, 2007)
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle

: This Wal*Mart-[[exclusive]] two-pack pairs the deluxe-size ''[[#Classics|Classics]]'' Optimus Prime figure with [[Movie (franchise)|live-action movie]] line's ''[[Fast Action Battlers]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys|Power Hook Optimus Prime]] toy. Both toys are identical to their original releases, and together represent the Optimus Primes of the oldest and newest generations (at the time) of ''Transformers'', respectively. The movie Prime is designated "2007 Optimus Prime", while the ''Classics'' figure is dubbed "1984 Optimus Prime" (referring not, of course, to the toy, which was produced in 2006, but to the character).
{{-}}

==Diablock==
*'''Diablock Convoy''' (2007)
**''ID number:'' '''01''' ('''Mecha Builder Vol.03''')[[File:DiablockPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66| We have the technology. We can ''rebuild him''. Except, uh.. for his [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Kre-O|face]].]]
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster

:Rounding out a bumper year of Japanese-[[exclusive]] Generation 1 Optimus Primes, the Takara-licensed Kawada brand ''Diablock'' Convoy is a fully transformable Lego-style block building figure similar in premise to the earlier American ''[[Built to Rule]]'' sets. The ''Diablock'' figure, however, easily outstrips the ''Built to Rule'' sets by both being an accurate representation of the toy on which it is based, and being able to transform between modes ''without'' having to be partially disassembled and put back together first.

:Forming a roughly 11-inch figure when fully assembled, ''Diablock'' Convoy is highly articulated, save for his head, which is only able to move up and down. Said head is also by far the most stylised aspect of the figure, with no real attempt to approximate Prime's face or mouthplate, instead featuring only a reversed block that gives the odd impression of a cycloptic eye. It is possibly intended to actually represent his forehead grill, as a yellow block inside his head construction remains barely-visible through a slit in his face, possibly intended to represent the classic toy's yellow eyes.

:The figure's [[transformation scheme]] is based on the original G1 figure, the only differences being that the fists are not removed but become the headlights, and instead of flipping backwards inside the chest, ''Diablock'' Convoy's noggin flips forwards with the aid of opening chest windows. A "laser rifle" in the shape of his ion cannon can be built from black bricks, and stickers bearing the Autobot [[Insignia|faction symbol]] can be placed on his shoulders, although this is not recommended as it is designed to permanently stick to multiple tiles which dislodge easily and may damage the sticker.

==Henkei! Henkei!==
[[File:Henkei convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (Voyager, [[March 13|03-13]]-2008)
**''Japanese ID Number:'' '''C-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/Prime Gun, wind vane/ion blaster

:''Henkei! Henkei! Transformers'' Convoy is a redeco of ''[[#Classics|Classics]]'' Optimus Prime. He features a significantly altered colour scheme, generally to make the toy more closely resemble his appearance in the Generation 1 cartoon and the original toyline. His truck mode features less silver paint striping, but compensates with a [[vacuum metallizing|vacuum-metalized]] grill/fender area. In [[robot mode]] all of his previously grey plastic is replaced with red plastic, with a majority of it being painted silver, chromed, or painted gunmetal gray. He features a different shade of red, blue, and clear blue plastic than the Classics version. Since ''Henkei!'' toys do not feature a heat-sensitive rubsign, ''Henkei'' Convoy has two Autobot sigils tampographed onto his shoulders.

{{-}}{{anchor|HenkeiClear}}
[[File:Henkei clear convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy Clear Version''' (Voyager, [[June 19|6-18]]-2008)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/Prime Gun, wind vane/ion blaster

:This redeco of ''Henkei'' Convoy is cast almost entirely in translucent colored plastic. Also known by the nickname "Crystal Convoy" among fans, it was first released as an exclusive for the Japanese convention Tokyo Toy Fair 2008, limited to 1000 pieces at the event, but was later made available through [[e-HOBBY]]. It was sold in a monochrome-blue version of ''Henkei'' Convoy's regular packaging.

::*''[http://tfkenkon.com/collection/act491/index.php More information on Convoy Clear Version at TFkenkon.com]
{{-}}{{anchor|HenkeiGold}}
*'''Convoy''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/Prime Gun, wind vane/ion blaster

:[[vacuum metallizing|Chromed]] entirely in gold like many other [[Lucky Draw figure]]s before it, this version of Prime was available only through a ''[[TV Magazine]]'' mail-in promotion held in December 2008, and was limited to only five units, making it one of the rarest officially available Transformers toys in the world.

:Unfortunately, this toy has become the target of several [[knockoff]]s aimed at gullible collectors. Most of the fake ones can be told apart from the real deal by various details not matching up. The real one is cast in gold plastic, painted over in gold chrome and sports small red Autobot [[insignia|logos]] on both shoulders.

::*''[http://tformers.com/ig.php?mode=album&album=12878&dispsize=600&start=0 Gallery of (hopefully) a genuine Gold Convoy at TFormers.com]''

{{-}}{{anchor|GenteiBlack}}
*'''Convoy''' (Voyager, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/Prime Gun, wind vane/ion blaster

:A (technically) [[unreleased toy|unreleased]] [[black repaint|"black" redeco]] of ''Henkei'' Convoy using the same plastic layout and paint mask but replacing red and blue with black, silver with gray, leaving the previously vacuum-metalized grill/fender area unpainted, changing the blue tint for the windows to red and changing all silver and yellow paint operations to blue. The red Autobot insignias would have remained unchanged.<ref name="blackgentei1">[http://tformers.com/ig.php?mode=album&album=9553&dispsize=800&start=0 Gallery of the unreleased ''Gentei! Gentei'' black Convoy at TFormers.com.]</ref>

:The figure would have come in a monochrome version of the standard ''Henkei! Henkei!'' Convoy's packaging, still named "Convoy" but now labeled as part of the ''Gentei! Gentei'' range of exclusives.<ref name="blackgentei2">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/universe-classics-20-29/transformers-henkei-wonderfest-exclusive-black-convoy-in-box-167615/ The unreleased ''Gentei! Gentei!'' black Convoy in packaging] at TFW2005.</ref> Reportedly, this figure was intended as a Wonderfest exclusive, but was canceled because, according too [[TakaraTomy]] designer [[Shogo Hasui]], it was too similar to ''[[Transformers: Universe (2008 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Universe (2008)|Nemesis Prime]]. [[Knockoff]]s were later made available, so buyers beware!

:A minor redeco (replacing the Autobot insignias with Decepticon insignias, adding silver paint to the grill/fender area and changing the blue paint operations to teal) [[#UnitedBlack|was eventually released]] as a [[Tokyo Toy Show 2012]] exclusive, now marketed as part of the ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' line.
{{canceledtoy}}

==Universe (2008)==
===Generation 1 Series===
[[File:Universetoy 25th anniversary optimus prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And the block has returned!!!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2008)
**''Accessories:'' Laser Blaster, 2 fists (left & right), trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, 4 rockets, hose, nozzle, fuel pump, sound effects module, comic, DVD

:Sold at the rather exorbitant price of $75, this re-release of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime toy is actually one of the most visually different from the other "straight" reissues of the mold, despite Hasbro's assurance that this is the toy you had as a kid. Positively ''anemic'' in comparison with the original toy, this Prime's red parts are visibly paler than usual, while his blue parts are much lighter (although the version released at Canadian retail reportedly sports a deeper shade of red again). This shade of blue extends to both Roller (a lighter blue than his traditional dark shade, yet darker than the lightest the figure has been in its history) and the internal workings of his Combat Deck, which is itself a much flatter shade of light grey, compared to its normal dark, swirled metallic silver color. In addition, the toy features the now-customary shortened smokestacks, and the elongated missiles seen on the [[#Commemorative Series|Commemorative Series]] release. While all reissues of the Prime mold since 2003 have used the original thick-barreled mold for his ion blaster, this version includes the slender sculpt instead.

:As a 25th anniversary set, Prime includes several new pack-in bonuses: a reprint of the [[The Transformers (issue)|first issue]] of the original [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|comic book]], a DVD containing all three parts of the [[The Transformers (cartoon)|animated series]] pilot [[More than Meets the Eye (mini-series)|"More than Meets the Eye"]], and three desktop wallpapers, and a battery-powered Autobot symbol that plays transforming sound effects, part of the first version of the ''Transformers'' [[theme song]], and three voice clips performed by Peter Cullen: "I am Optimus Prime!", "Autobot, transform and roll out!" and "Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost." There are some reports that the Autobot symbol could be worn out or damaged during the time of purchase.

:Outside the United States, this set was available in a thinner rectangular box. It contained all the original accessories from the American release, but not the DVD. An English-only version of this packaging format was available in Asia and Australia (initially only available at Myer stores, but later also at Toys"R"Us, Kmart and Target, eventually at drastically reduced prices), while a bilingual English/French packaging variant was available in Canada, still including—though not advertised on the packaging—the (English only) comic book.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/25thOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on 25th Anniversary Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
[[File:Uni2008-toy SEOptimusPrime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
{{anchor|UniSpecEd}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe Class: Special Edition, 2008)
**''ID Number:'' '''SE-01'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle

:"Special Edition" Optimus Prime is a redeco of the ''Classics'' multi-pack toy, featuring some minor paint detail changes, bluer translucent plastic, darker and cooler gray plastic, and darker metallic flake red and blue plastic, with his (previously black-only) rifle body most notably now being cast in both blue ''and'' black plastic. He came in special "book box" style packaging with black-and-white boxart, and was only available at retail in Australian and Asian markets. North American customers could later buy him via [[Hasbro Toy Shop]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/HTSOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Special Edition Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

===Titanium Series===
[[File:Titanium-toy Target OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Yawn... Hey, wait! Am I [[Delta Magnus]] now?]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (6" Cybertron Heroes, 2009)
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster, display stand

: A [[Target]]-exclusive [[redeco]] of War Within Optimus Prime in [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action film]]-inspired colors. The bio on the back of the packaging only fills up half of the allotted space, as if the [[Forest Lee|writer]] was tired of describing Optimus Primes.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/TitOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Target-exclusive Titanium Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{-}}

==Alternity==
[[File:AlternityConvoy VibrantRed.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|It's like G2 Go-bots all over again...but cooler!]]
*'''Convoy Ultimate Silver''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''A-01'''

:''[[Transformers: Alternity|Alternity]]'' Convoy transforms into a 1:32 scale Nissan GT-R, featuring die-cast metal parts, an opening hood, trunk and doors, as well as an interior, complete with his feet and thighs being sculpted to form the back seats. This complex figure stands at 6.5" tall, and is armed with a pair of blasters on each arm. In the hyper-dimensional world of the oft-confusing ''Alternity'' fiction, this figure specifically represents the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity#Story of Binaltech|Optimus Prime]] of [[universal stream]] [[Primax 903.0 Beta]].

:The mold suffers from a [[Design flaw|minor design oversight]], wherein the rear Nissan badge collides with his left leg strut when the left foot is hinged over and pegged into a clear plastic socket during transformation, with the results being that the connection is slightly crooked, isn't very secure, and sometimes pops off, and that the crooked pegging often causes the socket to crack.

:''Alternity'' Convoy was simultaneously available in both this silver coloration, and a deco based on his traditional appearance termed "Vibrant Red" (see below). The figure was later redecoed to create "[[Nemesis Prime (Universe)#Alternity 2|Convoy Super Black]]" (representing not Optimus Prime, but ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 franchise)|Universe]]'' [[Nemesis Prime (Universe)|Nemesis Prime]]), ''Alternity'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Alternity|Ultra Magnus]], and ''Alternity'' [[Dai Atlas (Zone)#Alternity|Dai Atlas]].

*'''Convoy Vibrant Red''' (2009)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''A-01'''

:"Vibrant Red" ''Alternity'' Convoy is a redeco of the "Ultimate Silver" figure in the much more traditional red and blue Prime color scheme, representing the Optimus Prime of universal stream [[Primax 109.0 Beta]]. The figure was available simultaneously with the Ultimate Silver version, sharing the same packaging and pack-in materials, save for the color of the illustration on the front of the box, and a sticker that identified the figure within.
{{-}}

==Transformers (2010)==
[[File:TF2010 Deluxe G2OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|[[Fandom|We]] see a red truck, and we want it [[Black repaint|painted]] [[Scourge (RID)|black]].]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe Class, 2011)
**''Accessories:'' Sword

: Part of the sixth wave of the [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'' toyline]], this Optimus Prime is an all-new Deluxe class mold based on the original ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' Laser Optimus Prime toy ([[#LaserOptimusPrime|see above]]). Transforming into a racing truck, he has some influences from the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action movie Optimus Prime]], including the more defined flames on his hood, athletic [[robot mode]] proportions and a more aggressive-looking translucent orange sword that can be held with both hands for maximum extreme chopitude. Optimus Prime features extensive use of translucent plastic in his arms, head and upper torso for a [[light-piping]] effect. Optimus also has a (non-detachable) matrix gimmick in robot mode that is formed by a relief pattern on the inside of the cab's side windows and is visible through the windshield/chest in robot mode. Like the Legends toy, he's part of "[[Reveal the Shield]]" and features a [[rubsign]], this time on the roof. He is also ''very'' articulated and poseable, even featuring ankles and wrists that are both [[Ball joint|ball-joint]]ed ''and'' [[Swivel joint|hinged]].

: The original Hasbro [[Stock photography|stock photos]] depict him as having red [[paint operation]]s on his kneecaps and the sunken ridges around his blue abs that the final product lacks. The photos on the cardback show him with a red Autobot symbol on his truck door and blue plastic instead of grey for the piece just in front of his rear tires. The back photo also depicts his side windows as being the same translucent orange as the front ones, when they are, in reality, a garish solid orange.

: Multiple reports suggest that the toy suffers from a [[design flaw]], inferior plastic quality, or both: Due to his hands having peg-holes that are a bit too small to accommodate 5mm posts, they have a tendency to show stress marks on the inside after pegging his sword handle (or most other pegs) inside. Stress marks also tend to appear near his tiny hinged wrists. Fortunately, there have been no reports of the hands actually ''breaking'' on either location thus far.

: This toy was redecoed into ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]/[[Transformers: Shattered Glass (toyline)|Shattered Glass]]'' [[Optimus Prime (SG)#BotCon2012|Optimus Prime]] and ''Timelines'' [[Scourge (RID)#Timelines|Scourge]], and was retooled into ''Timelines/Shattered Glass'' [[Ultra Magnus (SG)#Timelines|Ultra Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/RTSOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Reveal the Shield" Deluxe Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{2010DeluxeOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|2010Legend}}
[[File:TF2010-toy Legends Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|YOU'LL NEVER GUESS HIS TRUE ALLEGIANCE!]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends Class, 2011)

:[[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Optimus Prime is based on his original Generation 1 appearance. He features a [[Kibble#"Faux-parts"|fake grill]] for his robot mode, and his large legs result in a fairly thick and compact truck bed. He is part of "[[Reveal the Shield]]", a subline that outfits all its toys with [[rubsign]]s, and in this case, it's located on the left side of the truck/his left elbow.

:This figure was redecoed and retooled into ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Motormaster (G1)#Generations|Motorbreath]] and [[Transformers (2014 toyline)|''Transformers'' (2014)]] [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Ultra Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/RTSLegOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Reveal the Shield" Legends Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|mp10hasbro}}
[[File:Transformers2010toy-HasbroMP10OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Standing tall and proud with his smokestacks erect.]]
*'''Masterpiece Optimus Prime''' (2012/2014)
**''Accessories:'' [[Ion blaster#Transformers (2010)|Ion cannon]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#mp10hasbro|Matrix of Leadership]], [[Energon-axe#Tranformers (2010)|Energon axe]], [[Combat Deck (G1)#Transformers (2010)|trailer/Battle Station/Maintenance Dock]], [[Roller (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Autobot Roller]], [[Spike Witwicky (G1)#Transformers (2010)|Spike Witwicky figurine]]
:The Hasbro [[Toys"R"Us]]-exclusive release of [[#mp10|MP-10 Convoy]] features brighter blue plastic and paint, brighter unpainted non-metallic red plastic, painted yellow lights above the front truck windshields, painted light blue eyes, and lacks silver paint for the trailer's interior. Roller is now blue.

:In the Philippines, this was only available as a Toys"R"Us "Limited Edition" figure in the Trinoma mall from August 23–26, with customers having to sign up to reserve their figure. It was limited to 48 units total, and was limited to one per customer.

:Hasbro Asia re-released this in 2014. It came with an exclusive addition - the [[Key to Vector Sigma#Masterpiece|Key to Vector Sigma]]. In 2017 it was [[#Masterpiece|basically reissued]] under ''Generations'' co-branding.

:Stock photos show his vehicle mode mistranformed.

{{-}}{{anchor|DollarLegends}}
[[File:TF-2012-Legends-Class-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legends Class, 2012)
:*''Accessories:'' Sword (running change variant only)
:The [[Transformers (2010 toyline)|2010 ''Transformers'']] "[[Reveal the Shield]]" [[Legends Class (2005)|Legends Class]] Optimus Prime sculpt in the deco from the first ''[[Transformers Chronicle|Chronicle]]'' EZ Collection wave (see below) was released as a "Dollar Store" exclusive (available at stores such as Dollar General and Big Lots) in generic 2010 ''Transformers'' packaging packaging alongside [[Starscream (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Starscream]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Bumblebee]] and [[Megatron (G1)/toys#DollarLegends|Megatron]]. The initial release saw the copyright year removed, while a later [[variant#running changes|running change variant]] featured the new tooling originally used for ''Generations'' Legends Class [[Motormaster (G1)#Generations|Motorbreath]], with not only the retooled hands and a hole on the back of his head/top of his [[alternate mode|vehicle mode]] compatible with [[C joint|3mm posts]], but also Motorbreath's sword accessory.

{{-}}

==United==
[[File:Unitedtoy cybertron mode prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|See?! War for Cybertron ''is'' G1!]]
*'''Optimus Prime Cybertron Mode''' (Deluxe, [[2010]]-[[December 25|12-25]])
**''Japanese ID number'': '''UN-01'''
**''Accessories'': "Assault rifle"

: The first toy in TakaraTomy's ''[[Transformers United|United]]'' toyline is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[Transformers: War for Cybertron (franchise)|War for Cybertron]]'' [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Generations|Optimus Prime]], transforming into a Cybertronic "armored truck". As has been TakaraTomy's wont of late, he now sports a metallic red paint job, with brighter pink paint applications and cooler grey parts, and features several additional paint details to those present on the Hasbro figure in the form of black chest windows and pink lines on his face mask. His rifle transforms as well, folding and plugging into the roof of the vehicle mode. The rifle can also peg into his forearms, and, in its compact configuration, can attach to his shoulders via peg holes on the backs of his front tires or stored behind his back in [[robot mode]].

: This mold was also used to make ''United'' [[Darkside Optimus Prime (United)|Darkside Optimus Prime]].

{{-}}{{anchor|UnitedEarth}}
[[File:Unitedtoy g1prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|No, my pair of legs won't retract. Now buy me.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe, 2010-12-25)
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-06'''
**''Accessories:'' Laser rifle

:The second Optimus Prime toy in TakaraTomy's ''United'' toyline is another redeco of the ''Classics'' multi-pack toy, this time featuring an extensive metallic paint job among other plastic color changes.

:Although the stock photo (pictured from the right) shows that his Autobot insignia is tampographed on his left shoulder, the final product places the insignia on his left forearm, just like his ''Classics'' figure.

{{-}}{{anchor|UnitedG2}}
[[File:Unitedtoy laser prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|]]
*'''Laser Optimus Prime''' (Deluxe, [[2011]]-[[March 26|03-26]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''UN-22'''
**''Accessories:'' "Laser Rod" sword

:The third ''United'' Optimus Prime toy is a redeco and slight retool of the deluxe Prime figure from Hasbro's 2010 ''Transformers'' toyline, itself an homage to Prime's ''Generation 2'' "Laser" form. The toy features translucent blue plastic as opposed to Hasbro's orange, red paint is used on the biceps instead of blue paint, extra red paint applications on the knees like the original's sticker detail, and more broken-up red apps on the shoulders. Silver detailing was added to the cab mode on the grill, the bumper, and near the doors. The blue plastic in cab mode is now black plastic to make the figure more accurate to the ''Generation 2'' original. The gray plastic is changed from the Hasbro version to more closely match the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#G2reissue|2006 reissue of Laser Optimus Prime]]. Black paint was applied to the cab mode to mimic the fade from red to black on the original Laser Optimus, but still includes a flame deco like the Hasbro version, only in a different design. It lacks the roof-mounted rubsign of the Hasbro version, instead including Autobot insignias on the cab doors. (Disappointingly, they are Generation 1 insignias, rather than ''Generation 2'' ones!) Additionally, a retool was made to the peg on the inside of his right shoulder, to make it shorter and wider than the Hasbro version, allowing it to move freely without hitting the torso, unlike the Hasbro release.
{{2010DeluxeOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|UnitedBlack}}
[[File:Unitedtoy-BlackOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Shouldn't be hard for him to fit in with the Decepticons... There's like, [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|two]] [[Darkside Optimus Prime (United)|other]] "evil Optimus Prime" guys in their ranks.]]
*'''Black Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2012)
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/blaster, wind vane/cannon

:Available [[exclusive]]ly at the [[Tokyo Toy Show]] 2012 (along with [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Shining|''Prime'' Shining Optimus Prime]]), Black Optimus Prime is a very minor redeco of the previously unreleased [[#GenteiBlack|''Gentei! Gentei!'']] black version of [[#Henkei! Henkei!|''Henkei! Henkei!'' Convoy]], itself a redeco of the [[#Classics (2006)|''Classics'' Voyager toy]]. As such, Black Optimus Prime is mostly cast in black plastic, with some gray parts, translucent red windows and teal paint operations.

:The only differences with the unreleased version, aside from the packaging, are that silver paint has been added to the previously unpainted grill/fender area, the blue paint operations have been changed to teal, and the red Autobot insignias have been replaced by purple Decepticon ones. Prime's [[bio]] apparently explains that he took on this new color scheme in order to infiltrate the Decepticon ranks, in response to recent attacks by some new Decepticon forces pretending to be Autobots.

::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1579.html Black Optimus Prime at Alfes's Toy Blog (part 1)]''
::*''[http://higekumatoytoy.blog60.fc2.com/blog-entry-1580.html Black Optimus Prime at Alfes's Toy Blog (part 2)]''
{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{-}}

==Chronicle==
[[File:EZCollectionChronicleConvoyToy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (EZ Collection, 2011)
:A ''veeery'' slight [[repaint]] of the [[#2010legend|2010 Reveal the Shield]] Legends figure, the first ''[[Transformers Chronicle|Chronicle]]'' Prime replaces that figure's rubsign with a tiny tampographed Autobot symbol on his left bicep. He was one of eight figures available in the first wave of "EZ Collection" blindpacked figures.

{{-}}{{anchor|G1MoviePrime}}
[[File:TF-Chronicle-CH01-G1-Optimus-Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''G1 Optimus Prime & Movie Optimus Prime''' (multi-pack, 2011)
**''ID number:'' '''CH01'''
**''Accessories:'' [[Ion blaster|Laser rifle]], trailer

:This reissue of the original Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure comes in a two-pack with the Deluxe-Class ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Chronicle|Optimus Prime figure]]. Prime himself is almost identical to the ''Encore'' release, save for his trailer hitch which was retooled to allow a peg to be inserted within it while still being able to be inserted into the trailer itself (making it compatible with his G1 trailer and the new trailer included). Like the Encore release, he features lighter colors and tampographed shoulder symbols (which vary slightly from the Encore release).

:His original trailer is not included with the set; instead, he comes with [[Armored Weapons Platform#Chronicle|a new deluxe-scaled trailer]], not available with any other figure, based on the one towed by Prime in ''Dark of the Moon''. The trailer is compatible with both figures, and sports [[5mm post]]-holes that will hold (among many other things) G1 Prime's laser rifle and the [[MechTech]] weapon Movie Prime is armed with.

{{-}}{{anchor|ChronicleEZG2}}
[[File:Chronicletoy ez g2 prime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (EZ Collection, 2011)
:Reveal the Shield Legends Prime was redecoed again for inclusion in the second EZ Collection wave. This version of the figure replaces his blue with black, and like the Megatron redeco in the same wave, features a ''Generation 2'' Autobot symbol instead of a Generation 1 insignia.

{{-}}

==Kre-O==
{{Note|This section only lists Generation 1-inspired Optimus Prime Kre-O toys.}}
{{-}}{{anchor|Matrix}}
[[File:KreO-Toy OptimusMatrixKreon.jpg|right|thumb|300px|If you even ''thought'' about Transformers in 2011, you probably have two of me.]]
*'''Matrix Optimus Prime''' (2011)
**''Pieces'': '''10'''
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle

: Intended to be [[exclusive]] to [[BotCon 2011]], this redeco of the regular Optimus Prime Kreon has an open chest showing the [[Matrix of Leadership]] within. He comes with a G1 inspired gun and a black brick display stand.

: We say "intended", because in actuality, the thing appears to have been produced in such huge quantities that it's wound up being made available in ''loads'' of other places—it was handed out at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2011, offered as a free giveaway with any order that included Transformers toys on [[Hasbro Toy Shop]]), as a free gift on the cover of the ''[[Awesome Autobots Activity Book]]'', and came as a free gift attached to, of all things, issue #240 of the [[United Kingdom|UK]] children's comic, ''[[Doctor|Doctor Who Adventures]]'' (but not the UK's [[Transformers (Titan Magazine)|Transformers comic]], you'll note!).

:A supposed factory error even caused this version (minus display stand) to be included in the larger Optimus Prime kit (see below). This problem has (presumably) been fixed, but it was awesome while it lasted.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Kre-OMatrixOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Matrix Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|542pc}}
[[File:KreO-Toy Optimus542pc.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Nigh-infinite configuration possibilities, and somehow a WORSE base mode than pretty much every other Optimus's trailer-bases. Wow.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2011)
**''Set number'': '''30689'''
**''Pieces'': '''542'''
**''Kreons'': Optimus Prime, Bluestreak, Skywarp, two Stunt Drivers
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle, weapons sprue (sniper rifle, pistol, submachinegun, handcuffs, radio, ammo box), large tool sprue (shovel, hammer, electric drill, clamp), small tool sprue (socket wrench, screwdriver, wrench, hatchet), 2 traffic cones

: Naturally, Optimus Prime got the biggest of the sets in the first year of ''Kre-O''. The set can be built into a large long-nose tractor-trailer rig with a removable "sleeper" cab that hides a computer station, and a trailer that can carry the set's two motorcycles or open up to carry larger car builds. The robot mode build includes a huge Optimus, based largely on the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action movie Optimus]], though with a head based almost directly on the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics|''Classics'' Voyager Optimus]]. He is armed with a distressingly plain brick that fires pressure-launched missiles (aka his smokestacks). Most of the leftover parts in robot mode become a "headquarters" which is mostly just a random assemblage of mismatched-color panels and a pair of barricades. Both main builds leave numerous parts unused if you go expressly by the instructions, but hey, it's a building kit, surely you can find ''someplace'' to apply most of them.

: The set comes with a bevy of [[Kreon]]s, including Optimus Prime (this one based heavily on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Generation 1 Optimus]]), [[Bluestreak (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Bluestreak]], [[Skywarp (G1)/toys#Kre-O|Skywarp]], and a pair of human [[Stunt Driver]]s. A packaging error resulted in some releases of this set to come with the promotional "Matrix chest" Optimus (see above) rather than the normal version pictured here.

:Speaking of errors, the instruction manuals (he has two) both have errors in their parts listings, showing numerous pieces in the wrong colors or not making it clear that some parts are, well, clear. Making things more confusing, not all of these miscolors are reflected in the step-by-step instructions, while a couple new ones are added there.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Kre-OOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|90pc}}
[[File:KreO OptimusPrime small.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.66|So come on down to South Park and meet some friends of mine.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2011)
**''Set number'': '''31143'''
**''Pieces'': '''90'''

: The smaller optimus Prime Kre-O kit is loosely based on the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|original Optimus Prime]], transforming into a cabover truck. He comes with no Kreons.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2011/Autobot/Kre-OSmallOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "small" Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Custom}}
[[File:KreO-Toy OptimusCustomKreon.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.67]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Custom Kreon, 2013)
**''Set number'': '''A6085'''
**''Pieces'': '''41'''
**''Accessories'': Rack, large rifle, ray pistol, robot sword, wing-backpack, rocket-backpack

: Part of the first assortment of "Custom Kreons", this version of Optimus Prime comes with a buildable parts rack on which to hang/store his many many extra pieces. His [[tampograph]]s are much more heavily-detailed than the original Kreons, based on the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 1|original Optimus Prime toy]]. His "normal" helmet (and small sword) are [[chrome]]d, plus he comes with an extra clear-plastic helmet, torso and legs. He also has a pair of extra arms (originally from the ''Kre-O Battleship'' aliens), plus a buildable large rifle, a buildable wing-pack, and a ray pistol (originally an Andorian blaster from ''Kre-O Star Trek'').

{{-}}{{anchor|OrionPax}}
[[File:KreO-Toy OrionPax.jpg|thumb|300px]]
*'''Orion Pax''' (2014)
**''Pieces'': '''10'''
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle, transparent block, brick display stand

:Available only with the ''[[Transformers: Kre-O Character Encyclopedia]]'', Orion Pax is a Kreon version of Orion Pax from "[[War Dawn (episode)|War Dawn]]". He uses the [[Ironhide (Kre-O)|Ironhide]] helmet and the original Optimus Prime Kreon's gun. The transparent block which he can hold has "KREO" written on it in [[Cybertronian language#Notes|Autobot text]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/Kre-OOrionPax/orionpax.htm More information on Orion Pax at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Elite}}
[[File:Kre-o-Elite-Optimus-Prime.jpg|thumb|300px|Give [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Diablock|me]] [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Kre-O|your]] face?]]
*'''Elite Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''Pieces'': '''43'''
**''Acessories'': Optimus rifle

:A polybag with buildable Optimus Prime with larger hands and legs on a Kreon sized torso, much like the Galvatron in the Factory Battle set. His helmet is completely unpainted.

:This figure was a freebie giveaway at Canadaian ToysRUs stores during build-a-figure event, and also available at the "Transformers Exhibition" event in Taipei, Taiwan from [[June 27]] to [[July 6]].

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCC2014}}
[[File:KreO-toy OptimusClass84.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Voted Most Likely to <s>[[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Diablock|GIVE ME]] [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#Kre-O|YOUR FACE]]</s> Succeed]]
*'''Kreon Class of 1984''' (Kreon figure set, 2014)
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle

: This version of Optimus, voted "Most Likely To Succeed" by the [[Kreon Class of 1984]], lays heavy on the toy-based tampographs (though they are completely different from the other iterations), and like the others in the set, has a more animation-model-inspired face deco, what with having a nose and all.

:He was only available in a pack of 30 Kreons dubbed "Class of 1984". This set was made for sale at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2014. Remaining stock was to be sold at [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] online after the convention, but as the set sold out at the show, that never happened.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/SDCCKre-OOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Class of 1984 Optimue Prime at TFU.info]

{{-}}{{anchor|KreOGashapon}}
*'''Total Commander Optimus Prime (Convoy)''' (Gacha capsule Kreon, 2014)
**''Accessories'': Ray pistol

:In late 2014, twelve Kreons were sold through [[TakaraTomy]]'s "TakaraTomy A.R.T.S" [[Gacha]] capsule-toy machines in Japan. Thankfully for the rest of the world, these Kreons are all basically identical to previously-released ones in the Hasbro lines. The Gacha release of Optimus Prime is basically the base [[#Custom|Custom Kreon Optimus]] using his clear-plastic helmet and carrying the small ray pistol, lacking his leg-wheels, smokestacks and backpack (and of course all those other parts and accessories).

{{-}}{{anchor|BattleChangers}}
[[File:Kre-o-battle-changers-optimus-prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''(Individual version pictured)'']]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Battle Changers, 2015)
**''Set Number'': '''B0715'''
**''Pieces'':''89''
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle

:Part of the new Battle Changers line, Battle Changers Optimus Prime transforms from truck into a robot and back without removing any parts!

:Like the rest of the Battle Changers, he is available in selected Asian countries since December 2014.

{{-}}{{anchor|BattleChangersOptimusVSMegatron}}
[[File:Kre-O-Battle-Changers-2-pack-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''(2-pack version pictured)'']]
*'''Optimus Prime VS Megatron''' (Battle Changers 2-pack, 2015)
**''Set Number'': '''B1506'''
**''Pieces'': ''198''
**''Accessories'': Optimus rifle, trailer

:Available in a two pack set with [[Megatron (Kre-O)#Battle_Changers|Battle Changer Megatron]], this Optimus is largely the same as as the single release, with some minor differences. He uses a new "double harness" piece on his torso instead of using two harnesses, leaving more space for his head to grip the neck-post. He also has different windshield decals, and his reds and blues are slightly darker. And, most obviously, he has an additional buildable trailer, though it doesn't really attach to the truck mode in any meaningful way.

{{-}}{{anchor|MiniConCombiner}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Mini-Con Combiners, unreleased)
**''Accessories'': Bazooka, phaser, Uzi, scoped pistol, Klingon blaster

:"Mini-Con Combiner"' Optimus comes with one standard Kreon and four ''Cityville''-syle mini-Kreons of the same character, each one a different incarnation from various franchises. With some extra parts, the mini-Kreons become limbs to make a larger combiner-bot.

: The main torso-bot is based on Generation 1 Optimus's original body. Two of his limbs are based on ''[[Transformers: Armada (franchise)| Armada]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]; one "normal" (Inferno helmet), one pre-[[Earth]]-body (Knock Out helmet). Another is based on [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action Optimus]] (Soundwave helmet), and the remaining one (Ironhide helmet)... actually looks to be based on the Optimus-like-but-not-Optimus [[Micromaster]] [[Overload (G1)|Overload]]! The heck?

: Unfortunately, the Mini-Con Combiners apparently never saw release anywhere.

{{canceledtoy}}

{{-}}

==EZ Collection Gum==
[[File:EZ-Collection-Gum-Convoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Convoy''' (EZ Collection, [[2012]]-[[July 30|07-30]])
**''ID number'': '''1'''

: [[EZ Collection#Transformers: EZ Collection Gum|''EZ Collection Gum'']] Convoy is another redeco of ''Generations'' Legends Class [[Motormaster (G1)#Generations|Motorbreath]], featuring the retooled parts, but this time omitting the sword. He is decoed once again in his ''Generation 2'' colors (see above), with the black legs, but uses metallic red plastic, and is coated in metallic red, blue, and black paint. As per the toyline's name, he comes with a yellow candy-shelled piece of lemony-flavored gum.

{{-}}

==Generations==
{{anchor|UltimateGiftSet}}
[[File:Generationstoy-UltimateGiftSet-CombatHeroOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|He hasn't found this suit in 17 years!]]
*'''Ultimate Gift Set''' (2012)
:*''Accessories:'' Sword

:''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' "'''Combat Hero Optimus Prime'''" is a metallic-blue, gunmetal, and red redeco of ''United'' [[#UnitedG2|Laser Optimus Prime]], having the retooled tab, and being based on the canceled ''Generation 2'' [[#CombatHeroOptimusPrime|Combat Hero Optimus Prime figure]], sporting a red mouthplate inspired by the official catalog image for the unreleased toy (packaged samples had featured a traditionally colored gray mouthplate). He comes packed with a (vaguely) ''Generation 2''-styled Deluxe Class [[Jazz (G1)/toys#UltimateGiftSet|Autobot Jazz]], as well as unchanged releases of ''Generations'' Legends Class [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#UltimateGiftSet|Thundercracker]] and [[Motormaster (G1)#UltimateGiftSet|Motorbreath]].

:The Ultimate Gift Set is exclusive to online retailers in the United States, but is available at general retail in Asia.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/GenUGSOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Combat Hero Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{2010DeluxeOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|GenerationsLegends}}
====Thrilling 30====
[[File:Generationstoy-T30-LegendsOptimusPrimeRoller.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Say hello to my little friend, and Roller.]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Autobot Roller''' (Legends Class, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #001'''
**''Accessories'': Ion Blaster

:Part of the third wave of 2012-onwards ''Generations'' Legends Class toys, ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' Optimus Prime is a new mold that is roughly the same size as a ''[[Cyberverse]]'' Commander Class toy. Both his truck and [[robot mode]] are based on his [[Don Figueroa]]-designed body from [[IDW Publishing|IDW's]] [[The Transformers (IDW)|ongoing series]], and features [[5mm post|5mm-compatible]] hands and roof. He comes with an [[Ion blaster#Legends|Ion Blaster]] which has both 5mm and 3mm posts.

: He comes with "[[Roller (G1)#Generations|Autobot Roller]]", who can transform into a six-wheel armored SUV, a robot with [[C joint|3mm-compatible]] hands, and a weapon with a 5mm handle. He has a 5mm hole in vehicle mode and a 3mm hole in weapon mode for mounting the Ion Blaster.

: Not depicted in the instructions or stock photos, Roller can attach to Prime in vehicle mode via two tabs on the vehicle front which slot into two corresponding slots on Prime's feet. Another undocumented feature is that the butt of the Ion Blaster can be inserted between the barrels of Roller's weapon mode to form a longer weapon. Also not shown in the instructions but depicted on the stock photo on the card-back is that Prime's shoulderpads can be rotated up; the intended positioning for this is notched, although you can position them at other angles.

: This mold was also used to make ''Generations'' [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Generations|Nemesis Prime]], and retooled into [[Huffer (G1)|Huffer]] and [[Pipes (G1)|Autobot Pipes]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/GenOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Thrilling 30'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{GenerationsLegendsOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|Deluxe}}
[[File:Generationstoy-T30OrionPax.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|And so my childhood flees forever more. Shall it return? Quoth the raven: "Nevermore."]]
*'''Orion Pax''' (Deluxe, 2013)
**''Series / Number'': '''02 / #002'''
**''Accessories'': Ion Blaster, Energon Axe

:Part of the fifth wave of 2012-onwards ''Generations'' Deluxe Class toys, ''Thrilling 30'' Orion Pax is a new mold with a robot mode inspired by [[Guido Guidi|Guido Guidi's]] design for the character, originally seen in '[[Spotlight: Blurr]]'. Some liberties have been taken with the original concept to facilitate his truck mode, which is a new design not based on the Guidi art. He comes with his [[Ion blaster#Deluxe|Ion Blaster]] and an [[Energon-axe#Deluxe|Energon Axe]] with a transparent red-orange blade, both of which can peg onto 5mm ports on his hands and vehicle rear sides. Although not depicted on the instructions, the Ion Blaster can also peg into partially-octagonal "hole" on the larger blade of the Energon Axe.

:The American release is packed in with a copy of IDW's '[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]', which sports a 'Hasbro Exclusive Cover' cropped from the [[Clayton Crain]] [[:File:SpotlightOP cvrRI.jpg|retailer incentive cover]] for the issue. In Europe and Canada, the figure was released without the Spotlight.

:Most of the first-wave Orion Pax toys released in monolingual English [[packaging]] sport a bizarre [[quality control#Packaging images and labelling|error]]: The [[package art|character art]] on the side of the cardboard insert inside the blister bubble has the character art of Orion's [[wave]]-mate [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Deluxe|Megatron]] superimposed over Orion's own art. This error doesn't appear on the [[Multilingual packaging|European packaging]].

:The toy was later [[Redeco|recolored]] and [[retool]]ed to make ''[[Transformers Timelines (toyline)|Timelines]]'' [[Lio Convoy]], [[Optimus Prime (SG)#NovaPrime|Nova Prime]], and [[Galva Convoy]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/GenOrionPax/orionpax.htm More information on ''Thrilling 30'' Orion Pax at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|SDCCMetroplex}}
*'''Metroplex''' (Titan Class, 2013)
**'''01 OF 30'''

: An [[exclusive]] version of Titan Class [[Metroplex (G1)#SDCC|Metroplex]] was made available at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] 2013. He comes with 12 small, non-transforming figurines of Orion Pax, [[Megatron (G1)/toys#SDCCMetroplex|Megatron]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#SDCCMetroplex|Bumblebee]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#SDCCMetroplex|Thundercracker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)#SDCCMetroplex|Trailcutter]], and [[Hoist (G1)#SDCCMetroplex|Hoist]], all in both modes. The figurines are based on their Thrilling 30 ''Generations'' Deluxe Class toys, and similarly to [[Decoy]]s, the Autobot figurines are cast in red plastic, and the Decepticons in purple.

:The handle of Pax's Energon Axe is incredibly thin and unable to support the axe head, meaning the latter tends to droop down in the process.

{{-}}{{anchor|HKACGCONMetroplex}}
[[File:Generationstoy-T30-Metroplex-OrionPax-HKACGCON.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|... And you ''still'' end up playing the thimble in [[Monopoly]].]]
*'''Metroplex''' (Titan Class, 2013)
**'''05 OF 30'''

: Another exclusive version of Titan Class [[Metroplex (G1)#HKACGCON|Metroplex]] was made available at [[Hong Kong ACG-CON]] 2013. This Metroplex also has the 12 figurines of Orion Pax, [[Megatron (G1)/toys#HKACGCONMetroplex|Megatron]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#HKACGCONMetroplex|Bumblebee]], [[Thundercracker (G1)/toys#HKACGCONMetroplex|Thundercracker]], [[Trailbreaker (G1)#HKACGCONMetroplex|Trailcutter]], and [[Hoist (G1)#HKACGCONMetroplex|Hoist]], but casts the Autobot figurines in gold plastic, and the Decepticons in silver.

{{-}}{{anchor|OPandBee}}
[[File:TTGenerationsTG24OptimusRoller.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Bumblebee''' (Multi-pack, 2013-[[September 28|09-28]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''TG24'''
**''Accessories'': Ion Blaster

: The Japanese release of ''Generations'' Legends Class Optimus Prime [[redeco]]es him in an extensive metallic red paint job, save for his unpaintable parts, which made him end up having two tones of red. He comes in a [[TakaraTomy]] four-pack with [[Roller (G1)#OPandBee|Roller]], as well as [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#OPandBee|Bumblebee]] and [[Blaze Master#OPandBee|Blazemaster]].
{{GenerationsLegendsOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|VSMegatronus}}
[[File:TF-Generation-JP-TG25-Orion-Pax.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Neither of them wants to own up to the fact the Great War started over an argument about getting granite counter-tops for their kitchen.]]
*'''Orion Pax VS Megatronus''' (Multi-pack, 2013-[[October 26|10-26]])
**''Japanese ID number'': '''TG-25'''
**''Accessories'': Blaster, axe

: The Japanese release of ''Generations'' Orion Pax also received a metallic paint job as well as other changes, including a translucent blue windshield and brighter orange axe with a metallic gray handle. He was only available in a two-pack with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#VSOrionPax|Megatronus]].
{{--}}

===Combiner Wars===
[[File:GenerationsVoyOP.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Beefcake is the right of all sentient beings.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Class, 2015)
**'''3 OF 5: [[Ultra Prime]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Two blasters (combine into large rifle)

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]: [[Combiner Wars (toyline)|Combiner Wars]]'' Voyager Class toys, this is a bigger, bulkier incarnation of Optimus Prime with a striking resemblance to Ginrai. He comes with two blasters which he holds via 5mm post. One of the guns is based on his trademark Ion Blaster, and both weapons store on the back of his vehicle mode as a makeshift engine block. His torso mode has several details that appear to be influenced by [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Energon|''Energon'' Optimus Prime]]'s super mode, including the head, chest, and thighs. In particular, the chest details are modeled after the [[Spark of Combination]].

:Optimus suffers from a design flaw that many other Voyager Class figures in the ''Combiner Wars'' line experience: the detents, or "click points", on the heavily-ratcheted outward motion of his hips (which also form the hips of his torso mode) are few in number and very far apart. As a result, Prime's legs have great difficulty assuming the natural "A-stance" formation that the angled design of his foot sculpt seems to have been meant to accommodate. Likewise, when forming the torso of Ultra Prime, the interactions of the knee-lock mechanism and the hip detents almost always force Ultra Prime's legs into either an awkwardly knock-kneed arrangement or an equally awkward, and often unstable, bow-legged posture (as seen in the image to the right) that prevents Ultra Prime from standing flat-footed.

:Being a ''Combiner Wars'' Voyager, Prime is naturally capable of transforming into a torso mode to combine with any 4 Deluxe Class ''Combiner Wars'' or ''Unite Warriors'' toys, though his packaging call-out has him form Ultra Prime by combining him with Deluxe Class [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)#Generations|Skydive]] and [[Alpha Bravo]] as the arms, and with [[Fireflight (G1)#Generations|Firefly]] and [[Drag Strip (G1)#Generations|Decepticon Drag Strip]] as the legs.

:Optimus comes packaged with a collector's card featuring art from the initial release of the ''[[Transformers Legends (mobile game)|Transformers Legends]]'' mobile game.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{CWOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{-}}{{anchor|BattleCoreOP}}
[[File:CWVoyagerBattleCoreOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|A white Optimus that ''isn't'' [[Ultra Magnus (disambiguation)|Ultra Magnus]]?! What is this madness?]]
*'''Battle Core Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Class, 2015)
**'''3 of 5: [[Optimus Maximus (G1)|Optimus Maximus]]'''
**''Accessories:'' Two blasters (combine into large rifle)

:"Battle Core Optimus Prime" is a white redeco and slight retool of the previous ''Combiner Wars'' Optimus figure. According to the Hasbro panel at [[BotCon 2015]], his new head is based on Star Convoy (see above). For some reason, his deco appears to be influenced by [[Nova Prime]].

:The figure features newly redesigned hip ratchets to make both robot and combiner mode stable, which were also installed in both TakaraTomy's Motormaster, [[Grand Scourge#Unite Warriors 2|Grand Scourge]], and a revision wave of Hasbro's Motormaster. The pegs that Legends Class Rodimus (or Blackjack) attach to have also been slightly modified to provide a tighter fit, making the latter toy much less prone to falling out.

:Battle Core Optimus Prime can combine with any Deluxe Class toys released as part of the same subline—but, of course, he is intended to be combined with [[Sunstreaker (G1)/toys#Generations|Sunstreaker]], [[Mirage (G1)/toys#CombinerWars|Mirage]], [[Prowl (G1)/toys#Generations|Prowl]], and [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#CombinerWars|Ironhide]] to form [[Optimus Maximus (G1)#Generations|Optimus Maximus]].

:Battle Core Optimus Prime comes packaged with a collector's card based on his packaging art.

:He and the last three waves of ''Combiner Wars'' Deluxe and Voyager figures later started showing up at TJ Maxx at reduced prices.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/CWBCOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Combiner Wars'' Battle Core Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{CWOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{anchor|DoublePretender}}
[[File:TFSS-5.0-Double-Pretender-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The [[Trukk not munky|debate wars]] are over.]]
*'''Double Pretender Optimus Prime''' (2017)'''
**''Accessories'': Pretender Shell, Pretender Shell Gun, Blaster

:''Combiner Wars'' Double Pretender Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]]/[[retool]] of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Legends Class [[Swerve (G1)#Thrilling30|Swerve]], with a new head and a ''Generation 2''-inspired deco for his pickup truck mode. He reuses the blaster from his Legends Class figure.

:He also comes with [[Hi-Q#TFSS|Hi-Q]] (a redeco of [[Sky High (Micromaster)#Generations|Flanker]]) and a Pretender shell redecoed from [[Oilmaster#Timelines|Oilmaster]]'s, and it was decorated after the original unreleased grey-and-red gorilla shell.

:This figure was only available through [[Fun Publications]]' [[Transformers Figure Subscription Service|Subscription Service 5.0]] and shipped together with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#DoublePretender|Double Pretender Megatron]].
{{-}}

===Titans Return===
[[File:Titans Return Optimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.88|An Optimus Prime... ''retooled from an [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]]?'' '''WHAT IS THIS MADNESS?''']]
*'''Autobot Apex & Powermaster Optimus Prime''' (Leader Class, 2016)
**''Accessories:'' Two blasters, two shoulder cannons, 'Apex' Titan Master

:A heavy retool of ''Combiner Wars'' [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Generations|Ultra Magnus]], this Optimus Prime is based on the Powermaster Optimus Prime toy from 1988. Despite this, Hi-Q (now renamed 'Autobot Apex', presumably for trademark reasons) doesn't form the engine on Prime's chest; instead, he transforms into a de-faceplated version of the original Powermaster Optimus Prime cab robot head, over which a helmet slides during transformation to complete the Powermaster Prime look. In all three of Optimus Prime's modes are various pegs and seats with which Titan Master figures can interact. Like other Leader Class figures, his base mode can connect to other ''Titan Returns'' figures with base modes.

:Most notably in terms of new tooling, the panels on the undersides of Powermaster Optimus Prime's forearms feature slots under the fists, which allow the guns to tab in and be held much more stably than with Ultra Magnus. And due to the amount of empty space in the cab area in vehicle mode, Powermaster Prime can fully transform without the need to remove his head.

:Powermaster Optimus Prime also comes with a collector's card based on his packaging art.

:His instructions show that one of the two Titan Master seat guns can peg onto the top of his chest plate in base mode, but are unclear on exactly ''how''. The tab on the chest plate plugs into the hole where the Titan Master's feet peg in. However, in doing so the Titan Master will no longer fit.

:Due to the extra panels that were added to the legs, Optimus has trouble standing flat on both feet. Fortunately, this doesn't have any serious effect on the toy's stability due to the size of the feet.

:This mold was further retooled as ''[[Transformers Legends (franchise)|Legends]]'' [[Ginrai (human)#Legends|Super Ginrai]], which was redecoed into Siege On Cybertron [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Titans Return|Magnus Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/TRPMOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Titans Return'' Powermaster Optimus Prime at TFU.info]
{{CWUltraMagnusMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|TRVoyager}}
[[File:TF-Generations-Titans-Return-Voyager-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|An Optimus Prime that turns into a ''jet''? AND HE'S A DECEPTICON? '''''THE MADNESS IS SPREADING!''''']]
*'''Diac & Optimus Prime''' (Voyager Class, 2016)
**''Accessories'': Sword, Double-barreled rifle, 'Diac' Titan Master

:This Optimus Prime is a new Voyager-sized Triple Changer mold, which transforms from robot to tanker truck to plane and back. His robot mode is heavily based on ''Generation 2'' [[#LaserOptimusPrime|Laser Optimus Prime]], whilst the deco appears to draw from Star Convoy. His Titan Master partner [[Diac]] transforms into his head (but any Titan Master figure is compatible). Like all ''Titans Return'' Voyager class figures, he has built in mechanisms to "bulk up" his noggin. In his case these are spring-loaded pylons. He also features a fake chest on his robot mode.

:This mold was retooled into [[Octane#TitansReturn|Octone]]. Beginning with this wave, Hasbro changed the standard packaging design for ''Titans Return'' Voyagers from "Autobot" style to "Decepticon" style.

{{-}}{{anchor|ChaosOnVelocitron}}
[[File:TF-Titans-Return-Chaos-on-Velocitron-Laser-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|An Optimus Prime with a picture of him burning down forests!? <big>'''''THIS IS MADLY OUTRAGEOU...'''''</big>[[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LaserOptimusPrime|no wait.]]]]
*'''Chaos on Velocitron''' (gift set, 2017)
**''Accessories'': Sword, Double-barreled rifle, '[[Diac#ChaosOnVelocitron|Diac]]' Titan Master

:Released as part of the Toys"R"Us exclusive 5-pack under the name "Laser Prime", this Optimus Prime is a redeco of his Voyager Class figure, with its deco based on his ''Generation 2'' toy...and yes, the tanker's sticker is still him burning down forests. Unfortunately, the enormous stickers are usually poorly applied, resulting in peeling, trapped air bubbles and misaligned placement.

{{-}}

{{-}}{{anchor|PrimitiveSkateboarding}}
[[File:TF-Generations-TR-Primitive-Skateboarding-Powermaster-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime & Shreddicus Maximus''' (Primitive Skateboarding exclusive Leader Class, 2017)
**''Accessories:'' Two blasters, two shoulder cannons, '[[Shreddicus Maximus]]' Titan Master, Skateboard, 3-piece Ramp

:Released as part of a collaboration between Transformers and [https://primitiveskate.com/ Primitive Skateboarding], this figure is a black repaint of the ''Titans Return'' Powermaster Optimus Prime, with the deco somewhat resembling [[#NucleonQuest|Nucleon Quest Super Convoy]], but with some gold trims and Primitive Skateboarding markings partially designed by Primitive Skateboard founder [https://hypebeast.com/tags/paul-rodriguez Paul Rodriguez]. He also comes with an extra ramp & skateboard accessory that resembles the one [[Daniel Witwicky (G1)|Daniel Witwicky]] used in ''[[The Transformers: The Movie]]'', which Shreddicus Maximus (or any other Titan Master) can attach to. The ramp can also form Optimus Prime's gun.

{{comingsoontoy}}

===Cyber Series===
{{Note|The Cyber Series figures were available in limited quantities from online retailer BigBadToyStore.com, though other than that they haven't hit mass retail anywhere besides Asia and Latin America. However, the Cyber Battalion Optimus Prime figure (along with Starscream and Bumblebee) saw release as a Universal Studios Theme Park exclusive.}}
[[File:Generations-Cyber-Battalion-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|No, not an upsized KO.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyber Battalion, 2015)
:Part of the new ''Generations Cyber Battalion'' series, Optimus Prime is a new mold which stands 7 inches tall, and transforms from a truck (which is based on the ''Generations Thrilling 30'' Legends Class Optimus Prime figure) into a robot in just 7 simple steps. The figure's transformation engineering had taken cues from the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#2010Legend|''Reveal the Shield'' Legends Class Optimus Prime]] figure, while it still retains the same ol' articulation.

{{-}}

[[File:Generations-Cyber-Commander-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Trukk with Munky arms.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyber Commander, 2015)
:This new roughly 11-inch leader-sized mold of Optimus Prime transforms from a robot to trailer/truck combination and back, with the transformation taking cues from both the [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#2010Legend|''Reveal the Shield'' Legends Class]] and [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Legion Class|the ''Robots in Disguise'' Legion Class]] toys.

{{-}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Cyber Commander, 2017)
:A redeco of of the Cyber Commander toy above, this Prime features grey plastic replacing the original blue, some deco differences on the arms, body & legs. He also features a flame tampograph on the sides of his vehicle front. He comes in an altered packaging that replaces the first version's painted [[prototype]] [[stock photography|stock photos]] with CG renders depicting the new deco, and also features a new Hasbro product code number, thus making him officially a separate product rather than a drastic running change [[variant]].

{{-}}

===Platinum Edition===
[[File:TF-Platinum-Edition-OsS-OsF-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Meanwhile in an alternate universe, the arms are his weak points for Megatron.]]
*'''One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall''' (2-pack, 2016)
**''Accessories'': Smokestacks/Laser Gun, energy unit/ion blaster

: Released as part of the ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' 2-pack under the ''Generations'' line with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Platinum Edition|Megatron]], this Optimus Prime is yet another redeco of the ''[[#Classics|Classics]]'' toy. Rather than the show-accurate colors like the ''Age of Extinction 2-pack'' figure, the toy's deco is very similar to the ''Classics'' release, with some changes and omissions: his blue plastic is a dark metallic sheen, his knee's yellow detailing was removed, his small Autobot symbol tampograph was placed on his right shoulder, and his larger one is placed on his energy unit. His side door/arm kibble is left unpainted. According to [[Mark Weber]], this was meant to represent his abdominal area being torn in the movie's battle. (Yeah, we have no idea how it works, since the "battle damage" parts were located on his arms.)

:Both his robot and vehicle mode stock photos depict him slightly mistransformed.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2016/Autobot/PlatinumOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Platinum Edition'' One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}

{{-}}{{anchor|YearOfTheRooster}}
[[File:TF-Platinum-Edition-YotR-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|Also known as "Hybrid Style Convoy Hasbro Edition", but more expensive.]]
*'''Optimus Prime Year of the Rooster Edition ''' (2017)
**''Accessories'': Trailer/Combat Deck, Roller, ion blaster, gas pump, energon-axe, Autobot Matrix of Leadership, rocket pack, 8 fists (4 left, 4 right), Autobot insignia stand

:In an ''unexpected'' turn of events, ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' Optimus Prime is a slight redeco or mostly an ''unchanged'' release of ''[[Hybrid Style]]'' [[Hybrid_Style|Convoy]], making it the very first Hasbro release of the figure. He retains all of the original figure's accessories, and the die-cast construction.

:Ironically, despite being a redeco of a small yet complex adult collectible, the figure is marked as "for ages 8 and up". Hope you didn't lose the small parts here.

:The set was first released as an exclusive in Taipei Movie & Toy Convention 2016 in limited quantities; the only other known release is through [[Walmart]]'s Canadian website.

{{-}}{{anchor|HasbroMP10}}
===Masterpiece===
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2017)
**''ID Number: '''MP-10'''
**''Accessories:'' Ion Blaster, Matrix of Leadership, Energon axe

:Another Hasbro release of the [[#mp10|MP-10 mold]], which is ''basically a reissue'' of the [[Optimus_Prime_(G1)/toys#mp10hasbro|2010 ''Transformers'' line's Masterpiece Optimus Prime]], but with the Japanese release's ID Number. Surprisingly he is NOT mistransformed on the initial official photography...until secondary stock photos had the vehicle mode ''slightly'' mistransformed. Unlike the original, Hasbro version, this version features silver paint on the interior of the trailer.

:The figure was released as a San Diego Comic-Con 2017 exclusive in the U.S., while it was released in Canada again as a Toys"R"Us exclusive.

==Bot Shots==
[[Image:BotShotstoy-OptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Before time began, I was... a cube.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''B003'''
***''Fist strength'': '''410'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''850'''
***''Sword strength'': '''370'''

: Part of the first wave of ''[[Bot Shots (toyline)|Bot Shots]]'' Series 1 single-packs, Optimus Prime is a teeny little long-nosed semi truck with "trailer", with a spring-loaded [[Autotransformation|automatic transformation]] to robot mode triggered when his front bumper is pressed. He has a "spinner" in his chest that shows his three attack types and power levels. His truck mode and robot body are influenced by the [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|live-action Optimus Prime]], while his head is taken from the [[Optimus Prime (G1)|original]]. His blue paint is light and sparkly-metallic, his red paint is dull matte, and his optics are yellow.

:This toy was given away free to attendees of Hasbro's "[[Toy Fair 2012|Collector-Fan Media Day" 2012]], slightly altered by a "Toy Fair 2012" sticker applied to the cardback.

:This mold was also [[redeco]]ed to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]]. He shares parts with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#BotShotSuperBot|Super Bot Megatron]] and [[Motormaster (G1)|Motorbreath]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Bot Shots'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotLauncher}}
[[Image:BStoy-OptimusPrimeLauncher.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Optimus Prime Launcher''' (Launcher, 2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''BL001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''920'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''450'''
***''Sword strength'': '''280'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 1 launchers, this [[repaint]] of Optimus Prime comes with a large trailer that pops open to form a battle station with a spring-loaded launching platform. He appears to have the same plastic colors as the single release, and the same set of [[paint operation]]s, but his paint is done in different shades, having glossy dark blue paint and glossy bright red paint. The black part of his launcher is sculpted to look vaguely like the repair done that is part of Generation 1 Optimus Prime's repair bay.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSLOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Launcher Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotBattleForMatrix}}
[[Image:BStoy-BattlefortheMatrix-LauncherOptimusPrime.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Battle for the Matrix''' (Multi-pack, 2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''UB001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''835'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''505'''
***''Sword strength'': '''275'''

: This minor [[redeco]] of the Optimus Prime Launcher features grey wheels, blue optics, and added red paint on its upper arms, while the launcher has grey plastic in place of black, smaller Autobot symbols on its sides, and gold paint on its interior instead of silver. The [[stock photography]] on the [[packaging]] depicts Optimus with a blue stripe on his built-in "trailer", which was omitted in the final product.

: The set also comes with [[Megatron (G1)/toys#BotShotBattleForMatrix|Megatron with his launcher]], [[Brawl (Movie)#BotShotBattleForMatrix|Decepticon Brawl]], [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShotBattleForMatrix|Bumblebee]], and a cardboard token representing the [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Bot Shots|Matrix]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSBFTMOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Battle for the Matrix" Launcher Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotSuperBot}}
[[Image:BotShots_SuperBotOptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2012)
**''Series'': '''1'''
**''Number'': '''Super Bot 004'''
***''Fist strength'': '''330'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''315'''
***''Sword strength'': '''995'''

: Part of the fourth wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 1 single-packs, Super Bot Optimus Prime is a redeco of his toy in translucent blue plastic. As a Super Bot, he was [[Shortpacking|packed one per case]], and has higher, more lopsided stats than normal Bot Shots. He has a really, ''really'' good Sword stat.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2012/Autobot/BSSBOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Super Bot Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotLauncherS2}}
[[Image:BStoy-SpinShotOptimusPrimeLauncher.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Optimus Prime Launcher''' (Launcher, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''BL001'''
**''Accessories'': 4 [[Energon cube|Energon Cube]] targets
***''Fist strength'': '''820'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''405'''
***''Sword strength'': '''390'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 launchers, this new-mold Optimus Prime transforms into a very boxy ''Generation 1''-styled truck with trailer. As a Spin Shot, one manually winds up his upper body beforehand when transforming him into vehicle mode, where striking the front of the vehicle will cause him to burst open and spin while auto-transforming. He comes with a launcher used to propel him to great speeds, as well as four cube targets for him to knock over.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSLOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Spin Shot Launcher Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|BotShotPolarAssaultTeam}}
[[File:BotShots PolarAssault Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Polar Assault Team''' (Multi-pack, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''T001'''
***''Fist strength'': '''370'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''945'''
***''Sword strength'': '''310'''

: Part of the first wave of ''Bot Shots'' Series 2 five-packs, this redeco of the original Optimus Prime toy is cast in translucent blue plastic, with his cab painted white. Despite possessing translucent plastic and more lopsided stats than a regular Bot Shot, he is apparently not labeled as a Super Bot. This version of Optimus comes with similarly-themed with new redecos of [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Bumblebee]], [[Mirage (G1)#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Mirage]], [[Ironhide (G1)/toys#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Ironhide]], and [[Jetfire (G1)#BotShotPolarAssaultTeam|Jetfire]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSPAOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Polar Assault Team" Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|DragonTrack}}
[[File:BotShots Dragon Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|right|300px]]
*'''Dragon Track''' (Playset, 2013)
**''Series'': '''2'''
**''Number'': '''UB001'''
**''Accessories'': Launcher
***''Fist strength'': '''565'''
***''Blaster strength'': '''325'''
***''Sword strength'': '''725'''

:Available only with the ''Bot Shots'' Dragon Track set, this version of Optimus Prime is a new mold, changing from a robot form resembling ''Generation 1'' Optimus Prime, into a truck with a rocket exhaust molded into the back of its trailer. As a Flip Shot, he, er, flips up when auto-transforming. He comes with a launcher that can be connected to the track, as well as [[Megatron (G1)/toys#DragonTrack|Flip Shot Megatron and his launcher]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/BSDTOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on "Dragon Track" Flip Shot Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

==BeCool==
[[File:BeCool-B03-Trailer.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Trailer (Optimus Prime)''' (2012)
**''ID number'': '''B03'''

:''[[Bot Shots (toyline)#BeCool|BeCool]]'' "Trailer" is practically identical to the ''Bot Shots'' "Battle for the Matrix" Optimus Prime toy with the blue eyes and red arms, the only difference being that the game stats stickers in his chest spinner have been replaced with pictures of his vehicle mode, two people holding hands and the letters "Zzz..."

:[[TakaraTomy]]'s [[stock photography]] of Trailer, including the pictures used on the box, use the original ''Bot Shots'' Optimus toy with the yellow eyes as a base.

{{-}}{{anchor|GarbageTruck}}
[[File:BeCool-B12-Garbage-Truck.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Garbage Truck (Clean Optimus)''' (2013)
**''ID number'': '''B12'''

:"Garbage Truck" is a redeco of the same Optimus Prime toy in blue and white, a common coloration for Japanese garbage trucks that bears ends up bearing a coincidental resemblance to the ''Bot Shots'' Polar Assault Team Optimus. His stickers now picture his truck mode being loaded with garbage, his truck mode driving around, and the word "cleaning" in both English and Japanese.

: The B12 ID number was previously used for [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys|Special Sports Car]], a limited toy which was only on shelves for three months before being replaced by Garbage Truck.

{{-}}{{anchor|TrailerBase}}
[[File:BS02-BeCool-Trailer-and-Trailer-Base.jpg|upright=1.33|thumb]]
*'''Trailer and Trailer Base (Optimus Prime)''' (2013)
**''ID number'': '''BS02'''

:This Trailer is identical to the original ''BeCool'' Trailer other than the stickers, and now comes with the trailer/launcher accessory from ''Bot Shots'' redecoed in blue with red stripes. While the vehicle mode sticker in his chest remains, the hand-holding and sleeping ones have been replaced by pictures of the launcher: one in base mode and one in trailer mode. He also comes with a sticker sheet for decorating the Trailer Base.

{{-}}

==GT==
{{anchor|GTR}}
[[File:GT-R-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''GT-R Prime''' (2013-[[May 25|05-25]])
**''Japanese ID number:'' '''GT-01'''
**''Accessories:'' "Impact Wrench Gun", [[Misaki]] race queen figure

: ''[[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Transformers GT]]'' GT-R Prime is a heavy retool of ''Alternity'' Convoy, transforming into a 1:32 replica of the Motul Autech GT-R race car used by the [[wikipedia:Nismo|Nismo]] team in the [[wikipedia:Super GT|Super GT]] racing championship series. He retains the flip-out blasters of the ''Alternity'' toy and can also wield his new Impact Wrench Gun accessory (also called the "Optimus Rifle" on the ''Transformers GT'' website), a weapon based on the impact wrenches used in car repairs. Like all ''GT'' toys, Prime also comes with a [[GT Sister]], poseable human figures themed after [[wikipedia:race queen|race queens]], his partner being a lady named Misaki.

: GT-R Prime's packaging points out that he can be fitted into ''Masterpiece'' Optimus Prime's trailer to replicate the way actual race cars are transported.

: This mold was also used, with different heads and accessories, to make the other ''Transformers GT'' toys: [[Star Saber (Victory)#GT|GT-R Saber]], [[Megatron (G1)/toys#GT|GT-R Megatron]], and [[Fortress Maximus (G1)#GT|GT-R Maximus]].

{{-}}

==FJ Cruiser X Transformers==
*'''FJ Optimus Prime''' (2013)
**''Accessories:'' spare tire/axe
:Part of a cross-promotion between {{w|Toyota}} and TakaraTomy, the deluxe-sized FJ Optimus Prime transforms into an {{w|Toyota FJ Cruiser|FJ Cruiser}}, with his axe weapon becoming the vehicle's spare tire. The vehicle mode's body panels come packaged on the sprue, and can then be clipped onto the core figure. The mass retail release of FJ Optimus includes yellow and white panels, whilst further color variations were available when purchasing an FJ Cruiser at Japanese Toyota dealerships. As is typical of TakaraTomy exclusives, these variants came in grayscale packaging.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2013/Autobot/FJOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on FJ Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

==Construct-Bots==
[[File:Construct-Bots-Elite-Class-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Elite Class, 2013)
: Optimus Prime transforms into a truck-like vehicle. This version is identical to the Ultimate Class two-pack listed below, however this version features transparent plastic for his body armor. He includes a projectile launcher and Energon Axe.

{{-}}

[[File:Construct-Bots-Elite-Class-OPvsM-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime vs Megatron''' (Ultimate Class, 2013)
: Optimus Prime's Elite Class toy was packed alongside his eternal nemesis [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Construct-Bots|Megatron]]. This version has opaque colors and a more traditional Optimus color scheme. He includes his weapons from the single release as well as a swathe of extra parts for additional configurations.

{{-}}

==Platinum Edition==
{{anchor|YearOfTheHorseOP}}
[[File:PlatinumEditiontoy-Year of the horse Optimus Prime.jpg|thumb|upright=2.2|Does not contain any Neil Young.]]
*'''Year of the Horse Optimus Prime''' (2014)
**''Accessories:'' [[Ion blaster#Platinum Edition|Ion blaster]], [[Matrix of Leadership/toys#Platinum Edition|Matrix of Leadership]], [[Energon-axe#Platinum Edition|Energon axe]], [[Combat Deck (G1)#Platinum Edition|trailer/Battle Station]]

:Released to celebrate Chinese New Year, ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' "Year of the Horse" Optimus Prime is a redeco of MP-10 Convoy, featuring darker reds and gold-chromed parts, among other deco changes. He lacks Roller and the Spike Witwicky figurine.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/YotHOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on Year of the Horse Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
{{MPOptimusMold}}
{{-}}

{{anchor|YearOfTheGoatOP}}
[[File:TF-Platinum-Edition-YOTG-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''Don't bother asking for explanations'' ''She'll just tell you that she came'' ''In the year of the <s>cat</s> goat'']]
*'''Optimus Prime Year of the Goat Edition''' (2015)
**''Accessories:'' "Laser cannon", "saber weapon", missile launcher, 10 missiles, 5 discs, 2 rockets

:Released to celebrate the Year of the Goat, ''[[Transformers: Platinum Edition|Platinum Edition]]'' "Year of the Goat" Optimus Prime is a redeco of [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#LaserOptimusPrime|''Generation 2'' Laser Optimus Prime]], using the ''Robots in Disguise'' [[Scourge (RID)#Toys|Scourge]] version of the mold. Like Year of the Goat Soundwave, Year of the Goat Optimus Prime features an awkward mix of orange, black, clear pink (in some parts including missiles, the discs, and even the pump!), some clear blue (the missile's tips), translucent plastic, and some hint of chrome silver (mostly his trailer parts).
{{G2LaserOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{-}}

==Hero Mashers==
[[File:HeroMashers_OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Modular building is the right of all sentient beings.]]

*'''Optimus Prime''' (Battle Upgrade, 2014)
**''Pieces: '''13'''
: Part of the first wave of battle upgrade Hero Mashers toys, Optimus is a non-transforming robot who can swap any of his parts out with other Hero Mashers figure to create many combinations. He includes his iconic Energon axe, a large projectile-launching gun, another large gun, two missile packs, and an arm for [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Hero Mashers|Ultra Magnus]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2014/Autobot/HMOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Hero Mashers'' Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''

{{-}}
[[File:TF-Hero-Mashers-Electronic-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Electronic Optimus Prime''' (Electronic Action, 2014)
**''Pieces: '''18'''
: Electronic Optimus Prime is an unchanged version of the battle upgrade toy, but with all-new accessories.
{{-}}

==Cloud==
[[File:Cloud Optimus Prime Toy.jpg|right|thumb|300px]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2014-[[May 29|05-29]])
**''ID number:'' '''TFC-A01'''
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/Convoy Gun, energy unit/ion blaster

: Optimus Prime is a [[redeco]] of the ''[[#Classics (2006)|Classics]]'' Voyager-class [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Classics (2006)|Optimus Prime]] mold, transforming into a modern cab-over style truck of made up model, dominated by a large "energy unit" on his roof (actually a wind vane). He features a similar Generation 1-inspired deco to the original toy, but aims for a "cleaner" appearance by omitting many paint details such as stripes on the cab, while the energy unit is colored black with a silver Autobot insignia in [[homage]] to [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys#Generation 2|Generation 2 Optimus Prime]]. In robot mode, Prime's energy unit transforms into a large blaster and his smokestacks transform into a smaller laser cannon. Additionally, both weapons can combine together to form a double-barrelled over-shoulder weapon. He was available exclusively at [[TakaraTomy Mall]].
{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

==Bearbrick==
[[File:Bearbrick OptimusPrime.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Honey is the right of all sentient beings.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2014-[[July 17|07-17]])

: A special edition [[Bearbrick]] released in celebration of the ''Transformers'' 30th anniversary, Optimus Prime transforms from a Bearbrick painted up like himself to a bear-eared robot. He has no accessories, but holes in his [[robot mode]] hands can accommodate other toys' weapons.

: This mold, with a different head sculpt, was also used for the simultaneously released Bearbrick [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Bearbrick|Megatron]], and also redecoed into [[Nemesis Prime (G1)|Nemesis Prime]] and ''Age of Extinction'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Bearbrick|Optimus Prime]]. It was further retooled into Bearbrick [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Bearbrick|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Bearbrick|Starscream]].

{{-}}

==Lost Age==
[[File:LostAge ConvoyAnniversaryClearVer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy [Anniversary Clear Ver.]''' (EZ Collection, 2014)
:Yet another ''Reveal the Shield'' redeco with the Motorbreath retooling, Convoy is cast in clear red and black plastic. He has been retooled to include a magnet in his right foot, allowing him to interact with ''Lost Age'' Battle Command [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Lost Age|Optimus Prime]] and ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (toyline)|Age of Extinction]]'' Stomp & Chomp [[Grimlock (AOE)#Stomp&Chomp|Grimlock]]. Convoy was available at a variety of 2014 events, including on [[May 3]] at a "Kids Walk" event at {{w|Fuji Speedway}}, in special packaging on [[May 16]] at the "Transformers Celebration 2014" midnight event at the Sunshine City [[Toys"R"Us]] store in {{w|Ikebukuro}}, on [[June 15]] at Tokyo Toy Show 2014, at the Aeon Mall in {{w|Kasukabe}} on [[July 19]], and at the "Transformers Expo" event in {{w|Yokohama}} on [[August 9]].

:This toy was [[Repurposing|repurposed]] as [[Yokohama Convoy|Nemesis Prime/Yokohama Prime]].
{{-}}

==Age of Extinction==
[[File:Evolution2PackClassicsOptimus.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Chrome is the right of all sentient collectors.]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Evolution 2-Pack, 2014)
**'''23 OF 30'''
**''Accessories:'' Smokestacks/laser cannon, wind vane/ion blaster

:Only available at [[Toys"R"Us|ToysЯUs]], this Optimus Prime is a redeco of the ''Classics'' figure. He features a cartoon/toy accurate deco on his truck/robot parts, and [[Vacuum metalizing|vacuum-metallized]] upper legs & front grille to evoke his original Generation 1 toy. Like every ''Classics'' Optimus Prime mold, he still features all of his accessories. This Optimus was packaged along with the redecoed ''Age of Extinction'' [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Age of Extinction|Optimus Prime]].

{{ClassicsOptimusPrimeMold}}
{{--}}

==Legend Commander Collection==
[[File:Legend-Commander-Collection-LC-01-Convoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Convoy''' (2014)
**''ID number:'' '''LC-01'''
**''Accessories'': Ion Blaster, Energon Axe
:Part of the ''Legend Commander Collection'' sold at [[Transformers Expo]], Convoy is a redeco of ''Robotmasters'' G1 Convoy. Unlike his first ''Robotmasters'' toy, he does not include a pair of small fists, his missile launcher, and his Calamity Defenser weapon.

:Remaining stock was sold through [[TakaraTomy Mall]].

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==Optimus Prime Pen==
[[File:OptimusPrimePen.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Transformers Optimus Prime Pen''' (2014)
**''Accessories:'' Ion blaster

: Released in Japan by [[Sentinel (company)|Sentinel]] as part of the 30th anniversary, Optimus Prime Pen is a well-articulated robot that folds into the shape of a rather chunky, but functional ballpoint pen. The tip of the pen is formed from his ion blaster, with the barrel acting as a cap.

: This mold was also used to make [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Black Convoy Pen|Black Convoy Pen]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Ultra Magnus Pen|Ultra Magnus Pen]].

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==Transformers (2014)==
[[File:Transformers-2014-Legion-Optimus-Prime-(black-insignia).jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|''(Black insignia version pictured)'']]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (Legion Class, 2014/2015/2017)
**<s>''Accessories'': Sword</s>
:Another release of the ''Reveal the Shield'' Legends Class sculpt. The deco for its initial release is unchanged from the ''Transformers'' release from 2012, whereas the tooling is identical to the 2012 release's running change variant, with the retooled hands and a hole on the back of his head/top compatible with [[Cyberverse]] [[C joint|3mm]] pegs. Bizarrely, the [[package art]] is lifted directly from the ''Generations'' Legends Class Optimus Prime/Autobot Roller two-pack's packaging, whereas the [[stock photography|stock photos]] depicted on the back of the packaging are taken from ''Reveal the Shield'' Optimus Prime's packaging and only slightly altered, advertising a "[[Reveal the Shield]]" [[rubsign]] [[gimmick]] the toy doesn't actually have. Meanwhile, Hasbro's official stock photos provided to online retailers (including an in-packaging photo) depict the toy with the sword that came with the running change variant of the sculpt's 2012 release, even though the actual toy doesn't include the sword.
[[File:Transformers-2014-legion-class-optimus-prime.jpg|200px|left|thumb]]
:Legion Class Optimus Prime has been found at Family Dollar and Dollar General stores in the United States. A later [[variant]] repleaced the red Autobot insignia with a black version. This later version was also released at general retail in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Russia. In Singapore it was released together with [[Bumblebee (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Bumblebee]] and [[Starscream (G1)/toys#Transformers (2014)|Starscream]] as part of the promotion for ''[[Transformers: Age of Extinction (film)|Age of Extinction]]'' in selected cinemas.
:This figure was made available again, without any changes, in 2015, this time in new packaging resembling the then-concurrent packaging design for the ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' line, but replacing the name "Generations" with "Authentic Transformers". It was also given a new Hasbro product code number and UPC barcode, thereby technically making it a separate product. In 2017, it was re-released ''again'', this time in a minor variant of the 2014 version's packaging (including the original product code number and barcode) that now lacked the reference to the non-existing "Reveal the Shield" gimmick.

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==Nanoblock Motion Choro-Q==
[[File:NanoblockChoroQConvoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Not Minecraft.]]
*'''Convoy''' (2014-[[December 11|12-11]])

:Produced as a collaboration between toylines ''[[w:Nanoblock|Nanoblock]]'' and ''[[Choro-Q]]'', this Optimus Prime is a building block toy that can be built into a super deformed robot or truck (or something else, if you want). His truck mode is built on a generic ''Choro-Q'' chassis outfitted with an electric motor and can be remote-controlled using a smartphone app.

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==Q-Transformers==
[[File:QTransformers Optimus Prime GT.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2015-[[January 24|01-24]])
**''ID number:'' '''QT-09'''

:''[[Q-Transformers]]'' Optimus Prime is [[super deformed]] toy based on the [[#Alternity|''Alternity'' Convoy]] design, transforming into a Nissan GT-R R35, though his legs retain the traditional blue truck bed motif. The English name on the packaging refers to him as just "Optimus". He comes with a code for unlocking "GTR Optimus Prime" as a playable character in the ''[[Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns (mobile game)|Q-Transformers: Mystery of Convoy Returns]]'' game.

:Optimus Prime was retooled into ''Q-Transformers'' [[Soundwave (G1)/toys#Q-Transformers|Soundwave]].

{{-}}
[[File:QTransformers Convoy.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Convoy''' (2015-[[April 25|04-25]], 2016-[[January 30|01-30]])
**''ID numbers:'' '''QT-19''', '''QTF-04'''

:''Q-Transformers'' Convoy is based on his traditional design, transforming into a flat-nose truck with an integrated, non-removable trailer. He comes with a code for unlocking Generation 1 Optimus Prime, under the name "Convoy", in ''Mystery of Convoy Returns''. This toy was re-released with a new ID number as part of the second ''Q-Transformers'' series.

:Convoy was redecoed into ''Q-Transformers'' [[Nemesis Prime (G1)#Q-Transformers|Black Convoy]] and retooled into [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/toys#Q-Transformers|Ultra Magnus]].

{{-}}
*'''Optimus Prime''' (2015)
**''ID number:'' '''QT-M'''

:QT-M Optimus Prime is a redeco of the GT-R Optimus Prime mold in the colors of the Transformers-sponsored [http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/tf30th/teammach/ Nissan GT-R] used by the Team Mach racing team (a vehicle previously used as the base for non-toy character [[Mach Five Racing Prime]]). Like ''[[Transformers GT: Mission GT-R (franchise)|Transformers GT]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Safety Prime]], this toy was a collaboration with the [[w:Super GT|Super GT]] racing series and was given away free to young children who attended TakaraTomy-sponsored "Kids Walk" events held by Super GT in the fall season of 2015.

==Optimus Prime featuring Original PlayStation==
[[File:OptimusPrimeOriginalPlaystation.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|U R NOT E]]
*'''Optimus Prime featuring Original PlayStation''' (02/2015)
**''Accessories:'' Controller, memory card
: Released alongside a [[Megatron (G1)/toys#Mega Drive Megatron|Sega Mega Drive version of Megatron]] and outside of any other toyline, "Optimus Prime featuring Original PlayStation" transforms from robot to a scaled-down non-functional [[Sony]] [[PlayStation]] video game console. He features an opening disc compartment and comes with two accessories, a memory card and a controller that splits in two and attaches to his lower arms to act as blasters.
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==Timelines==
[[File:BotCon-2015-General-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''General Optimus Prime''' (Voyager, 2015)
**''Accessories:'' Launcher, missile, missile pod, pistol, rifle, cannon/rifle stock, cannon/rifle scope

: Available in a 2-pack alongside [[Hound (G1)#Timelines|Sgt. Hound]] at [[BotCon 2015]], General Optimus Prime is a redeco of ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' [[Roadbuster (G1)#Generations|Roadbuster]] based on the cancelled [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]] [[#G2General|General Optimus Prime toy]]. He transforms into an off-road vehicle and comes with numerous weapons, all of which peg via 5mm post onto his vehicle rear/legs, shoulders, upper & lower arms, and hands: a spring-loaded, missile-firing launcher, a pistol, a rifle, and two small cannons that respectively form the scope and stock of the rifle. All of his weapons can combine to form an unwieldy superweapon.

: This mold also served as the basis of the non-toy ''[[Beast Wars: Uprising]]'' incarnations of [[Guiledart]] and [[Killer Punch]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2015/Autobot/BCGeneralOptimusPrime/optimusprime.htm More information on ''Timelines'' General Optimus Prime at TFU.info]''
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==Unite Warriors==
[[File:TF-UW05-Convoy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Convoy Grand Prime''' (Multi-pack, 2016-[[February 27|02-27]])
**''Japanese ID number'': '''UW-05'''
**''Accessories'': Weapons, 4 Gun/Fist/Foots

:Takara's iteration of ''Combiner Wars'' Optimus Maximus is sold in a gift set including all five Autobots (minus the Rodimus mold). He has numerous changes in deco to better match his look in the Generation 1 cartoon. Like ''Unite Warriors'' [[Menasor (G1)#Unite Warriors|Menasor]], The set also features some minor improvements to the original sculpts, such as improved hip-ratchets for Optimus Prime for increased stability. He also had the slightly modified pegs that Legends Class Rodimus (or Blackjack, Runabout & Runamuck) can securely attach to, which was previously used for Battle Core Optimus Prime.

{{CWOptimusPrimeMold}}

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==Tribute==
[[File:TF-Tribute-2-pack-Orion-Pax.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
[[File:TF-Tribute-2-pack-Optimus-Prime.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb]]
*'''Optimus Prime and Orion Pax''' (Evolution Pack, [[2017]])
**''Japanese Release Date'': 2017-[[August 31|08-31]]
**''Japanese ID Number'': '''TLK-EX'''
**''Accessories'': Orion Pax's 2 guns, Titan Master, Optimus Prime's gun

:Released as part of a new line called ''[[Transformers: Tribute]]'', Orion Pax is a redeco of ''Titans Return'' [[Kup_(G1)/toys#Titans_Return|Sergeant Kup]], and transforms from a red-and-blue Cybertronic pickup truck which is also an homage to <s>Generation 1 [[Crosshairs (G1)|Crosshairs]]'s vehicle mode </s> [[#Collector's Edition|his e-HOBBY toy]]. His Titan Master, retooled from [[Recoil (G1)#Generations|Flintlock]], also features a new head that is based on his [[#Deluxe|''Thrilling 30'' toy]].

:The set also includes a redeco of [[Optimus Prime (WFC)/toys#Generations|''Generations War for Cybertron'']] Optimus Prime figure, presumably representing him as his G1 self, and not his Aligned self. The actual redeco mostly changes the pink to blue and makes the windows black, amongst other things.

:Confusingly, his package art features [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|movie Optimus Prime]]. Continuing the tradition, the 2-pack was first released in some Asian countries like Taiwan without any prior announcement from Hasbro itself. A few months after the 2-pack's release, ''Tribute'' Optimus Prime and Orion Pax saw worldwide release through Amazon, including an Amazon Japan listing bearing the TLK ID Number.

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==Notes==
===Before he became Optimus Prime===
[[File:PrototypeTHB.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Not so Optimus Prime.]]

*The first prototype for Battle Convoy, the ''[[Diaclone]]'' originator of Optimus Prime, was vastly different from the final version, complete with an entirely different transformation and a car carrying trailer. The head lacked the faceplate.

*A later prototype/mock-up was much closer to the final product but still has some noticeable differences, such as a head with much larger antennae, longer smokestacks and a front grille section that includes the rectangular section that would sport the "Freightliner" logo on the real-life truck (on the final toy, the rectangular section is part of the hinged upper section that includes the windows). It would have also been possible to attach the [[ion blaster]] to either of his shoulders.<ref name="diaclonecatalogs">[http://1501bc.com/pretf/diaclone_catalogs.html Diaclone catalog scans] at 1501bc.com.</ref>

*The toy that would ultimately end up as the original Optimus Prime toy was originally released in August [[1983]] as No.17 Battle Convoy from Takara's Diaclone Car Robo toyline in Japan. In [[1984]], [[Joustra]] released their own version (still with ''Diaclone'' sticker on the trailer) as part of their Diaclone line in Europe, either simply called ''Truck'' (according to the pack-in catalog) or ''Diaclone'' (in the pack-in comic). It's possible that [[GiG]] also released a version called ''Camion Convoy'' as part of their ''[[Trasformer]]'' line in Italy, but to this day no packaged sample has surfaced.
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===The many releases of Optimus Prime===
[[File:SeveralG1Convoy.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Too much Prime on my hands.]]
Over the years, the [[#G1v1|original Optimus Prime]] has been repackaged and reissued multiple times:

*In the USA and Canada, limited edition promotional versions were available sporting Pepsi stickers; the Canadian version has large Pepsi stickers that cover the entire trailer, while the US version only has small Pepsi stickers that partially obscure the lines running across the trailer;
*In addition to the standard Japanese 01 Convoy release, Takara also released the toy as part of the [[#VSX|VSX Convoy vs. Megatron]] two-pack in [[1985]];
*Takara released a variant sporting clear blue windows and as part of the "[[#goodbye|Good Bye Convoy]]" set (packaged with [[Red Alert (G1)#Toys|Alert/Red Alert]] and [[Mirage (G1)#Toys|Ligier/Mirage]]) in [[1986]];
*Hasbro's subsidiary [[Milton Bradley]] (MB) released the toy in Europe in late 1985, following a slight delay due to licensing issues;<ref name="mbtfs">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/mb-transformers-part-5/ "The Jetfire vs Optimus Prime mixup"] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref> there are no less than ''three'' variants of MB-packaged Optimus Prime, one of them manufactured by Takara and sporting blue feet, the other two manufactured by [[Joustra]] as part of a deal with Hasbro/MB, one of them with blue and the other one with red feet;<ref name="3mb">[http://20thcenturytoycollector.com/the-three-mb-optimus-primes/ "The Three MB Optimus Primes"] at 20th Century Toy Collector</ref>
*After Hasbro's European division had changed the packaging from "MB" to "Hasbro", the toy continued to be available in 1986, including more of the Joustra-manufactured red and blue feeted versions, which were apparently also available in the UK in English-only packaging;<ref name="3mb"/>
*[[GiG]] released the toy as ''Commander'' as part of their ''Transformers'' line in Italy in 1985, including an all-plastic variant in 1986;
*[[IGA]] released their version in Mexico in 1985; unsold stock was later imported to a plethora of European countries, including the UK, with Optimus Prime having the yellow paint scraped off his eyes and then having them painted over in red;
*Hasbro reissued the "Original Autobot Leader" toy as part of their European ''[[Classics (Europe)|Classics]]'' line of reissues in [[1991]];
*Hasbro released a [[#Generation_2|redecoed version with additional accessories]] as part of their [[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|''Generation 2'' line]] in [[1993]];
*Takara reissued the original toy in its original 1985 Japanese packaging in [[2000]], with an all-black recolor being available from assorted Japanese conventions and another variant with gold instead of silver parts, stickers, and paint as a [[Lucky Draw figure|lucky draw]] prize;
*Takara reissued the toy again as ''New Year Special'' version in January 2002, sporting clear blue windows (similar to Good Bye Convoy) and featuring additional accessories such as a Matrix necklace and a [[Show-accuracy|show accurate]] recolor of the Action Master Optimus Prime figure;
*Hasbro reissued the toy in the USA and the UK as part of their ''[[The Transformers: Generation One Commemorative Series|Generation One Commemorative Series]]'' line of reissues in [[2002]], sporting shortened down smokestacks [[for safety reasons]];
*Takara reissued the toy once again in [[2003]], as part of their ''[[The Transformers Collection]]'' line of reissues, numbered 00 and featuring additional accessories such as an energon axe;
*Takara released a recolored version featuring a new trailer in December [[2005]], called ''[[Pepsi Convoy]]''.
*Hasbro released their own version of Pepsi Convoy, named "[[#PepsiPrime|Pepsi Optimus Prime]]", as a [[Hasbro Toy Shop]] exclusive in [[2007]], featuring the familiar [[For safety reasons|safety]]-shortened smokestacks of the Commemorative Series reissue.
*In August 2007 TakaraTomy yet again did a rerelease similar to the 2000 Convoy rerelease, this time as part of the "[[Transformers Encore]]" line. This version has a new rifle with a longer handle so Optimus can finally hold it straight.
*TakaraTomy released [http://seibertron.com/advertisement.php?id=8 "Convoy iPod Docking Bay with Speakers"] in September 2007. It is an iPod speaker/dock in the shape of a truck, featuring an all-white version of Convoy with a new head sculpt reminiscent of Masterpiece Convoy as the cab, and a trailer housing a pair of speakers and a docking point for an iPod.
*In March [[2008]], TakaraTomy released a G1-colored version of the iPod Convoy set.
*Hasbro released the ''25th Anniversary'' gift set edition detailed above in 2008, as part of the 2008 ''Universe'' line, once again with [[For safety reasons|shortened smokestacks]].
*TakaraTomy released another reissue based on the ''Encore'' version as part of their ''[[Transformers Chronicle|Chronicle]]'' line in 2011, lacking the original Generation 1 trailer. Instead, the ''Chronicle'' version was available in a two-pack with ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon (toyline)|Dark of the Moon]]'' Deluxe Class [[Optimus Prime (Movie)/toys#Chronicle|Optimus Prime]] and a new trailer that could be used by both Optimuses, thanks to a retooled trailer hitch on the Generation 1 Optimus Prime figure.
*In 2012, Hasbro reissued Optimus Prime again for their Asian markets, this time mixing the 25th Anniversary version of the toy itself with the older ''Commemorative Series'' packaging.<ref name="25thcomm">[http://www.cybertron.ca/boards/showthread.php?t=44388 "Bad news RE: new Commemorative Prime"] at Cybertron.ca.</ref>

===Powermaster Optimus Prime design history===

[[Powermaster]] Optimus Prime, being the grand toy rebirth of Optimus Prime post-movie, apparently received a lot of thought during the design process. Prime went through an inordinate number of design changes from concept to final with at least three very major revisions:

[[File:EarlyPMPrime1.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|Overcompensating.]]

*The earliest version, as shown in the first patent application for the toy, was to have the Prime cab be a triplechanger, turning from truck cab to jet or robot.<ref>[http://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&II=0&ND=3&adjacent=true&locale=en_EP&FT=D&date=19880604&CC=JP&NR=S63132686A&KC=A Patent #JP63-132686]</ref> The nosecone of the jet and robot legs were released by the Powermaster lock in the same fashion as the legs in the final version. Optimus would have had winged arms in non-super [[robot mode]]. The super robot mode's head was also integrated into the trailer's hitch... and lacked a faceplate.
[[File:EarlyPMPrime2.jpg|100px|thumb|Blockhead.]]
*The second known version <ref>''[[Transformers Generations]]'', p22, p106</ref> ditched the triplechanging gimmick on the cab and simplified things a good bit. This Powermaster Prime has several distinct characteristics only seen in the second design, such as the wider "block head" and two faux smokestacks on top of either shoulder as opposed to one. Also, in a rather odd twist, this design features a black head and fists for both super and regular modes rather than the traditional blue. It also had yellow eyes in either mode a la the original Optimus Prime.
[[File:EarlyPMPrime3.jpg|100px|thumb|''Triple-Power-Headmaster Optimus Prime'' was just too damn long to put on the box.]]
*The third version <ref>''[[Transformers Generations]]'', p106</ref> would quite possibly have been the most gimmick loaded Transformer in the history of the line, simultaneously being a Powermaster, [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]], and [[Triple Changer]]. The Headmaster also would have been a Triple Changer, turning into a sort of armored four-wheeled rover (Roller II?) and robot as well as a rather silly looking Optimus Prime head with four vertically aligned wheels jutting off the sides. It seems that when the extra Headmaster gimmick was scrapped, the super mode head remained separate rather than being reintegrated into the trailer hitch such as on the earliest design. Notably, the body of this design is extremely close to the final design.
*A fourth version is shown in the 1987-88 Transformers product catalog that has several minor differences from both Powermaster Prime and [[Ginrai (human)|God Ginrai]], such as having God Ginrai's sliding fists but in red, a completely different trailer hitch assembly partially based on the third design, an offset Autobot symbol in base mode, extended feet also based on third design, far more detailed super mode outer leg panels, completely different front bumper, and the first instance of single faux shoulder smokestacks rather than two. It is still unknown as to why Powermaster Prime has completely different arms from God Ginrai or all earlier concept versions.

Powermaster Prime's animation model as used in the commercials and as a character guide for the Marvel comics is a composite of the second and third designs. The body of the model is actually a straight tracing of the concept lineart for the third version (including its different rifles and twin faux shoulder stacks), with a slightly simplified drawing of the second version's head drawn on top.
{{--}}

===Miscellaneous Primes===
[[File:Early Star Convoy Planning Stage.jpg‎|thumb|upright=1.1|I am the prototype of the toy of the future!]]
*''Return of Convoy'' catalogues reveal the planning process behind Star Convoy's evolution from gimmick-rich illustration to prototype before reaching final production.
[[File:PMHeroTrace.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|Stealing purses across the ages.]]
*The pose used for ''[[Transformers: Generation 2 (toyline)|Generation 2]]'' [[#HeroOptimusPrime|Hero Optimus Prime]]'s [[package art]] is rather blatantly swiped from [[The Transformers (toyline)|Generation 1]] [[Powermaster]] [[#PMOP|Optimus Prime's]] package art.
*On a similar note, ''[[Machine Wars: Transformers|Machine Wars]]'' [[#Machine Wars|Optimus Prime]]'s package art is merely edited from ''Generation 2'' [[#LaserOptimusPrime|Laser Optimus Prime]]'s card art, keeping it mostly intact save for the removal of shoulder kibble and the addition of a non-windowed chestplate.
[[File:Optimus prime nokia 6820.JPG|left|thumb|125px|Wait...I'm sure this is from Finland. But why did [[Seymour Simmons|Simmons]] say...]]
*The Masterpiece Optimus Prime toy was featured in a print ad for [[Wikipedia:Nokia 68xx series#Nokia 6820|Nokia 6820]] phones in December 2004.<ref name="nokia">[http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/20th-anniversary-optimus-prime-featured-in-nokia-a/4374/ "20th Anniversary Optimus Prime Featured in Nokia Ad"]</ref> He is posed bent over to look at the phone and scratching his head. Pleasantly, ''most'' of the pose pictured is perfectly possible with an un-[[Customizing|kitbash]]ed, un-Photoshopped version of the toy. (The real toy can't bend forward at the waist like that, alas.)
*''[[Transformers: Classics|Classics]]'' [[#Classics (2006)|Optimus Prime]] was initially intended to be Deluxe-sized. An alleged list of the tentative ''Classics'' line-up<ref name="classicslineup">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/possible-transformers-classic-line-up-4336/ Rumor] about the ''Classics'' lineup that turned out to be spot on aside from Voyager [[Soundwave (G1)/toys|Soundwave]] and Deluxe Optimus Prime.</ref> included a Deluxe-sized Optimus Prime without a trailer and a version ''with'' a trailer at the Voyager [[size class|price point]]; however, it appears the decision was eventually made to upscale Optimus to Voyager size instead.<ref name="sage">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/cybertron-crosswise-redeco-and-transformers-classics-info-4683/ "Cybertron Crosswise Redeco and Transformers Classics Info"] (via [[Joe Kyde]]'s proxy "SAGE2764")</ref> Don Figueroa's [[control drawing]]s for the Deluxe version were leaked before the ''Classics'' line was even released at retail.<ref name="primecontrol">Leaked ''Classics'' Deluxe Optimus Prime control drawings: [http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/transformers-classics-optimus-prime-design-sketch-4691/ Vehicle mode], [http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/classics-11/transformers-classics-optimus-prime-robot-mode-design-sketches-4692/ robot mode]</ref> A gray model [[prototype]] was later shown as part of an interview with [[TakaraTomy]]'s staff in ''[[Transformers Generations 2009#Volume 1|Transformers Generations 2009 vol. 1]]''.<ref name="ttinterview">[http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/general-articles-25/translated-version-of-the-takara-tomy-transformers-henkei--classics-staff-interview-167073/ Translated TakaraTomy Henkei/Classics staff interview]</ref> It's unclear whether the trailer ever made it past the early planning stage before the decision was made to upscale Optimus to Voyager size.

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== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|2|}}

[[Category:Action Masters]]
[[Category:Alternators Autobots]]
[[Category:Alternity Autobots]]
[[Category:Bot Shots Autobots]]
[[Category:Classics Autobots]]
[[Category:Cloud Autobots]]
[[Category:Combiner Wars]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Construct-Bots Autobots]]
[[Category:Contest prizes]]
[[Category:Convention exclusives]]
[[Category:E-Hobby]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Generations]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Go-Bots]]
[[Category:GT characters]]
[[Category:Henkei! Henkei! Autobots]]
[[Category:Kiss Players Autobots]]
[[Category:Machine Wars Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order exclusives]]
[[Category:Masterpiece]]
[[Category:Music Label]]
[[Category:Platinum Edition]]
[[Category:Powermasters]]
[[Category:Q-Transformers characters]]
[[Category:Return of Convoy Autobots]]
[[Category:Robotmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:SDCC exclusives]]
[[Category:Timelines characters]]
[[Category:Titanium Series]]
[[Category:Titans Return]]
[[Category:Toys "R" Us exclusives]]
[[Category:Transformers with three modes]]
[[Category:Tribute]]
[[Category:Unite Warriors Autobots]]
[[Category:United Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]

An Axe to Break the Ice

2017-07-26T21:12:56Z

Queso: /* Notes */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Lost Light|The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #8
|prev=After Megatron (A Dissolution Epilogue)
|next=
|image=LL8 cvrA.jpg
|title="An Axe to Break the Ice"
|caption=Not included: {{w|Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)|a message from the}} [[Action Man]].
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[July 26]], [[2017]]
|coverdate=July 2017
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[Carlos Guzman]]
|story consultant=[[Rachel Stevens]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''Amid the markets of Troja Major, Nautica pursues a secret objective, while the past comes back to haunt Anode and Lug.'''

==Synopsis==
''Years ago, on the planet [[Caminus]], [[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]] chews out [[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] for her disinterest in the performing arts, slowly growing angrier and angrier as Nautica ignores her criticisms, until another 'bot soaks her with a jet of water from a nearby fountain and sends her stomping off in a huff. The 'bot introduces herself to Nautica as [[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]], and with that, a fast friendship is born. Velocity gets Nautica interested in quantum mechanics, while Nautica helps her study for the latest in a series of medical exam resits. Velocity eventually has to leave to study off-planet at the [[Mederi Center]], but she and Nautica are reunited years later aboard the ''[[Lost Light]]'', and become [[Amica Endura]]e.''

In the present day, Nautica (still wearing her protective eyepatch), Velocity, [[Anode]], and [[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] trawl the markets of [[Troja Major]]. They have been dropped off by the rest of the crew at Nautica's suggestion, to investigate the possibility of acquiring a map to [[Cyberutopia]] from Nautica's old contact, the ex-Decepticon antiquarian [[Agonizer]]—but the two Camiens are growing impatient with Anode and Lug holding them up as they browse the stalls. Having no money of her own, Anode tries to wheedle some out of Nautica, but when she refuses, Anode simply steals the [[mood pipe]]s she wants, which brings the [[Rust Giant]] stall owner she pilfers them from chasing after the group. After they manage to shake him, Anode laughs the whole experience off, while Lug remarks on how much the markets have changed since their old days on the planet, running jobs there for their client "Techy." Velocity explains that the settlement was discovered to rest on a spiritual ley line, turning it into a popular funeral plot, so its commerce was reshaped to focus around grief and bereavement. Punctuating this, a sinister cloaked figure suddenly appears, who attempts to ''buy'' Lug's grief, but Nautica forcefully shoos him away. Anode hasn't noticed any of this, though: she is distracted by a strange smell in the air, and when she decides she can't ignore it any longer, Nautica and Velocity are only too happy to let her and Lug go off in search of its source, so they can actually get to their meeting.

The smell—"like [[living metal|sentio metallico]], but wrong"—leads Anode and Lug to a compound full of coffins, and once they have snipped their way through the wire fence surrounding it, Anode quickly opens one, over Lug's protestations. She is puzzled to find it empty, having expected that the smell was coming from a body... only for the coffin to suddenly ''transform'' into the robot who is the source of the odor! It briefly lashes out, but when it collapses from exhaustion, the pair realize it is terrified, and barely a week old. Before they can puzzle out the situation, a laser blast wings Lug's shoulder, as armed troops of the [[Black Block Consortia]] appear to demand the robot be turned over to them. Anode refuses their order to get out of the way, and Lug is only just able to tackle her to safety as the Consortia troops open fire, killing the robot where it stands. Anode and Lug are horrified by the sight, but their attention is caught by a shout from nearby; the pair turn to see a familiar face, that of fellow [[blacksmith]] [[Wipe-Out]], who beckons for them to follow him to safety.

Nautica and Velocity meet Agonizer (aka "The Curator") at his [[Museum of Curios and Rumored Objects]], where Velocity quickly realizes that Nautica has not been entirely honest about her motives in coming to the planet. Nautica already ''knows'' Agonizer does not have a map to Cyberutopia; she is seeking something ''else'' associated with the knights. As she searches Agonizer's archives, Velocity takes in a symbology display, which includes the mysterious gear-like hieroglyph that has repeatedly reoccurred throughout the ''Lost Light'' crew's adventures. Agonizer has deduced that it, and the other symbols in the display, each represent one of five clans that the Knights divided up into on their journey across the galaxy. Finally, Nautica asks Agonizer outright about the "[[Resus Cradle]]," which she had heard he had obtained. Agonizer corrects her; it is not ''he'' who holds the cradle, but a [[Catharsian]] merchant on the other side of town. Nautica drags Velocity off in that direction, ignoring Agonizer's warnings...

Anode and Lug disappear into the market crowds with Wipe-Out, who tells them that he was summoned to Troja Major by Techy—or as he is properly known, the "[[Grand Architect]]." Upon arrival, Wipe-Out found two other blacksmiths, [[Rocket]] and [[Scammer]], dead, and has concluded that someone is killing practitioners of their shared art. The trio takes refuge in a bar, where Wipe-Out gets corrected on Anode and Lug's pronouns; he knew them as male in the past, but the pair explain that they've "reclassified" as female after encountering other races and gaining a broader understanding of gender that did not exist on the insulated Cybertron in their time, dubbing it a "better fit" for them. With that out of the way, and drinks downed to calm their nerves, the group unpacks the grisly sight they have just witnessed, and realizes that, despite first appearances, it can't be the Black Block Consortia who is killing blacksmiths, since the 'bot they killed ''wasn't'' one, and they had offered Anode the chance to step aside before they fired. Wipe-Out realizes that only one 'bot knew they were all even ''on'' the planet—the Grand Architect himself—and though Anode initially dismisses the allegation, the appearance in the sky over the bar of a [[Worldsweeper]] (an outdated mode of travel the Architect is famously known for still using), seems to put the lie into her words. A moment later, a squad of the Architect's men beam down into the bar, right in front of the trio—a squad led by [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]], who all wear the mysterious gear-symbol on their chests...

Nautica and Velocity find the Catharsian merchant's shop, where Velocity slowly becomes horrifyingly aware of what Nautica is planning. The Resus Cradle in the Catharsian's possession is said to be able to revive a dead Cybertronian, even without a [[spark]], so long as there are some remains to work with. Nautica lifts her eyepatch to reveal that there is no "injury" beneath it... and instead, inside her optic cavity, she has been hiding [[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'s salvaged [[brain module]]!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashback. 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Nautica (G1)|Nautica]] (1)
*[[Velocity (G1)|Velocity]] (3)
*''[[Skids (G1)|Skids]]'' (4)

|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*''[[Firestar (G1)|Firestar]]'' (2)
*[[Lug (IDW)|Lug]] (5)
*[[Anode]] (6)
*[[Rust Giant]] (7)
*[[Catharsian]] pedlar (8)
*Coffin-robot (9)
*[[Black Block Consortia]] troops (10)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Agonizer|Agonizer/"The Curator"]] (11)
*[[Wipe-Out]] (12)
*[[Rocket]] (13)
*[[Scammer]] (14)
*[[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]] (15)
*Grand Architect's troops (16)
*Catharsian merchant (17)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" 
"Effervescent hedges bestow cosmic secretions upon my granular milk wives." 
"'''What?'''" 
"Random words in a random order. Why make an effort to '''make sense''' when nothing I say is going to change your opinion of me one iota?"
:—'''Firestar''' and '''Nautica'''

"Tell me your name. I want to worship you like a god." 
"I'm '''Velocity'''. And I'll settle for the occasional sacrifice."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Velocity'''

"'''Ten thousand shanix?!''' Who do you think I am, '''Cyclonus'''?"
:—'''Nautica''' is taken aback by Anode's request for money

'''Anode:''' "Well, '''that''' was exhilarating!" 
'''Nautica:''' "When did 'exhilarating' become a byword for ''''<nowiki>'</nowiki>unexpected and traumatic?<nowiki>'</nowiki>'''" 
'''Lug:''' "Welcome to life with Anode. I defy anyone to spend an afternoon with her and not end up '''dead'''. Believe me, I speak from experience." 
'''Nautica:'''"I got nicked! He nicked me!" 
'''Anode:''' "Treasure it. Every wound tells a story." 
'''Nautica:'''"Not every story's worth telling."
:—'''Nautica''' and '''Anode'''

"I've decided I'm going to warn you against doing things less often, in the hope that when I '''do''' protest, it has more of an impact."
:—'''Lug''', to Anode

"Lug's a she now. Me too. It's just a better fit. The further you get from Cybertron—the more people you meet—the more you realize that as a race we've been '''limiting''' ourselves unnecessarily. You know before the war, when the '''Primal Vanguard''' used to come home between campaigns? There'd always be a few who had '''reclassified themselves'''—a few 'she's' amongst the 'he's'. They tended to stick together. He to she. I didn't understand the significance. What difference did it make? But after we left Cybertron and started to meet so many other races... yeah. '''Then''' it made sense. It made '''perfect''' sense."
:—'''Anode'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*Nautica's troubled friendship with Firestar, and her lack of acumen in the performing arts, were previously established in [[The Sensuous Frame|''More than Meets the Eye'' #41]]-[[The Frail Gaze|42]]. Among the montage that begins this issue is the scene of Nautica and Velocity's reunion from the former issue.
*Also part of the montage is Nautica conducting the [[Amica Endura]] ceremony from [[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|''More than Meets the Eye'' #53]].
*Troja Major and it's "Howling Town" were first referenced in [[World, Shut Your Mouth Part 1: Towards Peace|''More than Meets the Eye'' #28]], in which Nautica's acquisition of the copy of ''[[Towards Peace]]'' she mentions here was detailed. Agonizer and his museum were later mentioned in [[Some Of My Best Friends Are Autobots|issue #45]], and (as we surmised at the time) are here revealed to have indeed been where Nautica obtained it from. The "Howling Town" nomenclature is explained to be derived from the fact that "public outpourings of grief" are a specialty of the local commerce.
*When Anode asks her for money, Nautica retorts (as quoted above) that the exorbitant sum is the kind of cash only Cyclonus would have. The idea that Cyclonus is filthy rich (thanks to "[[Tetrahex]]ian real estate") was originally introduced in [[Signal to Noise|''More than Meets the Eye'' #13]], but it ''was'' [[Tailgate (G1)|Tailgate]] who said it, and he was in the middle of his "lying to everyone" phase, so Cyclonus might not be as moneyed as everyone else thinks he is.
*The merchant Anode steals from is a Rust Giant, previously seen in [[The Dying of the Light: (1) How Bright Their Frail Deeds|''More than Meets the Eye'' #50]]. The physical similarities between him and creatures seen in the issue are loose enough that you might not be convinced, but the nickname Anode gives him—"Rusty"—clinches the deal.
*Several references are made this issue to something called the "[[Old Order]]," a long-gone kind of clan or organization with spiritual overtones. This was first mentioned in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50, in which Nautica noted (and here restates) that it is Agonizer's specialized field of study.
*Members of the Black Block Consortia, first mentioned in [[Into the Abyss: Dark Cybertron Chapter 4|''More than Meets the Eye'' #24]], finally appear on panel for the first time. They are revealed to be an offshoot of the [[Galactic Council]], who are engaged in a turf war with them; the conflict between the Consortia and the Council was previously evidenced in [[The Permanent Revolution|''More than Meets the Eye'' #39]].
*Agonizer offers Nautica a map to the birthplace of the [[Omega Guardian]]s, mysterious creatures originally seen allll the way back in ''[[Spotlight: Hot Rod]]'', and the uncensored draft of the [[Autobot Code]], first described as "censored" in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #4]].
*We don't need to run down the history of the mysterious gear-like hieroglyph again; suffice to say, it keeps cropping up on our heroes' adventure. It was acknowledged and deduced to be a crest associated with one of the Knights' clans in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50, a conclusion reached partially based on information Nautica acquired from Agonizer. In that same issue, [[Thunder Clash|Thunderclash]] observed that he had seen other, similar symbols in his visions of Cyberutopia; here we learn that there are five symbols in all, representing five clans.
*Anode and Lug are revealed to be the first explicitly self-defined transgender Cybertronians in mainstream Transformers fiction, with Anode connecting her new look to her self-realization ("new shape, new me"), while Lug seems to be comfortable without physical changes. This resolves the question of their planet of origin, which their gender initially meant was in question. Anode also notes that there were a handful of other male-assigned Cybertronians whose off-world encounters with other races while serving in the [[Primal Vanguard]] led them to do them same before her; a sweeping remark that cleverly tidies up the few incongruous crowd-scene appearances of female-presenting Transformers on the planet that have occured throughout IDW history, and which have stood out as continuity errors until now, like those seen in ''[[The Transformers: Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin]]'' or most recently, [[Ghost Stories|the 2017 ''Transformers'' annual]].
*Anode and Lug's contact, "Techy," was first mentioned in [[Dissolution Part 1: Some Other Cybertron|issue #1]]. The name is here revealed to be a nickname, short for "the Grand Architect," and this is where everything starts coming together. The "Grand Architect" was previously referenced by a pair of mysterious robots seen in [[Animals|''More than Meets the Eye'' #46]], who wore the gear-hieroglyph and traveled via Worldsweeper—and both those robots reappear at the end of this issue, part of the squad of the Grand Architect's troops. This sinister group's fingerprints have been all over the ''More than Meets the Eye/Lost Light'' mytharc from very early on; there can be no doubt at this point that the Worldsweeper found in [[Rules of Disengagement (issue)|''More than Meets the Eye'' #7]] is connected to them (not least of all because it contained Grimlock, and Grimlock was then shown drawing the gear-symbol in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #46). The Worldsweeper in #7 contained aborted [[protoform]]s, and #46 made clear the group are doing ''some'' kind of experiments on living beings, which begins to explain why they have an interest in life-shaping blacksmiths, and further, why Techy would have sent Anode and Lug to obtain sentio metallico (the stuff protoforms are made of) for him in the first place, as seen in ''Lost Light'' #1.
*Leading the Grand Architect's troops is the ex-Autobot scientist [[Flame (Marvel)|Flame]]. Originally a character from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Marvel UK comic book]], he previously appeared in IDW continuity (with this specific body design) in [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' #5]]. He's a guy with a history of tampering with life and death, but it's not clear from this issue if he actually ''is'' the Grand Architect or not...
*Nautica donned her eyepatch last issue, which seemed suspicious from the off; the injury she sustained to her eye in ''More than Meets the Eye'' #50 had been repaired prior to the start of ''Lost Light''.

===Transformers references===
*Nautica quizzes Velocity on the disease [[Corrodia Gravis]], an ailment from the [[The Transformers (Marvel comic)|Generation 1 Marvel comic]], with which [[Snarl (G1)|Snarl]] was stricken. It's received a few namechecks in Roberts-penned IDW stories; in particular, [[Ammo]] was noted to suffer from "early onset" Corrdia Gravis in [[Twenty Plus One|''More than Meets the Eye'' #31]], which Nautica here specifically notes is a controllable condition.
*Agonizer is based on the body-design of [[Sixshot|Generation 1 Sixshot]], with a green and blue color scheme.
*Wipe-Out is an original character from the Marvel comic. There, he functioned as [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]]'s gofer, a sort of stand-in for the big guy's traditional partner [[Full-Tilt]], and looked like Tailgate as a result of some kind of art-and-or-toy mix-up.

===Real-life references===
*The title of this issue is taken from the lyrics to {{w|David Bowie}}'s "{{w|Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie song)|Ashes to Ashes}}," making this the [[The Life of Sideswipe|second ''Transformers'' title]] to reference the dearly departed Bowie this month.
*The "Mederi" medical center derives its name from Latin; "mederi" is the present infinitive of "medeor," meaning "I heal." No need to explain the relevance, obviously!
*The Catharsians, meanwhile, take their name from the word "catharsis," meaning a release of (and consequent relief from) strong or repressed emotions. No need to explain that one either!
*And the "Resus" in "Resus Cradle" is from "resuscitation," obvious-like.
*A goggle-wearing [http://rickandmorty.wikia.com/wiki/Gromflomites Gromflomite] from ''{{w|Rick and Morty}}'' can be spotted in the background of page 5.

===Errors===
*As in the original release of ''More than Meets the Eye'' #53, flashback Nautica uses the singular "amica endur'''a'''" instead of the correct plural "amica endur'''ae'''."

===Other trivia===
*Though most readers had probably sped ahead to the conclusion already, this issue's "previously in" recap page explicitly states that Anode and Lug are [[Conjunx Endura]]e.

===Soundtrack===
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPtr7VAQa2c Mahal Kita]" by {{w|Emmy the Great}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LswvtH_IQAY Get Up]" by {{w|The Blow}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t5gGm3NWU4 I Know a Place]" by {{w|Muna (band)|MUNA}}
*"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDFIN2vE91w Sad Stories]" by {{w|Would-Be-Goods}}

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Our heroes amid the crowds of Troja Major, by [[Jack Lawrence]] and [[Joana Lafuente]]
*'''Cover B:''' Nautica looks pensive among the markets, by [[Nick Roche]] and [[Josh Burcham]]
*'''Cover C:''' Megatron by [[Tom Whalen]]; one of several "art deco" covers produced by Whalen for various IDW July titles
*'''Retailer incentive cover:''' Nautica tearfully recalls the memory of Skids, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
<gallery>
File:LL8 cvrA.jpg|
File:LL8 cvrB.jpg|
File:LL8 cvrC.jpg|
File:LL8 cvrRI.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Lost Light'' #9
*"The Hasbro Tribune" editorial page promoting July's [[Hasbro Universe]] titles, including this issue, [[G.I. Joe vol. 5 issue 8|''G.I. Joe'' #8]], [[Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook issue 3|''Hasbro Heroes Sourcebook'' #3]], ''Revolutionaries'' #8, [[Shining Armor issue 1|''Rom vs. Transformers: Shining Armor'' #1]], [[The Life of Sideswipe|''Optimus Prime'' #9]], and ''Till All Are One'' #12.
*Hero Initiative exclusive [[Rob Liefeld]] variant cover for ''The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide'' #47
*4-page preview of [[First Strike issue 1|''First Strike'' #1]] (previously seen in [[First Strike issue 0|''First Strike'' #0]])
*National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo'' one-shot

==External links==
*[http://www.comicosity.com/preview-transformers-lost-light-8/ Preview]

[[Category: Lost Light issues]]

MediaWiki:TFWiki.net 2017 Transformers Hall of Fame Auditions/Movie

2017-07-15T05:08:51Z

Queso: /* Poll entries */

[[File:Transformers2007teaserposter.jpg|thumb|250px|]]
This is the page for the '''TFWiki.net Transformers Hall of Fame Favorite Movie Character Auditions''' entries. The rules are as follows:

#You must pick your top '''three''' favorite LIVE-ACTION FILM SERIES ''Transformers'' characters.
##You '''can''' vote for any film character who was previously inducted! This includes '''Arcee, Bumblebee, Grimlock, Hot Rod, Ironhide, Jazz, Megatron, Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream, and Wheeljack.'''
#Per the the informational email, they must characters that '''appeared on film'''. They must also actually '''be''' Transformers; sorry, but no humans, non-Transformer aliens, or anything else of the sort are being considered for the Hall of Fame. Any votes for such entities will '''not''' be tabulated. It is the sole discretion of the contest organizers to decide what does and does not count.
#Take your top three list and '''put it in alphabetical order'''. Order of preference does not matter.
#Only one entry per user. Do not vote for the same characters in both character categories.
##"Favorite Transformers Character" (fictional robot character) votes '''[[Transformers Wiki:TFWiki.net 2017 Transformers Hall of Fame Auditions/Character|go here!]]'''

Please put your characters of choice and user name below in the following manner:

*Cogman, Frenzy, Hound --<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>

Poll entry period ends at 3pm on '''[[July 16]]th, 2017'''. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] ([[User talk:Monzo|talk]]) 20:34, 10 July 2017 (EDT)

==Poll entries==


*Dragonstorm, Drift, Grimlock [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 20:51, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Nitro Zeus, Sqweeks -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 21:03, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Hound, Laserbeak, Nitro Zeus --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 21:06, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Laserbeak, Ratchet, Ravage --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 21:11, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Hound, Nitro Zeus --[[User:Jrgolden42|Jrgolden42]] ([[User talk:Jrgolden42|talk]]) 21:22, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Devastator, Sentinel Prime -[[User:LV|LV]] ([[User talk:LV|talk]]) 21:48, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Frenzy, Nitro Zeus - [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 22:04, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Dickbot the blender guy, Dispensor, Ejector - [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] ([[User talk:Semysane|talk]]) 22:16, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Ironhide, Optimus Prime - [[User:SeanTF1967|SeanTF1967]] ([[User talk:SeanTF1967|talk]]) 22:35, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Dispensor, Nitro Zeus [[User:Grum|Grum]] - ([[User talk:Grum|talk]]) 22:40, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Hot Rod, Ratchet - --[[User:Ladystrikeback|Lady Strikeback]] ([[User talk:Ladystrikeback|talk]]) 22:44, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Hound, Jetfire, Lockdown --[[User:BattleBlade|BattleBlade]] ([[User talk:BattleBlade|talk]]) 23:02, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Laserbeak, Nitro Zeus, Watch That Killed Hitler -- [[User:Chip|Chip]] ([[User talk:Chip|talk]]) 23:22, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Hound, Lockdown [[User:LordTacos|LordTacos]] ([[User talk:LordTacos|talk]]) 00:19, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Crosshairs, Jetfire - [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 00:56, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Bumblebee, Frenzy --[[User:Flicky1991|flicky]][[User talk:Flicky1991|1991]] 01:22, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Hound, Nitro Zeus --[[User:Fredbob|Fredbob]] ([[User talk:Fredbob|talk]]) 01:40, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Jazz, Laserbeak --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 02:15, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Lockdown, Optimus Prime --[[User:Nanox|Nanox]] ([[User talk:Nanox|talk]]) 02:17, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Crosshairs, Drift, Jetfire -- [[User:DalekSupreme13|DalekSupreme13]] ([[User talk:DalekSupreme13|talk]]) 08:18, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Dispensor, Nitro Zeus --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 09:17, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Dispensor, Hound --[[User:MaximalBroadjaw|MaximalBroadjaw]] ([[User talk:MaximalBroadjaw|talk]]) 10:39, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Blackout, Cogman--[[User:Munkky|Munkky]] ([[User talk:Munkky|talk]]) 12:05, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Dispensor, Nitro Zeus--[[User:IKY|IKY]] ([[User talk:IKY|talk]]) 16:46, July 11, 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Cogman, Nitro Zeus --[[User:Sky Shadow|Sky Shadow]] ([[User talk:Sky Shadow|talk]]) 13:42, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Bonecrusher, Ratchet--[[User:Spin-Out|Spin-Out]] ([[User talk:Spin-Out|talk]]) 13:45, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Laserbeak, Ratchet -- [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] ([[User talk:Cattleprod|talk]]) 14:24, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Cogman, Hitler Watch -- [[User:Steelfire|Steelfire]] ([[User talk:Steelfire|talk]]) 15:12, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Crosshairs, Frenzy, Laserbeak --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] ([[User talk:KilMichaelMcC|talk]]) 16:03, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Dispensor, Nitro Zeus --[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 17:01, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Cogman, Crosshairs --[[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 17:23, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Dickbot The Blender Guy, Jolt, Watch That Killed Hitler -- [[User:Victinoko|Victinoko]] ([[User Talk:Victinoko|Talk]]) 5:55, 11 July (EST)
*Barricade, Nitro Zeus, Ravage --[[User:Strangefour|Strangefour]] ([[User talk:Strangefour|talk]]) 18:08, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Roadbuster --[[User:Energizer|Energizer]] ([[User talk:Energizer|talk]]) 21:50, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackout, Barricade, Sideways --[[User:Anguirus|Anguirus]] ([[User talk:Anguirus|talk]]) 22:07, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Hound, Shockwave --[[User:Crossfire|Crossfire]] ([[User talk:Crossfire|talk]]) 00:02, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Jetfire, Laserbeak --[[User:Sockie|Sockie]] ([[User talk:Sockie|talk]]) 01:07, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Hightower, Wheeljack --[[User:Omegatron|Omegatron]] ([[User talk:Omegatron|talk]]) 04:38, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Hound, Jazz --[[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] ([[User talk:Ironhold|talk]]) 05:05, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Ejector, Hound, Nitro Zeus --[[User:MaverickPrimeZX|MaverickPrimeZX]] ([[User talk:MaverickPrimeZX|talk]]) 13:06, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bumblebee, Ironhide, Ratchet --[[User:BlueOatmeal|BlueOatmeal]] ([[User talk:BlueOatmeal|talk]]) 17:25, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Jolt, Scalpel/The Doctor --[[User:Boy Blunderous|Boy Blunderous]] ([[User talk:Boy Blunderous|talk]]) 11:54, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Blackout, Hound -- [[User:Wasp-shot23|Wasp-shot23]] ([[User talk:Wasp-shot23|talk]]) 16:20, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bumblebee, Shockwave, Soundwave --[[User:rgby|rgby]] ([[User talk:rgby|talk]]) 16:25, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Ironhide, Ratchet --[[User:Chels]] 17:14 13, July 2017 (EDT)
*Dispensor, Laserbeak, Watch That Killed Hitler -- [[User:NovaSaber|NovaSaber]] ([[User talk:NovaSaber|talk]]) 00:36, 14 July 2017 (EDT)
*Barricade, Blackout, Hound--[[User:SoS|SoS]] ([[User talk:SoS|talk]]) 20:18, 14 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cogman, Hound, Lockdown - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 01:08, 15 July 2017 (EDT)





[[Category: TFWiki.net]]

MediaWiki:TFWiki.net 2017 Transformers Hall of Fame Auditions/Character

2017-07-15T05:06:06Z

Queso: /* Poll entries */

This is the page for the '''TFWiki.net Transformers Hall of Fame Favorite Character Auditions''' entries. The rules are as follows:

#You must pick your top '''three''' ''Transformers'' characters, from any era. They must actually '''be''' Transformers; sorry, but no humans, non-Transformer aliens, non-Transformer robots, or anything else of the sort are being considered for the Hall of Fame. Any votes for such entities will '''not''' be tabulated. It is the sole discretion of the contest organizers to decide what does and does not count.
##"Live-Action Film Transformers Character" (fictional robot character) votes '''[[Transformers Wiki:TFWiki.net 2017 Transformers Hall of Fame Auditions/Movie|go here!]]'''
##Do not vote for the same characters in both categories.
#Take your top three list and '''put it in alphabetical order'''. Order of preference does not matter. Feel free to denote the character's franchise of origin, although these distinctions may or may not figure into the final results.
#You '''cannot''' pick a specific version of '''Arcee, Bumblebee, Cosmos, Dinobot, Grimlock, Ironhide, Jazz, Megatron, ''Beast Wars'' Megatron, Optimus Primal, Optimus Prime, Predaking (combiner), Prowl, Ratchet, Rodimus, Shockwave, Soundwave, Starscream, Ultra Magnus, Waspinator, or Wheeljack.''' They've already been inducted!
#Only one entry per user.

Please put your characters of choice and user name below in the following manner:

*Blackarachnia, Hot Shot, Sentinel Prime (Animated)--<nowiki>~~~~</nowiki>

Poll entry period ends at 3pm on '''[[July 16]]th, 2017'''. --[[User:Monzo|Monzo]] ([[User talk:Monzo|talk]]) 20:34, 10 July 2017 (EDT)

==Poll entries==


*Jetfire, Lio Convoy, ''Beast Wars: Uprising'' Preditron [[User:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47]] ([[User talk:S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent 47|talk]]) 20:50, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Bulkhead, Sky-Byte --[[User:Abates|abates]] ([[User talk:Abates|talk]]) 21:02, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Hot Shot, Ravage --[[User:ItsWalky|ItsWalky]] ([[User talk:ItsWalky|talk]]) 21:10, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Scrounge, BW Silverbolt --[[User:Jrgolden42|Jrgolden42]] ([[User talk:Jrgolden42|talk]]) 21:20, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bulkhead, Scorponok, Sideways -[[User:Foffy the Sheep|Foffy]] ([[User talk:Foffy the Sheep|talk]]) 21:35, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Brainstorm, Perceptor, Rung -[[user: cyberdoctor42|cyberdoctor42]] ([[user talk:cyberdoctor42|talk]]) 21:41, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Bludgeon, Thundercracker [[User:Kyojikasshu|Kyojikasshu]] ([[User talk:Kyojikasshu|talk]]) 21:41, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Devastator, Tarantulas, Ravage -[[User:LV|LV]] ([[User talk:LV|talk]]) 21:46, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Brainstorm, Cyclonus, Ravage - [[User:Tiel|Tiel]] ([[User talk:Tiel|talk]]) 21:51, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Spacewarp, Trans-Mutate, Vector Prime [[User:Escargon|Escargon]] ([[User talk:Escargon|talk]]) 22:02, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Hooligan, Slog - [[User:Semysane|Semysane]] ([[User talk:Semysane|talk]]) 22:05, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bludgeon, Perceptor, Wreck-Gar - [[User:Grum|Grum]] ([[User talk:Grum|talk]]) 22:21, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Galvatron, Sky-Byte - [[User:SeanTF1967|SeanTF1967]] (([[User talk:SeanTF1967|talk]]) 22:30, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Springer, Whirl --[[User:Ladystrikeback|Lady Strikeback]] ([[User talk:Ladystrikeback|talk]]) 22:48, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Devastator, Swindle, Windblade --[[User:BattleBlade|BattleBlade]] ([[User talk:BattleBlade|talk]]) 23:06, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Chase, Rhinox -- [[User:Chip|Chip]] ([[User talk:Chip|talk]]) 23:11, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Chromedome, Cyclonus, Rewind [[User:Alientraveller|Alientraveller]] ([[User talk:Alientraveller|talk]]) 23:16, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Swindle, Thundercracker, Wreck-Gar --[[User:Maroyasha|Maroyasha]] ([[User talk:Maroyasha|talk]]) 23:57, 10 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Cyclonus, Sky-Byte [[User:LordTacos|LordTacos]] ([[User talk:LordTacos|talk]]) 00:14, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarchania, Rattrap, Swindle -- [[User:TBR|TBR]] ([[User talk:TBR|talk]]) 00:53, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Galvatron, Laserbeak, Sky-Byte --[[User:Flicky1991|flicky]][[User talk:Flicky1991|1991]] 01:19, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Ginrai, Lockdown, Nautica--[[User:Fredbob|Fredbob]] ([[User talk:Fredbob|talk]]) 01:42, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia (BW), Cheetor (BW), Ginrai --[[User:Sabrblade|Sabrblade]] ([[User talk:Sabrblade|talk]]) 02:12, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Overlord, Rung --[[User:Nanox|Nanox]] ([[User talk:Nanox|talk]]) 02:16, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Galvatron, Tarantulas -- [[User:DalekSupreme13|DalekSupreme13]] ([[User talk:DalekSupreme13|talk]]) 08:11, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Devastator, Jetfire --[[User:Khajidha|Khajidha]] ([[User talk:Khajidha|talk]]) 08:17, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Bludgeon, Sky-Byte --[[User:Riptide|Riptide]] ([[User talk:Riptide|talk]]) 09:14, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Scorponok (G1), Scourge (RiD) --[[User:Anguirus|Anguirus]] ([[User talk:Anguirus|talk]]) 09:19, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Doublecross, Sky-Byte, Thundercracker --[[User:MaximalBroadjaw|MaximalBroadjaw]] ([[User talk:MaximalBroadjaw|talk]]) 10:38, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Cheetor, Devastator--[[User:Munkky|Munkky]] ([[User talk:Munkky|talk]]) 12:04, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Lio Convoy, Vector Prime--[[User:IKY|IKY]] ([[User talk:IKY|talk]]) 12:41, 11 July 2017‎ (EDT)
*Bulkhead, Cheetor, Sky-Byte--[[User:Spin-Out|Spin-Out]] ([[User talk:Spin-Out|talk]]) 13:44, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bulkhead, Heatwave, Perceptor--[[User:DJ-the-Autobot|DJ-the-Autobot]] ([[User talk:DJ-the-Autobot|talk]]) 13:53, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Hot Shot, Sideways, Windblade --[[User:Sky Shadow|Sky Shadow]] ([[User talk:Sky Shadow|talk]]) 14:04, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia (BW), Heatwave, Nautica [[User:Dustbunny105|Dustbunny105]] ([[User talk:Dustbunny105|talk]]) 14:20, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Scorponok, Swindle -- [[User:Cattleprod|Cattleprod]] ([[User talk:Cattleprod|talk]]) 14:23, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Perceptor, Swindle -- [[User:Steelfire|Steelfire]] ([[User talk:Steelfire|talk]]) 15:11, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Demolishor, Hot Shot, Sideways -- [[User:Stardust262|Stardust262]] ([[User talk:Stardust262|talk]]) 15:59, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Ravage, Swindle --[[User:KilMichaelMcC|KilMichaelMcC]] ([[User talk:KilMichaelMcC|talk]]) 16:00, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Ravage, Swindle --[[User:Panthersoup|Panthersoup]] ([[User talk:Panthersoup|talk]]) 16:59, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Elita-1, Swindle --[[User:Rosicrucian|Rosicrucian]][[User Talk:Rosicrucian|Talk]] 17:05, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Kup, Tarantulas, Windblade --[[User:Jalaguy|Jalaguy]] ([[User talk:Jalaguy|talk]]) 17:22, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus, Jetfire, Nautica --[[User:Wizard4hire|Wizard4hire]] ([[User talk:Wizard4hire|talk]]) 21:42,11 July 2014 (EDT)
*Devastator, Sideswipe, Thundercracker --[[User:Energizer|Energizer]] ([[User talk:Energizer|talk]]) 21:57, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Jhiaxus, Misfire, Nautica --[[User:Crossfire|Crossfire]] ([[User talk:Crossfire|talk]]) 23:58, 11 July 2017 (EDT)
*Sky-Byte, Sky Lynx, Tarantulas --[[User:Sockie|Sockie]] ([[User talk:Sockie|talk]]) 01:05, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Omega Supreme, Sky Lynx (G1), Superion --[[User:Omegatron|Omegatron]] ([[User talk:Omegatron|talk]]) 04:35, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*G1 Perceptor, G1 Springer, RiD 01 X-Brawn --[[User:Ironhold|Ironhold]] ([[User talk:Ironhold|talk]]) 05:04, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Brainstorm(IDW), Knock Out(Prime), Silverbolt(BW) --[[User:MaverickPrimeZX|MaverickPrimeZX]] ([[User talk:MaverickPrimeZX|talk]]) 13:06, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Metroplex, Perceptor --[[User:BlueOatmeal|BlueOatmeal]] ([[User talk:BlueOatmeal|talk]]) 17:05, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Cyclonus (G1), Overlord, Scorponok (G1) -- [[User:Dark T Zeratul|Dark T Zeratul]] ([[User talk:Dark T Zeratul|talk]]) 17:27, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Ravage, Windblade --[[User:Zakor1138|Zakor1138]] ([[User talk:Zakor1138|talk]]) 17:32, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Hotshot (Armada),Rung (G1), Skids (G1) --[[User:IloveRung123|IloveRung123]] ([[User talk:IloveRung123|talk]]) 18:39, 12 July 2017 (EDT)IloveRung123
*Blackarachnia, Cyclonus, Perceptor -- [[User:Perceptorii|Perceptorii]] ([[User talk:Perceptorii|talk]]) 21:14, 12 July 2017 (EDT)
*Bludgeon(G2),Drift(IDW),Hellbat(Victory)--[[User:Xunk16|Xunk16]] ([[User talk:Xunk16|talk]]) 05:45, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Knock Out (Prime/IDW), Sky-Byte (RID 2001), Windblade (IDW)--[[User:Boy Blunderous|Boy Blunderous]] ([[User talk:Boy Blunderous|talk]]) 11:53, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Demolishor, Hot Shot, Thundercracker -- [[User:Wasp-shot23|Wasp-shot23]] ([[User talk:Wasp-shot23|talk]]) 16:17, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Knock Out (Prime/IDW), Ravage, Swindle -- [[User:rgby|rgby]] ([[User talk:rgby|talk]]) 16:20, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Thundercracker -- [[User:Chels]] 17:09 13, July 2017 (EDT)
*Galvatron, BW Rampage, Sky-Byte --[[User:Thylacine 2000|Thylacine 2000]] ([[User talk:Thylacine 2000|talk]]) 17:24, 13 July 2017 (EDT)
*Blackarachnia, Steeljaw (RiD), Strongarm (RiD) -- [[User:NovaSaber|NovaSaber]] ([[User talk:NovaSaber|talk]]) 00:33, 14 July 2017 (EDT)
*Fulcrum, Leozack, Overlord -- [[User:RedWingGladiator|RedWingGladiator]] ([[User talk:RedWingGladiator|talk]]) 12:51, 14 July 2017 (EDT)
*Hot Shot, Sky-Byte, Vector Prime (Cybertron)--[[User:SoS|SoS]] ([[User talk:SoS|talk]]) 20:16, 14 July 2017 (EDT)
*Skywarp, Thundercracker, Cyclonus [[User:Poweredconvoy|poweredconvoy]] ([[User talk:Poweredconvoy|talk]]) 23:48, 14 July 2017 (EDT)
*Nautica, Sky-Byte, Tarn - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 01:06, 15 July 2017 (EDT)




[[Category: TFWiki.net]]

Talk:Dissolution Part 6: This Machine Kills Fascists

2017-06-12T15:49:29Z

Queso: Created page with "==The Fib== [https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/873683917362126848 Roberts says] Roller gave accurate coordinates. ~~~~"

==The Fib==
[https://twitter.com/jroberts332/status/873683917362126848 Roberts says] Roller gave accurate coordinates. - [[User:Queso|¡Usa El Queso!]] [[User talk:Queso|Complain here]] 11:49, 12 June 2017 (EDT)

The Waiting Game

2017-04-03T20:06:34Z

Queso: /* Errors */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Spotlight|The Transformers Spotlight]]: Hoist''
|prev=The Reluctant Specialist
|next=
|seriesissue2=''[[Dark Cybertron (IDW)|Dark Prelude]]''
|next2=Shockwaves
|title="The Waiting Game"
|image=SLHoist_cvrRI.jpg
|caption=The worst game.
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[May 1]], [[2013]]
|coverdate=May 2013
|written by=[[James Roberts]]
|art by=[[Agustin Padilla]]
|colors by=[[Joana Lafuente]]
|letters by=[[Shawn Lee]]
|assistant editor=[[Thomas Boeing]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|2012]], between "[[How Ratchet Got His Hands Back]]" and "[[Interiors]]"
}}

'''Stranded on an alien planet with Swerve, Sunstreaker, Perceptor, and Bob, Hoist learns he has nothing to fear but fear itself. And Swerve's big mouth.'''

==Synopsis==
[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], [[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]], and [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] were ''supposed'' to be going on a routine mission to scavenge what they could from a deserted [[Decepticon]] outpost, but things took a turn for the worse when [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] and his pet [[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] decided to join them. While piloting the craft, the vain Sunstreaker was distracted by his own reflection in the radar screen and wound up crashing the ship. With Perceptor's legs melted to the ceiling by the overloading heat coils (well, the floor, actually, since the ship winds up upside-down), Hoist sets out to do a little reconnaissance, only to suddenly be attacked by one of the worst 'bots imaginable: [[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]] of the [[Decepticon Justice Division]]. Hoist flees back to the ship and activates its cloaking field, hiding them from view, but the effects will only last six hours before their energy reserves dry up, and the ''[[Lost Light]]'' isn't answering their calls for help.

Swerve fills the time by talking, and talking, and talking some more. He lists his greatest fears, besides Tarn and the DJD, ([[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]], [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]], [[Sixshot]], [[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]], and a hypothetical combination of all four), asks questions about Bob and his origins, and just generally bickers with a very grumpy Sunstreaker. After four hours, Sunstreaker angrily suggests he try turning his insult comedy on Hoist instead, but Swerve finds no potential for humor in the exceedingly ordinary maintenance 'bot. An hour later, conversation shifts to near-death experiences, and Swerve manages to annoy Hoist enough into talking about one of his: a time millions of years ago when his ship crashed in the [[Rust Spot]] after a [[Omega's Conundrum|collision with another vessel]], and he was the only survivor, stranded alone in those desolate wastes. To illustrate his story, Hoist tosses a pipe to the ground, but when he bends to pick it up, he spots a gaping wound in Swerve's side that the little 'bot has kept a secret, distracting everyone from it with his endless chatter. Realizing that the injury will be fatal if Swerve does not get treatment soon, Hoist and Sunstreaker resolve to take on Tarn in hopes of appropriating his ship and getting off the planet.

Loading themselves up with an assortment of weaponry that the engineer has quickly built, Hoist and Sunstreaker venture out and split up to search. Sunstreaker, mired in self-loathing, is caught unawares by Tarn and quickly taken down, but when Hoist rushes to his aid he discovers not the DJD leader, but Megatron, Overlord, Sixshot, and Shockwave, who all promptly combine into a gargantuan robot! Hoist's crossbow proves ineffective against the giant, but just as it is about to stomp on him, it simply fades away to nothing. Realizing that something is very wrong, Hoist races back to the ship, where Swerve has passed out. Listening to the details of his story, Perceptor realises that the planet is protected by a [[phobia shield]], a defense mechanism created by the [[Galactic Council]] to ward off Cybertronian incursions that creates tangible illusions out of fears plucked from the minds of those that stray into its area of effect. When Swerve lost consciousness, the illusions the shield was creating based on his fears ceased to be, but as the ship suddenly shakes, the pair realise that the shield was locked onto someone else's mind... Bob's! Hoist drags his friends out of the ship seconds before the titanic foot of an illusory [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] crushes it to powder, and chases after a fleeing Bob, leaping a chasm. Just as Perceptor is thanking him, Hoist coldcocks the scientist to prevent the shield from reading his mind, then does the same to Bob, causing Metroplex to fade away just in time. And so, Hoist is the only one left for the shield to lock on to, and his worst fear comes true around him... the fear of being stranded alone, in those desolate wastes...

==Featured characters==
(Characters in ''italic text'' appear only in flashbacks, fantasies, and/or phobia shield illusions.) 
{{featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] (1)
*[[Swerve (G1)|Swerve]] (2)
*[[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]] (3)
*[[Bob (IDW)|Bob]] (4)
*[[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] (5)
*''[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]'' (6)
*''[[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Optimus Prime]]'' (11)
*''[[Prowl (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Prowl]]'' (12)

|c2=
*''[[Tarn (DJD)|Tarn]]'' (2)
*''[[Megatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Megatron]]'' (7)
*''[[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]'' (8)
*''[[Sixshot]]'' (9)
*''[[Shockwave (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Shockwave]]'' (10)
*''"[[Overmegasixwave]]"'' (13)

|c4=

}}

==Quotes==
"For your information, apart from Tarn and the D.J.D., I'm scared of—(one, two, three four...)—'''five''' things in this life: '''One,''' Megatron. (Obviously.) '''Two,''' Overlord. '''Three,''' Sixshot. '''Four,''' Shockwave. And '''five,''' some '''nightmare combination''' of Megatron, Overlord, Sixshot and Shockwave." 
"They can't '''combine...!'''" 
"Matter of time. Decepticons are '''obsessed''' with combining. Put two of 'em in a room and within seconds one will be standing on the other's shoulders. '''Fact.'''"
:—'''Swerve''' and '''Hoist'''

"I wouldn't mind all the '''chatter''' but half the time it's dig, dig, dig, have a go at Sunstreaker. Why not pick on—on '''Hoist''' for a change?!" 
"Hoist? Nah." 
"Why? Why not?" 
"'''Look''' at the guy! I've got nothing to work with! If someone said to me, 'That Hoist, what's he '''like?'''<nowiki>'</nowiki> I'd say 'He's green.' And if they said, 'No, but what's he '''really''' like?' I'd say, 'He's green and he's got a tow line.'" 
:—'''Sunstreaker''' and '''Swerve'''

"You know why you can't get a '''handle''' on me? Because I'm an '''ordinary person.''' I'm '''normal.''' I'm just a mid-ranking '''maintenance engineer''' who takes each day as it comes. I'm not particularly chatty, handsome or clever, but you know what? I get by. I '''manage'''. So don't '''dismiss''' me just because—unlike all your pals on the ''Lost Light''—my personality isn't the product of a '''crippling psychological disorder.'''"
:—'''Hoist'''

"'''Overmegasixwave''' is a bit of a mouthful. How about we just go for '''ugly?'''"
:—'''Hoist'''

"I'm thinking.... that this planet is protected by a '''phobia shield.'''" 
"A phobia shield! '''Brilliant!''' Except '''I don't know what one of those is...!'''"
:—'''Perceptor''' and '''Hoist'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*This story occurs concurrently with the previous ''Spotlight'' issue, ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]'', which showed on its final page Hoist returning from the away mission this issue chronicles. The team are unable to contact the ''Lost Light'' for most of this issue because the ship's crew are all frozen as a result of the events of ''Trailcutter''.
*Swerve notes that he's seen the DJD in action before, something we heard about in ''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' [[Life After the Big Bang|#4]].
*Sunstreaker refers back to when he was left in bits on Cybertron following the events of ''[[The Transformers: All Hail Megatron|All Hail Megatron]]''.
*We saw Hoist's ship's collision with another shuttle from the other side back in ''[[Omega's Conundrum|Spotlight: Orion Pax]]''. The ship that crashed into them was the one [[Optimus Prime (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Orion Pax]] was strapped to by [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]].
*The Galactic Council and its dislike of Cybertronians were properly introduced in the ''More than Meets the Eye'' [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|2012 Annual]].

===Transformers references===
*The sketchiness of the image makes it hard to be sure, but the phobia shield-generated 'Autobots' attacking Decepticons in a flashback resemble the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]]. Given the group's nature, it should be little surprise that they're some Decepticons' greatest fear.

===Real-world references===
*The bridge Sunstreaker was left under following ''All Hail Megatron'' gets a name, the [[Juda's Bridge]], referring, of course, to the Biblical Judas, betrayer of [[Jesus]], and nodding towards Sunstreaker's own betrayal of the Autobots during that story. Bit on the nose with that one, there, though [[G'th Semane|Roberts has form in that regard]].
*Hoist's solution to the phobia shield is similar to Kryten's solution in the ''[[wikipedia:Red Dwarf|Red Dwarf]]'' episode "[[wikipedia:Legion (Red Dwarf)|Legion]]" in which the android defeats an enemy formed from the neuroses of the crew by knocking them out so it can only latch onto his personality. [[Primus: You, Me, and Other Revelations|Roberts has form in that regard]].

===Errors===
*It can't really be considered an accident given that the comic is intended to be packed in with the toy, but Hoist has spontaneously gained his new 2013 ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' toy body for this story, which he didn't have when he showed up in ''Spotlight: Trailcutter'' shortly after this.
*Perceptor has slipped back to his pre-sniper design, lacking his targeting eyepiece and with chunkier forearms.
*Sunstreaker is drawn with large gashes on his face, resembling a sketchy [[Machination]] [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmaster]] head.
*In the two panels in which he appears, Sixshot is colored like [[Black Shadow (Victory)|Black Shadow]].
*When Overmegasixwave first combines, the cannon on his left arm is coloured as part of the background.
*The crashed shuttle is initially shown teetering on the edge of a chasm. When Metroplex stomps it, it's on flat, unbroken ground.

===Edits===
[[File:SpotlightHoistNoMurder.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Come here and do some meanie nasty things to us!]]
*In the version of the issue packed in with Hoist's ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' ''[[Thrilling 30]]'' toy, several edits to the speech bubbles are made:
**On page 5, panel 2, "killing machine" is changed to "destruction machine".
**On the same page, Swerve's "murder us to death" in panel 5 is changed to "blast us".
**On page 13, panel 5, Sunstreaker's dialogue is lacking the word "damn", the emphasis has been moved from "damn" to "good", and the entire ballon has been reduced in size as a consequence.
*On the other hand, on page 10, both "dead" and "near-death experiences" are left unchanged, so just like with ''[[The Reluctant Specialist|Spotlight: Trailcutter]]'', there's no real consistency to the edits.
{{-}}

===Soundtrack===
As with ''More than Meets the Eye'', writer James Roberts offered up a "soundtrack" for this issue on the [http://boards.idwpublishing.com/3/index.php IDW Publishing forum].

*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cx10MrMYB4 Enjoy Your Worries, You May Never Have Them Again]'' by [[Wikipedia:The Books|The Books]]
*''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pSlu2okpqM The Distance]'' by [[Wikipedia:Cake (band)|Cake]]

===Covers (4)===
*'''Cover A:''' Metroplex looming over Hoist, by Agustin Padilla and [[Esther Sanz]]
*'''Cover B:''' Hoist staring down the barrels of Megatron, Shockwave, and... [[Galvatron (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Galvatron]]? ...'s guns, by [[Livio Ramondelli]]
*'''Cover RI:''' Hoist by [[Clayton Crain]]
*'''Hasbro exclusive cover:''' Mirror-flipped, cropped-in version of cover RI, exclusively available with ''[[Transformers: Generations|Generations]]'' Deluxe Class [[Hoist (G1)#Deluxe|Hoist]].
<gallery>
Image:SLHoist_cvrA.jpg| Red Alert? Sir, are you absolutely sure? It does mean changing the bulb.
Image:SLHoist_cvrB.jpg|Hey, we can use the escape plan from "Revenge of the Surf-boarding Killer Bikini Vampire Girls"!
Image:SLHoist_cvrRI.jpg|Just because I look like Herman Munster's stuntman doesn't mean to say I can't appreciate art.
Image:SLHoist cvrHAS.jpg|Here, let me fix your wound... by BLOWING IT OFF!
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets the Eye]]'' #17
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Shockwaves|#17]]
*IDW Limited Transformers books
*''[[Doctor|Doctor Who]]: Prisoners of Time''
*''[[Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters (comic)|Beast Hunters'' comic]]
*''Regular Show''
*''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: City Fall''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Waiting Game}}
[[Category:Dark Cybertron issues]]
[[Category:Pack-in material]]
[[Category:Spotlight issues]]

07:00:00

2017-02-22T23:03:25Z

Queso: /* Errors */

{{Comicstory
|seriesissue=''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One|The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' #1
|prev=The Will of the Few
|next=Applicable Skills
|image=TAAO1 regcvr.jpg
|caption=
|title="07:00:00"
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[June 15]], [[2016]]
|coverdate=June 2016
|written by=[[Mairghread Scott]]
|art by=[[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
|colors by=[[Priscilla Tramontano]]
|letters by=[[Tom B. Long]]
|editor=[[John Barber]]
|continuity=[[IDW Generation 1 continuity|IDW continuity]]
|chronology=[[IDW timeline|Current era]]
}}
'''When public distrust of Starscream's secret police force escalates to the point that citizens begin dying, Ironhide is assigned to the case.'''

==Synopsis==
Life on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] has changed following the formation of the [[Council of Worlds]]. As more citizens from the various colony worlds arrive on Cybertron, pressure on [[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] to allow expansion outside of [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]/[[Iacon (polity)|Iacon]] has increased. Starscream, however, has more pressing concerns. A mysterious informant known only as "[[DC-357]]" has led [[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] and the remaining [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] to believe that their supposedly-deceased comrade [[Swindle (G1)|Swindle]] is actually still alive, and a conspiracy that claims he's really being held prisoner by Starscream has subsequently spread through the populace, carried by a simple, spray-painted slogan: "Swindle Lives!" This much, at least, is untrue; Starscream knows he is not holding Swindle, but the threat that the Combaticon con-man and the secrets he holds could pose to his political position means that the "Chosen One" is dedicating all his energy to finding out whether or not he is actually alive. Unfortunately, the aggressive attitudes of his "[[Badgeless]]" secret police employed in pursuit of this goal has in turn led to increased public distrust of them, leading more and more citizens to hire the services of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s new private security firm [[I.H. Cybertronian Securities]] to keep them and their enterprises safe.

Ironhide is summoned to a meeting of the council, where [[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] talks all assembled through a recent series of attacks on Decepticons that have left them badly beaten and sporting [[mnemosurgery]] wounds. Starscream insists that it is an internal Cybertronian matter for him and his Badgeless to investigate, until Obsidian reveals that the most recent victim, who has died from his injuries, was a supplier of parts to [[Carcer]]. Consequently, the Titan-ship's captain [[Elita One]] has insisted that the attacks be investigated as a Council matter. Obsidian gives voice to the suspicion that the Badgeless themselves are responsible for the attacks, and that the victims are being targeted for information about Swindle, then proposes that Ironhide's company be retained to investigate the matter. Starscream bristles at the suggestion, but promises to deliver a ruling the following day.

Elsewhere in Iacon, Onslaught is deep in thought over the Combaticons' current predicament. As far as he is concerned, the increased aggression of the Badgeless is proof that their informant was telling the truth about Swindle—but despite an intensive search of every nook and cranny of Metroplex, Onslaught can find no trace of him. His team-mates are growing concerned, voicing a need for cash and employment, and when Blast Off tries to talk Onslaught into giving up the search, the Combaticon leader angrily storms out. In doing so, however, he leaves his datapad behind... just as a new communication from DC-357 arrives. Blast Off reads the message and follows its directions to a dumpster behind [[Maccadam's Old Oil House|Maccadam]]'s, inside which he finds a parcel containing a suit of Badgeless armor. Grabbing and incapacitating a passing Badgeless, he uses the suit to take the officer's place...

After the council meeting lets out, Ironhide receives a call from [[Blurr (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Blurr]] at Maccadam's to deal with an unruly customer. [[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] and [[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] have other commitments, so Ironhide heads to the bar alone, where the [[Drunkatron|drunk Decepticon]] is harassing [[Greenlight]] and [[Lancer]]. Ironhide forcibly escorts the 'Con outside, where two Badgeless immediately take notice of them. Ironhide tries to play down the "disagreement," but the drunk gets belligerent and attacks one of the officers, shouting "Swindle lives!" The slogan is all the justification the Badgeless need, as they overpower him and threaten to "cut up his memories" to find out what he knows about Swindle; when Ironhide ties to intercede, the terrified 'bot breaks away and runs into a nearby alley. One Badgeless follows, and, with both 'bots out of sight, the sound of a gun discharging is heard. The other Badgeless clocks Ironhide and runs into the alley; two more gunshots sound before Ironhide can stagger to the alley entrance, where he sees the drunk lying dead on the ground, and the two Badgeless—guns smoking—standing over his body. The Badgeless insist they were attacked and merely defended themselves, but the noise has drawn a crowd of passers-by, who quickly accuse them of murder and threaten to riot. Unnoticed in the fracas, a lone Badgeless slips away, after which a shot fired in the air sends the citizens fleeing, just as Windblade, Starscream, and Obsidian arrive in response to a summons from Ironhide. Once briefed on the situation, Windblade accuses Starscream of being responsible for the recent attacks, and Obsidian departs to inform Elita and the rest of the Council about the incident. Alone for a moment, Starscream warns Windblade that if she pushes the matter, he will all too happily reveal what ''he'' knows about the deaths called by Chromia's bombings and Windblade conspiring to cover it up. Before the pair can argue any further, however, news reporter [[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] comes running up to get a statement from Starscream about the murder. Starscream claims it is far too early to call the 'bot's death "murder," but Circuit thinks otherwise: footage of the 'bot being shot has already been sent to his station, and is now broadcasting live across Iacon!

==Featured characters==
Characters in ''italic'' text appear only in flashbacks. 
{{Featuredcharacters
|c1=
*[[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]] (1)
*[[Windblade (G1)|Windblade]] (5)
*[[Chromia (G1)|Chromia]] (6)
*[[Ironhide (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Ironhide]] (11)
*[[Bumblebee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Bumblebee]] (hallucination, 16)
*[[Blurr (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Blurr]] (24)
|c2=
*[[Blast Off (G1)|Blast Off]] (8)
*[[Octane|Tall Tankor]] (9)
*[[Tankor (BM)|Fat Tankor]] (10)
*[[Onslaught (G1)|Onslaught]] (21)
*[[Brawl (G1)|Brawl]] (22)
*[[Vortex (G1)|Vortex]] (23)
*"[[Drunkatron]]" (25)
|c4=
{{{!}}border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background:transparent"
{{!}}-
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Obsidian (BM)|Obsidian]] (2)
*[[Airazor (BW)|Airazor]] (3)
*[[Tigatron]] (4)
*[[Elita One]] (7)
*[[Quicklightning]] (12)
*[[Knock Out (G1)|Knock Out]] (13)
*"[[Breakdown (IDW)|Breakdown]]" (14)
*[[Starscream (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Starscream]] (15)
*[[Moonracer (G1)|Moonracer]] (17)
{{!}}style="background:transparent;border:0px" valign="top"{{!}}
*[[Vanquish (G1)|Vanquish]] (18)
*[[Fireshot (G1)|Fireshot]] (19)
*[[Strika (BM)|Strika]] (20)
*[[Lancer]] (26)
*[[Greenlight]] (27)
*Assorted [[Badgeless]] (28)
*[[Longtooth]] (29)
*[[Circuit (G1)|Circuit]] (30)
{{!}}}
}}

==Quotes==
'''Ironhide:''' "Does anyone want a drink?" 
'''Windblade:''' "I have a mountain of paperwork that barely makes sense sober." 
'''Chromia:''' "Strika and I are gonna do some sparring. I am not fightin' that lady drunk."

"You.....you're one of those 'Cam-yans' right? The fam-bots?" 
"Those aren't words, Drunkatron. For Prime's sake."
:—'''"Drunkatron"''' doesn't realize he's barking up the wrong tree with '''Lancer'''

==Notes==
===Continuity notes===
*And we're back! ''Till All Are One'' continues where the [[The Transformers: Windblade|second ''Windblade'' series]] left off, following the formation of the Council of Worlds in the final issue.
*Scott has said this takes place "roughly in the same timeframe... give or take a couple of weeks, couple of months" as [[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|''Transformers'']] in general and the "All Hail Optimus" storyline in particular. <ref>[http://www.transmissionspodcast.com/2016/06/episode-177-mairghread-scott-talks-till-all-are-one/ Episode 177 – Mairghread Scott Talks Till All Are One], 35:48 to 37:00</ref>
*Windblade notes in conversation with Metroplex that [[Navitas]], Titan of [[Velocitron]], is on the mend. We met this Titan in [[Race Against the Light|''Windblade'' #5]], where it was explained that years of neglect had left him in a state of disrepair.
*Starscream killed Swindle in [[All That Remains|''Windblade'' #3]], in order to prevent him from revealing that Starscream was responsible for orchestrating [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]]'s attack on [[Caminus]]. The Combaticons began spray-painting the "Swindle Lives" slogan around the city in [[The Will of the Few|''Windblade'' #7]].
*Obsidian refers to Optimus Prime's annexation of Earth, currently taking place over in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'', as well as Galvatron's "instigations" on Cybertron, referring to the short-lived Decepticon insurgency that took place in that book during the "Conquerors" storyline. It's not clear when ''precisely'' this issue occurs in relation to "All Hail Optimus," though, as Circuit and Longtooth were sent to Earth during that story (in [[All Hail Optimus Part 4: It's Beginning To And Back Again|issue #53]], to be precise), and they are active on Cybertron in this one. A reasonable guess might be that this issue is roughly concurrent with [[All Hail Optimus Part 2: Edge of the Earth|''The Transformers'' #51]], given that they were originally intended for release the same month ([[#Other trivia|see below]]).
*Brawl and Onslaught have hooked back up with Blast Off and Vortex after visiting Earth in the aforementioned "Conquerors" storyline, then traveling by spacebridge back to Cybertron in [[All Hail Optimus Part 1: Once Upon a Time on Earth|''The Transformers'' #50]] and escaping in the chaos of that story. But see "Errors" below!
*Blast Off sarcastically recalls how all the Combaticons had to worry about in the past was "an Autobot putting a flaming sword into [their] guts." It might sound like he's speaking generally and just referring to the war, but no: [[Arcee (G1)/IDW Generation 1 continuity|Arcee]] stabbed him through the chest with her flaming sword all the way back in ''[[Spotlight: Arcee]]''!
*Greenlight and Lancer appeared previously in ''Windblade'' #7. The ill-fated Decepticon, who Lancer derisively refers to as "Drunkatron," is still having trouble getting his head around colonies and genders, as he assumes that since they're female, they must be Camiens.
*When threatening Windblade, Starscream refers back to Chromia's crimes and Windblade's cover up, events from the first ''Windblade'' mini-series.

===Transformers references===
*Ironhide running a security firm is an outgrowth of his original function as "Security," as described in his [[bio]], which has never factored much into his depictions in-fiction.
*The Combaticons are now all sporting stylized versions of their ''Combiner Wars'' designs. Blast Off in particular is sporting his [[Blast Off (G1)#CombinerWars|''Combiner Wars'' head design]], with a visible mouth and nose, but he's also got a deployable [[mouthplate]] to give himself a more traditional appearance.
*One crowd member fleeing after the Badgeless fire a shot into the air looks rather like the mecha of the [[People's Liberation Army Mecha Force]] over in sister title ''The Transformers''. With only one optic, the (most likely) 'con looks to be a victim of [[empurata]].

===Real world references===
*Policemen shooting dead someone they wanted for a minor crime, claiming he had attacked them, and being caught on tape doing the dirty deed is a combination of multiple American police scandals of the mid-2010s.

===Errors===
*Vanquish and Fireshot's color schemes are swapped on page 5.
*Last time we saw Brawl, he was firing on security forces after his involvement in sedition and invasion had gone tits up. Starscream complains that criminals are escaping, meaning Brawl. But yet here, the Combaticons, Brawl included, are pulling day jobs and are not on the lam. Starscream runs a forgiving police state!
*Obsidian's head has been squashed down from its usual long self. This is probably our fault, as the majority of pics on Obsidian's page showed his head dead-on from the front at the time. Still not as big a "whoops" as that time the wiki got [[Roadburner#Transformers Legends|Roadburner]] coloured wrong!
*On the final panel of page 19, Starscream says "I can take you, Chromia and '''and''' your entire little planet down with me." This remain uncorrected in the trade paperback.

===Other trivia===
*''Till All Are One'' was originally announced with a March 2016 release date, but was apparently held back until June to give ''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers|Sins of the Wreckers]]'', which was filling the gap between series but was delayed during production, time to finish.
*The title of this issue is the hour of the day that the story begins, counted down to in captions on the first page as the last of the Decepticon victims is seen staggering around the outskirts of town before collapsing.
*In a silent panel, we see that Chromia has the names "[[Exhaust]]" and "[[Technimus]]" written on (scored into?) her metal skin beneath her helmet.
*Badgeless armor is revealed to both project a hologram around its wearer and disguise their voice, allowing all members of the secret police to remaining anonymous by looking and sounding exactly alike.

===Covers (6)===
*'''Regular cover:''' The cast, by [[Sara Pitre-Durocher]]
*'''Subscription cover:''' Ironhide pores over some photographic evidence, by [[Priscilla Tramontano]]
*'''Retailer incentive cover A:''' Windblade and Metroplex, by Sara Pitre-Durocher and [[Thomas Deer]]; one of three retailer incentive covers by Pitre-Durocher for June's Transformers titles, which all feature Windblade in commemoration of the launch of this series.
*'''Retailer incentive cover B:''' The cast, by [[Alex Milne]] and [[Josh Perez]]
*'''Transmissions Podcast exclusive cover:''' Windblade and Starscream recreate the [[:File:MarvelUS-18.jpg|cover]] of [[The Bridge to Nowhere!|Marvel's ''The Transformers'' #18]], by Alex Milne and Josh Perez. Produced exclusively for the [http://www.transmissionspodcast.com/ TransMissions Podcast]; TransMissions logo artwork by Kristal Gonzalez.
*'''Montreal Comiccon exclusive cover:''' [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]], Windblade, and Chromia recreate the [[:File:MarvelUS-01.jpg|cover]] of [[The Transformers (issue)|Marvel's ''The Transformers'' #1]], by [[Livio Ramondelli]]. Produced exclusively for the [http://www.montrealcomiccon.com/ Montreal Comiccon].

<gallery>
File:TAAO1 regcvr.jpg|
File:TAAO1 subcvr.jpg|
File:TAAO1 cvrRIA.jpg|
File:TAAO1 cvrRIB.jpg|
File:TAAO1 cvrREA.jpg|
File:TAAO1 cvrREB.jpg|
</gallery>

===Advertisements===
*''Till All Are One'' #2
*''[[The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye|More than Meets The Eye]]'' [[The Dying of the Light Part 4: At Close of Day|#53]]
*''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise|The Transformers]]'' [[All Hail Optimus Part 5: As Above...So Below|#54]]
*IDW ''Transformers'' reading guide
*''[[Revolution]]''

==External links==
*[http://www.newsarama.com/29685-starscream-worries-about-the-return-of-swindle-in-transformers-till-all-are-one-1-preview.html Preview]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Till All Are One issues]]

File:Spotlight Drift Directors Cut.jpg

2017-01-24T02:36:51Z

Queso: {{IDWSpotlightcover|1={{art|art=Livio Ramondelli}}|2=Drift|3=Spotlight: Drift|4=14|cover="Director's Cut" cover}} Category: Images by Livio Ramondelli

{{IDWSpotlightcover|1={{art|art=[[Livio Ramondelli]]}}|2=Drift|3=Spotlight: Drift|4=14|cover="Director's Cut" cover}}

[[Category: Images by Livio Ramondelli]]

The Reign of Starscream issue 5

2017-01-19T03:04:46Z

Queso: /* Covers (3) */

{{comicstory|seriesissue=[[Transformers: The Reign of Starscream|''Transformers: The Reign of Starscream'']] #5
|prev=The Reign of Starscream issue 4
|next=Alliance issue 1
|title="Transformers: The Reign of Starscream Issue Number Five"
|image=ReignOfStarscream5 CoverA.jpg
|caption=WHO DISRUPTS MY CORONATION?!
|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]
|date=[[August 27]], [[2008]]
|coverdate=August 2008
|written by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|art by=[[Alex Milne]]
|colors by=[[Josh Perez]]
|letters by=[[Chris Mowry]]
|edits by=[[Denton J. Tipton]]
|continuity=[[Movie continuity]]
}}
'''Can the Autobots stop Starscream from ruling all of Cybertron?'''

==Synopsis==
Just outside the [[Simfur Temple|temple]] at [[Simfur]], [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] and her crew contemplate their next move in saving their friends. [[Crosshairs (Movie)|Crosshairs]] suggests that they split into two teams: one to head back to [[Trypticon (Movie)|Trypticon]] and cause a diversion, while the rest take on the rescue. [[Strongarm (Movie)|Strongarm]], [[Breakaway (Movie)|Breakaway]] and [[Wingblade]] volunteer for the former, while [[Armorhide (Movie)|Armorhide]] agrees to take a team to provide cover for the rescue party.

Down at the temple, [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] marvels at what he has achieved. He looks over the crowd, seeing them not gathered out of fear or displaced loyalty, knowing no matter their previous allegiance, they will all bow before him as the new leader of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]. He addresses the crowd, putting down the efforts of their [[Megatron (Movie)|previous]] [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|leaders]], and how he has returned to rebuild Cybertron for them. All he asks is that they swear allegiance to him and his cause, to which the entire crowd readily does.

After that, he explains the purpose of the prisoners shackled to the [[replica AllSpark|new AllSpark]]; the five of them will give their sparks to reactivate the cube, and restore Cybertron to its former glory. [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] pleads with him to stop, calling his plan insane. But Starscream is resolute in his actions, and with the push of a button, the five "criminals" are terminated. Their [[spark]] energy is stored and, with another flick of a switch, Starscream activates the new AllSpark... only to find it's ''not working.''

Starscream has little time to contemplate why it has failed, before he realises he has bigger problems in the form of [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]], who calls in his drones to surround the confused bot. [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] and [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]] also show their true colours, siding with Dreadwing as he explains his actions. He saw the data from [[Frenzy (Movie)|Frenzy]], and decided he wanted it for himself. He brags about the size of his forces, and how easy it was to form this little coup. Starscream quickly rebukes him, calling Dreadwing a novice and regretting ever saving him. However, Dreadwing doesn't let it faze him and orders his [[Drone|drones]] to seize Starscream and his remaining followers.

[[Image:ROSDreadwingturns.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This is so much better than having Galvatron interfere with me.]]
Arcee and members of the rescue party watch in disbelief from the outskirts; their job has just become a little harder. [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]] and Crosshairs theorize that the master switch must be at Trypticon, and perhaps Breakaway can deactivate it. Arcee makes her move, using her rifle to take out the fake AllSpark with a mighty explosion. Dreadwing is not pleased, sending Ramjet and the drones to deal with the new intruders. Crosshairs and Armorhide hold the line, and Ramjet nearly runs the latter through before Crosshairs decapitates him.

Meanwhile, back at the temple, Starscream has had enough. He's furious that he let his lust for power blind him, as it did Megatron, and goes on the offensive. With the help of [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] and [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]], he takes out numerous drones before he notices Dreadwing escaping. Starscream leaves the clean up in his subordinates hands and goes after the traitor, taking a surprised [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]] along with him. Admiring the valiant efforts of the Autobots fighting below, he intercepts Wingblade's message to Arcee about deactivating the drones. His path clear, he searches Trypticon until he finds the traitor.

On board [[Nemesis (Movie)|a starship]], Dreadwing plans to escape to the atmosphere and reactivate the drones. His plans are put on hold as Starscream throws Divebomb onto the front of the ship, before blowing him to smithereens. He cripples the ship before boarding, threatening to kill Dreadwing before the ship crashes. Dreadwing states he only did what Starscream never had the bearings to do to Megatron, but Starscream is not swayed. Below them, Arcee pulls her team out of Trypticon to avoid the collision.

However, Dreadwing has one final ace up his handless sleeve. As the ship tumbles out of control, he activates the [[Space bridge|Space Bridge]] before teleporting away from the enraged Starscream. His screams of the traitor's name are cut short as the ship collides. The explosion turns the Decepticon city into a smoldering crater before it's absorbed into the wormhole. Trypticon has fallen, and Starscream is gone.

Outside the city limits, Arcee and her crew observe the destruction. She notes that this could be the turning point in the war, but knows that if Starscream survived the explosion, he could turn everything around again. She vows to find him...and judging from the sight of the Thundercracker speeding away from the scene, she's not the only one.

Far away from Cybertron, on [[Mars (planet)|Mars]], the disused Space Bridge antenna activates. The remains of the starship as well as the explosion come crashing through the wormhole, obliterating it. While this happens, a confused but very much alive Dreadwing emerges. He marvels at his miraculous escape just long enough for Starscream to sneak up, tear his head off and crush his spark core. The traitor addresses him as "Lord Starscream" before he finally goes quiet.

A damaged Starscream takes a moment to think about all that has happened. Dreadwing is dead, but his plan (or possibly his followers) have failed. But he knows there are allies back on [[Earth]], and he knows they will join with him. He will have his rule no matter where it may be.

==Featured characters==
{{featuredcharacters|c1=
* [[Skyblast (Movie)|Skyblast]] (1)
* [[Wingblade]] (2)
* [[Breakaway (Movie)|Breakaway]] (3)
* [[Arcee (Movie)|Arcee]] (4)
* [[Crosshairs (Movie)|Crosshairs]] (5)
* [[Clocker (Movie)|Clocker]] (6)
* [[Armorhide (Movie)|Armorhide]] (7)
* [[Strongarm (Movie)|Strongarm]] (8)
* [[Signal Flare (Movie)|Signal Flare]] (10)
* [[Warpath (Movie)|Warpath]] (13)
* [[Elita-One (Movie)|Elita-One]] (14)
* [[Grindcore (Movie)|Grindcore]] (19)

|c2=
* [[Payload (Movie)|Payload]] (9)
* [[Dreadwing (Movie)|Dreadwing]] (11)
* [[Thundercracker (Movie)|Thundercracker]] (12)
* [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]] (15)
* [[Crankcase (Movie)|Crankcase]] (16)
* [[Stockade (Movie)|Stockade]] (17)
* [[Ramjet (Movie)|Ramjet]] (18)
* [[Vortex (Movie)|Vortex]] (20)
* [[Divebomb (Movie)|Divebomb]] (21)
}}

==Quotes==
"You can't be serious! Let us go and we can help each other. They'll never follow you!" 
"Silence! Take comfort in knowing that your last actions will have saved so many of us. This is what you deserve." 
"'''YOU'RE INSANE!'''" 
"No... I'm '''in charge'''." 
:—'''Elita-One''''s pleas for mercy fall on '''Starscream''''s deaf ears.

"Autobot scrap! You come out of hiding only to die. That's not using your h—"
:—'''Ramjet''', who is just about to learn the definition of "irony".

"I merely did to you what you never had the courage to do to Megatron." 
"Courage? Treason is more like it. And the punishment for treason... is death."
:—'''Dreadwing''' and '''Starscream''' discuss the finer points of treachery.

"Haha! I did it! Talk about cutting it '''close'''! Wait, where in the name of the AllSpark '''am I'''? Who cares? I'm '''alive'''! I still func—" 
"Wanna bet?"
:—'''Dreadwing''' and '''Starscream''' quote [[The Transformers: The Movie|some movie]] or something.

"My plan failed, or was it my troops that failed me? I can only process the situation and hope for a conclusion. There are allies on Earth, and more scattered across the Galaxy. I will seek them out. By my side they will join, and in time, I will have my kingdom... regardless of the location."
:—'''Starscream''''s internal monologue after Dreadwing's execution.

==Notes==
* Whereas [[The Reign of Starscream issue 1|issue #1]] had continued the [[Primal Fear!|grand]] [[The Ultimate Doom, Part 1|tradition]] of Transformers fiction [[The Test (issue)|confusing]] galaxies with [[Solar system|solar systems]], [[Starscream (Movie)|Starscream]]'s closing monologue in this issue, where he states that he has allies "scattered across the [[Milky Way|galaxy]]", keeps in line with [[Optimus Prime (Movie)|Optimus Prime]]'s opening monologue from the [[Transformers (film)|movie]].
* Strongarm is shown without his battle mask, and he has a big, gaping hole in his face.
* According to Chris Mowry's commentary in the trade collection of this series, the method of Ramjet's death is a nod to his G1 namesake's fate in "[[Spotlight: Ramjet]]".
* This issue features the ''[[Transformers: Mosaic]]'' "More Than You Can Chew".

===Errors===
*Stockade's optic bar has a bluish tint, rather than the orange one he has in his previous appearances.

===Covers (3)===

* '''Cover A:''' Wraparound of Starscream and others flying in space above Earth; art by Alex Milne & colors by [[Espen Grundetjern]].
* '''Cover B:''' Starscream and the burning AllSpark; art by [[James Raiz]] & colors by [[Kieran Oats]].
* '''Incentive Cover RI''': Starscream photo cover.

<gallery>
Image:ReignOfStarscream5 CoverA wraparound.jpg|Get these pathetic nobodies off of MY cover! They're not even ''in'' this series!
Image:ReignOfStarscream5 CoverB.jpg|Who do they think I am?? [[The Transformers: Stormbringer |Stormbringer]] [[Thunderwing (G1)|Thunderwing]]?
Image:ReignOfStarscream5 CoverRI.jpg|This cover feels [[The Reign of Starscream issue 1|oddly familiar]]....
</gallery>

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[[Category:IDW Movie issues|Reign of Starscream 5]]